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Take a Ski Holiday in Turin this Winter

Turin is a great place for a Ski holiday. There are a lot of Ski resorts near Turin along with some of the best slopes to ski on. You can get to famous ski resorts within an hour of landing at the airport and there are more resorts as you move further away from the airport.

There is the valle di Susa which is just forty five minutes from the airport. You can ski to your heart’s content at this place and also do some sight seeing on the side. There’s plenty to see along the slopes and there’s also a guided tour if you are interested. The nightlife around here is excellent.

Located about an hour’s journey from the airport is the Ski Sauze d’Ouix region. You will be skiing in the famous Vialattea region of Italy. It usually has great snow and is also part of the Milky Way stretch of the Vialattea. There’s over four hundred kilometres of slopes to ski on meaning you will never run out of space. Sauze d’Ouix is a quaint and traditional village that makes for the perfect place to get you started on your ski trip.

There is also San Sicario, which gives you a full reign over the Milky Way stretch. The Milky Way covers one hundred and forty five runs which ensures that you have great variety to choose from. The resort offers great deals to snowboarders and skiers.

Many people who travel to Turin on a ski holiday take up the option of a car hire Turin service at the airport. Make sure to choose the right hire car particularly if you are bringing a lot of ski gear with you. Comfort is an issue often overlooked in favour of price. Consider the options available taking into account the number of passengers and their individual needs.

Ski Sestri? is another place where you can get in some great skiing action. It sits in between a high up purpose-built Alpine village. This has over four hundred kilometres of pistes for snowboarding and skiing and is a great place for intermediate skiers and snowboarders. There are also areas where advanced skiers can go to for more challenging slopes. This resort is situated about one hundred kilometers from Turin International airport. It was the place where the 2006 winter Olympics were held.

Another great resort is the Ski Clavi?, which has over three hundred and seventy pistes. It is located near the French border and has a peaceful traditional Alpine village setting. It is connected to the neighboring Montgen?e in France and has beautiful slopes to ski on. It offers easy access to both Turin International Airport and the Geneva Airport. It is chosen by most for its easy to reach location and the fantastic skiing experience it provides.

snow boarding behind quad in the west hills of portland “dec 08″

portland just got dumped with record snow falls so we made use of the ordeal.

tubing wit kc

us flying on the tube

Skiing in Aviemore

Aviemore is based in the highlands of Scotland, with impressive mountain views, and surrounded by country-side it stands 26,000 feet above rural farmland. The area is renowned for skiing, having recently had 2 European Level Competitions on its snowy peaks in the last two months. The ski resorts success, with professional skiing has also lead to success with tourists, having 12,000 people hitting the slopes each month. These massive numbers are also attributed to snowboarding, with boarding specific slaloms on one side of the mountains.

Aviemore recently commissioned a $4 Million state of the art ski lift that can travel up to 25 miles per hour, withstand winds in excess of 110 miles per hour, and has a total weight of 450 tonnes. The amazing structure travels over 15 miles and is certainly an amazing sight for any avid skier. Aviemore’s tourist based facilities are also highly impressive with 900 square feet, and a verging patio area that looks down the 26,000 feet mountain face.

Aviemore is an unfortunate to only have snow for 7 months in the year, ruling it out of hosting some of the worlds greatest competitions, and really placing Scotland up their with France, Switzerland and now Bulgaria as one the top skiing destinations around the world. The skiing destination has recently hosted the snowboarding world freestyle championships, where the facility had to compete with many countries where the sport has far greater uptake than in Scotland. Scotland’s success would have came as a result of many factors, however it was said that the accommodation facilities were said to be significantly more robust than other countries that had placed similar bids.

With a thriving economy that survives largely of the tourism industry, Aviemore had the facilities to bed over 10,000 people a night, significantly higher than any other bid. The reasons for this was largely down to its proximity to a local town that was also able to provide bed and breakfast accommodation, which ensured that more tickets could be sold, and exposure maximised. Despite this, only 21% of ticket buyers were Scottish, leaving the rest of the 79% to fly in from around the world.

The success of the tournament has lead to speculation of Aviemore building on its initial success to host more tournaments in the coming years, and with this the value of property has risen and the hotel industry is also becoming savvy to the prospect of high demand in the area. The Aviemore mountains have an average gradient that well exceeds most skiing locations in the west of Europe making Aviemore the place to visit for a European Skiing trip, providing the time of year is correct.

With only 7 months snow, Aviemore is considering a contained facility, where it will continue to provide skiing and snowboarding indoors. The thought of this, also would raise ideas and suggestions as to how they intend to go about this, and on what scale? Would they be looking to compete with the indoor facilities in Berlin, or would they be looking for something basic? The fact is, speculation as to a large scale indoor facility is mounting, and this is certainly something that would benefit the hotel industry in the area that is growing rapidly, however experiences a less-busy spell for 5 months in the year where Aviemore is in no condition to allow snowboarders or skiers to hit the slopes. Despite this freestyle snowboarding still continues, where the snow is artificially maintained in a half-pipe with which the snowboarders can practice and perfect tricks in a similar way to skateboarders.

If you have never been to Aviemore then I recommend you visit, whether or not you are a skier. The fact is, the views are amazing, the fresh clear air is refreshing and the people are fantastic. If you have never skied before, then what better place to learn than Aviemore.

Snowboarding at My Local Slope

My local ski slope is quite a fun place to hang out for me and my teenage friends. We find that it’s a good way to keep ourselves amused. You see in my local area when you are under 21 their really is nothing else to do. You see me and my friends can’t go out drinking and nor do we have any particular desire to hang out at the local tennis court, that is why we were looking for something to do that was knew, exciting and more suited to our need for extreme entertainment!

So we went down the local ski slope and asked some questions about what kind of thing goes on and basically tried to get a grasp for how much it was going to cost to get started. The lady was really helpful and seemed to be really encouraging. She explained that we would not need a snowboard, snowboarding boots or even snowboarding skills to get started. We were really pleased to here it, so basically asked if we just went on the slope or if we needed some kind of tuition first. The lady explained that we would definitely need some kind of tuition first, and explained that for $15 an hour we could get a group lesson. This was kind of what we were looking for, as the idea was to do this as a group and we felt that if we all done it together It would be more of a laugh. So we basically booked a lesson, and the lady explained that we had to pay a deposit because the slope had to arrange it with the instructor. She explained that we would get lessons for around 5-10 hours and then she thought that we would be good enough to come down the slope on our own and try things out. This was the kind of thing that I was looking to do, because we wanted more than merely to learn. We wanted to pick up the basic skills that were required and then come down on our own and have a laugh at the slope.

So we went to the lessons and they worked out great. They were really fun for everyone involved. It turned out that it wasn’t just us at the lessons, but the other girls and boys who went to the lessons were all really easy to get on with and everyone got on well. Nobody had been to snowboarding lessons before so we were all kind of in the same boat so to speak. The teacher went over really basic stuff at first, and to be honest I did not pay too much attention because I was more concerned with actually going out their and starting to ski for real. The guy who was our teacher was really approachable and that just made it so much easier for everyone. We were able to ask all the questions we wanted, and he seemed to pick up when someone was having problems and when we understood things. He then explained after around 30 min’s that we were ready to hit the slopes, and you can be sure that we were ready, I was practically desperate to hit the slopes and get started. At first, he asked us to go down the beginner slope which is basically a slope that is for people who are just starting to learn. The gradient is much less and that makes it so much easier to get going, because if you build up to much speed and you do not know how to stop then that could cause real problems for a beginner.

Snowboarders Guide For Riding The Board

Nose – the nose is the end that usually point’s downhill
Tail – the tail is the end that usually points uphill
Toe edge – the side of the board where your toes are
Heel edge – the side of the board where your heels are
binding – the thing that binds your foot to the board.

Regular vs. Goofy

Picture yourself sliding downhill sideways. Which side is facing downhill, you’re right or left? Alternatively, imagine yourself sliding across the kitchen floor in your socks. Which foot is forward? If you answered left, you’re “regular”. If you answered right, you’re “goofy”. On a snowboard, your feet are not perfectly pointed straight toward the toe edge, they are slightly angled either to the left (regular) or to the right (goofy). Your “leading foot” (the foot that goes down the hill first) for a regular person, this is the left foot, for a goofy person, it’s the right. The board pictured above is a regular board. On a goofy board, the nose is on the right and the tail is on the left.

Riding the Board

The first unusual factor you need to get used to thinking about is that you can face any direction while riding downhill on a snowboard. You can go down the slope backwards, that is, with your toes pointed uphill and your back in the direction in which you’re traveling. You can go down the hill nose end first or tail end first. You can go downhill facing downhill, or you can do anything in between. Wicked hey?

The uphill edge

bare in mind while you are snowboarding, always put pressure on the uphill edge of the board. So, if you are going down the mountain backwards, that is, facing uphill, your pressure will be on your toes. This way of facing the mountain is called “toeside” for obvious reasons. If you are going down the mountain facing downhill, your pressure will be on your heels. This is called “heel side”. DON’T put pressure on the downhill edge. It will cause you to fall over. Think about it. If you are heel side (that is, traveling downhill and facing downhill) and you dig the downhill edge (the toe edge) into the snow, what do you think will happen? The board will stop and you will keep going, causing you to tumble over your board and fall flat on your face. Similarly, if you are toeside (traveling downhill backwards) and your heel edge digs in, what is going to happen? Your board will stop and you won’t, causing your backside to slam into the ground. And guess what this is known as?????????

Balancing front-back

The balance point is the center of your weight relative to the surface of the board. Try this: at a standstill, position the board so that it is perpendicular to the slope and you are facing downhill. Now, tilt the toe edge of the board up and down using your ankles, move yourself front and back until you find the spot where you won’t tip over. That’s your balance point. The balance point changes with the softness of the snow because in soft snow, you’ll have to tilt your board away from the incline more so than you would on hard-packed snow. Try going heel side slowly down an incline by reducing the pressure applied by your heels.

Balancing left-right

For the most part, try to keep your weight evenly distributed between your two feet. You don’t want to put more weight on the uphill foot. Why not? The surface of the board under the leading (downhill) foot is largely what steers you. Just think of a sled going down a hill. The steering is in the front; friction on the sides of these blades will make it turn. If that analogy didn’t work for you, then consider this one: Ever done a pop-a-wheelie on your bike as a kid? What happens when you steer while your front wheel is in the air? It has no effect on your direction, right? No control. Same thing with a snowboard, if there is no pressure on the leading end (the downhill foot), you have no steering.

Stopping

a stop is a lot like a hockey-stop on ice skates. You bring the board perpendicular to the slope and dig the uphill edge in. If you are heel side (if you are facing downhill) you stop by digging your heels in. If you are toeside, (if you are facing uphill) you stop by digging your toes in. Slowing down is basically the same thing. It’s just that when you want to stop you apply a lot of pressure fast. At the same time, you’ll be balancing your weight (shifting your balance point) so you don’t upset your position to the point where you tip over. Practice stopping heel side. Then practice stopping toeside.

Turning

Okay, this part is important, so pay attention. Start with your board perpendicular to (that is, horizontal across) the slope and then apply less and less pressure to the edge and see what happens. The leading foot tends to go downhill. If you stay in this position, with the lead foot downhill and the board parallel with the slope, you’ll go fast. To turn, start digging the heels in. What happens? You turn heel side. If you had dug your toes in instead, you would have turned toeside. WAIT UNTIL the nose of your board is pointed directly downhill BEFORE digging in the edge. Always look in the direction where you want to go. You have a tendency to go where you are looking because your head is followed by your shoulders/upper body and then by your hips. It may help to stick your hand out in the direction you want to go. This will help get your shoulder to turn. Avoid looking at the ground right in front of you, especially when you are toeside. Instead, when you are toeside, look over your shoulder in the direction you think you want to turn. When you want to actually turn, let your shoulder follow your head. Your hips and feet will follow.

HelmetCast 18

High-Res: jakecast.com/helmetcast/helmetcast18.m4v Date: 11/17/2009 – 1/19/2010 Location: Snowbird, Little Cottonwood Canyon, UT Featuring: Myself (Jake Kirshner), Nik Aksamit & Dex Mills Oh winter, I'm so glad you're back. Even if it took you until mid-January to get here. Stay awhile. If it snowed everyday in Little Cottonwood Canyon from now until June I think there would be no more suffering, hunger, wars, racism or tyranny on this planet. I've got a pie chart in my car that proves it… Footage from The 'Bird* from opening in November and when winter actually arrived…two months later… *note, use of slang "The 'Bird" does not get you freshman girls…trust me…I've tried

Picking a snowboarding instructor

Finding a snowboarding instructor may be a really tough thing to pick, and one that comes down to your own mind much more than the rest, however following a couple important rules and asking the right questions you’ll be certain that your selection will make a better educated one. When I initially started learning the best way to snow board I was only 20 and in truth the game was just starting. Snowboarding began when a man decided to fasten his child’s skis together in order to check that his son’s technique worked. This has lead to snowboarding being one of the most well liked winter sports even getting showed in the Olympic Games. Despite this, the rules and rules that follow other sports are dissimilar with snowboarding and because of that it can be tough to get a snowboarding instructor that you are able to rely on.

Does your snowboarding instructor have any clients that you can talk with?

Talk to your snowboarding instructor and ask if he has any past members that you are able to speak with. If he does then you will be able to make sure that he has some experience, and you can ask these students what they thought of the coaching that they were given. Being a snowboarding instructor this is something that I consider with all my learners. I always ask if they would like to talk with former learners and give them their telephone numbers. Though many don’t trouble ringing them up, it gives them a certain level of confidence in my capability.

What are the rates or costs will a snowboarding instructor charge you for learning you?

This is a very important query and one that should be thought about as a significant component in who you select. If a snowboarding instructor is charging a lot more then it likely means one big factor and that’s his capability. If the rates are more then this may be reflected in his service and experience and so it may be worth it. On the other hand, if you are principally hunting for the facility to master basic talents, then perhaps it isn’t worth paying extra for your snowboarding instructor. It is also critical that you ask if the prices that you are paying reflect every price part that you will attract. What does one mean by this? Some snowboarding instructors might charge you by the hourly rate, but then the course may want more cash in order to use the equipment or hire gear. Make sure you know about everything which you are paying for. When choosing a snowboarding instructor another key point for consideration is if you want to learn on a better snow slope then the costs of tuition will surely be higher. I would say it is probably worth paying that bit more to learn on snow, and on a diverse and taxing range of snow slopes with your snowboarding instructor.

How well do you think you will bond with your snowboarding instructor?

Something else that we might think about before selecting a snowboarding instructor, and though you can’t always tell, seeing them in the flesh is a great way to get an understanding of their character. Many snowboarding instructors opt to make buddies with their members however this is something that I choose not to do. To my mind learners accomplish the highest results, when they have got a relationship of respect and understanding with their snowboarding instructor. When the pupil and snowboarding instructor becomming too talkative Problems ocure. However, that is just my view. If you are feeling more comfortable with a talkative snowboarding instructor then this should be your selection. Think about what’s best for you, and permit this to persuade your selection of snowboarding instructor.

What times the snowboarding instructor is free.

If your snowboarding instructor may simply be free between the hours of 9 and 5 and that’s when you’ll be working then the possibilities are the snowboarding instructor is not right for you. Stop to chat with a snowboarding instructor to find out when both of you are free and you’ll be bound to have a better bond with your snowboarding instructor.

Best Rural Places To Buy A Home In The U.S.

If you love to live in the country and are looking for the finest rural setting to settle down, what better place to choose from than America’s top ten rural places? The February issue of Progressive Farmer features the top ten best places to live in rural America in 2007. These rural counties have been chosen based on statistics such as education, crime, health care etc. and as well as their picturesque settings. The ten rural places that made it to the top list are:

1. Barren County, Kentucky
Rolling farmlands, friendly residents, a rich historical background and thriving businesses attract settlers to Barren County. The County rates high on education with the County schools having some of the top scores in the State. The County offers rich country living amidst a background of strong farming heritage.

2. Warren County, Pennsylvania
A flowing Allegheny River adds to the picturesque beauty of the County as do its famed hills that give character to the milieu in each season. The breathtaking beauty of the seasons – whether it is the brightest green in spring or the intense reds and yellows of fall – makes Warren County a perfect place for every season. Nature’s bounties include mild summers and winters, water spots that offer fishing and camping and the Allegheny National Forest with copious attractions such as skiing and snowmobiling. The County also has excellent schools.

3. Randolph County, Illinois
The country living here is characterized by numerous festivals and events such as the annual Popeye Picnic that celebrates the town’s native son Elzie Segar – the creator of the popular comic-strip character. Agriculture drives the economy of this County and is aided by river transportation. With the local administration planning the preservation of open space and agricultural heritage of the County, Randolph County is sure to stay on the top 10 list for long.

4. Gillespie County, Texas
A land that gets clothed by beautiful flowers every spring, Gillespie is a wonderful rural setting and a typical Texas County where one can find wide-open spaces, cattle ranches and old men wearing cowboy hats. The German influence is profound on the eating places here. The County is popular for its peach orchards and citrus farms.

5. Union County, South Dakota
The merging of the Missouri River and the Big Sioux River has rendered this County with not only a beautiful topography but also a rich fertile soil. This rural County offers a few surprises too in terms of achievements. Union County is proud of its excellent schools which has a Blue Ribbon school amongst them. The County offers a favorable atmosphere for children and is a great place to raise a family.

6. St. Lawrence County, New York
On the sixth place is St. Lawrence County which boasts of a renowned music school, the Frederic Remington Art Museum, traditional arts, etc. The County also offers a plethora of recreational activities that include hunting and fishing. Although winters are severe, summers are beautiful and highly enjoyable.

7. Sac County, Iowa
Rolling hills, fields of golden corn and soybean, friendly residents… Sac County has a lot to offer for the rural lover. A warm community feeling abides among the residents who enjoy fun activities and events such as the Farmall Promenade.

8. Garfield County, Okalahoma
Home to two medical centers and the Vance Air Force Base, Garfield County is a through and through agricultural land. Horse pastures and wheat fields adorn the countryside. The residents mostly live on acreages and are known for their honesty and hard work. The place has a rich history.

9. Amador County, California
Amador Country is a unique place where one can enjoy the luxury of three different climates. Famous for its wine region, Amador is one of the major grape-growing regions of the country.

10. Polk County, North Carolina
Polk County is one that has been untouched despite the rapid growth of its neighboring counties. Nestled amidst the foothills of the Appalachians, tourism drives the economy of the County. This scenic County once undiscovered is headed for growth in the near future.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, condo or any other type of real estate in the areas listed above, be sure to seek out the services of a local real estate agent to advise you about local real estate market conditions.

Jibbin steez

skiing funn