Everybody’s got somebody on his or her “list” for whom a cozy sweater just doesn’t cut the candy cane. To the moon and back is more their style, and as long as they can ride it, fly it and feel the wind in their face they will love it.

The Maine Cycling Club, based in Auburn, schedules weekly rides in the Lewiston-Auburn area “that will appeal to almost any cyclist, from beginners to people who are training to enter races,” said Noel Swift, president of the club. The MCC also schedules longer rides several times each summer, such as “a day in the White Mountains, or a day or two at Bar Harbor.” This year the MCC will continue scheduling its new “beginners only” rides, at a location close to central Lewiston, “to help people get used to riding on the road with others.”

Although there is no charge to participate in any of the rides, the cost of membership is only $25 and would make a wonderful gift, along with perhaps a few biking accessories, for the cycling enthusiast on your list.

When autumn rolls away, and the bikes are stored, the skis and snowboards get dusted off and we keep an eye on the sky for signs of fresh snow. According to Tad Bettcher, Lost Valley Ski area offers “night skiing and snowboarding, and the flexibility to ski or ride for just a few hours without having to buy a full day ticket.” With its convenient location, it is possible to stop by for a few runs after school or work.

In addition to a comfortable, family-friendly lodge and snack bar, Lost Valley offers lessons, February break “SnowCamp,” an exciting junior racing program, and kids younger than five ski free with a paying adult. In addition, Tuesday and Wednesday are both “Friends Day” with “2 for 1 tickets,” so a gift for a friend is like a gift for yourself.

Every August, Lewiston-Auburn hosts the magnificent Balloon Festival. But did you know that hot air balloons can fly any time of the year?

For Jim Rodrigue, of Androscoggin Balloon Adventures, “it is the most magical way to fly. We offer a variety of experiences [including] contour flying, tickling the tree tops, splash and dash and, for the more adventurous, we’ll take it to a mile or higher then do a terminal velocity decent.”

According to Rodrigue, “Whether we’re flying low and seeing nature and people from the treetops, or at a mile up viewing the majestic presidential mountain range, the flight makes you forget your worries.”

Although children younger than four may have a difficult time seeing over the edge of the basket, a ride in a hot air balloon is appropriate for any age group. Androscoggin Balloon Adventures is able to carry four adults at once and they offer gift certificates for hour-long flights, complete with snacks and a champagne celebration afterward.

According to Jason Fogg, better known as Foggy, “Skydiving is wildly popular,” from spring through foliage season in Maine. “The adrenaline rush” is the first thing a guest at Skydive New England will experience, but “the sense of accomplishment and confidence our guests walk away with after this experience is what keeps them coming back for more every season.”

Although the minimum age for skydiving is, by law, 18, the facilities at SNE offer onsite dining and pubs as well as live entertainment, camping and other activities for the entire family to enjoy.

Three Rivers, Skydive New England’s soggy sister, offers whitewater rafting adventures on some of the most beautiful and wild rivers in the state of Maine. Three Rivers calls itself, “The Home of Serious Fun,” and they’re not kidding.

“Whitewater rafting is a great activity for youth groups,” as well as individuals and groups of adults. Groups “learn teamwork and paddling skills while having the time of their life in the great outdoors with the best guides in the business,” explained Foggy.

With great lodging, nightlife and other amenities, including the beautiful Inn By The River which sits on a bluff overlooking the Kennebec River and is located along some of the most popular snowmobile trails in the state, you will find four seasons of adventure in one great outfit.

Skydive New England and Three Rivers is currently running a fabulous holiday sale for your gift-buying savings. “Reserve a trip for 2012, or purchase a gift certificate right now and save up to 40 percent off” your next skydiving and whitewater rafting adventure.

Moving outward, toward Maine’s exciting rocky coast, we submit to the “allure of our not too distant maritime past.” According to Scott Reischmann, owner of Portland Schooner Co., “A sail aboard one of our schooners is the perfect way to experience the beauty of the Maine coast, complete with lighthouses, seals, seabirds and the rugged coastline.”

Portland Schooner sails two ships, both designed by John G. Alden. Built in East Boothbay, Maine in 1912 and 1924, these ships “represent a time when classical tastes produced some of the finest vessels in the history of yachting and yacht racing.”

All ages and abilities, “from infants to the elderly to those that use wheelchairs,” are welcome aboard for day trips or longer.

Although guests are welcome to bring their own food and drink, Portland Schooner offers a variety of trips, including a “Sails & Tails Lobster Bake” package that takes guests to Cow Island where they enjoy a wonderful meal of locally harvested seafood and other Maine delicacies, and then back again to the mainland. Sailing May through October, Portland Schooner also offers an overnight cruise on the schooner “Wendameen” which departs in the afternoon to sail amongst the beautiful islands of Casco Bay and anchor for the night in a quiet cove. Guests are welcome to go ashore to explore, swim or to simply relax on deck. After a catered dinner and a wonderful night’s rest aboard the Wendameen, a hearty breakfast is served before the sail back to Portland.

Reischmann suggests “giving the gift of summer in the form of a windjammer cruise” for the adventurous soul on your holiday list.

Land, sea or air, the gift of a great adventure is a holiday gift they will never forget.

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