Summer’s in full swing, and New Hampshire’s ski resorts promise to bring fun, adventure and relaxation all year-round, whether you want an adventure or a relaxing getaway. Taste award-winning cuisine, take in the spectacular views, explore your wild side and experience how the state’s best ski spots turn into summer destinations!
Relaxing isn't difficult at Attitash, with its hotel spa and this spectacular view.
Attitash
Located in Bartlett, Attitash offers something for everyone. Take a 2,800 foot ride down the Nor’Easter Mountain Coaster or slide down North America’s longest Alpine Slides, splash around at the water park, enjoy the scenery on horseback, relax in the heated outdoor pool and get a massage at the Attitash Grand Summit Hotel spa or shop ’til you drop at the over 200 tax-free factory outlet stores nearby.
Route 302, Bartlett
603-374-2368
www.attitash.com
The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel
Named one of America’s 10 best family resorts by Family Life magazine, the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel sits on 15,000 acres in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Savor award-winning cuisine or take a culinary class to learn for yourself. Don’t forget to hone your palate at a wine tasting. Enjoy the weather and spend time outside fishing, golfing, white water kayaking and rafting, mountain biking, hiking or on a garden tour. If you prefer air conditioning, play billiards, dance at the nightclub, listen to a lecture or go shopping. There are even supervised activities for the kids (age 5 and up) if you want some romantic alone time!
Route 26, Dixville Notch
800- 255-0600 (U.S. and Canada); 800-255-0800 (NH)
www.thebalsams.com
Black Mountain
Those looking for a rustic experience will find plenty to do at Black Mountain. Take in the gorgeous views on horseback (or a pony ride–we won’t judge) and go on an overnight horseback excursion to a cozy cabin and a campfire; they’ll even provide the s’mores! Take the kids canoeing, kayaking, tubing or fishing and climb the nearby Jackson Falls.
Route 16B, Jackson
603-3834490
www.blackmt.com
Enjoy a game of golf or explore the Adventure Center at Bretton Woods.
Bretton Woods
Adventure seekers will fit right in at the Bretton Woods Adventure Center, which offers a 3-hour guided good time through zip-lines, platforms and sky bridges. Bretton Woods, part of the Omni Mount Washington Resort, also offers climbing walls for experienced and inexperienced climbers alike. Take a romantic lift for the view or take a lift to a mountain biking destination. Play golf or tennis, go swimming or horseback riding, or enjoy the resort’s 25,000 square foot spa. The kids (ages 4 to 12) will be kept entertained with arts and craft, hiking, sports and more at the Omni Kids’ Club.
99 Ski Area Rd., Bretton Woods
800- 258-0330 or 603-278-1000 (NH)
www.brettonwoods.com
Cannon Mountain
Walk through the flume gorge or check out the Old Man of the Mountain museum at Cannon Mountain.
Cannon Mountain offers a uniquely “New Hampshire” experience, with a tramway climbing 2,180 vertical feet to the summit of the mountain, where you can take in a breathtaking view of four states and Canada. Go camping, bike riding, kayaking, or canoeing and walk through the spectacular Flume Gorge. Check out the remnants of the Old Man of the Mountain (may he rest in peace) and visit the Old Man Museum and the New England Ski Museum.
Franconia Notch Parkway, Franconia
603-823-8800
www.cannonmt.com
Ride the mountain coaster or tackle the new adventure park at Cranmore Mountain Resort.
Cranmore Mountain Resort
Fun-seekers will not be disappointed at Cranmore, with its mountain coaster and brand new adventure park, which features a giant swing, tubing, mini golf, a bungy trampoline, bouncy houses and an 18-hole disc golf course. The mountain’s Aerial Adventure Course offers rope courses, zip-lines and air bridges.
1 Skimobile Rd., North Conway
603-356-5544
www.cranmore.com
Eastman Cross Country Center
At Eastman, golfers can practice at the driving range or play the 18-hole championship golf course where the NH Golf Association Men’s State Am Championship took place in 2010. You can get creative and paint, enjoy a wine tasting, do some gardening, go hiking, play tennis at one of the 14 courts, go sailing on the lake or sunbathe at one of the six beaches.
Exit 13 off I-89, Grantham
603-863-4500
www.eastmannh.org
Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center
Wilderness lovers can take in the gorgeous mountain scenery, the fields of wildflowers and the wildlife at the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, located at the base of the historic Mount Washington Auto Road. Get active outdoors and go mountain biking, Nordic walking, running, canoeing or whitewater kayaking, and you might even spot a bear or a moose!
Route 16, Pinkham Notch
603-466-2333
www.greatglentrails.com
Gunstock Mountain Resort
This is the summer to go to Gunstock, which recently unveiled new attractions and an expanded campground. Have a blast on the Aerial Treetops Adventure Course, mountain Segway tours with he fancy new Segway X2, and the ZipTour, which boasts the longest zip lines in the continental United States. There’s also a skate park, mini-golf and climbing walls, not to mention mountain biking, kayaking and horseback riding.
719 Cherry Valley Rd. (Route 11A), Gilford
800-GUNSTOCK or 603-293-4341
www.gunstock.com
Loon Mountain
Zip-lines, climbing walls, Segway tours, horseback riding and “lost gold” treasure hunting for the kids are just a few of the activities Loon Mountain offers. Be sure to take the Gondola Skyride to the summit, where you can take in the view at the observation tower, go on a nature walk and check out the glacial caves (hint: you just might find treasure there)!
Route 112, Lincoln
800-229-LOON
www.loonmtn.com
Mount Sunapee Resort
Hike to Sunapee’s summit or take an aerial sky ride to the top and enjoy the scenery. While you can’t take a dip in Lake Solitude, a pristine glacial lake preserved for wildlife, it sure is pretty to look at. Don’t miss the 78th Annual League of NH Craftsmen’s Fair from August 6 to 14, with over 200 booths, demonstrations, workshops, tours, seminars and live music.
Route 103, Newbury
603-763-3500
www.mountsunapee.com
Take the kids to family-friendly--and family-owned--Purity Spring Resort.
Purity Spring Resort
Family-friendly (and family-owned since the early 1900s) Purity Spring Resort, 1,000 acres between the Lakes Region and the White Mountains, offers activities for all ages, including waterskiing, kayaking, hiking, biking, tennis, archery, a rock climbing wall, basketball courts, arts and crafts and nature walks. There’s also an indoor pool and hot tub, a fitness center and four beaches. Don’t miss the lobster bake every Thursday evening or the breakfast cookout every Monday morning.
Route 153, East Madison
800-373-3754
www.purityspring.com
Ragged Mountain
This ski destination becomes a golfer’s paradise in the summer, with an 18-hold championship golf course with views of the mountain and holes “designed to test the golfer’s ability and placement.” Feeling competitive? Then enter one of the golf tournaments at Ragged this summer.
Route 104, Ragged Mountain Road, Danbury
603-768-3600
www.raggedmountainresort.com
Sunset Hill House
At Sunset Hill House, named “Editor’s Choice” by Yankee Magazine, play golf at the state’s longest operating 9-hole course, explore the trails and spot moose or deer, take a dip in the heated mountainside pool and have “New Hampshire’s Very Best Spectacular Meal,” raves New Hampshire Magazine, in the dining room.
Sunset Hill Road, Sugar Hill
603-823-5522
www.sunsethillhouse.com
Waterville Valley Resort
Guests at Waterville Valley won’t run out of things to do, from golf, tennis, chairlift rides, mountain biking, skateboarding, boating, swimming and even indoor ice skating. Summertime here also offers live concerts and day camp for kids and teens ages 4 to 16.
1 Ski Area Rd., Waterville Valley
800-GO-VALLEY
www.waterville.com
Wildcat Mountain
Take in the gorgeous views of the Tuckerman Ravine and Mount Washington on Wildcat’s ZipRider and the gondola skyride. Play alpine disk golf at the new 9-hole course, fish in a pond stocked with trout, have a picnic, see the Thompson Brook Falls or walk along the Appalachian Trail.
Route 16, Pinkham Notch
603-466-3326 or 888-SKI-WILD
www.skiwildcat.com
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