Here’s the scoop.Forget amusement parks and video games; young travelers are more sophisticated than previous generations, and they're looking for activities and amenities that engage and inspire. And several New England resorts have embraced the challenge offering more for families. From private guides that take skiers to parts of a mountain the masses will never access to Fresh Tracks or a private "haute" tub service. Add to that heli-skiing, hut trips, and ziplines. The extra benefits are pretty cool.
 
I am passing on pre season highlights because the sooner you get a plan the easier it is to make it happen.
 
Zipline in Vermont. Play the part of a snowbird and glide above the snow drifts within view of some of Vermont's highest peaks on an award-winning winter zip line adventure. Or try a winter lively winter trek on snowshoes to a yurt. On the evening excursion, guests of the Lodge snowshoe by headlamp out to a yurt located in the woods near Stowe’s Nordic center for a cozy dinner with drinks and dessert. After dinner the return trip is in the Lodge's Mercedes. Wait for it! Even better try either a guided excursion on snowshoes at sunrise or sunset. Most popular is the sunset tour, which takes the last chair up at 4 p.m. and then snowshoes down as the sun goes down and the stars come out, and concludes with hot chocolate.

Join a family mountain scavenger hunt. Stowe’s Alpine Concierge provides families with clues to questions that can only be answered while skiing or snowboarding on the mountain. Each weekend and during holidays, the first three families to turn in all the questions receive a prize. Then, the kids can go to the terrain park and the parents can ski the more mellow groomers.

Learn ice climbing basics: New England winters create the perfect conditions for world-class ice climbs to form consistently each season in the idyllic White Mountains of New Hampshire. For those wishing to discover the thrill of this exhilarating and fast-growing sport, there is an introductory course featuring a great environment, all the necessary technical equipment, and provides outstanding instruction from experienced guides.

Try snowshoeing along Lake Superior. Heading away from New England but remaining in snow country experience the best of winter on the shores of Lake Superior. This adventure combines amazing snowshoe hikes past frozen waterfalls and sea caves and provides participants with comfortable lodging in log cabins, complete with cozy fires and fresh organic meals.

REI Adventures: A leader in worldwide guided active adventure programs, REI offers more than 140 adventure travel trips to more than 40 countries worldwide. The company offers unique itineraries focused on sustainable, human-powered outdoor adventure; hiking, biking, kayaking, climbing and more. Guests experience iconic destinations while exploring off the "beaten path," getting to know the local people, their culture, the flora and fauna and discovering things they would not be able to duplicate on their own or with another travel company.
 
For more snowy winter vacations checkout SnowPlaces.

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