WINTER MOUNTAIN HORSEBACK RIDE WITH WINE AND CHEESE TASTING

This is a winter equestrian trip worthy of Aragon, son of Arathorn- accomplished horsemen and king of men. After the approximately two-hour ride, enjoy lunch at a local pub, followed by visit to a dairy farm and then a winery. Participants will be divided into beginner, moderate and expert groups (riding, not drinking).

HORSEBACK RIDING WITH APPLE AND PUMPKIN PICKING

While traveling through Australia a few years back, we thought erroneously, it turned out-that picking fruit would be a great way to see the country and earn some extra money. Our first assignment: harvesting pumpkins. It wasn't too bad at first but then the stifling heat and swarming insects kicked in, and it officially became the worst day of our life. This trip will probably be much better, though. For one thing the weather is much better and for another, you get to ride horses afterward. Lunch, apples, pumpkins and tips are not included in the price.

LEARN TO SURF DAY TRIP

Those of us from coastal oases know that late September - early October is the best time for beach-related activities. This is the last Adventure Society surfing trip of the year; are you gonna charge those waves or just be shark bait? Transportation to the jersey shore is included in the price. The trip is subject to weather and water conditions.

HIKE and go seek

What: Take in fall's foliage on the Adventure Society's vigorous 7-mile hike, then reward yourself with apple and pumpkin picking.
Where: Transportation provided from Midtown to Minnewaska State Park Preserve in Ulster County (1 hr, 30 min drive).
When: Sunday, 10/7, 8AM - 7:30PM.
How: Pricing includes transportation (not lunch, apple and pumpkin picking).
Why: Before you know it, it'll be too cold to play outside

HORSEBACK RIDING, KAYAKING AND WINE TASTING

The day begins with one hour horseback riding along the Delaware River , followed by a wine tasting, and ends with two and a half hours of kayaking. Bring lunch and be carful not to step in the equine discharge.

Easy Glider - Humanity has - since its inauspicious beginnings - always looked to the heavens in wonder, perhaps sensing a spark of the divine and an inkling of greater destiny. On Sat. 22, take flight with the Adventure Society's tandem hang gliding and get just a little bit closer to Zeus, mighty lord of the sky. See Things to Do. - DT

Tandem Hang Gliding - In their classic ballad "Flight of Icarus," Iron Maiden retells the story of a boy who flew too close to the sun. "His eyes seem so glazed as he flies on the wings of a dream," the song goes. "Now he knows his father betrayed / Now his wings burn to ashes to ashes his grave." Heavy metal is never wrong be careful when navigating those treacherous skies. The maximum weight is 230 lbs. Trips can be cancelled if weather is unfavorable.

BIKE RIDE AND WINE TASTING

Booze and bike rides isn't always a good combo. Fortunately, all of the drinking-first at an Italian eatery and then a winery-on this trip occurs after the casual bike ride through the Hudson valley. Everything but lunch is included in the price.

WATERFALL RAPPELLING AND ZIP LINE DAY TRIP

If only California-bound parties in the Oregon Trail had option to zip-line across the river, they never would have lost Uncle Jed while trying to ford it. The weight limit for zip-line is 201 lbs, so cut back on those cheeseburgers and get ready to fly.

PRIVATE DAY SAIL AND SWIM

Chances are, this 72-foot wooden yacht has carried passengers more famous than you. J.P Morgan, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Will Smith have all, one time or another, sailed on this historical boat. The trip lasts approximately three hours. Bring your own lunch and dine on board. Time will be allotted for those parties interested in a refreshing swim.

TUBING TRIP

Playing the arcade version of Toobin' at Barcade has whetted our appetite for inflatable river mayhem. Try the real thing on the Delaware River this Saturday with the Adventure Society. Transportation to and from midtown is included in the price, as is the tube and safety gear. Lunch and tips are not,however, so bring some themed fare like doughnuts or peach rings. The trip returns at approximately 7pm.

Almost-Summer Get-Out-Of-Town Link Festival

The Adventure Society's upcoming tours include the Adirondack white water rafting with mountain biking, hiking, kayaking or caving trip (May 25) a race car driving day trip (June 9) and a half-day horseback ride and strawberry picking excursion, (June 16.)

Off Road Driving

Spring ATV 4-Wheeling and Brewery Tour-Indulge in some fully sanctioned road rage over more than 60 acres of terrain, including a circular track, open fields and wooded backcountry. After some hardcore four-wheeling, participants enjoy the more demure pleasures of dinner and a beer tasting.

Adventure Society

"When I originally founded the company, we did everything that I wanted to do -- and I wanted to do it all!," explains Alaskan native Serena Walker. This also explains why activities range from skydiving to pumpkin picking.

Sat. 10: Kick off your loafers and don some serious winter shoes for an intermediate snowshoeing trip in the Catskills.

Sun. 11: Forget crosstown buses: Think cross-country skiing on a day trip to the Hudson Valley for skiers of all levels.

Mar 18: Work up a thirst during this eight-mile horseback ride through forests and marshland (by the Delaware Water Gap) -- you'll be whisked off to a local vineyard for a wine tasting after.

Cross Country Skiing Day-Trip

If the term ski trip conjures an image of sitting idly in the chalet, sipping hot cocoa and hitting on comely ski bunnies, maybe it's time to shake up your perception. Participants on the Adventure Society's cross-country skiing trip will burn calories, strengthen muscle tone and enjoy beautiful winter views while slicing across miles of groomed trails. (Lessons are available.) If there's not enough snow, the event will be changed to a winter hike at the same location.

Hiking

Snowshoeing Trip-Sat 6 7am-7pm. $107, AS members $92. Make like a bunny on this level-one trip sponsored by the folks at Adventure Society. The price includes trail fee, guide, snowshoe rental, poles and transportation from midtown, but only 13 spots are available, so sign up ASAP

BEST NON-URBAN ADVENTURES

Ever dreamed of playing cowboy, driving cattle through the wilds of Montana? How about mushing your way through Alaska, commanding your very own dog sled? Well thank your activity-loving stars, because the Adventure Society is here. Founded in 2001 as New York's first "outdoor activity and travel social organization," the Adventure Society offers enough classes, trips and fun stuff to satisfy anybody's inner explorer. Most adventures are just a few hours out of Manhattan and have fewer than 15 people each, so friend-making is assured. Cooking classes, horseback riding, wine tastings, kayaking, white water rafting, hot air ballooning - it's all here. Membership - $99 for six months - gets you some nice perks (there's no pressure to join), but classes sell out fast so if you're itching to bust out that scuba suit, best get on it.

Winter Horseback Riding

Winter Horseback Ride and Wine Tasting-Another uplifting way to escape the tourists and silver bells is an early-winter excursion with the Adventure Society. The group is offering a day of horseback riding and wine tasting at a 2,400-acre wildlife preserve in the Delaware Water Gap on Sunday 17 (212-620-5348, adventuresociety.com). The $131 price includes transportation, private instruction, a wine tasting at a nearby vineyard and all supplies.

Winter Hiking

Level II Winter Hike and Wine Tasting-Head out on this eight-mile trek through upstate New Paltz's Minnewaska State Park Preserve, and get some exercise while enjoying the beautiful wooded surroundings. Afterward, have a glass or two of some fine wine. It's good for your heart, after all.

SUNDAY DRUNKEN HORSEBACK RIDING

Get out of the city...get on a horse...and get a little drunk. Unfortunately the wine tasting comes after the 8-mile horseride, but that doesn't mean you can't sneak in a glass before you get on old Betsy.