Getting Away for a Winter Sport Holiday Even in The Hottest Summer
If you've never done it before, trying to organize a vacation to up into the snow can be a daunting task. The hardened veterans of seasonal sport favorites like skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling have the process down pat from years of experience, but for newcomers it's a process fraught with dozens of considerations which are far from obvious at first glance.
One of the first points to consider is what region or regions are going to appeal to you. For most people something within driving range (which varies depending on your definition) is desirable, but others will be willing to fly (remember though: skis and snowboards cost extra to check) to get closer to a location. When you've established the general where, you need to look at the available locations. After all, some peaks house a plethora of resorts, and different amenities are available depending on the specific resort you choose to spend your trip at.
As you might expect, the choice of a resort is like the choice of a hotel. You may often find that you can get a better deal at a resort with less amenities, or that you're able to get a better deal midweek than on weekends. Resorts often offer many discounts for off peak bookings, and planning a long vacation around a single weekend (on a Monday and the following 10 days, for example) can save you a huge amount compared to splitting it across two weekends. Further, if you're willing to make a bit more of a trek each day, you can often find lodgings in a nearby hotel off the peak for a great deal less.
Making arrangements in advance for the kind of amenities you'd like to enjoy can save you as well. Often purchasing tickets for lifts or reserving other equipment can get you a few percent off in the end. Which makes a pretty big difference in the long run, particularly over an extended trip.
Getting to the location can usually be accomplished by car or bus. Many resorts work with touring companies to provide customers with easy access from nearby civilization, but you're generally stuck on a set schedule if you choose this option. Driving a car (your own or a rental) is very much an option, but you need to be sure that you have proper tires, and in many cases: chains. Depending on the state you're in you may be able to get through snow checkpoints with all weather tires as long as you are in a 4x4 vehicle. (California, for example, allows for a condition called R3 to be enforced where all vehicles must have chains.) Check with the state for their laws. In any case, chains are not an exceptionally expensive outlay, even if you do need to purchase some.
If you're planning on taking an extended trip and believe you will be making a habit out of your winter activities, the best bet is to buy equipment at the end of a season. If you're not yet in it for the long haul, renting will be a very cost-effective way to enjoy the slopes. Remember that safety equipment is a rule on some slopes for certain customers (generally children) and can be mandated for other activities (certain snowboarding equipment and snowmobiles) so you'll need to plan ahead if that's the case. Reserving equipment can be done in advance at some resorts, and like most other details involved in a trip this can sometimes save you a little bit of money. Another option is to rent from a location off the resort for less outlay but you'd need to check with local businesses to see if it is possible where you're coming from or headed to.
When you're talking about gear, don't forget your clothing. Make it warm with lots of layers. Wool is a good best, as are some of the modern high-tech fabrics. On a long trip make sure to bring enough that you can have a couple of sets drying out while you're off enjoying the next day or two. Some lighter weight clothing may be appropriate if you're planning to engage in indoor activities, and you may want to pack your swimming suit as well.
After all, for people in your party who may not be as interested in the slopes, there are often activities such as nature trails, snowshoeing, sledding or tubing, sleigh rides, zip lines, swimming pools, hot tubs, exercise rooms, and the like which will serve to keep them occupied while others enjoy the more traditional activities. (Like falling down and kissing in the snow.)
Worrying about where to eat once you get there is not always the best way to go. If you're handy in the kitchen most resorts offer kitchenette units which are not overly expensive and will let you feed yourself for far less than expensive on-site restaurants. And like the lodging question, nearby settlements may have a number of cheaper food options. If you do decide to just eat at the resort you'll probably want to check the pricing before you arrive so you know roughly how much you can expect to be laying out per meal. And it's worth noting that some resorts do offer breakfast included in the room rate.
If you're a novice and do not have anyone with you who is a very competent skier or snowboarder it is best to book lessons in advance of your trip. Learning from a professional can make the process of getting out and having fun much faster and above all: safer. The advantage to advance booking is that you know you've got a slot when you first arrive, and of course there's sometimes a discount available.
No matter how you plan to learn though, don't ever go on a slope which is above your head in difficulty. Major injuries are relatively rare while playing in the snow, but bumps and bruises abound when the inexperienced get unreasonably brave. A good rule of thumb is to have done all the available slopes of a particular difficulty with confidence before moving up to the next most challenging set. In North America most slopes are rated with a green circle for beginners, a blue square for intermediate (where most people will manage to be after just a day or two of beginner slopes), a black diamond for advanced (there are many people who never reach a level where they are comfortable here), and double black diamonds for expert slopes. (In some places there are odd variations on these, and of course the system in countries outside of the US and Canada are much different.)
And, don't forget the after party when you're planning. From sitting inside a lodge near a fire and sipping hot chocolate, the living it up at a bar with live music and peppermint schnapps, there's usually something to be done when you get back from a long day out of doors. As long as you remember to budget for it you'll find that the atmosphere is well worth the outlay!
Remember, if you're trying to get away and there's a load of summer heat pounding down on you, fly to the other hemisphere! South America (particularly Argentina and Chile) and Australia have excellent ski opportunities and seasons which often allow for strips in June through October. For North American skiiers the South American slopes are very popular in the “off-season” because of their excellent conditions and fine amenities.
Finally, if you're looking for other year-round opportunities for a winter type vacation while still enjoying the summer weather, there are indoor ski and snowboard locations spread across the world. Some of the most famous locations are in the Netherlands, Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom. In the United States there are three facilities in planning or under construction. One in the Meadowlands in New Jersey, one in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the last in North Carolina. Both the Meadowlands and Las Vegas projects (which is supposed to offer water fun in addition to snow) should bear fruit in the next two years, but the North Carolina project is slightly more dubious.
There you have it. Loads of opportunities for taking a winter sport vacation, all year long. No matter how you prefer to play in the snow, there's definitely a way to do it.
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