Ski Mt. Buller…Next Year

by Kelly Amabile on

I got a kick out of Age writer
Jim Schembri’s final ski of the season. Yup, the slopes are officially
closed at Mt. Buller in Victoria, Australia, as the downunder crew gets
ready for summer. But Jim got one more shot at the snow last weekend and wrote this
funny
bit about it.

I’ve only skied once in my life and cold weather sports are not really my thing, but when a writer can make me laugh
about it like this, I have to give special props. Jim’s snow-bombarded day truly hit upon the highs and lows of winter
mountain action, and had me actually considering the slopes myself. I think skiing with my Aussie pals could be a real
hoot, and might ease the pain of the nasty falls I’d have all day…they wouldn’t hurt nearly as bad as the sarcastic
jabs (and snowballs) they’d be throwing me all day. Here’s to Jim and the many Matts for making my day.

A Skier in Iraq – Stellar Magazine

by Erik Olsen on

Online travel magazine Stellar is running a rather unusual
series by Bob Dedic called Miles From Home in which this avid skier from Colorado ruminates on family, fighting and
the joys of hitting the powder.

The magazine will run a new article to the series every Thursday, and if the first piece is any indication, it should
be pretty good. Or at least, it will appeal to skiers who hold dear the philosophy that skiing can become an integral
part of who you are (a philosophy I share).

As the highest ranking enlisted soldier in his unit, Dedic has a lot of responsibility in Iraq, and I’m hopeful he’ll
find the time to keep up the dispatches and expound on the melding of skiing and service.

Snow Cams

by Erik Olsen on

 Yes, I know we’re a ways off, but we blogged recently about how to get your ski pass
early, and figured you’d like the bookmark. All in an effort to get you thinking about the upcoming season. And in this
spirit, we thought you’d like a link to a site where you can check up on the snow pack at your favorite mountain.

Yes, you won’t have to leave they cozy confines of your desk to find out what the base is like at places around the
country. Why? How? Well, Ski Magazine has a page
dedicated to ski mountain cams, where you can click around, check the weather and see how much freshy is
actually falling.

It’s a good selection of cameras and locales. From Alpine Meadows to Winter Park (one of my favorite spots
around), you’ll (hopefully) find your area here and use it to figure out the best day to play hooky.

The Powder Road

by Erik Olsen on

Now here’s a site for the ski enthusiast to follow over the next couple weeks and forward as we
slowly push our way toward winter. The Powder Road
is a dazzling site which documents the dream of ski travel by four like minded individuals on one stellar road trip
from Colorado to Alaska. In search of deep snow both touched and especially untouched by the average skier, the group
set out hitting classic ski spots like Aspen, Colorado and Jackson, Wyoming before making way into Canada and later
Alaska. Join them on the ultimate ski and multimedia experience by checking out the trailer on the site. The trip is to
be shown in eight weekly episodes to kick off on October 4th, but in the mean time I encourage all to check out
the photo gallery.  I promise you’ll enjoy this one, but prepare to be envious and inspired all the same.

 

via Stellar

Extreme Sports in the UK

by Kelly Amabile on

You know those activities we
mentioned that some travelers insurance policies don’t
cover? Well, in today’s Telegraph, Sophie Butler’s essential checklist
tells us the best
spots in the UK for high- adrenaline sports.

There’s paragliding in the shadows of the Black Mountains. Or
pick from a huge selection of outdoor activities (mountaineering, alpine skiing or rock climbing, just to name a few)
at the breathtaking Plas y Brenin, the National Mountain
Center in Cpel Curig, in the heart of Snowdonia National Park. Or
white water rafting at Canolfan Tryweryn in Bala. The places I’ve
mentioned are all in Wales, but the article lists additional locations that are great for adventure sports in Scotland
and other parts of Great Britian.

I should note that many of these activities, like skiing and rafting, are covered by travelers insurance plans. And
if you have regular health insurance through your job, you are good to go.