Excerpted from the June 2002 issue of TENNIS Magazine

It's 2 p.m. and I deserve a break. I've been sweating my brains out on the tennis court for the past two hours -- first came a vigorous set, then a private lesson. So what am I doing now? High-tailing it up a mountain in New Hampshire's majestic Presidential Range. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

What's my problem? It's simple: I enjoy an active life. Combining tennis with high-octane outdoor activity is my idea of a fun vacation. At least that's what I keep telling myself as I pant my way up this hill.

Sound crazy? Well, I'm not the first. Since the early part of last century, wealthy Americans have been taking outdoor-oriented vacations at spas in places like Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and Asheville, N.C. It's just that in recent years things have gotten slightly more intense.

High-end tennis resorts around the country have stepped up the pace, featuring top-notch tennis facilities and tightly organized, action-packed outdoor programs -- including guided hikes, mountain biking, white-water rafting, and rock climbing -- that provide as much activity as most physically fit guests can handle.

In choosing the resorts reviewed here, our requirements were that the location had to be spectacular and the activities easily accessible. We aimed for geographical diversity and kept an eye out for destinations with exceptional facilities in at least one specific pursuit other than tennis. The settings may be different, but one recommendation applies for all: Rest up before you arrive; you're going to need the energy.

The Mount Washington Hotel & Resort, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
A grand white edifice built in 1902 by coal-and-rail magnate Joseph Stickney in the heart of New Hampshire's White Mountains, the hotel was erected by 250 Italian artisans and has loads of ornate touches, including a 900-foot veranda with views of Mount Washington, New England's tallest peak at 6,288 feet. The hotel also has a peach-colored octagonal dining room with a turn-of-the-century aura and a uniformed wait staff that serves haute four-course dinners (these are included in the room charge, as are the hotel's mammoth buffets).

The rooms at the Mount Washington are richly decorated in classic if slightly faded 19th-century style, with floral wallpaper and dark wood furniture. The bathrooms, however, are fully renovated and modern. As my wife, Erica, and I descended the staircase to the cavernous lobby on our first morning, we could almost imagine ourselves as minor royalty on holiday.

After tucking into a hearty breakfast, we headed toward the 12 pristine red-clay courts. They're situated next to the outdoor swimming pool and offer a panoramic view of Mount Washington, Mount Eisenhower and Mount Franklin. The hotel has had tennis courts since it opened, and from 1972-'74 it played host to the Volvo International men's pro tournament.

As we hit, resident pro Tom Over, who has been at the resort for 17 years, watched us from courtside and then eased us into a fine-tuning session, providing some valuable tips for keeping our balance and not backing up too much on certain shots. "Catch the ball on the rise," Over said, "and try to play in." It helped -- I hit more aggressively without giving up ground.

After eating a tortilla-wrapped lobster roll at Stickney's, a casual lunch place on Mount Washington's patio level, I led Erica down the hilly path to the hotel's recently expanded activities center. There we met Sean McDowell, who organizes rugged excursions and mountain-biking trips for hotel guests. The resort offers fly-fishing, nature walks and lectures, but the array of hikes is especially impressive. Mount Willard, with its 2,804-foot summit, was an obvious choice for our fit group of five. The 2.8-mile trail, much of it at a fairly steep incline, has a stunning payoff -- a view of the lush surrounding valley and, on a clear afternoon, the far-off Vermont border.

©Miller Sports Group LLC