Relief: Four airport perks coming soon

by Tom Johansmeyer on

There’s nothing fun about going to the airport, and the regulatory climate isn’t likely to change that anytime soon. Security will still be a nightmare, and you won’t be able to bring your own water with you (at least not for a while). Fortunately, there are companies out there looking for ways to make your airport experience better.

So, what can you expect to see in your local airport in the near future? Here are four amenities to whet your appetite for something to counteract the airport security gauntlet:

1. Catch some comfy shut-eye: sleeping on a plane sucks. There’s just no way to get comfortable. And, if you slip your leg alongside the seat in front of you, you do run the risk that it will get slammed by the beverage cart. Well, you’ll be able to use your layovers to rest, soon. Napping nooks, already available at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, are expected to come to San Francisco in the near future. Seven airports are in the early stages.2. Light up a cigar: okay, this one is particularly meaningful to me. A few airports still have smoking areas (I just lit up in Denver last month), but they tend to be unfortunate spaces, not designed to appeal. This is where a company like Graycliff can make a difference. The Bahamas-based cigar and hospitality company has an idea for well-ventilated lounges, featuring cigar rollers (and nothing beats a stick fresh off the bench, at least, not for me). With Graycliff involved, you can expect a stylish, upscale experience. The first is already open at the airports in Nashville and Nassau.

3. Better shopping and eating: the challenge of finding a bite or buying a tie during weird hours could become a thing of the past. From the chance to dine at a Food Network Kitchen to broader shopping options, airports are scoping out ways to enhance the experience of being trapped within their walls. If all the doomsday predictions by the airline industry about the implications of the three-hour delay rule are true, you might need to buy several changes of clothes and meals … because they believe this rule means you will never get home again.

4. Get picked up more easily: no, this has nothing to do with wearing something hot or having that extra cocktail. Rather, airports are opening their minds to parking where your ride can wait for you. You call; they drive around to get you. But, it’s not always that easy. Nature calls, and there’s always a shortage of space. So, look for larger parking lots with bathrooms flight information boards and maybe even dining options? Newark’s already headed down this road, with plans in the works for JFK airport, Cincinnati, Fort Myers and St. George (in Utah).

For more on this topic, head on over to USA Today where airport expert Harriet Baskas explores more upcoming airport amenities.

[photo by msspider66 via Flickr]

Moab promises adventure and fun this fall

by Kraig Becker on

For many outdoor enthusiasts, Moab is the epicenter of adventure in the western United States. Located in eastern Utah, the city is home to 5000 residents and serves as a great home base for travelers who visit the region in search of an adventurous escape. The area boasts some of the best hiking, paddling, and mountain biking found anywhere in North America, and Moab’s proximity to the Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, makes it all the more appealing for a getaway. With a host of other great activities on the docket for the fall, now may be the perfect time to plan your visit.

Fans of mountain biking and endurance sports will find plenty to keep them busy throughout October and November for instance, the 24-Hours of Moab bike race takes place October 9th and 10th, pitting 550 individuals and teams against one another in an event that last for one full day, on a course designed to challenge their skills and break their spirits. If that event doesn’t quench your thirst for mountain biking however, you can return later in the month for the four-day Moab Ho-Down Bike Fest, which runs from October 28 – 31, and features multiple races, a crazy bike jumping contest, movies, and more.

Perhaps you prefer your bikes have a motor instead of pedals? In that case you’ll want to check out the KTM Adventure Rider Rally, which will be held on October 15-17. That event offers off road riding for the motorcycle crowd and includes technical training and riding seminars, guided rides through the surrounding wilderness, a BBQ, and much more. The rally has been held in Moab for seven years, and gives motorcycle enthusiasts an opportunity to ride some of the best trails in the west in a safe and fun fashion.

As if that wasn’t enough adventure to draw you to Moab, the city will also play host to the Checkpoint Tracker National Adventure Racing Championships. This event will pull in some of the best adventure and endurance athletes from around the country to run, ride, climb, and paddle their way through a hundred miles of the region’s amazing backcountry. The 24-hour long race takes place on October 29 and 30.

For those who simply enjoy taking in the scenery in a more relaxed manner, consider the Plein Air Festival which is going on now through the 9th of October. This more staid event features dozens of artists who descend on Moab, and the surrounding area, to compete for prize money in a variety of categories. There will also be a number of workshops with those same artists providing demonstrations and instructions on how to paint. Visitors can also enjoy an art walk, awards show, and two distinct auctions.

Finally, the beginning of November brings the Moab Folk Festival, which takes place November 5-7 and features plenty of live music and workshops as well. Tickets are available here and you can checkout the line-up of musicians and bands that will be on hand by clicking here.

Will all of these great events taking place this fall, Moab is sure to have something for everyone.

[Photo credit: Tom Johnson, Sedona Magazine, via WikiMedia]

Utah’s Powder Mountain adds 1000 more skiable acres for 2010

by Kraig Becker on

When it comes to giant ski resorts, it’s difficult to top Powder Mountain in Utah. The already impressively sized resort added another 1000 acres this year, bringing its total to over 7000, which gives it the most skiable terrain of any resort in the U.S. The expansion means that resort now covers three mountains and offers 135 different runs, ensuring that there is something to ski for every skill level.

The 1000 acre expansion has been named La Plata in honor of a nearby ghost town that sprung up during the silver rush of the late 1800’s, and was later abandoned when the ore ran dry. Designed mostly for expert skiers, this new offering requires visitors to join a guided tour or purchase a “backcountry upgrade” to gain access to the generally untouched and pristine powder that is found there. The area is so remote in fact, it can only be accessed by taking a ride in Snowcat, a tracked vehicle specially designed for traveling through the snow.

The calendar may still read September and the weather reminds us that it is still summer, but the ski season isn’t as far away as you would think. Powder Mountain generally opens in mid-November, and with an average of more than 500 inches of annual snowfall, you won’t have to settle for the artificial stuff. The resort offers a nice mix of untracked powder and groomed runs, with plenty to options to keep skiers and snowboarders coming back for years. Season passes are now available for the 2010-2011 season.

[Photo Credit: Bailypalblue via WikiMedia]

Photo of the Day (9.7.10)

by Stephen Greenwood on
If you’re back to the grind and Labor Day is feeling too far away already, then take a moment to check out this beautiful photo series by Italian photographer, il lele.

The set spans a road trip from Chicago to Vegas on two-lane highways, capturing some classic American portraits & scenery with a distinct vintage tone. It’s always great to see photos of America from a non-American perspective, and il lele has certainly captured some great moments, like this beautiful ‘room with a view’ in Monument Valley.

Do you have a series of photos that tell a unique story? Share them with us! Upload them to our Gadling Flickr Pool and we might just choose one as our next Photo of the Day.

Utah ski resort offers dream job

by Kraig Becker on

Utah ski resort The Canyons is giving someone the opportunity of a lifetime, the chance to ski all season long, and get paid for it in the process. In return, all you have to do is hit the slopes on a daily basis, blog about the experience a few times a week and attend special events at the resort.

Applications are being accepted for the Ultimate Mountain Gig and all you have to do to apply for the job is tell the resort “how you mountain,” that is to say, how you embrace the skiing lifestyle and can inspire others to do the same. To enter you’ll need to submit a 2-minute long video and a written report explaining how you’ll approach the job. You’ll also have to be 21-years of age or older, and eligible to work in the U.S. All the details can be found by clicking here.

The lucky person who is given the job will receive a full season pass to the Canyons, suite lodging for the entire season at the Waldorf Astoria, and a $40,000 salary for four months of work. They’ll also get a camera, video camera, and laptop to assist in their day to day duties, a complete set of ski or snowboard gear, access to the spa, ski school and avalanche rescue training, and VIP credentials to all of the resorts events, amongst other things.

The job begins on January 1 of 2011, so get your resume together, and start packing for Utah.

[Photo credit: The Canyons]