Chatel – a great destination for family ski holidays
Chatel is a picturesque ski resort based at the heart of the Portes du Soleil – the largest linked ski area in the world. The resort caters for all the family which makes it an excellent choice for holidaying with children.
From as early as age 3, children can start their skiing in Chatel at “Les Marmottons” Kindergarten, run by the Chatel ESF team. Les Marmottons is situated within the main part of the village and is accessible by a regular free ski bus. It has a club house for refreshments and indoor activities, and a large ski area suitable for all first time skiers. They are also well staffed with English speaking ski instructors and assistants to help get the little ones on their skis. Read more »
Eight Tips For finding Discount Christmas Vacations: Steps to Planning the Perfect Holiday
If you are looking for discount Christmas vacations, there are some simple steps you can follow to help you locate the best deals. Christmas is one of the busiest travel times of the year and you will need to plan ahead to avail of some of the best deals available.
Many of these tips for discount Christmas vacations are very simple, while others may require you to do some research to find just what you are looking for.
Plan Ahead- This is the number one thing you can do to locate discount Christmas vacations. The farther out you book your reservations, the more likely you are to get an outstanding deal. This can also prevent you running into availability problems during an area’s peak season. Read more »
How to Avoid Altitude Sickness in Breckenridge Colorado
If you’re traveling to a high altitude ski destination, such as Breckenridge, Colorado this winter, it’s important that you bring along a thorough understanding of how higher elevations can affect your travels. With a base elevation perched at 9,600 feet above sea level, Breckenridge is one of the highest ski towns in the American West.
Most travelers will find that the altitude of Breckenridge has a relatively mild effect on them. It is not uncommon to notice a slight headache or have a bit of trouble sleeping for the first two to three days after arrival. Unfortunately, some visitors will experience more severe symptoms including nausea, vomiting, significant headaches and shortness of breath. The good news is that by following a few simple precautions, most travelers can mitigate the effect of altitude to the point that they are barely noticeable at all.
Visitors who believe they may be prone to the effects of altitude should consult their family physician before heading to Breckenridge. He or she may prescribe a drug known as Diamox. This prescription is taken for two days prior to your arrival in Breckenridge and for the first three to four days of your stay. It can help to mitigate the most noticeable symptoms of high altitude. Children may also receive a prescription for Diamox in smaller doses than those given to adults. You should also inquire as to whether Breckenridge’s altitude may exacerbate any health conditions that you already have.
Prior to arriving in Breckenridge, visitors should increase their water intake and be sure to remain well hydrated during the course of their stay. The body’s adjustment to higher elevations is accompanied by fluid loss. This is the result of an increased respiration rate, and with it, greater amounts of water vapor are exhaled. Try to consume a minimum of one hundred ounces of fluids each day to retain the level of hydration needed by your body. A diet that is high in carbohydrates will also help with acclimatization, as these simple sugars are more easily digested by your body, allowing it to focus more energy on adjusting to altitude. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol will also help, as they can contribute to dehydration.
Spending a night in Denver before traveling to Breckenridge can also be an effective method of acclimating. At an elevation of 5,280 feet, Denver offers an ideal median altitude to adjust to before moving on to higher elevations.
After arriving in Breckenridge, it’s a good idea to take things easy for your first day or two in town. Exhausting yourself by skiing from the time the mountain opens to the time it closes can bring on the symptoms of altitude sickness, even days after your arrival. Light activity is better for acclimating than bed rest, even if you do not feel well. Lying in bed or sleeping decreases the body’s rate of respiration which can actually amplify the effects of altitude sickness. Even if you’re not feeling one hundred percent, a short walk around town will help your body adjust to its new surroundings much faster than trying to sleep off symptoms. You may even want to visit a local “oxygen bar,” where for a few dollars, you can breathe an oxygen concentration resembling that of a much lower elevation. Read more »
The internet is a great place to find budget ski holidays. You can find some good deals on bargain ski holidays that include everything from your flight to accommodation and even ski-gear rental if you shop around. You should remember however, to not book the first holiday package that you find. Instead, check lots of places first and be sure you are getting a good deal. Read more »
If you’re seeking to explore more than just the ski slopes on your next winter getaway to Breckenridge, Colorado, consider booking a snowmobile tour. Breckenridge snowmobiling provides an adventurous escape into the heart of the Rocky Mountain wilderness, treating guests to dazzling views and non-stop opportunities to play in the area’s deepest powder-filled bowls and high alpine meadows.
Local snowmobile tours travel as high as 12,500 feet atop of the Continental Divide, offering guests a new perspective on the spectacular mountain scenery that surrounds them. Each tour begins with a brief overview of your snowmobile’s operation and handling, followed by a short ride down a trail system that connects with an open practice area. Here, guests are invited to better acquaint themselves with driving their snowmobiles before tackling the more challenging terrain that lies ahead.
Following the practice session, guides divide snowmobiling parties into smaller groups depending on the level of adventure their members are seeking. The tour then begins climbing and weaving through the forest on trails that eventually connect to the open terrain of the Continental Divide. Upon leaving the timberline below, adventurous guests are invited to open up their throttles and bank turns off of the surrounding mountainsides, while those seeking a more relaxed ride can take it easy and appreciate the amphitheatre of 14,000 foot peaks towering above them.
As riding parties reach Chicago Ridge, located 12,500 feet above sea level on the Continental Divide, snowmobilers are invited to break for pictures with postcard-like scenery providing the backdrop. The tour then descends back into high alpine terrain below the ridge for some powder riding before re-connecting with a trail system that takes guests through towering spruce and lodgepole forests. Along the way, guides may offer the opportunity to break for hot chocolate at one of the historic miners’ cabins that remain intact along the lower elevations of Fremont Pass.
Snowmobile tours are an ideal non-ski activity for individual, families, friends and corporate retreats because unlike skiing and snowboarding, they require no previous experience for everyone to remain a part of the group. Tour guests will find complimentary transportation available from their Breckenridge lodging property to and from local snowmobile base camps. Local snowmobile outfitters provide helmets, snowsuits and boots free of charge. Guests are advised to bring their ski goggles and sunglasses with them for eye protection and a warm pair of mittens or gloves.
Whether you’ve never ridden a snowmobile before, or you’re an experience rider looking to ride some of the highest terrain the Colorado Rockies have to offer, snowmobiling in Breckenridge is sure to be the highlight of any winter vacation to the area.
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Ben Kelly is the owner of Breckenridge Snowmobiling and Summit Vacation Concierge and can provide expert advice on vacationing in Breckenridge, including snowmobiling, lodging, vacation packages, activities and travel services. He is a resident of Breckenridge, Colorado and enjoys snowmobiling, snowboarding, mountain biking and the Colorado backcountry.
breckenridgesnowmobiling.com
If you’ve always wanted to explore the natural beauty of North America, then you’ll be able to find some incredible gems hidden in the National Parks of Canada. There’s no better way to experience the natural beauty of the country than by touring one, or several, of the country’s more than 40 National Parks. If this article whets your appetite, then you can find at more at the Parks Canada Agency website. Read more »
Colorado is home to the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Can you think of a better place to take a winter ski vacation? A few years ago, this destination was the province of the rich and famous, but now everyone can take a trip to the wonderful ski resorts of Colorado, and enjoy the great scenery and luxurious hotels.
Booking Online
There are lots of companies that can help you plan and book your ski vacation. These companies will help you arrange everything from your flights to hotel bookings and resort passes. If you are able to book well in advance then you will have the chance to take advantage of some great low cost deals, and there are some good off-peak offers too. Read more »
The Top Ski Resorts in France – French Ski Resorts
The most famous ski resort in the French Alps is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Chamonix is both the oldest and the biggest French winter-sports resort. Site of the first Winter Olympics, held in 1924, Chamonix boasts the world’s highest cable car (12,000 feet). From the top, the view of Mont Blanc, at 15,700 feet, is stunning. Read more »
Posted September 29, 2009 
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