Snow Central Sports

Ah, Arizona. Land of sun, scorching summer days and winter skiing fun. That’s right, skiing. Yes, Virginia, Arizona, known for tumbleweed snowmen, actually gets snow.
There are four ski areas to choose from in Arizona, all within a few hours drive from Phoenix, the capital of Arizona.

The most well-known of the ski areas in Arizona is located in northern Arizona, 7 miles north of Flagstaff. The Arizona Snowbowl offers 4 lifts and 32 trails for skiers and snowboards of all levels, and 2,300 feet of vertical drop. You can also test your freestyle skills at their Sunset Terrain Park which includes obstacles and spines. Lodging available in nearby Flagstaff or you can choose to stay at the ski resort at the Ski Lift Lodge & Cabins located at the base of the San Francisco Peaks. For reservations, call (928) 774-0729.

The largest ski resort in Arizona is located in McNary in Eastern Arizona. The Sunrise Park Resort is owned and operated by the White Mountain Apache Tribe, and is just a 4-hour drive from Tucson and Phoenix. You have for your skiing and snowboarding pleasure 800 acres on three interconnected mountains. Base elevation is 9,200 feet extending up to 11,000 feet. They offer 8 lifts and 65 runs for skiers of all levels, as well as a separate snowboarding area, cross country ski trails, and a Terrain Park featuring a snow half pipe, implanted wood and metal rails. The Sunrise Ski Resort is open from the first week of December through the first weekend of April. Night skiing begins January 2. Lodging is available at the 100-room Sunrise Park Lodge located on Sunrise Lake. Winter rates begin at $124 per night. Call (800) 772-7669 for more information.

Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley is located on Mt. Lemmon just outside Tucson, which is the largest city in Southern Arizona. Though smaller than the Arizona Snowbowl and Sunrise Park Resort, Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley offers 80 skiable acres, 3 lifts, 18 trails and a 907-ft. vertical drop. The longest run is 8,500 ft. Their trail ratings are: Easiest at 20%; More Difficult at 38% and Most Difficult at 42%. There is no cross-country or heli skiing available.

For those of you learning to ski, you might want to head up to the Elk Ridge Ski Area, formerly the Williams Ski Area located in Williams, Arizona, approximately 30 miles west of Flagstaff. The Elk Ridge Ski Area offers two lifts and seven trails. Elk Ridge is typically open Thursday through Monday, starting mid December. Thursdays is “skiing only” day. For more information call (928) 814-5038.
If you’re planning a visit to Arizona this winter, or if you live in Arizona, it’s nice to know a day of skiing is within driving distance. Who needs to hop a plane to Colorado or Utah when winter fun is right in your own backyard?

About the Author

Shari Hearn is a writer and creator of http://www.skivacation411.com and http://www.locationweddings.net .
Published At: www.Isnare.com
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Article Tags: arizona, ski, skiing
Read more articles by: Shari Hearn
Article published on August 01, 2007 at Isnare.com

When you think of New Zealand, your mind will conjure up an image of a beautiful country, blessed with one of the most spectacular and awesome landscape in the world. With its towering snow capped mountain ranges and international standard ski resorts, New Zealand is a very popular destination for ski vacations.
The country is an island nation is tucked somewhere in the southwest corner of the Pacific Rim next to Australia and is made up of a myriad of islands. However, there are two main island land mass. The land mass are the North Island and South Island with the Cook Strait separating them apart.

During the winter, the 24 skiing resorts and 12 heli-ski operators offer some of the best skiing holidays you can find anywhere. The skiing and snowboarding season starts from June till October. Yes, New Zealand’s winter is in the middle of the year as the country is in the southern hemisphere. This is the time when multitudes of skiing enthusiasts from Japan, North America and Europe assemble in New Zealand to enjoy their skiing adventure.
Let’s take a look at some of New Zealand’s beautiful ski resorts :-
Treble Cone - Treble Cone ski resort is the heart of the country’s Southern Alps. This resort offer spectacular view on the beautiful lakeside town of Wanaka. Treble Cone have very reliable and stable snow falls and excellent weather making it one of the most popular ski resorts in New Zealand. Major improvement works done to the skiing trails were done in 2006 and it now have three super highways for both the novice and seasoned skiers.

Treble Cone is approximately 550 ha big making it the largest ski resort in the New Zealand’s South Island. It also has the highest vertical drop on the island at an exhilarating 700 meters or approximately 2,300 feet.

Mount Ruapehu - This skiing location is actually a huge awesome volcano and is the location of two of New Zealand’s largest ski resorts, The Whakapapa and Turoa. Its 1800 hectares of skiing terrain is undulating and breathtaking. Mount Ruapehu is a world class skiing resort with excellent facilities.
Mount Hutt - Mount Hutt is just slightly more than an hour’s drive across the beautiful Canterbury Plains from Christchurch or a half an hour drive from Methven. The resort is high up in New Zealand’s Southern Alps.

At Mount Hutt’s sixth summit, chairlifts provide access to a wide variety of skiing trails and the novice skier’s area is serviced by a dedicated quad chair. With a 150m (almost 500 feet) long Magic Carpet leading into the skiing area for beginners, Mount Hutt have some of the best skiing facilities in the New Zealand. This skiing resort has a wonderful mix of terrain for skiers of every level.
These are just some of the many skiing resorts in New Zealand. If you are looking for fabulous ski resorts for your vacation, why not try New Zealand ski resorts for a skiing adventure of a lifetime?

About the Author

Chris Chew enjoys traveling. More articlesWhistler ski resorts and Romantic cruise vacation
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Article Tags: resorts, ski, skiing
Read more articles by: Chris Chew
Article published on February 21, 2007 at Isnare.com

Why skiing? Because it is not only enjoyable, but is a great way of fitness: skiing is a great form of exercise requiring a level of skill, balance, and flexibility. Skiing is also great way to strengthen and tone several muscle groups.
What can be such a big fun like skiing? The mountains, the views, the blue sky and breathing clean mountain air…unless you are in an indoor sky slope in Dubai. But if you would like to have real adventure, go outside.

Vermont is New England’s winter sports capital and Vermont Ski Areas attract thousands of skiers every ski season. It is not an exaggeration that Vermont has the hottest skiing resorts in the eastern US. You can explore the best ski and snowboard resorts in the eastern US in Vermont.
Vermont is a very important feature of U.S. ski history. The first alpine ski lift in America was in Woodstock, and many Vermont Olympians have lifted ski medals on the podium. Cross-country skiing caught on at the Trapp Family Lodge and telemark skiing began its renaissance here. Vermont is home to the first U.S. Olympic gold medal winner in nordic skiing, Bill Koch, as well as outstanding alpine skiers such as Betsy Snite, Andrea Meade, Suzy Chaffee, Billy Kidd and several members of the Cochrane family. The Green Mountain State is a heaven for ski apostles of all tastes and experience levels.

If you would like to go to a very well equipped and large area, try Killington first: this place offers the most skiing … Killington is the largest ski & snowboard area in the East. Killington offers most variety of terrain served by the East’s highest capacity lift system. Six interconnected mountains and nearby Pico Mountain, provide unparalleled diversity of skiing and the greatest vertical in New England. Snowboarders are drawn to the challenge of the longest terrain park in the East.

Killington also features nearby lodging, convenient services, family activities, some of the best ski shops in New England. Within the region there are also a variety of shopping delights — factory outlets, antique shops, artisan workshops, craft fairs and rustic country stores.
You’ll find easy access to the resort by ground transportation services or by resort shuttle systems. You’ll have a great experience if you visit Vermont, don’t miss it!

About the Author

Fruzsina Csery wrote this article for Property Listings in Vermont
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Article Tags: ski, skiing, vermont
Read more articles by: Fruzsina Csery
Article published on March 01, 2007 at Isnare.com

Skiing is a favorite pastime of many people regardless of where they live. Ski vacations are becoming one of the most popular vacation themes and with ski resorts located world-wide, it’s not difficult to take up the sport.
The origins of skiing are a bit confusing. Many different cultures developed ski-like mechanisms that resemble what we refer to today as “skis.” One was the snowshoe which could be covered by different materials, depending on the owner’s preference. One covering was fur and another version had moccasins attached to the top of the snowshoe so all that was required of the user was to slip their foot into it and off they’d go.

Skis have come a long way in design since those times and there is a brand, size and style for everyone regardless of experience. Depending on your skill level you can purchase skis made from different materials. Some skis still have a wooden core. The wood chosen in the manufacture of skis is normally either spruce or fir. Some skis have a combination of both woods. The middle core is normally surrounded by a high performance material; something that will enable the skier to glide the hill almost effortlessly. Two commonly used materials are glass and titanium. As a person gets a feel for skiing and the equipment they generally choose the type of ski that best suits them. It’s not uncommon for very experienced skier to have custom made equipment.
Some of the newer types of skis are shaped a bit differently than the traditional models. They are designed to be a bit longer and instead of being perfectly straight they are curved. The curves are meant to make the experience more enjoyable and less strenuous on the legs.

The skis aren’t the only things that you need when you hit the slopes. Ski poles are essential for the novice skier. They afford a sense of balance while you are learning the basics of skiing. Many veteran skiers forego the use of the poles while others never leave the hill without them.
Helmets may not look great, but they are generally advised if you are just learning how to ski. They offer you protection in case you take a tumble and if skiing is a new experience for you, falling down is to be expected. Helmets are also recommended for children. Children can have accidents while skiing and knowing that they are as protected as possible is very reassuring.
The type of boots and bindings you choose is dependent a great deal on personal preference. There are many styles and designs available and a good fit is really important. The better the fit the more control you have.
Once you’ve got your ski gear it’s time to pick a spot to indulge in your favorite winter pastime. North America has many superb areas for skiers and most of them are very affordable.
One of the most popular ski destinations in the United States is the state of Colorado. Colorado has literally dozens of ski facilities including several located within the Aspen Mountains. In addition to offering incredible skiing conditions, the area itself is beautiful.

Another state that is known for its skiing is Utah. Utah is home to the Rocky Mountains and people flock there each winter to take in the skiing. It’s a particular favorite for families as they offer ski hills that fit every member of the family’s experience.
You may not have to travel far to enjoy a day of skiing though. Many states have conditions that make skiing fun including California, New York, Vermont and Montana. With a little research and some planning you can have a perfect ski trip with memories that will last long after you reach the bottom of the hill.

About the Author

More useful Information at: Ski Resources and Information
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Article Tags: ski, skiing, skis
Read more articles by: Joel Noah
Article published on December 27, 2005 at Isnare.com

It was Sondre Norheim who invented ski binding so that skiers were able to turn while moving downhill and Slalom was born. Slalom is also known as Telmark skiing. Sondre Norheim is considered to be the father of modern day skiing. Using the new maneuvering tactics, skiers could now move from one location to another. In the beginning skiing had a more practical use with people using skis to get to one place to another through snow. However, the binding changed all this. It allowed skiers more freedom of movement on skis and soon skiing changed from practical to fun to challenge to sport.

Years ago, people had no clue about Alpine skiing. It was something known only to a few people and was predominant in the European Alps. As people started coming to the Alps to ski, a few hotels and lodges opened which were used by a handful of people who used to come in winter to taste the adventure of Alpine skiing.

However, as time passed, skiing became a popular sport and went from a few hundred to over forty million skiers. As soon as the first good snowfall hits the mountains, people from across the globe head to the mountains to taste this adventurous and exhilarating sport. Every continent has at least one good skiing mountain and this is also true for the Antarctica. There are forty countries which are popular for their skiing slopes on their mountain chains and people are ready to travel to these countries even if it means enduring long haul flights.

The best way to train for skiing is to ski, but snow isn’t always available. To prepare for a skiing vacation, you need to strengthen both your heart muscles and your skeletal muscles. You can strengthen your heart for skiing with any exercise that will raise your heart rate for at least 10 minutes, three times a week.

However, to prepare your muscles for skiing, you have to use activities that use your upper legs, such as skating or riding a bicycle. The average bicycle rider is far better prepared for skiing than the average runner. Many joggers who can easily run ten miles find that they can’t ski very long because their upper leg muscles tire and hurt after just a few minutes of skiing.
You drive yourself forward in skiing with the muscles in your upper legs. Running stresses primarily the muscles in your lower legs. It does not strengthen the muscles in the upper legs enough to allow the average person to ski for any length of time. Running stresses your upper leg muscles only when you use them to lift you up when you run hard up hills. Since you ski by bouncing up and down on your knees and shushing forward from your hips, the best sports to prepare for skiing are those that stress primarily your thigh and upper leg muscles.

You can use the popular indoor exercise machines that mimic cross-country skiing motions, or ski on dry roads with roller-skis. In-line skating or cycling are good choices for outdoor preparation, particularly if you climb lots of hills. Add a weight training program to strengthen your upper body and arms as well as your legs, and you’ll be ready for the snow.

Whoever invented travel over snow using skis must have been an explorer. It is obvious that the earliest skiers were people who lived in areas where snow was a predominant feature and travel was essential for survival. Cross-country skiing is thought to have originated in Scandinavia and may have even been prevalent among Native Americans. The credit for introducing this kind of skiing as a sport to North America goes to Norwegian emigrants, Snowshoe Thompson and Jackrabbit Johannsen. Today Scandinavian countries, especially Finland, ensure that their army is equipped to travel on skis in winter. As a winter sport, this is very popular in Northern Europe and Canada.

What is cross-country skiing? It is skiing through ski trails of varying lengths - a kind of "bushwalking on skis." It is the one of the toughest of endurance sports, using every muscle in the body, burning the most number of calories in an hour.
Like everything else in the world, cross-country skiing too, has its history. The skis themselves were made of wood with bamboo poles and leather grips. Boots with thick soles were the required footwear, and bindings were essentially twisted wood-based thread. Then came the Kandahar bindings that fastened both boots in the front as well as the back. The Rat Trap or Nordic fastening was done only in the front.

Today, skis are thin and long, built for speed, and spread the weight of the skier equally. Two poles are used for typical downhill skiing and are generally made of aluminum, fiberglass or graphite. The skier’s heel remains free to facilitate movement. The length of the poles depends on skiing technique and free styling poles are longer than the ones used for classic skiing. Equipment maintenance involves waxing the skis, and waxes come in three variants: glide waxes, kick waxes and Klisters. Each one is specific to certain snow conditions. Waxless skis are a relatively new entrant in this field.
Cross-country skiing could be classified depending on the technique used. The Classic style is still used by a number of people because it’s the one most learn first. The Skating style has been developed thanks to racing and is a faster means of skiing. Telemark skiing is also called backcountry skiing and is mainly a form of descending. And Roller skiing or Summer skiing is used basically for training.
With the right equipment and guidance, skiing can be a fun sport and provides an intense workout. Like any other sport, once bitten by the skiing bug, there is no cure except feeding the fervor.