Somebody somewhere estimated that there are about 300 ski resorts in the States. Perhaps that’s a generous estimate and one that includes everything from the mega resorts like Aspen to private hills on farms with a tractor for a ski lift. Even so, there are stacks of great places to ski from New Mexico to […]
Somebody somewhere estimated that there are about 300 ski resorts in the States. Perhaps that’s a generous estimate and one that includes everything from the mega resorts like Aspen to private hills on farms with a tractor for a ski lift. Even so, there are stacks of great places to ski from New Mexico to […]
In the popular mythology of danger, avalanches play a starring role. They rank alongside earthquakes flash floods, sharks and lightning strikes as deadly, unpredictable, unstoppable forces that can strike at random to maim and kill unsuspecting holidaymakers. At the other end of the spectrum, the rationalist view of avalanches would have it that they can […]
Many people who have tried skiing will affirm that it’s a very fun, exciting and adrenaline packed activity and will definitely recommend it to others. What many might not mention are the potential injuries you’ll be exposed to on the ski slope. This article therefore seeks to highlight some of the most common injuries incurred […]
Whereas there is doubt that skiing is a very fun, exciting and adrenaline packed activity that everyone should be able to enjoy, it’s also important to highlight some of the risks that it comes with. As a skier, it’s important for you to be aware of both the pros and cons so that you know […]
Skiing is not only a fun adrenaline packed sporting and recreational activity it’s also a really good opportunity to get some much needed workout which results in really great health benefits. The interesting bit is that not many people get to know these benefits even though they are regular skiers. Here are 5 great health […]
Somebody somewhere estimated that there are about 300 ski resorts in the States. Perhaps that’s a generous estimate and one that includes everything from the mega resorts like Aspen to private hills on farms with a tractor for a ski lift. Even so, there are stacks of great places to ski from New Mexico to Wyoming – and each is quite individual.
You can bank on several things: high levels of service, friendly and enthusiastic staff, meticulously groomed pistes and spacious, high quality accommodation.
The Rockies on the west coast provide wonderful snow conditions. And although resorts are not exactly massive, they’re big enough to supply fun for a week or so. And if you seriously cover the miles, most resorts are grouped, so for a little extra travelling in the morning you can ski neighbouring areas as well.
The eastern states of Maine, Vermont and New England have smaller resorts, aimed more at weekenders from the big cities. The snow is not as guaranteed in the east as the west, but snowmaking all over the USA is top-notch.
Americans are strict on alcohol policy – so take your ID if you look under 35, even though the legal drinking age varies from 19, 21 and upwards. Eating out doesn’t have to be expensive – food is both plentiful and good off the slopes, but don’t expect to find lavish restaurants on the mountains. The lifts close early, so long lunches are not the norm.
The following resorts are featured:
In the popular mythology of danger, avalanches play a starring role.
They rank alongside earthquakes flash floods, sharks and lightning strikes as deadly, unpredictable, unstoppable forces that can strike at random to maim and kill unsuspecting holidaymakers.
At the other end of the spectrum, the rationalist view of avalanches would have it that they can be controlled, their risk managed or even eliminated by a combination of technology and common sense.
The truth lies somewhere between these extremes. For the most part avalanches are creatures of habit – they start under fairly predictable conditions, and they follow the same tracks year after year. There’s no need to be overly worried though. You can still enjoy the slopes if you take a few simple precautions. As long as you follow some basic rules, you need never put yourself at risk.
Most avalanche accidents happen when people ignore these basic rules. Most avalanche deaths among skiers and snowboarders are caused by the skier or snowboarder themselves or someone in their group. Think about it – you never see an avalanche during official winter sports events on TV do you? That’s because the organisers have mitigated the risk already.
Every so often, however, freak weather conditions change the rules. Either so much snow falls, or it falls under such unusual weather conditions, that normally safe slopes become avalanche-prone. These are the big killers, which come down unexpectedly on villages from slopes which have no history of avalanching.
Basically, snowboarding technique is closer to skateboarding and surfing than skiing. If you are a skier, your knowledge of edge control, snow, unweighting and general balance and co-ordination will come in handy, but you will have a lot to un-learn. If you can bear to miss a good day’s alpine skiing, choose a day when there are a few centimetres of new snow to cushion your early falls. Lessons are recommended.
Start on a nursery slope: walk up and practise sideslipping. Try it both ways, toes facing downhill with the heel edge biting, then facing the slope with the toe edge biting, to get the feel of both positions. At this stage turn by sitting down.
Some teachers recommend you take your poles for the first day, since this avoids some of the tedium of falling around on your butt or knees, but your balance is affected, and it’s preferable to dispense with them from day one.
In the basic position, you face down the slope, with 70 percent of your weight on the front foot, 30 percent on the rear, legs slightly bent, shoulders turned forwards, arms extended for balance.
OK, so standing up is good. Next we need to stop without resorting to the painful ‘collapse onto the snow’ technique. Not to mention the need to steer this plank. Enter the turn.
Yup, there are two different types of turns on a snowboard, due to the unsymmetrical stance. Many people find the toe-side turn easier to learn, as you’re facing into the snow so you can see what you’re doing.
Keep your upper body leaning towards the centre of the turn, into the hill.
Tip – If you pick up too much speed, slide your rear foot out more abruptly and apply pressure to the edge through your toes.
Mastered the toe-side turn? No use without the heel-side turn too if you want to go somewhere on that board of yours. This is the tricky one – you have to feel where your board is through your feet.
Remain on your heelside edge by bending your knees and pulling up your toes.
Tip – If you pick up too much speed, push your rear foot out more abruptly, keeping pressure on your heels – the purists won’t like it, but hey, they aren’t the ones hurtling down the fall line!
Presumably, you’re now able to reach the bottom of the piste without hurting either yourself or fellow riders.
There used to be a time when the only coverage of winter sports on national television was Ski Sunday. That one hour highlights and magazine show, which aired on Sunday evenings (the clue’s in the name there) was popular among both enthusiasts and casual viewers, but that was all we got.
These days, things are very different.
Whilst Ski Sunday is still being shown on the BBC, it’s no longer on its own. The launch of so many cable and satellite sports channels has meant that a lot more so called “minority” sports are starting to get the exposure they deserve. That means that as winter sports enthusiasts, we now get a lot more opportunities to watch our favourite events live.
So while that’s great news, the obvious question is: what exactly can I watch, when is it being shown, and on what channel?
One thing you don’t want to do is start searching through the channel guide on your TV. Because although things are improving, finding live winter sports is still fairly rare, so searching manually will be a “needle in a haystack” scenario. You’ll probably get frustrated and give up. We did.
The best way to find out is to look at a live sports TV guide online. That link will take you to the Live Sport Center, which shows 7 day TV listings for every sport, including skiing, snowboarding and all other winter sports events.
Mainly, we reckon it’s down to the sheer number of TV sports channels. There is a lot more airtime to go round now, which means they have the capacity to showcase many sports that would never have got any exposure in the past.
However, cynics would say that they are desperate to fill their schedules, so they need to get hold of the broadcast rights to anything and everything in order to do so.
Whatever the reasons, the end result is the same. Winter sports fans, and also fans of lots of other niche and minority sports, now get the opportunity to watch their chosen events on TV which a few years ago, they would never have been able to do.
So that has to be a good thing.
At the same time, the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang was a huge event that captured attention globally. Whenever this happens, you always get more interest and a greater uptake from youngsters wanting to try the sports, which in turn leads to a greater demand for TV coverage.
Hopefully this will have a lasting effect and lead to more people getting involved with participating in (and watching) all winter sports in the future.
Some sports channels are only available on subscription, but there are plenty that are free. The good news for ski and boarding fans is that more often than not, our sports can be found on the free to air channels. And more of these are launching around Europe all the time.
So while we can’t categorically state that you’ll be able to watch every single televised event for free, it is safe to say that you will get most of them.
We’ll keep on watching Ski Sunday every week, but now we won’t have to wait a full 7 days for the next episode. These days there’s plenty to keep us going in between!
Many people who have tried skiing will affirm that it’s a very fun, exciting and adrenaline packed activity and will definitely recommend it to others. What many might not mention are the potential injuries you’ll be exposed to on the ski slope. This article therefore seeks to highlight some of the most common injuries incurred in skiing.
Here are the 5 most common injuries incurred in skiing.
Many of the fatalities that have occurred on the ski slope have been the result of head trauma though it’s important to mention that there haven’t been many of such fatalities because of the tremendous safety measures that ski resorts usually put in place. Head trauma mostly occurs as a result of a slier falling and bumping their head. Thanks to helmets however, such injuries have been minimized.
The most common shoulder injuries that skiers often suffer from are shoulder dislocations which they mostly incur during falls especially when they attempt to break their fall using their arms. Skiers will suffer from repeat shoulder dislocations therefore weakening the tissue around their shoulders.
Injuries suffered on the arms are the most common experienced by skiers. It’s actually estimated that 75 per cent of the injuries sustained by skiers will be hand injuries. Just like shoulder injuries, most of these types of injuries will result from skiers attempting to use their arms to break their fall or trying to keep hold of ski poles as they go to ground. Hand injuries will include injuries to their wrists and fingers.
Whereas the gear that skiers use will provide protection to their ankles and feet, many ignore wearing protective gear for the knees because some feel as though it hinders them from pulling off the stunts they want to pull. Unfortunately for them, failing to give protection to the knees exposes them to a lot of pressure during skiing and this increases their risk of injury. The two common knee injuries are damage to the ACL and MCL.
One of the parts of a skier’s body that was difficult to protect in the past yet prone to injury was the legs. Injuries to the legs included ankle sprains, leg fractures or even leg breaks. Today however, these injuries have been on the decline because of the availability of really good protective gear.
It’s however worth noting that these injuries are much reduced among skiers who adhere to the recommended safety standards whenever they are on the ski slopes.
We’d love to hear all about your experience.
Whereas there is doubt that skiing is a very fun, exciting and adrenaline packed activity that everyone should be able to enjoy, it’s also important to highlight some of the risks that it comes with. As a skier, it’s important for you to be aware of both the pros and cons so that you know when and how to take necessary precautions while on the slopes.
Here are the 5 common risks associated with skiing.
One of the main challenges faced in popular skiing slopes is overcrowding. No one ever wants to miss an opportunity to hit the slopes at the peak of the winter season. The problems associated with overcrowding are increased possibilities of collisions and injuries and this makes for a negative skiing experience.
Skiing slopes often depend on ice cold temperatures for them to be in the best condition for skiers to enjoy them. However, with some of the unpredictable weather patterns being experience in various parts of the world as a result of global warming, the conditions on the ground, on the ski slopes may change thereby resulting in formation of hard packs, packed powder, wind packs and so on which may negatively affect skiers possibly even causing injuries.
The presence of many natural obstacles is one of the things that skiers will enjoy because it makes the slopes unpredictable and that’s part of the source of the adrenaline rush. However, these many natural obstacles are also some of the causes of many injuries on these slopes thereby negatively affecting the skiing experience.
Ski slopes will every now and then experience natural disasters such as avalanches and snow immersions, and these have resulted in serious life threatening experiences for a significant number of skiers thereby negatively affecting their skiing experience.
Whereas some extreme skiers may enjoy certain terrains because of the difficulty they offer, such terrains may not be favorable for the average skier. The slope design, steepness, grooming operations, among many other features may result in many skiers not enjoying their skiing experience or even being exposed to injuries.
As a skier especially on a new ski slope, you should ensure that you find out all you need to know about the slope so that you can be aware of the dangers it poses. Most ski resorts will always have warning signs in danger areas therefore you should never ignore them.
We’d love to hear all about your experience.
Skiing is not only a fun adrenaline packed sporting and recreational activity it’s also a really good opportunity to get some much needed workout which results in really great health benefits. The interesting bit is that not many people get to know these benefits even though they are regular skiers.
Here are 5 great health benefits of skiing.
Just a couple of hours on the skiing slope a couple of times a week will work wonders in giving you great cardiovascular health. The benefit of this is that you will stay clear of common heart problems thereby saving you on your medical expenses.
If you have some extra body fat you would like to lose, skiing could actually be a very good and fun way to do it. Research shows that an hour of skiing down a slope has the effect of burning more calories than most physical activities like sports as well as aerobics which are some of the most preferred activities by people looking to lose weight.
One of the best ways to strengthen your muscles is regular skiing because it’s one of the few exercises that put almost all your muscles to work as you attain balance on your skis. Regular skiing will expose your legs and stomach muscles to tension and weight which works towards strengthening these muscle groups. Muscular strength is beneficial in your day to day physically demanding tasks.
The key to being able to ski well is attaining balance. Getting to attain balance is very physically demanding on your body especially your stomach muscles. Regularly exposing these muscles to this task has the overall benefit of improving your core strength. Skiing would therefore be a really fun way to tone your body in preparation for summer.
As we have mentioned, skiing is a very fun adrenaline filled activity. Nothing gets you into a good mood like a fun skiing experience with your friends or family. Getting to engage in some skiing on a regular basis will always ensure you are on a really good mood thereby keeping your stress levels on the back burner.
If you are yet to try out skiing then you are really missing out. Skiing may be the answer you are waiting for to tackle some of the health challenges you’ve been facing.
We’d love to hear all about your experience.
Skiing is a skill that a person learns to perfect the more they practice it. It’s for this reason that if you are a parent looking to introduce your kids to skiing, you need to do it while they are young so that they get to hone their skills as they grow older. One of the best ways you can support them during this period is getting them the right gear.
This article will give you as a parent, 4 ideas on how to choose the right skiing gear for your kids.
There are different types of skiing and therefore different skiers will have a preference for different skiing styles. It’s therefore advisable for you to get to know the skiing style that your child prefers and buy them gear that will enable them comfortably and safely practice this style of skiing. Don’t try to pressure your child into choosing a particular style because it’s more safe instead help them practice their preferred style in a safe environment.
Always bear in mind that manufacturers will produce gear that is suitable for different levels of expertise and this includes gear for kids. Therefore, when your child is still at the beginner’s level, be sure to find out what gear is appropriate for beginners and as they advance their skills, ensure that you advance their gear as well.
As a parent, you may be tempted to buy gear that you feel your child will grow into. Whereas this may be okay for their daily usage shoes and their clothes, this may not be a good idea when it comes to their skiing gear. Gear that is too large or too small may increase their exposure to unnecessary injuries while on the skiing slope.
The good thing about the skiing community is that it’s a very niche community therefore it’s much easier to consult and get product reviews from within the community. Take your time and talk to fellow parents as well as well as your child’s coach to find out what the reputable brands are so that when you get to the retail outlet or the online store, you have a pretty good idea of what to look for.
It’s generally a great idea to take your child with you to the store when you are going to buy their ski gear so that they can try them out and make sure they are a perfect fit and comfortable.
We’d love to hear all about your experience.
As far as skiing is concerned, Europe is home to some of the best outdoor ski resorts that you must make a point of checking out if you are planning a ski vacation. This is part of the main reason the Winter Olympics have been held in Europe 13 times since this winter sports was launched back in 1924. These ski resorts are not just known for their really awesome facilities but also for the picturesque sceneries that skiers will enjoy.
Here are the 4 places in Europe with the best skiing experience.
The region of Innsbruck in Austria is definitely a place you should consider visiting especially if you are a professional skier or you are looking to advance your skill. The region of Innsbruck is home to Hafelekarrinne and Patscherkofel which are among some of Europe’s steepest runs, and give you one of the closest experiences to the preferred downhill course that is used during the Olympic Games. In this region you will also find areas that have been set aside for beginners in skiing as well as children.
The amazing ski slopes in addition to the scenic landscapes in the town of Cortinad’Ampezzo in Italy are the reasons why this town is a favorite skiing destination that annually attracts skiing enthusiasts in the thousands. As a skier you are guaranteed a really amazing skiing experience owing to the fact that ski slopes here never get too crowded as they do in other resorts around Europe. This is a diamond in the dirt that many are yet to discover.
The ski town of Zermatt in Switzerland is undoubtedly one of the stand out ski areas in Europe. The town hosts three skiing zones that are interconnected, and which border two other skiing zones on the Italian border. This ensures that skiers have a really awesome experience as they are free to crisscross the different zones which offer unique experiences thanks to the endless room for cruising, and beautiful slopes. The only catch is that this is an expensive travel destination but it’s worth every dime.
The ski town of Chamonix in France has been referred to by many skiing enthusiasts as the Mecca for skiers as it’s one of those destinations that skiers must make a point of visiting at least once in their lifetime. This is a truly magnificent and exciting destination because it’s so unpredictable owing to the fact that it’s a very rugged terrain therefore skiers get to experience a thrilling rush because they don’t know what to expect. Pro skiers will especially appreciate the vertical drops that can go up to 9,000feet.
If you are looking for a skiing experience of a life time we can guarantee you that these 4 destinations will offer you a memorable experience.
We’d love to hear all about your experience.
Ever found yourself on the ski slopes with a bunch of skiing enthusiasts who seem to be speaking a foreign language? Later on you realize that it’s actually not a foreign language but ski slang. In this post we are going to look at the 8 terms that are commonly used in ski slang. Consider this your guide to basic key slang.
Here we go!
When you hear skiers on the slopes talking about a brain bucket, what they are referring to is a helmet.
When you hear the term bomber, it’s actually how skiers refer to a fellow skier who is going down the slope at a high speed and they seem to be out of control.
When skiers are making reference to a fellow skier who has just tripped and fallen down, they will use the word bail.
In skiing, the word base as used by skiers has about three different meanings. It may mean the underside of a ski, it may be used to refer to the general depth of the snow, and it may also be used to make reference to an area at the foot of a ski resort.
The term backcountry is especially important for you to know if you are a beginner because if you are with a bunch of skiers having a chat about checking out the backcountry, they are making reference to a terrain that is best suited for more experienced skiers. These are terrains that are kept well from crowds of people visiting ski slopes and any decision to ski in such terrains is made at a skier’s own peril.
Gnaris another skiing slang you must be aware of especially if you are a beginner. It’s a term borrowed from the English term gnarly and is used to make reference to any skiing experience that is highly dangerous but at the same time really cool. You only try it at your own peril.
When a skier is heading down slope at a very high speed their skis will produce a vibration which is often referred to by skiers as chatter. When it gets to a point that you can feel this chatter, what is likely to happen is you will essentially experience a reduction in the level of contact between the snow and your skis and this will affect your ability to maintain complete control. It’s highly likely to result to slipping and falling or ramming into an obstacle on your path.
When you hear skiers mentioning the term après-ski you better get excited because it means that the day has come to a close therefore it’s time to grab a drink or two as you unwind.
Be sure to brush up on your ski slang so that you don’t find yourself in an awkward situation.
We’d love to hear all about your experience.
