For decades, Maine ski resorts were simply a one-season business. Opening day arrived after the first snow fall. Closing day arrived with the first signs of spring.

In recent years, ski resorts have changed their business model and are now becoming four-season destinations for fun and recreation.

“No summer is complete without a scenic lift ride, a zipline tour, and a spin down one of the trails in our bike park,” said Darcy Morse, director of communications for Sunday River in Newry.

“At Sugarloaf, summer definitely centers around golf, and the award-winning Sugarloaf Golf Club, which has been named the number one golf course in Maine. Zipline tours and scenic lift rides are also very popular and an ever-growing mountain-biking scene has been attracting riders from throughout New England,” said Ethan Austin, communications manager at the Carrabassett Valley resort.

Mountain Biking: If bikers are looking for a Maine adventure that challenges the outdoor spirit, it can be found in mountain biking. With bikes designed for the changing terrains of a mountain landscape, the ride can be fast and physically challenging.

The Sugarloaf Outdoor Center in Kingfield, located off Rte. 27 just one mile south of the Sugarloaf Access Road, offers some of the area’s best maintained mountain biking trails for all ability levels. Trails are marked and range from level graveled dirt roads to expert single track through steep elevations. There is no fee to ride the Outdoor Center trails. Trails are not patrolled, and riders are asked to remain on marked trails, wear a helmet, and ride in pairs.

At Sunday River, the biking experience is a bit different: there’s a Mountain Bike Park for visitors. There are 30 trails over 20 miles of mountain terrain with lift service for bikes. A lift pass is $29 for 13-and-older and $18 for under-13. Bike rentals are available.

Ziplines: Ziplines have taking off, literally. Whether it is the lure of being in an “Amazing Race” kind of activity from the television show or whether it is the thrill seeker that lurks in all of us, zip lines are more than just an off-season craze.

The ultimate experience comes from a zipLine tour where groups of visitors “zip” their way through a series of lines through Maine mountain settings. Both Sunday River and Sugarloaf offer tours with different numbers and lengths of ziplines. Each offers a tour ranging from 75 minutes to two-and-a-half hours. While prices vary, as well, both zipLine tours offer an out-of-the-ordinary adventure.

Sunday River also offers an experience called Twin Zips, a side-by-side zipline that is less expensive and less physically challenging than the more extensive tours. It is particularly good for a first-time experience on a zipline.

To ride a zipline, there are many safety rules, regulations and stipulations. It is best to call in advance to make a reservation and to go over the necessary guidelines. Hours of operation, tour times, and prices vary considerably. It is best to call or to go to the resort’s website for detailed information.

Guided hikes and canoe trips: Sugarloaf offers outdoor canoeing and hiking adventures with Maine guide Nolan Kilgannon at the helm. For information, he can be contacted at 207-237-6893 or [email protected]

Every Tuesday, the Sunrise Canoe Trip takes place on the gentle currents of the North Branch of the Dead River. This is a four-mile paddle where basic canoe strokes and techniques are demonstrated and no previous experience is required. The journey ends with a hearty breakfast and all transportation and gear are provided. The trip runs between two to four hours. The canoe trip is $45 for adults and $39 for children

Every Wednesday, Kilgannon leads the Poplar Stream Hike and Lunch, a five-mile trek that introduces visitors to the Maine wilderness setting. There are stops at two local waterfalls and a visit on the Solar and Hydro Power Energy Tour, part of the Maine Hut’s Self-Sustaining Technologies program. Lunch is provided on the hike. The hike is $35 for adults and $29 for children and the trip runs from three to six hours, depending on the pace of the group.

Unique fun

Experience a trampoline: Jump into the sky with Sunday River’s EuroBungy Trampoline. Harnesses attached to visitors propel you skyward and bring you back down safely while bouncing up and down on a trampoline. The harness also allows you to flip forwards and backward safely as you bounce up to 20 feet into the air. There are weight restrictions for the trampoline and hours run Friday through Sunday from June 29 through October 8 and on major holidays.

Disc golf: Disc golf offers the fun of traditional golf but in a cross-country setting and using frisbees rather than golf clubs and balls. Each hole is finished by landing your shot in a specially-designed basket.

Sunday River’s course offers nine walkable holes spread up and down the slopes of South Ridge featuring elevation changes, doglegs, trees and additional challenges. It’s a course designed to be scenic and fun for professionals and amateurs alike.

Disc golf runs Friday through Sunday from June 29 through October 8 and on major holidays.

Paint ball: The premiere location of outdoor paintball is Lost Valley Ski and Banquet Resort in Auburn, Maine. Paintball is a sport in which players compete, in teams or individually, to eliminate opponents by tagging them with capsules containing water-soluble dye and gelatin shell outside (referred to as paintballs) propelled from a device called a paintball marker. It is the ultimate adventure sport involving teamwork and strategy.

There is open play competition on the last Sunday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. where no reservations are needed and players can simply show up to play. For groups of 10 or more, reservations are accepted seven days a week. The fee for field play is $10 per person. There’s an additional fee of $15 for equipment rental. For info, call 784-1561 or go to their website at www.lostvalleyski.com.