Mountains of Fun in New England

 

This story was Published in The Lowell Sun

Published: December 1999

By Heather Burke

February vacation is rapidly approaching. You haven’t made travel plans to visit the big mouse or some deserted tropical isle. If you are dreading a week at home with the kids, knowing full well that video games and movies won’t cut the boredom for an entire week, cheer up! The good news - there are still plenty of options for some rousing outdoor activity within a short drive.

If you never quite got the hang of skiing or snowboarding, (or didn’t have the courage to try), you will find that the traditional day on the slopes has evolved with a refreshing attitude toward fun combined with wacky ingenuity. The result is less intimidating snow “toys” available for you to sample, even by the hour. Some mountain resorts, like Loon Mountain and Gunstock in New Hampshire, are offering activities beyond just strapping long planks to your feet and charging down the hill. Take for example skiboards, a.k.a. “snow blades”, which are short and double tipped so they maneuver more like an in-line skate than a ski. Even non-skiers find them easier to pick right up and have a good time. Tubing is another great family diversion you’ll find popping up all over. Tubing requires absolutely no talent, just some hearty laughter as you careen down the groomed lanes. A few of these novelties are a bargain too; giving you that extra nudge to try something when you might otherwise chicken out.

Gunstock’s Thrill Hill provides 4 hours of giggles and sliding down the hill on a tube for $15 weekends and holidays and just $8 for 2 hours midweek. “Snow shoeing has also become an extremely popular activity here and cross country has always been a fun sport for people to get in to”, says David Buckman, Marketing Director of Gunstock. Check out all that Gunstock has to offer at www.gunstock.com or call 1-800-GUN-STOCK.

Visitors to Loon Mountain will have the opportunity to try the latest concepts for sliding and riding at the new Hill Thrill Center. Try the latest innovations: Skifoxes and Snowscoots (a combination scooter/snowboard). These aptly named Toy Tours can be experienced for $25 which covers the equipment, 30 minutes instruction and use on the hill. “Skibikes were originally invented by non-skiing lift operators to get down the hill after work. Now people are finding them to be tons of fun!” says Brooke Serson of Loon Mountain. At night under the lights, snow tubing is $8/hour or try Zorbing - climb into the compartment of a clear plastic ball nearly 10 feet high and take a ride, $20 a kick. Loon can be reached at 1-603-745-8111 or www.loonmtn.com

Ragged Mountain lets you try snowblades. They provide the equipment and even offer lessons, then you can take your skills to the half pipe to play around. With midweek lift tickets at $19, Ragged is a deal! Call 1-603-768-3475 or visit www.ragged-mt.com

Up north near Burke Mountain Vermont, the Wildflower Inn specializes in rejuvenating family getaways. Everything from sledding, ice skating, a petting zoo, indoor and outdoor play areas for the kids, snow shoes and cross country skiing, to a much appreciated spa and sauna are all part of the breathtaking grounds of this delightful “family” Inn, just 3 miles from Burke ski area. The Wildflower Inn can be reached at www.wildflowerinn.com or call 1-800-627-8310.

With all these extra curricular activities, the customary “ski trip” can now be an adventure for the family-big and small, coordinated or not. If you have real little ones in tow, resorts have also tuned in to the importance of quality daycare as essential to entertaining today’s families. Be sure to call ahead for reservations and rates for hourly, half or full day childcare.

So get out and savor winter in a whole new way. You may learn something new, find a hidden talent, and you are sure to have fun while you are at it. With this new school of fun on the slopes, the kids’ vacation could be down right educational. Most importantly, you’ll have some family thrills and chills to commemorate the winter vacation!
 

 

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