Just 30 miles south of Wilmington, Bald Head Island lies at the southern tip of North Carolina’s island chain. Cut off from the rest of the state by Cape Fear River, the island is ideal for getting away from it all and participating in a slew of water sports. If you want to go water-skiing around Bald Head Island, you’ll need to make some preparations.
Sugar Mountain Resort (skisugar.com) is nestled in the village of Sugar Mountain, in northwestern North Carolina. The resort is 42 miles east of Johnson City, Tennessee, and 65 miles south of Abingdon, Virginia. Riders enjoy sweeping views of Mount Mitchell, Grandfather Mountain and the neighboring states of Tennessee and Virginia from Sugar Mountain’s summit. The resort offers 20 slopes and trails for skiers and snowboarders of all experience levels.
Massachusetts has ample attractions for any variety of traveler, any time of year. Winter is an ideal time for discovering new artists at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in the western town of North Adams, for example, or learning about the historical significance of Minute Man National Historical Park in the eastern towns of Lincoln and Concord. It's for these intrepid travelers and others that night skiing is ideal. Explore the state during the day and then, come nightfall, ski on a blanket of snow under a blanket of stars and a fluorescent light or two.
Vermont is named for the Green Mountains that run through the state; these mountains, which include five mountains reaching at least 4,000 feet in elevation, offer a range of skiing opportunities throughout the long Vermont winter. Skiing facilities and accommodations in the state run from rustic ski dormitories to plush resorts. You can experience luxury skiing facilities in all the state's major ski areas. Luxury resorts typically offer room fireplaces, decks, mountain views, high-quality bedding, complimentary Wi-Fi, and many feature marble baths as well as high-end bath products and robes.
While its splendid alpine resorts receive most of the attention, Park City also boasts an in-town Nordic touring center, and a few others within a 40-minute drive. Park City's cross-country skiers also benefit from the work of two local organizations: the Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District, and the Mountain Trails Foundation, both of which develop ski and hiking trails within the Park City area. Skiers may use these trails free of charge.
Snowboards can cost hundreds of dollars, so keeping yours safe is a smart idea. At the time of publication, snowboard locks could be found for as little as $10, so there's no reason not to buy one. Keep in mind that locks are not foolproof. It's still possible for somebody with a screwdriver to undo the bindings and slide the snowboard free. However, not everyone locks snowboards, so just having a lock on yours will act as a deterrent and encourage the thieves to move on.
If you are living in or visiting New York City on those cold winter days, you may want to escape the crowds and get out into a natural setting for an afternoon on the ski slopes. The busy streets and packed subways of the Big Apple may seem worlds away from pristine, white hills for skiing, but you can find four skiing spots within 55 miles. With driving times of under two hours, you can reach the slopes for an afternoon of skiing and return to the city before it gets too late.
During my time in Colorado, I worked as a customer satisfaction surveyor for Copper Mountain ski resort. In exchange for opinions regarding various aspects of resort operations, I would treat guests to a cup of coffee or cocoa. Questions about environmental practices always sparked discussion. While many ski-resort owners are switching to environmentally friendly practices such as renewable energy, recycling and composting, some people feel that these adjustments fail to mitigate the overall negative effect of ski areas on the environment.
Founded in 1950, the family-owned Dodge Ridge (dodgeridge.com) ski resort is situated at a base elevation of 6,600 feet, deep in the heart of Northern California's Stanislaus National Forest. Skiers planning on hitting the resort's snowy slopes -- located in the town of Pinecrest -- will find a plethora of local lodging options at their disposal. Whether you want to camp or are looking for something a bit more luxurious, you're sure to find a place to stay that fits your style and your budget.
Your choice of ski pants depends on where you ski, when you ski, how often you ski and what you do during your days on the slopes. Some skiers are concerned about fashion and prefer sleek stretch pants, while others want many large pockets for for cell phones, lunch, MP3 players and other gear. Many skiers just want something cheap and comfortable.
Since 2010, thousands of bluegrass lovers have flocked to Rangeley, Maine, for the Saddleback Mountain Bluegrass Festival (saddlebackmaine.com/bluegrass). The event celebrates this eclectic genre of roots music, which often includes such stringed instruments as guitars, banjos, fiddles and mandolins. In its short history, the festival has attracted several large names.
Lake Tahoe is famous for its pristine, freshwater lake and lush mountain terrain. With 15 ski resorts ranging from small to enormous, the world-famous lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and thousands of miles of undeveloped forest. The lake is shared by California and Nevada, with the majority of ski resorts are on the California side.
Family-friendly Camelback Mountain Resort (skicamelback.com) northwest of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, is the largest ski area in the Pocono Mountains. While the resort’s 800-foot drop in elevation doesn’t provide a lot of thrills for double black diamond skiers, two terrain parks have features guaranteed to satisfy most snowboarders. Beginners can sign up for lessons and be on the slopes within hours.
If you're a skier who can't stand cold weather, you probably need to pick a new hobby. However, there's a big difference between "regular" winter conditions and the occasional bout of frigid weather. If you've ever skied on one of the days that dip below zero degrees Fahrenheit, you know that a little extra preparation and caution are definitely in order.
While towering, snow-covered heights attract skiers to one of America’s notable ski resorts, snow isn’t the only reason to travel to Telluride, a remote mountain town at 8,700 feet in southwest Colorado. What started as a historic mining town transformed into a destination for skiers, then artists, celebrities and outdoor seekers. Here, many opportunities abound for lofty ventures that pique interest in T-Ride’s far-flung, four-season activities.
Crossing the United States by car is an exciting opportunity to take advantage of a little spontaneity and see what pops up along the way. Regardless of your starting destination, the roads wind out and around to carry drivers from sea to shining sea. The U.S. has a bit of everything when it comes to one-of-a-kind cross-country pit stops.
Winter enthusiasts worldwide look to the Swiss Alps as a paradise of sorts, where the snow is pristine and the wine, cheese and chocolate are plentiful. These mountains rival their counterparts in France and Austria, featuring distinctive areas for every conceivable activity. Skiers, snowboarders, hikers and scenery-admirers will have difficulty getting their fill of all this beautiful region has to offer.
In the vastness of Ontario, you'll find few mountains. Much of the province is hilly and densely forested. But this is Canada, after all, where winter exerts a memorable grip. You'll find plenty of snow, and despite the lack of towering peaks there's no shortage of areas where you can rocket down the slopes or glide cross-country through silent wilderness.
Head west from Baltimore or Washington, D.C., to get to Deep Creek Lake, the largest inland body of water in Maryland. A popular destination for locals and visitors to the mid-Atlantic region, the lake has over 69 miles of shoreline and provides a natural habitat for aquatic birds and freshwater fish. It's also a convivial destination for boaters and those who enjoy recreation on the water. Jet skis are popular and welcome as long as you observe the rules for Personal Watercraft, or PWC.
Hiawatha National Forest, one of Michigan's prime Upper Peninsula recreation destinations, surrounds the 65-acre Otter Lake. Visitors to the quiet lake are less than 10 miles from two national parks, an underwater preserve and the nature-loving city of Munising.
