Skiing and snowboarding is an incredibly fun activity for the whole family. Both you and your husband might have skied with you families growing up or you learned in college but, either way, you want your children to have this experience as well. Adventures to a ski resort can involve a large amount of preparation, however. Vacation planning and preparation is difficult enough especially if you have small kids that cannot help you with any of it. Not only do you need to pick out your own outfits for the entire week, you need to pack each one of their bags and, in all likelihood, your husband’s suitcase as well. Ski gear is also very different from normal every-day winter wear; these outfits need to be insulated and waterproof. You also need disposable tissues and sunglasses. Here is a list of essential items that help keep the family ski trip fun and non-stressful.

1) Really warm mittens, socks, and hats. Our toes and fingers are what get cold first and normal mittens simply cannot stand up to the chill that is always present on the ski slopes. If this trip is your children’s first ski trip, then they will be spending most of their time in the snow as they try to get the right sense of balance on those skies or snowboard. Five minutes without thick socks and great hand warmers, however, will have them begging to go back to the lodge.

2) Sun protection. Even up on the mountain you need a pair of great sunglasses or goggles and lots of sunscreen. The sun might peak through those dense clouds for only fifteen minutes, but it is enough to give your nose a rosy red glow, one that is not from the windburn. The protective polarized eyewear not only helps keep the wind-blown snow out of your eyes, it also reduces glare so that you can better see where the ice patches are.

3) Snacks & Necessities. Since you do not want to spend the whole day in the lodge, load your pockets with packs of tissues, a few granola bars, a small bottle of water, and lip balm. These are the chief complaints while you are on the mountain. As long as people feel warm, their nose is not runny, and their lips are protected, everyone will be much more comfortable and they will have a great time!

You and your family will love this ski trip and it might turn into an annual event! Just do not forget the polarized sunglasses, the lip balm, and the thick mittens and it will be a very successful vacation.

[Via - How to Plan a Family Ski Trip]

If you prefer a ski village to be attractive rather then high, then look no further than Austria. Attractive onion domed churches; village squares and great mountain restaurants are what best some up the skiing in Austria. Unlike some French resorts the locals are friendly too. Many of the hotels have been in the same family for generations and these families take great pride in the service they offer. Ski Lines clients seem to fall in to two main camps when it come to where best to ski, those who prefer Austria to France and vice versa. Those in the Austria camp tell us that it’s the quality of hotels and the service and the après ski that make the difference for them. The star rating of hotels never reflects the service even a simple pension will have great service. Many of the 4* and even some of the 3* hotels have very smart spa areas, although in true Austrian style bathing costumes are not worn. Catered chalets are not so widely available although we can offer a good choice in St Anton. This combined with the energy and vigour of the alcohol fuelled après ski, in many resorts this starts mid afternoon and carries on well after most skiers legs can take it, Together these make Austria a natural choice for many, in fact for many nothing else will do.

Unlike France, the ski fields of Austria are mainly on meadows that in summer are: well we have all seen the Sound of Music! So huge depths of snow are not so necessary when it’s covering grass rather than the huge rocks of the rest of the Alps. Gentle wooded valleys are far more appealing than craggy mountain peaks to beginners and timid intermediate skiers. The cold weather from the East ensures that Austria gets more than its fair share of the snow particularly evident in recent years when Austria has had some of the best ski conditions in the Alps. When the snow is at its best ski holidays in Austria really take some beating.

We would recommend any skier who has not yet skied in Austria to give it a try, if you are a keen skier who likes to cover lots of miles each day and like your resorts high, you may find some of the resorts a little small and on the low size when compared to the huge linked area’s in France, the only exception to this is the Arlberg ski area, this incorporates St Anton, Zurs and Lech. This is a huge ski area that in resent years has had some of the very best skiing conditions. St Anton is at 1305m with the highest skiing at 2811m we think best suited to advanced and intermediate skiers, but the nursery slopes are right in the town for beginners.

Self Drivers have an easy time than in many French ski resort travellers, the roads are fast and the approach the ski resorts are always on the valley floor, so no steep claim up to the ski resorts. Its Funny, clients always seem happy to drive to France, but not Austria? Why I don’t know, it take about 10 to 11 hours to drive from Calais to Val d’Isere, yet Calais to St Anton in Austria is just over 9 hours.

Cheap flights are now available to several airports both in Austria, Germany and Switzerland via the UK, Ski Line have lots on contacts with hoteliers so call us help you match a cheap flight with a hotel, we can also arrange private transfers from many arrival airport to the resort, we can even get a stretched limo if you want to arrive in style.

[Via - Austrian Ski Resorts]

Air travel has become quite the hassle for many people. However, there are some ways to reduce the irritation and be a good flyer. Here are some tips:

Listen

So many flyers don’t bother to listen to the flight attendants when they do their safety spiel. Pay attention, as for some planes the instructions may be different. Don’t assume you know it all just because you’ve flown before. If something happens, you’ll be happy that you listened.

Pack Right

Take the time to pack right and avoid packing anything that is banned. This will help you get through security faster. Make sure to check the FAA web site for all the latest regulations on what you can and cannot bring on a plane, as the regulations change often.

Choosing A Safer Flight

By choosing a nonstop flight, you lessen the chances of a crash substantially than when you choose a route with one or more stops. The majority of airplane accidents happen upon landing, takeoff, ascent or descent, so lessening the amount of times you do these things, lessens your chances of an accident. In addition, try to choose a larger aircraft than a smaller one. Large airplanes tend to be safer in crashes and adhere to stricter safety rules and regulations than smaller planes.

Choose A Safer Seat

If it’s possible to choose your seat on a flight, choose a seat as close to the emergency exit as possible. In a crash or accident, your chances of survival are higher than people sitting far away from an exit. It is also said that sitting in the rear of the plane, towards the middle seats, is a little safer than sitting over a wing or near an engine during a crash.

Behave

Make the job of the flight attendants easier by behaving properly. Avoid drinking too much. Listen to their instructions and do as they say. This is important for your safety as well as others.

Don’t Panic

Should there be turbulence or other problems on your flight, don’t panic. Listen to the captain and attendants and do as they say.

Fasten Your Seatbelt

Last but not least, keep your seatbelt on whenever you are seated. If there is unexpected turbulence, you’ll be safer than passengers that are standing or sitting without their seatbelts on.

[Via - Air Travel Safety Tips]

The Grand Canyon is an enormous rift in the Plateau of Colorado that shows uplifted Protezoroic and Paleozoic strata. It also shows one of the six well-known physiographic sections of the Colorado Plateau province.

The Grand Canyon is unparalleled in the world for the views it gives to the visitors of the rim. It is distinct for its overwhelming size as well as obscured and colorful landscape. It is also noteworthy geologically because of the thick sequence of ancient rocks majestically preserved and exposed in the walls of the canyon.

The national park in Grand Canyon boasts of its superlative sight of landscapes that this canyon has to offer. The park was founded by President Theodore Roosevelt as Grand Canyon Monument in 1908. It became a national park in 1919.

There are two ways to come close to the canyon: the remote area which is the North Rim and the more accessible is the South Rim. The South Rim is open all year round and the most popular destination for those visiting the Grand Canyon. If you are planning to visit this side of the canyon, you need to book a reservation in advance because the accommodations and guide services fill up fast from late spring through early fall.

There are several historical sights here in the South Rim mostly located in the Grand Canyon Village. The Buckey O’ Neil Cabin was one of them. It was built in 1890 by William Owen O’ Neil because of the copper deposit nearby. It is the longest standing structure in the South Rim.

You can also visit the Kolb Studio here in the South Rim. It was built by the Kolb brothers in 1904. The Kolbs are photographers who made a living by taking a picture of visitors walking down the Bright Angel Trail. Ellsworth and Emery Kolb filmed their journey down on the Green and Colorado Rivers. He showed this film regularly on their studio until he died in 1976. Now, the Kolb Studio serves as an art gallery and exhibits showing the inspiring power of the Grand Canyon.

The El Tovar Hotel is also one of the most luxurious accommodations in the South Rim built in 1905. It is a 4-story building with a rustic chalet look designed by Charles Whittlesley.

You can do a lot of things in Grand Canyon such as strolling along the portion of the rim trail to take delight at the scenic views. And while walking, you will have the opportunity to see few of the animals living in the Grand Canyon like deer, elk, big horn sheep and the endangered California condor soaring in the ostensibly primeval sky. Hiking is also one of the popular outdoor adventures that you can do.

One of the most distinct trails is the Bright Angel Trail, starting from the Grand Canyon Village near the Bright Angel Lodge. You can also see half an hour presentation of “Grand Canyon the Hidden Secrets” in the National Geographic IMAX Theater outside of the park in Tusayan.

The Grand Canyon is a gift from past generations that should be preserved for future generations to see.

[Via - The Great Grand Canyon]

The Yosemite region in east-central California is known for its spectacular panoramas, massive granite cliffs, mountain vistas and historical communities. Yosemite Park offers exciting destinations with about 750,000 acres of land and thousands of ponds and lakes.

It also has 800 miles of hiking trails and 1600 miles of streams. The park is a 6 hour drive from Los Angeles and about 4.5 hours drive from San Francisco.

The Yosemite Valley is well known for its cliffs, meadows, rock formations and waterfalls. The Half Dome granite monolith is one of the mountain attractions, appearing like a giant dome stone that splits in half. The vertical face of El Capitan is also famous among climbers.

Yosemite Falls is the most impressive and considered the highest fall in the world. Other accessible falls in Yosemite Valley are the Bridalveil, Nevada Fall and Vernal Fall.

Tunnel View is another standpoint that gives a full view of the valley located at the western end of Wawona tunnel.

The Crane Flat is an amazing meadow and forest found 16 miles from Yosemite Valley. Sites nearby are the Tuolumne and Giant Sequoias Merced Groves.

Glacier Point is located just 30 miles from Yosemite Valley. It overlooks the valley and the Sierra Nevada mountain ranges. Both cross-country and downhill skiing is available at Badger Pass during mid-December to early April. It also overlooks the Washburn Point. It gives a great view of the southern side of the Yosemite Valley in just half a mile before Glacier Point.

Hetch Hetchy Valley has scenery that usually starts up as a point of many trails. Hiking is advisable during spring and early summer. The road through the valley is open year round but with restricted hours. It is however closed during winter and spring.

Tuolumne Meadows is an open-alpine meadow surrounded by domes, peaks and the Tuolumne River. This area is available for snowshoes or skis from November through May or early June. Visitors can explore the meadows through Dog Lake trailhead for 15 miles.

Wawona is the place for Wawona Hotel, Pioneer Yosemite History Center of historic buildings and the Mariposa Grove.

Yosemite is great for those who love outdoor adventure. It has over 800 miles of trails for hiking. No permits are required for hikers who want a day hike to its many trails and footpaths along the valley. Some trails are easy but some are more tiring such as the sheer granite walls. Hikers may also encounter switchbacks, steep terrain and changing rapid weather conditions.

Backpackers can access the Glacier Point road towards trails in the Clark range as well as the parks along the southern part. Tuolumne Meadows also offers 8 different trailheads.

The Chilnualna Falls and Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias are popular day hikes at Wawona.

Yosemite Valley also offers stunning rock climbing activities being about 3,000 feet tall and having vertical faces. The Tuolumne Meadows is also famous for its high elevation rock climbing. The Yosemite Mountaineering School guides have been assisting visitors since 1969, showcasing an AMGA certificate.

One can also go horseback riding. Again, Tuolumne Meadows and Wawona offer commercial horse-riding at DNC Parks and Resorts, along with custom guided trips.

For those who love skiing, try it in Badger Pass. Their cross-country and downhill trails are about 350 miles. The tracks and skating lanes are connected from Badger Pass to Glacier Point. It is open during December and closed on April.

For backpacking, Little Yosemite Valley is one of the most famous sites. It is 4 miles from the Yosemite Valley floor along Merced River.

Lastly, Yosemite has 13 campgrounds, all with forest canopies and rooms. Campgrounds are available at Crane Flat, Wawona, Hodgdon Meadow and half of Tuolumne Meadows. Camping reservations are made from April to September.

[Via - California Travel - Things to See and Do at Yosemite National Park]