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Summer Activities Abound At NH Resorts
by Ski New Hampshire
Part of the excitement of summer is the joy kids (and parents!) get from being outdoors. Ski NH's resorts offer a wide variety of activities that offer kids the opportunity to try something new while on vacation. Whether it be boating, learning tricks in a skate park, or hopping on the back of a horse for the first time, it's sure to be an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives.
Attitash in Bartlett offers many kids' activities. On a hot summer day, they can cool off on one of four waterslides; younger children ages 2-7 can play in Buddy Bear's Playpool. Other activities include a 23' climbing wall, mountainboards, the Trampoline Thing, a ropes course, a downhill BMX course, and a skate park. Guests can ride down the resort's mile-long Alpine Slides - the longest in North America, test out the new four-person Eurobungy Trampoline, or explore New Hampshire's most extensive on-and-off slope mountain biking trails. Guests looking for a little slower pace can take a guided horseback ride along the Saco River, or relax on the Scenic Sky Ride to the summit of Attitash.
The BALSAMS Grand Resort Hotel in Dixville Notch is a place parents dream of going, but it offers as much for kids as adults. Children can enjoy lake and pool swimming, tennis, mountain biking, boating, fishing, hiking, and daily supervised children's activities.
Black Mt. in Jackson now offers guided horseback rides up the mountain. There are also pony rides for the younger ones that would like to go for a horseback ride.
Set in Franconia Notch, Cannon Mountain has incredible scenery and is home to the Franconia Notch Recreation Path. It's perfect for kids to enjoy by foot or bike. They can play in the sand on Echo Lake Beach, and swim in the clean mountain water. Boat and bike rentals are also available.
Cranmore Mountain in the center of North Conway has a variety of kids programs throughout the summer including a Babysitting Camp, Climbing Camp, Adventure Camp, Gymnastics Camp, Sports Conditioning Camp, and a Tennis Camp.
Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center in Pinkham Notch is a great place for parents to get some exercise and be able to take the kids along. Baby jogger strollers, kiddie cart bike trailers, and child powered bike trailers are all available for rent. Also available are mountain bike trails and rentals, along with an indoor climbing wall. For a memorable experience, try one of the area's guided canoe or kayak trips.
Gunstock's Mountain Sports Center in Gilford includes everything from mountain biking, in-line skating, and mountainboarding to paddleboats and kayaks. It also has a full slopeside terrain park. Children can try their hand at fishing or go for a hike along the wetlands boardwalk. Kids can also enjoy a variety of camps including a Super G Mountain Camp (ages 6-13), Mini G Camp (ages 3-5), and Skate Park Camps (ages 8-13). Groups can try the Summer Magic Camp which is a 6 hour program designed for group day trips and includes a combo package allowing kids to try most of Gunstock's fun activities.
The Scenic Gondola Skyride to the summit is the main attraction at Loon Mountain in Lincoln. Once at the summit, kids can wander about and explore the glacial caves, mountaintop playground, and observation tower. At the base of the mountain there are climbing walls, and pony and horseback rides.
Decades ago, The Mount Washington Hotel & Resort at Bretton Woods would entertain children for a whole summer, so it has plenty of interesting kids' activities in place for today's considerably shorter vacation periods. A complementary Kids Camp is offered to all guests of the hotel ages 4-12. Teenagers can enjoy the "Teen Scene" which is an evening program offered to 13-18 year olds every night from late June until Labor Day. The resort also offers mountain biking, tennis, indoor and outdoor pools, horseback riding, fishing, and hiking, all located right at the hotel.
The Mountain View Grand Hotel has the Northern Lights Children's Program that operates weekends until Memorial Day and then daily until Labor Day with activities such as swimming, games and crafts.
Purity Spring Resort in East Madison prides itself on being a family vacation spot. Its facilities are ideally located to offer a wide variety of kid-friendly activities. Kids can enjoy Camp Tohkomeupog all summer long, which includes resort activities also available to the public, such as swimming, water skiing, canoeing, fishing, basketball, and hiking.
The pond in Town Square at Waterville Valley offers swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boating. Mountain bike rentals are also available. The resort's large and diverse skate/BMX park is home to a skate camp. The camp provides a relaxed atmosphere for skaters of all ages and abilities to work on their skills, make new friends and have fun.
Riding to the top of Wildcat Mountain on its four-passenger gondola usually gets kids' attention. Once there they can explore the summit, with incredible views of Mount Washington. Guided nature tours at the summit or base area in Pinkham Notch are scheduled throughout the summer.
Ski NH is the statewide association representing 38 alpine and cross country resorts and more than 200 lodging properties in New Hampshire. For more information on summer and autumn recreation facilities, lodging, and events at Ski NH mountain resorts, check out the Ski NH website or call Ski NH at 800-88-SKI-NH (800-887-5464).
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