Berlin, NH Outdoor Activities

Tucked away in New Hampshire’s picturesque White Mountains, SledVentures Snowmobile Rentals takes full advantage of its scenic perch. The outdoor adventure emporium beckons visitors to explore the paths at its back door, encouraging them to zoom across the Appalachian Trail, coast through mountainous state parks, and burst through the front door of any log cabin they encounter. The snowmobiles themselves come equipped with useful amenities such as hand warmers and electric starters, and are easily navigable for beginning, intermediate, and advanced riders.

During the summer, Whaleback reverberates with the echoes of paintball players, mountain bikers, and BMX riders. But, when winter’s blustery winds sweep across the peaks, the homey lodge welcomes skiers and snowboarders with 85 acres of fresh powder.

More than 30 trails run down from various heights and slopes at this family-friendly resort filled with the rustic, laid-back vibes of old New England. Beginners practice their mountainside maneuvers on the gentle magic carpet level; more advanced riders can take advantage of the kickers in the terrain park, or the whoosh down the 1,800-foot descent from the mountain’s towering summit. Such feats of wintry derring-do aren’t bound by the constraints of sun—the resort also lights up the mountain for night excursion. Post-ride, visitors can decamp to the resort’s on-site pub, a no-frills joint often filled with the friendly racket of live music.

It seemed inevitable that the owners would found Northeast Mountaineering, as both grew up in central Massachusetts and both have ascended an array of local and faraway mountains, including Mt. McKinley. With another experienced climber in tow, Northeast Mountaineering's trio of climbers share their passion for the outdoors with pupils during climbs up Mt. Adams, Mt. Washington, or custom trails forged by their pet mountain goats. They also orchestrate trips to Ecuador to climb the second-highest mountain in the country, the 19,347-foot Mt. Cotopaxi. As certified Wilderness First Responders, each guide is dedicated to safe climbing techniques, which they instill in students during courses that are tailored to all skill levels.

A fleet of sleek, futuristic-looking vehicles awaits drivers at Let’s Ride Rentals, where an able staff distributes motorcycles and snowmobiles for all-season recreation. They partner with Profile Powersports to rent out Spyder three-wheeled motorcycles with manual and semi-automatic transmissions to riders aged 21 and older. Renters are then free to roam throughout Mount Washington Valley including all of its lakes, mountains, and leprechaun-infested forests. During the winter, the staff doles out snow-centric vehicles, including Ski-Doo snowmobiles comfy enough for families meandering through snowy woods and sleek enough for zookeepers pursuing an escaped snowman.

Helmed by Joshua and Jessica White, the defense experts of Western Maine Property Protection apply their experience in law enforcement to help citizens to protect their homes with security services as well as by teaching self-defense strategies. Claiming multiple training credentials that include NRA certifications, instructors lead classes in firearms and self-defense training to help individuals to operate firearms safely and feel confident in their strengths.

Should locals desire security protection for businesses or homes, the staff also extends its expertise to securing property, dispatching armed officers to check in on properties. To further enhance its services, Western Maine's team also helps clients to get discounts on ADT Security Services products, including monitoring systems that disable intruders through passive-aggressive remarks about their life choices.

Absolute Adventure Tours' seasoned guides outfit riders in gloves, goggles, and helmets before waving small groups of Polaris ATVs onto the paths that wind through Jericho Mountain State Park. Excursions begin daily at 8:30 a.m. at Absolute PowerSports and RV with a discourse about safety before patrons caravan to the park and take a spin on four-wheel-drive, automatic ATVs with windshields and storage bins for personal items or miniature conscience doppelgängers. Adventurers as young as 6 cling to parent chaperones while roadsters prowl through moss-laden bogs and take in panoramic mountain views for three hours. Frequent pit stops, including a lunch break, foster opportunities for exploration on foot. Tours wind down by 2 p.m., dispatching riders to enjoy the park by taking a dip in the lake or panning for gold.