Snow SkiingSnow Skiing Checklist - 7 Things You Should Carry On the Ski SlopesBy Adrian Whittle
If you are planning a skiing vacation or maybe you are already at the resort and are preparing for a day of skiing then there is a lot to think about. This is especially so if you are new to winter sports. You need to get your skis, boots and poles. You need to organize your lift pass and then you need to hook up with your ski class. Without these things your day would be unsuccessful, however there are a few other things that people often overlook that can also impact on your day. Here is a checklist of 7 things you may need on the ski slopes.
First thing to take is a trail map. No doubt you have looked at the trail maps that are dotted throughout the resort or even at your pocket version but it is essential that you take it with you when you are skiing. Despite your studies you will need to refer to it at least a few times on the first day. Maybe less as the week goes by but it is always handy to have especially if you take a turn that you are not used to.
Lip balm and sunscreen. The lips are very sensitive to the sun and wind. They are one of the few parts of your body that will be exposed to the elements. Make sure they are protected as chapped lips can spoil your vacation. Take a small tube of sunscreen and top up every few hours or so. This is mainly around the face and ears but this depends on the weather and what you are wearing. If it a pleasant day you may decide to ski in a shirt and will need to protect the shoulders and arms.
Something to clean your goggles or sunglasses. Sunglasses often come with a bag that doubles as a cleaner so this is fairly easy to cater for unless you have lost the bag a long time ago like me. If you don't have the bag then any cloth, like a chamois, will do the trick. Obviously you need to be able to see where you are skiing so clear vision is essential. I'd suggest goggles or glasses are essential too as the glare from the snow is too much even on an overcast day. Goggles are best but sunglasses are more comfortable in my opinion (depending on the type of skiing you are doing).
Carry some water and a snack. There are many cafes and rest stops dotted around the slopes and you won't have to look far to get a drink at the bottom of the slope but a bottle of water is handy if you need a break during a run. It also means you don't have to stop skiing for too long. As for a snack, I like a chocolate bar and skiing is my excuse to indulge my chocoholic tendencies. Other people may take an energy bar or even a sandwich.
A cell phone is a good device to have on you if you have an accident or need to keep in touch with friends. You need to find out where to meet up for lunch at the very least ! Take your wallet with some form of id and a credit card or small amount of money. You don't want a heavy wallet weighing you down.
For more skiing and snowboarding tips and reviews of equipment then visit http://www.snowboardnskiing.com The site gives advice on [http://www.snowboardnskiing.com/skiing/things-to-carry-when-skiing-21/]things to carry when skiing and [http://www.snowboardnskiing.com/skiing/types-of-snow-skiing-10/]types of snow skiing Adrian Whittle writes on skiing and snowboarding.
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Snow FlakesRain, Snow and Hail - Our Ever Changing Weather
By Karel Kosman
In meteorology, the condensation and separation of the atmospheric water vapour as rain, snow, hail, fog, is called precipitation. We distinguish falling precipitation such as rain or snow, deposited precipitation, such as dew or fog, and accumulated precipitation in the form of hail or snow.
When large clouds rise, they soon reach altitudes where temperatures are below freezing. These clouds are made up of ice crystals, water vapour, and droplets of water which, in spite of the below-freezing temperature have not yet crystallised into ice. Tiny small crystals coalesce into
snowflakes, which fall to the ground.
Snowflakes fall in the form of dry snow to the warm ground. If the snowflakes have to pass through a warmer layer of air, they melt and change into rain.
Drops of water, which in our geographical latitudes fall to the earth, were in reality originally
snowflakes. The droplets or ice crystals forming in the clouds are too light to fall to the ground. Only when millions of these droplets collide and coalesce into one drop, they are heavy enough to form precipitation.
Some flat clouds create only smaller drops of water, which fall to the ground as drizzle. When drizzle falls on frozen ground, it immediately solidifies as ice. The ground is then covered by a thin layer of ice. This poses a great danger for drivers, because the colourless and transparent ice is not visible on the dark surface of the road.
In the clouds that do not reach the altitude with freezing temperatures, air currents whirl millions of tiny droplets and join them together. These drops of water then fall to the ground as rain. An opposite electrical charge accelerates this coalescence.
Snowflakes show a characteristic symmetry reflecting the coalescence of water molecules in ice. However, snowflakes deviate from this basic formula. The reason is, that the tips of crystals grow at different rate of speed. There are never two identical
snowflakes. Individual ice crystals are so fine that when they fall, they touch and deform. These crystals reach the ground as deformed compounds. Tiny droplets of water and some ice crystals form in the higher layers of clouds. Moisture from the evaporating droplets combines with the ice, forming larger ice crystals. These later form snowflakes. Snowflakes fall as dry snow on cold ground, or as wet snow on warm ground.
The nucleus of a grain of hail is either an ice crystal or a grain covered by a thin layer of ice. Many additional ice layers must form before the nucleus becomes a grain. Strong rising currents cause the nuclei to be in constant swirling motion, which allows the cool water droplets to adhere. The number of ice layers (up to 25) indicates, how many times the nucleus was swirled around in the cloud. The thickest ice layer forms during the descent, because the air humidity is higher in the lower layers of the air. When the air current cannot support the grain of hail any longer, it falls to the ground. Hail may cause considerable damage.
Fog is a surface cloud layer. Tiny droplets of water are suspended in the air. This considerably decreases visibility and poses danger not only to air travel, but sea and road travel as well. Fog may even freeze (icy fog). If it combines with exhaust gases and dust particles, it may become a toxic smog.
Similarly to fog, dew and frost are included in the deposited precipitation. When the earth's surface cools down below the dew point, dew forms at temperatures over the freezing point, while frost will form at temperature below the freezing point. The dew point is the temperature at which the air is saturated with water vapour.
At one hundred percent air humidity, the dew point corresponds to the temperature of the moment. Dew is the transition stage from water vapour to water, while frost represents the transition stage of water vapour to ice. Dew and frost represent approximately 3 percent of the total amount of liquid precipitation.
In regions with low amounts of precipitation (rain), dew may be the source of moisture for the scarce local vegetation, since the precipitation amounts differ greatly from one region of the earth to another. [http://001yourtranslationservice.com/translations/encyclopedia/Translations-Geology-40.htm#Rain, Snow, and Hail]Rain, Snow, and Hail
Colorado Ski ResortsTop 5 Colorado Ski Resorts for Snow LoversBy Kent Krueger
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.
Mr. Krueger has been in the travel industry 4 years and has advised thousands on individual and corporate travel, savings and marketing vacation home rentals. Mr. Krueger is President of The Rental Network, LLC, which operates MojoVacationRentals.com ( [http://www.MojoVacationRentals.com]Vacation Home Rental).
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Ski VermontMount Snow Ski Vacations - Are These Safe For The Entire Family?By Mike Singh
Southern Vermont is the home of the superb Mount Snow, closest major ski area in the northeast to nearby metropolitan areas. Winter sport fans from the New York metropolitan area and the mid-Atlantic area, drive north to escape for alpine skiing, with a variety of novice and intermediate cruising trails on the main face or Carinthia, or for more challenging expert skiing, try the North Face. Located Featuring 26 lifts and more than 135 trails, the top elevation at Mount Snow is 3600 feet, with a vertical drop of 1700 feet. There are 20 chair lifts and six surface lifts available.
The Mount Snow Ski Club is an active member of two competition communities, the United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) and the United States of America Snowboard Association (USASA). They promote recreational and competitive winter sports, hosting major ski races for over 40 years. Their recent achievements have been "Snowboard Junior World Champions," "US Champion", and the "2002 Olympic Gold", in addition to the "Freestyle Skiing Junior National Mogul Champion" and the "National Upright-Combined Champion". Their Alpine Training Center at Mount Snow offers training to all young children interested in on-snow training and competitive skills.
To add to the skiing activities, snowboarders are welcome at Mount Snow, with a "kids only" terrain park as well as a special tubing park. The Grand Summit Hotel and Crown Club sits right off the slopes, and guests enjoy a heated outdoor pool and ski in/ski out accommodations. Different winter ski vacation packages are available with many great deals designed to save the families money. Child care is available at Mount Snow, and the youngsters will be well cared for, learning to ski as well. Mount Snow is very family oriented. They have a unique 'back-to-base' trail system used, that keeps everyone in the family from getting lost. Kids under six can ski and ride for free. When an adult buys a 3 to 5 day ticket during mid-week, their child receives a free ticket for that same time period as well. During January, the "Kids Ski & Learn Free" weeks seem to be the most popular family deals. Both group and private lessons are available for both adults and children.
For those sore muscles and tired bodies after a day on the slopes, Mount Snow features a full service health spa that you should take full advantage of. A variety of massages are offered, as well as various skin treatments. Spa packages are also available, and the spa caters to couples as well, with wedding parties welcome. There is also a fully-equipped health club and fitness class offered.
The total packages of winter activities at Mount Snow includes snowmobiling, snowshoeing, tubing, cross country skiing, and sleigh rides. There is a ski shop on the premises and rental equipment is available for those who do not have any. There are several restaurants and bars on the mountain to choose from as well. Again, Mount Snow is family oriented. You will find that this is a very safe environment for your entire family, where you can relax and have fun. Be sure to ask about the family deals when you call for reservations or information. There is always something for everybody!
Check out http://www.winter-sportz.com/ for more articles on Lake Tahoe ski vacations and Colorado ski vacations.
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Ski ClothesSki Clothing Guide - Learn About Ski ClothesBy Sardool Sikandar
Ski Clothes are usually worn over the rest of the clothes at the time of skiing. Ski clothes are made from waterproof fabric. Users can choose one-piece ski suit, jumpsuit or two-piece suit in the form of a ski jacket and matching trousers. Ski suit is used to keep the body warm while skiing thats why users also wear warm underwear with the suit.
Users should be careful at the time of purchasing ski clothes and accessories. They should buy some important items such as ski jackets, ski trousers, ski gloves, ski goggles and sunglasses for a great skiing experience. They should keep in mind that ski clothes should be warm as well as wind proof.
They can also include such things like fleece, thermal underwear, silk inner glove liners, woolen hats and thermal socks in the ski kit. These things are expensive so it is the best to hire or borrow from a friend for your first ski holidays. Ski suit works as three-layer system that means comfort, warmth and breathability.
Users should also buy a small backpack along with all ski accessories. This is an essential thing because you can put excess ski clothing when you feel too hot. You can also use it for sitting purpose while having lunch on the edge of trail. August is the right time to buy ski clothes.
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Ski SocksHow To Prevent Frostbite In Children And Keep Them Warm, When Taking A Winter Skiing HolidayBy Jane Richardson
Dressing your children in preparation for the cold Winter sports can be great fun, but it is often bitterly cold in the mid winter, and it can be a living hell for a poorly equipped youngster. Your children's clothing must protect them from the cold.
You could opt for a trouser and jacket combination, the quickest and most practical solution for young needs. Go for some salopettes, which do not let the cold in, but still allow a layer to be easily removed or replaced if you take a break somewhere a little warmer.
With the all-in-one ski suit it is more difficult to respond to temperature changes and toilet stops, but it is very comfortable for the child and is completely waterproof. Beware of cotton underneath the jacket or all-in-one. It traps their sweat when they exert themselves (going up or down steps for example). If this humidity is not retained by the tee-shirt it will reach the jumper (second cotton layer), with a risk of freezing in low temperatures.
Choose "breathable" garments, which let the perspiration through. A Patagonia thermal vest (just one recommended brand, but there are several similar ones at various prices) plus a fleece top is a good defence against the cold. Similarly, go for a breathable membrane for the ski jacket too, so that the humidity will not be trapped by any of the clothing. This is the 3 layer system: an undergarment, an intermediate layer and finally a jacket or ski suit. If one of these layers does not allow the perspiration to escape there will be condensation. As protection from the cold goes it is by far the best solution, but can be expensive. These garments are rather costly, and because our children grow out of them quickly we are reluctant to make such investments. For each child-sized breathable under garment sold, fifty adult ones are sold. If buying two technical undergarments and two intermediate layers seems too expensive, just buy one of each and be prepared to wash them frequently.
Don't forget that a ski jacket can also be worn to school or at the weekends. As far as socks are concerned, multiple layers restrict the circulation, making the feet cold. Adding extra layers therefore produces the opposite effect to that intended. A good pair of ski socks (warm, but not too thick) is good enough, or if the instructor agrees, a thin pair of socks over some tights. Rather than gloves, get them some mittens. Although they allow less freedom for movement, they are 8 times easier to put on, due to the number of awkward fingers that have to be positioned in a glove. They are also warmer than gloves, because the fingers are together and keep themselves warm. If the weather is exceptionally cold you can also add a thin pair of gloves inside the mittens, thermal longjohns, and consider a fleece balaclava under the helmet.
The physical risks of cold
True frostbite is quite rare in the typical winter sport situation. Very low temperatures and prolonged immobilisation are required to produce this serious condition. Nevertheless, it can sometimes occur in Val d'lsere, a resort renowned for being 'cold' in December.
The cold can manifest itself in many ways while skiing. If boots are tight, and feet are moist, there is a risk of frostbite. If the extremities are white, it is imperative that they are re-warmed immediately, at around 38°C {never in hot water). In addition, the skin frequently becomes chapped in children. This is due to the skin drying out and is actually made worse by moisture. If the chin comes into contact with the zip or the top of the ski jacket it can cause red patches. Apply some thick cream to nourish the skin.
A last piece of advice: make sure they have a good breakfast, and put a snack in their pocket.
The calorie expenditure is considerable when skiing at -10°C
This article was written by Jane Richardson, who has written many articles about skiing and snowboarding.
She enjoys winter sports holidays in [http://www.serrechevalier.org]Serre Chevalier, a ski resort in The French Alps.
In the summer Jane enjoys travelling, mostly in Europe, having a great adoration for England, France, Spain and Italy.
Jane is a niche marketer, specializing in areas such as [http://www.uk-insurance-travel.co.uk]travel insurance for the elderly (UK) and providing [http://www.serrechevalierholidays.com]holidays in Serre Chevalier. Her internet marketing strategies include web 2.0, article marketing and traditional search engine optimization.
Although based in Santa Monica, California USA, Jane works extensively with Rick Lomas in France and Steve Pritchard in England. Together the three form Indexicon which is evolving all the time.
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Snow SkiingSnow Skiing Checklist - 7 Things You Should Carry On the Ski SlopesBy Adrian Whittle
If you are planning a skiing vacation or maybe you are already at the resort and are preparing for a day of skiing then there is a lot to think about. This is especially so if you are new to winter sports. You need to get your skis, boots and poles. You need to organize your lift pass and then you need to hook up with your ski class. Without these things your day would be unsuccessful, however there are a few other things that people often overlook that can also impact on your day. Here is a checklist of 7 things you may need on the ski slopes.
First thing to take is a trail map. No doubt you have looked at the trail maps that are dotted throughout the resort or even at your pocket version but it is essential that you take it with you when you are skiing. Despite your studies you will need to refer to it at least a few times on the first day. Maybe less as the week goes by but it is always handy to have especially if you take a turn that you are not used to.
Lip balm and sunscreen. The lips are very sensitive to the sun and wind. They are one of the few parts of your body that will be exposed to the elements. Make sure they are protected as chapped lips can spoil your vacation. Take a small tube of sunscreen and top up every few hours or so. This is mainly around the face and ears but this depends on the weather and what you are wearing. If it a pleasant day you may decide to ski in a shirt and will need to protect the shoulders and arms.
Something to clean your goggles or sunglasses. Sunglasses often come with a bag that doubles as a cleaner so this is fairly easy to cater for unless you have lost the bag a long time ago like me. If you don't have the bag then any cloth, like a chamois, will do the trick. Obviously you need to be able to see where you are skiing so clear vision is essential. I'd suggest goggles or glasses are essential too as the glare from the snow is too much even on an overcast day. Goggles are best but sunglasses are more comfortable in my opinion (depending on the type of skiing you are doing).
Carry some water and a snack. There are many cafes and rest stops dotted around the slopes and you won't have to look far to get a drink at the bottom of the slope but a bottle of water is handy if you need a break during a run. It also means you don't have to stop skiing for too long. As for a snack, I like a chocolate bar and skiing is my excuse to indulge my chocoholic tendencies. Other people may take an energy bar or even a sandwich.
A cell phone is a good device to have on you if you have an accident or need to keep in touch with friends. You need to find out where to meet up for lunch at the very least ! Take your wallet with some form of id and a credit card or small amount of money. You don't want a heavy wallet weighing you down.
For more skiing and snowboarding tips and reviews of equipment then visit http://www.snowboardnskiing.com The site gives advice on [http://www.snowboardnskiing.com/skiing/things-to-carry-when-skiing-21/]things to carry when skiing and [http://www.snowboardnskiing.com/skiing/types-of-snow-skiing-10/]types of snow skiing Adrian Whittle writes on skiing and snowboarding.
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