Eaton’s Little White Church surrounded by brilliant foliage

NORTH CONWAY, N.H. -- A post-weekend survey of Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce member businesses found that Columbus Day weekend 2026 (Oct. 9-12) was a strong one for nearly all respondents. Ninety-four percent said business was at or above expectations, including 50 percent who rated the weekend above expectations. Six percent said the weekend fell short of what they had hoped for.

Weather and foliage were the reasons cited most often. Fifty-six percent of respondents mentioned weather and 63 percent mentioned foliage or fall color. The one respondent who rated the weekend below expectations pointed to competing events in town.

Fall 2026 as a whole was stronger still. Sixty-two percent of respondents rated the full fall foliage season above expectations, 25 percent said it came in at expectations, and 13 percent said it fell short. Several businesses said color arrived early this year, and respondents who rated the season as fair described a short window for peak foliage and fewer day trippers than hoped.

"Weather and foliage both showed up for Columbus Day weekend, and our members felt it," said Chris Proulx, Executive Director of the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce. "Nearly every business met or beat its own expectations, and more than two-thirds said visitors spent more per person than they did last year. Traffic was the most common complaint from visitors. Businesses are looking ahead to winter with moderate optimism."

Dining: Strong Season, Mixed Weekend

Two of the three dining respondents rated Columbus Day weekend above expectations, and all three rated the full fall season above expectations.

Black Cap Grille rated both the weekend and the season above expectations. "Both September & October had high volume with guests looking to spend," said General Manager Bill Frittenburg, who noted a visitor mix of lots of couples and retirees. He rated per-visitor spending above last year.

The Valley Originals also rated the weekend and the season above expectations. "It could not have been better," said Genn Anzaldi, who credited the weather, foliage, the Fryeburg Fair and marketing. Anzaldi said guests enjoy the staff, food and shopping.

Ledge Brewing Company rated the weekend fair, citing competing events in town, but rated the full season above expectations. "We’re near town but removed enough from the craziness and we have parking," said Reilly LeFeuvre, describing what draws guests.

Tad Furtado of Sap House Meadery shared, “We are up more than 15% over last year YTD. And September and so far October has been up more than that.”

Lodging: Steady Weekend, Sold-Out Dates

Lodging respondents were steady rather than spectacular for the holiday weekend itself. Forty percent rated it above expectations and 60 percent said it was at expectations. None rated it below. For the full season, 60 percent said above expectations and 40 percent said at expectations.

Paul Durfee, Marketing Director for the Berry Companies, owners of the Eastern Slope Inn and Attitash Village, stated, “We saw a steady buildup to a very strong peak around October 7th-8th. The valley was as busy as it's ever been for the week leading up to Columbus Day weekend.”

Bretton Woods Vacations rated both the weekend and the season above expectations. "It was a phenomenal season, welcoming visitors from all over the world!" said President Alex Foti. "October quickly shifted into high gear. We sold out both of the first two weekends of October and continue to see strong visitor traffic well into the season." Foti said September visitation was not as strong as the early foliage deserved, and that stays were slightly shorter this fall, with more one- and two-night trips. A higher number of visitors and a higher average daily rate more than offset that, he said. Foti also suggested that an "Instagram effect" has helped, with the foliage forecast widely publicized and social media full of photos of the notches and towns.

Beach Camping Area also rated the weekend and the season above expectations. "Best foliage season ever," said Peter Gagne. "Fall business is up almost 20 percent."

Attractions and Recreation: Strong Weekend, Mixed Season

Attraction and recreation respondents, including golf, rated the weekend well. Sixty percent said above expectations and 40 percent said at expectations. Season results were more varied, with 40 percent above expectations, 20 percent at expectations and 40 percent below.

Cranmore Mountain Resort rated both the weekend and the season above expectations. "Great weather over the weekend, peak foliage. The Valley itself seemed very busy," said Becca Deschenes. She added that the season has been very strong, apart from a few rainy Sundays.

Indian Mound Golf Club and River's Edge Grille & Tavern also rated both periods above expectations. "Best ever," said Jonathan Rivers, who cited lots of people in the area and great weather, along with an increase in group business. Rivers noted that road construction was challenging for visitors.

Silver Lake Railriders rated the weekend above expectations and credited "peepers," while rating the season fair. "Great colors, short window," said Hank Walther.

Mount Washington Cog Railway rated the weekend at expectations and the season fair. "Weather played a part; otherwise, when you are sold out, there is not much else you can do to increase," said Marketing Director Rob Arey. Arey said that foliage came early this year as it did last year, but it did not bring the day trippers, which he assumed was related to gas prices.

Retail: Younger Visitors and a Long, Busy Weekend

Retail and mixed-service respondents were strong over the full season, with 67 percent above expectations and 33 percent at expectations. One-third rated the weekend above expectations and two-thirds rated it at expectations.

Beggars Pouch Leather rated the weekend and the season above expectations. "Weather was stupendous. Foliage spectacular and the weekend continued after the Fair ended," said owner Rene Bajger, who described the season as "exhausting but extremely successful" and noted "definitely a younger clientele."

McSheffrey's Up North rated the weekend at expectations and the season above expectations. Dan O'Connell said a mix of rain and sun through the summer set up a strong foliage season, and that the business saw "more people overall from all over."

Visitor Spending: Above Last Year for Most

Spending per visitor was above last year for 69 percent of respondents, and on par for 31 percent. No respondent reported lower spending. At Labor Day, 56 percent reported spending above last year.

Traffic: The Most Common Visitor Complaint

Half of respondents said visitors mentioned traffic as a challenge during their stay. One additional respondent cited road construction. "We had some complaints about traffic," Foti said. No other single challenge came up as often.

Gas Prices: A Factor for Most

Sixty percent of respondents said gas prices had or possibly had an impact on business, with 53 percent saying yes and 7 percent saying possibly. Forty percent reported no effect. The result is in line with the Chamber's Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day surveys, in which majorities cited gas as a real or possible factor.

Inflation: Less Widely Felt Than at Labor Day

Sixty-three percent of respondents said inflation had or possibly had an impact on business, with 38 percent saying yes and 25 percent saying possibly. Thirty-eight percent said no. At Labor Day, 89 percent reported an inflation impact.

Labor Shortage: Affecting Half of Businesses

Half of respondents said a worker shortage had or possibly had an impact on their business, with 44 percent saying yes and 6 percent saying possibly. The other half said staffing was not an issue. At Labor Day, 56 percent reported an impact.

Canadian Visitation: Closer to Last Year

Among the respondents who reported on Canadian traffic, one-third said Canadian visitation was below last year, one-third said it was on par, and one-third said it was above.  

International Visitation: Above Last Year for Most

International visitation other than Canadian was stronger than a year ago for many respondents. Among those who reported, 53 percent said international traffic was above last year, 33 percent said it was on par, and 13 percent said it was below. The average score was 4.7, compared with 3.5 at Labor Day. Foti said his team found itself "translating messages in a wide variety of languages, including Arabic."

Winter Outlook: Cautiously Positive

Looking ahead to winter, 40 percent of respondents rated their outlook above the midpoint of the scale, 53 percent rated it at the midpoint, and 7 percent rated it below.