Fall happenings at mountain resorts

Time to plan your fall adventures. New England resorts host events throughout October that include keg throws, stein-holding competitions, hayrides, skyrides, and a rubber duck-tossing contest. Head to Mount Sunapee in New Hampshire for the Sunapee Fall Bash and eighth annual Duck Drop, Oct. 5, when visitors can toss rubber ducks from a chairlift into targets to win prizes, an event that supports the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central New Hampshire ( www.mountsunapee.com ). New Hampshire’s Attitash Mountain hosts Oktoberfest, Oct. 12, with a weekend of polka music, German food, scenic chairlift rides (free for those with an Epic Pass), and stein-holding and keg-toss competitions ( www.attitash.com ). Vermont’s Mount Snow also holds a stein-holding competition (a preliminary qualifier for the Vermont State Stein-holding Championships) during its 26th annual Oktoberfest, Oct. 5 and 12, and reintroduces its Oktoberfest Craft Fair ( www.mountsnow.com ). Okemo Mountain Resort’s Fall into Winter Festival runs Oct. 13, with hayrides, face painting, a dunk tank, pumpkin decorating, and live music ( www.okemo.com ). Or get away from the crowds and enjoy Stowe Mountain Resort’s Gondola Skyride, available through Oct. 20, which takes you from the base area to the top of Mount Mansfield for stunning foliage views ( www.stowe.com ).
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Starting in 2026, Aurora Expeditions will offer 10 new solo cabins on every sailing and will launch its first-ever voyages to Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean, and the Atlantic Coast. Carlo Raciti
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New small-ship cruises, and cabins for solo travelers
If you’re a solo traveler — or prefer to have your own room while adventuring — check out Aurora Expeditions, which will offer 10 new solo cabins on every sailing beginning in 2026. Even better: No solo supplement and these single-berth cabins will be offered in a variety of stateroom categories on each of its small ships, including the new Douglas Mawson that launches December 2025. For its 2026 Arctic and Beyond season, the company will launch its first-ever voyages to Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean, and the Atlantic Coast. Visit Indonesia and Borneo on a 16-day expedition that takes you from the ancient temples of Java to the orangutan in central Kalimantan. Or board the Douglas Mawson for a Mediterranean adventure from Athens to Naples, making stops in Turkey, Montenegro, Croatia, and Sicily along the way. The new Atlantic trips include Morocco and Spain, the Canary Islands to Lisbon, Madrid to Marrakech, and Lisbon to Amsterdam (all with at least one overland section). The Mediterranean and Atlantic Coast trips — along with the existing British Isles and Ireland itineraries — fall into the company’s new category of more geographically accessible “small ship cruises,” a compliment to its core offering of polar and remote expeditions. Rates start at $10,495 for Southeast Asia and $11,395 for the Mediterranean and Atlantic Coast. Many voyages offer 20 percent off and up to $2,000 air credit for early booking. www.aurora-expeditions.com
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Arc’teryx has released new waterproof hiking shoes that also work for travel days. Arc’teryx
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Shoes made for walking and exploring
Footwear can make or break a trip, which is why it’s essential to have comfy shoes for your travels. Arc’teryx, a company known for its high-end outerwear, backpacks, and other outdoor accessories, has released new waterproof shoes that work for travel days — those endless walks through airport terminals — to exploration along cobblestoned streets and hiking trails. The Kopec hiking shoes come in low-cut and mid-height versions, and in men’s and women’s sizes. The shoes have a grippy Vibram sole that helps you maintain your footing on slippery terrain, a Cordura mesh upper for breathability and comfort, and PFAS-free GORE-TEX protection to fend off rain, slush, and snow and wind. The spacious toe box suits those with wider feet and provides extra room when your feet swell during flights or after a big day out exploring. The lightweight shoes offer a smart look for travel and the performance needed for long travel days to multi-day trail adventures. $180 (low), $200 (mid-height). arcteryx.com
KARI BODNARCHUK
Kari Bodnarchuk can be reached at travelwriter@karib.us.