Why Schwendi Fest Is The Best Way To Celebrate Fall
With temperatures dropping and leaves turning, it’s finally starting to feel like the October we’ve all been waiting for! What better way to celebrate the heart of fall than with the 4th Annual Schwendi Fest, our take on Oktoberfest! From mountain views to games, live entertainment, and seasonal fun, there’s plenty to look forward to on the mountain.
Continue reading to learn all that Schwendi Fest entails and join us on Sunday, October 11th from 12-5pm to see exactly why it might just be the best way to celebrate fall in Waterville Valley!
Celebrate Fall, Schwendi Style
Schwendi Fest is when the mountain comes alive—not only with vibrant fall foliage, but with live entertainment, food and drinks, games, competitions, scenic chairlift rides, and plenty of reasons to start getting excited for winter. The best part? Admission to the festivities in the base area is free!
Come hungry because the Freestyle BBQ is serving burgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, and beer brats while DJ Brett keeps the energy going throughout the day with music. Bring your competitive spirit and put your skills to the test with Schwendi Fest favorites like the Keg Toss, Skier Relay Race, Pumpkin Bowling, Stein Holding, and more! Come ready to compete because winners will walk away with some great prizes!
Why stay on the base when you can take in peak fall colors with a chairlift that brings you to the top of the mountain? Purchase a Tecumseh Express Lift Ticket for expansive views of the mountain and all of its fall foliage on your way up. At the summit, warm up beside the mountaintop bonfire and stop by the Schwendi Hutte where we are serving all the cozy fall feelings with warm and delicious cinnamon rolls as well as hot apple cider! The chairlift rides begin at 2pm, with the last chair heading up at 3:45pm and you wont want to miss it!
Hoping to explore more of the Valley? Purchase your Schwendi Fest lift ticket in advance and you’ll also receive unrestricted access to the Snow’s Mountain Chairlift from Saturday, October 10th through Monday, October 12th, giving you even more opportunities to take in the fall colors from above.
Whether you come for the foliage, the festivities, or simply can’t wait for ski season to arrive, Schwendi Fest brings a little bit of everything we love about fall and winter together for one big day on the mountain.
Make it a full weekend
Why wait until Shwendi Fest on Sunday to start celebrating fall? Fall Foliage Fest brings a full weekend of seasonal activities, live entertainment, local vendors, and family fun right in Town Square. Whether you’re here for the whole weekend or just stopping by for the day, there’s plenty happening around every corner.
FRIDAY | OCTOBER 9TH
Start the long weekend with a laid-back day in the Valley! Spend the afternoon enjoying yard games in Town Square or exploring the trails with a bike rental from the Adventure Center.
SATURDAY | OCTOBER 10TH
Saturday is full of ways to celebrate the season! Browse local vendors at the Fall Foliage Farmer’s Market, shop the tent sales and ski & snowboard swap, or get creative with pumpkin painting and tie-dye. Live music will fill Town Square throughout the afternoon and evening, with plenty of time to explore, play yard games, or check out the Adventure Zone Tour and Mini-Golf Preview along the way.
Stick around (and bring a jacket) because once the sun goes down, there is going to be a campfire for s’mores in Town Square and a fireworks show at 8:30pm!
SUNDAY | OCTOBER 11TH
Start Sunday morning in Town Square with the Fall Foliage Footraces, featuring a 10-mile trail race, 5K road race, and 1.6K Family Fun Run. Stroll around town and browse through tent sales and enjoy live music before making your way up to the mountain for the star celebration of the weekend—Schwendi Fest!
MONDAY | OCTOBER 12TH
Not ready for the weekend to end? Stop by Town Square on Monday morning for Animal Encounter Series presented by the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, then make the most of your final fall day with a bike ride or some time out on Corcoran Pond.
Make it a fALL STAY & PLAY GETAWAY
Turn your day in the Valley into a full fall getaway with our Fall Stay & Play Package! Stay at the Town Square Condos or Silver Fox Inn and enjoy colorful foliage, seasonal activities, and fall fun.
Your stay also includes Freedom Pass activities and perks, including bike rentals, boat rentals on Corcoran Pond, Snow’s Mountain scenic chairlift rides, tennis, and more.
Join us for Fall Foliage Fest October 9th–12th, Schwendi Fest on October 11th, or come back for the Halloween Spooktacular on October 31st. The Fall Stay & Play Package is available throughout September and October, making it easy to stay, explore, and experience more of fall in Waterville Valley.