Wintergreen Resort Ski Vacation

Wintergreen Resort Ski Vacation

Known as the single best ski resort in the South,

Wintergreen Resort in Virginia has quite a bit to offer

skiers. Featuring 11,000 acres with 19 trails,

Wintergreen has a top elevation of 3516 feet, with a

1003 foot vertical drop. Beginners, intermediates,

and experts will all find suitable trails at Wintergreen

Resort.

To accommodate skiers, there are six lifts, including

five chair lifts and one surface lift. There is also a

dedicated terrain park for snowboarding. The resort

is located near Charlottesville, Virginia, and you will

experience breathtaking views of the Appalachian

Mountains, and be surrounded by luxury that most

people only dream of. There is also a world class

golf course located near the resort.

Other activities include tubing, snowmobiling, tennis,

hiking, and horseback riding. The Out of Bounds

Adventure Center is a very popular attraction at the

resort with rock climbing and bungee trampolines.

The Outdoor Wilderness Leadership school offers

corporate retreats, real rock climbing, rappelling,

and mountain biking.

This is an ideal spot for a family vacation. You and

your children can participate in a variety of craft

workshops, enjoy campfires and storytelling, go on

hay rides, and enjoy many more community events

that are scheduled throughout the year. There are

many planned activities for families, including winter

hiking, skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and swimming

in a cozy indoor pool.

While vacationing at Wintergreen Resort, make time

to see the civil war history attractions, and visit the

local wineries as well. Also take time to enjoy the

Wintergreen Spa. At the spa, you can be pampered

with massages, body wraps, skin treatments, and

nail care. You can also visit the Mountaintop

Aquatic and Fitness Center which features the

latest in cardiovascular equipment, strength

equipment, heated pools, hot tubs, steam rooms,

and saunas.

The Wintergreen Performing Arts has many musical

performances throughout the year that are sure to

delight you and your family. If you are less interested

in culture, and more interested in nature, the

Wintergreen Nature Foundation is for you. This

foundation promotes the understanding and

conservation of natural resources that the Blue Ridge

Mountains are famous for.

No matter what your interests are, if getting away

from the hustle and bustle of city life is what you

want, this is the number one spot in the South for

fun, relaxation, and rejuvenation. The Wintergreen

Resort is open all year long, with activities that are

suitable for every season.

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The Great Aspen Resort Ski Vacations

The Great Aspen Resort Ski Vacations

When you think of all the ski resorts in the world one

of them stands out inyour mind. Aspen offers a

variety of ski areas for all levels and it covers

4,500 acres or more spread over four mountains.

This resort is known for itsnightlife because of the

downtown area and the quieter Snowmass resort area

has something to offer everyone.

Aspen provides all the restaurants and bars you

could ever want or need You can take a stroll

through this luxurious city and find many boutiques

and much more. There is a lot of history in many of

the buildings that are in the downtown area. One of

these buildings is the Ute bank; this building can be

dated back to the silver area around the 1800’s.

With everything that there is to do in Aspen you

shouldn’t find yourself getting bored. Aspen is

located in Colorado, and with the various mountain

ranges, you are sure to find slopes that are suitable

for your level. Snowmass is one of the most popular

resorts in the world, so be sure to make reservations

well in advance.

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Tennessee Ski Vacations

Tennessee Ski Vacations

Located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Ober

Gatlinburg is the only ski resort in the state. It is

more than just a ski resort, however. It is a complete

family vacation spot with an amusement park, indoor

ice skating, a bungee tower, an alpine slide, and

many other activities and attractions – there is

something to please everyone.

With an elevation of 3301 feet, and a vertical drop of

600 feet, Ober Gatlinburg features eight trails: two

beginner trails, four intermediate trails, and two

advanced trails. There are three lifts, including two

quad lifts, one double lift, and one surface lift. The

season runs from the middle of December through

early March, and night skiing is allowed on all trails

except the Grizzly trail.

Rentals are available for both ski equipment and

snowboarding equipment. Private and group lessons

for skiing and snowboarding are also available

through the Smokey Mountain Snow Sport School.

You can also easily find food at the many snack

bars, food carts, the café, the restaurant, or in the

lounge.

You must not miss the longest chair lift ride in the

south! You will see awesome views of the Great

Smoky Mountains. You will also get a bird’s eye

view of some of the slopes, and you can have your

picture taken on top of the mountain. If you don’t

ski, don’t worry! You can ride back down the

mountain on the chair lift as well. Don’t forget the

Tramway. The tramway departs from downtown

Gatlinburg and takes you to the ski resort and the

amusement park.

Even if you don’t ski, you can still explore the thrill

of flying down a mountain at a high speed – or a

slow speed if you choose. This is possible with the

Alpine Slide. The slide is approximately 1800 feet

long, and takes you down a winding wooded slope.

You have total control over your speed with the

use of a braking device on each sled. Other

attractions at the amusement park include the

Black Bear Habitat, a bungee jump, a water race,

go karts, indoor ice skating, kiddie land, an arcade,

miniature golf, a Spider Web Velcro Wall Jump,

water rides, and a shooting range.

No matter what type of fun or adventure you are

seeking, there is something to satisfy everyone in

the family at Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and

Amusement Park. This is definitely a trip worth taking

– especially if you have younger kids or senior

citizens traveling with you.

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Tahoe Ski Vacations

Tahoe Ski Vacations

If you are planning a ski vacation and there are

beginners in your group, or you are a beginner

yourself, you should definitely consider Tahoe

Donner in Truckee, California for your ski vacation.

Since 1971, when construction first began at Tahoe

Donner, the area has come to be known as a world

class cross country ski center, but beginners are

still welcome, and this is one of the better places to

learn how to ski.

Located near Tahoe and Truckee, Tahoe Donner

provides a family atmosphere, and is very affordable.

It features a 601 foot vertical drop, and the highest

elevation is 7353 feet. There are approximately 120

acres for skiers to enjoy, with over 13 trails for

beginners, intermediate skiers, and expert skiers.

The resort features four lifts, with two of the list

being surface lifts, and two being chair lifts.

Snowboarders are also welcome at Tahoe Donner.

The resort has reasonable lift ticket rates, and there

are rentals available. Here, you will also find a variety

of ski programs and a ski school. After a full day of

skiing, be sure to visit the Lodge Restaurant for a

wonderful and relaxing dining experience.

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Ski Vacations with Ski Clubs

Ski Vacations with Ski Clubs

There are many different types of clubs throughout

the world. In fact, there is a club or organization for

just about everything that you can imagine! Skiing is

no exception. Ski clubs are a great way to learn new

things, and to go on ski vacations with other

members. In fact, ski club members often get

discounted rates on ski vacation packages.

No matter where you live, there is a ski club near

you. This is true even if you live in a place that does

not ever get snowfall! These clubs regularly get

together for trips to various mountains, ski areas,

and ski resorts. Some are local clubs, meaning that

the slopes that they ski on are within driving

distance, while others are more national or global,

which means that they not only ski locally, if

possible, but they also plan ski trips.

Again, members of ski clubs often receive deep

discounts on ski vacation packages. Arrangements

are usually made through the club, so that everyone

is eligible for the discounts. The money that is

required from each member for the trip is usually

paid to the club, and the club passes the funds on

to pay for lodging, airfare, meals, lift tickets, and

other perks that are included in the trip. Because

arrangements are being made for a group of people

– which is usually fairly large – discounts are given.

This benefits all members of the club.

The discounts aren’t the only thing to be excited

about. These clubs get together regularly – even if

they aren’t getting together to ski. They join together

for other activities as well, such as cookouts and

fundraisers. Many ski clubs do annual fundraisers to

help less fortunate families and children at Christmas

time. Others do annual fundraisers to help preserve

the environment – which is usually a topic of great

importance to skiers who love being out in the wide

open spaces and fresh air.

While skiing is what brings these groups together in

the first place, it is not necessarily what keeps them

together. Their love of a common sport, and their

common interests and feeling of community is what

keeps them together – and it keeps them skiing

together for years and years. If you are a skier, you

should definitely consider joining a club. It doesn’t

matter – in most cases – what level you are at.

Beginners are usually welcomed, and this is a great

way for beginners to quickly improve their skills and

techniques out on the slopes.

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Ski Vacations – What To Pack

Ski Vacations – What To Pack

If you will be traveling for a ski vacation, it is often

difficult to know what to pack. You may not even

have a problem knowing what to pack, but instead

have a problem figuring how to get everything that

you need from your home to your destination. Skis

do not easily fit into suitcases, and if you are flying,

this presents a huge problem.

Start by knowing what is available at your destination.

Is there a rental shop? How much are the rental fees

for skis, boots, and poles. If it is reasonable, and you

don’t mind skiing with rented equipment, this is a

viable option – and it makes packing and traveling

much easier.

If you don’t care for rented equipment, there is

another option. Find out if there are any ski shops in

the area. There usually are. Get prices on skis, poles,

and boots, and then ask if they buy used equipment.

If they don’t, ask if there is anyone near by that does

purchase used equipment. Call that place to get an

estimate on how much you could get for barely

used ski equipment. Figure the difference in the

money you will spend on the ski equipment, and the

money you will get for the used equipment when you

are finished with it. If it isn’t much more than what it

would cost you to rent the equipment, go for it!

Ski suits, ski jackets, and sweaters can be very

bulky, and hard to pack. These items will take up a

lot of room in your suitcase, and leave less room for

other clothing and essentials. If you are trying to

pack for a two week ski vacation, it will be impossible

to fit everything you need into one suitcase.

There is a way to solve this. Call the lodge or resort

where you will be staying. Tell them that you need

to ship a package, for yourself, to them, and that

you need that package to be there when you arrive.

Ask them if they will hold it for you at the desk. In

most cases, they will. Next, get a box, put all of

your ski suits, your ski jacket, and any other

bulky items in the box, and ship it to yourself, in

care of the lodge or resort. Shipping can be

overnight, two day, or three day depending on

how far it must travel. Depending on how much

the box weighs, you will usually pay less than

fifty dollars to ship a package in the continental

United States….which is a lot less than you

would pay an airline for extra baggage!

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Ski Vacations on a Budget

Ski Vacations on a Budget

When you start thinking about ski vacations, you will

find a lot of information about various resorts and

packages. Finding terrific vacation spots isn't difficult,

however, finding ski vacations that fit into your budget

can be a challenge.

To save money, look for lesser known resorts. This

doesn’t mean that these resorts won’t provide you

with a fun vacation – it simply means that they aren’t

quite as well known as other resorts, and therefore,

the prices may be a great cheaper. Also look for ski

vacation packages that will include your lodging, lift

tickets, lessons, rentals, and possibly even some

meals.

Be willing to make some sacrifices if money is a real

issue. For instance, instead of eating in an expensive

restaurant each night, eat cheaper fast food, or make

sandwiches in your room. Borrow equipment from

friends instead of renting it. Join a group for lessons

instead of taking private lessons. Don’t stay at a

lodge, stay at a motel farther away from the slopes

if necessary. There are numerous ways that you can

cut down on the expense of your ski trip. It is all about

the powder after all!

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Ski Vacations – Learning How To Ski

Ski Vacations – Learning How To Ski

If your family wants to go skiing on your next

vacation, but you don’t know how to ski, go ahead

and plan that ski vacation anyway! You can learn

how to ski, and you will have a great time doing it.

You don’t even need to know the first thing about

skiing before you arrive at the resort – all of the

knowledge you will need is there waiting for you,

and you can literally be skiing down a mountain

after an hour of instruction.

Learning to ski is really quite easy. Most resorts

have a ski school on the premises, and lessons are

reasonably priced. Group and private lessons are

usually available. It is a good idea, however, to

schedule an appointment before you arrive at the

resort. This will ensure that you can start learning

to ski the very first hour of your vacation.

Most ski instructors start by showing you how to

maneuver around with your equipment. When you

are wearing ski boots, you will be inclined slightly

forward – there is a reason for this…when you are

skiing down a mountain, you will be inclined

forward! Walking in ski boots the first time is a bit

difficult – but it works just fine if you learn to walk

with your knees slightly bent.

The first maneuver you will learn is called the plow,

or snow plow. This is a technique that is done by

literally using your skis as a snow plow. You make

the back of the skis slowing move outwards, away

from your body by applying pressure – and this stops

you. You guide yourself on skies by bending your

knees and leaning in one direction or another,

depending on which way you want to go. All of these

techniques can be learned in one hour, even if you

have never been on a pair of skis in your life.

The beauty of skiing is that after you have learned

how to snow plow, and how to guide yourself on the

skis, you are ready to ski! Get on the lift, head up the

mountain, and give it a try. Control your speed by

snow plowing – go slow at first. When you want to

pick up some speed, draw your skis back in to pick

up a little speed, then push them back out into the

plow position to control that speed.

As a beginner, you should stick to the trails that are

designed for beginners. At most resorts, these trails

are marked with a green emblem. Blue trails are for

intermediate skiers, and after one day of skiing the

beginner trails, you may be ready for those trails.

The black trails are for experts. These trails can be

dangerous for people who don’t have the skill level

to handle them! Avoid black trails until you have

had a great deal of ski instruction and experience.

You will know when you are ready!

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Ski Vacations at Solitude Mountain Resort, Utah

Ski Vacations at Solitude Mountain Resort, Utah

If you are looking for the ultimate Utah ski vacation,

Solitude Mountain Resort has everything that you

could want or need. During the early 1900’s, the

area was full of silver miners, who gave the area its

famous name. Today, the area is covered with

skiers – but the crowds are rather light.

The area became a skier’s paradise in 1957. It was

developed by Robert Barrett, who made his fortune

as a uranium miner. He basically started developing

the resort because he was denied restroom privileges

at the ski area in Alta – because he was not a guest.

Now owned by a different family, the resort features

1200 acres of 63 runs for beginners, intermediate

skiers, and experts. There are eight lifts, including

seven chair lifts and one surface lift. The top

elevation at Solitude Mountain is 10036 feet, with

a vertical drop of 2048 feet.

There are five lodging options for guests, and

activities and events take place all throughout the

year. The resort looks like a Tom Kincaide painting,

and one can’t help but wonder if this is where some

of his inspiration came from!

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Red River Ski Vacations

Red River Ski Vacations

Red River, New Mexico is home to one of the most

popular ski resorts in the United States, and has

been for many decades. The resort offers six chair

lifts and one surface lift, and the trails are equally

divided for beginners, intermediates, and experts.

Top elevation at Red River is 10354 feet, and the

vertical drop down the face of the mountain is 1601

feet. Unfortunately, it doesn’t snow much, and about

85% of the powder is man made. There are 58 trails

scattered over 247 acres. Red River is called the ‘ski

town of the Southwest.’

The resort has three restaurants, all of which offer

fabulous fare. Lodging can be obtained in cabins,

chalets, inns, or private condominiums in the area,

and many lodging packages, as well as ski packages

are available through Red River Central Reservations.

Red River also offers snow pass rates which allow

children to ski for free, and teens to ski at reduced

rates. This is a great way to save money on your

family ski vacation.

Red River also has a ski school, and group lessons

and private lessons are available. Even if you’ve never

skied before, you will quickly be on the slopes after

your lessons. There are even lessons for

snowboarders, who are welcome on the Red River

slopes. You can also rent all of your ski and

snowboarding equipment for very reasonable rates.

The nightlife in Red River is also great. After a day

on the slopes, you can kick back and relax at the

lodge, or visit one of the taverns in the area. For the

younger crowd, there is a great game room located

right in the center of the town. One of the great things

about Red River is that everything is within walking

distance of the lodging areas, and shuttles are

provided for transportation to and from the slopes.

You can also enjoy taking scenic chairlift rides,

hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping,

snow-mobiling, and hunting. You can even take one

of the jeep tours to go see the abandoned gold mines

in the area. So, even if you don’t ski, there is still

plenty of fun to be had at Red River Ski Resort.

Childcare is available while you spend your day on

the slopes. Your child will be well tended at the Li’l

Buckaroos Child Care Facility, and the center

provides lunch for your child as well. At Red River,

everything has been thought of and taken care of to

ensure that your ski vacation is as enjoyable as

possible.

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Planning a Family Ski Vacation

Planning a Family Ski Vacation

It’s time to plan the family vacation – and everyone

wants to go skiing. Don’t worry, skiing isn’t as

expensive as you might think, and there are

numerous resorts that cater to families, offering a

variety of packages designed to save you money.

The problem will be choosing the destination.

Most ski resorts have websites. Start the planning

process by accessing these websites to determine

where you and your family might want to go for your

family ski vacation. There are many different things to

look for when choosing a resort. The absolute most

important thing to look for is a ski school if someone

in your family will need instruction. While most

resorts do have ski schools, some don’t.  Don’t

make the mistake of choosing a destination where

one or more of your family members won’t have fun,

simply because they don’t know how to ski.

Next, take a look at the slopes, lifts, and trails. You

want to make sure that the resort has something to

offer everyone in your family. If the resort only caters

to beginners, an expert skier will become quickly

bored. If you have a snowboarder in your group, and

there is no snowboarding park or terrain, that

snowboarder will not be happy. There are resorts

that serve all winter sports – so make sure that your

families interests are covered.

Lodging is the next thing to look at. You want to be

comfortable, so where you will sleep at night matters

a great deal. In most cases, there is a hotel right at

the base of the slopes – but this isn’t necessarily the

best or most affordable place to stay. Find out what

your lodging options are for the area, and choose

the one that is right for your family and your budget.

If you will be staying farther away from the slopes,

make sure that there is transportation to and from

the slopes each day!

Your family will have many more interests that you

will need to search for before deciding on a particular

destination and resort. Some of those interests may

be dog sledding, sleigh rides, snowmobiling,

snowshoeing, or horseback riding. Resorts do offer

these activities, but some don’t – so be sure to ask

about the winter activities, as well as the planned

events during the time that you will be at the resort.

This will help you plan a ski vacation that your family

will enjoy and remember for the rest of their lives.

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Oregon Ski Vacations

Oregon Ski Vacations

Oregon is famous for the ski slopes found around the

state, and if you are planning a ski vacation, you

should definitely consider Timberline Lodge, located

near Mt. Hood in Oregon. There is quite a bit of

history in the area, starting with the lodge that was

built during the Great Depression by a master

craftsman. The Timberline Lodge also has a bit of

more recent history attached to it. Part of the movie,

The Shining, was filmed here. Many of the ‘outside’

shots were done at Timberline Lodge.

The lodge is entirely hand made, and well preserved.

The hand woven draperies and the hand hewn beams

add to the rustic charm and history of the place. The

lodge sits in the middle of 1400 acres consisting of

35 trails. The trails are perfect for beginners,

intermediates, and experts. The top elevation at

Timberline Lodge is 8504 with a vertical drop of 2501.

There are six chair lifts to accommodate skiers.

One of the most unique things about Timberline is

that it is the one place in the United States that offers

year-round snow skiing. Palmer Snowfield is part of

the Timberline Resort, and it is permanently covered

with snow. Beginners are not always allowed on

Palmer snowfield – the conditions are considered

each day when making this determination.

Skiing, snowboarding, hiking, snowshoeing, and

lodge tours are the main attractions at Timberline.

Here, it is all about the powder! Mt. Hood is an active

volcano which is considered to be dormant.

Occasionally, tremors are felt, and steam vents are

often visible. The Cascade Dining Room is open for

breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day, but the hours

do change with the seasons. Other fare can be found

at the Ram’s Head Bar, the Blue Ox bar, the Wy’East

Kitchen Cafeteria, the Market Café, and the Mt. Hood

Brewing Company.

Rental equipment is not available at Timberline. You

must bring your own equipment. However, smaller

items such as gloves and goggles can be purchased

at the lodge, along with some clothing items. There is

a snowboard and ski school on the premises, and

private and group lessons are available.

If the idea of a ‘rustic’ ski vacation appeals to you,

as opposed to trips with accommodations that are a

bit fancier, then Timberline Lodge in Oregon is the

place to be! Again, it is definitely all about the history

and the powder here. However, whether you ski or not,

you must not miss the Magic Mile, which offers a

panoramic view of the Cascade mountains that cannot

be matched!

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