Packing For Ski Vacations - It Aint No Day At The Beach

Let’s face it, packing for a beach vacation is a walk in the park compared to packing for a ski vacation. With a beach vacation you drop a few pairs of shorts and tops and your swimsuit into your bag and you’re ready to go.

Not so for a ski vacation. If you’re bringing your own ski equipment you have your skis, boots, poles and bulky ski pants and jacket. What’s a ski enthusiast to do?

If you’re driving to a nearby ski resort or area, packing all that equipment isn’t much of a problem. But, if you’re flying on your ski vacation, there are a couple options which will make the packing much easier.

First, you might want to consider leaving your ski equipment at home and renting your boots, skis and poles at the resort. Of course, you may be the type to be horrified at the thought of using rented equipment. But, you might want to weigh your discomfort with the hassle and inconvenience of packing and traveling with these bulky items.

If the idea of renting equipment is worse than the inconvenience of traveling with your own equipment, then perhaps you might think about shipping your ski equipment and clothes to the resort ahead of time, so that they will be there for you when you arrive. Be sure to call the lodge or resort ahead of time to make sure they will accept and hold the package. In most cases they probably will. Be sure, of course, to tip them well for their efforts, and send the package to yourself, in care of the resort. Shipping can be overnight, two-day, or three-day depending on how far it has to go. You may even find that shipping your equipment to yourself is cheaper than paying the airline for the extra baggage.

Besides your equipment, ski clothes and other warm winter wear, what else must you pack for your ski vacation? Well, here’s where packing for a beach vacation and packing for a ski vacation is similar. For both types of vacations you need to make sure you bring your sun block. Many people make the mistake of thinking they’re out on the snow and don’t need protection. When the sunlight reflects from the snow and hits your skin you could end up with a nasty sunburn, so do lotion up before skiing. Also, you want to make sure your lips are protected with a good lip balm.

In addition, as with a beach vacation, you want to make sure to stay hydrated. Again, many people think they don’t need as much water because it’s not hot. Wrong! When you engage in any activity for an extended period of time, you have a tendency to sweat and can lose up to a quart of water per hour. Skiing is certainly an activity that causes fluid loss, so it’s wise to carry a couple quarts of water with you.

The easiest way to carry water while skiing is with a hydration pack. You can buy a simple hip pack or a vest hydration pack that fits around your chest containing a reservoir, with a tube that transports the water from the reservoir to your mouth. Expect to pay anywhere from $40 to $80 for a good hydration pack, which can also be used for other sports such as hiking or cycling.

Shari Hearn is a writer and creator of a ski vacations site, where you can learn about such things as New England skiing.

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Silverthorne Ski Vacation

When searching for the ideal Rocky Mountain retreat this winter, make your way to the Summit County gateway of Silverthorne, Colorado. Silverthorne is within striking distance of the four world class ski resorts this area boasts while also enticing with the charm of a quaint and stunning mountain town. For an all-round exciting and relaxing trip when you need to escape the doldrums of everyday life, head to Silverthorne for a vacation beyond the expected.

Summit County is known for some of the most amazing ski resorts in the country, causing winter enthusiasts to flock to this area in droves when the first flakes begin to fall. Only twenty minutes away from the ski mountains of Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain and Keystone, Silverthorne is the perfect home base for those who need to entertain the interests of a multi-skill level family. With a diverse collection of trails and runs at your fingertips, you can sample all of the resorts to determine which mountain best suites the needs and abilities of your family.

If jettisoning from mountain to mountain is not your idea of a fulfilling winter vacation, the town of Silverthorne has plenty to offer in the way of indoor and outdoor activities. For a memorable outdoor adventure without any rough and tumble, hop aboard a sleigh ride for a journey through the forest behind Belgian Draft Horses. You can cozy up under a warm blanket as the bells jingle and the horse hooves clatter on the smooth snow all while soaking in the stunning sight of the starlit mountains.

The more adventurous outdoor lovers looking for a bit of high-powered excitement will certainly want to take advantage of backcountry snowmobiling through the Arapahoe National Forest. Make your way through alpine meadows and over 100 miles of wooded trails, with three miles of open space to treat as your personal playground, as you cruise this peaceful and enchanting winter wonderland. Your exhilarating Silverthorne snowmobiling adventure is only made that much more memorable by the sight of seven different, yet equally spectacular, mountain ranges so get out there and see the picturesque Colorado we have all imagined.

No Silverthorne vacation is complete until you have filled your lungs with the fresh mountain air while truly appreciating the natural beauty that surrounds you. Since skiing and snowmobiling require concentration, thus making it difficult to enjoy Summit County’s magnificence, head to the Silverthorne Nordic Center for a day of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Traverse breathtaking terrain that calls out for exploration as you experience the unscathed beauty of one of the country’s most stunning regions.

When you want to spend a day enjoying the delights of Silverthorne, shopping is the most popular way to fill a morning and afternoon. The Silverthorne Factory Stores offer exceptional variety, value, and quality with 70 well-known brands and the nearby restaurants allow you to make a day of your shopping extravaganza. Don’t forget to check out the other shops that line the town’s streets to pick up a few warm winter items or to simply find a one-of-a-kind keepsake.

While you expect to find amazing beauty around every corner during a Colorado winter vacation, Silverthorne goes beyond the everyday as a centrally-located retreat that can satisfy the cravings of every winter vacationer. Whether this is your first time to the area or a yearly ritual, you can capture everything you love about this Colorado town by staying in a vacation rental. Silverthorne rentals allow some of the most breathtaking views of the mountains while making it easy to enjoy the indoor and outdoor activities you plan to participate in during your trip. Don’t settle for anything less than spectacular this winter by choosing a Silverthorne vacation rental that meets all your needs and exceeds all your expectations.

HomeAway.com has the most comprehensive selection of vacation rental homes on the Internet. For an alternative lodging option, consider Silverthorne rentals for your next trip to Colorado.

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Mont Tremblant Ski Resort: 9 Sure-fire Ways to Save Money on Accommodation, Lift Tickets & More

Officially inaugurated in 1938, Mont Tremblant is a unique gem among Canada’s eastern ski resorts. For many people though, “unique” also means expensive.

It’s true, there may be some truth in this instance. Mont Tremblant actually translates to Trembling Mountain, which may relate to the trembling of the tourists once they tally up their expenses and witness their quickly shrinking budget.

Yet fear not. I’ve collected a number of practical tips to help you save money on your Mont Tremblant accommodation, activities, lift tickets, and more.

Tip #1 – The Early Bird Gets The Mont Tremblant Accommodation Savings

If you know exactly when you’re like to have your vacation, booking in advance often means increased savings. If you’re flying, try to leave avoid leaving on the weekends, and instead try the cheaper middle of the week departures. Reserving accommodation in advance can also allow for negotiating cheaper nightly rates, especially if you’re flexible by even a few days.

Tip #2 - Avoid Hotels & Book Your Mont Tremblant Condo Directly with Homeowners

Booking your Mont Tremblant accommodation directly with homeowners and independent companies saves you money by avoiding swarms of middle agent fees. Most owners also do not charge the non-refundable 10% hotel tax, and prices are quoted for up to the maximum sleeping capacity of the property, not per person. Plus, many owners offer free parking, whereas most rental managers and hotels have additional nightly parking fees.

Tip #3 – Invite Your Friends And Share The Cost

When searching for your Mont Tremblant accommodation, check out the larger properties and consider inviting a few friends or even another family! When booking a bigger property, adding an extra two people could save you a few hundred dollars by our the cost.

Tip #4 - Buy Your Food Outside the Village

In that last stretch of the trip, most visitors to Mont Tremblant prefer to check into their accommodation rather than go preemptive shopping for groceries, where they get nailed with price markups at the local village food store. Instead, shop at a grocery store just off Highway 117 as you approach the resort, which offers more selection and lower prices than within the Mont Tremblant village.

Tip #5 - Secure Your Rental Gear and Avoid Being A Statistic

This is a more preventative measure than a money saving tip. Sadly, like every other resort, ski and snowboard theft is a possibility in Mont Tremblant. Lock up your gear with the lock plugs sold in every Mont Tremblant shop. The resort provides racks all over the mountain for you to secure your rental gear.

Tip #6 - Use the ATMs and Avoid the Banks

Short on cold, hard cash? There are a number of reasons to avoid the banks when you need to withdraw your money. For starters, most banks charge a $5 transaction fee for currency exchanges. And while it’s possible to exchange foreign currency at shops, restaurants, and hotels, the exchange rate is often much lower than simply using the ATM.

Tip #7 - Don’t Buy Stuff In The Village

Strolling through Mont Tremblant’s Pedestrian Village is great for people watching and window shopping, as the actual prices can be quite high. A 3% resort tax is also added to your purchases at the checkout, further inducing wallet trauma. If you spy an item that activates your “must-have” meter, it’s possible the same item may be available back in Montreal or at another outlet on your way home.

Tip #8 - Look For Promotions In Tourist Brochures & Flyers

The local tourist brochures, newspapers, and flyers are a great place to scour for discount coupons and deals. These coupons may only save a few dollars here and there, but it definitely adds up when spread over a few days and combined with all the other expenses that accompany a memorable Mont Tremblant vacation.

Tip #9 - Discount Lift Tickets for Teens/College Students

A little known Mont Tremblant secret is the discount offered to young teens and post-secondary students. For some reason, Mont Tremblant doesn’t apply much effort publicizing these deals. Instead, be prepared at the lift ticket window with ID cards showing your teens eligibility, and the same if you’re a college or university student. Otherwise you’re likely to end up paying for full adult tickets.

Devon O’ Malley is a staff writer for AlluraDirect.com, a vacation rental website offering powerful search and instant booking features for owners and guests alike. On your next Mont Tremblant vacation, check out their Mont Tremblant accommodation directory and save money by booking your Mont Tremblant condos directly with homeowners.

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