Recession Over! $1300 ski boots arrive in time for ski season!

by Kraig Becker on

Economic conditions around the globe remain fragile at best, and most experts feel that it’ll be 2010 before things start to turn around. But don’t tell that to the Apex Sports Group, who are preparing to release the “most expensive ski boot in the world” next month, with the aptly named Apex Ski Boot clocking in at a staggering $1295.

And what exactly does 1300 clams buy the prospective ski bum? Well for starters, the boots come with three distinct parts, including an inner liner that can be molded to specifically fit your foot, a specially designed carbon chassis that a skier can step in and out of as needed, and a walking boot that can be used for hiking around the lodge. The custom built system is supposed to be more comfortable and flexible than anything else on the market, and the designers say it may be possible to even drive in the boots.

The Apex system is also significantly lighter than most other boots on the market too, tipping the scales at just 8.5 pounds, roughly two pounds lighter than most other boots. That may not seem all that significant out of the box, but you’ll come to appreciate the lighter weight after a full day on the slopes.

For now, the boots will only be available through the Apex website or in specialty shops in Aspen, Vail, and other Colorado ski resorts. The company hopes to sell 1200 pairs this season, recession be damned. The question is, are these boots just over priced hype or are they poised to become the luxury brand of ski gear?

Girls’ getaway at The Osprey offers more than the norm

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Ladies, give yourselves a break this winter. As you plan your next girls getaway, keep The Osprey at Beaver Creek in mind. This RockResort is the closest hotel to a chairlift in North America, and its post-New Year escape package is sure to put you in a room. From January 6 – 9, 2010, the ReTreat Yourself package combines skiing and snowboarding (guided by pro athletes) and yoga with Beaver Creek instructors – all with the goal of building a little girl power.

So, recharge yourself once the anxiety of the holiday season is behind you with three nights at The Osprey, daily skiing and snowboarding lessons by pros Megan Pischke-Porcheron (snowboarder), Barrett Christy-Cummins (snowboarder) and Kasha Rigby (skier). Then, spend several sessions calming your spirit with Forrest Yoga teacher Amy Baker, balancing the excitement of the slopes with the pursuit of relaxation. Life coach Linda Kennoy is on hand to conduct sessions on Manifesting Your True Personal Power, Fate and Destiny and Energy Fields, Magic and Soul Mates (well, the other stuff sounds pretty cool). The package also includes daily breakfast and lunch, mini spa treatments and a consultation with a skin esthetician.

At $1,428.32, this is a bargain, especially since all resort fees and taxes are included (except lift tickets, which are available at a discounted rate.

University in Virginia opens year-round ski slopes

by Katie Hammel on

It’s always been that, at their most basic, skiing and snowboarding require two things – some sort of skis or a board and of course, snow. And snow usually requires precipitation and a sufficiently cold temperature(this concludes today’s lesson in meteorological science). But as of August 29th, snow – and the weather conditions required to create it – will become unnecessary for American skiers.

That’s the date when the Liberty Mountain SnowFlex Center opens. And it’ll stay open, all year round. How? The complex, on the grounds of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, will be home to a ski slope that utilizes a synthetic material called SnowFlex. SnowFlex aims to be the closest replication of snow. It’s already in use at several European locations and has been used at Olympic training facilities, but this will be the first public ski area in the US to use it.

The Liberty Mountain Center will feature a beginner slope, freestyle rails, and a quarter pipe. Prices are pretty reasonable – actually when compared with the cost of most mountains, they’re downright cheap. Thursday through Sunday rates are $7 an hour. Monday through Wednesday the rate goes down to just $5 an hour.

For die-hard skiers and snowboarders, I doubt this faux snow could ever replace the real thing, but for those looking to get in some more practice time, it’s one cheap way to spend summer on the slopes.

Girls, girls, girls! Trapper’s Cabin getaway

by Tom Johansmeyer on

There’s no guarantee that this retreat will become home to the latest in the Where the Boys Aren’t series, but Trapper’s Cabin on Beaver Creek Mountain does offer the ladies a chance to disappear for a while and enjoy relative seclusion and a bit of relaxation. This four-bedroom, four-bathroom villa is 9,500 feet in the sky, surrounded by nature and designed for high-touch service.

Trapper’s Cabin is a log cabin … that happens to come with a hot tub, steam shower, pool table and professional kitchen. In-room spa services are available, as well, along with the efforts of a personal chef. Skiing, snowshoeing and hiking are not far from the front door.

So, could you imagine taking off with the ladies for a destination like this? Conceive of having your body rubbed down by a skilled spa therapist before soaking in the hot tub … while boyfriends and husbands and kids are trapped in the real world? Trapper’s Cabin starts at $599 a night, which I find shockingly low.

Ten amazing “green” adventures

by Kraig Becker on

Eco-adventures are all the rage these days with environmentally conscious travelers choosing to visit far flung places, all the while fully aware of the size of their carbon footprint. They want an amazing travel experience, and are willing to go to great lengths to get it, all the while adhering to the principles of sustainable travel.

With that in mind, the Times Online has an excellent article listing ten top “green” travel experiences, or what they call “clean breaks”, each of which offer cultural immersion, amazing scenery, and a fantastic experience that is far off the beaten path. For instance, the article recommends heading to Lebanon to hike the Mountain Trail, the country’s first long distance trek, which runs through the Mount Lebanon range from Qbaiyat, in the north, to Marjaayoun in the south. The trail is roughly 270 miles in length, with regularly spaced stone inns offering up a place to sleep, good food, and plenty to drink.

For a completely different experience, hop a flight to New Zealand to spend a little time on the slopes. The authors of this piece recommend heading to Craigieburn Valley in the Southern Alps for some amazing skiing, minus the resort. Yep, that’s right, no chairlifts or groomed trails here. Just a couple of rope tows that will pull you to the top of the mountain, where you’ll get the opportunity to ski through untouched wilderness. And at the end of the day, relax in one of the nearby huts, which are comfortable but primitive.

Other suggestions include a swimming vacation in Finland, camping in France, and hiking in Estonia. There is a little bit of something for everyone, and you won’t need to feel guilty about your impact on the environment while you travel.