When the snow goes, resorts make fun for all seasons

There were 36 ski trails open last weekend at Wildcat Mountain in Pinkham Notch, thanks to a winter that delivered more than 14 feet of snow to the White Mountains.

But even as skiers were taking their final runs on trails called Lynx Lair, Tomcat Schuss, and Hairball, the resort was gearing up for what in more quaint times was called the off-season.

"Resorts are finding ways to expand their operations by taking advantage of what they already have," said Frank Guerriero, director of marketing at Attitash Resort in Bartlett, which launched its Alpine Slide more than 30 years ago. "You can capitalize on a really good ski season, or make up for a less lucrative one. And in the 'staycation' mindset that people have, our proximity to Boston and even Canada is very advantageous."

Consider that Wildcat introduced its zip-line cable ride in 2007. The exhilarating half-mile descent - at heights up to 70 feet and speeds up to 45 miles an hour - was in such demand that the daily allotment of rides was often sold out before noon.

According to Tom Caughey, the general manager, "We sold almost every single ride available from day one." Wildcat proceeded to double ZipRider's capac ity from two cables to four last summer, allowing up to four riders at one time.

Many ski resorts in the Granite State are retrofitting their properties to add golf and other warm-weather pursuits. For a select few, though, summer has always been high season.