NORTH WOODSTOCK, NH, MAY 2010 - Times change, and that goes for New Hampshire's mountain resorts as well.  Once the snow melts many people don't visit a ski area again until the fall, but in New Hampshire, ski areas do all they can to keep guests coming.  In addition to traditional mountain recreation like mountain biking and hiking, summer visitors can experience some new and different mountain activities.

Zip-Line Rides and Canopy Tour

Wildcat Mountain: The ZipRider at Wildcat is a half-mile zip-line cable that guests descend.  Riders reach speeds of more than 45 miles per hour while enjoying the scenic views of the ski area and Pinkham Notch.  A total of four cables have doubled capacity since last summer. 

Bretton Woods: Bretton Woods is home to the Williwaw Racing Zip. Located near the base of the ski area, participants can race against each other through the sky.  The racing zip is also the final section of the longest Canopy Tour in New England that leads guests through the woods via a sequence of sky bridges, rappels, and zip-lines. 

Loon Mountain: New this summer, Loon Mountain will be opening its zip-line ride, which spans the Pemigewasset River.

Franconia Notch Tour

Loon Mountain: Many people enjoy riding their bicycles on the Franconia Notch Bike Path, and Loon makes it even easier for guests to enjoy the ride.  Loon will take vacationers and their bikes to the top of the bike path for an easy ride back to Loon Mountain and their parked cars.  It is primarily downhill the whole way, making it a great way for the whole family to take in the scenic views of the White Mountains via bicycle.

Mountain Coaster and Alpine Slides

Attitash: New this summer is the Mountain Coaster, which brings riders down the mountain through a series of banked turns, dips, and straight-aways at rider-controlled speeds of up to 25 mph. Another exhilarating experience for adventurous guests is a ride on Attitash's alpine slides.  Riders are transported to the top of the course via a high-speed quad chairlift and then grab a plastic sled for the ride down a banked dual-run track.  The slides are the longest in North America and provide a different way to come down a ski hill. 

Trampolines

Attitash and Loon Mountain: For guests who like to challenge gravity, a bungy trampoline offers that opportunity.  Trampoliners are strapped into a harness attached to a bungee cord, with the trampoline below.  This allows them to flip and spin, all while flying high above the trampoline. 

Carriage Rides

Bretton Woods: The Mount Washington Hotel is sure to trigger thoughts of yesteryear.  One way to relive those times is to enjoy a leisurely carriage ride across the hotel grounds.  Situated in a scenic valley with panoramic views, it is the perfect setting for a romantic ride or a relaxing tour while letting the horses do all the work. 

Disc Golf

Wildcat Mountain: Enjoy nine holes of lift-serviced disc golf in a beautiful setting with Mt. Washington as your backdrop.

Bretton Woods: Guests can choose from an 18-hole mountain course beginning at the top of the ski area or a 9-hole course that is located at the base of the ski area.

Guided Hikes

Bretton Woods: Starting from the Mount Washington Hotel, guests are brought by vehicle to trailheads for hikes guided by Appalachian Mountain Club guides in the White Mountains.