Travel

Packing for a ski vacation could be difficult especially if you have to take a flight. Lots and lots of airlines these days are charging for additional bags and particularly for the heavier ones. It is not unheard of for travellers to pay as much as their flight ticket in extra baggage charges. If you reckon you are going to have to travel with a lot of stuff with you on a holiday it would be a better idea to go with the flight company with the greatest baggage allowance or one that provides cheaper charges.

On most ski vacation destinations the airlines are used to people taking skis and they generally to take this into account. Always notify the airline well in advance if not at the time of making your reservation that you are going to be taking skis and get them booked in. The airline will have a fix on the number of skis they can carry on each trip. You do not want to be in the disastrous position that you arrive at the airport and you are unable to take your skis with you.

If you are new to skiing or do not want to take your skis with you then you will normally find that you will be able to rent skis, ski boots and suitable clothing in most ski resorts. Just check your ski resorts amenities on the net or speak to the hotel you are booked in for some local knowledge.

If you simply are unable to do without all your clothes and stuff you could arrange to have a suitcase transported prior to your departure date by a shipping company. With the huge excess baggage costs on some flights you may discover that it is simpler to transport your stuff cheaper than pay these additional charges. Make it even cheaper by sharing the cost with the individuals you are travelling with.

Ski jackets and sweaters can be bulky and will take up a lot of room in any case. Why not wear them on the flight instead. It may be to hot to do this but you can take these items on the aircraft with you and when you arrive in the colder ski resort you can instantly put your jacket and sweater on and get the benefit immediately.

Do not forget the greater you plan and get organized the more smoothly things will go and the less hassled you will be.

Getting the most out of your Neilson Ski Holiday is easy when you have so many ski resorts to choose from. Find out more with Alan Bain travel writer at Travel Snips

categories: Travel,Ski,vacations,holidays,flights,airlines,luggage,packing,travel tips,travel advice

I stick to my well-founded view that Summit Countys Breckenridge is the place to enjoy the night life, to dine out, or engage in your choice of recreational activities whatever the season of the year. Before anyone thinks of favoritism, the claim is based on factual information like the survey with the residents of Summit County as respondents. The result was the basis for the Best of Summit County selection featured in Summit Daily News. Here are some of the 2008 awards categories where Breckenridge ranked high on top.

Truly the Best Ski Mountain: And to make the visit to Breckenridge eventful, make sure you take the time to visit the slopes. And Breckenridge Ski Resort is the locals favorite suggestion for skiing destination. Why Breck? you may ask.

To begin with, Breckenridge Ski Resort offers the appropriate terrain no matter what your level of skiing expertise is. You have the choice to be where you will be most comfortable or most challenged. You need not suffer from being intimidated by the breath-taking executions of the experts in the same way that the experts will not be bored by a slope that does not offer any excitement at all. A ski resort that offers its guests a breath-taking run from North Americas highest lift through a slope with exciting obstacles while enjoying the magnificent view certainly deserves to be called the best and the locals top choice.

As expected, there are celebrations for being awarded as Best Ski Mountain by both the locals as well as the guests in the many watering holes on the mountain.

Best Spot for People Watching: Begin and end your exciting day at Summit County by heading to Main Street, selected as the place most people go to for entertainment or shopping in Breckenridge. Whether you visit in the morning or at night, take notice of the things, aside from the mountains that make Breckenridge a fantastic place and the visitors who like you, found their way to the place.

Great Hiking Trail: Summit County is known not just for its best ski mountain but for other recreational activities as well, like hiking along the Mohawk trail. The trail is seven miles long and along the way, you will also see the Continental Falls, the remains of a ruined mine for some evidence of the countys history, Mohawk Lake and the breath taking panorama of Breckenridge.

Best Park: Breckenridges Carter Park is the best for Summit Countys locals for many reasons and not just because its their popular dog park. Breckenridge Park on High Street is the ideal place to have your picnic before playing your favorite sports and just right for running or exercise. The park has the perfect spot for all ” both the young and the old.

Best Golf Course: It should not come as a surprise that the 27-hole Breckenridge Golf Course constructed based on Jack Nicklaus design is the best in Summit County. Playing at an elevation of 9,234 feet from sea level is truly a unique experience you wont get at any other golf course. That Breckenridge Golf Course is the best is not just the opinion of the locals. The magazine Colorado Golfer, named it the Toughest Mountain Course.

Breckenridge offers many more bests or top ranked establishments in entertainment, shopping, dining that cannot be accommodated in this list. Breckenridge vacation rentals are another best in Summit County when you are searching for the accommodation that provides real value for the price.

Why dont you visit Breckenridge and verify my list? I expect you will find more to make a longer list.

Monique Mertandes is an outdoor enthusiast who lives in Breckenridge Colorado and is a continual source of the best tips on the ski resort. She gives practical advice on planning a ski vacation, such as how to find the best Breckenridge home rentals.

categories: Breckenridge lodging,Breckenridge vacation rentals,Breckenridge Colorado lodging,Breckenridge vacation,Travel,Sports and Recreation,Outdoors,Mountains,Ski,Snowboard,Hobbies,Entertainment,Family

The fascinating view of the Ten Mile Range is guaranteed to captivate anyone’s attention and it’s just one of the reasons to plan a trip to Breckenridge. Certainly, the outdoor activities and endless forms of recreation are also what draws visitors to this mountain town. Still, Breckenridge seems to put on a new face every time the town comes together in celebration. In Breckenridge, there’s always something to celebrate so it is always nice to consider a trip to Colorado’s 149-year-old Victorian paradise and have fun.

Perhaps there’s no better way to greet the New Year in Breckenridge than with the Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships thanks to the Breckenridge Ski Resort. This annual event, now in its 18th year, calls upon only the most innovative artists to transform a blank canvass of snow into a masterpiece. Sculptors coming from all over the world virtually take over the town for five days to create spectacular twenty-ton, twelve-foot tall snow sculptures with just their bare hands and a few permitted non-power tools such as carrot scraper and chicken wire. A panel of judges then present awards to the top three teams using theme, technique, and style as criteria. Championships are held in the middle of town at the Riverwalk Center from January 20-25, 2009.

There’s always a reason to celebrate after a wonderful ski season; thus comes the Spring Massive. This year’s eighth annual festival will be held from April 1-19, 2009. Breckenridge is a town that holds the annual event of the Spring Massive to delight in the year’s snow fall. Whether it’s through live entertainment or just a day of spring skiing, this event always makes it easy for anyone to have an enjoyable time. Town happenings include free outdoor concerts, ski competitions, the Massive Beer Festival, Comedy and a Bite of Breckenridge, to name just a few.

Last year wrapped up the 24th Genuine Jazz and Arts Festival in Breckenridge. Usually held during a weekend in August, wine tasting, hot music and beautiful summer nights come together each year for this free event in the Plaza above Maggie Pond. An assortment of performers are always chosen to create a special celebration of all things jazz like smooth jazz, fusion, and mainstream.

Towns all over the country join together in the fall to honor the traditional German celebration of Oktoberfest. Offering traditional German music, Bavarian food, kids’ activities, and, of course, plenty of beer, Breckenridge Oktoberfest is in its fifteenth year now. So, from September 18-20, 2009, grab your beer stein, pull on your lederhosen and head to Breckenridge for some marvelous mountain enjoyment.

Without doubt, winter brings a reason to celebrate in true Breckenridge style. The start of December is the time when Breckenridge formally announces that the holiday season has arrived with its Victorian Holliday celebration which includes competitions on the Breckenridge Ski Resort and craft workshops. Needless to say, the holiday season wouldn’t be complete without the annual Lighting of Breckenridge on Main Street.

The celebrations in Breckenridge will not only entertain you with endless fun but will also give you a reason to stay a while. Most if not all of these events are held in the core of the town so you will easily find Breckenridge accommodations that will put you within walking distance to the event itself or the public transportation that will bring you to the location for free. Whatever season you’re visiting Breckenridge, witness tradition unfold and rejoice in merriment by celebrating with the town.

Having lived in Breckenridge Colorado and all over Summit County since she was four years old, Monique Mertrandes grew up hiking, biking, skiing, rock climbing, kayaking, and playing tour guide to visiting friends and family. Learn more about Breckenridge Lodging from other locals like Monique.

categories: Breckenridge events,ski,ski town events,Oktoberfest,ice sculptures,Breckenridge Colorado,travel,sports,recreation,calendar of events,vacation,activities,leisure,outdoors

Wearing goggles is extremely necessary if you are going out for skiing or snowboarding as these equipments provide great protection to your eyes out there on the snow fields. If you do not wear goggles while skiing or snowboarding, you will be exposed to several risks to your eyes including ice particles, debris, twist and snow flying towards your face while sloping down the hill at high speeds. These goggles also protect your eyes from harmful UV sun rays that become stronger when reflected back from the snow.

While buying skiing or snowboarding goggles, you should also give concentration to fogging, more than ever if you are a beginner because at this time, you will fall more and breathe heavier. Goggles with multiple lenses will take care of the fogging issue as they will be kept well vented because fresh air gets circulated between the lenses, thus preventing fogging. There are chemically treated goggles that are also available in the market which are manufactured as anti-fog or else you can purchase anti-fog wipes and sprays from your equipments store.

Most of the branded goggles provide 100% UV protection, but if you are not able to afford these, you should choose the goggles that have at least 95% UV protection.

Other things that you need to keep in mind while purchasing ski or snowboarding goggles are that they should have a fine peripheral vision, they should be comfortable to wear and should snug fit over your facial contours. The straps and inside of your goggles should be padded which will prevent serious injuries in case you land badly. By peripheral vision, we mean that while you are traveling down the slope at high speed, you should be able to recognize the hazards quickly such as rocks, trees, uneven terrain and other people on the snow fields.

Customized prescription goggles are also available which have all the features that you need in skiing or snowboarding goggles. If not this, you can also choose the ski or snowboarding goggles that fit properly over your prescription glasses. While choosing the color of your lenses, you must remember that clear or yellow colors are good for darker skiing or snowboarding conditions, rose tint are for medium to low conditions and yellow, amber and gold colors are for moderate conditions. Today, goggles are also available with inter-changeable lenses so that you can choose the color as per the present skiing or snowboarding conditions.

Most of the branded companies give good quality ski and snowboarding goggles, but you should make sure that they are easily worn with your helmet. Therefore, it is important to give a lot of consideration while purchasing your ski or snowboarding goggles. In this way, you will be able to enjoy these sports at their best and at safest.

Are you a beginner to pick up the snowboard? Do it right from the start.

categories: sport,ski,snowboard,skiing,snowboarding,equipment,shopping,recreation,outdoor activities,travel,clothing,hobbies,trip

Choosing a Ski Resort

For the novice skier, it is advised to select a ski vacation in a location that is suitable to all levels of expertise: That way all members of your group, no matter their level, can make the most out of the vacation. Most destinations do offer various ski runs, ranging from wide, smooth beginner’s runs, to expert courses, which can be to be complicated and a little dangerous.

Novice skiers should invest in ski lessons from professionals at the holiday resort. Ideally, the new skier should take classes prior to the vacation to learn the basics. A beginner should lease their ski equipment because buying it before knowing what one needs from the equipment may be a costly error.

What to Take with you

Beginner skiers often underestimate how essential proper ski clothing is: An average jacket and mitts are not going to be appropriate. Gloves should be waterproof with a grip, jackets lightweight and wind-resistant and trousers (“salopettes”) designed for the needs of skiers.

In addition, skiers should purchase thick socks, a warm hat and scarf, sunglasses (the glare off the snow can be strong) and sunblock (it is easy to get sun burnt). For the best comfort and safety, a new skier should wear thin layers that allow for movement, rather than one extremely thick layer. Many ski resorts stores accommodate ski-clothing rentals.

Essential Extras

A lift pass is required to allow access to the slopes. They can be purchased as part of a vacation package or purchased in resort each day (though you may experience long lines at popular resorts). Prices are based on where you are, but many deals can be located by looking online, asking the hotel concierge, purchasing in advance or buying for a group.

Always check what time the last lift leaves the slopes each day and set up a meeting point and time with your group. It is also an excellent idea to have a mobile phone with you for any problems.

A ski holiday for a beginner can be a great experience provided that they do a bit of research to make sure that the Thomson ski resort they have chosen is the right one for them. Get some tips from travel writer Lawrence Gilbert from Travel Bites

categories: vacations,ski,sports,travel,holidays,winter sports,snowboard