2002 U.S. Olympic Snowboarder Peter Thorndike visited King Pine earlier this week with his family. ~ Photo Courtesy of Thomas Prindle

MADISON, NH — As the 2018 Winter Olympics get set to begin and attention focuses on top elite U.S. athletes competing among the best of the world, Peter Thorndike a member of the 2002 U.S. Olympic Snowboard Team was enjoying a sunny Monday skiing and snowboarding with his family at King Pine.

“We’re here regularly on Mondays,” said Peter Thorndike, a former U.S. Olympic Snowboard Team member comprised of 7 men and 7 women selected to compete in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. “We homeschool our children and they are at a young age and level that works for us well here at King Pine.”

Now living in Center Harbor with his wife Laura and their children Elsa and Pierce, Peter said it was a friend of his who similarly homeschool their children that suggested they participate in the King Pine Pioneer Race Series, a weekly race league that welcomes all ages and skill levels. “It’s less about racing for us,” admitted Peter. “We found it to be a very affordable way for us to regularly get out with our kids. It’s a relaxed day for us arriving late morning and making runs before lunch and some more after lunch.”

Thorndike is still involved with USASA as a clinic instructor that will often have him travel out West and he also runs a snowboard camp annually at a larger New Hampshire ski area.

“We feel fortunate to have access to such a family friendly and affordable ski area with such varied terrain and friendly staff. We really enjoy the laid back attitude and feel safe bringing our young kids to the mountain. King Pine is where I competed in one of my first snowboard races back in the early nineties and my wife Laura too was introduced to King Pine at a young age when she would come over with a Sandwich School Recreation program. It was certainly a long, winding and rewarding road for me with various academies, teams and international competitions to become part of the 2002 U.S. Olympic Snowboard Team and compete at Park City, but I’m happy to be spending time again back at King Pine now with our kids as they learn to ski.”

Campton, NH – February 7, 2018 The White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) and Arts Alliance of Northern NH invite interested artists in all media to apply for the 2018 WMNF artist in residency program, a celebration of the connections between forest, landscape and culture. The deadline for applications is March 20, 2018.

The program offers professional and emerging artists in all disciplines from around the country — visual and performing artists, craftspeople, writers, composers, eco artists and media artists — an opportunity to pursue their particular art form while being inspired by the surrounding forest and, on several occasions, sharing their work and their artistic process with members of the public. The goal of the residency program is to use art and creative expression to explore the many ways in which people relate to forests — and to the White Mountain National Forest in particular. This year’s artist in residence will be part of the 2018 celebration of the Forest’s Centennial.

One artist residency of at least three weeks will be offered between mid-July and September. The artist will be provided accommodations on or near the forest as well as limited reimbursement of travel expenses and the cost of supplies and materials. Friends of Mead Base have provided housing to several artists in the past. Public programs may include demonstrations, talks, exploratory walks or hikes, or performances, based on the medium, interest and experience of the artist.

“All of our selected artists so far have really connected with the forest – as well as with the local community and with Forest Service personnel,” says Frumie Selchen, Executive Director of the Arts Alliance of Northern New Hampshire, a nonprofit working to promote, support and sustain cultural life throughout northern New Hampshire.

Clare Mendelsohn, WMNF Forest Supervisor commented, “There’s a sense of expectation and excitement about each new artist, and the ways in which he or she will help us see and understand our landscape, and the incredible resources the forest offers. This year’s Centennial celebration makes the opportunities even more exciting.”

Find more information and an application for the program at www.aannh.org, or contact the Arts Alliance at info@aannh.org, 603-323-7302.