History

Since the Mt. Washington Auto Road first opened in 1861, it was been a proving ground for all types of adventurers. The honor of driving the first horse-drawn vehicle to the summit went to Col. Joseph Thompson, then proprietor of the Glen House. To be sure of beating out his friendly rival, Col. John Hitchcock, landlord of the Alpine House, Thompson drove his horse and carriage to the summit three weeks before the official opening. The last few yards were still so strewn with boulders that help was needed to keep the carriage upright, but he made it.

Throughout the years, many have made a point of securing their place in the history of the Auto Road. In 1875, Harlen Amen ran down the Road in 54 minutes. The first round trip on skis was made in 1907. In 1924, a Harley Davidson motorcycle ascended the Auto Road in 15 minutes. Florence Clark becomes the first and only woman to drive a dog team solo to the summit in 1932.  In the 1950’s, Alton Weagle goes up the Auto Road barefoot and blindfolded, then backwards, then pushing a wheelbarrow with a 100-pound sack of sugar in it.

Other more traditional ascents have taken place as well. During the 1998 automobile race, Climb to the Clouds, Frank Sprongl set the record for the fastest automobile ascent. Each year the Auto Road hosts two cycling races, Newton’s Revenge in July and the Mt. Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb in August. And every June more than 1000 runners challenge the Auto Road during the Mt. Washington Road Race.

The spirit that drove Col. Thompson and each adventurer since is the same that has pushed people to drive, run and cycle up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. And, now skiers have the same opportunity to challenge themselves on Mt. Washington.

Ski to the Clouds was first held in 1996 as a new and unique challenge to the Mt. Washington Auto Road. Ski to the Clouds has an entirely new twist for this version of the Nordic ski race. Last held in 2002, the new race will utilize the Great Glen Trails Nordic system for 4 kilometers before beginning the steep ascent up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. In the past, the race used only terrain on the Auto Road, limiting the distance. The race will finish just past the halfway point of the Mt. Washington Auto Road at just below 4000 feet above sea level. Ski to the Clouds will certainly be a challenge for any skier, especially those that have enjoyed the Great Glen to Bretton Woods Nordic Adventure, which saw its finale in March of this 2007.