skiing Archives - Seek Your Trip

March 10, 2019 by Arlene

Top Destinations To Consider For Your Special Getaway This Year

With spring well and truly on its way and the snow and cold beginning to dissipate in many parts of the world, you may be starting to think about the coming summer months and all the fun and frivolity to be had. If you’re planning a great summer getaway with the family, now’s the time to start thinking about it. Have you ever wondered about travelling to those long lost countries that no longer exist and what parts of them you should visit today on a summer holiday with you and your sweetie? Have a look at these top Azure Collection destinations to choose from, some ‘old lost countries’ and others not.

Tanzania

This gorgeous African country isn’t technically a lost country, although it’s name has changed over the years. Formerly known as Tanganyika, Tanzania is one of the most visited on the continent, and for good reason. With its rugged mountains, vast Serengeti plains, Mount Kilimanjaro and island of Zanzibar, you’ll find you never stop in Tanzania. Welcoming locals greet you with “Mambo” or “Jambo” and you can be sure to find something to enjoy somewhere in the borders of this bustling and colourful nation. Whether it’s kicking back on the powder white beaches of Zanzibar or going on a luxury safari in one of the many nature reserves, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or visiting the birthplace of Queen’s Freddie Mercury in Stone Town, you will be sure to fall in love with Tanzania over and over again.

Canada

Canada is a lost country? Not in itself, but from 1907 to 1949 the Dominion of Newfoundland was actually its own self governing entity before becoming a part of the country of Canada. Newfoundland is probably one of the most unique provinces in Canada today due to the fact it’s retained much of its own culture thanks to being a self governing body for much of the 20th century. Home to the oldest English colony in North America, Cupids, it’s an excellent place for those who want to explore the history of colonisation of the continent. The capital, St John’s, is a great place to mingle with the extremely friendly and welcoming locals – so friendly in fact that you might even get invited to a barbecue or two.

On the Avalon Peninsula and near to Bonavista you can sometimes catch a glimpse of an iceberg or three in the springtime. Sometimes they stop off for a day or two in the bays of small cove towns where the locals will go ‘iceberg harvesting’, a tradition where locals will fish broken iceberg ice from the sea for use year round in their drinks. In fact, it’s such a time honoured tradition that Iceberg Vodka, a Canadian liquor corporation, uses iceberg water in their different vodkas and rums. There’s also Iceberg beer available, made by the Quidi Vidi Brewery in St John’s.

Don’t miss: L’Anse Aux Meadows, way up in the tip of the island near St Anthony. A picturesque drive, L’Anse Aux Meadows is believed to be the oldest viking settlement in North America.

Czechoslovakia

Czechoslovakia, a ‘lost country’ was its own governing nation after it split from the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918 after the fall of the Empire following the First World War. Following a period of control by Nazi Germany and the Soviets, eventually the country peacefully divided in 1993 into the Czech Republic (now sometimes known as Czechia) and Slovakia. For those who want to visit either, you’re in for a treat of all the senses as both countries boast immaculate scenery, amazing locally brewed beers, and mouthwatering food, much of which has been influenced by surrounding countries including Austria, Germany and Poland.

The capital cities, Bratislava of Slovakia and Prague of the Czech Republic are both ideal spots for anyone to start their adventures. With typical European town squares featuring impressive architecture and history, they make great places to get lost amid back alleys with lots of opportunity to stumble across unexpected surprises. For the nature lover, both countries are home to amazing natural areas such as the spa town of Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic or the Tatras Mountains in Slovakia.

So whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach holiday, something a bit more upscale and cosmopolitan or a real adrenaline-pumping adventure, these suggestions will truly give you something to ponder while you think about your next preferred holiday. Enjoy!

November 22, 2016 by Arlene

Challenge Your Skiing Skills on a Breath-taking Weekend in Flaine

Skiing is always a fun activity to break away from an insanely busy work schedule or to spend with family and friends. While a lot of places in Europe have become popular holiday destinations, it’s also a good idea to veer away from the usual tourist spots and visit places that you don’t hear about quite often.

Spending your ski holidays in the French Alps is slowly becoming a norm for people who love to travel. Individuals who have never experienced snow in their lives would definitely enjoy the experience of playing in ice or spending their cold holidays at famous ski resorts.

If you’re looking for somewhere new to spend your next ski break, consider Flaine in your bucket list of places to visit.

Book Your Next Holiday in Flaine

Flaine is located in the Haute-Savoie region nestling at the summit of the Grand Massif, one of the largest ski areas in France. Famous for its challenging slopes, Flaine is the perfect resort that will make your next ski holiday something to remember.

While on holiday, consider Flaine as your home away from home. Being in a different place and away from the city life, Flaine will make you feel instantly welcome because everything that you will need is almost just a stone’s throw away. Shops, restaurants, supermarkets, and ski lifts are all within your reach.

The slopes in Flaine are gained notoriety for the level of difficulty. It boasts of at least 265 kilometers of skiing area. Whatever your skill level in skiing is, you will definitely have a great time in the snow – from building a snowman and throwing snow balls, to paragliding over the high slopes and snow driving.

Flaine prides itself as a family-friendly resort. In fact, if you’re staying longer, schools in Flaine can accommodate children from age 3 and older.

The Slopes of Flaine

The Grand Massif is considered as a huge playground for both novice and expert skiers. Riding the jumbo gondola will bring you to the highest point of the Grand Massif. Two fast chair lifts, the Aup de Veran gondola and the Tete des Verdes are linked going to the other fast chairs leading to the mountain.

The well-known Cascades blue leads away from the lift system to the outskirts of the Sixt, up to the valley from Samoens. The drop may be about 1,700 meters. The Grand Massif offers about 64 kilometers of tracks but there are only about 13 kilometers around Flaine itself.

One popular location in the Grand Massif is La Combe de Gers, a semi-circular bowl which has much of the slope in the shade that makes it a must-visit ski area all season long.

The Lifts

The year 2013 saw the development of an additional fast route that led to the replacement of the Diamont Noir double chair. However, a number of slow-moving lifts inside and outside of the Flaine bowl still exist today. The construction of new lifts have eased the problem especially during peak season.

Col de Pierre Carree

The Col de Pierre Carree is the highest and snowiest Nordic skiing area in the French Alps with an altitude of 1,844 meters. A 5-kilometer skating and classic country ski trail can be accessed by free shuttle bus from the resort. Lying on the Grand Massif, this Nordic skiing site has about 30 kilometers of trails, and is a mere 30 minutes away from the resort.

The Lost Terrain

Years ago, skiers enjoyed a park in the Grand Massif, but it has since been scrapped and replaced with banks and trails in the forest. People who have visited the place said that it wasn’t as challenging as they though it was.

The Snow at Flaine

Snow is excellent as most of the main bowl faces north-west. Snowmaking is evident on the lower runs. The entire place is well-maintained to ensure that it attracts visitors even during the off-peak season.

Skiing in Flaine For All Skill Levels

Whether you are a champion skier or a newbie, Flaine has the ability to make your skiing experience magical and memorable. Here are some tips to put your skiing skills to good use:

For experts

Anyone would be in awe as soon as they encounter the ski experts bragging about their skills in skiing. Flaine is known for its challenging terrain, but much of it is off-piste.

Some ski areas may look safe, but you should be aware that “looks can be deceiving” and that utmost care should always be taken. The Flaine bowl has rock crevasses and potholes and should be avoided just like anyone would when encountering a glacier.

The Diamant Noir, considered a black piste, is close to the line of gondoloas. It can be a tricky path due to its narrowness and the thick density of people. The first piste is known to be the steepest, while a steep off-piste through the crags can be seen on the skier’s left of Diamant Noir.

Considered to be the best snow area is the Lindars Nord chair, which has a great slope that most people go to.

The Gers draglift is perfect for on- and off-piste experts because its terrain normally has good snow from top to bottom. The Onyx piste reaches to an almost 45-degree angle on off-piste slope. There are other black pistes that go down from Tete des Saix going to Samoens.

For intermediates

With its wide variety of pistes, Flaine is also great for people with intermediate skiing skills. Faust is a great carving territory, while Mephisto is a popular spot among skiers.

Some flat sections along the resort-level green Epices and on blue Serpentine were reported to be difficult for children. An alternative way of going to the Areolle green is to drive over the hill to the Vermont valley where a fast chair lift can be used.

For beginners

There are ski and snowboard schools in Flaine that will help you learn how to play in the snow. Friendly instructors are available to provide ski lessons that best suit your discipline and requirement.

For snowboarders

The variety of terrains fits perfectly for snowboarders and freeriders, especially since there are so many off-piste with interesting turns. Chairs and gondolas can now be used in going to these pistes. The Aujon draglift has been marked as one of the difficult pistes in the area.

Other Flaine Activities

Flaine always comes up with fun-filled winter activities for tourists to ensure that they will have such a great holiday experience. Apart from the usual ski activities, visitors can enjoy paragliding, ice quadbiking and buggy driving, ice driving and steering, snowmobiling, snowkiting, and the Big Air Bag.

Flaine Developmental Plan

Seeing its potential of becoming one of the world’s best tourist destinations, Flaine is set to undergo several construction projects to help improve its facilities and be able to serve more people most especially during the peak season. The goal is to make Flaine more stylish and modern to fit the ever-changing taste of tourists.

The next time you plan your ski holiday, you don’t need to have second thoughts to experience a different of fun. Be open to see different places such as Flaine, so that you can enjoy a new kind of skiing experience with your family and friends.

August 12, 2013 by author

Outdoorsy Adventures in Bend, Oregon

If you are looking for a healthy way to spend your weekend, why not head on to Bend, Oregon and experience their outdoors? They have loads of exciting stuff for you to do and enjoy, from hanging on a cliff to feeling the rush while skiing down, they have everything that you may want to do and experience all year round.

Rock Climbing

Bend, Oregon is starting to become one of the most frequented rock climbing hubs in the whole country, given the various climbing routes that can be found in the place. Anecdotal reports show that there are hundreds of such routes scattered in various areas of Bend, with different difficulty levels from beginners to pros. One of the most popular places to go rock climbing (both for the locals and international enthusiast) in this area is the Smith Rock State Park. This park, which is more than 600 acres wide, boasts of beautiful landscapes and wonderful sceneries on a desert plateau. The park’s rocks and boulders can read up to hundreds of feet high, some even more than 500 feet. The most faces to conquer in the area include Mesa Verde Wall, Dihedrals and Monkey Face. Sure the climb might be difficult and challenging, but all your exhaustion will get lost once you reach the top and get to admire the poetic beauty of the surrounding areas.

Skiing and Snow Boarding

Winter is also available in Bend should you decide to go there on the “ber” months. During this time of the year, the most popular destination would be Mt. Bachelor.

Mt. Bachelor, a dormant volcano which is about 15,000 years old, is the premier winter sporting destination in these parts of America. In the majestic white mountain you can enjoy various activities like skiing and snowboarding. Aside from that though, the more than 3,000 acres of snow and terrain can be used for other snow activities such as dog sledding or tubing. For skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts, you will find the 71 runs very much to your liking. Beginners can start practicing on the easy green runs, while professionals and adrenaline junkies can try out their skill on the more difficult tracks.

Fishing

Bend, Oregon is not only for those who are looking for thrilling outdoor adventures, but also for those who simply would like to relax. Such can be enjoyed in the various fishing areas in the place. All year round, anglers and fly fishers can have a grand time sitting on their boats, drinking beer and waiting for the fish to bite. There are many water systems in the area, from streams to rivers to lakes. Two of the most famous fishing destinations in Bend would the Deschutes River and the Metolius River. The Deschutes River is one of the most favoured since it has more than 200 miles of fishable waters, while the Metolius is home to one of the most prized catches, the Bull Trout.

So whether you are looking for something to pump up your adrenaline or something to relax you and keep your heart rate down, you will surely find it here in the outdoors of Bend, Oregon.

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Photo by goodncrazy on Flickr

July 16, 2013 by Arlene

Going Off-Piste in Val d’Isère

If you are searching for a great activity to take part in, then you may want to consider off-piste skiing in Val d’lsere. Take a look at the following tips and ideas that could assist in making your adventure even more enjoyable.

Safety First

Before taking part of a new and daring journey, it’s important to fully understand the circumstances at hand. Your safety and the safety of others involved are two factors that cannot be ignored.

First, it’s vital to take a class or course in avalanche awareness. However, you’re training doesn’t end there. After you take the class and understand the different techniques you’ll need to employ for your skiing trip, you’ll need to practice and perfect said techniques. Conveniently, there are different classes to choose from that take place at different intervals throughout the year.

Other tips to remember include, but are not limited to: knowing the weather report the day of your planned activity, knowing the level of risk, speaking with those who have completed the trip in the past and taking in the advice given to you by other skiers.

Knowing the Courses Before Hand

Before you choose which course to partake in, you will need to research the different options available. For instance, when skiing in Val d’lsere, there are different routes to choose from. Consider visiting the Club Med site to find out more.

Courses you could potentially pursue include La Daille, La Solaise and Le Fornet, amongst others. You’ll need to consider your level of training and skill when choosing which course will be best for you and your skiing abilities. You may in fact choose the course you wish to ski before you even begin your safety training. This would assist you in knowing just how much training or learning would need to take place before you start skiing.

Having the Proper Equipment

Not only are training and learning the different courses equally important, but you will also need to make sure you have the proper equipment before starting your skiing journey. You may soon realise that this ski trip is going to be somewhat expensive, but you don’t be tempted to become too fugal by purchasing used, broken, or inadequate equipment. You’ll want the best to ensure your safety and enjoyment.

Again, knowing which ski course you wish to pursue will help you decide what types of supplies and pieces of equipment you’ll need. You’ll want to essentially “test” or evaluate all of your equipment before you begin your trip. This detail is important – you don’t want to discover last minute that you’re missing a vital piece, or that a rope or boot is faulty.

When it comes to fun and adventure, you should consider skiing in Val d’lsere. Though it may seem risky at first, the ski journey could potentially be refreshing. With a little bit research and training, you’ll be ready to tackle this journey in no time.

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Alex Norman is a winter sports enthusiast and full-time travel blogger. Keep an eye out for more of his articles offering travel advice.

Photo by mountainlight on Flickr