wintersports travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises spa and resorts

Lutsen Mountains Resort is a fuzzy dream, where skiers shouted unseen from the fog and snowboarders edged figures in low contrast falling from the sky. The resort is overlooking Lake Superior and has a gray skies, soft snow, quiet woods and winter streams. Lutsen is the largest ski resort in Minnesota. The spot is a worthy downhill destination with 92 trails and a respectable 1,088 feet of vertical drop.

Situated among four peaks in the Sawtooth Mountains of Minesota, trails cut through deep woods and a snow-choked valley that conceals a creek. A gondola tram lift, very unusual in this part of the country carries red cars over the Poplar River.

If you look inland from one of the lifts at Lutsen and the Superior National Forest rolls away to the horizon, a carpet of birch and pine heading onward into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, then to Canada beyond. Then look south or east and the view offers the blue sky with icy plane of Lake Superior.

On Moose Mountain, the resort’s largest hill, trails roller coaster from a broad summit. The resort opened its lifts in 1948. It grew over the decades, adding lodges and lifts but held on to its North Woods aesthetic. The area had a distinct feel with a “laid-back woodsy vibe where you can wear a flannel shirt and you smell wood smoke in the air.

But Lutsen’s long runs and varied terrain, including beginner to expert trails served by 10 lifts, keep regulars coming back. The resort is more affordable than a Rocky Mountain getaway, and its slopes stay open later — until April 12 this year — than most ski areas in the Midwest.

Wildcat is tucked into a peak in the White Mountain National Forest and is one of New Hampshire’s oldest and most iconic mountains. There is no private house, which gives the region parky landscape.

The mountain is part of the Carter-Moriah Range of the White Mountains, on the east side of Pinkham Notch. Wildcat Mountain faces Carter Dome across Carter Notch to the northeast, and Mount Washington across Pinkham Notch to the west.

Tourists ride the Wildcat Express chairlift.

The view from the 4,062-foot summit of Wildcat Mountain is an eye-level vista of Mount Washington.

The Town of Vail is located in Eagle County, Colorado. The town is emerged as  having the largest single ski mountain in North America and other winter sports, being a year round destination for outdoor activities.

Vail offers 5,300 skiable acres, 193 trails and seven bowls. And this winter, skiers are checking into new boutique hotels with ski valets, getting pine-scented massages at Zen-channeling spas and warming themselves by outdoor fire places.

It’s good to have a plan, when you get ready for skiing in Vail, not because of the travel time, which can run upwards of 30 minutes without traffic, but also to avoid the morning crush.

Unlike skiing, snowshoeing requires no special skills.

Tourists in the venerable Red Lion, a dive bar packed with high-top tables, enjoy the apres-ski evening.

I will present you a ski event at Whiteface Mountain outside Lake Placid, N. Y. In 2010 ski cross will receive the ultimate sporting sanction as a new sport for Vancouver Winter Olympics.

In ski cross, four to six racers simultaneously dash over banked turns and bumpy surfaces, and make soaring leaps, all while elbowing and pushing their way to the finish line.

Ski cross is a bit like motocross and Nascar except there are more midair accidents, and because the course is in a compact space, there is no such thing as a comfortable, or safe, lead.

The ski-slopes where the racers race between themselves have huge jumps forming by bulldozers and snow-grooming machines, that send skiers 15 feet in the air as well as dips, off-camber hairpin turns and successive dips and bumps called whoop-de-dos.

Ottawa is the capital of Canada and this summer this huge city celebrates its 50th anniversary. The city is spectacular and has enough green spaces, trails and water, which can satisfied the most hyperactive travelers.

This is the Parliament Hill, which is just steps from downtown.

This picture displays the Rideau Canal, which is part of a 125-mile-long waterway that links Ottawa River to Lake Ontario.

 

A show at ByWard Market.

Ottawa is home to a wealth of national museums, offical residences, memorials and heritage structures. As well as is home to major sports such as kayaking, swimming, baseball and hokey during the winter.

 

If you want a true winter holiday experience come to Falls Creek- a wonderful small snow village located in Australia. Huski is arranged at the centre of the village Falls Creek and offers ski in-ski out access and great views form every appartment.

Falls Creek is largest ski and boarding resort and Australia’s only 100 per cent ski-in, ski old mountain village. As well as the resort is famous for its on mountain restaurants and as an eco-friendly tourism hot spot. Falls Creek is 356 km (4,5 hours drive), north east from Melbourne, 690 km (7,5 hours drive) from Sydney, 985 km (10,5 hours drive) from Adelaide and is a 4,5 hour flight from Brisbane.

A wide range of facilities are on offer at Falls Creek during winter. They are a selection of bars, restaurants and eateries, ski and snowboard rental and retail, snowsports school, cinema, gymnasium, occasional childcare centre, day spa, supermarket, post office, photographic centre, free village shuttle, apres taxi, 24 hour medical centre.

With all these Falls Creek’s facilities in Huski turn presents 14 luxuriously appartments including 4 studio, 2 one bedroom, 2 two bedroom, 4 three bedroom, and 2 brand new four bedroom penthouse. They have very stylish interiors and warm comfort furniture, made you feel rested during your dream holiday.

Aoraki – New Zealand’s highest peak, is the majestic focal point of the Southern Alps, the “backbone” of the South Island. Aoraki/Mt Cook is New Zealand’s highest and largest mountain. Reaching a height of 3754 metres its shear size and massive bulk easily dwarf the surrounding peaks.

Aoraki/Mount Cook (70,696 hectares) is New Zealand’s great alpine park. It has the highest mountains and the largest glaciers. Aoraki/Mount Cook Village and all visitors to the park are dwarfed by the immensity of the landscape that surrounds them. With over 40% of the park comprised of glaciers, this is also one of New Zealand’s most unforgiving national parks. An awe-inspiring 19 of Mt Cook National Park’s peaks exceed 3000 meters, with New Zealand’s highest peak – Aoraki Mount Cook – the most stunning. The summit, which has in fact three peaks, is 3,764 meters above sea level towering over its neighbours. It was once 10 meters higher, but in December 1991, an avalanche containing 10 million cubic meters of snow, ice and rock tumbled off the eastern face of the summit.
Lake Matheson, near the Fox Glacier in South Westland, New Zealand, is famous for its reflected views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman.
Mount Cook Ski Planes offer the most spectacular alpine scenic flight in the world. The aircraft take you from Aoraki Mount Cook Airport or Franz Josef directly into the heart of the Southern Alps including Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak at over 3750m and the Tasman Glacier, one of the longest glaciers in the world. All ski options are available, including heli-skiing and ski touring, and guides are available for climbing, mountaineering, tramping, snowboarding and glacier exploration.

A lot of winter resorts offer an winter bike – more whole world competitions stage themselves. What a human made in today’s time, satisfies its emotion from adventures. One of the pleasures to be a mountainous bicycle in the winter. Ride bicycles instead of skiing-sport be much in extreme know. Winter bike is offbeat by rubbing along, the rate that you can develop, is bigger from this in the summer for example. The terrain is more smooth, and the strips and the skiing-ways are with a large rock. The operation is different on the bicycle naturally and this initiates danger by fall. Bicycle Quality needs to be good. The atmospheric conditions are much important. To be still a professional contestant you to need to manage the bicycle. Despite sport appears connected, he is risky and claims good equipment – of joints, a hard hat, a mail and gloves. The wear of the winter season is very important.
Ride your mountain bike in the winter? In the Adirondacks, are you crazy? Well maybe, but I’ve been riding year – round now for seven or eight years and have enjoyed many great winter rides. You just have to change your outlook slightly from summer riding. First, you don’t need many miles of trails, just one or two close to you. Well-traveled snowmobile trails or unmaintained town roads are great for winter riding. Limit the rides to one-three hours, to keep warm and still get plenty of exercise. The weather conditions will determine where and how you ride. For the benefit of all riders, please ensure that your bicycle is in good working order. Along with your multigear bicycle please bring water bottles, a snack, spare inner tube, air pump and change for refreshments at our scheduled rest stops. Cycling skills do vary within the club, but at a minimum it is recommended that a rider should be able to maintain an average pace of 20 kph for up to a 50 km ride.
Many of the industry’s biggest names, such as SRAM, Mavic/Adidas Cycling, Cannon dale, Giant Bicycles, Maverick, Ciclo Tech, Cycle Source Group, Fuji Bicycles/SE Racing, Kinesys, Primal PI, Bicycle Safety Inc. 3rd Eye Mirrors, Princeton Tec, Titus Cycle, WTB, Quality Bicycle Products, and Bicycle Retailer & Industry News have made the commitment to showcase their brands and products at Winter bike. In the country this does sports Solicit Through 1995 year. Winter bike was practiced in all skiing-resorts in USA now. Where the snow is hard, tenderized there are suitable tracks and skiing-tracks. If you love the challenges, the unusual year-sport – this adventure is to you!

Verbier is a resort town in the east central part of the Switzerland. It is dominated by chalet-style houses and mid-size hotels, giving it a traditional Swiss feel that is at odds with the multi-story hotel blocks and modern atmosphere typical of many major French resorts. This is the French-speaking region of Switzerland, but thanks to its standing as one of the most popular Alpine destinations for British tourists, Verbier also hangs out an “English is spoken” plaque for its visitors.The quaint Swiss town resting in the saddle of majestic mountains nearly 5,000 feet above the valley floor. The principal activity at Verbier during the winter is skiing. The ski area is one of the largest in Switzerland, extending as far as Thyon and up to the Mt Fort glacier. Much of the best skiing is off-piste, making the resort best suited for experienced, or at least enthusiastic skiers. The best sector for beginners is Savolyres. There is less infrastructure for snowboarding, but advanced boarders should consider a trip to Verbier for the magnificent off-piste possibilities. The Swiss ski resort of Verbier is part of the Four Valleys Ski Area with access to 412km of downhill skiing, with 47 individual pistes, served by 92 ski lifts.

For experts prepared to hire a guide in order to explore off-slope, Verbier is one of the big names. With its Four Valleys lift network and a claimed 250 miles of slopes; Verbier would seem at first sight to rank alongside the French mega-resorts such as Courchevel or La Plagne for slope skiers, too. But it doesn’t; the Four Valleys is an inconveniently sprawling affair, while Verbier’s local slopes are surprisingly confined. Verbier sector is anywhere accessible with a standard Verbier pass, 33 standard ski runs, 2 snow parks, 1 “Jardin de Neige” (an area which is relatively flat and is made for small children initiating skiing), 4 cross-country pistes and 2 walking areas.

With pistes above 2500 metres, skiing and snowboarding is assured throughout the season. There is an airport within two hours drive, so ski weekends, snowboard breaks and short ski holidays to Verbier are perfectly feasible.

The oldest Bulgarian resort dating back to the year of 1896. Today Borovets is the biggest, first-class mountain resort. Spread out on the bordering Borovets Saddle as well as along the northern slopes of Moussala Ridge of Eastern Rila, amongst centuries-old coniferous forests, its altitude above sea level is from 1230 to 1390m and its climate is one of the healthiest. Borovets is connected to Samokov-12km.
The genuine charm of Borovets can be seen and felt in winter. Then harmony with nature is complete. The perfect opportunities for practising winter sport and skiing most of all attract thousands of fans of the mountains from Bulgaria and abroad. At their disposal are over 45km of ski-runs varying in difficulty and grouped in 3 regions: Sitnyakovo – Martinov woodsheds-8 ski-runs, Markoudzhik – 4 ski-runs and Yasrebets- 3 ski runs. The Yastrebets ski-runs are first-class and all the ski races of greater significance within the resort are held on them. Rounds of the World Cup on ski-Alpine disciplines are also held here. The Alpine skier Peter Popangelov, the Bulgarian legend in winter sports started from here, too. There are dozens of ski-running and biathlon tracks, too. The resort is the regular host of races held in these sports.
A multitude of facilities (drag lifts, baby towns, …) cross the mountain above Borovets, but the cabin cable way to Mt. Yastrebets is the most imposing one (2363 m above sea level). The difference in altitude is 1046m and the length of the route is 4827m. Its capacity adds up to 1200 people per hour. The journey takes 23 min. Getting off of the cable way one faces the Paradise of Rila – the highest peaks of the mountain- Mt. Moussala, Mt. Little Moussala, Mt Irechek, Mt. Deno, Mt. Aleko.
The state of the strip was kept very well. There is very good skiing-school, it is with an international face as well a situation, there are the best teachers that speak different tongues. Some of them are other professional skiers. The education is in groups , the time is aligned with you. Special groups in less in 2-4 old are being offered Full-time cares in (9-16.30) asset-food. In 4-7 old can be eurolle in the skiing kinder garden, locate in the neighbourhood of the Rila Hotel.
That The clarn can rent a ski for himself, equipment same. It has as well packets with ruled everything necessarily. Guardianship of own skiing -equipment is being projected.
Many hotels in Borovets- Samokov hotel is in the most luxurious-4 stars. The Rila hotel too, with 2000 beds. The 3 star hotels- the Olympe, Yastrebets. The following hotels are smaller and very cosy as well: the Breza hotel, the Moura, the Flora… and many, many others. The little houses Yagoda and Malina host 4 people.
In the winter the resort is unusually fair, the large boron’s heaped with snow it Rusticat an elfin kind. Each weekend, tourists from the close regions visit it to fuel with energy for the employment week. Borovets will be your pleasure of the life, as you by driving ski or snowboard, driving a horse, playing tennis, bowling, drives to a helicopter, you visit the sport and well everything this or right sensible a price.

1. Easier than ever
Two of the UK’s major ski operators, Crystal and Inghams, are featuring Japanese ski resorts in their brochures for the first time this year. Both companies are offering holidays to Niseko and Rusutsu in the northern island of Hokkaido. A package with Inghams, including flights and seven nights’ half-board accommodation in a four-star hotel, starts at £995.

2. Cheaper than you think
Japan is often perceived to be an expensive destination, but a trip there needn’t involve taking out an extra mortgage. Lift tickets in the main resorts are very reasonably priced, particularly compared to major North American resorts – a one-day pass typically costs around Â¥4,500 (£20/US$38). You don’t have to break the bank to stay in comfortable accommodation either. Rates at a minishuku, a traditional Japanese inn, start at Â¥6,500 (£28/US$55) per person including two meals.

3. Powder – and plenty of it
The cold air blasting across the Sea of Japan from Siberia means Japan’s mountains are blessed with snowfalls of sometimes epic proportions. Trees become so caked in ice and snow the locals call them juhyo (snow monsters), and annual snow accumulations regularly beat the largest North American resorts. Niseko receives a massive 14m (46ft) on average each season, while skiers are virtually guaranteed knee-deep powder at Hakkoda, in Aomori on the northern tip of Honshu (Japan’s main island). Don’t expect to find any groomed pistes here though – the mountain is very much a backcountry skiers’ paradise, but fortunately there is a gondola to avoid hiking back up. Hakkoda Powder Snow Tours offers the only English-speaking guid

4. Uncrowded slopes
The ski runs can become incredibly busy over New Year and at weekends, but come during the week and you’ll have the pick of the runs and lifts – perfect for experiencing that legendary powder. What’s more, Japan has more resorts than any other country in the world (around 700), so there’s no shortage of slopes to carve up.

5. Long opening hours
While some visitors may prefer the temptation of sushi and sake or a well-deserved Asahi beer in an izakaya (Japanese pub), hard-core skiers and boarders can up their snow-mile tally after dark. Assuming your muscles can handle it, at many resorts you can ski or ride well into the evening. Some of the Niseko lifts stay open as late as 2100.

6. Onsens
For skiers who prefer to take the weight off their feet in the evening, the perfect place to relax is in an outdoor onsen. Thanks to Japan’s volcanic activity, the country is peppered with thousands of these natural hot springs and there’s no better way to ease your aches after a day on the slopes.

7. Snow monkeys
These cheeky creatures, also known as Japanese macaques, are the only monkeys found this far north in the world. Skiers might be lucky enough to spot one from the chairlift or may even see a troop of monkeys taking a dip in an onsen.

8. Bullet trains
Japan’s super-efficient fast train service means it’s a hop, skip and a jump from Tokyo to the nearest resorts.Offers packages from the capital to Yuzawa in the Japanese Alps, just 77 minutes away by bullet train. There are then around 30 resorts within a 30-minute drive of Yuzawa station. Packages start at Â¥82,500 (£358/US$698) for six nights’ B&B accommodation, ski/board rental and lift pass.

9. Winter festivals
Winter is cause to celebrate in Japan and there are myriad festivals to choose from. A highlight is the Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido, from 6-12 February, when snow and ice statues fill Odori, Sapporo’s mile-long central park, for one of the world’s biggest winter spectacles. Giant figures from history and fantasy mingle with elaborate sculptures of famous buildings up to 10m (30ft) high.Also worth checking out is the 400-year-old Kamakura Festival in Yokote, Akita from 15-16 February. Over 80 kamakura (snow huts) and 3,000 miniature igloos are built by heaping up snow and then burrowing out the interior. Children cry ‘Agattanse!’ to invite you into their candlelit huts for toasted rice cakes and hot, sweet sake (amazake). The purpose of the festival, apart from bringing cheer to the winter nights, is to pray for rain in the dry summer
10. Japanese culture
A ski holiday in Japan isn’t just about enjoying your time on the slopes – it’s also an opportunity to embrace a new culture, be it taking part in an elaborate tea ceremony, sleeping on a futon in a ryokan (guest house) or tacking on a couple of days in hectic Tokyo or the more serene Kyoto. When it comes to food, Japanese cuisine makes a tasty change to your usual resort fare of burgers or Bolognese. You can slurp on a bowl of steaming hot udon noodles, tuck into winter delicacies such as taraba-gani (snow crab – caught in the waters off Hokkaido) or gorge yourself on hearty winter warmers like chanko nabe, a delicious stew of seafood, meat, tofu and vegetables, said to be a favourite with sumo wrestlers

Bansko is Bulgaria’s # 1 ski resort, having the best and most modern ski centre of all Bulgarian ski resorts. During the recent years a multi-million euros investment in a brand new skiing area has been made by Yulen, the company which has the licence to run the skiing area of the resort. Bansko has the best snow record and the longest ski season (15 Dec – 15 May) of all Bulgarian ski resorts. During the last couple of years this resort is under a massive investment process with new hotels and resort facilities being under construction. A brand new resort area with super luxury hotels and holiday apartments is being developed just opposite the Gondola, which also makes Bansko the resort with the best hotels. The town of Bansko is situated nearby the river Glazane (left feeder of Mesta River) in the north- eastern foot of Pirin, right bellow the highest and most beautiful part of the mountain. Its name comes from the old Bulgarian word “ban”, which means “master”. It is just 160 kilometers away from Sofia and 6 kilometers from Razlog. Bansko has developed into a favourite ski & snowboard destination, thanks to the excellent ski facilities combined with the unique architecture and historical significance.
The town of Bansko is located on 925 m. above sea level, and its skiing area is on 2000-2600 m. The Pirin mountain has a predominantly Alpine character and highest peak in the area is Vihren 2914 m.
The ski pistes are located in two main ski – centres- CHALIN VALOG (1100-1600m) and SHILIGARNIKA (1700-2500m). They are approximately 10 kilometers above the town on the northern slopes of Pirin, and are easily accessible for approx. 25 minutes on the new Gondola lift which starts from Bansko. The total length of the marked pistes is 65 kilometers.
Although the resort is world famous for not more than 10 years it has a lot to offer to its guests. The resort has excellent snow conditions with great snow cover from December untill May.
44 Technoalpine snow cannons cover most of the slopes and make the ski season last longer. The maximum pleasure from the various ski pistes is guaranteed by 12 Kassbohrer slope maintenance vehicles. Thus the slopes offer runs and tracks for all types of skiers and will suit both beginners and experts.
The snowboard lovers can enjoy the first on the Balkans fun park where people from all over the world are lead by the passion of the extreme. They can build jumps suiting their taste and abilities.
Every day skiers and snowboarders can take part in the competitions on the new piste on Shiligarnika.
The lifts and pistes operator in Bansko takes care for the maximum comfort of the skier and snowboarders with the exclusive 8-seats Gondola cable car by Dopplemayer, five 4- seat lifts of the latest Doppelmayer models, one 3-seat lift by Poma, 7 drags and 10 baby drags. The total length of the wire equipment in the resort is 26 kilometers. All ski equipment can be used by one chip-card from SkiData.
Huge monitors showing pictures from the different pistes is based on the starting station of the Gondola. Thus people will have more information of the wind and temperature conditions before climbing up on the slope.
Slalom and Giant slalom runs are available. Bansko offers a cross-country track with a total length of 5 km. A 3 km ski run Rollbahn track is situated 2 km far from the town.
APRES SKI
The unique combination of a well developed mountain resort and a living historical town turns it into an elegant place for entertainment. Virtually every house has its own story to tell, which indeed can turn your vacation into a journey to the Bulgarian traditions. The traditional Bansko taverns (called “Mehana”), with their exceptional charm and style offer local atmosphere by their cuisine and good selection of Bulgarian wines. Most of the local “Mehanas” even offer live folk music. Many local cafes and bars offer refreshments. Discos and night clubs work without time limit, and usually close early in the morning.
PLACES TO GO Of course there’s a lot to see in the town of Bansko itself, with around 120 cultural and historical monuments will have a lot to explore. Various souvenir shops offer the creations of the local artists and smiths.
Bansko is known to be unique site with international significance for the international tourism. Except for the beautiful Pirin Mountain the town possesses rich historical sites. Remains from ancient fortresses in the Staroto Gradishte site, are situated just four kilometers in western direction and the Ulen site along the Demianitsa river flow. Nearby Staroto Gradishte site there are Thracian mound hills.
South of Bansko is situated the National Park Pirin included in the UNESCO list for cultural and natural sightseeing. The park is rich with its lakes, waterfalls, caves, venerable trees and historical sites. Bansko together with Dobrinishte are also famous for their mineral springs, the reserve Bayovi dupki- Djindjiritsa. See more about Bansko’s history here.
We also recommend a visit to the famous Rila Monastery and the busy city of Sofia. For trips of interest, please make reservation here.
ACCOMMODATION & CATERING
Being the biggest ski resort of Bulgaria, practically Bansko offers great opportunities in this respect satisfying visitors of different financial means.
There are many luxury hotels (plus one five star hotel), holiday apartments as well as more than 40 small family hotels. We strongly recommend you arrange your hotel and additional skiing service before you go to Bansko, as the resort is quite busy during the winter. Bansko is very different from the older ski resorts of
Borovets or Pamporovo, which were specially designed skiing centres. Bansko combines great skiing, beautiful nature and historical significance.
MEDICAL & DENTAL SERVICE
The Emergency SKI PATROL service is available 24 hours a day. Ambulance and clinic (with doctor and nurse) are available, as well as first aid, on all ski slopes. Fully equipped and functioning hospitals is available in Bansko. Highly qualified dentists are available at the resort too. Pharmacies are also available at the resort.

Some medical and all dental services must be paid in cash to the doctors (clinics). They should provide the necessary bills, receipts and invoices describing the service and the cost, so that you can claim back the expense to your insurance company. It’s recommended you call your insurance company and
inform them in case of injury

Salt Lake City’s Wasatch Mountains are home to 7 world-class mountain ski resorts, all within 30 to 45 minutes from the Salt Lake Valley. An abundance of beautiful sunny days, various terrains to suit everyone’s needs, and quick access up the canyons, makes Skiing Salt Lake a very wise choice for your next ski vacation.
Here is list of mountains around Salt Lake City for Skiing:

Snowbird:

* 85 runs, 2500 skiable acres
* 29 miles from airport, in Little Cottonwood Canyon
* small slopeside pedestrian village
* look for Kids Ski Free deals
* Mining Camp fun park
* combined Alta-Snowbird pass gives skiers 4700 acres
* many programs for kids including nursery and child and youth night-time programs
* condo lodging
* flagship accommodation: Cliff Lodge & Spa

Alta

* skiers-only!
* 115 runs, 2200 acres
* 33 miles from the airport
* handful of lodges, condos, restaurants
* ski into neighboring Snowbird (with the right pass)
* ski school, day care, Children’s Ski Adventure Center

Brighton:

* 66 runs, 1050 acres
* 35 miles from airport, at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon
* combined Sol-Bright pass adds Solitude resort
* popular with teens and ‘boarders
* known for terrain parks
* voted #1 for Child/Family Friendly Terrain by local parenting magazine
* skiiing, boarding, any day, all season: kids under 10 ski free
* many lessons available, including Kinder Lessons for ages 4 to 7
* affordable slopeside Brighton Lodge has 20 rooms

Solitude:

* 64 runs, 1200 acres
* 28 miles from the airport, in Big Cottonwood Canyon
* Ski School with kids’ programs
* attractive “village” has ski-in, ski-out condos and inn, restaurants, grocery store, ice-rink, Club Solitude club-house with heated outdoor pool and whirlpools, theatre that shows family movies, games rooms, and lounge

The Canyons:

* Utah’s largest ski and snowboard resort has 152 runs, 3700 skiable acres, 8 mountains
* 33 miles from SLC airport, 4 miles from Park City’s historic Main Street
* kids programs include all-day daycare for ages 2-3 with 1 hour lesson
* teen clinics, terrain park clinics
* slopeside Grand Summit Resort Hotel is a AAA Four Diamond-rated property with outdoor heated pool, gourmet dining, etc. Nearby “ruggedly elegant” Sundial Lodge has rooftop hot tub, outdoor heated pool, lodgings from studios to multi-bedroom condominiums. Both offer ski-free packages.
* surrounding village has food, shops

Park City Mountain Resort:

* so close to Park City that “Town Lift” is actually in the historic part of town
* over 104 runs, 3300 skiable acres, 6-pack lifts
* 37 miles from SLC airport
* Fast Tracks passes skip lineups, and are free w/ 4+ multi-day tickets
* 4 terrain parks, Olympic Superpipe
* Kids Mountain School
* many services, & lodging options

Deer Valley:

* 90 runs, 1750 acres
* chic skiers-only spot with top-of-the-line services
* 36 miles to airport
* childrens’ ski programs, age 3 and up; teen ski programs; child care, 2 months to 12 yrs. old
* Tricks n’ Turns (TNT) terrain park for family fun, with features for novices

The seven ski spots around Salt Lake City are so close that if you want a low-cost mega-snow vacation can stay in a motel in Salt Lake City (as low as $39) and ski / snowboard at a different spot each day. More information about each one of the resorts you can find here.

The snow transforms the Adelboden-Frutigen holiday and leisure resort region into a spectacular winter arena. In this big resort you just need to follow your pleasure and ski or enjoy magical winter walks in Adelboden’s sunshine.

This year will be full of adrenaline for those of you who love winter sports and will visit this great Switzerland ski resort. Adelboden celebrates the official arrival of winter with its traditional Winterylute festival and Christmas Market at the Dorfplatz on Saturday 16 December 2006.
For sports fans, the real highlight must be the FIS Ski World Cup for Men: on Saturday 6 January 2007 there’s the Giant Slalom event and on Sunday 7 January 2007 the Slalom. On both days there will be an attractive supporting programme.

A traditional and at times hazardous spectacle takes place on Sunday 18 January 2007 with the Hornschlittenrennen Sledge Race. Well over 100 teams of two will race at breakneck speed down Chuenisbargli towards the finishing line.

The weekend of 17/18 March 2007 sees the Swiss Skibock Championships – an open event featuring this unique mix of ski and sledge. Typically Adelboden in character, it’s something for young and old, local or visitor to take part in. Spectacular duals on an exciting course coupled with a festival atmosphere on TschentenAlp.

These guys and girls are so clearly headed to reach the summit of this plateu in the Alps mountains and make their trip to below, that if you love skiing you would most probably say “I want to be there too…”.

One of the most frequent questions people ask is “Where’s the best skiing in the Alps?”. It’s not a question with an easy answer but the only way to find out is to experience it by yourself.