On this episode of The 603 Podcast, host Dan Egan heads to Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford to experience Bronco Off-Roadeo, Ford's off-road training and adventure program built in the heart of New Hampshire's Belknap Mountains. Joining Dan is site producer Steve Golden, who explains why the Granite State has become one of the premier destinations in the country for learning how to drive off-road. Bronco Off-Roadeo is more than a test drive—it's a hands-on owner experience that combines professional instruction, technical trail driving, and outdoor adventure on a private off-road course designed to build confidence and capability behind the wheel.

Dan and Steve discuss what surprises most first-time participants, from the importance of spotting and communication to recovery techniques, trail etiquette, and the mindset required to tackle challenging terrain safely and responsibly. They also break down the technology that helps modern Broncos navigate granite ledges, steep climbs, mud, and tight forest trails, including GOAT (Go Over Any Terrain) modes, locking differentials, Trail Turn Assist, and hill descent control. But as Steve explains, the real focus isn't on pushing limits—it's on developing skills, understanding vehicle capability, and becoming a more capable driver both on and off the pavement.

The conversation also explores the broader impact of outdoor recreation and adventure tourism in New Hampshire. From Tread Lightly principles and land stewardship to the economic benefits of attracting visitors from across the country, Steve shares how Bronco Off-Roadeo fits into the state's larger outdoor culture. Whether you're an off-road enthusiast, a Bronco owner, or simply someone who loves exploring New Hampshire's mountains and trails, this episode offers a fascinating look at one of the state's most unique outdoor experiences.

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To kick of Season 3 of the 603 podcast, Dan Egan is joined by Abby Clark, one of the most accomplished women on American Ninja Warrior, to talk about what it actually takes to “hit the buzzer” when the obstacles are brand new, the water is cold, and one hand placement that’s off by half an inch can end your season.

Abby walks us through nine seasons of competition, the feeling of landing her first buzzer, and the long stretch of warped wall frustration that played out on national television year after year. We get deep into ninja training and technique, including how the salmon ladder really works, why athletes use a mixed grip on free-spinning bars, and why balance obstacles can be more dangerous than the biggest upper-body moves. If you’ve ever wondered how American Ninja Warrior rules work, we also break down qualifying advancement, racing formats, and what changes mentally when the show turns into head-to-head battles.

Then we zoom out to life beyond the course: staying an athlete after college, blocking out negative noise, owning a ninja gym, and exploring where obstacle course racing could go next with the sport growing worldwide.

All this and more on the 603podcast.

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Mad River Coffee celebrates 20 years of roasting coffee, legendary egg sandwiches, meals to go, and live music right off Exit 28 in Campton NH.

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In this episode of the 603podcast, Dan Egan sits down with Sarah Eastman and Karen Cummings to unpack “Mount Washington Valley: Through The Ears,” a vibrant collection of Mountain Ear newspaper stories from 1976–2005 that detail how the unique community of North Conway became a world-class destination. This conversation moves from railroads and grand hotels to artists selling hand-painted “postcards,” then onto five historic ski areas and the ingenious Cranmore Skimobile that still lives in local memory.

We explore the people who built the culture like Joe Dodge and the AMC hut system that stitched the Presidential Range into reachable segments, and the Eastern Slope Ski Club, a volunteer engine that teaches every elementary school child to ski and quietly seeds future Olympians. Along the way, we revisit the Spring Champagne Stampede and the Mud Bowl—events that turned low-snow years and shoulder seasons into fundraisers and folklore—plus the Volvo International tennis era that put North Conway on national TV without sanding off its edges.

Eastman and Cummings discuss the valley’s heartbeat and offer practical wisdom: respect Mount Washington’s dangerous weather, start with short hikes, ride the tourist train to feel the past, wander the village where the station’s towers frame the mountain, and let the Saco River and the notches reset your sense of New England. Sarah and Karen share how they sifted thousands of features to preserve the characters and places that defined a community—proof that storytelling can hold a town together long after the presses stop.

You can purchase Mount Washington Valley: Through the Ears from Bondcliff Books, the local bookstore.

Subscribe for more Granite State stories, share this episode with a friend who loves the Whites, and leave a review telling us your favorite North Conway memory.

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Mad River Coffee celebrates 20 years of roasting coffee, legendary egg sandwiches, meals to go, and live music right off Exit 28 in Campton NH.

For more information about the 603podcast visit 603podcast.com