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Skiing requires a lot space for skiers to get enough momentum to have fun. Despite that, several indoor indoor ski parks have been constructed throughout the world. The largest might be Holland, with 35,000 square meters of artificial snow that produces no ice. The snow actually is created within the resort, with snow guns spraying atomized liquid water into the air, where particles of hard ice mix with the water. This mixture forms into snow crystals that fall as snow. Other indoor ski parks rely on snow-like material, such as Perma-snow and Snowflex.
Sometimes while snowshoeing, the fastest way down is it have a seat. Glissading is a fast, controlled descent technique in which the mountaineer usually sits on his buttocks and slides down a slope. According to writer Jenn Fields in "Backpacker Magazine," not only is glissading faster than walking, it is "more fun." Though glissading sounds simple, it can be dangerous without using proper techniques.
Make your ski trip a fun and relaxing experience by packing everything you will need for your getaway. From ski equipment to off-the-slopes entertainment, create a checklist to ensure you don't leave important items behind. If you are unsure of what you will need for your ski trip, contact the ski resort: Many offer packing checklists for guests.
Utah's western borders are within 700 miles of the Pacific Ocean, the closest ocean to the western landlocked state. The Pacific Ocean is the world's largest ocean, accounting for half of the world's water surface. Larger than all of the planet's earth masses combined, the Pacific was the last ocean discovered by Europeans. In short, the Pacific Ocean's enormity makes it one of the most interesting of the world's oceans.
The Poconos are a mountain region located in northeastern Pennsylvania that are a popular resort and vacation area for tourists. There are year-round activities in the Poconos, such as mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, fishing and kayaking. In the winter months, the area is a haven for skiers and also offers other winter sports such as tubing, ice-fishing, sledding and ice-skating. There are many resorts nestled in the mountains of the Poconos that offer a multitude of skiing packages.
With over 22 million acres of national monuments, parks, trails, forests, wildlife refuges and recreational areas, Colorado is one of the world's premier outdoor destinations. Yet Colorado is also home to bustling modern cities, rustic small towns, world-class festivals and award-winning locally crafted beers and wine. From scenic drives to dinosaur museums, Colorado has something for everyone.
Colorado is a mix of old and new. Visitors can step back into history to explore remote mining towns nestled among majestic mountains or roam historic Pueblo settlements. The state's cities also feature modern architectural wonders and bustling downtown cores with a range of shopping and dining options. Colorado's state and national parks have recreational opportunities to suit all interests, including fishing, boating, all-terrain vehicle trails, and backcountry hiking and camping.
The Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania are home to eight family-friendly ski and snowboard resorts with a combined total of more than 160 downhill slopes, 15 terrain parks and 60 lifts. Some also have snow tubing, toboggan runs, ice skating, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and other winter activities. With so much to offer, the Poconos are a great place to get away for a family Christmas ski vacation.
Family friendly is important at ski resorts, who know that the key to success, and return trips, is keeping kids happy. Family ski trips can start when kids are as young as 6 weeks; many ski resorts have day care programs. But if you want your kids on skis, you usually have to wait until they are 2.5 years old. Full and half day programs get kids playing in snow, comfortable on skis and trying the bunny hill. and with the right preparation, your child will be eager to return.
Located in the central-eastern part of Canada, Ontario is the most populous province in the country with a population of more than 13 million citizens, as of 2010. The northern Ontario section features a number of resorts that are located near bodies of water, including Lake Nipissing, Lake Huron and the French River. Bodies of water make up one-sixth of the province.
Keystone, Colorado offers a variety of activities in to visitors during both the winter and summertime. It houses a variety of resorts and condominiums conveniently located near the slopes. Sports fans can engage in a vast array of sports from skiing to tubing in the winter and golfing and hiking in the summer.
Lake Tahoe is a year-round getaway for outdoor adventure and relaxation. Lake Tahoe boasts boating, hiking, biking and camping around the lake that shares borders with Nevada and California; there are seven ski resorts within the lake's vicinity. Lake Tahoe ski resorts are perfect for the seasoned skier or a beginner who has never been on skis; a number of ski resorts offer beginner ski lessons for kids and adults alike.
Breckinridge County is found in the north central region of Kentucky. It is the sixth largest county in the state. Located in the county are Rough River Lake and Rough River Dam State Resort Park, which make Breckinridge County a popular destination for outdoor activities, festivals and other events. With over 60 cities in the county, some of which have multiple restaurants, there are many options from which to choose when it comes to dining in Breckinridge County.
Many ski thefts occur because you inadvertently make it easy for the thief. You can secure your equipment by purchasing a good lock that effectively protects your skis. Some people separate the skis on the rack as a preventive measure. But thieves often grab quickly without noticing that the skis do not match until much later. Never leave your skis unattended.
Cataldo is a small town straddling Idaho's Shoshone and Kootenai counties. It was founded in 1860s and is located close to skiing, hiking and mountain biking. Cataldo does not have any hotels; however, several locally-owned hotels are located within a 30-minute drive from town. Travel west of Cataldo to the lakeside city of Coeur d'Alene or east to Kellogg or Wallace -- all of which offer lodging options located close to area attractions.
Keystone Resort is nestled at the largest mountain in Summit County, Colorado. The resort is open year-round offering myriad winter and summer recreational activities including skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, mountain biking, swimming and golf. Keystone offers lodging options for every budget and needs with more than 1,200 lodging accommodations to choose from.
The city of South Lake Tahoe is a popular vacation destination for people who are visiting Lake Tahoe. It is in northern California on the border of Nevada, and is close to Reno, Nevada, and Sacramento, California. The lake is known for recreational activities such as canoeing, fishing and sailing. If you are visiting the area for vacation, you can rent plenty of vacation homes in South Lake Tahoe.
Alta, Wyoming is located in Teton County. The area offers a variety of outdoor activities throughout the changing seasons. Popular activities in the area are skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, fishing, horseback riding and site-seeing. The featured attractions in the area include Grand Targhee Ski Resort, Targhee National Forest and Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Star, Idaho, is a small town located about 20 miles to the west of Boise. The name Star comes from the star that was hung on the door of the first schoolhouse. As of 2010 the population of Star was about 5,500. Star does not have any hotels located directly within city limits. Hotels can be found in the nearby cities of Nampa, Meridian, Boise, Eagle and Caldwell.
Barre, Massachusetts, is a small colonial town founded in 1774 after a member of the British Parliament who opposed the taxation of America. Some attractions found in Barre include the Barre Players Theater and the Rockwerx Mobile Climbing Walls. The town has only two Inns, but visitors can find other accommodations 20 miles or less away.
Colorado is known for its mountain activities: skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledding and hiking. However, the state offers a variety of cultural activities in its cosmopolitan areas as well. From art and music to shopping and exploring, Colorado has an activity for everyone. While accommodations are available in many styles, the famous hotels in Colorado balance historical elegance with the comfort of modern amenities.
Located north of Little Traverse Bay, Nub's Nob is close to Petoskey and Harbor Springs, Michigan. This ski report is known as the home of "The Midwest's Best Snow" with 53 ski slopes and trails for all abilities of skiers and snowboarders on three separate slopes. A beginner chairlift and nine other chairlifts allow access to nearly 250 acres of slopes and trails that traverse the northern Michigan hardwoods.
Whether you take a walking tour of the historic district, window shop along Main Street, dine in a fine restaurant or ski on world-class trails, Breckenridge offers a variety of attractions to suit every traveler. While the skiing at Breckenridge is one of its most well-known attractions, the town is also noted for its Victorian charm, sleigh riding, dog sledding, hiking, sailing, horseback riding and whitewater rafting. No matter what time of year you visit, Breckenridge offers a wide selection of hotels from which to choose.
Eldora is a small town in the central portion of Iowa. Eldora is right next to the Iowa River and home to Pine Lake State Park for a day of boating, swimming and fishing. If you're not making camp for the night at Pine Lake, Eldora, the surrounding area offers a variety of motels and other lodging options.
Priest Lake, Idaho, located in northern Idaho's Panhandle region, is a lake and mountain resort destination that boasts a slew of year-round outdoor activities including snowmobiling, hiking, rock climbing and fishing. While you won't find many properties that call themselves "boutique hotels" in this rugged, woodsy resort area, you will find plenty that offer key characteristics like rustic but thoughtful decor; small, intimate atmosphere; and plenty of pampering and activities to last your whole vacation.
Haxtun, Colorado, is a small town located in the far northeastern corner of the state, between Sterling and Holyoke. Haxtun gives visitors a sense of the hospitality of the old West. The area is also home to an old-fashioned Christmas each November, featuring a supper, carolers and Santa escorted by an antique fire truck. A car show is also held each July.
About 50 miles east of Seattle, the Alpental ski slope in Washington offers 302 acres of ski terrain and a vast 523 acres of backcountry. With 444 inches of average annual snowfall and 75 percent advanced trails, Alpental is known for deep powder and technical terrain. Although hotels convenient to the mountain are sparse, other types of accommodations can be found around Alpental and nearby Snoqualmie Pass.
Located in southeastern Vermont, Cavendish is a small village of only 1,500 people, but one that is popular with tourists and vacationers. Surrounded by state forests and with Mount Okemo less than five minutes away, Cavendish offers endless opportunities for skiing, hiking, horseback riding and other sports, set in an area of natural beauty. Though not a large town, Cavendish and neighboring Ludlow are home to a number of hotels for a variety of tastes, offering both historic New England inns and modern resort properties.
Lyndonville is a small village of 1,200 residents in the Town of Lyndon, Vermont. The area, known as the Northeast Kingdom, is home to Lyndon State College and a community fair that has been held since the 1930s. It's also known for scenic sights like covered bridges, skiing, eco-tourism and mountainous terrain. Northeast Kingdom visitors have a number of lodging options in the Lyndonville and surrounding Lyndon and East Burke areas, all of which are within about 10 miles from Burke Mountain Ski Resort, 45 minutes from the U.S.-Canada border and three hours from Boston. Other area attractions include the…
The Seven Springs Recreation Area in Tonto National Forest offers a variety of year-round outdoor recreational opportunities near Phoenix, Arizona. Local residents flock to the area, at an elevation of 3,300 feet, to enjoy relief from the lower valley's intense summer heat with a dip in Cave Creek or by lounging beneath the area's giant sycamore and cottonwood trees. The recreation area is located near the community of Carefree, where you can pick up last-minute supplies and refill your fuel tank.
Lasting from the end of December until the end of March, winter in the Northern Hemisphere is often filled with blistering cold. Fortunately, a few U.S. destinations, as well as other international locations, have warmer temperatures suitable for winter travel at Christmas.
Jackson, New Hampshire, is in the White Mountains. During winter, the town's activities center around the local ski slopes and snowshoe trails. Summertime offers hiking and whitewater rafting. Jackson is also home to the theme parks Storyland and the Polar Express.
Guests to Brundage Mountain in Idaho can find hotels in nearby McCall. The city is 10 miles from the mountain and on the edge of Payette National Forest. Transportation options are limited with only a private van company offering rides for a fee. If possible, consider driving your own vehicle to take advantage of all the area has to offer.
First settled in the 1780s, Barre, Vermont, a rural town just off Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway (Interstate 89) and 30 minutes from Groton State Forest. Local attractions include Rock of Ages granite quarry and visitors center, Vermont Granite Museum, Barre Opera House and Barre Country Club. Many hotels serve a traditional New England breakfast, which consists of blueberry pancakes with fresh maple syrup.
Moosehead Lake, Maine, is a popular vacation destination in both the winter and summer. Winter visitors can go ice fishing, cross county skiing or snowmobiling through the forest or on the frozen, 40-mile-long lake. In warmer months, recreational opportunities include whitewater rafting, canoeing, biking, hiking and horseback riding. If your interests lie more in town, you can browse the antique shops, art galleries and museum in the town of Greenville.
The Smokey Mountains create a natural border between North Carolina and Tennessee and offer a long list of attractions. Cities within the area include Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Take the time to enjoy Gatlinburg's Trolley route which stops at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, Wonder Works and the Aerial Tram and visit Pigeon Forge's Dollywood Theme park.
Along with Alaska, Colorado is a popular destination for ice-sculpture festivals. It's also a more economical destination if you live in the continental United States. Some ice festivals in Colorado have been around for 20 years, while others have only started in the last two or three years. If you've already thought about traveling to Colorado for skiing, hiking and mountain climbing, there may be an ice festival that is conveniently located near your destination and would be well worth checking out.
Although it is an unincorporated town with a population of less than 100 persons, Idalia is a wonderful vacation spot for families. Bonny Lake State Park has a 1,900-acre lake that offers swimming and sunbathing, cattail marshes entice many bird lovers, a river-fed reservoir is stocked full of fish and the surrounding prairies are available for hiking, camping and hunting. The town has only one motel, but additional lodging can be found 35 to 55 miles away.
Eldora, Colorado, is located within the Roosevelt National Forest and is home to 170 residents, according to the 2000 Census. The small community has one hotel and is about 10 minutes from the Eldora Mountain Resort, a ski resort with 53 runs. Visitors to the area can stay at a wide array of accommodation options in Boulder, which is 30 minutes away. Closer to Eldora, loding is also available in the nearby town of Nederland and along the Peak to Peak Highway.
Winona Lake is a lake and town in Northern Indiana, approximately halfway between Fort Wayne and Sound Bend. In addition to the recreational opportunities on the lake, the immediate area features many shopping and dining options at the Village at Winona. One hotel is located in Winona Lake. Plenty more hotel options can be found a few miles to the north in Warsaw.
Monarch, Colorado is an unincorporated town near Monarch Pass in Chaffee County. Although it is unincorporated, it has a U.S. Post Office and its own zip code. Chaffee County had a population of 17,156 in 2009, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The small town of Monarch is close to ski resorts in the area. There is a host of year-round outdoor activities in and around the small town of Monarch, including fishing, rafting, horseback riding, skiing and snowmobiling. There are also a number of lodging accommodations in the area.
Southern Colorado is home to ski resorts, steep mountains, vast wilderness, ranches and wide open spaces. Airports provide service for visitors coming to enjoy Colorado's tourist destinations, residents traveling around and out of state, special districts and utility companies, and private aircraft owners who enjoy Colorado's rural lifetsyle. Some airports are owned and used by federal government agencies, including the United States Air Force, Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. Much of southern Colorado is rural, and airports serve as transportation hubs for the public, emergency and rescue operations, military operations and training, flight training and special events.
With its expansive mountain resorts, beautiful recreation areas and ample entertainment opportunities, you don't have to dream very long to come up with at least one ideal Colorado family vacation. If you're planning a trip there with the kids, any season will do; the state has plenty of offerings for cold and warm weather travel.
Palmdale, Florida, is located in Southwest Florida, north of the Everglades, and is a family-friendly vacation destination. Visitors can enjoy spending warm days outdoors, paddling the cypress swamps, canoeing narrow streams and hiking in the forests. Less adventurous travelers can shop-til-they-drop, hit a round of golf or watch an indoor sporting event.
With 19 alpine areas to choose from, there's skiing abound during the winter months in Vermont. Among the hills lay thousands of miles of tracked and untracked Nordic skiing. You'll find many ski hotel lodging choices in Vermont varying from the budget-conscience traveler to pure winter wonderland luxury.
Alta, Iowa, is a community of around 2,000 people (as of 2003) located in the northwest corner of Iowa, and part of the greater Storm Lake metropolitan area. While Alta does not feature any lodging of its own, nearby Storm Lake is home to four hotels, which range from budget to resort.
The waters surrounding the Bonita Springs area are filled with wildlife, surrounded by luscious landscapes and historical sites offering plenty of tour opportunities. Local companies offer tours with complete narration of the area's history, wildlife and scenery by trained tour guides and drivers. Spend half a day or a full day exploring the waterways aboard an Eco-tour, dinner cruise or fishing excursion.
Colorado is an ideal destination for a ski trip with its high elevation and long winter season, which allows skiing from late October through late April or early May. Visitors planning a cheap ski trip will find a wealth of ski areas and accommodations, ranging from small private properties, to large resorts including many offering budget-friendly packages.
The Poconos is the mid-Atlantic region's premiere ski destination. Since welcoming its first skiers in 1946, local ski operators have turned skiing into an industry all its own, thanks to their innovations in snow-making that have allowed Pocono resorts to open for the season around Thanksgiving and stay open until mid-to-late March, and sometimes even into April. With seven ski resorts boasting more than 185 trails, Pocono Mountains skiing has something for everyone. The key to organizing a successful ski trip to the Poconos is choosing the resort and accommodations that best suit your budget and your interests, on and…
Waitsfield, Vermont, is a small ski town 30 minutes from the capital city of Montpelier. This town is near the slopes at Sugarbush and Mad River Glen ski resorts.