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Best Ski Resorts – Perfect Winter Vacation

admin — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:22:08 +0000

Article by Joyce Ferrer

It is a wonderful year for a ski trip, though before you decide on a resort in which to invest your time and money, consider around which type of ski-resorts best fits your needs. Passionate snowboarders may prefer the mountains / hills high and far more tricky to steer, whereas people may wish to be certain you will find amenities for all inside spouse and children – massage, bunny slants and beginner training lessons for the kids, by way of example.

Listed below are a little bit categorizations for ski resorts that you simply may prefer to think about prior to making your coverage:

- Ski-In, Ski-Out – This different kind of ski resort supplies rentals placed close to the mountains / hills of a hill, enabling you to ski in and out through your top door. Several other resorts give you chair lifts, aerial trams and gondolas to take you to the most notable of the mountain / hill. A few ski-in, ski-out resorts cater to ski tourism, while others offer snowboarding and various other services for example swimming and ice-skating.

- Mountain Resort – Positioned near a ski mountain, these ski resorts additionally offer golf, backpacking, bicycling and tennis within any other activities. There’s usually a township local that serves snowboarders and snowboarders where you can discover apparatus and clothing rentals.

- Household Resort – You can not over-plan in the event you like to take your household on a ski vacation. When youngsters or newbie skiers are associated you don’t wish to pick a resort with “No Starters Allowed” signs and this serves advanced skiers. Yet, it is actually important that the resort differentiates which areas are difficult and which are specially for rookies.

Hunt for a family resort that gives a condo and / or townhome designed to accommodate the overall family and you may also intend to check on child care opportunity and ski bundles which may conserve money.

- Close by Ski Resorts – Whenever you live near a good ski resort, you have got the chance to decide on from lodging and ski package deals. You’ll discover season passes on the market that could involve ski gear and everyday passes to the mountains. It’s a great technique to save bucks and take ski or skiing lessons on a common basis.

Prior to commence to plan a ski trip, make a subscriber base of what you expect and prefer in a skiresort. Then, access the internet for great deals and plans that fit the bill and finances. In the event you look for a ski resort that you simply in particular just like, do not hesitate to call and find out what sort of deal they’ll provide you with.

Nearly all ski-resorts look to please and definitely will labor tricky to ensure that you will wish to come back simply by aiding you plan a ski vacation from starting point to end to make it as fun as you possibly can.

Check out the best ski resorts or 10 best ski-resorts-in-the world – the perfect destinations for your family this winter vacation.

A Ski Resort Vacation on a Budget

admin — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 20:28:12 +0000

When people think about ski resorts, they normally imagine mountains covered in fresh fallen snow and folks huddled around a crackling fire enjoying a cupful of hot chocolate or a glass of vodka. While this imagery is surely accurate, and ski resorts are among the most popular of all holiday destinations, the costs of such resort vacations can often be beyond what the budget traveler can afford.

However, there is another way to enjoy these classy ski resorts for a fraction of their in season prices. Many ski resort destinations stay open throughout the year, and the costs of accommodations, meals and other local entertainment often drops a great deal when winter season is over

Visiting a ski resort even in summer does not necessarily mean there will be nothing left to do. In fact, a lot of people also prefer visiting these ski resorts off-season, because their mountain locations allow for a refreshing, activity-packed getaway.

Many ski resorts have plentiful hiking trails that wind through beautiful mountain scenes. All those superb cross country ski trails turn into fantastic hiking and biking trails after the snow has disappeared, and the scenery offers something more spectacular and more comfortable to view without the frigid weather and snow of winter.

Aside from biking and hiking, there many other great activities that are offered in ski resorts off-season as well. These include horseback riding, swimming, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Many ski resorts also utilize their ski lifts as fun summertime sky rides. Others open their slopes to summer activities such as tobogganing down mountain sides. The active kids particularly enjoy these fun rides.

Another beauty of visiting a ski resort in summer is experiencing the cooler temperatures of the mountain location during this time of the year. Even when the lowland temperature is humid and hot, the temperatures in the mountains remain refreshingly cool and comfortable. Of course, it is crucial to check the monthly weather condition for your destination and to avoid going there in the rainy season.

There are various ski resorts in many states of North America. While a lot of them stay open throughout the year and offer many off-season activities, this does not apply to all ski resorts; so it is important to first check the summer activities of the ski resort you are planning to visit.

It is highly recommended to do a research either by phone or online about the activities that are provided by each resort. With the denseness of ski resorts in some locations, it would not be difficult to compare the diverse offers of resorts and hotels and pick out the one that best suits yourvacation needs.

It is also necessary to enquire about the surrounding area and discover what else there is to do when you are outside the ski resort. While many ski resorts have lots of activities to keep you busy for days, you may probably wish to other areas off the property at least a couple of times.

Big White Ski Resort Vacation and The Pandosy Inn in Kelowna

admin — Mon, 02 May 2011 21:17:05 +0000

Home to some of the Canada’s greatest skiing is the world famous Big White ski resort. Big White is known for its breathtaking scenery and high quality snow. This mountain is the perfect ski resort for all skiers of any age or skiing ability. This resort lies in the shadow of the Monashee Mountains, and is a world class ski resort with a incredible reputation to back it up. Big White’s snowfall every year is over 20 feet of the fresh white powder, and their climate is moderate. This ski resort is a lot of fun for everyone especially when the sun is shining and the snow is fresh with lots of powder.

Big White has 16 ski lifts, and can handle a total capacity of over 30,000 skiers every single hour. This resort can cater to a diverse range of visitors even though it has a feeling of a small ski resort. What this means you will meet brand new friends as you ski, but if privacy is what you prefer that option is there. Big White has it all and will keep you very happy, that is why skiers come back year after year.

Big White ski resort guarantees quality snow and skiing for everyone. Royalty on their pristine ski slopes is what you will feel like, because they are dedicated towards high standards, and their innovative ski lifts. Big White’s fine powdery snow is incredible to ski on for any skier to try out, and can be an experience for any skier who has not tried powder before. The simple attraction of the Big White is one thing you will remember about your trip to this resort. The winter scene at this mountain could easily be the product of fiction in a movie, but the reality is this resort has a stunning location for any ski vacation, and Big White ski resort earns a place within the top 100 ski resorts in the world.

And all families are welcome, because Big White can handle any and all needs of a family. This resort is fully equipped for a family skiing vacation, and their staff makes every effort for a completely relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Big White has comfortable gourmet restaurants and high quality family themed diners where you will feel right at home at this resort.

Big White offers expert tuition for skiers that are beginning to ski or wanting to improve their skiing. With the resort’s expert tuition, it is perfect way for the kids to learn how to ski, and help them maximize their enjoyment on their ski vacation, by improving their skiing abilities on Big White’s ski slopes.

In the end, you will definitely recommend Big White ski resort to your family and friends, because whatever you choose to do at Big White you will love every minute. So Big White should be considered a good choice for your next skiing vacation, because of its great reputation as one of the world’s most acclaimed skiing resorts.

When you are finished skiing at Big White and are in Kelowna, visit The Pandosy Inn a family oriented Kelowna motel. The Pandosy Inn is located right in the heart of Okanagan Mission Area, and is one of those hard to find gems that not everyone has a chance to experience. A family owned business that caters to your personal needs on a daily basis. They have quality Kelowna accommodations and have become a family favourite for many reasons. Their suites make a perfect home away from home for guests who appreciate the convenience of a full kitchen and private bedroom. The suites at the Pandosy Inn give you the freedom to relax, and save your money for the slopes with a full kitchen, and for a good night’s sleep there is a separate bedroom. Choosing a Kelowna motel like the Pandosy Inn give you the option to travel BC and take a short trip through the Okanagan Valley to great skiing.

Travel To South America – The Three Faces of South America

admin — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:35:02 +0000

There it is, plenty of mountains, beaches, adventures and history, all at an affordable price. What are you waiting for your next trip to South America?

As a matter of fact, if you are reading this, you have already decided to go there or, at least ,you are thinking about it. But, where to? I will show you my three favorite locations in South America, you choose by your own.

Peru: Macchu Picchu and The Incaâ€???s Road

Are you the kind of person interested in history and archeological marvels or you would rather go looking for adventure, and a little (or more) fun within it? Whatever option you chose, Peru is the right place for you to go.

Five hundred years ago, the Spaniards ransacked and destroyed most of the legacy of the Inca Civilization. They could not, however, reach the sacred city of Macchu Picchu. These almost intact ruins where found in the twentieth century, and access to the city is believed to have been reserved for the emperor (the Inca) and the nobility (Hiran Bingham, founder of the remains, held that priestesses were raised and prepared here, but this is refused by current scientists)

Macchu Picchu is also some kind of world spiritual centre, people of all credos consider it an incredible point of contact with the spirit. But reaching the Macchu Picchu without walking the Incaâ€™s Road, one of the most spectacular walking roads of the world, would be a sin. The Incas had built a road system only comparable to the one that the Ancient Romans built. The best kept part of the Incaâ€™s road is the one that goes from Aguas Calientes to Macchu Picchu. After paying a USD 50 rate (USD 25 for students with international card), you will be able to start three unforgettable days in which you will walk 60 miles of mountains, with incredible vegetation and landscape.

The contact with the local people is one of the most attractive sides of traveling to South America, and this is particularly noticeable on the Incaâ€™s Road.. You will find several â€œpostasâ€ all along the way (the antique places where Incas messengers got rest), and the natives hired for carrying the heavy luggage (the â€œportadoresâ€) still resemble those antique messengers: they run at an incredibly rhythm; when you arrive to the â€œpostaâ€ they will have already set up your tent. However, not only rest is to be expected at the end of the day: depending on which â€œpostaâ€ you choose to stop, you can be received but one of the parties enjoyed by the innumerable youngsters that visit Macchu Picchu from all around the world.

The Incaâ€™s Road is usually preceded by a visit to Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, and one of the greatest urban monuments from Colonial times in Latin America.

Yet, if I were you, I would start from the Argentine city of Salta, visit Bolivia, the Titicaca Lake, and just then go to Cusco. It is a bit longer, yes, but you will never forget it.

Brazil, always Brazil

What else can be said of Brazil that you have not heard about? Brazil is not a place to be visited once, it is a place to fall in love with. Brazil is also one of the largest countries of the globe, so my first advice is to get a travel guide book, and also one of those promotional plane tickets including 5 destinations for a reduced price.

Brazilians are worldwide known for their eternal smile and happiness; they tend to have less prejudices regarding human relations. That may be the reason why you will find a party almost wherever you find a Brazilian. Although Rio is â€œtheâ€ place for nightclubs, discos, and related events, the entire coast of Brazil is a permanent party.

If you are planning a trip for two, let me recommend you Trindage, an almost unnoticed place between Rio and Sao Paulo. The road ends at Parati, a beautiful beach town known for its Colonial architecture. After Parati, you will have to walk 8 kms. (around 3 miles). Renting a car is an option too, but I prefer hitchhiking. Every night there are reggae parties on the beach, and the sky is so clean that you will see several falling stars. You can a take a bath in of the rivers of the zone, but please remember not using soap in order to keep the environment unpolluted.

For those who enjoy adventures, the Amazon is a huge challenge. If you want to visit the jungle but without taking big risks, it is always nice to visit the mythic city of Manaos, with its Opera and its glorious past. Manaos is today a tax-free zone, so you may also find very cheap electronic devices.

Buenos Aires: the most pretentious city in South America

I was not surprised when I read that a London magazine has chosen Buenos Aires as the â€˜sexiest city in the worldâ€™. With most of its population of European origins, and the frenzy proper of a big city, Buenos Aires has an incredible night life. Fancy nightclubs and pubs (accessible to the tourist, because of the low local currency, the Argentine Peso) are concurred by both young and mature people.

I would recommend going to one of the exclusive restaurants located in Puerto Madero, eat some Argentine meat, and then start the night at the Recoleta, the fanciest zone in Buenos Aires. You will ask yourself whether you are in Milan or Paris (do not dear to remind an Argentine they are from South America, they will get mad at you!).

Culturally, Buenos Aires is the most active city in South America. Writers, film directors, philosophers and artists of all kind are usually in the city giving performances or conferences.

If you like Theater, Corrientes Av. is some sort of local Broadway, all along which you will find uncountable spectacles. Of course, you cannot leave Buenos Aires without visiting the Colon Theatre, the most refined of its kind in South America.

During the day, you can visit San Telmo square, place of bohemians and artists, home of Tango, the Argentine typical dance. You can always go to a â€œtangueriaâ€ (tango bar) and get some lessons or just enjoy the sensual movements of the dancers.

For the weekend, going to a soccer match is a must. If you want to go to the biggest stadium in Argentina, go to the River Plate Stadium. However, if you prefer something slightly smaller but much more intense, go to the antagonist Boca Juniors Stadium, where 60,000 souls tight in a reduced space make literally vibrate the concrete. Soccer is not just a sport for the Argentines, it is a passion. Although Argentine beaches are not famous, you can enjoy several near Buenos Aires.

The most crowded is Mar del Plata, but the most beautiful is perhaps Necochea. If you are thinking on going a little more to the south, you can visit Las Grutas, the most southern beach where you can take a bath (below that, it is freezing cold). As a matter of fact, this would be an excellent excuse for visiting the entire Patagonia, with the lakes, the mountains and the Pampa, but this is subject for another article on traveling to South America…

Additional resources and information can be found by going to: http://www.TravelToSouthAmerica.com

The Top Ski Resorts for the Advanced Skier

admin — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 18:32:44 +0000

Apen Ski Resort

Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort, in Colorado, offers more than 5,200 acres across four mountains, two of them dedicated to advanced skiers. Snowmass is 32-percent Double Black Diamond (steep and/or dangerous terrain icons, to the uninformed). Aspen Mountain offers even more thrills, with 26-percent Black Diamond runs and another 26-percent Double Diamond runs. The mountain, nicknamed Ajax, is renowned for its precipitous slopes and moguls (read “big bumps”, for the uninitiated) that can send the unwary or reckless ski aficionado flying into white space.

Aspen has 76 trails and 8 lifts, with no beginner slopes and half the terrain given to intermediate runs. The remainder is about equally divided between advanced skiers and experts. Experts will love the challenge of double-black slopes and woodland terrain. For a real rush, try the Go-Go-Gully or the Highland Bowl, pitched at roughly 48 degrees (90 degrees is a right angle, for expert skiers who don’t do math).

Killington Ski Resort

Killington Ski Resort, located in Vermont, is a superb resort for the advanced skier. Almost half the terrain is devoted to difficult trails, including a Double-Black-Diamond rated area known as “The Outer Limits” with enough moguls to make even expert skiers achieve flight. Other terrain includes woodland, or glade, skiing and steep terrain. In all Killington has 12 Double Black Diamond trails and half again as many Black Diamond runs. In all, 200 trails connect seven mountains via 33 chairlifts. Killington has the longest skiing season in the Northeast U.S. (typically November through April), an average annual snowfall of 250 inches, and 70-percent snowmaking capacity. Lessons are available without advance reservation at the Perfect Turn Ski School.

Mad River Glen Ski Resort

Mad River Glen, also located in Vermont, features a mountain open only to skiers; no snowboarding or tubing allowed. The Glen is not well known, but its motto, “Ski It If You Can” indicates the level of difficulty. Most of its snow is Nature-made, providing natural moguls. Narrow, wooded trails and 45 advanced trails offer the ultimate in skiing challenge. Five lifts provide adequate coverage to the 800 acres of skiing. For Easterners, the Glen is 3 hours from Boston and slightly more than four hours from New York.

Winter Park Ski Resort

Winter Park Ski Resort in Colorado has a variety of skill-level trails, but the most difficult ones comprise more than half the terrain. One peak, the Mary Jane, starts at 12,000 feet and runs four miles down the mountain with a 2,600-foot descent. More than half the trails on Mary Jane are listed as difficult. The Pansenne Bowl starts at a similar elevation and drops 1,700 feet in five miles. The truly expert trails are located on the Vasquez Cirque, with three-quarters of these listed as advanced and the balance for expert skiers only.

Breckenridge Ski Resort

Breckenridge Ski Resort is also located in Colorado. Half its trails are rated advanced/expert, with approximately 23 trails in the Double Black Diamond class, featuring snow bowls, woodland terrain and backcountry wilderness. Breckenridge also has a terrain park for advanced extreme skiers – the kind who have learned to fly on a pair of skis. With 152 trails and 29 lifts, including the highest chairlift in N. America, Breckenridge will delight skiers who have mastered more than a parallel stop. Breckenridge also has a ski school, and its historic downtown offers the non-skier and skier alike endless shopping, dining and nightlife opportunities.

Other Resorts

Other mature-rated ski resorts include Mammoth Mountain in California, with 150 trails and one of the best back-country ski routes in N. America. Whiteface Ski Resort, in Lake Placid, New York, offers the highest vertical drop in the East (3,340 feet), and an area known as “The Slides”, which are Double Black Diamond runs without snowmaking or grooming that form steep chutes, or gullies. If you are less than expert, think twice before attempting The Slides.

Courchevel — a Ski Resort You Just Can’t Miss

admin — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:32:46 +0000

Courchevel is part of the Savoy department of France. It is actually five ski resorts in one. There are nearly 120 km of cross-country ski tracks and over 180 ski lifts-and one ski pass to ride them all. There’s everything from four-star top-notch hotels to two-star itsy-bitsy rooms available for accommodation.

Courchevel Rapid Fire Facts:

- Courchevel is actually five ski resorts in one.

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- The name of each resort ends with the appropriate height in meters.

- However, the biggest-Courchevel 1850-is in reality only 1747 meters.

- Courchevel 1550 was the original Courchevel.

- The area is the largest internally linked ski resort in the world.

- One town in Courchevel does not have a corresponding height attached to it-LaTania.

- Courchevel 1850 was not originally a town. It was built from the ground up as a ski resort.

- The Courchevel airport is only 525 meters long with an 18.5% gradient.

- The five names of Courchevel reflecting the altitude with the preceding number are Courchevel 1850, Courchevel 1650, Courchevel 1550, Courchevel Le Praz 1300 and La Tania.

- The area of Savoy (Courchevel) fell to the Roman Empire around 1030 and later became known as the “Gatekeeper to the Alps.”

- In the 1930s, the French Commission of Tourism wanted a “super ski resort.” They wanted the largest ski resort of any the world over. With the connection of lifts and valleys, today the dream is a reality.

Courchevel, France: Height of Ski & Class

Courchevel is part of the Savoy department of France. It is part of Les Trois Vallees or The Three Valleys. Because of its super-chicness, it receives millions of tourist per year. Though planned previously for the moneyed and privileged of society, today the moneyless too can stake a claim on any one of the 600 km of ski slopes, with an additional 150 km of ski runs in Courchevel proper. Moreover, there are nearly 120 km of cross-country ski tracks and over 180 ski lifts-and one ski pass to ride them all! The classes merge into one as the slope and trails swallow skiers into jovial oblivion.

Courchevel: Offering Something Fun for Everyone

Though it may not matter how many banknotes you carry in your pocketbook, it does make sense to select a ski slope or course suitable to your level. Courchevel offers all sorts of slopes, trails and piste for newbies to advanced skiers alike.

Since many of the slopes are north facing, and the ski resorts hire just as many winter workers as summer laborers, it’s no wonder that the snow is groomed and always reliably fast. You can take morning ski instruction classes from one of three ski schools, shake a leg at snowboarding in the afternoon and then fine-dine throughout the evening. You’ll easily have time for all of it-as the lifts should be called express lifts-because they carry thousands of skiers uphill every hour of every day. Plus, with nearly 500 snow cannons and a couple-dozen piste bashers, you’ll never run out of paths.

Courchevel Hotels

Because Courchevel is known for its high-class swank habitués, the hotels have been built to suit. With an abundance of 90 resorts in all of Courchevel (1850 to La Tania), there’s everything from four-star top-notch hotels to two-star itsy-bitsy rooms. Though, here, the star system is used to reflect the level of facilities-including proximity to trails-and not just the level of interior comforts. One hotel might be starred higher than another, for example, but the other may, as matter of fact, have more luxury.

Examples of Courchevel Resort Hotels:

Four-Star Courchevel Resort Hotels:

- ALPES HOTEL DU PRALONG

- HOTEL ANNAPURNA

- HOTEL CARLINA

- HOTEL CHEVAL BLANC

- HOTEL LE MELEZIN

- LES GRANDES ALPES

Three-Star Courchevel Resort Hotels:

- HOTEL LES FLOCONS

- HOTEL MONTANA

- HOTEL TELEMARK

- HOTEL LES PEUPLIERS

Popular Ski Resorts in Usa

admin — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 18:32:44 +0000

For winter sports enthusiasts, there is nothing better than rushing down a mountain on freshly snow-covered slopes. To help you find the right ski holiday that will fulfill your craving for an outdoor adventure, here is a list of popular ski slopes in the United States:

Breckinridge, Colorado

One of the better known Ski resorts in Colorado, Breckinridge totals 2,358 acres and has 155 trails. Its longest trail, Four O’clock, reaches a length of 3.5 miles and the resort spans over more than 10 peaks. Of the 155 trails this resort hosts, 36-percent are expert slopes, the largest percentage of slope difficulty, and 13-percent of the slopes have the easiest designation.

Aspen, Colorado

Located in the midst of the Rocky Mountains, Aspen, Colorado, is the Aspen Mountain Ski Resort. Sitting on 673 acres, Aspen Mountain is one of the smallest ski resorts around. It utilizes Aspen Mountain and Bell Mountain which has an elevation of 11,212 feet.

Killington, Vermont

This ski resort is the largest resort in the eastern part of the United States. Utilizing Vermont’s second highest mountain, Killington Peak, this resort sports 200 trails and 33 ski lifts spanned over seven mountains. It is estimated that nearly 17,000 people will visit Killington Ski Resort on a good day.

Park City, Utah

This tourist destination is home to three different ski resorts, Park City Mountain Resort, the Canyons Resort and Deer Valley Resort. Park City Mountain Resort covers 3,300 acres and has 104 trails. Canyon Resort, the bigger of the three, runs on nine mountains, totaling 3,700 acres and 155 trails. Deer Valley Resort recently underwent a nine million dollars renovation to add 200 acres and nine new slopes

Lake Tahoe, Nevada/California

Lake Tahoe, located on the Nevada-California boarder is home to Heavenly Mountain Resort. It features 95 slopes over 4,800 acres. At an elevation of 10,067, this resort is host to Lake Tahoe’s highest peak. It is the largest ski resort in California, with a total of 33-percent of its land developed.

Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania

The Pocono Mountains is home to more than ten different ski resorts. The largest one, Camelback Ski Area, has 33 slopes and covers 139 acres. At an elevation of 2,133 feet, its steepest slope is 800 feet. Located in close proximity to Camelback Ski Area is Jack Frost Big Boulder Resort. This ski area is two resorts combined into one with nearly 30 different ski slopes.

Travel Trend Research Using Google Trends – Part 2

admin — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 18:36:43 +0000

In Part 1, you learned about Google Trends and how to research the interests of vacation and holiday travelers. We used the tool to compare different travel types, and to determine their relative popularity and seasonal trends over multiple years.

In Part 2, we’ll analyze searches for different types of destinations such as parks, beaches, museums and golf courses. Remember, our research assumes that Google searches indicate travel behavior. The information we discover will help us understand the interests of travelers around the world.

So what types of destinations do travelers want to visit? To start finding the answer, go to Google Trends (see the address at the end of this article) and submit this search: “national park, state park, county park, regional park” (with the commas but without the quotes). When the page reloads, you’ll see a line graph of the search phrases over multiple years. The relative heights of the lines show that national and state parks are more popular than county and regional parks. The peaks and valleys of the lines show that interest is seasonal, with interest highest in June and July (meaning summer in the northern hemisphere) and lowest in December.

The lower half of the page shows the regions and cities where the searches originated. For example, interest in national parks is high in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the USA.

Now let’s look at search results for other destination types. Because the y-axis on the graph is relative, we will use “national park” as a constant in the comparisons. That way we can compare, for example, beaches vs. theme parks without having to submit them in the same search. This is necessary because Google Trends only allows the comparison of five phrases at a time.

As we try different destination types, we’ll see that some destinations are less popular than national parks. For example, search for “national park, theme park, water park, scuba diving, ecotourism”. Some of the destination types reach their highest popularity in July, such as the strong peak for water parks and the weaker peak for theme parks.

Now try “national park, shopping mall, shopping center, ski area, ski resort”. These last four destination types have peaks of varying height in December.

To drill down into more detail, you can pick specific destinations such as this search: “national park, Disneyland , Disney World, Six Flags, Sea World”. Note the relatively continuous popularity of the Disney parks and Sea World throughout the year, while Six Flags gets the most interest in July.

Camping and campgrounds are seasonal, of course, with strongest interest in July. More interesting is the fact that “camping” (meaning the activity or perhaps the type of equipment) is much more popular than “campground” (the place). Try it yourself: “national park, camping, campground”.

Golf courses and golf clubs have similar popularity and seasonal trends (with strong peaks in July) to national parks. To see for yourself, search for “national park, golf course, golf club”.

Other destinations are much popular than national parks, such as in this search: “national park, beach, mountain, museum”. Beaches have a wide range of seasonal interest, with a peak in July and lowest interest in December, though beaches remain more popular than any other destination type. The seasonal trend of mountains and museums is mostly flat, except mountains have a wide peak from December to February (ski season?) and museums have a sharp peak at the end of December (school break?).

Looking deeper into the seasonal popularity of beaches, we can see it depends on the beach’s distance and direction to the equator. For example, where summers are hot and winters are cold, beaches tend to be more popular during summer—such as the USA in August or Australia in December. Where temperatures are more constant (such as in Hawaii), beaches remain popular throughout the year. Try it yourself: “Sydney beach, Mexico beach, Hawaii beach, Texas beach, France beach”.

Using these research techniques, you will better understand the interests of travelers around the world.

Lake Tahoe Area Ski Resorts 1/2

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 18:35:21 +0000

With more than 100 lifts, 500 runs and 17,000 skiable acres, few places on earth can compete with the overwhelming skiing and snowboarding experiences at Lake Tahoe. Indeed, Lake Tahoe boasts the greatest concentration of ski areas in North America. For serious winter enthusiasts, the dilemma isn’t whether or not to make a trip to Lake Tahoe – it’s where to ski or board once they get there!

Heavenly Resort
South Lake Tahoe, California

If you’re looking for superior scenic beauty, jaw-dropping views of Lake Tahoe, and world-class ski runs, you need look no further than Heavenly, located in atmospheric Lake Tahoe. At 4,800 acres, Heavenly is the largest resort in California and boasts the state’s longest vertical drop at 3,500 feet. With nearly 300 days of California sunshine and over 350 inches of average yearly snowfall, Heavenly offers its skiers and snowboarders an experience unlike any other resort. And on those rare occasions when snow is scarce, Heavenly relies on its snowmaking system, the West Coast’s largest and most powerful – in fact, it’s powerful enough to cover 70 percent of its trails in machine-made now. This winter playground offers visitors 95 trails ranging from wide-open cruisers to plunging 1,200 foot chutes and 30 ski lifts, 9 of which are high-speed. And snowboarders feel right at home on this mountain; the entire resort is open to boarders and both sides of the mountain have a terrain park and halfpipes positioned near lifts for easy access with complete snowboard service stations located nearby.

This year’s improvements to the resort are significant; Heavenly has invested nearly $15 million in upgrades, making it no surprise that Heavenly was recently named among the top 15 ski resorts in SKI Magazine’s “Top 60 Resort Guide.” Olympic Express, the resort’s newest ski lift, shuttles skiers and snowboarders to four new runs. Beginners are in for as much excitement as experienced skiers and snowboarders. Heavenly has created a new Ski School Sales & Adventure center in the heart of Heavenly Village. Guests take advantage of a private learning area in a secluded meadow, an area dedicated solely to beginners. Skiers and boarders of all experience levels can also take advantage of Heavenly Ski School’s internationally known professional instructional staff by participating in group or private lessons, specialty clinics, or adventure packages. And for those visitors opting for a different type of adrenaline rush, the Heavenly Sky Flyer at Adventure Peak offers a thrilling view and spine-tingling excitement. The elevated zip cable ride drops riders from the top of Tamarack Express to the top of the gondola – a vertical drop of 525 feet at nearly 50 miles an hour.

Guests at Heavenly can choose from a multitude of ski and stay packages and lodging options in the area, including hotels, motels, condos and bed & breakfasts. Heavenly has partnered with many of these properties to offer special rates to skiers and snowboarders. The Lake Tahoe area offers lodging for every type of visitor. Casino enthusiasts can stay at the Horizon Casino Resort located on Lake Tahoe’s south shore and just minutes from Heavenly. For those looking for suites with countless amenities and a “home-away-from-home” can choose Tahoe Season Resort, which offers one-bedroom suites with private spas, refrigerators, microwaves, fireside lounges and game rooms. Numerous condominiums and bed and breakfasts offer an alternative to hotels and casinos for those looking for a more home-like experience.

Heavenly’s 2007-2008 season runs from November 16 – April 23. Heavenly offers a wide variety of ticket prices and options to fit your needs. Pre-purchasing tickets can save you money and allow you to earn points with ticket, ski school and dining purchases. Adult two-passes begin at $128 early in the season and vary in price depending upon the time and length of your visit.

Alpine Meadows
North Lake Tahoe, California

Rated one of North America’s top resorts by Skiing, SKI, and Transworld Snowboarding magazines, Alpine Meadows towers over North Lake Tahoe with a summit of 8,637 feet and a base of 6,835 feet. Skiers and snowboarders are whisked up the majestic mountain on one of 13 lifts, including one high-speed detachable six-passenger chair, two high-speed express quads. The resort’s terrain serves beginners through experts and over 100 designated runs. The mountain’s snowmaking machines cover a network of runs served by 11 of the resort’s lifts. The skiing and snowboarding options at this resort are endless, sprawling across a diverse terrain on two mountains covered by winding trails through alpine trees, deep powder bowls, and unmarked runs.

Snowshoers and hikers enjoy Alpine Meadows alongside snowboarders and skiers. Alpine offers marked trails that meander through old-growth forests near the base of the mountain, and Alpine’s Adventure Zones provide an experience similar to hiking in the backcountry. Alpine Meadows takes its responsibility to the environment seriously and participates in several proactive environmental projects, including biodiesel fuel usage, native plant revegetation projects and extensive recycling. The Resort also sells SkiGreen tags for $2 each throughout the resort. Each purchase is a contribution which equates to 150 miles of not driving a car or of preventing 140 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere.

Skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels take advantage of the Alpine Meadow’s special interest clinics including the Early Season Warm-Up, Women’s Clinics and Men’s Clinics. Alpine’s High Adventure Tours, new for the 2008 season, offers advanced skiers and boarders the unique opportunity to experience off-boundary trails and runs and includes lunch and shuttle transportation from the main lodge to the remote areas. For visitors interested in testing the newest in winter sports equipment, Alpine Meadows offers a high-performance demonstrative equipment program. Children aren’t left out of the fun at this resort; an entire terrain park is dedicated to kids, as well as an indoor play area, a parent’s lounge and specialized instruction for the mountain’s youngest visitors. The mountain’s Family Ski Zone offers visitors a place to ski at a slower pace than other runs, allowing beginning skiers and boarders a place to develop confidence and skills before hitting the open trails.

Alpine Meadows partners with over 150 lodging partners in the Tahoe and Reno area in order to offer unbeatable ski and stay packages that allow visitors to choose from participating lodges, inns, hotels and motels. Packages at the Hilton, for instance start at just $240, while the Granlibakken Resort and Conference Center offers hotel-style rooms, studios, suites and townhouses starting at just $109. Customized packages are also available.

Alpine Meadow’s typical season runs from mid-November to late May, weather and snow conditions permitting. Ticket prices range from daily rates of $58 for an adult to $63 during holiday dates. For skiers and snowboarders planning more than one day of skiing, the Resort offers multi-day passes to save visitors money.

Diamond Peak
North Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Diamond Peak’s focus on intermediate trails and its breathtaking scenery set it apart from other Tahoe resorts. Its elevation tops out at an awe-inspiring 8,540 feet and it boasts over 650 acres of skiable terrain. The mountains have 30 named trails, plus open bowls and tree skiing areas. The longest run is approximately 2.5 miles. Diamond Peak’s gentle slopes and high proportion of beginner and intermediate trails makes for the perfect location for new skiers and snowboarders to perfect their skills. The resort offers several packages that include multiple lessons for guests to take advantage of; and expert skiers aren’t left out of the loop. Private and group lessons are available for those skiers and snowboarders looking to brush up on their technique and ski/board with some of the best instructors in the industry. The Resort has kept up with industry leaders by replacing its 30-year-old lifts with high-speed quads chairs; upgrading its snowmaking machines; and renovating its buildings and lodges. After a full day of skiing or snowboarding, guests take in the panoramic view of the Sierras at the recently remodeled Snowflake mid-mountain lodge.

Similar to other resorts in the area, Diamond Peak partners with area properties to offer great savings on Ski & Stay packages that meet every budget. These range from $65 to $1,500 per person per night. Popular locations include Parkside Inn at Incline Village, one of the closest hotels to Diamond Peak, and Goldfish Properties at Incline Village, a resort that offers lakeview rooms and discounted lift tickets.

Lift tickets for adults are $48. Diamond Peak offers money-saving values with the Family & Friends Lift Ticket Packages and the Mini Pass, an alternative to a full-season pass.

Kirkwood
South Lake Tahoe, California

Avid skiers and the top ski magazine in the industry can’t be wrong. Ski Magazine ranked Kirkwood the 8th best resort for snow quality among all North American resorts and put the resort on the cover of the October 2007 issue. With over 2,300 skiable acres, half of which are intermediate runs, skiers and snowboarders of all levels will feel welcome and challenged. Twelve lifts whisk guests up the mountain’s elevation of 9,800 feet and over 65 groomed run lead skiers and snowboarders back down the mountain. Private and group lessons are available for children and adults, as well as guided adventure tours that introduce guests to the mountain’s more untamed areas. One of the resort’s more unique offerings is its three-and four-day ski training courses through the North American Ski Training Center. These courses combine ski instruction with backcountry skills.

A number of lodging options are available in the Kirkwood Valley, including Meadowstone Lodge, The Lodge at Kirkwood, Lost Cabin, Snowcrest Lodge, Base Camp, The Meadows and many, many more. All offer a variety of rooms and suites to meet every budget. Dining options also abound at Kirkwood; guests enjoy everything from a quick and affordable lunch at Red Cliffs Lodge to fine dining at Off the Wall Bar & Grill in The Lodge at Kirkwood.

For non-skiers, Kirkwood offers an array of activities including ice skating, tubing, snowshoeing, dog sled rides, ice fishing and snowmobile tours, just to name a few. Families interested in child care programs need look no further than Kirkwood’s Mini Mountain, a fully licensed child care center with professional supervision and indoor and outdoor activities. Another option is Children’s Ski & Snowboard School, a program that combines fun with skill development in a dedicated terrain park with its own lift. With every amenity and luxury you would expect from a world-class ski resort, Kirkwood is truly a self-contained paradise.

Top Ski Resorts for Beginners

admin — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:32:49 +0000

Ski Resorts for Beginners

Breckenridge

Breckenridge’s Peak Nine training area is one of the best in Colorado for novices and those with intermediate skiing skills. The very smooth, dry snow makes perfecting parallel turns easy, and the high-speed quad chair life means more time to practice and less time traveling. Breckenridge also provides challenging ski slopes for advanced skiers. Many local hotels provide ski-in and ski-out access to Breckenridge’s trails.

Buttermilk

Buttermilk took top honors last year in SKI Magazine’s ranking of ski schools nationwide. Buttermilk is part of the Aspen ski resort network, and is ranked second (after Snowmass) as the nation’s best ski destination for families. Classes are small, and the 200 instructors offer personalized instruction designed to get novices on the slopes quickly and safely. All 43 runs are easy enough for beginners, and once you get out of the glut of beginners at the bottom of the slopes, the well-kept trails offer scenic beauty and excellent skiing.

Copper Mountain

Copper Mountain is a perennial favorite, also located in Colorado, and offers some of the lowest-priced packages to be had in the Rockies. Long, wide novice trails occupy the west portion of the resort, and progressively more difficult skiing can be found in the eastern half. Located near Vail, Copper Mountain shares the high country’s superb snow conditions and provides adequate if not spectacular lift access.

Crested Butte

Crested Butte Another superb Colorado beginner’s venue, features long, smooth, well-groomed runs on which to practice parallel turns and other skiing techniques. Crested Butte, recently the host of the U.S. Extreme Skiing Championship, offers advanced skiing and 150 acres of novice terrain. You can find discount accommodations and even free skiing at specified times. A popular resort for skiing holidays.

Deer Valley

Deer Valley Utah is another location that features smooth, well-groomed, open ski slopes and runs that offer beginners a lot of choice without pushing them past their limits. First-time skiers will delight in Wild West, a beginner’s-only area, free from the unexpected assaults of hot-dog professionals. Deer Valley reportedly offers the best food and customer service in the Rockies.

Mount Snow Vermont

Mount Snow Vermont is reportedly the best Eastern venue for skiers who want to move up from novice to professional skill level. With a wide choice of rapid lifts on its gentler trails, Mount Snow clearly values the beginning skier, and the excellent cruising runs will keep more advanced skiers happy as well

Northstar-at-Tahoe

Northstar-at-Tahoe California offers a wide range of ski slopes for the novice and intermediate skier. The terrain is primarily intermediate, and the lower runs are as good as any in the West. For novices who still fear lifts, Tahoe offers a conveyor belt modeled after airport conveyors, called the Magic Carpet, that will whisk them up the slopes without causing a panic attack. Tahoe also has slopes for more advanced skiers.

Park City Utah

Park City Utah is large enough to offer an opportunity to all levels of skiers, from the first-timer to the advanced. The 3,100 feet of vertical drop makes it seem like an advanced skier’s resort; the large network of open intermediate runs provides a venue for the intermediate skier, and the addition of several new lifts make even the central runs accessible to beginners. Other good beginner’s resorts include Snowmass, in Colorado, which features a Treehouse Kid’s Adventure Center and the Elk Camp Meadows training center. Or visit Steamboat, high in the Colorado Rockies, famed for its welcoming, down-home atmosphere and 164 trails which cater to everything from the novice to the professional. For Vermonters, Timberline features 1,000 vertical feet of runs and one long beginner’s trail. Upper Midwesterners can ski Welch or Afton, in Minnesota. Afton is reported as less pricey, but Welch offers better beginner’s slopes. The lifts at Welch are a little slow and cranky, but the slopes are groomed more often.