While you won’t be able to ski powder on the spectacular island of Maui this season, you can still jingle bells and eat candy canes and holiday cookies to carb up after a windsurfing lesson in Paia. This time of year draws thousands of surfers and windsurfers toward Maui’s wildest waves. In between searching for reindeer and stuffing a stocking or two (with pineapples, of course) we’ll tap these exciting adventures:
Kapalua Resort’s zip line course is nearly two miles of parallel line that takes you soaring above tropical West Maui mountaintops. The adventure starts with a 20-minute ride in the Kapalua Adventures’ shuttle, an open-air, all-terrain biodiesel Mercedes. Travel up the mountainside through scenic pineapple fields to the Outpost pavilion and observation deck at the 1,400-foot elevation, and then zip along 2,000 feet of scenic byways! www.goziphawaii.com
The Heavenly Spa at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa introduces Laulima massage, known as the “many hands” massage (50 minutes for $270). After a day of snorkeling, this hedonistic 50-minute treatment involves two therapists working in unison to improve circulation while relieving stress. The Westin Maui Resort & Spa contributes $1 from each treatment (minimum guarantee $20,000) to The Nature Conservancy to support Maui’s watershed protection programs. www.westinmaui.com
Haleakala Express Bike Tour ($70 per person) leaves for the infamous volcano daily at 9 a.m. for a 6,000 foot bike ride—all downhill. The volcano is so dramatic and expansive you might actually fit the entire city of Manhattan into its depths. Crazy! You’re allowed to pedal to descend at your own pace, thankfully, so feel free to stop and snap photos. www.bikemaui.com
Tour the local flora on a new “Grown on Maui” bus tour every Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The group meets at the Whole Foods Market for an inside look at how to shop locally on a budget, and tours the Haliimaile Pineapple Company to learn the history and culture of pineapple plantations. Bonus: Hit the Alii Kula Lavender farm before returning to Whole Foods. www.akinatours.com
The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa just completed the Spa at Black Rock with indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, seven luxurious treatment rooms and natural sea-inspired products for a signature Balancing Island Facial and Sole Smoothie Foot Massage with Pineapple, Coconut and Papaya. www.sheraton-maui.com