Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts

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Eric Morgan asked:


Lake Tahoe both Nevada and California is world renowned for a great mixture of terrains, scenery, resorts, nightlife, and quality of snow. People from all over the world travel to Tahoe every year to experience skiing, snowboarding, and backcountry skiing and shoeing for themselves… Tahoe boasts that not many are disappointed. With 7 resorts to chose from, casino’s and gambling on the Nevada side, and outlets, shopping and fine dining on the California side, South Lake Tahoe, paired with the beautiful scenery in absolutely every direction, it is pretty hard for any vacationer to loose.

One of the most highly regarded resorts is Heavenly Resort who claims to be “Lake Tahoe’s premier winter playground.” Heavenly is the largest resort in California, but is bordering Nevada and Lake Tahoe making the possibilities for fun threefold. Heavenly boasts the not only the largest vertical drop in California (3,500 feet) but also the owner of Lake Tahoe’s tallest summit (10,067). The mountain, at Heavenly, has 95 different and diverse trails that cover all levels of skiing ability and thrill seeking with access from their 30 lifts, nine of which are high speed. Heavenly is also the proud owner of the West Coast’s most powerful snowmaking system ensuring that there will always be enough snow, no matter what Mother Nature has to say! The resort also offers a wide array of skiing schools, clinics and services to make your day perfect. You can take private or group lessons, clinics specifically geared towards women’s adventure, or a host of classes specifically aimed at problem areas. They also have an on site day care, tours, photo and shuttle services, and an area to check your Skis or Snowboard while you enjoy other parts of the mountain. Heavenly also has great tree runs for snowboarders and has the reputation for being a very boarder friendly resort.

There is not lodging on site at Heavenly, but they have worked hard to make sure that your stay at Lake Tahoe can be the best vacation ever. With this goal in mind, they have worked to develop relationships with Hotels, Motels, Condos and Bed and Breakfasts in the area and have special “Heavenly” rates when you select a “Preferred Property.” Prices range from $49 to $200+ a night depending on number of rooms and dates of stay.

Lift tickets to Heavenly vary in price depending on length and time you will be skiing; however, they offer a discount plans if tickets are purchased online a head of time. Prices begin at $106 for the 2007- 2008 and vary from there, but not exceeding $158 for a 2 day pass during the Christmas season. They also have teen and children lift ticket rates. They also offer lift ticket for longer stays 7 to 10 days.

If looking to enjoy some of the most unique runs and chutes while visiting Lake Tahoe, skiing or snowboarding Heavenly is a must on your to do list!

Ski Heavenly

The NorthStar resort at Tahoe is a unique experience in ski resorts. It has a village full of restaurants, stores, ice rink, as well as the home of a great run for beginners or for pros to warm up on! Along with the Village Run, Northstar has six other attractions to chose from. Mt. Pluto is one of their most family friendly areas. It has many well groomed, moderately pitched runs. For those looking for something just a little harder than Mt Pluto, the Northstar Northwest Territory is perfect. Aimed at intermediate skiers and is ideal for refining your technical skills, training for harder runs, or racing. The Backside is prime skiing for moderate to advanced skiers and offers seven different mile long runs as well as acres of tree skiing. Lookout Mountain is one of Northstar’s local hotspots. Known for its steep inclines and bump runs is a challenge even for experienced skiers. If you are looking for a challenge, this is the place. The Terrain Park is considered one of the “top ten best Terrain parks in North America.” It offers all sizes and skill levels within its 45 rails, boes, 50 jumps and jibs. There is also a 420 foot Super Pipe for snowboarders to enjoy! Another great feature at Northstar at Tahoe is their X-Country and Snowshoeing area. Over 24 miles of are open for snowshoeing, tracking, or skate-skiing in a safe, well groomed environment, away from all the hustle and bustle of the higher paced runs. If you come to Northstar as your first skiing experience, you are in luck they offer many skiing and snowboarding classes for adults, children, and women only classes.

Lift tickets at Northstar vary from $28 to $68 dollars for a single day pass (children/senior to adult). There are discounts for multi day passes and different pricing schedules for holidays.

Northstar also has a great selection of lodging from the Northstar Village rooms, to Northstar Condos, to Northstar Mountain Homes, and the new Northstar Village Condo’s that vary in price and number of rooms from 1 room lofts for $139 a night to deluxe housing packages with 6 rooms, 4 bathrooms for $1800 a night. All in all, Northstar at Tahoe is centered around having everything a family needs for a great ski vacation.

Mt. Rose ski resort boasts Tahoe’s highest elevation point at 8,260 feet and being the closest to Reno, Nevada, the nearest airport to Lake Tahoe. Mt. Rose offers 1,200 acres of powder and the new Chutes has added over 200 acres of steep, 1500 feet of vertical drop at 40-55 degrees, for the experienced skiers enjoyment. There are four gates, or entrances to the Chutes that can be accessed by the normal Zephyr lift chair, or by the express Chuter Chair. Mt. Rose also has a well rounded array of skiing options, with over 60 runs, beginner and intermediate runs as well as advanced and expert runs. The longest run is two and half miles long.

Offering day and half day lift tickets from $68 to $42, Mt. Rose is an inexpensive option for those that may be in Reno or Tahoe for other reasons and just have a day to ski.

There are not lodging accommodations located on Mt. Rose, but the short half hour drive to Reno make the options of lodging, gambling, night clubs, and entertainment when you are not on the slopes very diverse and accessible. Room rates and vacation packages are usually less expensive in Reno than in Lake Tahoe, Mt. Rose gives the budget conscious vacationer a great option!

Kirkwood Resort

Kirkwood Resort offers the intermediate skier the most options on the more than 65 trails, over 50%. They also offer beginning, advanced and expert choices on their 2,300 acres of skiable terrain. One of the most distinctive things about the Kirwood Resort is the many unique and interesting classes and tours. They have a backcountry guided tour, a snowboarding tour, several different skiing tours, as well as classes and clinics for skiers and boarders of all ages. They have safety clinics and take avalanche safety and teaching skiers about it very seriously. They also offer several different types of their Kirkwood: Expeditions series with such tours as the Powder Cat tour or an avalanche tour. They also offer Kirkwood: Expedition tours geared to children and teens, giving them a supervised, educational activity to participate in while their parents are enjoying the runs. The prices for these tours and classes depend on the length and complexity of the tour, but start at $100 and go clear up to thousands for the overnight expeditions. The daily lift tickets are $15 for children and seniors to $69 for a full day adult.

Lodging at Kirkwood can happen on site. They have several different options of small studio rooms, to spacious condos with three plus bedrooms. Most of the accommodations come with TV, VCR, DVD and cable in the room. Many have fireplaces, kitchens, Jacuzzi tubs, and feature hot tubs, recreational rooms, on property as well as options for covered parking and covered swimming pools. There are 10 different locations to stay at while visiting Kirkwood: Meadowstone Lodge, The Lodge at Kirkwood, Lost Cabin, Snowcrest Lodge, The Mountain Club, The Sentinels, Kirkwood Towers, Sun Meadows, The Meadows, and Base Camp all offering different price and luxury accomodations. Prices at these locations depend on time of year and availability, viewing options at their website is probably the best option.

The Sierra at Tahoe Resort is situated farther away from the lake than most of the other Tahoe resorts, and this allows the California skier from San Francisco or Sacramento a shorter commute. Sierra at Tahoe also prides themselves on being a family resort and have tubing, sledding, snowshoeing, and family tours and lessons to encourage parents to bring their kids along for the fun. Even the shape of the resort is family friends, the oval shape allows family member of difference skill sects to go on the runs that they enjoy, and meet back in the middle easily.

There are six parks for everyone to choose from, The Alley, Bashful, Broadway, The Circuit, Smokey, and Upper Main. Smokey park is probably one of the favorites at Sierra at Tahoe, located in the rear, the Smokey area is designating for racing and training. It has diverse terrain making it fun at high or low speeds and for people of all skill levels. For the adrenaline junkies, Bashful Park is the place to be, it features a vertical pitch all the way down and the ability to hit five jumps in a row, there is also a 12 foot wall ride and a line of jibs making this a great place for the advanced to expert skiers. The Broadway is a great place for the more advanced beginners to moderate skiers to start and getting a little bit fancy, it has 10 to 20 feet rails, small jump, tables, and boxes to help them see what the “rush” of skiing is all about!

Lift tickets are $65 dollars for adults on a one day pass and $68 for Holidays. They also offer children and senior passes from $16. Sierra at Tahoe also has a “Parent Perdicatment Tickets” which allow parents to use the same pass back and forth while one parent stays with the younger kids, the other can go up the lift, then they can switch off. This is a great feature for those skiers with small children!

One of the drawback to this resort is there are not any lodging accommodations available, but this could be a great place for a day trip.

Sierra Resort

Alpine Meadows is proud of their 2,400 acres of patrolled, skiable terrain. It has over 100 runs that encompass all skill levels. They offer many different skiing and snowboarding classes and not just the basics, but private out of bound tours and beginner classes that teach using the Direct-To-Parallel program. They also have an on mountain restaurant and snack bar and an indoor children’s play area.

Lift tickets to Alpine are $58 for an adult full day, or $63 for holiday. Child, senior and teen tickets start at $10 through $49. Alpine Meadows also offers discounts for multiple day lift packages.

Although there are not any lodging accommodations at Alpine Meadows, they have several package deals with Reno and Tahoe hotels, resorts, and casinos making the options of visiting Alpine more accessible. They also have shuttles from certain hotels and the parking areas.

Squaw Valley Resort

Squaw Valley, USA is one of the larges Tahoe resorts having over 4,000 acres of terrain. Over “70% of the mountain’s terrain” is for the beginner and moderate skier and/or snowboarder. This is a huge amount of space for someone to explore. They have all sorts terrain parks with half pipes, jumps, and rails. They also have racing services. Squaw Valley offers classes in skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, night skiing, and everything in between.

Having held the 2006 winter Olympics at Squaw Valley, there are also lots of historical and site seeing to be done. High Camp has an ice rink, a fine dining restaurant, and shops to explore, not to mention a cable car ride that gets you there! Squaw also has a swimming lagoon and spa, snow tubing, dog sledding rides, and a climbing wall. If skiing or boarding is not your thing, there are plenty of other options when you visit Squaw Valley.

The lift tickets at Squaw Valley, USA are $73 dollars for an adult day pass, however, they offer great mid-week and multiple day discounts.



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SkiColorado asked:


Vail Resort is a popular ski destination for those looking for an adventure vacation. Skiing and snowboarding in the Vail Valley is one of those experiences you won’t soon forget. When you total up the price of Vail Lift Tickets, lodging, flights, eating out and Vail ski rentals, a trip to Vail can add up quickly. However, it doesn’t have to be a vacation that breaks the bank account if you follow a few simple guidelines for saving money while on your Colorado vacation. The majority of Colorado ski resorts make it difficult for anyone coming from out of state to receive discounts on Vail ski tickets & Ski Rentals. A wallet friendly way of receiving deals on Vail ski tickets is to plan ahead and purchase them well in advance of arriving. Here are some additional ideas for saving money on lift tickets and ski rentals.

2) Book Online

The day and age has arrived where you can shop online for the best prices on ski tickets & rentals for Vail, Colorado. Many online retailers will offer deals if you purchase 3 or more days of skiing.

Simply purchase your tickets online without the crowds and print out your voucher. You will need to present the printed voucher to the lift ticket counter at which time they will give you the physical ticket. This is also a popular option for those who bundle their lodging. Many lodging companies in Vail and the surrounding area offer stay and play packages which give you discounts on lodging and lift tickets when they are purchased as a ski package.

1) Denver, Colorado – A Haven for Vail Ski Deals

If your family or friends are flying into Colorado via Denver International Airport or Colorado Springs Regional Airport you will inevitably pass 100’s of opportunities for finding discount Vail ski tickets and Vail ski rentals. Stop off at one of the many sporting outlets and pick your skis up before heading to the mountains. Often times places like Breeze Ski Rentals, Christy Sports and even Gart Sports offer excellent rates on ski and snowboard rentals. Best of all, you’ll avoid the crowds associated with long ticket sales lines.

Sounds a bit strange, but the Denver metro area, as well Colorado Springs, Boulder, and Fort Collins offer discount tickets at the customer service counters of King Soopers and Safeway stores. Swing by these popular grocery stores and you will easily save between $5-10 on purchasing your lift tickets.

3) Ski Groups & Ski Clubs - Bigger is Better

The old adage “buy in bulk” rings true for Vail vacations. If you come with a large group consisting of 20+ people, you can receive discounts on everything from lodging and lift tickets to activities and food. Bring your family for a reunion or have a Vail mountain wedding where the wedding party can enjoy a day of skiing and snowboarding. Either way, groups are an excellent way to save BIG on a vacation to this popular mountain town.

4) Gold C Coupons

Gold C Coupons are still floating around out there and provide an easy way to get great rates at the lift ticket window if you present the coupon within the valid dates.

5) Scour Ebay for “Ski Coupons” or “Vail ski deals”

Often times, Ebay sellers will sell lift ticket coupons that will save you a decent amount of money. They aren’t the best bargains, but will still knock off $5 to $10.

4) Buying Lift Tickets at the Resort

Scalping tickets at the resort sometimes works out but is not the preferred method for saving money on Vail lift tickets. However, many families buy multiple days for skiing only to realize their legs are too tired for another day on the slopes. If you are lucky enough, they will walk up to you and offer the tickets directly. Keep your eyes out, they are often found hanging around the ticket corner or in the parking lot. MAKE SURE you check that the dates are valid on the ticket. Again, this is not the preferred method for getting discount tickets but sometimes works.

Vail, Colorado is a place built on authentic character and smiling locals. Come experience a Vail vacation. Just make sure you don’t pay FULL PRICE!



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Skiing in Chile

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Jasmine Stone asked:


If you are looking for a more exotic skiing trip, why not consider Chile? One of the world’s finest skiing regions, Chile is a great place for skiing enthusiasts of any age any skill level.  Why not consider Chile as an alternative skiing destination with international appeal, and pick up some of the Andean culture along the way!

One of the best resorts in my experience is the La Parva resort, located near Santiago. The La Parva resort is often underrated, billed as second to its higher brother, Valle Nevado.  However, if you are more into skiing across uninterrupted, unspoilt terrain, with more variety and depth of ski, I would most certainly recommend La Parva as the resort for you.  With a total of 14 lifts, the resort is of a medium size, and is comparatively popular, although still free from the depth of tourists covering the more popular, more accessible slopes.  One factor to consider is that the snow coverage is not always as consistent as with other resorts, and this may pose a problem for some skiers, although if you take the time to research the conditions before you go, you should be able to experience La Parva in all its glory.

La Parva also prides itself in a well-equipped training academy, which attracts some of Chile’s best skiing talent.  As well as Olympic training, they also offer public lessons, and have an excellent track record when it comes to improving performance.  The friendly and helpful training staff pride themselves on their heritage, and take great pride in the condition of their slopes the quality of their training, which really shows in their instruction.

An important word of advice - it is important before setting off for Chile on your skiing trip that you ensure you have your passport in place.  If you don’t have a passport, or if your last passport has expired, it might be a good idea to apply early so you don’t avoid disappointment.  The application and issuing processes can take up to 14 weeks, so it is vital that you budget for this time allotment when booking your skiing vacation.

Similarly, South America can be a dangerous place to visit, and there have been several high profile instances of kidnap by rebel and terrorist organisations in the area.  On this note, it is perhaps best to consult the internet for any government warnings which may be issued, and to keep track of current affairs, although thankfully these instances are becoming rarer in these modern times.

Why not consider Chile as an ideal candidate for your next skiing vacation?  Ok, so it may be slightly more adventurous than the other locations you thought about, but you really have to wonder why so many people swear by Chile and the La Parva and Valle Nevado resorts, and why the area has become such a hotbed for skiing over the last few decades.  One visit to this amazing country will surely change anyone’s mind, as you begin to understand exactly why Chile is seen as one of South America’s best skiing locations for experts and beginners alike.  With the extended appeal to the culture-vultures among us, Chile is also the ideal place to vacation with your family, and you don’t have to spend all your time skiing to enjoy your vacation.



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jamiehanson asked:


In fact, the average height of the mountains you’ll find here are less than 2000 meters (lowest place is just under 900 meters), with the tallest peak being Coma Pedrosa standing at 2500 meters. If you’re an avid skier or just like to get away for an annual ski holiday, then Andorra may be the place for you—cool summers and wintery, snowy winters make for an outdoor Mecca of sorts. Because Andorra is situated between France and Spain so perfectly, it’s quite easy to get to. Given this, it’s surprising how small the crowds become when France and Spain are bursting at the seams with tourists. This is not to say that Andorra is not popular, quite the contrary. Andorra is just an alternative ski holiday destination—it seems that not everyone thinks of coming here, even though it’s so close and offers comparable skiing. The ski resorts in Andorra are a fantastic choice for intermediate and beginner skiers. Experts can have a challenging time too, but the slopes are more geared to the middle ground holiday skier. There are ski schools and board schools, then, to teach you anything you may not already know. The ski resorts in Andorra are full of places for young teeny-bobbers to go and hit the apres ski venues well into the night; but, also, Andorra has plenty of resorts catering to an older, or at least a more peaceful, crowd. The ski resorts of Andorra offer plenty for solo and family skiers. Some Andorra skiing you’ll find on the eastern end of the country include Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, Soldeu, Soldeu el Tarter, Canillo and Encamp. On the westernmost side of Andorra, you’ll find the Arinsal, Pal, La Massana, and Ordino-Arcalis ski areas the most inviting. Though some of the ski resorts run into eachother or share common space with either Spain or France, some offer some really distinct skiing. Arinsal is a nice place for beginners. There are 68 km of pistes and 43 total runs, with 19 of those reserved for beginners. With 30 total lifts, you’ll not be waiting around for your turn all day. Encamp ski resort in Andorra has a snowboard park and 100 total runs, with 40 of those dedicated for beginners. There are nearly double the lifts than at Arinsal with 63 total lifts taking you to a max height of 2600 meters. Similarly, La Massana has a lift that takes you to 2570 meters and gives you 89 pistes to practice on. There’s even one snowboard park and 26 lifts with plenty of snow cannons. The longest run you’ll have here is 6 km. Pal in Andorra, on the other hand, can take you only to 2560 meters on the highest of 30 lifts. The resort itself lies at 780 meters but you’ll find 68 km of runs just above it. There are 42 total runs and beginners and intermediates will both be well served with 19 and 18 runs respectively. There are snow cannons and a max per person uphill service of 30,000 skiers per hour. Pas de la Casa is a little lower resort and lies at just over 2000 meters. The highest lift, however, will take you higher than Pal at 2640 meters. The longest run here is 6 km but there are 51 total runs, more than many of the other resorts. The reason is simple: the 40 beginner and 37 intermediate ski runs leaves 23 expert runs, probably the most you’ll find in Andorra. There are 63 lifts (almost double the others) and plenty of snow cannons keeping 95,000 skiers per hour snow bound and happy. Soldeu el Tarter can take you to 2560 meters high on 63 lifts and 193 km of pistes. This means there are 100 runs and 40 reserved for beginners and 37 for intermediates. There are snow cannons and north facing slopes. The good thing about all these ski resorts in Andorra is the price, comparably cheaper than other alpine resorts, especially for Western Europe. Though the vibe may be the same and the resorts uniformly the “same” in appearance, design and slopes, the skiing here is second to none if you want some great skiing without “western” prices. The snow is reliable and if you’re with friends rather than family, you’ll have the chance to participate in an apres ski venue that is exciting and wild. The slopes are nicely cared for across the board and the whole of Andorra has nice lifts, groomed pistes and plenty of things to do on and off the slope. Combined with a duty free country, you can’t serve your vices for any cheaper.



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Melanie Broemsen asked:


Most of us associate water skiing with summertime fun - warm sunshine, beaches and picnics - so it may come as a surprise that water skiing was born in Minnesota in 1922 when Ralph Samuelson used two boards and a clothesline to ski across Lake Pepin. Samuelson has been credited by the American Water Ski Association as the first water ski racer, and the first to jump a ramp and slalom ski, as well as the first to hold a water ski show, too.

Like Samuelson, avid enthusiasts will water ski nearly any time, any where there is an opportunity, even when winter temperatures and chilly water are a deterrent for most people. Fortunately, no matter what city and state you call home, there’s probably a local lake or other body of water where you can get in some ski time, perhaps even practice your gainers and other tricks.

Of course, skiing at the same location all the time can become routine. Add a little excitement to your water time this year by planning a water skiing vacation. Whether you are a novice or expert, you can have some added fun by water skiing at one of these five great locations:

Top U.S. water skiing destinations

1) San Diego, Calif. - With a climate that provides ideal conditions year-round and an average of 264 days of sunshine each year, San Diego is a water skier’s dream. It’s also the home of Mission Bay Park, the largest manmade aquatic park in the U.S. Located just 10 minutes from downtown, Mission Bay offers hardcore skiers the opportunity to take an early morning jaunt around the bay, and still make it to the office on time. In addition, there’s a variety of water ski classes for everyone from the novice to the experienced. For a little more excitement and a change of pace, skiers can cruise around the freight and military ships in San Diego Bay. A variety of local lakes are perfect for those that prefer freshwater water skiing. Plan your trip to San Diego the weekend of Oct. 9,, 2009, and you’ll be able to watch the 5th U.S. Open Water Ski Racing National Championships, too.

2) Austin, Texas - As the Live Music Capital of America, Austin’s earned a reputation as a vibrant city that exemplifies a young, active outdoor lifestyle. For water skiers, the long summers and short winters provide almost year-round opportunity to hit the water. In addition to Lake Austin and Lake Travis, Austin offers several world-class facilities built specifically for water skiers:

- Austin Aquaplex - The Aquaplex is known for “easy” water with a medium-to-high viscosity - great for slalom and jump-ski enthusiasts.

- Guadalupe Ski Plex - Built to accommodate competitive water skiing, Guadalupe is home to three lakes, two slalom courses and a ski jump, as well plenty of boat docks and storage areas.

- Utopia River Ranch - For professional lessons, trek to Utopia River Ranch, a private water ski training facility located near Staples, just outside of Austin.

3) West Palm Beach, Fla. - South Florida, from Key West and Miami to West Palm and Orlando, is a hub of activity for water sports lovers of all kinds. With few days under 70 degrees, South Florida’s Palm Beach County offers ski enthusiasts nearly year-round opportunity, as well as two major water ski attractions and several exciting competitions.

- Okeeheelee Park - The site of choice for beginners and professionals, the facility is a nationally recognized competitive water ski park with five courses that can accommodate everything from traditional to barefoot and kneeboard skiing. If you love to bask in the moonlight, you can take advantage of night skiing on a lit course, too. At under $100, annual permits are more than affordable, too.

- Palm Beach Training Center - Ask Chet Raley, one of the world’s top ski coaches and a national champion, for world-class water ski instruction at Palm Beach Training Center, a private facility located in Boca Raton. Raley offers video coaching for under $100, as well as more expensive clinics for professional skiers.

In addition, South Florida hosts the following water skiing events:

- 3rd IWSF Pan Am Region Wakeboard Championships (Miami)

- Board Up Miami (Miami)

- 4th Big Dawg Slalom Series Championship (West Palm Beach)

- 67th GOODE Water Ski National Championships (West Palm Beach)

4) Pine Mountain, Ga. - Located just outside of Atlanta in Pine Mountain, lays Robin Lake Beach, home of the world’s longest manmade white sand beach. Ranked among Fine Living’s top 10 most unique beaches in the world in 2007, Robin Lake Beach is part of Callaway Gardens resort. Callaway Gardens also hosts the Masters Water Ski and Wakeboard Tournament®, which awards more than $100,000 in winnings each Memorial Day weekend. A great destination for the entire family, the stunning vacation resort offers something for everyone, from water skiing to golf, relaxing spa visits and more.

5) Seattle, Wash. - Although you may not think of the rainy Emerald City as a water skiing hub, it’s the testing ground of choice for popular water ski manufacturers like Herb O’Brien, Pat Connelly, Jeff Jobe and Denny Kidder. With picturesque Mount Ranier as a backdrop, Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish provide the perfect glass.

Of course, these aren’t the only great places to water ski. Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Charlotte, N.C., Sacramento, Calif., Grand Rapids, Mich., and Madison, Wis. are other destinations beloved by ski enthusiasts.

No matter where in the U.S. you are located, there’s a great place to water ski near you. However before you take your boat on a trip or hit the water, be sure it’s protected. Nationwide offers affordable boat insurance, as well as personal watercraft insurance in case you own any other water sport toys, like jet skis. For more information, visit nationwide.com.



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Sanjou Gokhool asked:


Being a ski instructor can be a very exciting job. The ski instructor course can be as equally exciting. When you go for your ski instructor course, you’ll be guided by professionals who will teach you the right way to instruct people how to practice this sport. No pre-requisites may be required for you to be eligible for a ski instructor course. Of course, you have to be willing to learn in order to effectively instruct people how to ski. Thanks to the ski instructor course, you will love attending your job everyday.

After completing your ski instructor course successfully, getting a job afterwards might not be as hard. You may not have to be a superb skier to be able to teach people. In fact, during your ski instructor course you will have learnt all the basic skills to ski and teach. You may even take a ski instructor course at any age. The most important thing for you must be to pass on the required skills to those who don’t know how to ski. If you want to be a professional ski instructor, then experience is needed. So, a good practice would be to find jobs after completing your ski instructor course in order to acquire experience.

You should keep in mind that professionals had once themselves been without any experience at all. After having completed their ski instructor course, they might have looked for ski instructing jobs and in time gained the knowledge that only comes with hard work. Taking out a ski instructor course can help you if you want to teach during your free time. You can become a ski instructor just for the weekend. Thanks to this, you might be able to get extra revenue. Afterall, seeing someone progress as you teach him can bring even more satisfaction than earning money.

Moreover, reports show that around 12 percent of people in the US visit ski resorts every year. Therefore, it makes sense to take out a ski instructor course. Among these people, three quarters may be skiers and this includes people of every age group. So, after completing your ski instructor course, you may be sure to get a job relatively easily. You might be able to offer people, group or private lessons and at the same time gain experience to become a professional instructor. A couple of reputed ski resorts in the US are NC and Vail among others. There, ski instructors might be in demand, so, even if you want a part time job, you can be sure that your ski instructor course will be helpful to you in this case.

During peak seasons, resorts might not find sufficient ski instructors to do the job. So, if you have already completed your ski instructor course successfully, you could just postulate for a job in one of these resorts. In one hand, you’ll earn extra income if this is your part time job. On the other hand, you’ll acquire the needed experience. In other words, the ski instructor course will bring something new in your life.



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Skiing in Italy

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Jasmine Stone asked:


Italy has always been a consideration for those interested in experiencing the Alps for less.  Having said that, it is still considered one of the top European skiing countries today, and is a magnificent place to take a skiing vacation.  There is a certain romance about Italy that makes it the number one choice for so many skiers each year, and it is easy to see the attraction with the place.  From its northern snow-tipped peaks, you can also venture towards the cultural hotbeds of Rome and Turin, and experience Italy as it is intended, as well as its amazing ski slopes.

One of Italy’s smallest resorts, tucked up high, near Canazei in the North, is Alba.  Based on a tiny village, the Alba resort is the truest form of skiing escapism, with amazing off piste skiing to be had.  For the keen skier, this would make for an excellent day trip, or an excellent weekend away whilst staying at a bigger resort, and although it has only 5 lifts, it is a real Italian treasure, and something not to be missed if you like peaceful surroundings whilst you ski.  On top of that, if you enjoy cross country skiing, Alba also offers a number of extensive trails for you to pursue, ensuring that you are likely to have a great time, whatever you skiing preferences and ability. 

If you’re looking for something bigger, why not consider Italy’s highest resort, Passo Tonale.  An ideal family resort, Passo Tonale is focussed more around beginners and intermediates, and provides a friendly atmosphere that is just simply lacking from some of the bigger resorts.  Passo Tonale is also home to a top class ski school, employing some of the region’s most talented skiing instructors.  In addition to that, the staff pride themselves on the conditions of their slopes, which are groomed frequently.  From the peak of Passo Tonale, you are faced with a wonderful panoramic view of the whole region, which is truly breathtaking, and it has been known for skiers to spend hours simply analysing the view.  Passo Tonale is a great resort if you are looking for a busier, more down to earth ski resort for you and your family.

Selva Gardena is one of Italy’s largest resorts, and if you are looking for some great scenery and excellent, consistent snow coverage, you could do a great deal worse than here.  A great value for money resort, Selva Gardena is also child friendly, making it another fantastic resort to take the family.

Italy has a diverse range of ski resorts to cater for all different tastes and abilities.  In general you will find all the resorts welcoming and friendly, not to mention the amazing hospitality you will experience in some of their restaurants and bars.  If you are looking for a good value for money trip, and you enjoy skiing, the North of Italy is ideal for you, and can provide any skier with an adequate challenge of their abilities.  Additionally, with some of the best skiing instructors in the world, Italy is one of the best places in Europe to enjoy skiing without paying an absolute fortune.  Italy truly is a great skiing location for anyone looking to experience the Alps in all their glory, amidst the wealth and depth of culture and history right around the corner.



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Choosing Perfect Ski Boots

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Olga Orlova asked:


Here are a few tips for getting the right ski boots from a ski rental shop.

1. Rely on established ski rental companies with excellent customer service records.Typically these companies have the best trained employees and are committed to ensuring your ski rental equipment is top notch. That means if you are unsatisfied with the comfort or performance of your boots, they’ll have the knowledge and service to find the right boots for your feet.

2. Bring the proper ski socks to the shop to try on boots. Often times the comfort of a boot is diminished by wearing the wrong type of sock. Be sure to avoid cotton socks as they won’t wick the sweat from your feet and tend to leave your toes cold. If you don’t have proper ski socks, let a ski shop make a recommendation. Most people like to ski in thin socks over thick.

3. If you are a woman, try to rent a women’s specific ski boot. In an era of increasing female specific sporting equipment, more and more ski rental shops are carrying female specific boots. These tend to be a bit softer to account for a difference in mass and make it easier to initiate a turn. Also, they are built around the proportions of a woman’s foot.

4. If you have a custom orthotic for your other shoes, bring them with you for your ski rental boot fitting.

5. Take your time finding the right boot. Many ski rental shops carry different brands and models. Each fit a little differently. Put some time into finding the right ski boot for you.

6. Find a balance between comfort and performance.

Hopefully this list of helpful tips for your next ski boot fitting experience will come in handy. If you are heading to Aspen, Colorado for your next ski vacation be sure to check out the best in Aspen ski rentals Snowmass Ski Rental.



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