Archive for the ‘skiing’ Category
Saturday, September 4th, 2010
Experience ultimate skiing flexibility
Book your skiing holiday to St Anton for departures in early
January and benefit from a rare opportunity to completely
tailor-make your ski break from scratch. Tell flexiski the
date you want to arrive and how long you want to stay and
leave the rest to your personal travel consultant.
The Amalien Haus is perfectly positioned in the bustling
village of St Anton which boasts an abundance of shops,
boutiques, caf?s, restaurants and bars. This charismatic
village is best known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and
the lively and dynamic apr?s-ski culture. St Anton fully
deserves its reputation as a world class resort.
Prices start from ?90 per person per night for catered
accommodation including buffet breakfast, afternoon tea and
cakes, pre-dinner drinks and canap?s, four-course evening
meal with wine.
The guide to the most flexible ski holidays in January 2009.
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Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
Andorra skiing, fantastic choice for intermediate and
beginner skiers
In fact, the average height of the mountains you'll find
here are less than 2000 meters (lowest place is just under
900 meters), with the tallest peak being Coma Pedrosa
standing at 2500 meters. If you're an avid skier or just
like to get away for an annual ski holiday, then Andorra may
be the place for you?cool summers and wintery, snowy winters
make for an outdoor Mecca of sorts.
Because Andorra is situated between France and Spain so
perfectly, it's quite easy to get to. Given this, it's
surprising how small the crowds become when France and Spain
are bursting at the seams with tourists. This is not to say
that Andorra is not popular, quite the contrary. Andorra is
just an alternative ski holiday destination?it seems that
not everyone thinks of coming here, even though it's so
close and offers comparable skiing.
The ski resorts in Andorra are a fantastic choice for
intermediate and beginner skiers. Experts can have a
challenging time too, but the slopes are more geared to the
middle ground holiday skier. There are ski schools and board
schools, then, to teach you anything you may not already
know. The ski resorts in Andorra are full of places for
young teeny-bobbers to go and hit the apres ski venues well
into the night; but, also, Andorra has plenty of resorts
catering to an older, or at least a more peaceful, crowd.
The ski resorts of Andorra offer plenty for solo and family
skiers.
Some Andorra skiing you'll find on the eastern end of the
country include Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, Soldeu, Soldeu el
Tarter, Canillo and Encamp. On the westernmost side of
Andorra, you'll find the Arinsal, Pal, La Massana, and
Ordino-Arcalis ski areas the most inviting. Though some of
the ski resorts run into eachother or share common space
with either Spain or France, some offer some really distinct
skiing.
Arinsal is a nice place for beginners. There are 68 km of
pistes and 43 total runs, with 19 of those reserved for
beginners. With 30 total lifts, you'll not be waiting around
for your turn all day. Encamp ski resort in Andorra has a
snowboard park and 100 total runs, with 40 of those
dedicated for beginners. There are nearly double the lifts
than at Arinsal with 63 total lifts taking you to a max
height of 2600 meters. Similarly, La Massana has a lift that
takes you to 2570 meters and gives you 89 pistes to practice
on. There's even one snowboard park and 26 lifts with plenty
of snow cannons. The longest run you'll have here is 6 km.
Pal in Andorra, on the other hand, can take you only to 2560
meters on the highest of 30 lifts. The resort itself lies at
780 meters but you'll find 68 km of runs just above it.
There are 42 total runs and beginners and intermediates will
both be well served with 19 and 18 runs respectively. There
are snow cannons and a max per person uphill service of
30,000 skiers per hour. Pas de la Casa is a little lower
resort and lies at just over 2000 meters. The highest lift,
however, will take you higher than Pal at 2640 meters. The
longest run here is 6 km but there are 51 total runs, more
than many of the other resorts. The reason is simple: the 40
beginner and 37 intermediate ski runs leaves 23 expert runs,
probably the most you'll find in Andorra. There are 63 lifts
(almost double the others) and plenty of snow cannons
keeping 95,000 skiers per hour snow bound and happy. Soldeu
el Tarter can take you to 2560 meters high on 63 lifts and
193 km of pistes. This means there are 100 runs and 40
reserved for beginners and 37 for intermediates. There are
snow cannons and north facing slopes.
The good thing about all these ski resorts in Andorra is the
price, comparably cheaper than other alpine resorts,
especially for Western Europe. Though the vibe may be the
same and the resorts uniformly the "same" in appearance,
design and slopes, the skiing here is second to none if you
want some great skiing without "western" prices. The snow is
reliable and if you're with friends rather than family,
you'll have the chance to participate in an apres ski venue
that is exciting and wild. The slopes are nicely cared for
across the board and the whole of Andorra has nice lifts,
groomed pistes and plenty of things to do on and off the
slope. Combined with a duty free country, you can't serve
your vices for any cheaper.
Andorra is Europe's sixth smallest country and lies between
France and Spain in the Pyrenees Mountains (the chain of
mountains forming Spain's northern and France's southernmost
boarders, running east to west). Andorra makes for a
celebrated ski location as it very mountainous indeed.
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Monday, August 30th, 2010
Popular Alpine Skiing Destinations in Colorado
Perfect ski conditions are available in Colorado as it is
located in the Rocky Mountains. When you visit Colorado for
a ski or snowboarding trip, you can chose from amongst a
number of mountains. Most ski enthusiasts are aware that
during winters the snowy peaks at the legendary ski hills
attract a lot of celebrities.
Aspen is one of the most popular ski resorts in Colorado.
Once a mining town, Aspen is now one of the hottest
destinations in the USA. Aspen has a lot of Snowy hills,
challenging and varying terrain. Apart from this, what
attracts so many well-to-do people and famous celebrities to
the beautiful setting each year is the large number of spas,
resorts, and fabulous dining places and the ski hill. The
rates are high and an adult pass for the day is available
for %74.
Vail is another extremely popular ski resort. Vail is the
largest ski resort in America and boasts 193 trails covering
5,289 acres. Constantly ranked number one in a variety of
ski magazines, Vail is the place to be. The snow conditions
in Vail are top notch, as is the terrain and number of
challenging runs. Vail also offers great lessons for skiers
and snowboarders. The town of Vail is also a popular
destination for skiers, offering great shopping,
restaurants, and nightlife.
A local favorite in Colorado is Copper Mountain Resort. If
you want to know the reason for this then go there. Copper
Mountain has an impressive 125 trails and 22 lifts, no small
feat. The trail system that has been developed here utilises
all the benefits that the mountain provides. This has been
awarded a few times. Though the rates are lower than Aspen
or Vail, the trails are no less exciting.
A slightly smaller mountain with great value day passes is
the Powderhorn Resort. With 29 runs, it makes a great ski
resort for beginners and intermediate skiers. There is
plenty of terrain to give you a challenging day out, or you
can stick to some easy runs for a relaxing day meandering
down the slopes. World class skiing is combined with world
class accommodations and restaurants to make an enjoyable
stay at Powderhorn Resort.
If you wish to ski day and night then Keystone resort is the
ideal location. The night ski area is the largest in North
America and the best night skiing resort in Colorado. There
are 116 trails, which are diverse and great. Keystone Resort
offers the use of three great mountains. Great specials are
available for those staying up at the resort and there is
exciting nightlife with fantastic restaurants.
Even if you don't have too much of money, you can still
enjoy world class skiing and accommodation. Some of these
huge resorts are offering great deals to make good the dream
of spending the week at one of these places. In Colorado,
new resorts are being built, and upgrades are making the old
ones more fabulous than before. That is way Colorado is
known as the home of best Ski resorts in North America.
About the author: Chris Hagdon is the chief writer at
Fantastic Colorado, the web's premier location when you're
after accurate up to date advice and ideas about Colorado.
For more free articles on Colorado why not visit:
http://www.fcolorado.com/articles
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Saturday, August 28th, 2010
What Are South Korea's main tourist attractions and
activites?
Gyeongju
Korea?s ancient capital, Gyeongju, is the country?s big
must-see, and rates as one of the ten most important ancient
cultural cities in the world. In among the shops and markets
in the modern-day city you?ll find abundant relics of its
two-thousand-year history, including colossal fifth-century
tombs and burial mounds, a seventh-century stone
observatory, and the royal pleasure gardens of Anapji, which
were designed in 674 AD. Other quarters of Gyeongju are rich
with elegant pagodas and historic wooden Buddhist temples,
and numerous trails take you to the slopes of the sacred
mountain, Nam-san, which dominates the south of the city.
Hiking in the national parks
South Korea is full of exhilarating national parks, all of
which are crisscrossed by clearly marked trails and dotted
with good camping spots (and the occasional mountain hut).
The cream of the crop is Seorak-san, and in particular
Naeseorak (Inner Seorak), an exceptionally tranquil stretch
of forested peaks, rivers, waterfalls and Buddhist temples ?
and some established rock climbs too. Also well worth
seeking out are Jiri-san, which boasts a 65-kilometre-long
ridge trail and lots of historic temples; the popular and
fairly gentle trails of Songni-san; and Bukhansan, which is
on the edge of Seoul.
Seoul
South Korea?s modern day capital has a reasonable number of
sights to keep you entertained for a few days. Most
interesting are the five imposing royal palaces, some of
which date back to the fifteenth century. Inside the
Changdokkung Palace you?ll find one of South Korea?s
loveliest gardens, the Piwon, a beautifully landscaped haven
of ponds and pavilions. In the modern part of town, check
out the Kimchi Museum, dedicated to fiery pickled cabbage
that is South Korea?s national dish, browse the cutting-edge
Leeum Museum of Modern Art, and spend the evening in the
trendy nightlufe district of Sinchon.
Panmunjeom
On the 38th parallel, the 1953 ceasefire line between North
and South Korea ? a four-kilometre-wide strip of land spiked
with guardposts ? is still in force today, and the village
of Panmunjeom, which stands on the DMZ just 56km north of
Seoul, is a popular day-trip from the capital. Unless you
can afford the cost of joining an organized tour around
North Korea, this is the closest you can get to the
repressive, desperately impoverished totalitarian state.
There?s no border crossing here (or anywhere between the two
countries) but Panmunjeom attracts busloads of tourists, all
of whom required to dress smartly (No jeans, T-shirts or
miniskirts) and, if male, to have a respectable haircut!
The Korean Folk Village
It may sound like a coach tour nightmare, but the Korean
Folk Village is well worth a day-trip from Seoul, especially
if you?ve not got time to explore the rest of the country. A
reconstruction of a typical nineteenth-century village, it?s
complete with Buddhist temple, Confucian school, pottery and
weaving workshops, blacksmiths and traditional farmhouses.
The people you see in the village do actually live and work
there, even if they might look like actors dolled up in
traditional outfits.
Jeju-do
This southern island has maintained traditions that have
long disappeared from the mainland and is now a popular
tourist destination as well as a favorite with local
honeymooners. Highlights here include mysterious Easter
Island-like statues, hikes to the summit of Halla-san (South
Korea?s highest volcano), and a seven-kilometer-long
lava-tube cave. The climate down here is warmer and wetter
that in the rest of the country, but don?t come specifically
foe the beaches, as you?ll find them crowded and
disappointingly scruffy
The three-hour boat ride from Busan to Yeosu
This is one of the most scenic journeys in the country, with
fine views of the crenellated coastline and myriad islets.
It?s so attractive round here that the whole area has been
conserved as Hallyo Waterway National Park
The island of Ulung-do
Rugged, remote and starkly beautiful, this tiny volcanic
outcrop ? accessed by ferry from Samcheck ? has hardly any
roads and is best explored on foot. It takes two days to
walk right round the island, giving you ample opportunity to
enjoy the temples. Forested ridges, waterfalls and famous
2000-year-old juniper tree
Taking an open-air bath with a view at Seorak Waterpia
Soak up the glorious mountain vista while wallowing in the
natural hot springs at this spa resort in Seorak-san
National Park, where you can also bathe in a lemon flavoured
pool, go skinny dipping, and brave a shower under a
near-boiling waterfall
The fifteenth-century village of Yangdong
Prettily set beside a river and beneath a wooded hill,
Yangdong is of such historic importance that villagers are
forbidden to modify or knock down their antique wooden
houses, many of which are magnificent structures with
sweeping roofs, beautifully carved beams and capacious
verandahs.
Bargain-hunting at Namdaemun Night Market in Seoul
Opening every night at around 10.30pm and running through
till just before dawn, the enormous Namdaemun Market sells
everything from handicrafts to saucepans, ginseng to live
fish. It?s a great place to while away the evening, not
least because of all the cheap food stalls that dish up hot
snacks through till morning.
Staying in a yogwan
If you?re on a budget, make a beeline for these traditional
questhouses: they?re cheap, family-run, and usually have
lots of character. You sleep on a futon on the floor ? a
special treat in winter when the underfloor heating system
kicks in and acts like a huge electric blanket
Snowboarding and skiing at Yongpyong
There are over thirty runs for skiers and snowboarders at
this trendy ski resort on the slopes on Mount Balwang, plus
floodlit night skiing, a sledging park and cross-country
trails. Also holds a snow-sculpture festival in February
So what is South Korea's main Tourist attraction? South
Korea is made up of beautiful landscapes and also rich in
history and culture. In South Korea, you can view some of
the most interesting and beautiful buildings and places.
Seriously, you won't know how beautiful South Korea is until
you read this article and view the photos of interesting
places in South Korea.
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Thursday, August 26th, 2010
What To See While On Holiday In Aragon
Aragon is a region of Spain that is becoming more and more
popular each year with families going there on holiday and
staying in holiday rentals.
Many families come to this part of Spain on self catering
holidays and stay in some of the great holiday apartments
and villas that can be rented as holiday homes.
Aragon is a beautiful region of Spain and the area is made
up of three provinces, Teruel, Huesca and Zaragoza. The top
five things that the travelers can do while staying in
holiday homes in Aragon include skiing, walking, golfing,
bird watching and taking part in the traditions and
festivals of the area.
Many tourists come back year after year to take part in the
festivals of Aragon. There are many popular fiestas like Day
of Aragon. On days like this the whole community join
together in dance and partying.
It is a great way to get to know the local culture and
traditions. The locals are warm and friendly and encourage
tourists to join in the activities with them. It is also a
great way to sample the local wine and food that are served
in abundance during these festivals.
Skiing in Aragon is growing in strength each year and there
are now many holiday homes that can be rented as skiing
accommodation. This region of Spain offers brilliant
conditions for snow sports and skiing. With over 300
kilometers of skiing slopes, Aragon features various resorts
that offer superb skiing facilities.
The mountain ranges of Iberian, the Aragon Pyrenees and the
Teruel mountain ranges like Javalambre, Gudar, Maestrazgo
and Albarracin provides the most spectacular winter sports.
The Posets and Maladeta Massifs and Tena and Ordesa valleys
are among other areas where one can easily try your hand at
snow sports.
Aragon is also a great place to go on a walking holiday. The
combination of exceptional places to visit, great weather
and fantastic scenery make it a popular holiday destination
for families staying in holiday cottages and farmhouses.
They use these holiday homes as a base to explore the
beautiful local countryside.
Serious trekkers and walkers relish the opportunity to
discover the unspoilt and undiscovered places and valleys of
the Aragon Pyrenees. You can also get the best of both
worlds by going walking some days and exploring the shops of
many of the local towns on other days. The Mudejar, ancient
Romanesque and Gothic churches are also worth visiting while
staying in holiday rentals in Aragon.
Each individual province in Aragon has its own exclusive
fauna, physical characteristic, climate and flora. They
offer birdwatchers a chance to view different species and
types of birds. Aragon is known to have some of the best
bird watching in Western Europe.
In recent years Aragon has emerged as a popular golfing
destination. There are golf courses situated at Valley of
Benasque, Nueno, Pinseque and La Penaza. Many tourists come
here on golfing holidays and many stay in self catering
holiday homes. They use this holiday accommodation as a base
to play golf during the day and at night sample many of the
local restaurants and bars.
Aragon is a region of Spain that is becoming more and more
popular each year with families going there on holiday and
staying in holiday rentals.
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Tuesday, August 24th, 2010
Why Ski Resorts are Perfect for Family Vacations
When trying to decide on a destination for a family
vacation, a ski resort is unlikely to be the first thing
that comes to mind. Most families are more likely to think
of places such as Disneyworld, or popular attractions such
as SeaWorld or LegoLand. Because of this, many families miss
the wonder and excitements that ski resorts have to offer.
There are few other vacation options, which can offer fun in
the snow, a tranquil atmosphere and the majestic beauty of
the surrounding mountains as a backdrop. Whether your family
has been on a ski vacation before or not, you are sure to
enjoy the experience of spending time in the mountains on
your family ski vacation.
The most obvious attraction when it comes to spending your
family vacation time at a ski resort is the skiing although
there are other activities available. This does not mean
that you and your family need to be expert skiers, of
course; ski lessons are available on-site at every major ski
resort, so you can learn the basics even if you have never
strapped on a pair of skis before in your life. Once your
lessons are complete you can begin enjoying a number of
beginner?s courses that offer gentle slopes while giving you
a taste of what it is like to ski on your own. If you do
have skiing experience, you can also spend your time on the
more challenging slopes.
Skiing is not for everyone; however, some children and
teenagers might want to try something different when on
vacation. Most ski resorts also offer snowboarding
instruction and specialized snowboarding slopes, letting
young and old alike enjoy this sport that combines the best
of skiing and skateboarding. Learning to snowboard can
definitely provide you with some stories to tell when you
get back home, and the adventure of learning to snowboard
while on your ski resort vacation can be looked back on
fondly for years to come.
Not all of your time should be spent on the slopes, of
course; you can also relax in the warmth and comfort of the
lodge so that you can enjoy your downtime. Knowing how cold
the ski slopes can get, ski resort owners make sure that the
lodge and other parts of the resort are as comfortable as
possible so that you can warm up and get a deep sense of
relaxation after spending time out on the mountain. Many ski
resorts also feature hot tubs and en-suite Jacuzzis so that
you can really unwind after a long day perfecting your
skiing skills.
Do not forget that a ski resort vacation does not have to be
spent entirely on-site at the ski resort. Most resorts have
thriving towns built around them, and are usually just a
short drive away from a major city. While it is fun to spend
time on the slopes and relaxing in the lodge, you and your
family can also take a bit of time to enjoy everything that
the local community has to offer.
Whether it is a trip to a local theatre or a night out on
the town, it is very rewarding to visit the nearby city.
Venturing out into the cities and towns that are close to
the ski resort can add a new level of excitement to your
family vacation.
When out on the town, you should not forget to take in some
of the shopping opportunities that can be found. In addition
to major chain stores and malls, a number of ski communities
have shops featuring works by local artisans and other
stores that are unique to the area. Young and old alike
should be able to find something interesting in the shops
and stores, ensuring that they have the perfect souvenir
from your vacation or a truly unique gift to bring to
someone special back home. Even if you and your family do
not spend very much when shopping, the stories of the things
that you have seen in the local shops should be able to
entertain everyone that you tell about your trip.
Though skiing and snowboarding are the main purposes of ski
resorts, there is so much more to a ski resort vacation than
just spending time on the snow. Discuss it with your family
and see whether a ski resort vacation might be right for
you, and then start making plans so that you can begin
enjoying the best of what the resort you choose has to
offer. If your family ends up not enjoying skiing, there is
plenty of activities to take part it. They can consider
visiting the local attractions around the resort or just
relax in the lodge. Whatever you are looking for in a
vacation, there should be something for everybody at a ski
resort
Stephanie Larkin is a freelance writer who writes about
topics and tips involving the travel industry and vacation
deals, often discussing specific subjects such as travel
websites and working with a travel agent.
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When trying to decide on a destination for a family
vacation, a ski resort is unlikely to be the first thing
that comes to mind. Most families are more likely to think
of places such as Disneyworld, or popular attractions such
as SeaWorld or LegoLand.
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Sunday, August 22nd, 2010
Heli Skiing In Whistler BC ? The Most Satisfying Addiction
You?ll Ever Have
Warning: the following habit can be dangerous to your
health, your family life, and your bank account. It can
lead to prolonged periods of dissatisfaction with regular
day-to-day existence, where the skies are bland shades of
grey and everyone you meet is destined to bore you with
details of the mundane. It will inflict itself heavily on
your bank account, and will severely test your ability to
pay-off credit card debt.
Should this habit be continually indulged, family life will
succumb to its siren song and you will find your significant
other standing icily at the doorstep, child at his or her
side, a tiny hand intertwined and asking ?Where is daddy (or
mommy) going?? And your significant other will stifle a
tear, shake their head, and answer as if spitting the name
of an enthralling mistress, ?Heli skiing.?
Yes, helicopter skiing and snowboarding is an extremely
addictive sport, and should not be attempted under any
circumstances. Unless, of course, you yearn for the
mind-altering, neuron-firing experience of surfing untouched
powder as if granted entrance to the slopes of ancient Mount
Olympus and the realm of the Gods themselves. Should you
decide to partake in the sport (strictly for the purposes of
avoiding it in the future) consider Heli Skiing in Whistler
BC as your best choice.
Gateway To The Gods - The Whistler Heli Skiing Area
Minutes from North America?s #1 ski resort lies endless
high-alpine terrain and scenery guaranteed so induce belief
in a higher power. The heli-ski area is composed of several
zones with an approximate area of 80km by 50km. The enormous
variety of slopes and ski runs is enough to satisfy skiers
and boarders of all levels (though ?winter virgins? need not
apply). Carving down wide open glaciers? Whispering
through sun-dazzled tree glades? Post heli-ski adventure,
it?s no wonder the morning traffic commute loses its rosy
appeal.
Look In the Mirror ? Are You Good Enough To Attempt Whistler
Heli Skiing?
Believe it or not, Whistler heli skiing doesn?t mean you are
forced to jump out of a thundering helicopter directly onto
the slopes, before proceeding to ?shred the pow? while
cracking a can of Mountain Dew. (The helicopter actually
lands). You do however, have to be in moderate physical
shape and exhibit a positive mental attitude.
Ask yourself: do you thrive on powder and love a good
challenge on an average ski day? Can you ski or snowboard
down a run quickly, without falling (too many times) and
have little difficulty? Do you have good physical strength,
are able to recover quickly, and have no major injuries? If
you answered ?yes? to all of these, chances are you?re a
heli-skiing addict in the making.
How To Crush Egos And Choose Your Team
On heli-ski trips, you spend all day with the same people.
This can be a wonderful opportunity for bonding and sharing
a powerful experience with others. Or it can mean the
character traits of your friend you find most annoying are
multiplied to the point of murderous fantasies playing out
in your head. Necessity dictates you must be brutally
selective.
Ski or snowboard with your friends at a regular resort. Did
everyone enjoy themselves? Was their anyone who struggled on
groomed intermediate slopes? (No doubt they would struggle
in high-alpine powder and hold your group behind). Look for
interesting and fun-loving people that are easy going and
aren?t quick to anger. Chat with your friends about they
want on the trip: massive vertical footage, vast-open
glaciers, a relaxing cruise through the trees? Finally,
assemble your group.
Etiquette On The Journey And The Slopes
Whistler Heli skiing is a life altering experience. It?s
possible you may wish to contemplate this on the bus, the
helicopter, on the slopes and in the lodge. But that makes
for boring company for everyone else. Instead, be friendly
and strike up genuine conversations with everyone in the
group, especially if you?re alone in the group. (Remember: a
stranger is a friend you just haven?t met).
Pay attention when the heli-skiing operators, pilots and
guides bestow their valuable wisdom. (It?s quite possible
the information may save your life). Help others carry
their skis and snowboards, pick up dropped equipment when
someone falls, and rotate who goes first on each run. Keep
pace with the group, and even if you?re itching to blast
down the slopes, exercise patience.
Treat Yourself To Fresh Powder ? The Zen Of Whistler Heli
Skiing
While your guide will carefully evaluate the safest areas to
ski and snowboard, keep in mind that avalanches do occur and
are often beyond prediction and control. Always listen to
your guides on the slopes. But that doesn?t mean you can?t
forge some fresh tracks on your own.
Stay out of the flats, as you might find it difficult to
maintain speed in deep powder. Look for big areas of white
when navigating through the trees, as it?s deceptively easy
to focus on what to avoid?and end up heading straight for
it. Take advantage of natural features like lips, berms,
banks, chutes, and bowls. Lastly, always remain in contact
with your group and guide.
The Helicopter ? Companion, Lover, Friend.
Loud, agile, and your only means of getting back home, your
Whistler helicopter is a machine to be treated with respect.
Never ski or snowboard up to it. Stop a safe distance
away and remove your gear prior to approaching the
helicopter, and always from a lower angle. (Wouldn?t want an
unexpected haircut?or worse). Avoid walking around the rear
of the main cabin door as the helicopter can move
unexpectedly.
Knocking your boots on the skids or on the side of the
helicopter is a great way to shake off the snow, but it will
attract the heated ire of the pilot. (Likewise, avoid using
the instrument rods protruding from the helicopter?s nose to
melt your gloves). Be gentle opening the helicopter door,
as they?re designed to be lightweight. Lastly, avoid
kicking the outside frame as you climb in by lifting your
lower foot high, then quickly buckle yourself in your seat.
Final Suggestions For A Memorable Lifelong Addiction
Should you choose to continue on this Whistler Heli Skiing
folly, you should come to terms with the fact that a simple
fall or collision could result in serious injury. If you?re
lost or stranded somewhere, you could face hypothermia, and
even death. Even more unfortunate, your bank account will
experience sustained depletion, your social life will
stumble, and your significant other will starve for
attention (unless, of course, you bring them along).
However the mind-expanding nature of the Whistler heli
skiing experience cannot be denied. Who can say they have
surfed the shoulders of some of nature?s mightiest
mountains, gazing down upon the surface of clouds as surely
as the ancient Greek gods did two millennia ago? Mundane
life may suffer, but it is assured you will never look at
the world in quite the same way.
Consider yourself warned.
Do you thrive on powder and love a good challenge on an
average ski day? Can you ski or snowboard down a run
quickly, without falling (too many times) and have little
difficulty? Do you have good physical strength, are able to
recover quickly, and have no major injuries? If you
answered ?yes? to all of these questions, chances are you?re
a heli skiing addict in the making.
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Friday, August 20th, 2010
Skiing Clothing Basics for the Beginner
Downhill skiing is one of the most popular winter sports in
the country. Every year, almost seven million Americans hit
the ski slopes. This dwarfs by a factor of three other
winter sports such as cross country skiing and ice hockey.
Only the ever increasing in popularity sport of snowboarding
comes close with a little over six million snowboarders in
the country.
Skiing is a great all around exercise. It's excellent for
strengthening the upper leg muscles such as the thigh as
well as the lower calf. A season of skiing will strengthen
the shoulders and back and will help to trim your stomach.
Skiing is also excellent aerobically. Experts estimate that
an adult skiing with moderate effort, will burn anywhere
from 300 to 500 calories an hour.
But in addition to its exercise benefits, Alpine skiing is
also an exhilarating sport. Nothing quite compares to it.
Olympic caliber skiers can top 80 miles per hour. But for a
novice, even skiing at 5 miles per hours is a thrill.
So what are the dressing basics for alpine skiing? There are
six essentials that every beginner should start with:
UV Rated Goggles or sunglasses - No, these are not just for
style, although stylish sunglasses are always cool. You need
sunglasses or goggles with a good UV protection rating. UV
light can do real damage to the eyes ranging from simple
sunblindness to major cataract problems. The best UV rated
sunglasses are 100%PRCTG% UV protective and most are relatively
inexpensive.
Hat - You can lose up to 80%PRCTG% of your body heat through your
head. Most heat, as we know by now, escapes through the
head. A good ski hat will keep you warm, even in the coldest
of temperatures. Some of the nicer hats will even have ear
protection.
Sunscreen - Skiing is a fun sport and you can easily spend
an entire day on the slopes and in the sun without realizing
it. Sunscreen serves the same purpose on a ski slope as it
does on a beach. On an especially bright and sunny day, you
can get a sunburn in as little as 20 minutes. A good
sunscreen will protect you from the sun's UV radiation and
from sunburn.
Gloves or mittens - to keep hands warm. If you want the
best, you can pay well over %100 for a good pair of ski
gloves. You'll want gloves that breathe well, are flexible,
with some water proofing, and that are warm. Mittens are
generally warmer than gloves, but gloves are more stylish
and will do fine in most cases. Pick whichever you are more
comfortable with.
Jacket and pants - to keep warm and protect you from
hypothermia. The main feature you want in a ski jacket and
pants is that they are water proof. This usually means that
you want ones with a good polytetrafluoro-ethylene or PTFE
membrane. PTFE is often laminated to nylon and polyester
materials giving them excellent water protection but still
allowing them to breathe. Of course, you will want jackets
and pants that are warm and stylish also.
These are the minimalist clothing basics that every skier
should have in order to have the best experience possible on
the mountains.
Downhill or Alpine skiing is one of the most popular winter
sports in the country. So what are the dressing basics for
alpine skiing? There are six essentials that every beginner
should start with.
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Wednesday, August 18th, 2010
The Best Ski Exercises For Rock Solid Skier Legs
Every time I read a skiing magazine or see another so called
"expert" recommending ski-specific workouts, I have to
cringe when I see some of the exercises recommended! After
all, isn't the goal of an effective skier fitness training
routine to reduce injuries while simultaneously building
incredible strength and endurance in your legs and core?
Of course that's the goal... we all want to tear up the
slopes as long as possible, avoid the dreaded "jello legs"
that might cut our day of skiing short, and also prevent
those nagging injuries that might cut our season short.
The problem I've seen with traditional workout routines that
are being recommended for skiers are that they not only use
inefficient exercises that don't carry over that well to
actual skiing movements, but also may even be setting you up
for an injury. For example, if you've seen workout routines
that are recommending machine leg presses, machine leg
extensions, and machine leg curls, please run screaming from
that workout recommendation as fast as you can! It will only
set you up for injury, and won't even help your goal of
strength and endurance that's actually applicable to skiing
movements.
The same can be said if you see authors recommending smith
machine squats or any smith machine exercises whatsoever...
they should all be avoided as smith machine movements follow
unnatural movement patterns (not biomechanically correct)
that can create excessive stress on the back and possible
injury there and/or in the knees.
Now what about wall squats (aka "wall sits")? Well, although
almost every skiing fitness program in existence seems to
recommend this exercise for skiers, I don't find it to be
optimal. I will say that it's a step in the right direction
compared to the machine-based exercises that I mentioned
previously. However, wall squats are still not a truly
effective exercise that carries over directly to strength
and endurance throughout the entire range of motion that the
legs use during skiing. This exercise can be mildly
effective since even an isometric exercise held for
endurance in one joint angle will still carry over to a
slightly wider range of motion, but I actually have at least
a dozen exercises that are MUCH more effective than wall
squats.
One of the other major faults that I've found with typical
ski workout fitness routines is that they often neglect
achieving a proper joint strength balance (proper strength
ratios between quadriceps, hamstrings, etc). Although skiing
demands a lot of work from your quadriceps and less work
from your hamstrings and glutes, it is still vitally
important for injury prevention to maintain proper strength
ratios between all of the muscle groups of the lower body
and also make sure the small stabilizer muscles around the
joints are properly strengthened. This is yet another factor
that's lacking in most skier workout programs.
Want to know all of the specific exercises that really work
in developing rock solid legs that will never quit on you on
the slopes? Visit here for the best Ski Conditioning
Exercises. and learn the best kept secrets.
Thompson Stephen is dedicated to helping people stay
informed about health and fitness.For more information and
in-depth,unbiased reviews,please visit TRUTH ABOUT ABS
Article Directory: Article Dashboard
Don't miss another powder day with an injury or weak legs
that can't ski more than a half day!
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Monday, August 16th, 2010
Adventurous and Attractive Shimla, Travel Tourism in Shimla
Planning to have adventure sports, scenic beauty, getaway
from pollution and summer heat, romantic hideout all in one?
well, Shimla is one such wonderful place in Himachal
Pradesh, India which will provide the luxury of having all
of this and much more at once. Its a hill station which God
decorated with best of the natures beauty. surrounded with
the spell-bounding Himalayas Shimla is the place for all.
One of The most famous destinations in India for Family
holidays, Honeymoon couples, adventure lovers, and those who
are afraid of the summer sun.
Getting to Shimla is easier as it is well connected to most
of the northern cities by road, rail and airway. Best time
to visit Shimla is April to August and December-january.
Shimla was the Summer Capital of the british. It was
discovered by British in 1819. The summer temperature here
ranges between 15 to 28 C, relatively cooler than most of
India, hence a popular tourist spot for summer holidays.
While winters are bone-chilling, there are tourists who come
here for the Winter sports and winter fairs and festivals.
There are lots of hotels in Shimla offering good service but
for the on-season its better to book the hotel before hand.
Your Itinerary for sightseeing should include a small walk
here and there to enjoy the places less visited by the
vehicles.
Equally interesting for religious tours, shimla has many
famous Temples. Infact the name Shimla is derived from the
name of the Godess Shyamala Devi. Other Places of religious
interest are the Tara devi temple, the Sankatmochan temple,
the Kali Bari(Temple of Godess Shyamala Devi) and Christ
Church & St. Michael's Cathedral.
In the winter season some slopes of the mountains become
ideal for the sports like ice skiing, heli-skiing etc. Other
adventure sports here include paragliding and hang gliding.
One can go on enjoying the beauty of the place while getting
thrilled with the various adventure sports.
Heritage museums in Shimla are also a tourist attraction fro
people with special interests. Shimla is also an interesting
place for Shoppers. With shopping places like the Mall and
Lakkar bazaar one can shop for local handicraft articles,
shawls and fruit jams.
The good connectivity to various other places makes Shimla
the best tourist destination. Other Hill-stations like
Manali, Kufri are near to Shimla which can be covered within
a day and the night can again be spent in the enchanting
valley of the ?Queen of Hills?
Planning to have adventure sports, scenic beauty, getaway
from pollution and summer heat, romantic hideout all in one?
well, Shimla is one such wonderful place in Himachal
Pradesh, India which will provide the luxury of having all
of this and much more at once. Its a hill station which God
decorated with best of the natures beauty. surrounded with
the spell-bounding Himalayas Shimla is the place for all
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