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Zermatt - Essential Travel Know How
By Frank Walter

Lets be honest, why wouldn't you pick the fabulously picturesque Zermatt for your Winter break? It lies on the border between Italy and Switzerland, and us Brits should be proud as it was British mountaineers who discovered this resort in the first place. With such awesome views of the Matterhorn towering over the small traditional town, you can't better the scenery either. It is actually not difficult to see why Zermatt has been voted the best Ski resort in the world, with its 394 km of piste, there is something for all levels, from the beginner to the expert off piste skier.

Another Amazing Day at Keystone Ski Resort
By Allison Lee

Being born and raised in Denver I have been a frequent flier to Colorado ski resorts (as well as some around the world) my entire life and although I have gotten to experience most of what Colorado has to offer, I would definitely pick Keystone Resort over any other resort. I have experienced Keystone as a tourist, local commuter and now resident and it still never gets old. I think Keystone has some of the most diverse terrain and unique environment that any resort has to offer. I would estimate that I have ridden at Keystone Resort over 300 times and have had. The friendly people, the champagne snow, the tactical setup of the mountain, and the most incredible views that will have you believing you are on top of the world are all part of what make Keystone Resort the best.

Family Activities & Lodging - Mont Tremblant
By Devon O'Malley

Aside from soaking in the rays and plowing through the powder, what other family activities are on offer at Mont Tremblant? Below is a list of family-oriented activities with brief descriptions.

Multi-Season Activities

• Meet Toufou: Introduce your children to Mont Tremblant's mascot, Toufou. The famous white tailed reindeer has been known to play around Place des Voyageurs daily around 3:30pm.
• Zip Lines: The tall trees of the Laurentian forest serve as the perfect setting for dangling 75 feet from the ground. Aside from zipping from tree to tree, families will also traverse suspended logs, spider nets, barrels and practive their crab walk. Parents will be glad to note that there is a separate course designed for children.

Cross Country Skiing Gear Basics
By Lydia Quinn

Cross country skiing has been around since pre-historic times. In countries with large swaths of land covered with snow in the winter, like Scandinavia, people had to find an easier way to traverse the snow to hunt for animals. They strapped boards made of wood to their feet with wood poles strapped to their hands using leather straps. Armies have used cross country skiing to move entire armies across snow.

Here are some of the basics of the equipment used for cross country skiing:

The Skis

The difference between regular and cross country skis is that cross country skis are much longer and thinner. This is to help better distribute the weight of a person and enables them to slide faster. In modern times, wood skis have been replaced with high tech materials that are lighter in weight and more durable.

Lake Tahoe - A Year-Round Vacation Destination
By Rachel Spohn

Located along the border between California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It is the largest alpine lake in North America, and with a depth of 1,645 feet, it is also the second-deepest lake in the United States. Because of its diverse surroundings, Lake Tahoe offers vacationers year-round enjoyment with a myriad of activities. No matter the season, you can always find something exciting to do.

Park City Ski Vacations
By Renee Spoontocal

Park City, Utah is a skier's paradise. The entire area is simply stunning, which is why so many people take interest in Park City ski vacations. The slopes offer more than 100 trails, each with varying degrees of difficulty, not to mention scenery. Because this particular ski resorts caters to people of all ages and skiing abilities, it is considered a prime destination. This means that most Park City ski vacations work for just about everyone.

Give Snow Shoeing a Try
By Scott Peters

During this time of year I often find myself looking for outdoor recreational opportunities that do not involve shoveling snow. Deer season has come and gone, the last stripers have headed for points south, and most lakes and ponds in the area don't yet have sufficient ice coverage for a safe outing.

Along with the holidays and all the extra eating that goes along with them comes time off and the need to go out and get some exercise.

One activity that is a relatively new discovery for me is snowshoeing, and it seems I enjoy it more and get more out of it each time I strap the things on my feet and head out into the woods or across a field after a fresh snowfall. I have had the experience be one of quiet and solitude with barely a sound aside from the snow falling from the trees.

Snow Cams
By Susan Wayworth

A snow cam can be the solution to your problem if you have ever wished for a white Christmas or longed to see snow falling softly outside your window but do not live in a region that receives much if any snow. Now a days at your own convenience you can log onto the Internet and check out the many snow cams that ski resorts, cities and other places have set up that catch the pictures of snow falling wherever the camera happens to be located. Granted it's not the same as actually being there but with the advances in technology the pictures are high quality. Most snow cams change their pictures every few minutes and have some breath taking scenery for you to view. There are some snow cams such as at ski resorts that offer live streaming video which let you experience all the sites and sounds associated with a ski resort.

Deer Valley Skiing
By Jennifer Burbank

Deer Valley Resort was rated the #1 ski resort in North America by SKI Magazine in 2001 and 2005 and #2 in 2006. This commendation is based on the beautiful location, luxury, great Utah snow, and diversity of terrain that Deer Valley has to offer. This resort was home to the slalom, mogul, and aerial events of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Skiers at Deer Valley will not be disappointed by the 3,000 vertical feet and 1,750 acres of skiable terrain. This is an amazing resort destination for skiers of all skill levels.

Lake Tahoe Boat Rentals Are The Best Way To Experience The High Sierra Mountains
By Kevin Rockwell

Lake Tahoe is best known for the winter season where the skiing is magnificent and some of the best in the world. However, it is, at heart, a lake and a place where the summer time offers some great water activities.

This is a boating paradise. Lake boat rentals allow visitors to take full advantage of the lake front activities that are present in the summer season at Tahoe.