Money Saving Ski Deals

As I mentioned in previous blogs, Mother Nature has been quite generous to skiers this season. Slopes from coast to coast are blanketed with the white stuff. Which means finding a deal at ski resorts might be a bit tricky. The following ski specials were published prior to last week’s winter blast and might have limited space availability by now. Though it doesn’t hurt to check, especially if you are looking to spend part of the holidays shooshing down a mountain or shredding on a half-pipe at one of the country’s top resorts. CALIFORNIA Mammoth Mountain is offering a Midweek … Continue reading →

Ski Season Off to A Snowy Start

My friend in Kansas woke up to a foot of snow this morning. And now that powerful winter storm is taking aim at the Midwest and New England. Winter storm warnings and watches are currently in effect from Missouri across parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. According to the National Weather Service, up to 15 inches of snow is forecasted for sections of southern Michigan, with 10 inches possible in Detroit. While many travelers are dreading the onslaught of bad weather, skiers are rejoicing. I’ve dedicated quite a few blogs to the … Continue reading →

Secret Ski Spots

The recent winter storm that pounded the Colorado Mountains has many skiers heading for the hills. That’s the problem. Every down-hiller and his brother will be clogging up the lift lines at popular ski resorts from now until the snow melts. If the thought of dealing with huge holiday crowds at ski resorts is making you reconsider gearing up to shoosh into the new year you’re in luck. Ski experts just released a list of 10 mountains in the United States where the trails are first-class and the wait times are minimal. The only catch: reaching them requires effort and … Continue reading →

Winter Adventure Travel Packages—Colorado

I’ve never been much of a snow bunny (the side effect of being born and raised in Hawaii). Rather, I’d consider myself more of a fireplace bunny who enjoys watching the action from inside a cozy chalet sipping on my marshmallow topped hot chocolate. However, I am related to an extreme winter sports enthusiast. My brother waits all year to immerse himself in winter activities. I thought about him as I was researching this next winter adventure travel package. Today I am continuing my series of blogs spotlighting various winter tours for those of you who have a high tolerance … Continue reading →

Early Season Ski Deals

In my previous blog I told you how I nearly dropped my toast when my daughter started shrieking about the snow that was falling outside our living room window this morning. For die-hard skiers I’m sure the sight brought tears to their eyes. (It did for me too, but not for the same reason.) As I mentioned earlier many ski resorts throughout the United States are already up and running for the season. And to entice skiers who are anxious to make the first tracks on the mountains, many resorts are offering early-season ski packages. Take a look at a … Continue reading →

Travel Deals for Skiers

“Look Mommy! Look Mommy!” exclaimed my 3-year-old daughter early this morning. At first I thought she was referring to the black marker I had set precariously close to the edge of the kitchen counter. It had rolled off twice while I was making breakfast and I figured she was warning me that we were in for a repeat performance. “The Sharpie?” I asked. “No, out there,” she cried pointing to the living room window. I looked up from my toast and saw what had led her to excitement. Big, fat fluffy snowflakes were falling from the sky—the first ones of … Continue reading →

Affordable Ski Areas

Yes, they do exist. In my previous blog I lamented about the fact that I really can’t afford to frequent swanky ski resorts. It’s a problem I share with other cash-strapped, I mean, budget-conscious vacationers. It’s also a situation being addressed by more and more ski areas. Colorado’s Winter Park is a prime example of how you can shoosh down the slopes without spending a bundle. On the other side of the Continental Divide, the Colorado town of Silverton offers a great rate for experts (meaning you must bring an avalanche beacon, shovel and probe to ride unguided). At a … Continue reading →

Ready, Set, Ski!

Aspen, Vail, Stowe, Breckenridge, Lake Tahoe, no matter where you gear up to hot dog downhill it’s likely you will have a lot of company in the coming weeks. Ski towns from California to Maine are bracing for the onslaught of ski bunnies and their snow loving partners. I grew up in Hawaii, where skiing is limited to the rare winter days when Mauna Kea gets enough of the white stuff to cover its lava rock surface. Which makes it hard to believe that my brother is such an avid skier and snowboarder. Each year he travels from Hawaii to … Continue reading →

Skiing In Japan

Oh, how soon we forget. When my brother recently informed me he was planning to spend a week snowboarding in Japan I thought, “Japan?” I’m sure he knew exactly what I was thinking because he broke the silence with, “Hello… Nagano.” Of course… Nagano. Those of you with better memories probably don’t need to be reminded that Nagano, Japan hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics. And, while they may not be as well known as the Rockies or the Alps, Japan’s powdery slopes are magnets for winter sports enthusiasts just the same. Japanese mountain villages like Niseko are becoming increasingly popular … Continue reading →