It’s warm! So head to the ski resorts (Really.) – Eagle

Toss aside the ski poles and tuck away the snowboard, because the Granite State doesn’t just do winter vacations anymore. Just in time for summer, New Hampshire ski resorts are beefing up their summer offerings with a host of new activities that are sure to please all attendees.

Within the last year many local resorts have increased funding for summer programs and this year is no different — creating an entirely new vacation scene in New Hampshire’s mountain region.

With more than 15 resorts in the area, many parks have added zip-lines, canopy tours and mountain coasters to an already stellar lineup of available activities.

“There is no better setting to enjoy new experiences,” said Karl Stone, marketing director for Ski New Hampshire. “From adrenaline-packed to relaxing, there is an incredible selection of traditional recreational activities, which means there is something for almost anyone.”

Cranmore Mountain spent more than $6 million on new attractions last year and is once again leading the charge this summer. New to the resort is an Adventure Park, featuring a giant swing, tubing, penguin mini golf, four plex trampoline, 18-hole disc golf course, bouncy houses, and a climbing activity for children titled Spyder Mountain. In addition, the park has an aerial adventure activity that consists of a ropes course, zip-lines and air bridges.

Gunstock will unveil three major attractions, headlined by its Aerial Treetops Adventure Course, consisting of 12 zip-lines, 22 ladders, and 91 course challenges spread out over eight courses. Utilizing the new Segway X2, Gunstock will now offer mountain segway tours that cover more than 50 miles of trails. Also new to the resort is the ZipTour, which offers eight different zip-lines including the longest zip-lines in the continental United States.

Loon and Wildcat Mountain have also recently added aerial adventures to their resorts within the last year, as Wildcat has doubled its zip-lines from last summer. With four cables, Wildcat’s ZipRider runs a half-mile, while Loon features a line that runs across the Pemigewasset River, both providing some of the most scenic views in the area.

“These attractions are out of the ordinary and most people have not experienced them,” said Stone. “They are unbelievable experiences without the hassle or cost of getting on an airplane.”

If adventure parks and zip-lines aren’t your forte, Bretton Woods has added its West Wall Climb and indoor Slopeside Climbing Wall. The West Wall Climb is a guided climb on the cliffs of Mt. Oscar, while the Slopeside Climbing Wall is a year-round indoor climbing experience located in the Bretton Woods Base Lodge

The year-round Canopy Tour, which was constructed last year, is also a major attraction, as it includes a guided three-hour adventure through platforms connected by nine zip-lines, two sky bridges and three rappels, while descending a total of 1,000 feet.

Attitash kicks off its second year with its Nor’Easter Mountain Coaster, which brings guests up 1,430 feet before descending on a 2,880-foot ride down through the mountain’s terrain. The ride includes banked turns, dips and straight-aways at rider-controlled speeds up to 26 m.p.h. Other recent additions include lift-serviced mountain biking, a 24-foot climbing wall and the EuroBungy Trampoline.

Aside from all the new attractions, many local resorts offer some of the state’s best golf courses, along with a network of trails for biking, hiking, walking or running. Additionally, the region supplies endless activity with a plethora of boating, fishing, kayaking, rafting and horseback riding options.

“Not many of our guests live in the mountains so that alone is a treat,” said Stone. “Being at beautiful mountains with the scenery and views is a great start to any activity. That’s what makes it so different.”

If you want more information regarding New Hampshire’s mountain resorts, visit www.SkiNH.com or call 1-800-887-5464.