In 2011, the historic Balsams Resort shut its doors after more than a hundred years operating in the tiny town of Dixville Notch in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. With the closure, hundreds of North Country citizens lost their jobs, and the town, which had become well known for being one of the first places to cast ballots in the state’s presidential primary — at midnight at the resort — found a beloved tradition in jeopardy.
Now there are plans for the resort to undergo a significant renovation and expansion in the coming years. The plans include a new wing, upgrades to the once world-class golf course and the addition of 1,000 additional acres to the ski area, which would make it the largest downhill ski area in the Northeast.
With assistance from UNH Cooperative Extension, North Country residents are working to fully understand what the proposed redevelopment of the iconic resort could mean for their part of the state.