European Vacation Planning Map

Volunteer Vacations in Europe - Information and Resources You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors > What to do In Europe > Volunteering Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses Search Europe for Visitors > What to do In Europe > Volunteering Volunteer Vacations in Europe Volunteering can make sense if you've already seen the better part of Europe. You can volunteer on an archaeological excavation, ecological clean-up, or perhaps restoring an ancient building or church. Articles & Resources Sort By : Guide Picks | Alphabetical | Recent Volunteering in Europe - A Guide to Volunteer Success Learn what to look out for when shopping around for a volunteer opportunity in Europe. From the skills you didn't think were relevant to avoiding the pitfalls in choosing a volunteer project, we have what you need to know about volunteering, including a photo album of showing the variety of things volunteers do. Student Travel - Volunteering Abroad Here's some volunteering information for students traveling abroad--from About's Student Travel site. Englishtown - Trade Conversation for a Unique Vacation in Spain A free vacation just for talking your native language? Yes, it is possible, according to Larry West. Archaeological Fieldwork Opportunities European volunteer opportunities from the Archaeological Institute of America. Archaeology Fieldwork in the Valcamonica (Italy) Help record rock art sites in a beautiful area of Italy. Training included. Cost is 315 Euros for a week. July 23 - August 6, 2003. BCTV BCTV offers conservation volunteer holidays in the UK and internationally. Earthwatch Institute Lots of interesting opportunities--but expensive. Fieldwork Opportunities - Digs in the UK Search for a volunteer opportunity or archaeological training in Great Britain, Wales, or Scotland--May through September. Go Nomad Programs in Europe Dolphins, large carnivors, architectural restoration, agriculture and ecology, the top projects in Europe. Going Green Eco-Tourism Volunteer Opportunities - Europe Like working with animals. Here's a site that can link you with various opportunities throughout Europe. Idealist.org Volunteer Opportunities in Europe Pick your country from the list, and you'll the site will return a number of opportunities. Voluntary Work and Gap Year Placements Europe Volunteering in the areas of conservation and restoration, many projects in the UK. Volunteer Abroad - International Volunteering Directory Quite a few volunteer opportunities--choose a country and you'll see the opportunities there. There are even some paid internships if you look hard enough. Volunteer Summer Restoration Projects in Provence, France La Sabranenque has been working in Saint Victor la Coste since 1969 for the preserving of the rural Mediterranean habitat - its heritage, architecture, and techniques. Volunteers for Peace 3000 affordable international voluntary service programs for a variety of projects including restoration, cultural and environmental work, and archaeology. Many projects are in France, Germany, and Italy. Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Headlines Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and... Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came... Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated... North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000...

Vacation Outlet Home Page

We are searching for availability. Please Wait... We are searching for availability. Please stand by... -- Vacation Outlet Home Page 800-690-2210 Offer Code: 9NGJ-K1V [x] [ close ] Departure City: Departing: Select a Departure City Aberdeen, SD (ABR) Abilene, TX (ABI) Alamogordo, NM (ALM) Albany, NY (ALB) Albuquerque, NM (ABQ) Allentown, PA (ABE) Alpena, MI (APN) Akron/Canton, OH (CAK) Amarillo, TX (AMA) Anacortes, WA (OTS) Anaheim/Santa Ana, CA (SNA) Anchorage, AK (ANC) Aspen, CO (ASE) Atlanta, GA (ATL) Austin, TX (AUS) Bakersfield, CA (BFL) Baltimore, MD (BWI) Bangor, ME (BGR) Baton Rouge, LA (BTR) Bellingham, WA (BLI) Bentonville, AR (XNA) Billings, MT (BIL) Birmingham, AL (BHM) Bismarck, ND (BIS) Block Island, RI (BID) Bloomington, IL (BMI) Boise, ID (BOI) Boston, MA (BOS) Bozeman, MT (BZN) Brainerd, MN (BRD) Brookings, SD (BKX) Brownwood, TX (BWD) Buffalo, NY (BUF) Burbank, CA (BUR) Burlington, VT (BTV) Cape Girardeau, MO (CGI) Carson City, NV (CSN) Catalina Island, CA (AVX) Cedar Rapids, IA (CID) Charleston, SC (CHS) Charleston, WV (CRW) Charlotte, NC (CLT) Chattanooga, TN (CHA) Chicago, IL (MDW) Chicago, IL (ORD) Chico,CA (CIC) Cincinnati, OH (CVG) Cleveland, OH (CLE) Colorado Springs, CO (COS) Columbia, SC (CAE) Columbus, MS (UBS) Columbus, OH (CMH) Columbus, OH (LCK) Dallas, TX (DAL) Dallas, TX (DFW) Dayton, OH (DAY) Daytona Beach, FL (DAB) Del Rio, TX (DRT) Denver, CO (DEN) Des Moines, IA (DSM) Detroit, MI (DTW) Dickinson, ND (DIK) Dillingham, AK (DLG) Duluth, MN (DLH) Durango, CO (DRO) Eastsound, WA (ESD) El Centro, CA (IPL) El Paso, TX (ELP) Enid, OK (WDG) Eugene, OR (EUG) Fargo, ND (FAR) Flint, MI (FNT) Fort Wayne, IN (FWA) Fresno, CA (FAT) Friday Harbor, WA (FRD) Ft Lauderdale, FL (FLL) Ft Myers Area, FL (RSW) Gainesville, FL (GNV) Gainesville, TX (GLE) Grand Rapids, MI (GRR) Grand Rapids, MN (GPZ) Great Bend, KS (GBD) Great Falls, MT (GTF) Green Bay, WI (GRB) Greensboro, NC (GSO) Greenville, NC (PGV) Greenville/Sprtnburg, SC (GSP) Greenville, TN (GCY) Gunnison, CO (GUC) Harrisburg, PA (MDT) Hartford, CT (BDL) Hartford, CT (HFD) Hilo, Hawaii, HI (ITO) Hilton Head Island, SC (HHH) Honolulu, Oahu, HI (HNL) Houston, TX (HOU) Houston, TX (IAH) Huntsville, AL (HSV) Huntsville, TX (HTV) Hyannis, MA (HYA) Imperial Beach, CA (NRS) Indianapolis, IN (IND) Islip, NY (ISP) Ithaca, NY (ITH) Jackson, MS (JAN) Jackson, TN (MKL) Jackson Hole, WY (JAC) Jacksonville, FL (JAX) Jacksonville, NC (OAJ) Kahului, Maui, HI (OGG) Kalamazoo, MI (AZO) Kalaupapa, HI (LUP) Kamuela, HI (MUE) Kansas City, KS (KCK) Kansas City, MO (MCI) Kearney, NE (EAR) Kenmore Air Harbor, WA (KEH) Key West, FL (EYW) Kirksville, MO (IRK) Knoxville, TN (TYS) Kona, Hawaii, HI (KOA) Lake Tahoe, CA (TVL) Lanai, HI (LNY) Lansing, MI (LAN) Las Vegas, NV (LAS) Lexington, KY (LEX) Lihue, Kauai, HI (LIH) Lincoln, NE (LNK) Little Rock, AR (LIT) Long Beach, CA (LGB) Lopez Island, WA (LPS) Los Angeles, CA (LAX) Louisville, KY (LOU) Louisville, KY (SDF) Lubbock, TX (LBB) Madison, WI (MSN) Manchester, NH (MHT) Manistee, MI (MBL) Marathon, FL (MTH) Melbourne, FL (MLB) Memphis, TN (MEM) Miami, FL (MIA) Michigan City, IN (MGC) Midland, TX (MAF) Milwaukee, WI (MKE) Minneapolis/St Paul, MN (MSP) Minocqua, WI (ARV) Moab, UT (CNY) Mobile, AL (MOB) Moline, IL (MLI) Molokai, HI (MKK) Monterey, CA (MRY) Moses Lake, WA (MWH) Myrtle Beach, SC (MYR) Nashville, TN (BNA) New Orleans, LA (MSY) New York City, NY (JFK) New York City, NY (LGA) New York City, NY (NYC) Newark, NJ (EWR) Newburgh, NY (SWF) Newport News, VA (PHF) Niagara Falls, NY (IAG) Norfolk, NE (OFK) Norfolk, VA (ORF) Oakland, CA (OAK) Oklahoma City, OK (OKC) Olympia, WA (OLM) Omaha, NE (OMA) Ontario, CA (ONT) Orlando, FL (MCO) Palm Springs, CA (PSP) Pensacola, FL (PNS) Peoria, IL (PIA) Philadelphia, PA (PHL) Phoenix, AZ (PHX) Pilot Point, AK (PIP) Pittsburgh, PA (PIT) Ponca City, OK (PNC) Port Townsend, WA (TWD) Portland, OR (PDX) Portland, ME (PWM) Portsmouth, NH (PSM) Providence, RI (PVD) Raleigh/Durham, NC (RDU) Rapid City, SD (RAP) Reno, NV (RNO) Richfield, UT (RIF) Richland, WA (RLD) Richmond, VA (RIC) Roanoke, VA (ROA) Roche Harbor, WA (RCE) Rochester, NY (ROC) Rockford, IL (RFD) Rosario, WA (RSJ) Sacramento, CA (SMF) Saint Cloud, MN (STC) Salt Lake City, UT (SLC) San Antonio, TX (SAT) San Diego, CA (SAN) Sand Point, AK (SDP) San Francisco, CA (SFO) San Jose, CA (SJC) San Luis Obispo, CA (SBP) Santa Barbara, CA (SBA) Sarasota/Bradenton, FL (SRQ) Savannah, GA (SAV) Scranton, PA (AVP) Seattle/Tacoma, WA (SEA) Shreveport, LA (SHV) Sioux City, IA (SUX) Sioux Falls, SD (FSD) Skagway, AK (SGY) South Bend, IN (SBN) Spokane, WA (GEG) Springfield, MO (SGF) Springfield, IL (SPI) St Louis, MO (STL) Steamboat Springs, CO (HDN) Storm Lake, IA (SLB) Syracuse, NY (SYR) Tallahassee, FL (TLH) Tampa, FL (TPA) Telluride, CO (TEX) Toledo, OH (TOL) Topeka, KS (FOE) Tri-City/Bristol, TN (TRI) Tucson, AZ (TUS) Tulsa, OK (TUL) Vail, CO (EGE) Vernal, UT (VEL) Waikoloa, HI (WKL) Washington, D.C. (DCA) Washington, D.C. (WAS) Washington, D.C. (IAD) Watertown, SD (ATY) West Palm Beach, FL (PBI) White Plains, NY (HPN) Wichita, KS (ICT) Williston, ND (ISN) Wilmington, DE (ILG) Wilmington, NC (ILM) Wilmington, OH (ILN) Winfield, KS (WLD) Worland, WY (WRL) Dec Jan 2006 Feb 2006 Mar 2006 Apr 2006 May 2006 Jun 2006 Jul 2006 Aug 2006 Sep 2006 Oct 2006 Nov 2006 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Destination: Returning: Choose from our top destinations ----------------------- Acapulco Amsterdam, Netherlands Anaheim/Santa Ana Antigua Aruba Aspen/Snowmass via Aspen Banff, Alberta Barbados Barcelona, Spain Belize Bermuda Big Island of Hawaii - Kona Boston Breckenridge, Colorado Brussels, Belgium Canada - Calgary Canada - Montreal Canada - Niagara Falls Canada - Quebec City Canada - Toronto Canada - Vancouver Canada - Whistler Cancun/Riviera Maya Cayman Islands/Cayman Brac Cayman Islands/Grand Cayman Copper Mountain Costa Rica/Liberia Costa Rica/San Jose Cozumel Curacao Disney, Florida Flagstaff Ft. Lauderdale Ft. Myers/Sanibel/Naples/Marco Glasgow, United Kingdom Grand Bahama Island Hilton Head Ireland - Dublin/Cavan Ireland - Galway/Mayo Ireland - Killarney/Kerry Ireland - Shannon/Limerick Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo Jackson Hole Jamaica Kauai Key Largo Key West Keystone La Romana Lake Tahoe Las Vegas London, United Kingdom Los Angeles/Southern California Los Cabos Madrid, Spain Maui Mayan Riviera/Cancun Miami Milan, Italy Mont Tremblant, Quebec Munich, Germany Nassau/Paradise Island New Orleans New York City Nice, France Oahu (Honolulu) Orlando Palm Springs Paris, France Park City/Deer Valley Phoenix/Scottsdale Playa del Carmen/Cancun Puerto Plata Puerto Rico - San Juan Puerto Rico - Vieques Puerto Vallarta Punta Cana Reno Riviera Maya/Cancun Rome, Italy Salt Lake City San Diego/La Jolla San Francisco/Sonoma San Jose Del Cabo Santo Domingo SnowBird/Alta St. Croix, US Virgin Islands St. Kitts St. Lucia St. Maarten/St. Martin St. Thomas/St. John USVI Steamboat via Denver Steamboat via Steamboat Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater Telluride Tucson Turks & Caicos Vail/Beaver Creek via Denver Vail/Beaver Creek via Eagle Venice, Italy Vienna, Austria Washington D.C. West Palm Beach/Boca Raton Whistler, British Columbia Winter Park Zurich, Switzerland Dec Jan 2006 Feb 2006 Mar 2006 Apr 2006 May 2006 Jun 2006 Jul 2006 Aug 2006 Sep 2006 Oct 2006 Nov 2006 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Show All Destinations Passengers: (up to 9) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 adults(18+) 0 1 2 3 children(0-17) Ages at time of travel: info Child 1 Child 2 Child 3 -- < 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 -- < 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 -- < 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Other Search Options: Activities Search | Resort Finder Destination: Caribbean Mexico Bahamas Alaska Europe - All Hawaii Bermuda Canada/New England/NY ------------- All Destinations Alaska - All Alaska - Gulf of Alaska Alaska - Inside Passage Bahamas Bermuda Canada/New England/NY Caribbean - All Caribbean - Eastern Caribbean - Southern Caribbean - Western Cruise to Nowhere Europe - All Europe - E. Mediterranean Europe - Mediterranean - All Europe - Northern Europe - W. Mediterranean Europe - Western Exotic - Asia/Africa/Other Hawaii Mexico Panama Canal/C. America South America South Pacific - All South Pacific - Australia South Pacific - Tahiti Transatlantic U.S. - All U.S. - American Rivers U.S. - Pacific/Northwest U.S. - Southeast World Cruise You may qualify for special rates: Departure Date: Your U.S. Zip Code: All Dates January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 Why We Ask Cruise Line: Any passengers 55 or older? All Cruise Lines Carnival Cruise Lines Celebrity Cruises Costa Cruises Crystal Cruises Cunard Line Disney Cruise Line Holland America Line MSC Cruises Norwegian Cruise Line Oceania Cruises Orient Lines Princess Cruises Radisson Seven Seas Royal Caribbean Seabourn Cruise Line Silversea Cruises Windstar Cruises No Yes Why We Ask Cruise Length: All 1-2 Nights 3-5 Nights 6-8 Nights 9-11 Nights 12+ Nights Other Search Options: Close to Home Cruises Advanced Search Hottest Weekly Picks prices from: Costa: 2 Night Bahamas from Ft. Lauderdale $268 Carnival Cruise Lines: 7 Night Exotic Western Caribbean $479 Las Vegas:Excalibur – Flight + 3 Nights $295 Miami, Florida: Trump International Sonesta Beach Resort – Flight + 4 Nights $785 All-Time Best Bets Caribbean Vacations Close to Home Cruises Cruise from Boston Group Cruises Last Minute Vacations Ski Deals Vegas Vacations >>See All Deals $480 -- Email Address: Zip Code: Call 800-690-2210 to Book! Offer Code: 9NGJ-K1V Customer Service | About Us | Contact Us | Store Locator | Become an Affiliate | Privacy Policy Vacation Outlet is your premier online destination for dream vacations and cruise getaways. Choose your trip from thousands of discount travel packages and last-minute deals from the world's best resorts, hotels, and cruise lines. © 2005 Vacation Outlet is a registered trademark of NLG. All rights reserved. Seller of Travel Info

Argentina Travel

Argentina Travel Guide and Destination Overview on Concierge.com Destinations USA + Canada > Europe > Caribbean > Latin America > Asia > Australia + Pacific > Middle East + Africa > See All > Ideas Beach + Island > Cruise > Culinary Travel > Global Style > Luxury > Romantic > Ski + Adventure > See All > Best Of Gold List > Readers' Choice Awards > Hot List Hotels > Hot List Tables > Hot List Nights > Ski Resorts > Top Spas > Gourmet Guide > See All > Tools Destination Finder > Hotel Finder > Forums > Travel Tips > Currency Converter > Maps > Photos > Weather > See All > Deals Booking > Travel Deals > See All > Destinations | Latin America | Latin America Condé Nast Traveler Read Condé Nast Traveler Subscribe to Condé Nast Traveler Articles > Lists > Travel Tips > Great Drives > Room With a View > Where Are You? Contest > Word Trips Contest > Subscribe > See All > forums argentina Buenos Aires Old-world elegance—magnificent... more Intro Map Fact Sheet Photos Why Go? 2 a.m. in Buenos Aires means the night's still young The best beef this side of Kobe Explore the Yungas Rainforest or Patagonia's peaks All argentina Guides Buenos Aires Buenos Aires Deals Parkland Intimacy in the Unspoiled Argentine Patagonia Victorian Influence in an Intimate Costa Rican Hideaway from CondéNast Traveler August 2005 Sixth Annual List: World's Most Amazing Travel Specialists The Perrin Rolodex of Champions: With their blend... May 2005 7 Best Places To Beat The Weak Dollar: Buenos Aires Why cut corners on the Continent when you can... From our Forums Share opinions, advice, and travel tales about Argentina Information may have changed since date of publication. Please confirm details with individual establishments before planning your trip. Subscribe Now And Save 78%! Subscribe Enter to win the Condé Nast Traveler Greek Paradise Sweepstakes Enter to win HOT TIPS Site Map | Contact Us | Contributors | Newsletters | Subscription Services | Press Center | Advertising Visit Our Sister Sites Concierge / Epicurious / Men.Style.com / Style.com / Allure / Architectural Digest / Cargo / Domino Glamour / House & Garden / Lucky / Self / Teen Vogue / The New Yorker / Vanity Fair / YM Subscribe to a magazine: View Special Offers View All Titles - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Allure Architectural Digest Bon Appétit Bride's Cargo Condé Nast Traveler Details Domino Elegant Bride Glamour Golf Digest Golf For Women Golf World Gourmet GQ House & Garden Jane Lucky Modern Bride Self Teen Vogue The New Yorker Vanity Fair Vogue W Wired Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy . Concierge.com © 2005 CondéNet Inc. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of CondéNet Inc. For more information, please contact us . CHOOSE A DESTINATION Amalfi Coast Amsterdam Angkor Anguilla Antigua Antwerp Aspen Athens Atlanta Avignon Bahamas Baja California Balearic Islands Bali Bangkok Barbados Barcelona Bath Beijing Belize Bequia Berlin Bermuda Big Island Bologna Bombay Bordeaux Boston British Virgin Islands Brooklyn Brussels Budapest Buenos Aires Cairo Canadian Rockies Cancún Cape Town Capri Central Coast Chamonix Charleston Chicago Cilento Coast Colonial Williamsburg Copenhagen Costa Rica Côte d'Azur Cozumel Cyclades Dallas + Fort Worth Delhi Devon + Cornwall Dresden Dublin Dubrovnik Ecuador Edinburgh Fernie Alpine Resort Fez Fiji Florence Fort Lauderdale Fort Myers + Naples French Polynesia Garden Route Glasgow Goa Granada Great Barrier Reef Grenada Gulf Islands Hamburg Hamptons Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City Hong Kong Ionian Islands Israel Istanbul Italian Lakes Jackson Jamaica Kauai Kenya Key West Lake District Lanai Laos Las Vegas Lisbon Ljubljana Loire Valley London Los Angeles Luxor Madeira Madrid Malaysia Marrakesh Marseille Martha's Vineyard Maui Megève Melbourne Memphis + Graceland Mexico City Miami Milan Montréal Moscow Munich Mustique N. CA Wine Country New York City New Zealand Norfolk Northern Vermont Oahu Orlando + Disney World Oslo Pacific Coast Palm Beach Palm Springs Panama Paris Park City Peloponnese Peru Philadelphia Phoenix + Scottsdale Porto Prague Provence Puerto Rico Puglia Québec Rhodes Rio de Janeiro Rome Salzburg San Diego San Francisco San Miguel de Allende Santa Barbara Santa Fe Seattle Seville Shanghai Sicily St. Barths St. Lucia St. Moritz St. Petersburg Stockholm Sydney Tallinn Telluride Tokyo Toledo Toronto Trinidad + Tobago Turks + Caicos Tuscany U.S. Virgin Islands Vail Valencia Vancouver Venice Vienna Vieques Warsaw Washington D.C. Weimar Yucatán Zanzibar Zurich

Ski Vacation Almanac Adventure

Ski Vacations - National Geographic Adventure Magazine Ski Preview 2006 Select Past Sports 20 Sports Trips Swap Slogging the Fakahatchee Preseason Ski Trips Yoga Vs. Pilates Rafting Baja Trekking New Zealand Performance Candy Rock Climbing the Gunks Paddling Big Sur U.S. Climbing Spots Biking Across Alaska Latin American Surf Spots Paddling the Altiplano Skiing Tahoe's Backcountry The Grail Trails Climbing the Black Hills Biking the Inside Passage /0512/resources/sports_resources.html Gear of the Year: Gift Ideas Here are all the gotta-get-it items for savvy outdoor fanatics this holiday season. Gear gift ideas Audio Exclusive: Listen to Ed Viesturs Download an interview with our Adventurer of the Year, Ed Viesturs. Then read about ten other incredible athletes. Hear Ed Viesturs World-Class Outfitters Adventure -approved excursions for right now. Find a base camp, eco trip, or guided tour Video Exclusive : Climbing Icebergs Watch Will Gadd climb a crumbling iceberg off the coast of Labrador. See the ice climbing video King Kong in Rwanda To get into character, actor Andy Serkis, a.k.a. King Kong, sought out some ideal coaches: the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. Read the King Kong interview This Month's Stories Big-Cat Biologist Alan Rabinowitz Photo Gallery: Mongolia Road Trip: Puerto Rico Winter Weekend Getaways Ski Vacation Almanac Adventure Videos Paddling Croatia Climbing Icebergs Jaguars in Belize Ski Vacation Almanac: How to Ski All Year Long Text by Porter Fox Photograph by Aaron Black/Outdoor Collection/Aurora BOARD GAMES: Cutting through perfect powder on British Columbia's Blackcomb Mountain "Ski season" may be one of the great misnomers in winter sports, followed closely by "winter sports." If you have a yen for locking into your bindings and owning the slopes whenever the mood strikes (and vacation days permit), there's no time like the present, no matter the time of year. So tear out these pages and tuck them in your boot bag. Because somewhere, right now, the slopes are calling, and our perennial ski guide is the only answer you need. DECEMBER-FEBRUARY JANUARY-FEBRUARY MARCH-MAY JUNE-SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER-DECEMBER DECEMBER-FEBRUARY 1. Sestriere, Italy There's nothing like 100,000 cheering, gesticulating Italians on skis, but that's what you'll see when the 2006 Winter Olympics hit the slopes where Alberto Tomba won his first World Cup race in 1987. Sestriere, one of the highest and snowiest resorts in the Italian Alps, topping out at 9,262 feet (2,823 meters), will host the alpine skiing events from February 12 through February 25. Visit before, after, or during, and ski 248 miles (399 kilometers) of trails across six interconnected resorts. Test your limits on the renowned Kandahar downhill run, where Jean-Claude Killy and Ingemar Stenmark raced, or get a natural high watching the Olympic ski-jumping competition ( www.torino2006.com ). The Bargain : The Milky Way Ski Pass ($35 a day) offers entrée to six resorts, 66 lifts, and 5,000 vertical feet (1,524 vertical meters). The Digs : Most hotels are already full or raising rates, so pre-rent an apartment through Interhome ($330 a week; www.interhome.us ). The Eats : Agnolotti (meat dumplings) at nearby Tre Rubinetti , which serves up genuine northern Italian fare that isn't watered down (or priced up) for tourists. Start Here : www.comune.sestriere.to.it/e_index.htm 2. Silverton Mountain Ski Area, Colorado The canvas-tent base lodge is your first indication that Silverton Mountain is unlike any resort you've ever skied. Surely the grittiest and only completely backcountry-style ski mountain in the United States, Silverton requires guides for every skier ($99 a day) on its 1,600 acres (648 hectares) of prime San Juan Mountain wilds. With 400 inches (1,016 centimeters) of annual snowfall and a cap of 80 skiers a day, first tracks, even during holidays, are virtually guaranteed. A lone double chair, opened by resort visionary Aaron Brill in 2002, provides access to runs like the largely treeless Riff and the chute-to-bowl Ropedee-Dope. The Package : The three-day New Year's Party and Big Mountain Ski Camp ($750) puts you on the hill with the top freeskiers in the world. The Digs : Inn of the Rockies at the Historic Alma House ($79; www.innoftherockies.com ) is a peaceful Victorian hideaway with a hearty breakfast spread. The Hang : You will find Angus steaks, a Laundromat, and showers at the Explorer's Club Pub and Grille ( www.explorersclubsw.com ). Start Here : www.silvertonmountain.com JANUARY-FEBRUARY 3. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming The annual last-tram shivaree will be frantic this season: Jackson is decommissioning its iconic Rocky Mountain conveyance. For nearly 40 years the tram has transported skiers up one of the greatest continuous rises (4,139 feet) (1,262 meters) of any ski resort in the U.S. The granite-lined Corbet's Couloir and Rendezvous Bowl, plus thousands of acres of backcountry, will still be accessible next season, just check back for alternative transport info. The Thunder and Sublette quads will continue to access famous Jackson stashes like Paintbrush and Tower Three. Visit in January or February for "The Big One's" deepest snowfall. The Final Tram Run : Corbet's to Paintbrush to Lower Sublette Ridge gets you the most turns for your vertical. The Digs : Stay with former Olympians and local Jackson Holers Hans and Nancy Johnstone in one of the Alpine House's 22 pastel and Scandinavian-pine rooms ($120; www.alpinehouse.com ). The Freebie : You could almost eat for a week off the copious samples at Albertson's supermarket at the intersection of Route 191 and Highway 22. Start Here : www.jacksonhole.com 4. Jay Peak Resort, Vermont Where can you get 2,153 vertical feet (656 meters) of skiing, Powder 8 competitions, 355 inches (901 centimeters) of annual snowfall, open backcountry gates, a tram, and hair-raising terrain? Three and a half hours northwest of Boston, the unlikely powder Canaan of Jay Peak, Vermont, is the greatest anomaly in lower 48 skiing. Midwinter storms converge from the Champlain Valley, Great Lakes region, and St. Lawrence Valley to bestow seasons like 2001, when Jay Peak received 581 inches (1,476 centimeters). Eight lifts, including a 60-person tram and one detachable quad, rarely have lines and access 76 trails over 385 acres (156 hectares) of northern Vermont steeps. The Backcountry: Take Northway gate over to Big Jay for the steepest powder lines around. (Bring a guide.) The Powder Stash : Andre's Paradise Glade holds fresh tracks for days after a dump. The Digs : Get free lift tickets and ski to your private balcony at the no-frills Hotel Jay ($99; www.jaypeakresort.com ). Start Here : www.jaypeakresort.com MARCH-MAY 5. Heavenly Mountain Ski Resort, California There are two distinct advantages to spring skiing in a casino town. One: You can pay for your trip with a face card and an ace. Two: The early a.m. slopes are empty while the high rollers sleep it off. Overshadowed by its neighbors, Kirkwood and Squaw Valley, Heavenly's 3,500 vertical feet (1,067 vertical meters) of corned-up glades, bowls, and granite-slotted backcountry make it one of the best and least crowded spring destinations in the Golden State. After a night of blackjack at Harrah's, hit the Mott and Killebrew Canyon backcountry gates at their 9 a.m. opening for some of the steepest skiing in the Sierras. And you can experience the area's legendary melt-freeze cycle when the expansive Milky Way bowl softens up—just about the time the card sharks are rolling out of bed. The Spring-Break Moment: Slush Pond Mania during the first week of May is like a Warren Miller blooper clip gone hideously awry. The Digs : Harrah's Lake Tahoe ($89; www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/tah ) lures potential gamers with fair deals and big, clean rooms. The Skier's Fuel-Up : The eggs benedict at the Driftwood Café (+1 530 544 6545) are an edifying start to your day. Start Here : www.skiheavenly.com 6. Alyeska Resort, Alaska You know you've reached the big time when your chief dilemma is choosing between a heli, a snowcat, or a high-speed quad to reap the spoils of an Alaska blizzard. Or, you've simply arrived at the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska, without a doubt the greatest spring skiing triple threat in the U.S. Plan A : Take the tram up 2,300 feet (701 meters) and shred the North Face, which receives up to 742 inches (1,885 centimeters) of snow a year. Plan B : Fly with Chugach Powder Guides ($775 a day; www.chugachpowderguides.com ) to access 750 square miles (1,207 square kilometers) of 50-degree couloirs, bowls, and Chugach fins. Plan C : Ride CPG's Bombardier snowcat ($225) during whiteout days for tree skiing in the upper Girdwood Valley. The Local Secret : The Sitzmark Bar and Grill at the base of Chair 3 is one of the few places where native Alaskans can be found at the resort. The Digs : Make your final run a quadruple-diamond with a night at the lavish, slopeside Alyeska Prince Hotel ($175; www.princehotels.co.jp/alyeska-e ). Start Here : www.alyeskaresort.com JUNE-SEPTEMBER 7. Portillo, Chile Don't expect nightlife, a base village, heated sidewalks, or ski caddies at South America's oldest ski resort, just 1,235 skiable acres (500 hectares) and 2,743 vertical feet (836 vertical meters) of treeless Andes smoke. The incarnation of skiers' summer dreams, runs like Roca Jack's wide-open apron are carved into the granite face of the mountain. Nearly limitless backcountry (powder-filled Primavera, for example) sits a boot pack away from the Roca Jack and Condor lifts and funnels back to the iconic Hotel Portillo ($1,100 a week). While the resort averages a mediocre 240 inches (610 centimeters) a year, big storms in August and September almost always dump powder. The Backcountry Must : 7,000-vertical-foot (2,134-vertical-meter) Super C couloir is the preeminent Portillo backcountry run. The Package : Sparse but convenient Inca Lodge ($450 a week; www.skiportillo.com ), where food and lift tickets are included. Start Here : www.skiportillo.com 8. Blackcomb, British Columbia The Ice Age is alive and well on Whistler Blackcomb's Horstman Glacier. The largest summer ski slope in North America stretches over 112 acres (45 hectares) and 685 vertical feet (209 vertical meters) of mogul lanes and groomers. From June 5 through July 30, skiers leapfrog Whistler's lower lifts then ride the Horstman and Showcase T-bars ($47 a day). The coaches, pros, and aficionados at Camp of Champions ($968 for five days; www.campofchampions.com ) preside over the new age of skiing and snowboarding in this halfpipe and terrain park. The Freebie : A 160-foot (49-meter) bungee jump is included with Camp of Champions entry. The Ski Break : The Mountain Bike Park boasts 124 miles (200 kilometers) of lift- serviced downhill trails, three skill centers, and a BikerCross course ($35 a day). The Digs : While the Hearthstone Lodge's studio rooms ($129; 800 663 7711) in the heart of Whistler Village are simply appointed, it's all about location. Start Here : www.whistlerblackcomb.com NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 9. Wolf Creek Ski Area, Colorado An odd phenomenon takes place each November at Wolf Creek Ski Area: It snows like mad. Powder-starved skiers from New Mexico to Texas converge on the 1,600-vertical-foot (488-vertical-meter) ma-and-pa hill—85 miles (137 kilometers) east of Durango and 10,300 feet (3,139 meters) above sea level—to partake in the largest annual snowfall in Colorado. When CEO Davey Pitcher opened the hill on October 29, 2004, there was a 30-inch (76-centimeter) base at the summit, and he charged $38 a day for a lift ticket, versus the standard $43. Early birds should point their boards to the right side of the trail map for 500 acres (202 hectares) of open bowls, gullies, and glades served by six lifts. The First Run of the Season : Alberta Face, off the Treasure Chair, is the steepest shot with consistently ample coverage. The Digs : The western-style rooms at High Country Lodge ($75; www.highcountrylodge.com ); they're close to the hill, and breakfast is included. The Local Brew : Lizard Head Red Ale at the Bear Creek Saloon and Grill (+1 970 264 5611). Start Here : www.wolfcreekski.com 10. Mammoth Mountain, California Despite its stature as the big-draw slope for tens of thousands of California skiers, Mammoth still holds first tracks for half the day after an early season storm. Thanks to 477 acres (193 hectares) of snowmaking and a benevolent Mother Nature, the fourth largest resort in the U.S. is a sure bet for November turns. Follow the high traverse off the Face Lift Express chair to access some of the best early season runs on the lower half of Drop Out and Wipe Out. As the chutes fill in with snow, branch out to wide-open Scotty's and supersteep Huevos Grande. The Digs : You can't do better than one night and two free lift tickets at the Mammoth Mountain Inn ($92; www.mammothmountain.com/plan/lodging/mmi ), one of the cheapest, plushest ski packages in the eastern Sierra. The Après Soak : Plastic cups overfloweth at the gently burbling Hot Creek hot springs (+1 760 924 5500), off Highway 203, south of town. Start Here : www.mammothmountain.com Pick up the December 2005/January 2006 issue for our annual coverage of the best of adventure, your guide to everything cool with 15 sports trends, 14 astonishing adventurers, and 45 gear picks that rock. Subscribe to Adventure today and save 70 percent off the cover price! Sorry, your browser does not support iframes. This form is available here: subscription form mapXchange Free maps to use with TOPO! CD-ROMs Select U.S. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Michigan Mid-Atlantic: DC, DE, MD, VA, WV Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Mexico North Carolina North Dakota Northeast: CT, MA, ME, NJ NH, NY, RI, VT Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Washington Wisconsin Wyoming Adventurer's Handbook How to beach a kayak Select an Outdoor Tip Avoid an Avalanche Beach a Kayak Bike Up Steep Trails Fight Altitude Sickness Hike Lighter How to Swing a Machete Keep Warm on Frigid Hikes Leave No Trace Make Tastier Grub Paddle With Power Put on Your Skis Run Off-Road See More Fish When Diving Stick to the Rock Ski Faster Swim Rapids Take Better Photos Telemark for Real Wipe Out on a Bike Survival Tips: Start a Fire Find Water Build Shelter Gather Food Signal for Help Pack a Survival Bag Outdoor GearStore Buy the right gear right now Select Outdoor Gear Departments Men's Women's Shoes Backpacks Camping Climbing Gear Hiking Boots Ski Equipment Snowboards Snowshoes Adidas Arc'teryx Billabong Dakine Keen Merrell Shoes Mountain Hardwear Nike The North Face NRS Oakley Sunglasses Osprey Outdoor Research Patagonia Quiksilver Salomon More Brands Departments Men's Women's Shoes Backpacks Camping Climbing Gear Hiking Boots Ski Equipment Snowboards Snowshoes Adidas Arc'teryx Billabong Dakine Keen Merrell Shoes Mountain Hardwear Nike The North Face NRS Oakley Sunglasses Osprey Outdoor Research Patagonia Quiksilver Salomon More Brands