There was a time when a ski resort only operated in the winter, but people’s love of the mountains have helped evolve resorts into three and four season destinations. There is plenty to do for the active adventurer or someone who wants to relax, take in the views and enjoy great music and microbrews.
All the fun things you like to do in the summer you can do at one or more of your favorite ski resorts throughout the northeast. There are activities for the whole family such as golf, horseback rides, Ziplines and Alpine slides. And now, a lot of resorts are setting up water parks.
Of course, no matter what resort you go to the clean mountain air will invigorate your mornings. Chairlifts and gondolas run for scenic rides and get you up top for mountain biking and hiking.
Most of the major resorts in the northeast offer great lodging deals during the summer and early fall. You can plan a family vacation or a romantic summertime getaway at very reasonable prices. I like to book a couple of mid-week days to hike, read a book and just chill out.
As I said almost all ski resorts, including the smaller areas, have at least a few activities scheduled throughout the summer. Even if they don’t operate daily look for weekend fun-fests and concerts that might suit your fancy.
In New York, the Whiteface/Lake Placid region is as popular and inviting in summer as it is in winter. Down in the Catskills, Hunter Mountain weekends are always hopping with a Mountain Jam music festival from May 31st to June 3 and summer festivals.
Up east in Maine Sugarloaf adds a special to activity list – moose viewing tours. Seeing a moose up close in the wild, should be on everybody’s bucket list.
At New Hampshire’s Gunstock Mountain Resort you can enjoy the climbing wall and kayaking and paddleboat rentals. Also of note, Gunstock, in partnership with the Belknap County Conservation District, is home to a quarter mile handicapped accessible wetlands boardwalk and nature trail, complete with benches for resting.
Hiking at Gunstock
In Vermont, you can drive the famous Route 100 ‘skiing highway’ and find almost every ski resort open for summer fun. From Mount Snow, Stratton Mountain and Bromley in the south, up past Killington and Sugarbush to Smugglers’ Notch and Stowe and north to Jay Peak you could easily do a summer tour of fun.
Come on out and bring the family to your favorite resort and if you have never looked down a black diamond trail in the grass, I guarantee you will say ‘No way I ever skied down that!” But, you did – and thanks for coming back in the summer because that helps to ensure it will be there for us next winter.
Don’t forget about Mountain Biking at Plattekill!