Mount Washington Observatory

What Mount Washington Observatory does

Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS) is a private, nonprofit, member-supported institution founded in 1932 and headquartered in North Conway, New Hampshire, with its primary research facility on the summit of Mount Washington within Mount Washington State Park. It operates a continuous summit weather station, the expanding Mount Washington Regional Mesonet of automated weather stations across New Hampshire, and the state's first ground-based scanning Doppler LiDAR (Vaisala WindCube 200S installed at Bretton Woods in 2026), maintaining one of the longest continuous alpine climate records in North America (90+ years of precipitation, wind, and temperature data).

The Observatory generates revenue through five streams: membership and donations (5,000+ members, up from 3,500), educational programs (field trips, distance learning, Storm Scouts summer camp, professional development serving 8,000+ students and adults annually), grant funding (including $499,046 from the Northern Border Regional Commission in 2023), research and data services to government and academic partners (US Air Force, US Army Corps of Engineers, Eversource Energy, Northeastern University, WPI), and merchandise sales through two online storefronts. Its forecasting output is distributed via broadcast partnerships with New Hampshire Public Radio, Radio Vermont Group (reaching 560,000 Vermonters across 12 of 14 counties), and Conway Broadcasting, complemented by live webcams with 270,000 monthly views.

Its primary customer segments are outdoor recreationists and mountaineers, K-12 educators and students across NH/VT/ME, tourists and visitors to the White Mountains, general NH/VT residents receiving broadcasts, and research institutions and government agencies. Distribution is hybrid: digital (webcams, forecasts, Alexa skills, SMS, virtual tours) for scale, and physical summit access via Cog Railway and Auto Road partnerships for paid educational programs and tours. The annual Seek the Peak hike-a-thon fundraiser, now in its 26th year, raised over $221,000 in 2025 and functions as the largest single revenue and community-building event of the year.

Name

Mount Washington Observatory

Legal name

Mount Washington Observatory

Website

https://mountwashington.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1932

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mount Washington Observatory is a private nonprofit founded in 1932 that operates a continuous summit weather station and expanding regional mesonet in New Hampshire, delivering forecasting, educational programs to 8,000+ students, and research services to government and academic partners across the Northeast.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mountain Weather Observation and Forecasting

NAICS

Skiing Facilities (713920)

akta.pro primary industry

Mountain Safety & Patrol Services (Avalanche Training, Rescue, Medical) (THAAAJAI)

Keywords

• Mountain weather forecasting
• Climate observation services
• Alpine meteorological research
• STEM education programs
• Weather data services

Headquarters

HQ city

North Conway

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership and Donations: Private nonprofit member-supported institution. Revenue comes from membership fees, annual giving, and donations from supporters. Membership has grown from 3,500 to over 5,000 members in recent years.
2. Educational Programs: Revenue from field trips, school programs, overnight EduTrips, professional development for teachers, distance learning, and summer camps (Storm Scouts). Serves over 8,000 students and adults annually.
3. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling Observatory merchandise, including apparel, gear, calendars, books, and collaborative products with partners like Burgeon Outdoor and Minus33. Official online stores are mountwashington.org/shop and shop.mountwashington.org.
4. Seek the Peak Fundraiser: Annual hike-a-thon fundraiser generating significant revenue for operations. The 2025 event raised over $221,000 with a goal of $250,000 from 493 hikers, 65 sponsors, and 1,200 supporters.
5. Research and Data Services: Provides research capabilities, product testing, and data access to partners and researchers. Partners include universities, US Air Force, US Army Corps of Engineers, and Eversource Energy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Mount Washington Observatory operates a continuous weather observation station on the summit of Mount Washington and provides real-time weather data, higher summits forecasts, statewide forecasts for New Hampshire and Vermont, and weather research. The organization delivers educational programs (field trips, distance learning, professional development, summer camps), runs an expanding Regional Mesonet of automated weather stations, conducts research and product testing for partners, and operates public-facing live webcams and an online merchandise shop.

Product overview

Mount Washington Observatory operates as a private, nonprofit weather station and research institution offering a unified suite of weather observation, forecasting, education, and research products and services. The core offering centers on maintaining a continuous weather station at the summit of Mount Washington, providing real-time Current Summit Conditions and Higher Summits Forecasts, supplemented by the Mount Washington Regional Mesonet network of automated stations and the newly installed Vaisala WindCube 200S LiDAR for atmospheric analysis. Educational Programs include field trips, distance learning, professional development (Arctic Wednesdays, Peak Perspectives), overnight EduTrips, and Storm Scouts Summer Camp. Research Services encompass product testing, data requests, and collaborative projects including the annual White Mountains Almanac published with Appalachian Mountain Club and Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study. Public engagement products include Live Streaming Webcams, a Mount Washington Virtual Tour, Text Message Weather Service, and Alexa Weather Skills. The Seek the Peak annual fundraiser and Summit Observatory Online Shop support operations. The Weather Station Tours Library Membership offers discounted access for public libraries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Current Summit Conditions & Weather Forecasts Real-time weather data and forecasts for Mount Washington's summit including temperature, wind speed, gusts, wind chill, and precipitation, plus Higher Summits Forecast and statewide forecasts for NH and VT distributed via radio and digital media partners. Free public offering.
• Weather Station Tours Guided tours of the world-famous weather station on Mount Washington's summit, including access to the Extreme Mount Washington Museum and Gladys Brooks Memorial Library. Available during the State Park season.
• Educational Programs STEM-based educational offerings including field trips, school visits, distance learning, professional development (Arctic Wednesdays, Peak Perspectives), overnight edutrips, medical training overnights, and Storm Scouts Summer Day Camp. Serves over 8,000 students and adults annually.
• Research Services Weather and climate research capabilities, product testing services, undergraduate and graduate research adventures, and data request services for researchers. Partners include U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Eversource Energy, and universities.
• Live Streaming Webcams Live streaming weather cameras providing real-time views of Mount Washington and surrounding White Mountains including summit, observation deck, tower, Wildcat, Bretton Woods, Cannon Mountain, North View, West View, Cranmore Meister, and Cog Waumbek Station cameras. Generates approximately 270,000 monthly views.
• Mount Washington Regional Mesonet Network of remote automated weather stations providing continuous weather data across New Hampshire, currently concentrated in the north country with expansion planned statewide. Powers forecasting, safety, and research outputs.
• White Mountains Almanac Annual publication developed in partnership with Appalachian Mountain Club and Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study offering a year-in-review exploration of ecological and climatological changes in the White Mountains region.
• Mount Washington Virtual Tour Interactive virtual tour of Mount Washington's summit allowing visitors to explore, learn, or prepare for in-person visits. Developed in partnership with Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
• Summit Observatory Online Shop Official online retail store for Mount Washington Observatory merchandise including apparel, gear, Seek the Peak event products, and collaborations such as the MWOBS x Burgeon Outdoor collection.
• Seek the Peak Annual Hike-a-thon Mount Washington Observatory's largest annual fundraiser uniting adventurers who hike and raise funds in support of the Observatory's mission. The 2025 event raised over $221,000 from 493 hikers, 65 sponsors, and 1,200 supporters; the 26th annual event was held at Wildcat Mountain in 2026.
• Weather Station Tours Library Membership $100 annual membership program for public libraries providing free weather station tours for patrons during the State Park season, plus discount benefits with Mt. Washington Auto Road and Mount Washington Cog Railway.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves over 8,000 students and adults annually through educational programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025MWOBS provides daily statewide weather forecasts broadcast throughout New Hampshire via NHPR. Meteorologists deliver morning and afternoon forecasts updated throughout the day based on current conditions and approaching weather systems.
• Radio Vermont Group (RVG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025MWOBS provides multiple daily forecasts to over 560,000 Vermonters across 12 of 14 Vermont counties through Radio Vermont Group stations.
• Conway BroadcastingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025MWOBS meteorologists connect live each morning for long-standing morning weather reports and carry a new weekend recreational forecast on airwaves.
• Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMWOBS has partnered with EMS for almost two decades. EMS provides quality outdoor gear and apparel to outfit summit staff 365 days per year. EMS shares the passions of adventurers who explore nature.
• Mount Washington Cog RailwaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for transporting students and visitors to the summit via field trip programs. Cog Railway provides special ticket deals for library members and collaborates on educational programs. Purchase of Cog Railway tickets through Observatory links supports MWOBS.
• Mount Washington Auto RoadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for summit access for educational programs and visitor experiences. Auto Road provides free passenger rides for library members and collaborates on events and programs.
• VaisalacoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration to install New Hampshire's first ground-based scanning Doppler LiDAR at Bretton Woods. Vaisala's WindCube 200S enables 3D profiling of the atmosphere and high-resolution wind and boundary layer analysis.
• Omni Mount Washington ResortcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost site for LiDAR installation at Bretton Woods. The Resort utilizes MWOBS Mesonet system and forecasting information and provides support for installation and ongoing operations.
• Appalachian Mountain ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development of the White Mountains Almanac annual publication examining the climatology and biology of the region. Partnership on joint research internships and collaborative science initiatives.
• Hubbard Brook Ecosystem StudycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in creating the White Mountains Almanac annual publication and collaborative research internships focused on ecological and climatological changes in the region.
• United States Air ForceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership utilizing MWOBS data and expertise for atmospheric and meteorological research applications.
• United States Army Corps of EngineersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership for utilizing MWOBS weather data and forecasting capabilities for operational and research purposes.
• Eversource EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership supporting MWOBS operations and utilizing weather data for energy infrastructure applications.
• Bank of New HampshireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of MWOBS field trip programs to the summit, making educational experiences accessible to students.
• Greater Lakes Region Children's FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant funding to expand school programs (school day, after school, field trips, and virtual) into New Hampshire's Upper Valley and Lakes Region.
• The Dorr FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant funding supporting expansion of school programs into New Hampshire's Upper Valley and Lakes Region.
• John D. McGonagle FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant funding supporting expansion of school programs and Storm Scouts Summer Day Camp for older children.
• Peter Limmer & SonsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor with 10% of fall open house sales donated to MWOBS. Local business partnership supporting the Observatory community.
• The Agnes M. Lindsay TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant funding supporting expansion of Storm Scouts Summer Day Camp programs for older children.
• Flatbread Pizza CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDine-to-donate events where a portion of proceeds support MWOBS work in weather and climate science. Staff present at events with information, raffles, and gear giveaways.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• WeatherBell Analytics: A commercial weather data and forecasting firm serving energy, agriculture, and outdoor recreation clients. Comparable commercial monetization path for MWOBS's premium Mesonet and LiDAR data products.
• OpenSnow: A commercial subscription-based mountain and ski weather forecasting service. Direct competition for higher-summits and backcountry skier forecasting, with overlapping audience segments.

Direct peers

• Appalachian Mountain Club: A Northeast outdoor-recreation nonprofit co-publishing the White Mountains Almanac with MWOBS. Operates comparable education, volunteer, hut, and conservation programming for the same regional outdoor constituency.
• Whiteface Mountain Observatory: An Adirondack mountaintop atmospheric observatory and ski facility already partnered with MWOBS in the Northeast Network of Mountaintop Observatories (NENMO). Operates summit weather observations, science programs, and visitor experiences nearly identical in mission and scope.
• Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest: A long-running ecological observatory and research co-author with MWOBS on the White Mountains Almanac. Closely comparable in nonprofit scientific-research and educational mission, long-term datasets, and federal/research funder mix.
• Mount Bachelor Observatory: An Oregon mountaintop atmospheric research and education site referenced in MWOBS staff transitions (Reed College/Mount Bachelor). Combines summit observations, research internships, and educational outreach under the same operational template as MWOBS.
• Mount Washington Avalanche Center: A USFS-affiliated avalanche forecasting and education program that runs joint internships and shares forecasting research with MWOBS. Closest direct safety/forecasting peer for backcountry users of the White Mountains.

Broad incumbents

• National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR): The largest U.S. atmospheric research institution, providing broader modeling, instrumentation, and research-services portfolio that overlaps with MWOBS's research and mesonet capabilities at much larger scale.
• Weather Underground: Consumer-facing weather data and forecasting platform with significant traffic on summit/webcam-style conditions. Indirect competition for end-user attention on Mount Washington conditions content.
• National Weather Service (NOAA/NWS): Federal public-sector weather provider covering forecasts, warnings, and observations across the U.S.; competes with and complements MWOBS for public forecasting and is the de facto broad-incumbent reference price for the Forecasting segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@MWOBS
• Facebookfacebook.com/mwobs
• Xx.com/mwobs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mount-washington-observatory

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mount Washington Observatory