3 Dual Sport Adventure Destinations

Published on 09/06/2012

By Ann-Britt Hakansson

It’s August already? As with every summer, the time flies by and we find ourselves wishing we had more than just a few weeks of warm weather outdoor play time left. It’s time to kick adventure mode into high gear and turn your average morning mountain bike ride into an awesome multi-sport escapade. We have put together a list of the best places in the U.S. to get in touch with your inner active junkie and make the best of the last of the summer months. And for those world travelers out there (we’re all jealous) we threw in a few global destinations.

Ski and Surf – Sunday River and Higgins Beach, Maine

This ski season is just around the corner, and some of the best surfing on the east coast comes just as the snow beings to fall. This makes for the perfect multi-sport day for the eager and motivated skier surfer extraordinaire. Sunday River has boasted the earliest opening day of ski resorts on the east coast for the past 5 years. With the best surf at Higgins beach, which offers surf for beginner to advanced skill levels, occurring in the fall and winter, early November is the perfect time to hit the slopes and the surf. A 2 hour drive from the coast to the mountains, where to start is up to you; do you want to end your day relaxing with your feet in the sand (wrapped in a blanket of course) or enjoying the après ski that Sunday River has to offer? Either way, it’s sure to be an exciting day that will earn you major bragging rights.

Around the World: A few major ski resorts in the Andes (El Colorado, Valle Nevado) are a 2-3 hour drive from the coast line, surf popular spots such as Cartagena or Las Salinas.

Mountain Bike and Cliff Jump – Mt. Hood, Oregon

Mt Hood, Oregon is a mecca of multi-sport extravaganzas. With year round skiing available at the Timberline Lodge just outside of Government Camp, the possibilities of combining a morning ski or ride with afternoon activities are endless. Some of the most exciting undertakings in the area are mountain biking and cliff jumping. After exhausting the same line four or five times on the mountain, gear up for a killer ride on Wally’s Tie, a 20 mile smooth single track mountain bike loop that combines a few cross country ski trails. If you’re still up for it and need to cool off and clean up after the ride, drive 37 miles north toward Hood River for some world famous cliff jumping. Punch Bowl Falls is a well-known spot, so hit it mid-week for fewer crowds. The main jump is 35 feet but there are a variety of cliffs ranging up to 72 feet.

Kite Board and Hike – San Francisco Bay Area, California

San Francisco bay offers some of the best kite boarding locations in the U.S. with options for beginners and experts alike, all set against the beautiful backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge and city sky line. Crissy field is the most popular location in the Bay Area, and can be intimidating as it is frequented by some of the best in the area, those that can handle the crowds, wind shadow and strong currents. Crowne Beach in Alameda, on the East Bay of the city, is great for beginners with milder winds, flat water and sandy beaches. After a morning of getting wet and wild, take a short trip across the Golden Gate and enter the beautiful and scenic Marin Headlands. A personal favorite is the Miwok Trail hike from Rodeo Beach to Pt. Bonita, a 3.7 mile excursion along the coast featuring epic views and World War II military forts.