For the original email, click here.
Check out this hot ski deals and ski vacation packages to Europe – 5 nights hotel, with AIR and transfers:
ALL PACKAGES INCLUDE FUEL SURCHARGE (APPROXIMATELY $280) AND BREAKFAST DAILY
Air taxes are an additional charge (presently $133.20, amount subject to change).
Reviewed by ShermansTravel Staff on 12/30/2009. You can find the original article on Sherman’s Travel by clicking here.
Book By: ASAP
Travel By: January 31
Savor a snow-laden vacation in the Alps
Sure, chances are you’re not training for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, but still, you might want to consider packing your parka and skis and visiting Innsbruck, Austria – host of the eminent Games in 1964 and 1976. From January 7 through January 31, World on Skis is offering an incredibly discounted seven-night vacation package to this ski paradise from just $1,743 – which is a staggering $1,140 less than what it would cost if you booked this trip by yourself!
The deal includes round-trip airfare from New York City, seven nights’ accommodations at the five-star Grand Hotel Europa (rates are usually $270/night), as well as daily breakfast. And, if skiing the fresh powder is a top priority of yours, you can buy a 6-day ski pass with the money you’re initially saving on this trip – for roughly $300 – that comes out to just about $50/day.
About Innsbruck, Austria: Settled 800 years ago, and host of the Winter Olympic Games in ’64 and ’76, Innsbruck has since achieved ski-haven status, containing eight ski areas, 75 ski lifts, and 177 miles of skiable powder. Even if you aren’t an avid skier, you will be enamored with Innsbruck’s world-class charm and historic attractions such as the Golden Roof (which is comprised of 2,738 gold-plated tiles and dates back to the beginning of the 16th century), the colossal Ambras Castle, as well as the Imperial Court Palace.
Prices are based on double occupancy. Taxes and fees are additional.
By the end of your trip, you still may have not mastered the ski jump.
Call 1-866-678-5858.
This article originally appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, written by Stephen Regenold
Utah offer some of the best ski vacation experiences in the U.S. With it’s deep snow, steep slopes and good value, Utah is a skiers dream come true. Stephen Regenold, a special contributor to the Star Tribune, was gracious enough to detail 8 of the top reason to ski Utah. World on skis has many great ski deals to Utah and offers excellent value with their Utah ski packages.
Powder Play: Eight Reasons To Ski Utah
By STEPHEN REGENOLD, Special to the Star Tribune
Our tram car bucked in the wind on its way up the mountain at Snowbird Resort. I grabbed a railing and held on as it whisked me uphill in a blizzard, the slopes of Utah’s Wasatch Range below obscured in white.
“At least the snow is deep,” a stranger shouted, his face hidden, caked with ice.
Staked like a wall at the western edge of the Rocky Mountains, the Wasatch Range towers over Utah’s Great Salt Lake and the vast desert basin beyond. For skiers and snowboarders, the range’s sharp peaks and plunging valleys — plus hundreds of inches of powder snow each season –create an ultimate playground for fast descents in deep snow.
Since 1995, when I first drove west on a winter road trip, the Wasatch has ranked as my favorite ski destination in the United States. The world validated my bias in 2002 when the XIX Olympic Winter Games landed in Salt Lake City amid the Wasatch’s pyramids of white.
The mountains near Salt Lake offer a dozen resorts, including the European-flavored Snowbird with its aerial tram and steep slopes, as well as locals’ hills like Powder Mountain. For snow quality, steep skiing, price, accessibility and variety of terrain, Utah is tough to beat. Here are eight reasons I keep going back.
1 The region’s self-proclaimed “greatest snow on Earth” is in reference to the fluffy white stuff that falls up to 500 inches deep many seasons at Snowbird Resort, Alta Ski Area, Park City Mountain Resort, Brighton and a half-dozen other areas near Salt Lake City. Mountains jutting past 11,000 feet adjacent to the Great Basin create an abrupt interruption to desert clouds coursing east. Big snow — hundreds of inches of light, airy powder every season — is the advantageous result.
2 Fly to Salt Lake City International — an inexpensive hop from the Twin Cities most of the year, especially now that Southwest is in the game — and you have 11 ski areas within an hour’s drive. Rent a car and you can be booting up at Brighton, Solitude or Alta Ski Area in as little as 45 minutes. The glass skyscrapers of Salt Lake City cut a silhouette as you drive east just before the Wasatch takes over, the urban outskirts intermingling with the foothills of the mountains. Major highways then lead uphill to most resorts. Or you can jump on a bus. The city boasts a public bus system to transport skiers at low fares from the city to the ski resorts in the mountains above town.
3The tight fiefdom of ski areas in the Wasatch Range, though geographically aligned, maintain a variety of resort personality types. Want utter luxury? Try Deer Valley for a day. Halfpipes and stunts are popular with a freestyle crowd at Brighton, where three terrain parks are built on the hill. Alta can be a no-frills, nostalgic peek at how skiing grew out of one of America’s original big areas. Snowbird is tall, steep and serious, with a cable car whisking skiers to 11,000 feet overhead. I have skied eight areas in Utah, and no two seemed the same.
4 With many ski areas so close to the Salt Lake metro area, lodging is plentiful, including moderately priced options. I have stayed in Salt Lake City for as low as $49 per night. Compared with other major ski centers in the United States, lift ticket prices in the Wasatch are not significantly less. Alta Ski Area, long known for its cheap lifts, now charges $66 per adult day, an average rate for a U.S. resort of its size. Deer Valley costs $86. But smaller Utah ski areas like Sundance Resort, Brighton, and Wolf Creek offer true mountain skiing at more affordable rates ($47, $58 and $32, respectively, for full-day adult tickets).
5 From the precipitous “Finger Chutes” atop Allen Peak at Snowbasin resort, to “Great Scott” and other stomach-in-throat drops in Snowbird’s infamous Cirque formation, the craggy Wasatch Range has no lack of hairy terrain. Rock-lined chutes and double-black-diamond runs pepper most trail maps in the area. Compared with Colorado, Utah offers more thrills and better steep-skiing bang for the buck.
6 Avalanche-savvy skiers and boarders can access the vast Wasatch back country via chairlifts at several resorts, where boundary gates offer legal entry points into mountain wilderness outside resort property. Two years ago, entering through a gate at Snowbasin resort, four friends and I skied — with avalanche beacons on — for 4 miles and nearly 5,000 vertical feet through the outback. A car shuttle picked us up at the other end for transport back to the resort.
7A unique guided trip operated by Ski Utah, a private company, the Interconnect Tour allows intermediate and advanced skiers a chance to sample up to six resorts in the Wasatch in a single day. You take chairlifts and link from ski area to ski area via back-country routes that traverse alpine bowls and high passes through the Wasatch. For my trip, we began at Deer Valley Resort in the morning and finished at Snowbird. In between, guides led us through the back country and Park City Mountain Resort, Brighton, Solitude and Alta Ski Area for a whirlwind day. Cost is $250 per person, including lunch and a “golden” ticket for lift access at all resorts.
8At the Canyons, a resort 30 minutes from Salt Lake International, there are powder bowls, alpine faces and more than 100 cut trails. Snowbird boasts 2,500 acres of terrain streaming off two peaks. Powder Mountain is a sprawling, low-budget resort near the town of Ogden that offers five mountains and vast back-country-like skiable terrain. Park City, Alta, Deer Valley and Snowbasin are biggies, too. Ample acreage — which equals more turns in fresh snow and more mountain to explore — is a hallmark of many Utah resorts.
Stephen Regenold is a freelance writer in the Twin Cities.
The original article can be found by clicking here.
We love, love, love, love, love top 10 lists! Maybe it’s the great anticipation of counting down from 10 to 1, or maybe it’s the fact that World on Skis is the leader in sending ski enthusiasts like yourself to any of these best ski resorts. Actually… it’s the combination of the two!
We would like to thank Digital City and Lauren Lamb for writing this article.
By Lauren Lamb
When ski season hits, certain cities across the country come alive. While skiing may be the main attraction, many of these towns offer an enchanted experience that extends beyond the slopes.
As you plan your winter getaway, consider these well-rounded ski cities:
Ski Park City, Utah
This lively ski town is filled with acclaimed restaurants, galleries and shops. Aside from skiing, the town also offers snowmobiling, fishing, snowshoe adventures, bobsled, luge and sleigh rides.
Ski Telluride, Colo.
This quaint ski village is home to more than just beautiful slopes. Upscale boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and bars line the charming snow-covered streets. A free gondola connects Telluride to the nearby Mountain Village which features expansive views, convenient access to the slopes of the Telluride Ski Resort and world-class accommodations.
Ski Stowe, Vt.
This is a great destination for skiiers and non-skiiers alike. From snowshoeing to shopping to first-class dining, there is so much to do in this charming New England town. Be sure to make the trip to nearby Waterbury for a tour and taste at the Ben & Jerry’s Headquarters.
Ski Jackson Hole, Wyo.
In addition to downhill skiing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snow-coach rides are very popular in this spectacular winter wonderland. Another big draw is the close proximity of Yellowstone and the National Elk Refuge.
Ski Bend, Ore.
Over the past two decades, the population in Bend has quadrupled, but its 1920s appeal has remained intact. The growth has led to an influx of talented chefs and an impressive array of new restaurants. Step outside and you’ll be surrounded by nearly 3,700 acres of awe-inspiring terrain. Strap on those snowshoes, hit the slopes or go on a dog-sledding adventure. It all awaits you.
Ski Bozeman, Mont.
Bozeman is the ultimate town for outdoor adventurist. Snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, ice skating, downhill skiing, snowboarding… you name it, you can do it. Yellowstone is also nearby. If you want uncrowded slopes and plenty of untouched powder to explore, this is the place.
Ski Aspen, Colo.
When you arrive in Aspen, you’ll feel the magic of this picturesque ski town. Everything is here, from fantastic skiing to the very best dining and upscale boutiques such as Prada, Louis Vuitton and Dior. Aspen is glitz and glamour with a laid-back vibe.
Ski Truckee, Calif.
Just 20 minutes from Lake Tahoe, this serene town is ideal for those who want a quieter retreat. Take a walking tour of the historically-rich downtown district, explore a state park or browse the wide selection of shops which range from chic to rustic.
Ski Burlington, Vt.
Whether you want to relax or do something exciting, Burlington offers both. You can try nearly any outdoor activity you can imagine and there are plenty of beautiful hotels and inns where you can simply just unwind. The Church Street Marketplace, Burlington’s award-winning pedestrian mall, is also a big attraction where you’ll find a wide assortment of shops, restaurants and even live entertainment.
Ski Crested Butte, Colo.
In “The Butte,” locally-owned businesses rule. There are no chain restaurants allowed, so instead of Starbucks, you’ll find Camp 4 Coffee. Exploring the unique shops and boutiques is great fun and adds to the charm of this small ski town.
The original article can be found at Digital City by clicking here.
Good news for skiers: It looks like the ski season is starting early this year. Even better news? Here are six ski resorts that open before the others for early season skiing! World on Skis can help bring you there!
This article was originally published on SkyScanner.net and can be found here.
With winter on its way, snow lovers are already sharpening their edges, polishing their goggles and scanning the snow reports for the first signs of the white stuff.
If you’re one of those people who just can’t wait to hit the slopes, Skyscanner reveals some of the best places to get an early season ski trip in.
But how can you be sure that you’ll find snow, rather than grass on the slopes?
Well, the general rules for early season skiing are similar to late season skiing; head high or head north if you want the best chance of hitting the slopes before the New Year. Resorts that have invested heavily in snow making systems are also most likely to be able to guarantee the goods.
As Europe’s highest ski resort, most of the skiing here is over 2000m, which means the snow starts falling early. Part of the huge Three Valleys ski area, Val Thorens is an excellent bet for good snow conditions early in the season.
Winter sports enthusiasts can start skiing early here on the glacier which offers an impressive 20km of runs and a vertical drop of over 750m. Skiing on the rest of the mountain starts in mid December, making Tignes a fairly solid choice for an early season schuss.
This famous Swiss ski resort has lifts that take you to a dizzy 3899m, and offers skiing that starts in late November. Zermatt is one of the few, truly year-round ski destinations in the world and a sure bet for pre-Christmas skiing.
With a ski area that sits between 1800m and 3500m and has access to a glacier, Sass Fee offers early-season skiers plenty of snow. Early November sees some of the world’s best freestyle snowboarders descend on the town for the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup.
The excellent slope grooming and snow-making facilities at Whistler Blackcomb help to ensure a lengthy season that starts in late November/early December. This Canadian super resort has repeatedly been voted the best ski resort in the world.
Like Zermatt, Solden has year-round skiing on its two glaciers, so when it comes to early-season trips, it’s a pretty sure bet – so sure in fact that Solden say “snow is absolutely guaranteed from November to May”. With a state of the art mountain railway, and a massive ski area, Solden is a great choice for the early bird skier.
Hello there…
I’d like to welcome you to Slope Wire.
I have been in the ski industry for over 26 years and skiing even longer. I will be sharing my experience and providing advice to all the skiers and snowboarders out there trying to decide which mountain to conquer next.
I travel all the newest and hottest ski resorts around the world and I’ll be providing information on the best skiing, lodging, dining and all other activities available by the slopes.
But enough about me…
Wax your skis and boards and get ready for the 
upcoming ski and snowboard season! It’s time to start planning your winter ski trips. Don’t be fooled into thinking that last minute deals will help you save.
Early bird gets the powder
Ski resorts are noticing a trend. People are doing their shopping and booking earlier. In an effort to capture more visitors, resorts are advertising their best ski and snowboard deals now. So if you’re holding out for the best value this winter, you’re missing out.
This past week I’ve been receiving hot deals from resorts coming in at a 50% – 60% savings over last year’s prices. Many of these offers have a short shelf life and are not being extended into the ski season.
What I’m currently seeing…
A lot of the specials can also be combined, which could mean huge savings.
Things to remember when booking:
Get all the facts when booking a trip. Verify that the package you are looking at includes all taxes and services you expect. Some trips seem like a great value but have a la carte pricing. This can really bring the price up once you add everything you were looking for.
The winter 2009/2010 ski and snowboard season will be filled with many value packages and whether you are considering Aspen or The Alps, I recommend booking through a tour operator that offers ski packages. Tour operators have access to the best airfare, lodging, transportation and lift ticket deals.
Mini ski weeks
In the Alps, take advantage of Mini Ski Weeks. By booking a hotel from Sunday through Friday, you can take advantage of additional savings. By staying mid-week, you allow the hotel to sell their rooms at a higher weekend rate and offer you a lower rate. This is also applicable to hotels in North America whether you are considering USA or Canadian ski destinations you save when you travel mid-week or off-peak.
I look forward to continually providing you with current information on your favorite destinations. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to comment below and find me on twitter or facebook.
See you at the bottom!
