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Road Trip: New Hampshire Ski Resorts In Summer

White Mountains New Hampshire
(credit: whitemountains.com)

Any family haggling over whether their summer vacation should be a thrill-a-minute adventure or a relaxing countryside getaway needn't put on the gloves. They can have it all at the ski resorts in nearby New Hampshire.

Yes, that's right: ski resorts for a summer vacation.

Whether you prefer to admire breathtaking mountain scenery from your resort balcony, from the perch of a chair lift, from inside a train car, or screaming along at 45-miles-per-hour on a zip line - the images you take away from your New Hampshire getaway will be etched in your mind forever.

attitacsSkiing
credit: www.attitash.com

Attitash

Summer at Attitash is perhaps best known for its Alpine Slide, where people of all ages grab a wheeled sled and set off on a ride down the slopes. Visitors also enjoy Attitash's water park, which has two water slides and a kids' splash pool. All-day passes to these attractions cost $35 for adults and $10 for kids under four-feet tall.

The summer array at Attitash also includes sky rides on the chair lift, a EuroBungy trampoline and climbing wall, included in admission. Horeseback rides and mountain bike rentals are available for an extra fee.

Some of the more adventurous attractions aren't appropriate for little ones. So check out the height guidelines before you arrive.

mountWashingtonResort
credit: www.mountwashingtonresort.com

Bretton Woods

New Hampshire's largest ski area features a mix of relaxation and adventure. At the Mount Washington Resort you can embark on a canopy tour that descends more than 1,000 feet in elevation by zip line, suspension bridges and hiking trails.

For those who prefer more sedate recreation, there are carriage rides through the grounds of the stately and historic Mount Washington Valley Hotel and the opportunity to test your mettle on a 27-hole championship golf course.

Bretton Woods is also home to the Cog Railway. You can take a three-hour ride right up Mount Washington on the Cog's steam locomotive.

summertubing
(credit: Cranmore Mountain Resort)

Cranmore Mountain Resort

When snow tubing season ends at Cranmore, summer tubing season begins. In summer the tubes slide over a special plastic surface, not on water; so no bathing suits required for this ride.

Summer fun at Cranmore also revolves around the Fun Zone. It features a 9-hole disc golf course through the mountain side, bouncy house and giant inflatable slide.

corcoransbeach
(credit: Waterville Valley)

Waterville Valley

Ski season is just one season at Waterville Valley. When the weather heats up, fun is still in full swing here. In summer the ski lifts bring mountain bikers to higher terrain so they can begin their descent. Bike rentals are available. The adventurer in your family may also want to check out Waterville's summer skateboard camp.

For more leisurely activity, rent a kayak, canoe or pedal boat for a ride on Corcoran's Pond. Outdoor theatre and music festivals pepper the season.

Golf, tennis and hiking are also favorite summer activities at Waterville Valley. If you just can't help but crave a touch of winter, there are public skating hours at the ice rink

priceline
credit: www.priceline.com

Money Saving Tips

There's no need to spend a lot on a family trip to New Hampshire's ski resorts. Consider purchasing printable discount coupons for meals at dozens of New Hampshire restaurants currently listed on Restaurant.com. When we checked, a $25 discount coupon for dinner at Diamond's Edge North in Waterville Valley, for example, was available for $10.

If you plan to spend the night, consider bidding on your hotel room using Priceline, where rooms are often discounted by more than half of the rack rate.

Most resorts also offer their own discount packages, so be sure to check their websites when planning your trip.

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