What do the Carnaval de Québec, skiing at the Cortina D’Ampezzo, Italy, Mardi Gras,
and Mauna Kea have in common? They are all on Fodors list
of the most unforgettable experiences. The list is an eclectic selection of things to do around the globe, some of
which are adventuresome, some of which are more touristy. But I will give it to Fodors, that the list is nicely
diverse. No mention of Disneyland, thank goodness.
Onlineadventure Videos and Photos
OK, nothing too mind-blowing here, but a pretty interesting mix of photos, videos and panos
from a company called onlineadventure.com.
It’s a simple design, and simple pieces video-wise, but I have to admit, I checked many of them out and came away
kind of adicted. I particularly liked Lords of Alpine
Meadows, if just because that is one of my favorite ski areas.
Original Snowboard Art
I actually saw a post about this site over on at TravelPost, and was
reminded that I actually did one of these. As the name attests, the site is dedicated to original
Snowboard art. Take some time and check out the myriad
designs uploaded by artists from all over the globe.
If you ever wanted to be an original on the slopes, this is a place to find a board design that will set you apart.
Some of the stuff here is downright cool. You have to click around a bit to find the best stuff, but it’s worth it. And
as I said, a while ago (I’d completely forgotten)
I did a design for them using one of my
high-res panoramic photos…the one from Thailand. I am the first one to tell you my design is
not one of the better ones…but if you had it on your board, well, I’ll bet you’d still get looks. Anyway, a very
original idea that clocks in high on the cool meter.
Groomers for Boomers
My idea of a good ski run consists of several qualities, mix em and
match em. First, wicked steeps. Honestly, if the snow is good, the steeper the better. Let me cut some sweet turns,
carve some deep powder, and slip through a chute into an open bowl. Then, there is nothing quite like tearing down a
long, straight run and trying to hit 50 mph as your boards shimmy and tears beads up in your eyes. Second, I like
bumps. Make them steep, too, what the heck. And make them consistent. Give me a gaping field of curvy, well-shaped
bumps that looks like a million VW bugs buried in a terrible storm. This is what conditions should always be
like.
But that is, alas, one man’s opinion. Turns out that baby boomers…you know, the graying, card-carrying AARP types we
call mom and dad…turns out they are getting too old for this type of terrain, and so
some ski
areas are making changes to accommodate their weakened knees and sore backs. Some areas, it turns out, are grooming
a lot more, and getting rid of the very qualities that make a ski area worth skiing.
Should we stand for this? I mean, don’t the aging get enough as it is? 15 percent discounts at the movie theater and
special plates at Dennys? Why turn the mountain over to them as well, cater to their feeble bodies and weakening minds?
Dunno. Seems a crime to me. To wreck a perfectly good ski area for a bunch of fogies.
Ice Dozer
While we’re on the subject of skiing, and snow, and being cold, and
being stuck in your car in a blizzard and you forgot your gloves and your wife is hassling you because she doesn’t
think it’s safe for you to drive with such icy windows and you’re like, honey, don’t worry everything is fine and WATCH
OUT and you almost run over that snow boarder because the stupid son of a bitch was walking IN THE ROAD, but you know
it would have been your fault because you can’t see properly out of the window and the little knuckle-dragger would
almost certainly have sued you so yes you better pull over now and brave the cold and how much your fingers are going
to hurt and ice off the damn window…well, speaking of all that, I found this handy little device called
the Ice Dozer on Travelizmo that might just make the
scenario above a little bit easier to endure.