Outside Magazine posts their 2011 trips of the year

Adventure travelers still looking for suggestions on what to do, and where to go, this year may find some inspiration courtesy of Outside Magazine which has posted their selection for the 2011 Trips of the Year online.

Compiled by the Outside editors, the list, first appeared in the March print edition of the magazine which is on newsstands now. The recommendations will send travelers off on active adventures to far flung places ranging from Alaska, Nepal, Siberia, and beyond. The trips aren’t necessarily for the faint of heart however, as the suggestions include high altitude trekking, heli-skiing, mountain biking, white water rafting and much much more.

Each of the trip recommendations includes a short description of what travelers can expect, suggested dates to go, and a recommendation of a travel company to use when booking the journey yourself. Prices are also included, and be warned that some of them can induce a bit of sticker shock. But these trips are also unique excursions to remote places, which usually don’t come cheap. They also happen to be genuinely once in a life time opportunities for most of us, and will almost certainly leave a deep and lasting impression on those who take them.

As an active traveler who happens to enjoy a bit of adventure in my getaways, each of these trips appeals to me on a different level. But were I forced to choose one or two that stand out the most, I’d recommend the mountain biking journey through Argentina’s Patagonia or the expedition across Mongolia on horseback. Both offer a fantastic adventure through stunning landscapes unlike any other on Earth.

Outside Magazine offers photography workshop in Santa Fe

This October, Outside Magazine will give amateur and professional shutterbugs the chance to hone their skills by working with some of the best photographers in the business today. The iconic adventure mag is hosting a 4-day long workshop in Santa Fe, New Mexico that promises to blend classroom instruction, in depth discussion, and real world application with a sharp focus on improving your photographic skills.

While a number of Outside editors and creative directors will be on hand for the event, the real stars of the show are the professional photographers they have lined up to share their insights. Joining the Outside staff members will be Jimmy Chin, who specializes in adventure and expedition photography, Robert Maxwell, who is considered one of the best portrait photographers in the world, and Kurt Markus, who is a versatile, all-around shooter who covers everything from fashion to cultural images.

Beginning on October 19th, and continuing through the 23rd, the workshop will offer everything from hands-on sessions with Jimmy, Robert, and Kurt, to in-the-field shooting assignments for the attendees to complete. There will be lectures, round table discussions, and breakout groups to focus on how to best optimize your digital workflow. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit local Santa Fe art galleries and share their portfolios with evening image presentations, while bonding with one another over three shared meals per day.

The workshop is limited to just 45 seats, so if you’re interested, you’ll want to apply as soon as possible. For more information and to register, click here. The cost for the event is $1850.

Outside Magazine searches for ‘reader of the year’

Do you, or does someone you know, eat breathe, and sleep outdoor adventure? If so, then you may be able to earn yourself some sweet gear, just by nominating them (or even yourself!) as the Outside Magazine Reader of the Year. The iconic, and popular, publication is looking for a Chief Inspiration Officer for 2011, and your nominee just might fit the description, earning you all kinds of swag, while they go on to fame and fortune in the glossy pages of the magazine.

Nominating someone is very easy. You simply click here and fill out the online form, which includes an essay describing why they are worthy of consideration. If your nominee is selected, they’ll earn the position as CIO for Outside and will be featured in an article. They’ll also be given the opportunity to contribute to the magazine throughout next year, offering up tips, advice, and inspiration that the average Outside reader can relate to. And as the person who nominated them, you’ll also receive a nice reward in the form of $1800 worth of free gear and a three year subscription to the magazine.

Nomination are being accepted through September 1st, with candidates being judged based on how much fun, and adventure, they’ve been able to work into their lives over the past few years. A healthy commitment to changing their life, or the lives of others, doesn’t hurt either, as the Outside editors are looking for someone who exemplifies the philosophy of the magazine. While the selection will obviously be somewhat subjective, they are weighing their decision on the candidates thirst for adventure, their capacity to inspire, and the creativity of the essay that is written on their behalf.

So, there you have it! Head on over to the Reader of the Year page and fill out your nominations. You may make someone a star in the adventure world, and earn your self great gear in the process.

[Photo credit: Outside Magazine]

Outside TV coming to a resort near you in 2010

Outside Magazine has been a trusted name for adventure travelers and outdoor enthusiasts for years, offering gear reviews, profiles of explorers and athletes, as well as plenty of travel, survival, and health tips too. Now, the iconic magazine has joined forces with the Resort Sports Network, and the new partners have announced the launch of the Outside Television Network in June of 2010.

RSN is currently considered the top television network for delivering content to top vacation destinations across the U.S. It’s seen in 110 destinations throughout the country, with an annual viewership that exceeds 61 million people. Despite those numbers however, the network will undergo a complete rebranding before summer 2010, and will relaunch with the Outside brand front and center on June 1st.

This joint venture looks to have benefits for both Outside and RSN. In an era when many print mags, such as National Geographic Adventure, are shutting their doors, Outside is expanding into new media and taking their brand in new directions. RSN, on the other hand, gets access to a ton of great editorial content and will undergo a major face lift that will give it more name recognition with the markets they are looking to pursue.

So, when traveling next summer, keep your eyes peeled for this new network. It may have some great suggestions on how to make the most of your trip, or at least help you pass the time while you’re at the resort.

Outside Magazine lists the best ski resorts in North America

With snow already falling all over the U.S., it is clear that ski season is in full swing, and with winter still more than a month and a half away, ski bums and bunnies have plenty of great months on the slope ahead. To that end, Outside Magazine has published their list of the 16 best ski resorts in North America, just in time for you to start planning your first weekend in the mountains.

As you might expect, the majority of the resorts are found in the western United States, with Colorado and Utah particularly well represented. Some of the places that make the cut include the iconic Alta/Snowbird, which averages an astonishing 500 inches of snow per year and Snowmass in Aspen, which combines great skiing with luxury living. Our neighbors to the north get some love too, with Whistler-Blackcomb and Revelstoke Mountain Resort, earning nods. Both are located in British Columbia for those looking for a Canadian escape.

The rest of the list includes Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Alyeska Resort, Alaska; Silverton Mountain, Colorado; Breckenridge, Colorado; Park City, Utah; Power Mountain, Utah; Bridger Bowl, Montana; Crested Butte, Colorado; Steamboat, Colorado; Taos, New Mexico, and Mammoth Mountain, California. And just to prove that not all of the fun is out west, Jay Peak, Vermont makes the list as the lone resort in the Eastern United States, proving that you don’t have to go a long way to get a superior experience on the slopes.

So, did your favorite resort make the list? Which of these have you been to? What did they leave off the list?