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Four Winter Outings in New England

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Afterward, we make our own tracks to the luxury of The White Mountain Hotel and Resort in North Conway, where we will spend the night. We treat ourselves to dinner in The Ledges Dining Room and to a soak in the outdoor hot tub. Weary after a long day in the woods, we fall asleep with full bellies and thoughts of the creatures making their way through the woods, leaving their stories for others to find tomorrow. -- Kathryn LoConte

Appalachian Mountain Club, Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, Rte. 16, Pinkham's Grant, NH. Rates: one- to two-day workshops free and fee-based; call or visit Web site for more information. 603-466-2727. outdoors.org

Moat Mountain Smoke House and Brewing Co.

Go for the beer, stay for the barbecue and wood-fired pizzas. Entrées: $7.95-$23.50. [DETAILS]

Jack R. Williams Toboggan Chute, Camden, ME

"It'll be over in nine seconds," says Stuart Young, operator at the toboggan chute. It's a statement that brings little comfort as our toboggan is tipped from a horizontal loading position onto the near vertical starting pitch of a 400-foot wooden toboggan run. The rumble of the sled sounds like a freight train, yet above the crescendo can be heard screams of surprise and delight. The chute is the only one of its kind remaining in New England and is host to the annual U.S. National Toboggan Championships.

We tuck in our elbows, lean back, and hold on tight. This is definitely different from just swooshing down that backyard slope. First built in 1936 and restored in 1960 and 1990, the track has a vertical drop of 70 feet. The wooden sled shimmies against the side boards as it gains momentum -- up to 45 mph. The toboggan is momentarily suspended in air at the end before gliding out onto ice-covered Hosmer Pond, sometimes even sliding all the way across. The toboggan slows until we gain traction with our feet to stand up on the ice. Beaming grins. Bright eyes. In a moment, we are trudging up the hill for a second run. -- Katrina Yeager

Jack R. Williams Toboggan Chute, Camden Snow Bowl -- Parks & Recreation, 20 Hosmer Pond Rd., Camden, ME. Tickets: $2 per ride. 207-236-3438. camdensnowbowl.com

Cape Codder Resort & Spa, Hyannis, MA

It is 17 degrees outside, with a north wind snapping at anything that moves. The windchill makes it feel like zero. No worry. Here, the kids belly up to 2-foot waves, whip down an 80-foot waterslide, and dash under cascading falls. No, we are not at Disney World or in Maui -- we are tucked inside the Cape Codder Resort & Spa, where warm water trumps winter every time.

Consider the 8,400-square-foot wave pool, an indoor theme park with two waterslides, waterfalls, a Jacuzzi that seats 24, and two saunas. Do as most families do: Grown-ups take turns watching the kids poolside. The off-duty parent hits the spa for a massage, facial, manicure, or body wrap. If Dad can't shed type A mode, there is a state-of-the-art exercise room for him.

Though the Cape Codder Resort does a brisk wedding and conference business, kids remain a top priority here. One of the saunas is even kept at a safe temperature for little ones. Owner Debra Catania says, "We got tired of policing the sauna ... and children are just innately curious, so we set aside one sauna for them." There is also a game room, where laughter drowns out the sounds of air hockey and pinball.

There are two restaurants on-site: Families with young children tend to eat at the Hearth 'n Kettle, which serves homemade breads, seafood, pasta, and hearty meat dishes. Since our daughter is a teen, we opt for more sophisticated dining in the intimate Mediterranean-style Grand Cru Wine Bar & Grill. Dad's favorite is the Kobe beef cheeseburger, mine the Cru crab cakes. Our daughter's favorite is the baked-to-order warm cookies with hazelnut gelato -- a delight second only to the wave pool. -- Polly Bannister

Cape Codder Resort & Spa, 1225 Iyanough Rd., Hyannis, MA. Rates: $99-$199. Hearth 'n Kettle entrées: $9.99- $17.99. Grand Cru entrées: $12-$27. 888-297-2200, 508-771-3000. capecodderresort.com