Be young. At many resorts, kids ski free all year. Of course, the little ones have to be accompanied by a ticket-buying adult and the cutoff age varies from resort to resort.
Be old. Many resorts offer free lift tickets to vintage skiers, usually those over the age of 70. Be prepared to show some sort of ID that proves how old you are.
Have a gimmick. Ski areas have a sense of humor. They occasionally give away lift tickets just to see what people would do. Do you have a good memory? On Martin Luther King Day at one resort, if you can recite the full text of his "I Have A Dream" speech, you get a free lift ticket. At another place, reciting the Gettysburg Address on Lincoln's birthday will get you a free one.
Go to Crested Butte. In an effort to attract early and late season skiers to the town's lodging and restaurants, this central Colorado resort slashed prices to the bare bone and beyond. In recent years, Crested Butte has offered free lift tickets until December 1 and after April 1.
Learn to ski. In the great American tradition of the free sample, many resorts and resort associations offer a way for beginners to try skiing without cost or obligation. These packages usually include rentals and a lesson as well as a lift ticket. Significant restrictions, however, do apply. These promotions are limited to certain dates and are good only for learn-to-ski packages. But you can't beat the price.
Buy in bulk. Skiing is not dissimilar to paper towels - if you buy a lot all at once it's cheaper. All resorts sell multi-day tickets - two-, three-, or five-day passes - that are much cheaper than buying a series of single-day passes. At many areas you can buy a book of tickets - say ten - in advance. The savings are usually significant enough that at least one day of skiing is essentially free.
Bring a friend. This is simple. At many ski areas, if you bring a first timer for their first day on skis, you can get a voucher for a lift ticket for yourself. Most ski areas have group sales departments and among the incentives they offer are free tickets for the organizer of the group.
Ski a lot. You've heard of frequent flier cards? Well how about a frequent skier card? At many resorts, skiing begets more skiing (or more to the point, buying lift tickets begets more lift tickets). If you accumulate enough points under a resort's affinity program, you can trade them for free lift tickets.
Buy a season ticket. At many ski resorts, season passes are so cheap that the break-even point is 20 days or less, so if you ski a lot, you can practically ski half the season for free. A few areas are selling season tickets so cheap - around $200 if you buy well in advance - that even a vacationer could take advantage of the deal.
Volunteer. You know those people who stand around the resort on weekends in their mountain-issued jackets, answering questions, giving directions and generally being courteous? Well, come Monday most of those mountain ambassadors go back to being accountants, carpenters or school teachers. That means that you too could volunteer for this kind of program, which usually doesn't pay but does carry a free lift ticket.
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Skiing [http://skiing-guided.com/]
Friday, 26 March 2010
Sunday, 14 March 2010
Discover How to Select the Perfect Snowboard For Yourself
There are several different brands and types of snowboards and when it comes time to select one, it can be quite challenging. Alpine, free ride, and freestyle are the three basic types of boards. When the time comes to choose a snowboard, the style of riding you do will determine the type of board you need to choose. A freestyle board would be used if you spend most of your time in the half-pipe. An alpine board is best if you are into high speed action and a free ride board if you are just heading down the hill.
Another thing to keep in mind and that is very important is choosing the correct boots and bindings that are made for your board. These set ups all have their own traits that are geared to the style of riding that you will be doing.
If you are a beginner and just starting out you should start with a freestyle or freeride board, soft boots and freestyle bindings. This combination will give you some forgiveness in the learning process. It is best to pick a shorter board if you are a beginner because these are easier to maneuver and steer. The height of the board should be somewhere between your shoulders and your nose. But, keep in mind that the height is not the only thing you will need to think about.
Flexibility is an additional feature you will need to give some thought to. If you are considered a lighter rider then choose a snowboard that offers a bit more flexibility, and if you are on the heavier side a stiffer board would be better suited for you.
Let us not forget about the width of the board. If you are one of those with smaller feet you will not have any issues in this area. If you are one of those that have large feet you do not want your boots hanging over the edge of the board. The reason being, your toes could catch in the snow and cause you to take a fall. Be sure to get a wider board if you are one of those with big feet.
If you are a beginner, you might want to rent your equipment first because as you will find out, snowboarding is not cheap. If you buy your equipment before you decide if you like snowboarding, you could potentially be throwing away your hard earned money. Head over to the local sports shop and find out if they rent snowboarding equipment. This could give you the opportunity to try out different set ups and find one that fits your style boarding.
Once you decide that snowboarding is something you are going to enjoy, and it's time to purchase your own gear, do your shopping at the end of the winter season. Stores have incredible sales at the end of the season to get rid of their stock and make room for whatever new merchandise they can put out for the upcoming season.
Get more great Snowboarding Tips at http://www.snowboardandskigear.com. Here, Michael has put together some of the best tips on snowboarding from purchasing gear to learning some of the greatest tricks. Lots of video.
Another thing to keep in mind and that is very important is choosing the correct boots and bindings that are made for your board. These set ups all have their own traits that are geared to the style of riding that you will be doing.
If you are a beginner and just starting out you should start with a freestyle or freeride board, soft boots and freestyle bindings. This combination will give you some forgiveness in the learning process. It is best to pick a shorter board if you are a beginner because these are easier to maneuver and steer. The height of the board should be somewhere between your shoulders and your nose. But, keep in mind that the height is not the only thing you will need to think about.
Flexibility is an additional feature you will need to give some thought to. If you are considered a lighter rider then choose a snowboard that offers a bit more flexibility, and if you are on the heavier side a stiffer board would be better suited for you.
Let us not forget about the width of the board. If you are one of those with smaller feet you will not have any issues in this area. If you are one of those that have large feet you do not want your boots hanging over the edge of the board. The reason being, your toes could catch in the snow and cause you to take a fall. Be sure to get a wider board if you are one of those with big feet.
If you are a beginner, you might want to rent your equipment first because as you will find out, snowboarding is not cheap. If you buy your equipment before you decide if you like snowboarding, you could potentially be throwing away your hard earned money. Head over to the local sports shop and find out if they rent snowboarding equipment. This could give you the opportunity to try out different set ups and find one that fits your style boarding.
Once you decide that snowboarding is something you are going to enjoy, and it's time to purchase your own gear, do your shopping at the end of the winter season. Stores have incredible sales at the end of the season to get rid of their stock and make room for whatever new merchandise they can put out for the upcoming season.
Get more great Snowboarding Tips at http://www.snowboardandskigear.com. Here, Michael has put together some of the best tips on snowboarding from purchasing gear to learning some of the greatest tricks. Lots of video.
Friday, 5 March 2010
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Cheap Ski Trip - 4 Tips to Have the Best Deal Online
Although it has been an extended winter season the advantage of such peculiar weather is a prolonged ski season. To find a cheap ski trip these days is easier because of the Internet. There are dozens of websites that detail promotions and discounted package rates for ski weekends that are just too tempting to miss out. The Internet has made finding a cheap ski trip weekend accessible.
Ten years ago, trying to find an inexpensive ski package was akin to like finding a needle in a hay stack. Having or finding a network of ski operators would be the best way to go about it as they were in the loop on which ski resorts were giving great packages. Then, you would have to pay a deposit to confirm your reservation through a wire or bank transfer. If you were just learning how to ski and did not have any connection or contacts with such a skiing group, more often than not, you had to just take the available packages that were listed on newspapers and magazines. Those rates offered little discounts if ever.
Now, things are so different. Go online and search for cheap ski trips at any search engines and presto, a list of possible websites offering great deals pops up at your computer screen. Some of these listings even include airport transfers and plane fare rates in their packages.
Here are some tips to consider when purchasing a cheap ski trip deal:
1. As for opinions about some of the places you are interested in. Go to a skiing blog site and ask around which areas are good to ski in and which offer great value. There will be a lot of people who may respond to your question and don't be afraid to follow it up with an email or another query.
2. If traveling by air, ask for the travel time and if there are any transfers or stops. This makes a big difference if you are carrying ski equipment and have to load and unload at different airports.
3. If you are looking at a weekend trip, then perhaps it is easier to rent the ski equipment on site. Avoid the hassle of bringing too much sports gear if you are just skiing for two days. Rent it there.
4. Email the resort you have chosen and try to get a contact and a name of one of the workers there. By getting personal and friendly with the staff, there may be more freebies in store for you there.
Finally, some useful information on how to find a cheap ski trip. Check out the offers and get ready to hit the slopes with cheap ski packages! Imagine how much fun is waiting for you and your friends on your next vacation when you play in the snow!
Ten years ago, trying to find an inexpensive ski package was akin to like finding a needle in a hay stack. Having or finding a network of ski operators would be the best way to go about it as they were in the loop on which ski resorts were giving great packages. Then, you would have to pay a deposit to confirm your reservation through a wire or bank transfer. If you were just learning how to ski and did not have any connection or contacts with such a skiing group, more often than not, you had to just take the available packages that were listed on newspapers and magazines. Those rates offered little discounts if ever.
Now, things are so different. Go online and search for cheap ski trips at any search engines and presto, a list of possible websites offering great deals pops up at your computer screen. Some of these listings even include airport transfers and plane fare rates in their packages.
Here are some tips to consider when purchasing a cheap ski trip deal:
1. As for opinions about some of the places you are interested in. Go to a skiing blog site and ask around which areas are good to ski in and which offer great value. There will be a lot of people who may respond to your question and don't be afraid to follow it up with an email or another query.
2. If traveling by air, ask for the travel time and if there are any transfers or stops. This makes a big difference if you are carrying ski equipment and have to load and unload at different airports.
3. If you are looking at a weekend trip, then perhaps it is easier to rent the ski equipment on site. Avoid the hassle of bringing too much sports gear if you are just skiing for two days. Rent it there.
4. Email the resort you have chosen and try to get a contact and a name of one of the workers there. By getting personal and friendly with the staff, there may be more freebies in store for you there.
Finally, some useful information on how to find a cheap ski trip. Check out the offers and get ready to hit the slopes with cheap ski packages! Imagine how much fun is waiting for you and your friends on your next vacation when you play in the snow!
Thursday, 18 February 2010
Monday, 15 February 2010
Skiing and Snowboarding in Austria
Austria has excellent snowfalls, world-class ski resorts, slopes to suit all levels, it's easy to get to and it can also be very affordable if you look around. The largest and most moderately priced area is St. Anton. This is an area that attracts serious skiers that are up at dawn to conquer the mountains.
There are specially designated parks and facilities for snowboarders and countless cross-country tracks. If you are looking for deep powder off-piste (unmarked and ungroomed runs) and almost certain big snowfalls, check out the Arlberg in western Austria. The Arlberg is also the place to go for heli-skiing and heli-boarding.
The five famous ski resorts in the Arlberg region are at the towns of Lech, Zurs, Stuben, St Cristoph and St Anton. There are about 85 lifts that operate here and a single lift pass links the resorts. St Anton is the biggest resort in the Arlberg. Lech is the place to get your handmade boots (which also come in 1/2 sizes!).
If you are an experienced skier looking for highly challenging off-piste runs, it is highly recommended you hire the services of an experienced and certified mountain guide. These professional guides know where to find the best snow and the best off-piste. They also know the valleys, passes, mountains, and most importantly, they know the danger spots that should be avoided!
Snowboarders should visit in December and January when there is typically a lot of powder snow and fewer people in the resorts. With fewer people on the slopes, the virgin snow is a snowboarders dream. With the Northern Limestone Alps offering some of the best snowboarding in Austria, St Anton attracts snowboarders in droves as the destination of choice.
There are permanent road and pass closures in the Arlberg during the winter. It is highly recommended to check local information about road/pass closures that are affected by weather conditions.
Looking for the best skiing and snowboarding destinations? Visit us at TravelerDelights.com for best travel guide reviews, written by the people that have actually used them!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Suzanne_Bender
There are specially designated parks and facilities for snowboarders and countless cross-country tracks. If you are looking for deep powder off-piste (unmarked and ungroomed runs) and almost certain big snowfalls, check out the Arlberg in western Austria. The Arlberg is also the place to go for heli-skiing and heli-boarding.
The five famous ski resorts in the Arlberg region are at the towns of Lech, Zurs, Stuben, St Cristoph and St Anton. There are about 85 lifts that operate here and a single lift pass links the resorts. St Anton is the biggest resort in the Arlberg. Lech is the place to get your handmade boots (which also come in 1/2 sizes!).
If you are an experienced skier looking for highly challenging off-piste runs, it is highly recommended you hire the services of an experienced and certified mountain guide. These professional guides know where to find the best snow and the best off-piste. They also know the valleys, passes, mountains, and most importantly, they know the danger spots that should be avoided!
Snowboarders should visit in December and January when there is typically a lot of powder snow and fewer people in the resorts. With fewer people on the slopes, the virgin snow is a snowboarders dream. With the Northern Limestone Alps offering some of the best snowboarding in Austria, St Anton attracts snowboarders in droves as the destination of choice.
There are permanent road and pass closures in the Arlberg during the winter. It is highly recommended to check local information about road/pass closures that are affected by weather conditions.
Looking for the best skiing and snowboarding destinations? Visit us at TravelerDelights.com for best travel guide reviews, written by the people that have actually used them!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Suzanne_Bender
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
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