Travel and Leisure Articles

Cerro Catedral is probable the best image of the winter atractions in Bariloche. This magnificent mountain has two sides, the southern one with many stone needles that gives to it the name of a gothic temple and are the perfect place for mountaineering; and the northeast side, with smooth slopes, where is located one of the best ski centers in Southamerica, Antonio Lynch Winter Center, most known as Cerro Catedral.

For its characteristics, Cerro Catedral is one of the best places for winter sports. It counts with a slope of 60 degrees and its longest ski run brings a descend of 9 kilometers without interruptions. The highest track off piste is at 2180 meters over the level of the sea, so the expert skiers can slide through it admiring the overwhelming landscape, from the top to the base.

The whole mountain elevates over 2300 meters and has 600 hectares of surface, with ski runs, ski lifts, beautiful forest and the area of the base, where is Villa Catedral, a place with excellent services and many hotels with 3, 4 or 5 stars of category, with all the amenities and services needed for the visitors.

Inside Villa Catedral there is Las Terrazas Shopping Center, with a commercial gallery, stores and a food court with different kind of menus. Other commercial spot is Paseo Plaza Amancay, located inside the Amacay chairlift. Here there is a big restaurant, ski rental stores, ski schools and the lobby of some hotels of the base. And for the amusement of the visitors by night, there are also a disco and a Casino, inside the Hotel Club Catedral.

Cerro Catedral offers many stores for ski rental, with the best equipment and excellent technology. The Ski Resort has 7000 ski equipment and 1500 for snowboard, plus sledges and snowshoes for hiking in the snow, so the visitors only need their enthusiasm to slide across the perfect 53 ski runs of the complex, full conditioned for the best experience, counting also with artificial snow machines to create the ideal thickness in the ground.

The ski center counts with ski runs of different levels for every kind of skiers. The highest of the ski tracks is located at 1950 meters above the level of the sea. To get to the tracks, Cerro Catedral has 39 ski lifts, among chairlifts and media drag to get to every corner in the mountain.

In Cerro Catedral the visitors can practice every kind of ski, nordic ski, alpine ski and snowboard, using tracks specially conditioned with bumps and obstacles, like the Terrain Park, a place where sports event are developed such as the Big Air Reef, Rip Curl Winter Search, among others.

During the summertime, those same ski runs are used to practice mountain bike or mountain board, sliding in special boards with rubber wheels. Other activities that the mountain offers are rappel, climbing, trekking, canopy for children, horseback riding and skating in a skate park.

After an excellent day at the snow, in Villa Catedral the visitors can enjoy of the gastronomy in the exquisite restaurants of the base, which prepare delicious patagonian plates and international cooking. There are also coffee shops in higher spots to take a break and eat a sandwich or a hot drink.

Cerro Catedral is located at just 19 kilometers from Bariloche, so the visitors can also discover this enchanting city in argentinean Patagonia, that also counts with transfers to the Ski Resort. Take the adventure and visit this wonderful place, with incredible summits, forests and landscapes.

Planning a ski vacation for your family is a wonderful idea. You and your family will have lots of fun at a ski resort. But, if you’ve never planned for a ski package holiday, you may be a little unsure of where to beguine. After all, there are so many options and so much information about ski vacations that it can at time be overwhelming. But, if you want your family to have a great vacation, you have to plan it. Here are some tips to make the whole process a little easier.

Your first consideration is going to be your budget. How much can you afford to spend on your ski package? This question alone should help you narrow the playing field a little bit. If you’re short on cash, and would like to fly to your destination, then an all-inclusive package could be the way to go. This will include your airfare, hotel accommodations, and even your meals in most cases. And, an all-inclusive package is a great way to save some money.

If you decide to go with a package, you shouldn’t need a lot of money with you when you go on your vacation, but it is still wise to bring a little for a slush fund. It’s hard to foresee what might happen when you’re far from home, and it’s always better to be prepared for the worst, just in case. After all, someone breaking their ski pole is going to be a lot less of a nightmare if there’s some cash to just pick up or rent a new one.

When you’re looking to save money, then you want to think about food. Unless you get an all-inclusive package, then you’ll likely spend more on food than anything else. So, if you happen to rent a condo or personal lodge, then you should be able to cook a lot of the food you’ll be eating on your trip. Good things to make are soups, stews, and chilies. Anything warm, easy to cook, and that can be saved for lunches. Consider bringing along a crock-pot, because these are easy to use, and your food can be ready and waiting for you when you get off the slopes.

Take into consideration the fact that skiing is a very physical process. You are going to be using a lot of energy, and you are likely to be starving. So, be sure to include some fiber and protein with every meal. And no skipping breakfast. Skiing is only fun if you have the energy to get up the slopes.

Also, don’t forget about your drinks, both regular and alcoholic. Either way, it’s easier to plan ahead and bring your own than to have to pay through the nose once you get to the resort. One really easy thing to do is get some water bottles, and keep them filled. You should be doing this all the time anyway, because it’s better for the environment, and we all need to be green these days.

I hope that these tips have helped you gain a little insight to planning a ski vacation. Skiing is a wonderful activity that everyone should try. So, get your trip booked, and try it this year. You may like it so much, that you’ll never want to take a beach vacation again.

Ski vacations in Colorado are extremely popular among outdoor enthusiasts, as Colorado is one of the most popular skiing states around. Very simply, if you want to go on a ski trip in the near future, you simply can’t beat the Rocky Mountain State, with their combination of high altitudes and cold temperatures, and tons of untouched, unspoiled land.

First of all, there are several top ski resorts in the state, and here is some information on them to help you find the best. One of the most famous is known as Copper Mountain, and many actually believe this is better than Aspen or Breckenridge. Whether that’s true or not, there are ample ski opportunities regardless of your ability level, and this is certainly one of the best in the state.

Another great location is called Snowmass, which is only about 15 miles away from Aspen. This is definitely better for more advanced skiers, as there are only a couple slopes for beginning skiers. Therefore, if you are just learning, you should probably avoid this area.

Of course, some other resorts to think about would be Aspen and Breckenridge, as these are very well known resorts and among the top in the nation. If you are seriously considering a ski vacation to one, some important aspects you might want to think about would be if the resort offers lessons.

This is especially important if you are a beginner, or even if you are more advanced and just want to brush up on the basics. Also, it would definitely best serve you to make sure the area offers activities in case you are bringing along someone who doesn’t ski. Aspen certainly is known for it’s restaurants, shopping facilities, lodging, etc, so this would be great place to visit if you are bringing along some who don’t ski.

The bottom line is, the best way to find the top resorts would be to go online and find out which are best for your ability level, not to mention which offer the best pricing. Hopefully this information on ski vacations in Colorado will get you started on finding the best resort.

Cerro Bayo Ski Resort is located in Villa La Angostura, Neuquén, inside the argentinean patagonia. It has a boutique style with a personalized attention and the best services in ski, snowboard, slopes and gastronomy.

The ski resort is distinguished by its beautiful natural surroundings, such as a way of 5 kilometers, where you can see the great Nahuel Huapi Lake, and deep forests where the ski tracks go through, and the best powder snow, ideal to practice winter sports.

The base in Cerro Bayo is located at 1050 meters over the level of the sea and the summit of the mountain gets to 1800 meters, with 22 slopes of every levels, from the green ones to beginners and black for experts, plus an off piste ground which starts on 1500 meters of height, crossing virgin forests in the mountain. To reach these ski tracks, Cerro Bayo has 12 elevation media until the 1700 meters of height.

Cerro Bayo has the best tecnology for the safe of its visitors, counting with WI FI service and GPS system to locate children and skiers in off piste grounds. The visitors can also check the status of slopes in their mobile phone through text messages and the ski center has modern passes for the access in the mountain.

There are three places for ski rental,two of them in the base and the third at the 1500 meters, so the visitors don’t have to use the elevation media without knowing how to handle their equipment. Cerro Bayo has the Fast Track system, for previous renting of equipment of the best quality and technology.

The ski center also counts with 90 expert instructors for teaching the best techniques in the snow, but there is also a Ski and Snowboard School for skiers of every age and level. The children have their own Kids Club with schools for different ages: Copitos, for children from 4 to 6 years old, Bayitos, for kids from 7 to 12 years and a special freestyle park. Cerro Bayo has also a nursery located on the base of the mountain with inflatable games for children under 4 years old.

To the extreme sportsman, Cerro Bayo has a funny Aeropark, a freestyle zone for ski and snowboard which has two spots: one for beginners, located in the number 18 ski track with bumps and sliders, and a zone for experts, located in the middle of forests, with two lines of bumps and obstacles for skiers of intermediate and expert level. The Aeropark has also a rest area with comfortable sofas for relaxing and listening music in a wonderful landscape.

Other activities

Cerro Bayo has also other activities such as tubbing, a funny activity where you can slide through the mountain in a rubber , alone or with friends, to enjoy all the adrenaline of the snow without any danger. Other alternatives are the walkings in racket in the snow and forests; and Canopy, where the visitors can “fly” over the trees and mountain.

Boutique Style

Cerro Bayo has the best services for its visitors, such as a staff of 20 persons specialized in the attention of the tourist in the mountain. Also has a system of pre-entries which avoids the agglomerations in the base and an excellent web site, where find all the information that you need of the mountain.

Besides of this, it counts with exclusive services such as Space of Regeneration, a place where the visitors can relax with body therapies, stretching and massages, before and after of ski practicing, to get ready for every activity in the mountain.

The ski center also invites to enjoy the exquisite gastronomy of the zone and for this, it counts with different alternatives for every taste, such as Bar Sovia, which is located at the base of the mountain, offering plates of international cooking and delicious desserts, besides animated live spectacles, events and samplings. Other excellent places are Casa Tematyco, to enjoy of different flavors of tea, sandwiches and wines and La Quesoteca, opposite of the main ski slope, which offers fabulous cheeses and wines.

Other places to eat are located at 1500 meters of height in the mountain, where the skiers can take a rest and have an energetic meal during their adventure. Some of them are 180, which offers patagonian plates, Tosh and Tronador, with mountain plates and Point Escorihuela Gascon.

Cerro Bayo has also excellent lodging alternatives in Villa La Angostura, which is located at 85 kilometers away from San Carlos de Bariloche, or in Puerto Manzano, at 7 kilometers away from the center of Villa La Angostura. This village has a mountain style in its architecture and gastronomy, besides of the warmness of its inhabitants, which makes of the visit to Cerro Bayo a wonderful experience, from the dawn to twilight.

Considering Morocco’s established reputation as a hot, desert city on the coast and with the Sahara on an entire side of the country, one wouldn’t necessarily think of Morocco as a location for a ski resort. However, the mountains that are south of Marrakech are capped with snow every winter and so the wealthier population of the southern parts of Morocco have found their own little haven to ski in. This haven is the resort known as Oukaimeden, which is distinctly Moroccan in the mountains.  

Renting the ski equipment and ski pass for the lift for just under 250 dhs is quite the steal. From the actual top of Oukaimeden’s ski lift, it is 3273 meters above sea level and allows you to observe the fresh and sparkling snow. These mountains then bottom out into a valley that seems to come from a fairy tale, picturesque and with a view that makes your breath disappear. Even though you are in Africa, you could swear you were in the land of the Snow Queen somewhere in northern Russia as opposed to being only a short way from the Sahara, surprisingly not Siberia.  

The surrounding areas, as well as Oukaimeden itself, have an amazing view every season, all season, and the areas change beautifully with the nature. During the summer it really is not all that popular, but that only seems to make sense, considering its reputation as a winter site really has changed the local opinion of the area. Since it is known for being a site of winter sports, the best time to stay there is in the winter, especially as a two-day jaunt. With the nature that is around Oukaimeden, there is a wonderful opportunity to ski and enjoy the terrain or hike through the mountains as well.

A wonderfully thrilling experience, but at once scary for those who have never skied before, the Oukaimeden’s crowning activity is the fact that it is a ski resort. In the midst of Morocco’s desert and subtropical climate, there are these wonderful mountains that tower south of Marrakech. With this particular place, skiing is not a native sport, but it has certainly become one of the most popular things to do at this mountain. It is hard to think that skiing would be common or comfortable in Morocco of all places, but it is truly not considered a problem. In fact, the instructors there seem like total naturals on the snow-capped terrain, and there is no way that you would forget your lessons there. It is incredibly uplifting and unique to say that one has skied in Morocco.

What is so incredibly shocking, but at the same time very unusual and entertaining for this event is to see that the mountains are covered in snow through a large season. The season is fairly long for these particular areas in the country, but it is a truly exhilarating site even during the end of the season as it gets warmer, where the snow is now replaced by greenery amongst the mountains.  

The lodges themselves are gorgeous little things, elegant but at the same time distinctly a mixture of both Moroccan and European styles. You can stay at one of these little elegant lodges by traveling up along the road to Oukaimeden that can scare you in its steep heights, but can also be fantastic to view.

Like many other cities and towns in Morocco, there is a more ancient part of Oukaimeden. While the actual resort is incredibly modern and enriching for the tourist, there is an interesting original settlement that is a simple 100 meters away from Oukaimeden’s ski lift. The rich get to spend their time at the resort skiing, and in this simple little village there are only simple huts that people inhabit there, and it shows the major difference between the cultures.

While certainly not expected in the middle of Morocco, a ski resort is certainly a thrilling place to be wherever you travel. The Oukaimeden Ski resort in Morocco south of Marrakech is stunningly beautiful, unexpected, and quite elegant.

The Marquise in Whistler has long been a favourite of the vacation home rental set. Its great location and amenities makes it one of the premier Whistler condo rental developments.

Where is the Marquise in Whistler?

The Marquise is located in the Benchlands area, just a few minutes’ walk from Blackcomb Base. Its location features ski in/out access, which makes it ideal for skiers and boarders who don’t want to walk far to the slopes. Its proximity to Blackcomb Base will put you close to equipment rentals, ski school, restaurants, and shops. To get to Whistler Village, you can either take a free shuttle or walk 10 minutes.

Rooms and Amenities

The Marquise features a wide range of common amenities. A heated pool is available year-round, as is a dry sauna and fitness facilities. The Marquise also boasts a glass enclosed hot tub, allowing you to enjoy the hot tub regardless of weather. Other amenities include a common room with a pool table, underground pay parking, and coin-operated laundry.

Most suites at the Marquise Whistler are 1 bedroom, with some larger 2 bedrooms also available. This development is great for accommodating large families or groups, as each group could have the privacy of an individual suite but still be close to each other.

Is the Marquise Whistler Right for You?

As stated earlier, if you’re travelling in a large group and want individual suites close to each other, the Marquise would be ideal. Its many common amenities are also great for those who want lots of perks but at good value.

Ski in/out status will be greatly appreciated if you want to start skiing as soon as possible. For non-skiers, amenities and proximity to Blackcomb Base’s shops and restaurants will provide plenty of activity.

Travel patterns are changing in the recessionary environment. Vacations are closer to home. Travelers are demanding a greater value for the dollar. Leisure time has become a serious investment in rejuvenation of the body, mind and soul. Cross country skiing vacations are becoming more popular because they match these trends.

Nordic Ski Resorts are reporting up to a 10% increase in advance reservations for Nordic ski vacations this winter season. Says Maine’s Bethel Inn Resort’s marketing director, Brad Jerome, “There are five reasons more of our guests are choosing a cross country ski getaway-ease, accessibility, family friendliness, health and above all affordability.”

EASE-Cross country skiing uses natural movements. It does not require special skills to get started. It has a short learning curve. Vacation time is spent on the trails rather than in lessons. Skiers can ski at their own pace, setting their own hours and even ski into the night with the help of a full moon or battery powered-headlamps.

ACCESSIBILITY-Many resorts are less than a tank of gasoline from metropolitan areas and within an hour and ½ of major airports.

FAMILY FRIENDLY-Cross country skiing is a multi-generational activity. Infants and toddlers can go along for the ride in a backpack or sled. Cross country skiing is a kinder, gentler sport for grandparents and great grandparents. Teenagers who want to go fast can skate ski, a technique that combines the leg motion of ice skating and the arm push of cross country skiing. If Fido is considered a member of the family. There are designated dog trails and the family pet is welcome in the canine-friendly guest rooms.

HEALTHY-Cross country skiing is one of the healthiest recreational activities for the body and soul. Absorbing the beauty of nature with its towering trees, mountain vistas, or endless snow covered meadows while experiencing a total body workout, all at an individual pace, is hard to duplicate in any other sport. A 150 lb. cross country skier burns an average of 572 calories per hour compared to 429 for a downhill skier.

AFFORDABILITY-Compared with other winter vacations, a cross country ski escape costs much less. The price of a night’s lodging in a deluxe room with fireplace, breakfast and dinner daily, Nordic center trail fee, rental equipment and an hour lesson is around $125 per person versus over $200 per person for alpine skiing.

The oldest resort in Colorado, Winter Park has had a reputation for fantastic skiing and the most consistent snow year after year, but not for a happening village at the base. Most of the bars, restaurants & shops have always been in the town of Winter Park, just a couple of miles down the road. The town itself continues to thrive, but now travellers to Winter Park have the added benefit of a developing village at the base of the resort as well.

Having been bought by Intrawest, millions have been invested to turn Winter Park Resort into a true destination ski area. The new “village at Winter Park Resort” consists of 30,000 square foot of additional shops, restaurants and high end living areas, adjacent to the already popular and only true ski in ski out accommodation of Zephyr Mountain Lodge. Restaurants planned for this year include Cheeky Monkey, a belgian bistro, specialising in Belgian beer, Lime Mexican restaurant and a family Italian eatery. Fuzzywig candy store and a T-shirt shop are just 2 of the new shops added to the village this year. Even a couple of on mountain restaurants have received up grades: Snoasis and the Club Car restaurant at Mary Jane have also had recent face lifts, to improve the on mountain dining experience, so now skiers and boarders have a real choice of cuisine.

A scenic pond sits between the Lodge and the village offering a place of relaxation for guests to sit and enjoy the scenery or try their hand at ice skating in Winter or fishing in the Summer.

The new village cabriolet, an open air gondola, takes skiers from the free car parks to the village and provides a central gathering point in the village. The $5.6 million investment spans 1436 feet and delivers 2800 people an hour capacity. It’s due to be completed for opening day - 19 November, 2008. The new lift has the ability to hold guests, their equipment, wheelchairs and even mountain bikes in the Summer. Winter Park Resort plans to buy an extra 200 megawatts of renewable energy credits to operate the new cabriolet lift. A new enclosed parking garage has also been built, for those who don’t mind paying to park a little closer.

These new base village developments are in addition to the other on-mountain improvements, which have taken place over the last 5 years. The Super Gauge 6 pack chairlift from the base of Mary Jane replaced the old Summit lift and now skiers speed their way to the top. The new Panoramic Express reaches from Sunnyside to the top of Parsenn bowl and is the highest 6 pack in North America. The new Eagle Wind lift opened up previously difficult to access terrain and is mostly natural terrain with trees and fantastic powder, but mostly black runs. The new glading on Parsenn bowl made the trees runs a little more open and accessible to more people, plus added 2 beautiful new blue runs - Parry’s Peak and Forever Eva, which have been extremely popular with guests.

Now with the development of the new village, Winter Park Resort is beginning to become a great place to dine and shop, as well as a place to enjoy the enhanced terrain, faster lifts and ever great snow conditions.

Catering for one of the premium level ski resorts in the Wasatch region, Deer Valley restaurants are renowned for their quality. This is true of both service and food, as they cater for a more discerning palette, used to the delights of fine dining, and exclusivity. Such an approach settles well with the upmarket focus of the resort, offering such luxury service as ski valets and shopping boutiques.

Within the resort itself, there is a selection of three fine dining restaurants to choose from. The most respected of these is the Mariposa, which has won several top awards, and is often named as one of the best restaurants to visit in the skiing world. Only open throughout the ski season, patrons are able to enjoy both contemporary and classical dishes. Also offered are signature tasting menus, allowing the kitchen team to showcase all that is best about them. With attentive staff, exuding comprehensive knowledge about the food and its provenance, you are assured a memorable experience.

No fine dining collection would be complete without a seafood representative in the stable. And Deer Valley resorts Seafood Buffet delivers here. With a focus on presenting diners with only the best quality food available, they are committed to sourcing sustainable stocks wherever possible. Offering a more relaxed atmosphere than some fine dining restaurants afford, guests from the local area vote this as one of their favorite restaurants.

Ending the list with a flourish is the Fireside Dining restaurant, that delivers Alpine charm, and introduces a novel concept to dining that is fun. Diners are invited to explore the delights on offer, with a tour around four fireplaces. The first offers tempting appetizers including homemade breads, cheeses and chutneys. The second and third fireplaces, present Swiss inspired main courses, with succulent meat dishes, game, poultry and authentic vegetarian options. At the final fireplace, you are invited to select from a tempting range of desserts to finish the meal and partake in the bar offerings.

Whilst the restaurants within the resort are popular, and worthy of attention, it is wise not to ignore other restaurants in the surrounding area.

First amongst these is the amazingly popular Goldener Hirsch Inn. The winner of many awards, and often booked up for extended periods of time, diners will receive service that is parallel to that offered in the resort.

Other Deer Valley restaurants to consider if vacationing in the area include The Glitretind, and the Stew Pot. The Gliterand provides an exceptional regional experience, whilst the Stew Pot provides a homely, more traditional approach. Again, these restaurants are open year round, and are worth visiting during the summer, to take in the breathtaking views.

If you are lucky enough to be vacationing in Deer Valley this ski season, you are sure to not be disappointed, with high quality restaurants at every turn. However, be sure to check out those restaurants away from the resort, particularly if you intend visiting throughout the summer.

The “Land of the Midnight Sun” has always been an amazing source of raw, rugged beauty and many think of Alaska only as a great summertime vacation destination. On the other hand, if you like to ski you may want to consider Alaska when planning your next ski vacation because it has some of the best skiing in the world.

And one of the top resorts in all of Alaska is the Alyeska Resort. Alyeska has a top elevation slightly above 2,700 feet, a vertical drop of 2,500 and the area gets an average annual snowfall of 631 inches.

In addition to offering some of the best skiing in the world, another nice benefit of Alyeska is that you won’t run into long lift lines or overly crowded slopes. There are nine lifts, including six chair lifts, two surface lifts and one cable car line. The majority of their trails are designed for the intermediate skier but with 68 trails they also have countless runs for both the beginner and expert.

Night skiing is not only allowed but it may be one of most awe inspiring ski experiences you’ll ever have. Snow capped mountains, hanging glaciers and the infamous Northern Lights are just a few of the visual bonuses of night skiing at Alyeska. It was ranked number nine in Skiing Magazine’s annual top twenty-five killer ski trip reviews.

The season begins in mid November and runs through mid April at Alyeska and with close to sixteen hours of daylight each day during April, this area of Alaska boasts the longest period of daylight anywhere in the United States. On the other hand, in December, there are only about seven hours of daylight but with their fabulous night time skiing it’s really not an issue.

The Alyeska Prince Hotel is the wonderful place to stay. You’ll enjoy elegant rooms, fine dining and nightly entertainment is also available. In addition, there are other nightlife watering holes in the area that are not associated with the hotel.

If tubing interests you, then visiting the Glacier Tubing Park is an absolute must. It features two lanes of terrain and a surface lift and everyone in the family will enjoy spending time at the tubing park. The Alyeska Terrain Park is a must for snowboarding enthusiasts. Other winter activities that can be enjoyed in and around the Alyeska Resort include flight seeing, heliskiing, ocean cruising tours, dog sledding, ice climbing, back country skiing, mountaineering and polar bear watching tours.

The Alyeska Resort not only offers some of the best skiing on the continent but when you consider the broad range of available winter activities that can be enjoyed by the entire family, it represents one of the best winter vacation destinations in the world - bar none.

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