Travel the World

holidays, hotels, air tickets, travel insurance

travel articles, reviews, guides and sharing from travelers

Posts Tagged ‘Ski Resorts’

skiing
Ski clubs, organizations, and resorts all have one common interest – the enjoyment of snowsport activities, which involves skiing, snowboarding, cross country, and telemark skiing. Not all ski resorts have a ski club associated with it, but for those who do, year-around-activities are provided which can include ski instruction, racing programs, social activities, and inter-club trips. While skiing is what brings these groups together in the first place, it is not necessarily what keeps them together. As stated, their love of skiing and winter sports – with common interests and feeling of community – keeps them skiing together for years and years, many times forming long friendships. People who ski should join a ski club, regardless of the level of ski expertise. Beginners are almost always welcome, and this is a great way for beginners to quickly improve their skills and techniques out on the slopes.

Ski clubs are better served through federal involvement, promoting improved communication, education and benefits, and influencing issues relevant to snowsport and ski clubs. Ski club members meet with ski industry representatives, working together to develop resources for not only members, but also for the affiliated ski resort. One of the 2005 brainstorms was involving the recruitment of new members into ski clubs. Some ideas brought up were: bring in members that have talents the club can use, such as tech support or web designing; involve college or university ski clubs; bring a friend to the club, allow them to learn about skiing and the equipment; or combine a club/council and college ski trip. In order to reach new demographics, promoting families and family trips were brought up.

Ski clubs are an exceptional way to learn some new things about skiing or snowboarding. Going on ski vacations with other ski club members at discounted rates, is occasionally offered on ski vacation packages involving ski resorts, ski areas, various mountains, and various countries. No matter where you live, there is a ski club near you. This is true even if you live in a place that does not ever get snowfall due to man made snow! Some are local clubs, meaning that the slopes that they ski on are within driving distance for the day, while others are more national or global, which means that if possible, they not only ski locally but they also plan ski trips. Arrangements are usually made through the club, so that everyone is eligible for the discounts. The money that is required from each member for the trip is usually paid to the club, and the club passes the funds onto pay for lodging, airfare, meals, lift tickets, and other perks that are included in the trip. Because arrangements are being made for a group of people – which is usually fairly large – discounts are given. This benefits all members of the club.

By: Mike Singh

About the Author:

Ski Holidays in Whistler

skiing
Located about two hours from Vancouver - Whistler is perhaps the first destination that comes into the mind when you are thinking of a wonderful ski holiday. Along with a range of other activities such as canoeing, kayaking, fishing, snowboarding, ice skating, swimming, snowmobiling, and rafting - Whistler offers excellent options for an enjoyable ski holiday.

With its majestic Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, each scaling a 7,000′, Whistler is the biggest as well as the most exceptional ski destinations in North America. Both of these mountains together provide more than 8000 acres of skiable terrain as well as over 200 marked trail in order to ski in.

Popular among the trails are the Lost Lake with more than 25 km of classic as well as groomed corduroy trails winding through some of the incredible golf courses in the area; the Davies Dervish - a thrilling double black diamond mogul run; and the seven mile long Burnt Stew.

Whistler Mountains are also home to some of the most advanced high speed lift systems, apart from three amazing glaciers and 12 superb alpine bowls, all of which collectively serve as a perfect base for a great skiing. In addition to skiing in Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, skiing in Whistler village - an alpine style center divided into five amazing areas - is also enthralling.

Perhaps for these reasons, Whistler has been chosen to host such international competitions as the 2010 Winter Olympics Games. In addition, many of the prestigious ski publications have rated Whistler as number one ski resort in North America.

Whistler provides excellent choices for all types of skiing such as alpine skiing, free ride skiing, cross country skiing, and free style skiing. Alpine skiing, or downhill skiing, involves sloping down the densely packed ski trails.

In free ride skiing, also known as off piste skiing, you float through the powdered snow as well as cut through the roughest conditions. However, it is recommended for skiers with advanced abilities. A subset of the Nordic skiing sport - cross country skiing is both easy and fun when compared to other skiing type. Free style skiing is mostly designed for a specific style of skiing.

For adventurers, this ski resort has fantastic options in the form of guided heli skiing and heli snowboarding. Heli skiing is usually performed on more than 14000 ft snow-covered peaks, which in turn is a great way to explore the unrivalled beauty of the high alpine terrain. As in the case of normal skiing, Whistler provides choices to enjoy different types of heli skiing including powder heli skiing, Big Mountain heli skiing, and mini golf heli skiing.

One of the prime specialties of this fabulous skiing destination is that it has superb alternatives to skiing freaks of all abilities, no matter you are a beginner or an old hand. A plethora of schools exclusively designed for skiing operate here to cater ski enthusiast of every level and need. This in turn allows you to ski through the enchanting forest and powdered snow in the area. Many of them offer specialist lessons such as bumps classes, women-only classes, and classes exclusively for off piste skiing.

Additionally, specialties cover skiing adventure programs, special programs for teens, and family zone. There are also ski schools providing specialized classes for kids aged between 3-4 years. Apart from these, a licensed facility functions here to provide skiing classes for kids aged 3 months to 36 months. In addition, these schools tailor the lessons according to the requirements of the skiers.

With these enjoyable skiing options amid dramatic scenery and spectacular views, it is no wonder why more than two million visitors from across the world flock to Whistler every year.

Accommodation is aplenty in this skiing destination, with a continuum of ski chalets to suit any taste and budget. There are also excellent ski resorts as well as hotels in the area. In order to make your ski holiday comfortable and pleasurable, many of them even provide packages covering everything from accommodation and food to ski equipments and service of expert staff. Also, many of them are located within the easy reach of the lifts. Some of them even offer discounts for some kind of packages. Above all, many of them provide choices to make bookings online.

By: Wolfgang Jaegel

About the Author:

Skiatwhistler.com offers real time bookings of premium properties in the world class ski resort of Whistler, British Columbia. Our business is to market property rentals in Whistler to high end vacationers in order to maximize property owners’ return on investment (ROI).

Ski Vacations On the Cheap

skiing
Let’s face it; skiing is not one of your more inexpensive hobbies. It’s not like hiking where you can buy a pair of hiking shoes, perhaps a walking stick, and just start hiking a trail. With skiing you have your special clothes, your special equipment, lessons, accommodations, lift tickets, etc. It can get quite pricey. But, you’d be amazed at what a little scaling back or research can save you. What are some of the ways you can cut down on the cost of your ski vacation?

Location

Let’s start with the location. You don’t have to go Aspen. You don’t have to go to Park City. You don’t have to go to Tahoe. If skiing’s what you really want to do, try skiing in your own back yard and save some change. There are numerous lesser-known ski areas in many states that don’t have the bells and whistles or the status attached to them, thus they’re cheaper. And, if you can drive to them you can save yourself costly airfare.

For example, if you live in Southern California, save money by going to one of the fine ski areas within driving distance, such as Mountain High in Wrightwood, just a 90-minute drive from downtown Los Angeles, or just over 2 hours from San Diego. That’s right; you can ski all day in the mountains, and have dinner on the beach. Another close ski area is Mt. Baldy. And that’s just a 45-minute drive from Los Angeles.

Packages

Scour the internet for ski vacation packages that include your lodging, lift tickets, lessons, rentals, and, if possible, some meals.

Meals

Yes, it’s really nice to ski all day and feast at night on filet mignon and a nice bottle of Cabernet. However, if you’re on a budget and you just gotta ski, skip the expensive meal and go for a cheaper diner or fast-food restaurant. You can probably pick up a tasty burger for the cost of the tip at the fancy restaurant. And, if you want an inexpensive bottle of red wine to go with that burger, try picking up a less-expensive bottle of wine at home and bringing it with you.

Lodging

Yes, there’s nothing like a condo at the ski resort where you can practically begin skiing from your back door. But, talk about sticker shock! Lodging at ski resorts can be expensive. Try staying at a hotel or motel a few-minutes-drive away. Or, cheaper yet, consider staying at a ski hostel.

There’s an abundance of hostels across America near popular ski resorts at incredibly low prices. While it’s true many of the rooms are dorm rooms with shared bathrooms, if it’s a cheap ski vacation you want, hostels are the way to go. And, with many hostels, you can have family rooms or private rooms for a few extra dollars.

Hostels allow you to go to the prime ski areas on the cheap. For example, if you want to take a Ski Vacation to Breckenridge in Colorado, but can’t afford the expensive lodging, you can stay in the dormitory at the Fireside Inn Bed & Breakfast (970-453-6456) for only $36 per person. You’re only 5 minutes from the Breckenridge ski area, and 20 minutes to Keystone. And, during ski season, the bus to Breckenridge peaks stops at their front door. Not bad for $36 a night. If dormitory life’s not for you, you can spend $80 for a private room with bunk bed.

How about a ski trip to Taos? You might want to consider the Abominable SnowMansion, a 60-year-old adobe lodge with dorm rooms, private rooms with shared baths and private rooms with private baths. You can have a bunk and a breakfast for only $20 per person or $36 per couple. A private room with a shared bath can be had for only $45 per couple or $33 for a single person, while a private room with private bath goes for $52 per couple or $45 for a single person. You can call them at 505-776-8298 for more information.

These are just two examples of hostels near great ski areas. There’s sure to be one near your favorite ski resort. A quick search of “ski hostels” will reveal many inexpensive lodging choices.

Taking an inexpensive ski vacation often times requires a little thinking and a little sacrifice. But, the experience of skiing down a mountain makes it all worth it.

By: Shari Hearn

About the Author:

Shari Hearn is a writer and creator of Ski Vacations, where you can learn about such things as family skiing holidays.