As others have said, this place gets a 5-star because:…read more * Great staff. From the guy that checks you in to the guy who handles fitting you for rentals (and was the same guy that gave our group their lesson), to the people in the restaurant that carried our food all the way out to a picnic table outside * Full breadth of trails for all abilities -- long, interesting trails that are very well maintained * Priced right for what you get We had done zip lining at a different place earlier in the week and the price for the zip lining was almost the same as the "Find Your Ride" package that included a full day lift ticket, bike rental (along with helmet and pads), and an almost 2 hour lesson that included a trip down the Freedom Trail (easiest trail). The bikes were all in very good working condition and were prepared for us prior to arrival based on the height and weight info we provided during registration. There is far more physical fitness required for this than expected. It's not like zip lining where you just sit in a harness and hang on. Your quads and upper arms and hands will all feel the burn after the second ride down -- we did 5 rides and were absolutely exhausted by the end -- and we consider ourselves rather fit. The good news is that the food options were great (more than just hotdogs and chicken fingers -- check out the menu online) and they have a dozen decent beers on tap so if some of your group wants to pack it in after a couple rides, there is enough to keep them occupied while waiting. There are picnic tables with umbrellas or you can sit inside. Our biggest complaint is the online waiver process. It is so long and doesn't account for families signing up -- all the information had to be repeated multiple times. It also asked for things like Drivers License # and that seems over the top for a MINOR's waiver! Please, this needs to be more reasonable and ask for names, birthdates, and phone number and email address -- and if the parent is filling it out for the kid, it should only require name and birthday -- the kid doens't have any ID documents.

A great bike park, one of the best on the East Coast! Because it's biking only, the vibes are…read moreincredible. The trails are actually insanely well designed and they are able to make really interesting trails, despite the mountain not being that tall. The reason I didn't give 5 stars is because this bike park kind of falls short if you are in intermediate/low advanced rider, especially when compared to other nearby parks like Thunder Mountain in MA. The green is great for beginners. And Cats Paw is an excellent blue, with lots of optional wooden drops to try. A lot of these optional features are honestly more difficult than what you would find on a normal blue trail at other bike parks. Problem is, there is essentially only 1 non-technical blue trail down. So Cats Paw has a ton of traffic on it, which might scare away true intermediates. Similarly Fancy Feast, the technical Blue trail, also has 1 particularly difficult rock section that would be a black trail at nearby bike parks. And there is a pretty big step up between Cats Paw/Fancy Feast and the black trails. Upper Happy Hour was recommended to me as the "easiest black" but I think this info may be outdated. It is very washed out now and there is one corner that is a pretty big rock slab. Hellion is honestly probably the easier black trail, provided you know how to jump. Overall this park suffers from it's own success. The trails have a lot of brake in bumps because of the high traffic, being the bike park closest to Boston. And on Saturdays there often can be long lines. Because of this I personally like Thunder better because they have 2 lifts and fewer crowds, and the trail rating is more accurate.

Bikes are not the best but they were fine for what we needed. The owner was very nice.read more

Mountain Outfitters at Spruce Lodge is a small-ish supply store at the Spruce Lodge in Mount…read moreSunapee. Well stocked, offering the immediate necessities of ski and snowboarding attire as well as some sports clothing. Additionally, they stock quite a few souvenirs such as stickers, cups, glasses and the like. I still remember years ago an elderly attendant who kept the place immaculate and had the best color matching knowledge I've ever seen. Nowadays, there is a plethora of people who staff the store and, although friendly and efficient, they're not the same. Still, a great place to shop, especially avoiding the crowds at the Sunapee Lodge.' They do give discounts with the Epic Pass, providing for good value for clothing and ski necessities.

The Esther Currier Wildlife Management Area and the Davis Path within it are amazing conservation…read moreareas that contribute in great part, to the immense quality of life in New London. It is a superb area for admiring wildlife, beaver dams, bog vegetation and contemplation. It is also a superb 2.2 mile flat hike, suitable for families with children, pets and elderly. It is a postcard scenic area during Fall's Foliage. And a great area for hiking, snowshoeing and Nordic skiing in the Winter. The Esther Currier Wildlife Management Area at Low Plain is preserved through the efforts of a diverse group of citizen councils and nonprofit organizations. The New London Conservation Commission, and elected body, manages the area in conjunction with the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust, the Elkins Fish & Game Club, and the NH Fish & Game Department. A self guided trail map with notes is available at the Route 11 entrance and also through their website. The trails can be accessed from the parking area off Route 11 or from a parking area on Mountain Road. Most of this material is taken from the New London Conservation Commission's trail description. The main trail is named the Davis Path. It is a gated gravel road running between Route 11 and Mountain Road. Hikers can also take side trails that lead to several overlook spots and observation blinds along the edge of an active Beaver Pond. In addition, there is a quaking bog that may be viewed from a boardwalk on the trail to the Marsh Point blind. A high water bridge, built by Elkins Fish and Game Club, takes visitors over the waters that flood a portion of Davis Path during Spring thaw (bridge is shown at the right). A geological exhibit (boulder collection) and a salamander pool are visible from the Davis Path. The Davis Path is 1.13 miles in length (one way). A half mile loop trail to Shepard Spring is also shown across Mountain Road from the Davis Path. Parking is available along Mountain Road. The trail is only marked for a clockwise trip around the loop. The Conservation Commission has also developed a Forestry Management Cover Map and Forestry Plan for the Low Plain area. An unbeatable location to enjoy a couple of hours with family or simply, to admire nature in its very best.

The Morgan Pond Trail is an easy, 6.6 mile out-and-back hike in New London and Springfield. It's…read morean excellent trail for dog walking, cross country skiing and trail running. No bushwhacking needed; It follows old access roads and cart roads from Twin Lake Villa Road, same initial point as the Kidder Brook Trail or you may commence at the road itself. It rises almost 621 feet before ending at the beautiful and picturesque Morgan Pond, one of the sources of water for the New London/Springfield Water District. The trail crosses several other trails and old cart roads as it climbs, with beautiful scenic vistas along the hike. It connects with the Kidder Brook Trail, the Sunapee, Ragged and Kearsarge Greenway, and the Kidder Trail itself. The only modern intrusion along the trail, aside from the road itself, is crossing a wide path for power lines. Besides that, the hike abounds with nature and wildlife. The trail itself is lightly traveled, but the trail is kept clear by the passing of water maintenance and power line equipment. Bring bug repellent. A beautiful way to spend an afternoon...

Bucklin Beach is one of those things that give New London NH such great quality of life. Nestled in…read moreseveral acres at the Northeast part of Little Lake Sunapee, Bucklin Beach and its sister beach at Pleasant Lake provide for town residents' recreation, amusement and family enjoyment. Bucklin Beach is owned and operated by the town of New London and access is limited to town residents and their guests. An ample parking area allows access to the beautiful sandy beach. Once in the beach there are several pavilions available for common use. The town also owns several kayaks, canoes, row boats and Stand-up Paddle Boards available free of charge. Users have to sign a liability waiver once a year. However, personal-owned craft are not allowed on the beach. For that purpose, there is a docking station at the other side of the lake. The beach is staffed by some of the nicest lifeguards ever, many of them in their third or fourth consecutive season. Every time we have been there, we have found them to be honestly devoted to customer enjoyment. There are no refreshments or food sold at the beach. Another beautiful side of this location is the unbelievable sunsets.

The Lyon Brook Trail it's one of the most popular hiking trails in the town of New London, New…read moreHampshire. It can either be a point to point at 2.5 miles, or a 5 mile round trip. There is parking at both of the trail heads on Trussell Ridge Road (about 100 yards from Exit 11 on I-89) and at Parkside Road nearby the center of New London. The trail is generally flat, following the contours of Lyon Brook as it meanders from Parkside and County Roads through its Trussell Ridge Road trailhead and then the Brook continues to become the headwaters for Keezar Lake. There is only one part of the trail on Pleasant Road as the trail segments are separated by about 200 feet. The trail is maintained by the New London Conservation Commission and goes through both public and private land, including the New London Outing Club property. It's a great trail for leashed dogs. However, unleashed animals run the risk of a wildlife encounter as the trail traverses wilderness that are home to bears and coyotes. As well, the trail has junctions with the Knights Hill Wildlife Preserve, where pet animals are absolutely forbidden.

The Kidder Brook Trail is a 1.2 mile one-way or a 2.4 mile round trip through some pristine water…read morescenery. It is both, one of the most popular and also one of the most beautiful trails in the New London area. The trail is managed by the New London Conservation Commission. From the parking area at the bridge on Twin Lake Villa Road, it crosses a stone bridge and ascends 230 feet along Kidder Brook with amazing views of the flowing brook, rushing water, water falls, and views, culminating in a beautiful lake. A camera, either a stand alone or a smartphone, is a must have to capture this trail. Numerous brook scenes with flowing water, gorgeous mature pine forest scenes, and granite formations are part of the trail. This trail also crosses several other trails including the Sunapee, Ragged and Kearsarge Greenway, a magnificent, multi day trail. It also crosses and can join with the Morgan Pond Trail A must see in the area.