Omni Mount Washington Resort Timeline

Omni Hotels & Resorts announced that it has acquired The Omni Mount Washington Resort from CNL Lifestyle Properties. 

Bretton Woods replaced old snowmaking pipe and added 35 new, high efficiency HKD SV 10 towers representing an investment of over $300,000, plus another $100,000 in new rental equipment.  The addition of Fabyan Fields will include a Nordic racing arena and event fields.

An expansion of Mount Stickney aimed at the Nordic skier takes place at the Bretton Woods Ski Area at the Omni Mount Washington Resort for the 2013-14 seasons. Additional Nordic terrain is added to the already vast network of 100km. These new high-altitude trails will provide the avid Nordic skier with early and late season terrain. Extending out from the new Mount Stickney Cabin, these new trails will circle up along the ridge to the summit of Mount Stickney and connect into the Stickney trail system.  It will be the quintessential spot for Nordic races and events.

The $1.3 million expansion also welcomed 40 snow guns on Crawford’s Blaze and 20 upgraded snow guns to Ben trails (Ben, Big Ben, and Bigger Ben). In addition, guests will be able to enjoy the recently expanded Bretton Woods Canopy Tour. New this year, Bretton Woods has upgraded the Canopy Tour to include 4 new zips lines adding 1,000 more feet of high-flying fun. These four new zips – ranging from 500 to 800 feet – replace four smaller ones, which means less time on the ground and more time in the trees, keeping the adrenaline pumping throughout the 4,700-foot tour. 

The Omni Mount Washington Resort continues its transformation with a $1.4 million investment in the redesign of the Omni Bretton Arms Inn. The Inn welcomed new design pallets inspired by the area’s natural surroundings displayed on curtains, carpets, upholstery, artwork and guest bedding. The Inn also welcomed a new Bretton Arms Dining Room and bar. Over at Bretton Woods, the resort continued its $750,000 expansion of Mount Stickney with the instillation of a new 2,000-foot Doppelmayr T-Bar and a new 600-square-foot log cabin and another $200,000 on 50 new SV10 Impulse snowguns on the popular Range View trail. At the main hotel, nearly $100,000 was invested in the remodeling of the Princess Room updated with a modern mix of décor and furnishing.

In the Fall of 2012, the resort also began a $6.5 million restoration of the hotel’s signature red roofs with innovative technology to prevent icicles from forming in the winter months.

The Omni Mount Washington Resort begins the second phase of a comprehensive renovation that represents a $10 million+ investment and comprises renovations to all of the resort’s restaurants (except for the Dining Room which was completed in the first phase), including The Cave, a former speakeasy from the Prohibition Era; Fabyan’s Station, a family dining restaurant housed in a former train station whose renovation will reflect its history with tile laid to resemble train tracks and décor including vintage train artwork; and Stickneys, a “Farm to Table” pub & steakhouse. In addition, the second phase will include the completion of all guest rooms in the hotel as well as all guest rooms in the Omni Bretton Arms Inn. A giant chess set on the lawn and firepit will also be added. 

September 1: Omni Hotels & Resorts partners with CNL Lifestyle Properties, Inc., to become the long-term operator of the Mount Washington Resort. 

The ribbon-cutting for the new Presidential Wing takes place on January 12, 2009 and features NH’s First Lady, Dr. Susan Lynch as guest speaker.  

With ongoing construction of the new Presidential Wing at the hotel, Mount Washington Resort Realty makes its new home in the renovated Story Center, located near the base of Bretton Woods, and readies for the launch of the first phase of proposed development, i.e. Dartmouth Brook. The natural "Perimeter Pools" along the Ammonoosuc are made available to guests, by shuttle transport, for the first time. The restored 18-hold Mount Washington Course reopens, having been restored based upon the original plans of Donald Ross, on August 1, 2008; while plans are laid to install a new three-hour zip line canopy interpretative nature tour at Bretton Woods, with a scheduled completion in time for ski season opening in November.

A $50 million dollar investment in restoration, refurbishment and revitalization of existing resort features begins. All resort facilities are unified under one "Mount Washington Resort" logo. The Dining Room, Rosebrook Bar, Great Hall, and Veranda are refurbished in the spring, including the addition of the new Adventure Desk in the Great Hall. The Mount Washington Course restoration, based upon the original designs of Donald Ross (1915), begins under renowned course architect Brian Silva; and groundbreaking for the new Presidential Wing, including The Spa and conference center takes place in July, with anticipated completion in Winter 2008/09. The temporary Mount Washington Resort Alpine & Country Club's winter base lodge, the Alpine Club, is constructed and opens its doors in time for Christmas 2007. The Mount Washington Resort real estate development office holds public workshops in Twin Mountain detailing the Resort's long-term plans and engaging the local populace in future Resort planning.

Mount Washington Resort is purchased by Celebration Associates of Hot Springs, Virginia, and long-term plans are developed to bring to life the vision of Mount Washington Resort as the premier destination resort in New England. Plans include the construction of a convention center and full service spa at The Mount Washington Hotel, restoration of the Resorts two golf courses, a pedestrian village at the base of the ski area, and long-term community development of homes and home sites. The first project, a new 7,600-square-foot Kids' Alpine Club, was constructed at Bretton Woods and opened in time for Christmas.

Plans are underway to create a pedestrian village, with dining, shopping and lodging at the base of Bretton Woods. Lake Carolyn is under construction for summer water recreation. For the third-consecutive year, Bretton Woods breaks the record for the longest New Hampshire ski season – 183 days, November 10, 2004 – May 11, 2005.

A climate control system is installed in all guest rooms and some public spaces at the hotel. Once again, Bretton Woods sets another new record for the longest ski season in New Hampshire history – 178 days. Bretton Woods adds trails (total: 101), snow making and new programs. The Cog Ski Trains open.

The Mount Rosebrook Summit Express high-speed detachable quad opens to the summit of Mount Rosebrook, and 12 new trails are added, bringing the total trail count to 88. The second phase of the base lodge expansion project is completed, featuring an efficient and expanded rental area, Slopeside Restaurant & Pub, a general store and the new resort-run TreeTop Sports alpine shop. Bretton Woods celebrates longest ski season in New Hampshire history – 177 days; November 9, 2002 – May 4, 2003.

The Mount Washington Hotel celebrates its centennial with an array of special events and celebrations.

The Zephyr, a new high-speed quad lift replaces the Mount Oscar double chair at Bretton Woods. The first phase of a three-phase base lodge expansion project is completed

The Mount Washington Hotel opens for its first year-round season on Thanksgiving Day. In late 1999, West Mountain opens adjacent to the Bretton Woods Ski Area with snow making, new trails and a quad chair lift.

The hotel announces plans to commence year-round operation of the Mount Washington Hotel in 1999 as the anchor of a world-class, four-season resort.

In April, the hotel acquires 950 acres bordering Hotel property, extending the resort's holdings to 1,250 acres and restoring land and buildings, including the Bretton Woods Sports Club, that were part of the complex before its 1988 subdivision. In September, the Bretton Woods Ski Area is purchased by the hotel.

The hotel hosts Citicorp's international banking convention. Former President George Bush is the keynote speaker.

The Mount Washington Golf Course and the Mount Pleasant Golf Course, a total of 27 holes, are acquired by the Hotel.

MWH Preservation Limited Partnership purchases the hotel at auction for $3.15 million. Managing partners, all New Hampshire natives, include the Bedor and Presby families (owners of the Mount Washington Cog Railway) and the Clement and Eames families.

Due to an economic slump, control of the hotel is acquired by the FDIC, which invests $1 million in restoration.

The Bretton Woods Ski Area opens the first detachable quad chairlift in the state.

The Corporation controlled by Robert Satter subdivides the property into three businesses: the hotel, the ski area, and development acreage.

The Department of the Interior recognizes the historical and architectural significance of The Mount Washington Hotel with the National Historic Landmark designation. The Bretton Arms Country Inn, completely restored to offer elegant accommodations and dining, is awarded National Historic Landmark status as part of the designation.

The Presby and Bedor families purchase the Mount Washington Railway Company. The Bretton Woods Ski Area completes construction of Fabyan's Express triple chair, opening the summit of Mount Rosebrook to skiers.

The hotel is placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Bretton Woods Ski Area begins offering night skiing.

The hotel and associated property is acquired by Bretton Woods Corporation, a subsidiary of a public real estate company. Under this ownership, the Bretton Woods Ski Touring Center is expanded and 6,400 acres of woodlands are sold to the White Mountain National Forest.

The MWDC opens the Bretton Woods Ski Area on Mount Rosebrook.

The hotel is bought by the Mount Washington Development Company (MWDC), a Philadelphia Partnership.

The Boston syndicate sells the hotel to Mr. and Mrs. Morris J. Fleisher of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Fleishers operate the hotel for 15 seasons.

Foster Reynolds sells the hotel and property to a Boston syndicate. As the new owners prepare to open for the season of 1944, the U.S. Government requests the use of the hotel for an international gathering of financiers from 44 countries. The hotel is extensively restored and modernized to host the now-famous Bretton Woods International Monetary Conference. The Conference organizes a World Bank and International Monetary Fund, sets the price of gold at $35 an ounce, and chooses the American dollar as the standard of international exchange.

Carolyn Foster Stickney marries Prince Lucinge of France, who dies at the Battle of Verdun in World War I. The Princess Clarigny de Lucinge owns hotels in France and Switzerland, and continues to operate The Mount Washington Hotel until her death in the early 1930s. Her nephew, Foster Reynolds, operates the hotel for ten years and tears down the Mount Pleasant House.

The Mount Washington Hotel's Post Office, Railroad Station, and Express Office are named "Bretton Woods." In December, Stickney dies and the hotel is inherited by his widow, Carolyn Foster Stickney. She builds the Stickney Memorial Chapel in his memory.

Stickney completes construction of The Mount Washington Hotel, an elaborate example of Spanish Renaissance Revival architecture. The hotel incorporates the latest advances in engineering, including a steel superstructure, a heating system, and an electric power plant. In the years to come, the hotel hosts celebrities ranging from Thomas Edison and Princess Margaret to Anthony Eden, John Kenneth Galbraith, and Joan Crawford.

Joseph Stickney, Pennsylvania Railroad tycoon and native of Concord, New Hampshire, purchases the Mount Pleasant House and 10,000 acres of land in view of Mount Washington.

The Mount Pleasant House is constructed opposite the future Mount Washington Hotel. It is razed in 1939.

The railroad is completed through Crawford Notch, ushering in the era of Grand Hotels.

The Mount Washington Cog Railway is completed by Sylvester Marsh, a native of Campton, New Hampshire, and carries Ulysses S. Grant to the summit.

First Crawford House is built. A new structure is raised in 1859 and operates until 1976.

Horace Fabyan opens the Mount Washington House. Renamed Fabyan House in 1872, it operates until 1951.

By an act of the New Hampshire legislature, Bretton Woods is renamed Carroll. The name is revived in 1902 as a railroad stop at The Mount Washington Hotel.

Abel and Ethan Crawford build the Notch House. Thoreau is a guest in 1839. It operates until 1854.

The Willey House, a small inn and residence in Crawford Notch, is the site of a landslide that claims nine lives.

Abel Crawford blazes a trail (now known as the Crawford Path) to Mount Washington for the entertainment of visitors such as Daniel Webster, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Abel and Hannah Crawford purchase land near Fabyans. A year later, they sell their plot to Hannah's father, Eleazer Rosebrook, and move south to establish a tavern beside the Saco River in Hart's Location. Abel's son, Ethan, later takes over the inn that Rosebrook establishes.

A ten-year effort begins to build a road through the Notch. The rugged thoroughfare attracts travelers and, eventually, inns and taverns.

Mount Washington is named in honor of President George Washington.

Nash and Sawyer are awarded 2,184 acres of land at the center of what is now Bretton Woods. They sell it for 90 pounds (about $200) and their plot is merged with a larger grant of 25,000 acres awarded to some Portsmouth men. Governor Wentworth names the township Bretton Woods, after his ancestral home, Bretton Hall in England.

While tracking a moose in Jefferson, Timothy Nash climbs a tree to get his bearings. He sees a "notch" to the south and explores this opening through the wall of mountains. Wentworth promises Nash a Royal Land Grant if he can get a horse through the Notch to Portland. With his friend Benjamin Sawyer and the help of a block and tackle, Nash performs this feat.

Royal Governor Benning Wentworth's Upper Coos Land Grants spur the search for a way through the mountains to Portland.

Darby Field is the first white man to climb Mount Washington, but the mountain remains otherwise unexplored for another century.

John Sebastian Cabot sights the 6,288-foot peak of Mount Washington while exploring the New England coast. Later glimpsed by Verrazano in 1524, it was not visited by Europeans for more than a century. Native Americans called it "Agiocochook" or "Waumbek Methna." Early settlers variously called New England's highest peak "Sugarloaf," "Christall Hill," and the "White Hill."