|
Ski Resorts
Guide
Fun on the mountain
is accompanied by good advance trip planning.
Preparing for time in the snow requires
more advance planning than some vacations.
First, there's the weather. It's often cold, windy and snowing. That
presents quite a challenge for the warm souls at PubClub.com, so we
advise people to pack for the elements.
Don't leave home without an armada of sweaters, sweatshirts and of
course, a pair of longjohns. Be sure and have a dome of some kind that
covers the ears. Then there's that cumbersome equipment.
 Travel
is much easier by four-wheeler but if one must fly, he/she must endure
long lines at check-in counters and the frequent dropping of various
things along the way due to the awkward design of ski and boot bags
and such.
Be sure and arrive at the airport at least 15 minutes earlier that
normal in order to account for all your bulk. Retrieving all one's goods
from the overcrowded baggage claim areas also takes added time. It doesn't
help matters that it seems as if everyone in the country has decided
to go skiing at the one exact place at the exact time as your group.
Airports, hotel/condo lobbies, restaurants and bars -- basically anywhere
you want to be -- are packed with people seeking basically the same
thing.
That's because when the snow is good, we've go to go. Those who exercise
patience will be rewarded with greater satisfaction than those who become
irritated because no matter how much one complains it doesn't speed
up the process. It's best to grab a drink and deal with the situation
on a relaxed manner.
One final note on the wardrobe. Because skiing/snowboarding is less
an object of money than it is experience, clothing comprises a major
part of the equation. For better or worse, looking good is more important
than being good, so having in-style outfits is is the primary key to
socializing success. Whatever the choice, don't ever wear jeans on the
slopes.
The Party Scene
Mount Tremblant
in Canada is one of the most lively party places.
Some people go to ski, some just go to party but most people at ski
resorts manage to combine both activities into a downhill drinking derby.
At ski resorts,
it's slopes by day, and dance floors by night.
Meeting people is ridiculously easy. All one has to do is say, "Hello"
or, even announce your relationship status with a vocal "Single!"
The latter is supposed to be reserved for running to the front of the
lift lines, but it is heard almost as often in pubs and clubs.
Skiing and snowboarding is popular among the single crowd and the camaraderie
among mountain-goers is about as strong as at any place on the planet.
It's due at least in part because everyone is in the same club, the
Mutual Suffering Society. For all its thrills, skiing and snowboarding
require hearty attitudes to endure the often challenging conditions
and circumstances surrounding the activity.
The party scene
is a big part of singles going to Ski Resorts.
Finding Accommodations
This isn't the Greek
Islands, where one can move freely about the country without
having to worry about advance plans. Ski trips often require much planning
in order to secure flights and, perhaps more importantly, accommodations.
Trips to the mountain require at least a month's advance planning.
If one is fortunate enough to be located within driving distance of
a ski area, then it considerably modifies the planning process. Still,
because of a fairly small window of ski opportunities and the large
numbers of avid and casual participants, it is often difficult to find
accommodations at the last minute.
Fortunately, most ski areas have web sites and phone numbers to assist
travelers. PubClub.com provides that information and appropriate links
on each resort's destination page.
To Ski or Snowboard?
Most groups are
a mix of skiers and shredders.
Shredders, even novice ones, come back with tales about never going
back to the planks after having experienced snowboarding. The learning
curve on snowboards is considerably greater than on skis, but the overall
experience is a bit easier.
Frankly, it's a matter of choice. Long-time skiers are reluctant to
switch, if for no other reason than not to be part of the masses
Equipment To Buy or Rent?
Veterans know the drill, but for those just learning to ski or snowboard,
a few words of advice are in order.
First of all, no matter what you choose, it's going to be expensive.
Ski equipment rents for $20-25 a day with snowboards an extra $5-10
USD. The logical side of the human brain tells us to compute the number
of expected trips over the next few years verses the approximate cost
of purchasing equipment.
This, however, is a flawed process. Ski and snowboard equipment makes
advance more quickly than computers, so the minute you walk out with
the latest technology, some other bespeckled engineer in a lab has devised
something better. Powder skis are all the rage this winter, and that's
just a specialty item made for certain conditions. So, you get the drift.
The choice comes down to the anticipated number of ski days -- not
trips, mind you -- during the next few years (again, more advance planning).
Basically, if 4-6 trips lasting 2-3 days per season are planned over
the next three years, purchasing equipment will be financially more
economical in the long run.
When to Go
Follow the crowds. Frankly, PubClubbers are willing to put up with
lift lines, waits in restaurants and other inconveniences to socialize
at peak season. While the most popular months depend on a particular
resort and snow conditions,the high times are January thru March.
The shoulder season is November thru May at many places, and at some
spots the season lasts even longer (see the individual destinations
for information on a specific area).
Many people seek out Spring Skiing, which is late enough in the season
to take advantage of 50-degree days while still experiencing good snow
conditions.
For those who can't get enough, Chile offers fantastic skiing from
June-August in what is the Southern Hemisphere's winter season.
 Ride
the Party Lift With The Bartender
|