YourNight: 2011

Thursday 10 November 2011

Alaska Ski Vacations

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.

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!

Aspen Ski Vacations

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.

Big Sky Ski Vacations

Image via WikipediaWith 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.

Crystal Mountain Ski Vacations

Image via WikipediaIf 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.

The Crystal Mountain Express Buss 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 – 11 will be supervised while they
ski on a ‘kid appropriate’ slope, and snowboarding
is also available for children aged 7 – 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
your ready for.

Durango Mountain Resort Ski Vacations

Image by kw.traveller via FlickrFeaturing 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!

Frost Fire Mountain Ski Vacations

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.

Fun Valley Ski Vacations

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 – 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.

Holiday Mountain Ski Vacations

Chairlift in Praz de Lys-Sommand, Haute-Savoie...

Image via WikipediaHoliday 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.

Italy Ski Vacations

Image via WikipediaIf 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 – 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.

Lost Valley Ski Vacations

Image via WikipediaIf 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.

Mount Snow Ski Vacations

Image via WikipediaMount 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.

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.

Okanagan Mountain Range Ski Vacations

WHISTLER, BC - FEBRUARY 21: A general view acr...

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeOkanagan 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.

Oregon Ski Vacations

The main entrance of Timberline Lodge, on Moun...

Image via WikipediaOregon 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!

Planning a Family Ski Vacation

Image via WikipediaIt’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.

Red River Ski Vacations

Image via WikipediaRed 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.

Ski Vacations at Solitude Mountain Resort, Utah

Image via WikipediaIf 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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Thursday 10 November 2011

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