Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Vacationing In The Snow

By Ager Sovson


Years of going to the beach have worn you out and you are raring for a change of scenery for the next family vacation. An extreme solution may be to go on a skiing adventure. Its cold mountain ranges may just turn out to be a welcome respite from the heat and humidity of the sun and surf.

It is believed that a Norwegian named Sondre Norheim invented the favorite winter past time of skiing. Developed from snow shoeing, the 1800's saw the progression of this activity to something called Slalom, or more widely known today as Telemark skiing. This sport is not as simple as riding a ski lift to a peak prior to the actual run. Part of the challenge is to walk to the top through trails or secured patrolled ski routes. More adventurous skiers engage in cross country skiing but most resorts prefer that their guests stay inside the borders of the resort for safety reasons. Its dangers are so immense that most countries in Europe have passed laws that would prevent skiing beyond resort boundaries to prevent accidents that would involve avalanches and necessitate search and rescue.

Because of the euphoric feeling and exhilarating adrenaline rush one experiences, more and more people return to winter resorts each year. For beginners, resorts have in house instructors that can teach the basics which are not all that difficult to follow. Aside from the feeling of being airborne, it gives one good exercise. To make it even more appealing, winding the day down sitting at a fireplace with that special someone and a warm coco in hand makes for a great romantic setting.

There are numerous sites to choose from where you and your family can spend the winter holidays. Though activities may seem similar, cost, service and overall scenery may differ. The good thing is that you have the option to select the one that you feel you will enjoy the most.

Colorado's Aspen Mountain is one of the most popular destinations, as is the site of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games-Park City, Utah. Upstate New York boasts of Whiteface Mountain as its premier ski resort. Because of it having one of the highest peaks in the Adirondack range as well as being the fifth highest in the New York State, on a clear day, visitors are given a 360 degree view which includes Vermont and Canada. It also has the greatest vertical drop in that part of the U.S.

In Maine, Sugarloaf is regarded as 'the' destination in the Northeastern U.S and is popular for its lift giving guests a majestic view above the tree lines. For a more historical trip, Cannon Mountain in New Hampshire is where you will find the New England Ski Museum. It features an extensive archive of literature, film, photographs, artwork and equipment.

Canada also has its share of famous winter vacation spots such as Blue Mountain in Ontario. It has one of the largest ski areas in the region and has six man chair lifts. It is presently constructing a pedestrian village.

No matter what resort you choose, a winter holiday may just be your next preferred vacation.




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