PEAK OF ADVENTURE
Mount Sunapee Resort takes wild fun to new heights in summer
There's summer fun, and then there's “the family is swinging from the rafters” summer fun. If the latter is your speed, grab a day and head north for a wild time at Mount Sunapee Resort (1398 Route 103, Newbury, N.H.). Beloved in the winter for easy access, incredible snow conditions and breathtaking ski views of the lake, the resort is far from sleepy in the warmest season. There, you'll find aerial adventure courses, zip lines, a bike park, climbing walls, disc golf and a real in-thewoods archery adventure course. You and your family can be swinging from the rafters (or the trees) just a quick 90-minute drive north of Boston.
For centuries, New Englanders have taken jaunts to the mountains, taking in the splendor but mostly from a distance. Then came the realization: Why not give folks a reason to get up close and personal? And the summer resort industry was born. Mount Sunapee dove into summer operations in 2012, and today, summer programs bring in more than 60,000 jumping, gliding and playing guests a season.
Making Mount Sunapee a day trip adventure is a snap. Leave early if you have to deal with Boston traffic, and stop for an amazing breakfast at Country Kitchen, a fabulous, old school diner (at 339 Sunapee St. in Newport, N.H., it is just a few minutes away from Sunapee fun). Fuel up, because you'll be busy.
At Sunapee, activities are diverse enough to keep all ages happy. Purchasing “Play All Day” passes ahead of time is wise: You'll get the overall savings, and an extra $5 per person by purchasing online. Those passes get you four loops on the aerial challenge course, disc golf, an aerial adventure ride, mining materials for the sluice, unlimited jumping on air bags and more, as well as access to the beach. You may choose to add on other activities once you're there.
The Aerial Challenge Course operates from a central platform and spreads out to different-level challenges, with guides and instructors along the way to help you. There is a beginner loop, two intermediate loops and an advanced loop, totaling 32 obstacles varying in height and difficulty. Obstacles include rickety bridges, spider nets, swinging platforms, tightropes, zip lines and more.
While that could keep you busy all day, there's more fun to be had. At the simple, all-ages level, the Beck Brook Mining Sluice gives you a chance to mine and
sluice for gems.
The Canopy Line Zip Tour is a two-hour (or so) tour that features a series of zip lines, rope bridges and rappelling as you descend from the summit of South Peak. There are eight zip lines in total, highlighted by the final 1,000-foot dual zip lines to a platform behind the Adventure Center, from which you will rappel back down. From the first tree platform to the last, you will travel almost three-quarters of a mile through the evergreen canopy. There are six ski trail crossings that offer spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and of Mount Sunapee. This is open to ages 10 and up, has an additional cost and requires advanced reservations. It’s a great choice as either the first activity when you get there or the last bit of fun before you leave.
In Evolution Bike Park, you can ride a lift up with your bike (rentals are available) and then ride trails down and around the mountain, a thrill both physically and visually.
And what about archery? Sunapee’s Archery Course has 15 3D animal targets with three distance points at each target. The course is located 0.7 miles off the backside of the South Peak learning area, which is accessible with a ride up the Clipper Ship quad (access to that lift and the course has an additional cost). You must bring your own equipment though. Should you want to give it a try, nearby Tackle Shack in Newbury offers rentals.
Should you want active but more serene fun, the resort has vast hiking options and trail maps available to help you along. Pack a picnic lunch (or purchase one on site) and meander through the thick green woods of New Hampshire.
The resort operates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on summer days, and with all those choices, you’ll use every hour. Miss the Boston traffic by stopping for a nice dinner on the way home. Details on Mount Sunapee’s summer programs can be found online at mount sunapee.com.