Sunday, December 12, 2010

Ski North America's # 1 Resort

Looking for a truly top class ski holiday? You should include Whistler, BC, in your shortlist. Two soaring mountains with the highest vertical drop in North America (over a mile), over 8000 acres of marked trails, 33 lifts - mostly high-speed quads and untold off-piste options make for an unparalleled skiing experience. But the charm of Whistler extends well beyond the downhill ski-ing terrain. Many people reckon it is one of the world's top dining spots for its size. There are at least 15 restaurants in Whistler that offer distinctive gourmet cuisine rivalling the best in the world's largest cities. Add in the excellent groomed cross-country trails around Lost Lake and you have something for everyone.

How do you go about finding a suitable vacation rental property? Look for a local property management company that manages a variety of types of accommodation. The housing inventory in Whistler is extremely varied, from youth hostels at the bottom end to $10m homes that rent for up to $10,000 per night. Try going outside the Christmas and New Year peak, as this is when pricing is highest and queues are longest. If you choose January or April you can get a very pleasant 2-bed condo for less than $300 per night which would cost you $6-700 in the peak season. A 5-bedroom ski-in, ski-out home which might be $2000 per night in the peak can be picked up for less than $1000 in the off-peak months. Other times to avoid are the UK school half-term week and President's Week in the US; these two are usually the middle 2 weeks of February.

If you are looking for Whistler accommodation, one of the better property management companies, with an inventory of 45 rental properties at all price points, is Holiday Whistler. Whether you want a 1-bedroom unit in the Village, or a 5 or 6 bedroom log home with a steam room and private hot tub nestled in the woods, they will be able to find what you want. They can also organise transfers from Vancouver, arrange a massage to ease the aches and pains of the mogul fields, pre-book ski lessons and lift tickets and get you a table at the most exclusive and sold-out restaurants in town. Give them a try.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Ski Resort in San Martino Di Castrozza

A famous ski resort in San Martino di Castrozza provides much of class for not much of cash. Before scuffing your feet at the earth in the faith that you cannot afford a holiday in Italy, look at these cost accessible.

The pre-season skiing starts on November 29 and runs until December 23. A pre-season six-day ski pass runs EUR176 per adult, EUR123 per junior, and EUR158 per senior. The top season comes in a couple of parts, with one part starting on December 24 until January 6. The second one of the top season starts on February 1 until March 14. A six-day personal ski pass costs EUR220 per adult, EUR155 per junior, and EUR198 per senior. These passes are for San Martino di Castrozza six-day vacation. A day pass costs EUR30.

San Martino di Castrozza has preserved all the spirit and charm of an elegant and lively "Alpine capital". Nestling in a wide plain covered in meadows and surrounded by thick conifer woods, the Alpine resort is dominated by the Pale di San Martino range, a group of bizarre and fantastic peaks that has inspired thousands of legends.

When you wish to stay in San Martino de Castrozza, you will have entrée to eleven red runs, three black runs, five green runs, and eighteen blue runs. As the statistics show, intermediates find the most options in San Martino. But, there are 28 ski lifts that is why 3,000 people for an hour will have entrée to the 60 kilometers of slopes accessible here. The highest vertical that you may achieve on these slopes is 1290 m with highest lift going 2740 m. The lowest piste vibrates roughly 1470 m with the resort resting at 1450 m. The territory is famous as the Alpine Capital, and it is not surprising that with numerous woody alpine forests, brushy conifers, and heaps of trees to go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.

Where to Ski in Slovenia

Slovenia is renowned for its ski centers. The biggest advantage about these centers is that each of them facilitates direct access paths from the lowland areas. The fact that all the urban centers are located near these ski centers is further improved with cable lift modern features. The diverse terrains and small sizes of the ski centers in Slovenia are another distinct advantage. Almost every ski resort in Slovenia boasts top notch skiing and staying facilities.

There are a multitude of ski slopes scattered in and around Slovenia. This is one of the biggest reasons why skiing is the primary winter activity in Slovenia. The most popular slopes for skiing in Slovenia are Mariborsko Pohorje, Krvavec, Rogla, Kranjska Gora, Vogel, Cerkno, Kanin-Sella Nevea, Kope, Soriska planina, Kobla, Golte, Velika planina, Stari vrh, Trije Kralji, Zelenica, SC Bela, Ribnisko Pohorje, Javornik, Sviscaki, Rudno. Logarska dolina, Crni vrh, Bukovnik, Crna na Koroskem, Celjska koca, Encijan, Dole pri Litiji and lots more. Each of these slopes has a ski resort in Slovenia equipped with excellent services.

The strategic advantage of every ski resort in Slovenia is that each one is fully maintained and is stretched across all the corners of the mighty Alps. Each ski center provides visitors with complete enjoyment of winter season here. Even when it is milder winter, there are snow machines, which artificially sprinkle snow to provide a realistic effect. With easy accessibility to urban regions as well as facilities, these ski centers provide an added advantage to visitors. Besides, with first-class facilities available in each ski resort in Slovenia it is all the more reason to spend your winter enjoying the skiing season in Slovenia.

From exclusive dining experiences and cuisines to spectacular views, each ski resort in Slovenia offers visitors the ultimate experience when holidaying in Slovenia.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Looking For a Ski Resort Near Denver? Read On!

The Loveland ski area is one of the closest Denver area ski resorts. Loveland Ski area receives around 400 inches of snowfall each year, and it's very popular for the locals. With all of the fluffy white snow, awesome ski slopes, and natural beauty surrounding the area, what more could you ask for in a ski resort?

If you're a seasoned skier or snowboarder, or simply want to give it a try, Denver ski resorts have something to suit everyone's taste. Loveland lies about 53 miles away from Denver and is located in the Arapaho National Forest. As the locals know the best places to go, you might try to tag along with some!

This ski resort provides 1,365 acres, all of them skiable. It is the 10th largest Denver resort which caters for skiers and the season generally starts around late October, which is much sooner than most ski resorts in the US. Man made snow provides a minimum of an 18" base and as soon as the natural snow starts to fall fresh coverage is provided. The man made base snow minimizes the chances of ice patches.

If you've always wanted to experience the snowy wonder of the Rocky Mountains, you will find that Denver ski resorts are the perfect place to fulfill that dream. Loveland, in particular, would be a terrific place to visit, even if you aren't very experienced at snow sports. There are mild trails to the south of the resort, good for beginners and intermediate skill levels, and the north side offers aggressive tracks for the more experienced, thrill-seeking skier.

The double-black diamond and black diamond runs provide a death defying ski ride for the daredevils, while intermediary skiers will also find the ideal challenge. You will be able to find a map and directions to this resort online at the Loveland site. The resort offers different skiing programs for adults and kids, and tots and teens are encouraged to enjoy the pleasures of snowboarding. They also have an All Terrain All Conditions clinic available for skiers with advanced capabilities, and there is nothing better than enjoying a mouthwatering barbecue at the Basin Deck after a hard days skiing.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Wolf Creek Lift Tickets - Tips & Tricks For Finding Discount Wolf Creek Lift Tickets in Utah

As far as mom and pop ski resorts, the Wolf Creek Resort in Utah rates up as one of the best. The little known gem ski resort located one hour from Salt Lake City, receives 300 inches of snow per year. The Wolf Creek Resort contains just under 110 acres of skiing comprised of 35% beginner, 45% Intermediate and 45% advanced. Read about purchasing discount lift tickets for Wolf Creek and a resort profile.

New for the 2008/2009 ski season, the Wolf Creek Mountain installed the Wolf Lair Triple Chairlift. Located at the base of the mountain next to the Wolf-de-do Chair, their new lift serves the Wolf Lair Terrain Park and increases their lift capacity by approximately 1,000 people per hour.

Wolf Creek Resort Profile:
Acres of Terrain: 110 acres
Lifts: 4
Runs: 15
Average Snowfall: 300 inches
Difficulty of Terrain: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 20%

Location: Approximately one hour driving time from Salt Lake City.

1) Book Online In Advance
For those eager skiers who plan there ski trips in advance, you are definitely on to something. If you purchase Wolf Creek lift tickets in advance you can save upwards of 20%. Though Wolf Creek Resort is a less expensive alternative to other Utah resorts, it is still nice to get ski bargains no matter where you go or when.

2) Book Multi Day Lift Tickets
Wolf Creek lift ticket dealers often times bundle multi day ski passes. The theory "Buy in Bulk" allows you to save 10% - 30% depending on the season.

3) US Military Ski Lift Ticket Discounts
Those of you who serve our country are often greeted with great savings at many resorts throughout the country. Wolf Creek resort often times have special arrangements with active duty military, reservists, National Guard and dependents. This allows for great deals for those serving our country. Contact the resort directly for more information on Wolf Creek military discount deals.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Ski Resort Jobs - From Seasonal Jobs to Lifelong Careers!

When you think about working at a ski resort, does the word "liftie" first come to mind? Nothing wrong with being a lift attendant, but you may be looking for more of a full-time year- round professional career. The seasonal hourly jobs which are most visible at a ski resort are perfect for some, but many professional opportunities exist as well that keep local mountain residents happily employed, year after year. Ski resort jobs can be broken down into three categories; seasonal, full-time seasonal or full-time year-round.

Seasonal Jobs

Starting with the seasonal job, the majority of employees in this group has either just recently graduated college or intends to work seasonally until they figure out what they really want to do. Many are exploring their options, taking time off before grad school, or checking out a new locale. These jobs might appeal to a recent college graduate, die-hard skier who has just spent the last 20 years going to school every day and wants to live for skiing for the next year or two. Another candidate for these jobs may be the person who has spent the last 10 to 15 years in a career, has made the move to their favorite ski resort, and wants to enjoy some time getting to know the community before settling back down into a full-time job. Retired workers are another popular segment of the seasonal resort job crew. Seasonal work is a great way to meet a lot of people, get a free ski pass and stay active. Seasonal resort jobs include ticket sales, guest services associates, ski instructors, lift attendants, food and beverage jobs: cooks, cashiers, and servers, child care, and parking and transportation workers.

Full-Time Seasonal Careers

These ski resort jobs are career-oriented and many are full-time, but only during the ski season or summer, depending on what the job entails. Ski patrol, ski school managers and supervisors, heli-ski and mountain guides are winter seasonal jobs. In a resort town with summer activities, fishing and river guides, climbing guides and many national park employees fit into this category as well. With seasonal full-time work you may work different jobs during the summer and the winter seasons, but essentially return to the same company and position each year.

This is a lifestyle that suits many active people who choose to stay in resort towns and incorporate their outdoor passions into their careers. Ski patrol is a good example of this type of job. Year after year, many ski patrollers stay with the same resort. Benefit: you're the first one on and the last one off the mountain. You get to ski with expert skiers and really get to know the terrain. Ski patrol assists skiers and visitors all around the mountain making this a fulfilling job and career choice. A ski patroller may choose to work at the same resort doing building and grounds work in the summer, for example, and have a month or two off in between seasons each and every year. Not a bad deal to work at the mountain for the majority of the year with the benefit of having the mud-seasons off!

Full-Time, Year-Round Careers

The third category of ski resort jobs includes many full-time careers. At ski areas, the resort management is comprised of full-time staff from the CEO and CFO, to marketing and accounting professionals, human resources, department managers, and office staff. If a full-time staff position at a ski resort is what you are after, the best thing to do if you are just starting out is to just get your foot in the door. How many administrative assistants grow into resort managers? Quite a few! Ski instructors become department heads, and guest service associates become guest services managers. Many ski resorts prefer to hire from within, and you'll find as you gain more experience, opportunities will open up throughout the country. It is not uncommon to see resort workers who become managers get promoted up the ladder and then proceed to work at various resorts throughout their ski career.

Other full-time careers you will commonly see in resort towns include hotel/restaurant management and staff, accounting/banking, architecture/engineering and design, construction, IT, education and health care. A plus for permanent residents of a resort town is that opportunities become more plentiful for those who have shown that they are committed to staying there.

No matter what your preference for work, many challenging and exciting opportunities exist at ski resorts located in resort towns throughout the U.S. If you have been dreaming of a ski life from your city office cubicle for way too long, it may be time to explore some of these job opportunities and think about moving on!

Ski Big Mountain at Whitefish Mountain Resort in Northwest Montana

You will not be disappointed when you come to ski Big Mountain, located about four miles northwest of Whitefish, Montana, just west of Glacier National Park in the Flathead National Forest. The Whitefish Mountain Resort also has stunning views overlooking Whitefish Lake and the Flathead Valley. Whitefish Mountain has 3,000 acres of good ski trails including slopes for skiers at every level of skill, from beginner to double diamond expert trails as well as tree skiing. Since skiers are not limited to ski trails, Whitefish Mountain is a great place for skiers who prefer to ski off trail.

The Hell Roaring Basin area of Big Mountain is not for beginners but is a favorite of some advanced skiers. As a skier nears the bottom, the trees are quite thick and therefore not recommended for anyone who cannot make tight turns in deep snow. At the intermediate level, one of the benchmark runs you will not want to miss is called Inspiration that begins from the Summit House that lets you ski with giant slalom turns at comfortable speeds that winds down the front face of Big Mountain. Skiing is available on all sides of the mountain.

Snowboarders have their own ski lift and terrain park known as the Fish Bowl, a play on words with the name of their hometown of Whitefish. The terrain park features rails and boxes for beginners, intermediates and freestyle snow boarders. The 2009-2010 season features 2 progressive hip jumps for those that like to fly. Big Mountain is the home of champions as well as great ski experience for the average skier. Tommy Moe was the first American skier to win two medals in the same Olympics. Moe learned to ski at Big Mountain where his father was a member of the ski patrol, as did Olympic champion Bill Johnson.

There are quite a few activities at the Whitefish Ski Lodge in addition to snow skiing. These include night skiing, dog sledding, sleigh rides and ski sailing. Dog sledding is free for the kids. You can also have a change of pace with guided snowmobile tours that cover hundreds of groomed trails in the local area. A free shuttle runs from the town of Whitefish to the base of the mountain. Enjoy the friendliness of Whitefish shops and restaurants. They brag about not having any chain stores in Whitefish. It is true, everything is unique with no big city image to uphold. For information lookup "Whitefish Mountain Resort at Big Mountain."