Mount Washington Observatory
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1932
- HeadquartersNorth Conway, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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.
Mount Washington Observatory firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Mount Washington Observatory industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Mount Washington Observatory is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- North Conway
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Mount Washington Observatory business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Public Library Membership - $100 annual |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Mount Washington Observatory product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use Mount Washington Observatory
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Mount Washington Observatory technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Mount Washington Observatory partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR)coreMWOBS 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)coreMWOBS provides multiple daily forecasts to over 560,000 Vermonters across 12 of 14 Vermont counties through Radio Vermont Group stations.
- Conway BroadcastingcoreMWOBS meteorologists connect live each morning for long-standing morning weather reports and carry a new weekend recreational forecast on airwaves.
- Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS)coreMWOBS 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 RailwaycorePartnership 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 RoadcorePartnership for summit access for educational programs and visitor experiences. Auto Road provides free passenger rides for library members and collaborates on events and programs.
- VaisalacoreCollaboration 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 ResortcoreHost 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 ClubcoreJoint 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 StudycorePartner in creating the White Mountains Almanac annual publication and collaborative research internships focused on ecological and climatological changes in the region.
- United States Air ForceminorResearch partnership utilizing MWOBS data and expertise for atmospheric and meteorological research applications.
- United States Army Corps of EngineersminorResearch partnership for utilizing MWOBS weather data and forecasting capabilities for operational and research purposes.
- Eversource EnergyminorResearch partnership supporting MWOBS operations and utilizing weather data for energy infrastructure applications.
- Bank of New HampshireminorSponsor of MWOBS field trip programs to the summit, making educational experiences accessible to students.
- Greater Lakes Region Children's FundminorGrant funding to expand school programs (school day, after school, field trips, and virtual) into New Hampshire's Upper Valley and Lakes Region.
- The Dorr FoundationminorGrant funding supporting expansion of school programs into New Hampshire's Upper Valley and Lakes Region.
- John D. McGonagle FoundationminorGrant funding supporting expansion of school programs and Storm Scouts Summer Day Camp for older children.
- Peter Limmer & SonsminorCorporate sponsor with 10% of fall open house sales donated to MWOBS. Local business partnership supporting the Observatory community.
- The Agnes M. Lindsay TrustminorGrant funding supporting expansion of Storm Scouts Summer Day Camp programs for older children.
- Flatbread Pizza CompanyminorDine-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
Mount Washington Observatory competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging 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
Mount Washington Observatory social profiles
Digital presenceMount Washington Observatory financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Mount Washington Observatory leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Mount Washington Observatory funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Mount Washington Observatory M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Mount Washington Observatory
What does Mount Washington Observatory do?
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.
Is Mount Washington Observatory a public or private company?
Mount Washington Observatory is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Mount Washington Observatory founded?
Mount Washington Observatory was founded in 1932. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Mount Washington Observatory based?
Mount Washington Observatory is headquartered in North Conway, United States, in the North America region.
How does Mount Washington Observatory make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Membership and Donations are the primary driver. The others are educational Programs, merchandise Sales, seek the Peak Fundraiser and research and Data Services.
Who are Mount Washington Observatory's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are WeatherBell Analytics and OpenSnow. Direct peers are Appalachian Mountain Club, Whiteface Mountain Observatory, Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, Mount Bachelor Observatory and Mount Washington Avalanche Center. Broad incumbents are National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Weather Underground and National Weather Service (NOAA/NWS).
Does Mount Washington Observatory have an API?
No public API is recorded for Mount Washington Observatory.
What industry is Mount Washington Observatory in?
Mount Washington Observatory's product category is Mountain Weather Observation and Forecasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAJAI, Mountain Safety & Patrol Services (Avalanche Training, Rescue, Medical). Its NAICS code is 713920.