Travel and Leisure Articles

Fifty million dollars and a year and a half later, December 2008 marks the opening of Whistler’s Peak to Peak Gondola.

This behemoth boasts the highest and longest unsupported horizontal lift span in the world. It’s the only gondola of its kind in North America; no other ski resort runs a suspended horizontal lift connecting mountain tops. The addition of the Peak to Peak Gondola also puts Whistler in the record books for the longest continuous lift system in the world.

It sounds huge, but how huge is it?

Peak to Peak Gondola by the Numbers:

• 28 cabins with the capacity for 28 guests
• 11 minute journey time
• 24 feet/second speed
• 4,100 passengers/hour capacity
• 49 second wait time between cabin departures
• 4.4 kilometres total journey distance
• 1400 feet above valley bottom
• 3.024 kilometres of unsupported span

If the height and speed don’t get your adrenaline pumping, a glass-bottomed cabin might! Two of the 28 cabins will allow visitors to simulate the experience of floating above the valley floor.

Peak to Peak Gondola access is included with multi-day Whistler lift tickets. Edge Cards and some Whistler passes will require holders to pay an extra fee for Peak to Peak Gondola access.

How will the Peak to Peak Gondola Change the Way You Ski Whistler?

Dining at the Roundhouse (on Whistler) and skiing Seventh Heaven (on Blackcomb) can happen in the same day. You’ll access more terrain at higher altitudes, quicker and easier. Double the high alpine powder will be at your fingertips.

Skiing earlier and later in the season will be more enjoyable as it becomes much easier to avoid snowless patches, closed runs or time-wasting gondola downloads. Poor snow seasons or snow recession due to global warming will have a minimized effect on Whistler resort with skiers able to ski the tops all day.

Powderhorn in Whistler is perfect for the vacationer looking for a quiet place to hang their hat, or helmet, away from the Village clamor. Situated on the mountainside of Blackcomb, take only a 4 minute walk to the ski-in /ski-out access trail and you are connected directly to the slopes.

About Powderhorn in Whistler

Suites in the Powderhorn are typically more spacious than those in the Village. Your selection of sizes range from two bedroom, two bedroom + den to three bedroom suites. All have private laundry, and private decks to breathe in the fresh mountain air. Some of the larger suites even have whirlpool tubs and fireplaces in the master suite.

One of the more extraordinary amenities at this development is the rooftop hot tub, showcasing magnificent views of the majestic mountains.

Is Powderhorn in Whistler Right for You?

This development is great for families that need a little more elbow room and want to save money by eating in - all suites come with a full-sized kitchen. For families with older children who want to exert their teenage independence, there’s a free shuttle which goes directly to the Village.

Want to souse it up? You might want to stay closer to the watering holes in the Village. Non-skiers may also find that the Powderhorn’s great mountainside location isn’t very advantageous and will most likely want to stay closer to the Village.

Traveling in a Larger Group and Need to Find Nearby Accommodation?

If you’re thinking you’d like your own personal space, you might want to consider booking multiple suites. Other nearby buildings that may accommodate your group include: the Marquise (right beside Powderhorn), Stoneridge (just across the street) and Greystone Lodge (across the street and a little closer to the slopes).

Overall, Powderhorn is an excellent Whistler vacation rental option if you prefer the quieter side of Whistler and a great on-mountain location.

Tour operators and major airlines operate all year round and have to maintain their profit margins. For those seeking either the winter sun or snow, you can find good holiday deals for this time of year.

We all get fed up with the UK weather at this time of year and many people book a winter break. If you want to get away to the sun, then the most popular winter sun destinations include the Canary Islands, Spain and Egypt. These destinations offer excellent and consistent temperatures but it is also worth remembering that Europe can also offer plenty of alternatives. If you can afford a long haul holiday, then the Caribbean is one of the most popular destinations with Bahamas and Barbados favourites for everyone. Or you could go further afield and try some of the delights of the Indian Ocean such as Goa and the Maldives.

Skiing holidays are associated with the winter and the most popular places include France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland or anywhere in Europe that offers snow and mountains. Many travel to America or Canada where skiing is a national pastime. Skiing was once the hobby of the rich and famous but prices have declined in recent years and there are many good deals around for all types of skier, from the learner to the more experienced. Make sure you check the projected snow falls of the area that you choose - in recent years, some resorts have seen declining levels of snow which has made skiing sporadic.

If you just want to get away for a winter holiday city break, there are shopping trips available to all the major cities of the world, from Paris to New York. You can combine your Christmas shopping with sightseeing and take in the traditional culture of winter in other cities of the world. As a rule of thumb, prices will be higher over the holiday period so if you are able to get away before or after, then you stand a better chance of a cheaper deal.

Well, you are in luck, because there are many different places to Ski Bulgaria. Starting with its mountains. (Well - you could try skiing on dry land but I don’t think it’s popular…)

Overall Bulgaria is a popular place to ski because of it is a cheap holiday, and also has excellent skiing conditions. It is suitable for beginners, medium and advanced and has some of the best powerdery snow in all of Europe (much to the delight of the skiers!).

Rodophy mountain has some of Bulgaria’s most famous Ski Resorts: Pamporovo, Chepelare, Belmeken . This is is to Bulgaria what St. Moritz is to Switzerland. Only Rodophy is about 10 times less expensive than St. Mortiz.

I have a friend who was sick of paying exorbitant prices for her yearly ski holiday with her kids, but they loved skiing and didn’t want to give it up. A friend of hers suggested Bulgaria. So instead she went to Pamporovo in Bulgaria. She loved it and also loved the unspoilt nature of the mountains, and she was delighted to find she had change left over at the end of the holiday.

She bought a cheap ski chalet in Bulgaria and goes there every year to ski now.

If you want to get the best out of the ski season you will be wanting to time it well. The ski mountains of Rilaare also popular. The most famous of these being Borovetz resort. Vitosha Mountain is also a great place to ski Bulgaria. Its most famous ski resort is called “Aleko”, but it also has many others.

Don’t forget if you aren’t mad on skiing, you can always try snowboarding or tobogganing (or drinking in one of the bars). There are plenty of other options to skiing and the instructors are always super friendly.

At the end of a long hard day on the slopes (lets face it, skiing is lots of fun but also lots of exercise) you may have just enough energy to go out. Personally, my favourite thing about going to ski Bulgaria is the evening activities. You can go out and take advantage of some of the nightlife with the ski instructors and young people, or alternatively, you can just do nothing. People often underestimate the relaxation power of doing nothing on a holiday.

A beautiful little chalet in the ski mountains, a delicious bottle of Bulgarian red wine and a log fire after a long day of adventure on the slopes….?

Sounds like heaven to me……

Enjoy your trip to Bulgaria!

Kind Regards,

Kristen

Looking for the best skiing in eastern North America - look no further than Mont Tremblant. Winner of the prestigious Best Ski Resort In Eastern North American Award - 12 consecutive years.

On the shores of Lake Tremblant, just outside the Village of Mont Tremblant in the Quebec Laurentians, is the Resort of Tremblant. The mountain, with the Pedestrian Village at its base and condominiums and homes dotting the hillside, provides an impressive sight for visitors and ski season is an ideal time to experience all the fun this winter wonderland has to offer.

Tremblant offers an excellent variety of slopes to suit beginners to expert. The Gondola and high speed lifts ensure you spend more time on the snow. The family atmosphere and ” joie de vivre ” as the French say are unbeatable - from concerts to street clowns to fireworks Tremblant offers the complete vacation experience.

Tremblant’s accommodation is second to none - studios to magnificent 7 bedroom homes- take your pick and all at prices that are surprisingly affordable. Stay slopeside or in the resort village or in the Old Trembalnt village- the size, amenites and price are yours to choose.

This winter come and be one of the first to enjoy the luxurious new condos in the South Bowl.” Etolie du Matin ” - The Morning Star is there for you. Enjoy the warmth of the morning sun and the Tremblant Quad chair is right at your front door.

Pick from a wide variety of restaurants all know for their unique French Canadian or international cuisine. Dinning in some of the local restaurants is a must during your visit - style and presentation are excellent and casual attire is the order of the day.

Winter activities are not limited to the slopes try- dog sledding-ice climbing-winter horse back riding-snow shoeing- snowmobiling or just go to one of the excellent spas for a day of relation.

Après ski is big - take in one of the many bars dotting the base of the mountain and enjoy your favorite beverage in front of a roaring fire or if you still have energy left dance on the bar at Le Petite Caribou.

Tremblant has an excellent ski school and the Kids Day Care program that allows adults to try out their new skis and at the same time kids beginning at 3 years can take their first lessons.

In case a winter holiday is not in your plans in golf season there are 6 championship golf courses. Great tennis schools and don’t forget the Tremblant International Blues Festival in July - a must see event. In the fall they call it the symphony of colors as Mother Natures provides a spectacular festival of colors along with a wide variety concerts & musical festivals.

Located just 90 minutes drive for Montreal International airport getting here couldn’t be easier. Many of our visitors are from Europe as transatlantic fights are just 5-7 hours and after you land you are in Tremblant and tucked in bed in less than 2 hours. Tremblant now has it own airport - Rivière Rouge - with convenient flights operation from major centers should as Toronto and New York.

Want to have a complete family experience, a romantic getaway or a great skiing or golfing holiday look no further - Mont Tremblant, Quebec is awaiting your arrival.

There is a sense of élan about the French, oui? And here at Tremblant you will discover all the flavors of Europe right here in Eastern Canada.

Come once and you’ll be back.

When it comes to variety of terrain, views, scenic beauty and vibe, Heavenly Resort in Nevada and Northern California is pretty tough to beat. Located on the south shore of Lake Tahoe, Heavenly is the region’s largest ski resort, featuring the highest elevation and longest vertical drop. This resort straddles the border of Nevada and California which makes skiing in two states before lunch time possible! Though resort is family friendly, and the amenities are often times affordable, it can sometimes be difficult to find discount Heavenly lift tickets. Here you can read about the resort and find tips and tricks for scoring cheap ski tickets for Heavenly.

Heavenly Resort Bio:

Season dates: November 21, 2008 - April 20, 2009 (Weather Permitting)

Hours of operation: (Weekdays 9a.m. to 4 p.m.) and (8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends)

Acres of Terrain: 4,800 total skiable acres

Lifts: 30

Runs: 95

Average Snowfall: 380 inches

Difficulty of Terrain: Beginner 20%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 35%

Location: Lake Tahoe is located 200 miles northeast of San Francisco, CA and 58 miles southwest of Reno, NV in the Sierra Mountain Range.

Here are some tips for finding discount lift tickets for Heavenly Resort.

1) Book Online In Advance

For those eager skiers who plan there ski trips in advance, you are definitely on to something. Often times the best way to get discount lift tickets for Heavenly resort is to book your tickets in advance. This serves many purposes. First, you can dodge the peak season time period where lodging, lift tickets, airfare and all other vacation components are not so wallet friendly. Pick your times, take time and explore your options for when ski vacation amenities are at their cheapest. Below is a general guideline for peak season and off season for Heavenly Resort in California.

General Off-Peak Seasons:

Mid November - Mid December

Mid January - Beginning of March

April - Close

General Peak Seasons:

Mid December - Beginning of January (Holiday Season)

Middle of February (Presidents Weekend)

Mid March (Spring Break)

2) Book Multi Day Lift Tickets

Ticket dealers often times bundle multi day ski passes. The theory “Buy in Bulk” allows you to save 10% - 30% depending on the season. That’s a lot of savings if you have a family of 4 skiing for 5 days.

3) Groups of 20 or More

Some ski vacation enthusiasts gather all their friends and family and before they know it, they have a 20+ group heading to the mountains. This can work out great for memories, magical moments and definitely saving money. Often times, resorts will give special prices for groups of 20 or more. Depending on the resort, this can save lots of money because the group can buy tickets in bulk.

4) Combine Lift Tickets with Lodging

One of the best ways to save on lift tickets is also to save on lodging. If you book your lodging in tandem with your ski tickets you can often times ski for FREE. Heavenly and other similar resorts like to offer stay free - ski free packages that promote lodging and lift ticket bundles. It doesn’t necessarily mean that your entire ski trip will come with free lift tickets. It typically means that if you purchase 3 or more nights of lodging and lift tickets, you can sometimes get a free night and a free day of skiing. This package deal scenario is typically seasonal at most resorts and not valid during the high season.

5) US Military Ski Lift Ticket Discounts

Those of you who serve our country are often greeted with great savings at many resorts throughout the country. Heavenly resorts often times have special arrangements with active duty military, reservists, National Guard and dependents. This allows for great deals for those serving our country. Contact the resort directly for more information on Heavenly military discount deals.

As far as mom and pop ski resorts, the Wolf Creek Resort in Utah rates up as one of the best. The little known gem ski resort located one hour from Salt Lake City, receives 300 inches of snow per year. The Wolf Creek Resort contains just under 110 acres of skiing comprised of 35% beginner, 45% Intermediate and 45% advanced. Read about purchasing discount lift tickets for Wolf Creek and a resort profile.

New for the 2008/2009 ski season, the Wolf Creek Mountain installed the Wolf Lair Triple Chairlift. Located at the base of the mountain next to the Wolf-de-do Chair, their new lift serves the Wolf Lair Terrain Park and increases their lift capacity by approximately 1,000 people per hour.

Wolf Creek Resort Profile:

Acres of Terrain: 110 acres

Lifts: 4

Runs: 15

Average Snowfall: 300 inches

Difficulty of Terrain: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 20%

Location: Approximately one hour driving time from Salt Lake City.

1) Book Online In Advance

For those eager skiers who plan there ski trips in advance, you are definitely on to something. If you purchase Wolf Creek lift tickets in advance you can save upwards of 20%. Though Wolf Creek Resort is a less expensive alternative to other Utah resorts, it is still nice to get ski bargains no matter where you go or when.

2) Book Multi Day Lift Tickets

Wolf Creek lift ticket dealers often times bundle multi day ski passes. The theory “Buy in Bulk” allows you to save 10% - 30% depending on the season.

3) US Military Ski Lift Ticket Discounts

Those of you who serve our country are often greeted with great savings at many resorts throughout the country. Wolf Creek resort often times have special arrangements with active duty military, reservists, National Guard and dependents. This allows for great deals for those serving our country. Contact the resort directly for more information on Wolf Creek military discount deals.

Looking to escape the chaotic clamour of city life? The Aspens lodge is your Whistler accommodation solution for a peaceful alpine getaway. Tucked away on the serene slopes of Blackcomb Mountain, the Aspens includes all the comforts and amenities to ensure a pleasurable Whistler stay.

Amazing Amenities

As one of the mountain’s most spacious and luxurious lodgings, get the peace of mind that your Whistler accommodation includes some of the finest amenities on resort. After an intense day of skiing, take a dip in the outdoor heated pool or unwind in one of the three slope-side hot-tubs. Each Aspens condo allows you to create a culinary masterpiece in a fully equipped kitchen, snuggle up near a crackling fireplace or admire the Blackcomb peaks from your very own private balcony.

Desirable Location

Stay accessible to all the excitement of the village, yet avoid the noise and late night clamour. Located on Blackcomb Mountain, the Aspens is a short stroll or free shuttle service away from Blackcomb’s Upper Village and Whistler’s main village. As a ski-in/ski-out Whistler accommodation, the Aspens offers quick access to ski slopes and is moments away from Blackcomb’s Wizard Express Chair.

In the summer, explore Whistler’s natural environment and wildlife. With Lost Lake Park nearby, the Aspens is easily accessible to activities such as hiking, mountain biking or simply a scenic stroll. For families with kids, the Blackcomb Base Adventure Zone is the ultimate destination. Play a round of mini golf or slide down the Westcoaster Luge, the Adventure Zone includes an array of activities to ensure a memorable summer vacation!

Affordable Nightly Rates

Don’t sacrifice comfort and quality just to save on your Whistler accommodation, the Aspens offers luxury lodging at a penny-pinching price! Take for example a one bedroom condominium in April; the Aspens offers a unit for as low as $75/ night, while in the village rates start at $125/night. The Aspens allows you to enjoy a top quality Whistler accommodation without blowing your budget.

When it comes to wintertime activities, is skiing at the top of your list? If so, have you ever planned a ski vacation? If not, you may want to take the time to examine Colorado and all it has to offer. Colorado is known among professional and recreational skiers as having some of the best ski resorts in the country. To get you started in your planning, five widely recommended Colorado ski resorts are outlined below.

Breckenridge, Colorado

Breckenridge, located less than one hundred miles outside of Denver, is known as one of Colorado top ski resorts. Here, you will find over two thousand acres of terrain ideal for skiing. Whether you are just starting to enjoy skiing or if it is a passion of yours, Breckenridge has what you need to have the time of your life.

In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Breckenridge is also known for its other fun winter activities, including shopping, dining, snowmobiling, and fly-fishing.

Aspen, Colorado

With four great mountains and over five thousand acres of land perfect for skiing, you are sure to have the ski adventure of your dreams in Aspen, Colorado. With the ability to fly in no less than ten miles from the slopes, you can spend your next vacation focusing on skiing and skiing alone.

In addition to adventurous slopes, Aspen is one of the premier destinations for luxury vacations.

Vail, Colorado

Vail, Colorado is commonly referred to as North Americas Premier Resort Community, and there is good reason for that. With over five thousand acres of land perfect for all levels of ski and breathtaking views, Vail is considered paradise for ski lovers.

When visiting Vail, Colorado, you may enjoy the old European feel created, which can make for the perfect vacation setting.

Crested Butte, Colorado

Although off the beaten path, Crested Butte is a top Colorado ski resort. If you are an avid skier, then Crested Butte, Colorado is a must see for you. With great grooming, safe steeps, and all around perfect conditions, it is ideal for all skiers, but it is most known for its challenging terrain.

Coupled with amazing skiing conditions and fine dining restaurants and shopping centers, you will never find a moment of boredom in Crested Butte, Colorado.

Steamboat, Colorado

With six mountain ranges and a little less than three thousands acres of ski-able land, Steamboat Colorado makes for the perfect ski resort. Whether you are ready to hop right on the slopes or improve your skiing techniques, you are able to do so at the Steamboat resort in Colorado. The Steamboat resort area is commonly referred to as “Ski Town, U.S.A.”

For a skiing adventure, with a touch of a Wild West theme, Steamboat, Colorado is the perfect winter vacation destination.

When examining the above mentioned Colorado ski resorts, consider booking a stay at a private vacation home rental to get the most out of your vacation. You can examine all options, many of which have private, home-like feels, at MojoVacationRentals.com.

If you are visiting Reno, Lake Tahoe is only minutes away, and there is nothing better to do there than go skiing or snowboarding and using a coupon to save money. I recently went to the Sierra at Tahoe Ski Resort, where I was able to snowboard for the first time.  I called ahead to make reservations for the Beginners Package.

Basically, what the package entails is a 2½ hour group lesson under a professional snowboarding instructor. Equipment rental is also free. This includes the snowboard and snow shoes. Pants, jackets, and helmets, must be rented separately. Also, the package includes a ski lift ticket which allows you access to the lift for the entire day. That means you can go up and ride down the snowy hill as many times you like.  

The snowboarding lesson started promptly that afternoon. We were around 10 in the class and there was only 1 instructor. However, he paid attention to each and every one of his students, especially the slow learners like me.  He taught us the basics, like how to put on your board, how to properly stand up while wearing your board, how to properly fall (on your butt, not on your face), how to turn left and right, and how to slow down without falling. Our lesson began on an almost level-grounded practice hill.

Then, after we started getting a hang of the basics, he let us go down the Beginners Hill. As expected, the better students were able to go down the hill without any problems at all. Some students, like me, kept falling down again and again. However, our instructor was always there to help us up and teach us why we were wrong.