The Ski Vacation Guide

Oregon Ski Vacations (Part One)

2007-08-27T05:00:00.001-05:00

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.

Okanagan Mountain Range Ski Vacations

2007-08-20T01:34:00.000-05:00

Okanagan is a mountain range that runs through

valleys close to three mountain ranges.During the

summer this is the perfect place to do some camping,

but when winter hits you will have great skiing

weather and conditions. There are small resorts that

are scattered throughout the area. The climate here

will make for great skiing down the slopes and through

the trails.

These scattered resorts are very quiet and peaceful.

Lifts are available, but they are limited to specific

times and dates. These resorts have great skiing

around them, even though they are small. This area

of mountains offers the most consistent

weather conditions, and the resort offers lodging for

everyone that cares to stay - at a reasonable price.

The mountain ranges offer different trails and skill

levels, but most of all they provide you with the

skiing vacation of your dreams. During the winter,

temperatures in the Okanogan range often drop to

zero degrees. The items you bring will need to keep

you warm at all times and safe no matter which trail

you may choose to ski.

Nub's Nob Ski Vacations (Part Two)

2007-08-13T01:32:00.000-05:00

Equipment rental is available, and there is a General

Store right inside the lodge, where you can purchase

gloves, hats, and neck warmers among a variety of

other items. You should also visit the technology

center to have your ski's tuned or repaired.

You won't go hungry either! Nub's Nob Cafeteria is

open for breakfast and lunch, and if you brought your

own lunch, you can eat in the "brown bag" room.

Nub's Winter Garden serves grilled burgers when the

weather allows. Pintail Peak Warming Hut is located

at the top of the Black Lift. Here, you can enjoy

amazing views while enjoying home made soups and

sandwiches.

Nub's Nob is the place to go if you want to have a

great family ski vacation; or if you are already an

expert skier interested in racing and skill events.

There is plenty to do and see. In fact, you may find

that you have a problem deciding which activity to

participate in first! Don't worry about missing

anything, though, if you want to ski now and board

later, you can do that. Most events are planned for

the weekends, so arrange your schedule so that you

are able to attend or participate in the planned events.

Nub's Nob Ski Vacations (Part One)

2007-08-06T01:30:00.000-05:00

If you will be in Michigan, you should definitely visit

Nub's Nob Ski Resort. Nub's Nob has what is

considered to be the Midwest's best snow, and the

resort has a reputation for being a family friendly

mountain. Generations of families have brought their

children here for their very first ski run.

The mountain layout is fairly simple with an elevation

of 1338 feet and a vertical drop of 427 feet. There are

43 trails serviced by eight chair lifts. Boasting one of

the best skiing and snowboarding schools in the

country, both private and group lessons are available.

If you are brand new to the sport, you can even learn

to ski free, and take advantage of Nub's Cubs

Childcare Center while you learn.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that intermediate

or expert skiers won't find any challenges waiting for

them at Nub's Nob! The terrain is varied, and you will

find challenges. Night Skiing is also available. The

Ski School offers training programs for advanced

skiers who are interested in racing, and many racing

events are held at the resort. You can signup for race

leagues at the resort, and many league events are

planned each season.

Mount Snow Ski Vacations (Part Two)

2007-07-30T01:28:00.000-05:00

Mount Snow is very family oriented. At Mount Snow

a unique "back-to-base" trail system is used that

keeps everyone in your family from getting lost. Kids

under six ski and ride for free. When an adult buys a

3 - 5 day ticket during mid-week, their kid receives a

free ticket for that same time period as well. During

January, the Kids Ski & Learn Free weeks seem to

be the most popular family deals.

Mount Snow features a full service health spa that

you should take full advantage of. A variety of

massages are offered, as well as various skin

treatments. Spa packages are also available, and the

spa caters to couples as well, and wedding parties are

also welcome. There is also a fully equipped health

club and fitness classes are offered. There is always

something to do at Mount Snow; even if doing

nothing but relaxing is on your agenda!

Winter activities at Mount Snow also include

snowmobiling, snowshoeing, tubing, cross country

skiing, and sleigh rides. There is a ski shop on the

premises and rental equipment is available. There are

several restaurants and bars on the mountain to

choose from as well. Again, Mount Snow is family

oriented. You will find that this is a very safe environment

for your entire family, where you can relax and have fun

without any worry. Be sure to ask about the family deals

when you call for reservations or information.

Mount Snow Ski Vacations (Part One)

2007-07-23T01:27:00.000-05:00

Mount Snow, located in Vermont, is the one of the

largest ski resorts in the Eastern United States.

Featuring 26 lifts and more than 135 trails, the top

elevation at Mount Snow is 3600 feet, with a vertical

drop of 1700 feet. There are 20 chair lifts and six

surface lifts available.

Snowboarders are welcome at Mount Snow, and

there is a "kids only" terrain park as well as a special

tubing park. The Grand Summit Hotel and Crown Club

sits right off the slopes, and guests enjoy a heated

outdoor pool and ski in/ski out accommodations. There

is something to suit everyone at Mount Snow.

Many different winter ski vacation packages are

available. Many of these packages are really great

deals designed to save families money. Child care is

available at Mount Snow, and the youngsters will be

well cared for, and learn to ski as well. The adults

aren't left out of the learning process either! Both group

and private lessons are available.

Lost Valley Ski Vacations

2007-07-16T01:26:00.000-05:00

If you will be traveling to the North East, you must

not miss Lost Valley Ski Resort. Located on 300

acres in the middle of Maine, the resort offers many

different types of terrain, hills, streams, bridges, and

fifteen well maintained trail systems.

The Lost Valley Resort is best suited to beginners

and intermediate skiers, but there are more thrilling

trails available for expert skiers as well. There are

three lifts to accommodate skiers, including two chair

lifts and one surface lift.

Equipment can be rented for all sports that are

catered to at Lost Valley Resort, including ski

equipment, snowboarding equipment, mountain bikes,

and paintball equipment. Ski and snowboarding

lessons are also available for private parties and

groups.

At the lodge, you will experience a warm family

environment with outstanding food and beverages.

This is an absolutely wonderful place to bring a family.

There are training programs, adaptive ski programs,

racing events, a snowboard terrain park, mountain

biking, and a huge twenty acre paintball park. Lost

Valley Resort is also a great place to hold meetings,

family reunions, weddings, and other special events.

Catering is available.

Italy Ski Vacations

2007-07-09T01:24:00.000-05:00

If you will be in Italy, you should definitely visit

Limone. Limone is one of Italy's oldest ski areas,

and it is a very old village with a twelfth century

church and many other old buildings. The town is

located near the French border, and is only about

thirty miles from Nice.

At Limone, you will experience a real taste of old

Italy. The nightlife has a lot to offer, and the gourmet

food is out of this world! Food and skiing are

everything here; with more than fifty restaurants,

and 46 ski runs. The top elevation is 6689 with a

vertical drop of 3033 feet. Most of the runs are best

suited to intermediate skiers, with a few that are

suitable for beginners and experts. There are twenty

seven lifts, including seven chair lifts and twenty

surface lifts.

Remember that the village is very old ñ and the

locales like it that way. If you prefer high technology

and modern buildings, Limone probably isn't for you.

But if you want to truly experience Italy, Limone

must be on your list of places to visit in Italy.

Holiday Mountain Ski Vacations

2007-07-02T01:23:00.000-05:00

Holiday Mountain, located in New York, is a popular

area for skiing. Even though the highest elevation is

only 1300 feet, and the vertical drop is only 400 feet,

this area is a popular place for the younger crowd,

and it is definitely a great place to learn how to ski.

There are eight lifts, including three chair lifts and five

surface lifts. There are 15 trails for beginners,

intermediate skiers, and expert skiers. While skiing

and snowboarding are the main attractions, there is

much more here as well, including bumper cars, an

arcade, and a mechanical bull. There is always

something to do at Holiday Mountain Ski Resort.

The best place to stay when visiting Holiday Mountain

Ski Resort is the Villa Roma Resort Hotel, which is

located in the Sullivan County Catskills. Villa Roma

was named as one of America's 50 Best Family

Resorts by Better Homes & Garden Magazine, and

with the amazing amount of fun activities, it is easy

to see why. The resort features a rail park for

snowboarders, birthday packages, snow tubing, and

of course skiing.

Fun Valley Ski Vacations

2007-06-25T01:22:00.000-05:00

If you are looking for a great place to go for your

family ski vacation, Fun Valley, Iowa is the place to

go. This resort caters to families and beginner level

skiers, but it is also great for intermediate and expert

skiers as well. There is something to suit all levels at

Fun Valley.

The top elevation at Fun Valley is 1201 feet, with a

vertical drop of 200 feet. There are six lifts, including

three chair lifts and three surface lifts. The new

learning center is something to see ñ and experience

if you are a beginner. Tubers and snowboarders are

welcome, and there is an excellent terrain park

available. Rental equipment, including tubes and boards,

is available.

Fun Valley offers outstanding group rates for groups

of ten or more. Birthday packages are also

outstanding for kids twelve and under. Every

Wednesday and Thursday night, the resort offers a

student night, with greatly reduced rates. Buddy Pass

Friday's are also popular; bring your friends and you

will all save on lift tickets. Coca-Cola sponsors Sprite

Saturday's at Fun Valley, where you can participate in

three activities for one flat affordable fee. Sundays are

Family Four Pack Day.

Frost Fire Mountain Ski Vacations

2007-06-18T01:21:00.000-05:00

For the ultimate family ski vacation, you must visit

Frost Fire Mountain in North Dakota. Located near

Walhalla, the resort features three lifts, including two

chair lifts and one surface lift, 25 acres, and ten trails

for beginners, intermediates and experts. The top

elevation is 1346 feet, with a vertical drop of 345 feet.

Although this is not a large ski resort, it is a great

deal of fun, and perfect for family ski vacations. This

is the perfect place to bring kids to learn how to ski.

Both ski and snowboard lessons are available at

reasonable rates. There is a rental shop and ski

maintenance area on the grounds, and many motel

accommodations in the area to choose from. There

is a separate terrain park for snowboarders as well.

There are many restaurants to choose from, and you

can also visit the areas antique shops when you

aren't busy enjoying the slopes. There are many

historical sites to see in the area as well, as

Walhalla is the second oldest town in the state of

North Dakota.

Durango Mountain Resort Ski Vacations

2007-06-11T01:21:00.000-05:00

Featuring more than 2500 acres of ski area and 75

trails, Durango Mountain Ski Resort has much to

offer skiers of all levels. The resort claims that there

are approximately two people per acre on their

slopes during operation hours. The crowds are small,

and lift lines do not exist.

Located in Colorado, the top elevation is 10822 feet

with a 2030 vertical drop. There are eleven lifts,

including nine chair lifts and two surface lifts. You

can find lodging at the resort, or in the town of

Durango, which is nearby. If you stay at the resort,

make sure that you actually visit the town while

you are there. While the town is small, there is

much to see and do.

Rentals are available for both ski and snowboarding

equipment, and private and group lessons are also

available at the Durango Mountain Resort. There are

plenty of activities and events both at the resort and

in Durango to keep everyone in your family happy.

When it comes to family ski vacations, this is one

you don't want to miss!

Crystal Mountain Ski Vacations (Part Two)

2007-06-04T01:17:00.000-05:00

The Crystal Mountain Express Bus service runs on

weekends from the middle of December to the middle

of March. You will be picked up from your lodge and

dropped off at the base plaza, where you can begin

a full day of fun on the slopes. After a day of skiing,

you should definitely head over to East Peak

Massage & Fitness to take advantage of the hot tub,

sauna, showers, and even the game room. Massages

are also available, with a reservation.

If your kids aren't quite ready for the black diamond

trails, but you are, you can register them in the

Kid's Club. The Kid's Club is open from 8am to 4pm

each day for children aged four to eleven years old.

The kid's aged 4 to 11 will be supervised while they

ski on a "kid appropriate" slope, and snowboarding

is also available for children aged 7 to 11 years old.

Your child will have fun, while being supervised and

taught. The cost of the care includes a four hour

lesson, a lift ticket, lunch, and supervision. Rental

equipment is available for the kids for an additional fee.

Everyone has fun at Crystal Mountain. It is a great

place for a family vacation, but again, the slopes are

more for intermediate skiers and expert skiers

although beginners will have fun as well. Just use

good sense, and avoid trails that you don't feel like

you're ready for.

Crystal Mountain Ski Vacations (Part One)

2007-05-28T01:16:00.000-05:00

If you are in or near Washington State, you should

definitely check out Crystal Mountain. With an

elevation of 7004 feet and a vertical drop of 3102 feet,

Crystal Mountain actually sits below Mount Rainier,

which has a top elevation of 14,408 feet. Between

the months of November and April, several feet of

fresh powder falls on Crystal Mountain, due to the

cold Cascade storms common to the area.

This is rough terrain, and there is little offered to

beginners as far as the ease of the trails go. But

lessons are available, as well as rentals for ski's and

other equipment. At Crystal Mountain, there are more

than 2300 acres and fifty trails, making this the largest

ski area in the state of Washington. There are ten lifts

available: 2 high speed six passenger lifts, 2 high

speed quads, 2 triple chairs, 3 double chairs, and 1

children's surface lift.

The season runs from the middle of November to the

middle of April, when the most snow fall is

experienced. There are several places to choose for

lodging, meals, and nightly entertainment, but the

biggest attraction is the skiing, of course.

Big Sky Ski Vacations

2007-05-21T01:14:00.000-05:00

With all that Big Sky, Montana has to offer skiers, it

is amazing that so few know about its existence!

Known for its wide open slopes and short lift lines,

Big Sky Ski Resort has one of the largest lift served

vertical drops in the United States. Over 5300 acres

of ski slopes and trails await skiers, with over 33 feet

of snowfall each season.

Big Sky Ski Resort features twenty three lifts, 220

trails, and a 4350 foot vertical drop. The top elevation

is 11154 feet. Along with the ski lifts, there are also

two cable car lines available. While there are

beginner slopes, most of the slopes are geared

toward intermediate and expert skiers.

There are many places to lodge in Big Sky Resorts

Mountain Village, which rests at the foot of the

impressive Lone Peak mountain. Enjoy Sleigh Ride

dinners, ice skating, parties, snowmobile tours, and

a variety of community events. At Big Sky, there are

no strangers. Big Sky, Montana is one of the highest

rated Ski Resorts in the United States, and there is

something here for everyone.

Aspen Ski Vacations

2007-05-14T01:14:00.000-05:00

Aspen Mountain has long been known as the playpen

of the rich and famous and it is. But it is also a

great place to take a family ski vacation. Christmas

in Aspen is especially wonderful! Aspen Mountain

rises above the town of Aspen, with a top elevation

of 11215 feet and a vertical drop of 3269 feet. There

are 76 trails suitable for beginners, intermediates,

and experts, accessible by eight lifts, including

seven chair lifts and one cable car line.

While Aspen has much to offer skiers, as well as

those who enjoy the night life in a ski town, you

should expect lots of crowds and lift lines on the

slopes. Again, this is the playpen of the rich and

famous, and many people choose this ski vacation

spot simply for that reason as well as for the great

runs and nightlife.

There are numerous places to stay in and around

Aspen, with more than 100 restaurants to choose

from as well. Ski instructions and equipment rental

are abundant in the area, and snowboarders are

welcome.

Alaska Ski Vacations (Part Two)

2007-05-08T01:12:00.000-05:00

The Alyeska Prince Hotel is the place to stay! Here

you will enjoy elegant rooms and fine dining. Nightly

entertainment is available as well. There are other

nightlife spots in the area as well, that are not

associated with the Hotel.

If tubing interests you, then visiting the Glacier

Tubing Park is an absolute must! Featuring two

lanes of terrain and a surface lift, everyone in the

family will enjoy spending time at the tubing park.

The Alyeska Terrain Park is a must for

snowboarding enthusiasts. Other winter activities

that can be enjoyed in and around the Alyeska

Resort include flight seeing, helisking, ocean

cruising tours, dog sledding, ice climbing, back

country skiing, mountaineering, and polar bear

viewing.

At the Alyeska Resort, the ultimate winter vacation

can be experienced. Brave the elements, then return

to the Hotel for some pampering. Get a taste of what

Alaska is really like, and what skiing is meant to be!

There are activities for the entire family to enjoy, and

there are many area sights and attractions to be

enjoyed as well. This really is an awesome winter

family ski vacation!

Alaska Ski Vacations (Part One)

2007-05-01T01:08:00.000-05:00

Alaska, which has always been a source of awe and

mystery, has some of the best skiing in the world,

and the Alyeska Resort is one of the finest resorts

in the state. With a top elevation of 2751 feet and a

2501 vertical drop, the area gets an average of 631

inches of snow annually.

Although this is some of the best skiing in the world,

you won't find the slopes overly crowded, and there

are no long lift lines. There are nine lifts, including

six chair lifts and two surface lifts, and one cable

car line. There are 68 trails for beginners,

intermediates, and experts, with the majority of the

trails designed for intermediate skiers.

Night time skiing is allowed, which makes your ski

experience more adventurous and thrilling. You will

see snow capped mountains, hanging glaciers, and

of course, the famous Northern Lights. This resort is

ranked number nine of the top twenty-five killer ski

trips by Skiing Magazine.

The season begins at the Alyeska Resort in mid

November, and runs through mid April. This area of

Alaska boasts the longest daytime areas in the

United States, with approximately sixteen hours of

daylight each day during April. During December,

however, there are only about seven hours of daylight,

which makes night time skiing necessary if you

are going to get in the time that you want to spend

on the slopes.