Unleash your adventure spirit at zip lines, caves, ski trails in the White Mountains

You can take a walk to be part of the great outdoors: Or you can go whitewater rafting! At Raft NH, you will be up close and personal with the Androscoggin River – the section below the Pontook Dam – when you sign up for the Class II river runs. This laid-back day on the river means rafters from ages 6 and up can experience sections of milder rapids and calmer water, perfect for a swim. Class II trips are geared toward families and whitewater beginners, but everyone will enjoy their day in the White Mountains and Great North Woods of northern New Hampshire. The rafting adventure includes a guide, safety gear, comfort gear, a small snack and transportation to and from the raft base in Gorham.

New Hampshire’s longest scenic gondola skyride to the mountain top is just the start of the action at Loon Mountain. Ride a snow tube down for the excitement that awaits at the base. Trvel a zipline across the Pemigewasset River and into the Aerial Forest Adventure Park. Scale a rock wall, rent a bike, navigate the LogJam Maze, or climb a 30-foot-tall spider web. Young kids will love the bounce house and fun inflatable games at Bunyan’s Bouncin’ Backyard. While you’re at the summit, visit glacial caves and walk a scenic nature trail. Grab lunch or a snack at the Summit Café, which serves up great food and some of the best views of the White Mountains in all of New England.

The great outdoors is even greater than that in the Mount Washington Valley region, starting with the best skiing, downhill and cross-country, in the East as well as amazing ice castles and glacial caves to visit. Hiking trails through meadows and up spectacular mountains, ziplining, rock-climbing, moose tours, ropes courses. mountain coasters and every form of boating are all waiting for you. Walk to waterfalls, across wooden bridges and through gorgeous towns and villages. Explore water parks, family farms, indoor and outdoor skating rinks (learn to curl!), golf courses, fairs, festivals and farmers markets. And here’s an added adventure: The distances between these great outdoor activities for the whole family? Short, short, short, making your trip fun, fun, fun.

There really is an outdoor adventure everywhere you look in the Mt. Washington Valley area, and there’s no better place to start the fun than the Glen House, a 68-room resort with panoramic views of the White Mountains. From your luxurious room at this four-season resort, you can plan your skiing, snowshoeing or skating adventure in the winter, fat biking or hiking in the spring, a tour or self-drive up the amazing Mt. Washington Auto Road in the summer and hiking in spectacular foliage in the fall. At the base of the Auto Road, which reaches more than a mile into the sky, is Great Glen Trails, with guided kayaking and whitewater tours as well as biking trails.

Four-season adventure awaits your family at Great Glen Trails in Pinkham Notch. In warmer months, head out on scenic trails for a hike, a run, or bike ride through the majestic White Mountains. Join a guided bird watching tour or paddling trip on the Androscoggin River. In winter, cross country skiing and snowshoeing are the way to get around on a trail system of easy and rolling terrain. Skiers of all abilities can find their own level of activity, challenge, and fun. Trails are groomed with both double tracks and a skating lane and run through the forests at the base of Mount Washington. Or you can jump onto the SnowCoach and tour the mountain in winter from a comfortable seat. Outdoor fun for all tastes!

Who are the experts at combining play and work? The answer is: dogs. Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel in the White Mountains of New Hampshire is the home of about 80 sled dogs, and they support the business by taking guests on sled dog rides – their favorite thing to do! This unique adventure is very hands-on and up-close. Meet the dogs that will take on the harness to whisk you along mountain paths, year-round. Summer rides are on comfortable dog carts, with a dog team in harness, just like on a sled. Another summertime arm of the business, Raft NH, offers mild-to-wild rafting adventures with a licensed Maine guide.