The Ouray Ice Festival Begins Today In Ouray, Colorado

by Kraig Becker on

North America’s largest ice climbing competition gets underway in Colorado today with the start of the Ouray Ice Festival. The event is held annually at the Ouray Ice Park and pits the best climbers in the world against one another in a host of challenges designed to test their strength and skill.

Using ice axes in each hand and crampons on their boots, competitors will attempt to climb a variety of routes along a frozen waterfall located inside the Ice Park. They’ll each be timed on how quickly they are able to finish their routes, with the fastest climber earning the victory. Considering there will be $16,000 of prize money up for grabs across several events and categories, you can bet the competition will be intense.

Ice climbing is certainly not for the faint of heart. It requires nerves of steel to take part in this sport, as climbers ascend nearly vertical sections of frozen water. They use specially designed climbing axes to chip into the ice, creating handholds they can use to lift themselves up. Meanwhile, the crampons on their boots can be kicked into the ice to create support that can be used to step up to higher levels. They complete the climb by pulling themselves up with the axes while kicking into the ice with their feet. The entire time they have to pay close attention to the ice to ensure it is solid and stable enough to continue along the route.The Ouray Ice Park is one of the best places in the world to actually go ice climbing. Located in a natural gorge just outside the town of Ouray, the park features more than 200 climbing routes, most just a short distance from the entrance. Those excellent conditions make the Ice Park a huge draw for climbers from across the globe. It doesn’t hurt that entry is absolutely free thanks to extensive fund raising during the Ice Festival.

If you’re interested in trying ice climbing for yourself, walk-up climbing is available at the Festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting today and running through the weekend. There are also a number of clinics designed to help hone your skills and a gear expo to show off the latest climbing equipment. Numerous competitions, film screenings, award ceremonies and other fun events will also take place over the course of the weekend, giving spectators a chance to learn more about the sport and the men and women who take part in it. For a complete schedule of events, click here.

[Photo Credit: Ouray Ice Park]

Photo Of The Day: What’s In Your Bag?

by Meg Nesterov on

Feeling nosy? Then you might enjoy today’s Photo of the Day. Flickr user and designer Lacko Illustration provided an extremely detailed look inside his bag. There’s even a legend on the bottom to accompany the objects in case you can’t tell from the photo. Judging from the razor blades and Glock drives, he probably doesn’t take this on planes, but it’s still fun to look inside someone else’s bag, especially an artist. There are some fun details to find, like some “zombie bait” and Lacko’s own “Chewie is my Co-Pilot” sticker.

Want to show us what you’re packing? Add your photos to the Gadling Flickr pool to be chosen for the Photo of the Day feature.

Global Giveaway Sends Students Traveling Worldwide

by Chris Owen on

In July 2012, People to People Ambassador Group sent students to Japan for the first time since the devastating earthquake and tsunami hit in 2011. Partnering with MTV, People to People also ran an Act for Japan contest to give away one full tuition travel scholarship. Now the organization is partnering with actress Holly Robinson Peete to award five students with travel scholarships to participate on a People to People adventure.

Holly’s Global Giveaway will send the winners to a destination of their choice including a journey to Australia, England, France, Italy, India, China or even Antarctica.

This contest is still open, but not for long, as three out of five students have already been chosen. Submit your entry to tell People to People why you should join Holly’s Global Trekkers and see the world as a student ambassador by January 31, 2013.Peete, also a mother of four, experienced first-hand the positive impact global travel and study abroad can have on a student, and plans to send two of her own children on a People to People trip this summer.

“I had the opportunity to study abroad at a young age and I believe it is a critical component to ensuring our kids can compete in a globalized world,” said Holly Robinson Peete in a Marketwatch report. “I look forward to allowing my children the same life experience and working with People to People to send five deserving students on the trip of a lifetime.”

That’s why she’s partnered with People to People Student Ambassador Programs to give two lucky students an all-expenses paid international travel experience they’ll never forget.

Three of the five scholarships have already been awarded during Holly’s recent appearance on “The Wendy Williams Show.” These students were affected by Hurricane Sandy. Since Williams is from New Jersey, People to People wanted to help lift the spirits of these kids around the holidays.


[Photo Credit- Flickr user Satbir]

5 Unique Babymoon Packages Fit For Royalty

by McLean Robbins on

From the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to celebrity couples like Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, it looks like the baby bump is a major trend for 2013. But how will these couples celebrate their bun in the oven? In style, of course. Hotels are going all-out to capture the “babymoon” trend, a pre-baby escape known for letting the couple bond before the birth of a first (or second, or third) child. Usually full of spa treatments and booze-free treats, these indulgent escapes are fit for royalty, Hollywood celebs, or just the jetsetter in us all. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorites below.

Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
This ultra-luxe Thai property offers a “Royal Babymoon” package with daily signature ESPA treatments, boat rides along the Andaman Sea, daily meditation, private yoga, 24/7 butler service and many more amenities. Guests stay at The Royal Andaman Sea Villa, one of the resort’s most luxurious, which features a decadent oversized bed (two double California King mattresses sewn together!), as well as an outdoor terrace with veranda.

Capella Pedregal
This ultraluxury resort in Cabo San Lucas is already a celebrity favorite, but they’ve kicked it up a notch with their array of prenatal offerings. In addition to the standard prenatal massage, the resort offers creative pregnancy-approved menus that feature organic, naturally grown and hormone-free dishes – as well as a “cravings” section with dishes like a Nutella Panini with Prosciutto and Mozzarella Cheese; Vanilla Ice Cream with Homemade B&B Pickles; Shortrib Pizza with Onion Jam; Mango and Chile Popsicles and more. If guests would rather practice their cooking skills, they can try their hand at a baby-friendly cooking class that teaches them how to make organic baby food at home or to prepare complete meals using only one pot, perfect for new moms and dads on the go.

Trump International Hotel & Tower New York
Would you expect anything less from the hotel that hosted a royal wedding breakfast? Enjoy a two-night stay, a 60-minute massage (prenatal for mom and a classic massage for your partner), daily in-room breakfast or breakfast at Nougatine by Jean-Georges, a twice-daily selection of special teas, smoothies and mocktails, prenatal pillows form the Trump Pillow Menu placed in-room prior to arrival, a $1,000 gift card to Neiman Marcus, also usable at Bergdorf Goodman, a $1,000 gift card to FAO Schwarz for baby goodies, and a $1,000 gift card to Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry, usable online and at the SoHo boutique – perhaps for a push present? Rates start at $6,000.Royal Palms Resort & Spa
Relax and refresh with this rather affordable escape bearing a “royal” name. Their Babymoon Bliss “Mini” Package. Enjoy overnight accommodations, in-room dining, a cigar and Congac for the dad-to-be, a prenatal massage for mom and a therapeutic massage for dad. Rates start at $521.

The Waldorf Astoria, New York
In keeping with the “royal” tradition, the hotel is offering a special luxe package in addition to their standard babymoon offerings (which start at just under $1,000 for a one-night stay). This package includes accommodations in the historic and opulent Royal Suite (the former residence of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor) and a day of customized pampering at hotel’s Guerlain Spa. Guests enjoy an overnight in the two-bedroom Royal Suite, a couple’s spa service with mocktails and milkshakes, a duet personal training session with a private Pilates instructor and breakfast in bed for $10,800.

[Photo courtesy Ritz-Carlton Reserve]

Book British Airways, Get Two Free Nights In The UK

by Libby Zay on

If you’ve been thinking about crossing the Atlantic and heading to the United Kingdom, now is a great time to snag a deal. British Airways and VisitBritain have teamed up to offer “The Big British Invite,” a promotion gifting free two-night stays when travelers book round-trip airfare out of the United States.

The offer – which is valid through midnight on March 31, 2013, so long as flights and rooms are available and a few other terms and conditions are met – includes two free nights at double occupancy in a hotel through May 31, 2013.

Most of the hotels offered are in the 3-4 star range, such as the Holiday Inn London Kensington Forum (the same hotel that previously offered human bed warmers), and other hotels throughout London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle.

But the free stay isn’t all the sale gifts to travelers. Customers will also receive a “Better Island Band,” a bracelet that allows travelers to snag discounts and deals on attractions throughout the United Kingdom. This includes two for one scotch tastings at Glengoyne Distillery in Glasgow, two for one admission at Tower of London, an upgraded tour package at Cardiff Castle, and more.

For more information or to start booking, here’s more on the Big British Invite promotion.

[Photo credit: Blogger Libby Zay]