Central America Travel

CANOE Travel - Central America -- December 28, 2005 Canada USA Mexico Central America Caribbean Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe South America Tips Trends Cybertrips Q&A Books -- Active Vacations Adventure Art Cruises Cultural Cybertrips -- Fall Getaways Families Golf Holidays Romantic Ski More -- Bed & Breakfast VIA Rail Canada All-Inclusive Vacations starting from C$747 Discount Travel Deals Tips on managing your debt -- Contest E-cards Newsletter Forum Feedback Weather Currency Calculator Passport Canada Info Canada Customs Info Travel Health Tips World Airports Guide Atevo Travel Guide Great Canadian Lakes Great Canadian Parks Great Canadian Places Great Canadian Rivers Natural Tourist Park Wardens Ski Canada -- Central America Feature Destination: ANTIGUA, Guatemala Guatemala's re-emergence In a word, Antigua is old. It has been perched in the forested Panchoy Valley for more than 450 years, was one of the Americas' largest cities around the time of the Spanish Armada, and was nearly wiped off the map by an earthquake three years before the U.S. Declaration of Independence was signed. Even its name means old. But it's new to the thousands of tourists arriving from every corner of the globe every day. FULL STORY Discovering Panama Panama City boasts more than just its famed waterway. Visitors can chose between a swim in the Pacific or the Caribbean, hear tales of pirates looting the city's original site, find bargain shopping, sample tropical fruits and try their luck at the horse races in Panama City. FULL STORY CentralAmerica -- Groove to Garifuna's beat "Are you here for the drumming?" The little voice came out of the summer night, and once my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could see its owner clearly. A little boy was standing next to me, his smile as wide as a hammock strung out between two palm trees. "Yes," I replied. "Are you a drummer?" "No, I'm a dancer!" FULL STORY CentralAmerica -- Water makes Panama go round Water is Panama's liquid gold. Not the salty stuff in the oceans on either side but the clean, fresh water that falls from the sky. FULL STORY CentralAmerica -- PHOTO GALLERY: Caribbean & Central America Click here to enlarge photo and view full Travel Gallery. Friendly smiles outshine scenic beauty Though it's widely accepted that those who live on Canada's East Coast are some of the friendliest on earth, it took a firsthand experience to get this cynical Southern Ontarian to truly understand. FULL STORY More In My Travels Share Your Travel Stories Attention Canoe Travel readers! We want to hear about your vacation. What made it good? What would you recommend others to avoid? Give us a short story (500 to 1,000 words) about your travels, and we might publish it here. Add your photos too! Submit stories now -- ADVERTORIAL -- The 'best little zoo in the world' A solo adventurer's paradise See it to Belize it Costa Rica au naturel Scuba & relaxation More Central America Headlines -- The Prairies: Sculpted by glaciers Like the adjoining Boreal Plains to the north, glaciers have largely flattened the land here, leaving behind a thick layer of dark, humus-rich topsoil that has made the Prairies very fertile, and created Canada's most extensive agricultural region. But it is mainly because of farming that the once ubiquitous grasslands, the northern limit of the Great Plains of North America, are now mostly gone. FULL STORY More in Park Wardens Dec 16: Canadian travellers remain adventurous despite turbulent year, say agencies Dec 16: Italian airline Alitalia signs financing deal with General Electric firm Dec 16: Cruise operator Carnival reports Q4 earnings jumped 20 per cent Dec 15: Fire destroys main building of historic Lake Placid Lodge, no injuries Dec 15: New national scenic byway in Oklahoma and Arkansas offers great views Dec 15: CDC reports West Nile cases up, especially along the Gulf Coast Dec 14: Europe for two, under $1,200 US: A game you can win Dec 14: Rebuilding effort going slowly in Cancun after devastating hurricane Wilma Dec 14: MoMA exhibition celebrates 20 years of animation from Pixar More Travel News Headlines New Year's Eve Deals Still Available Toronto to Santiago de Cuba $597 + tx $199 Toronto to Camaguey $597 + tx $199 Toronto to Puerto Plata $497 + tx $274 Vancouver to Varadero $835 Calgary to Mazatlan $579 -- Click here to sell your vehicle hotelier.ca Get great deals on hotels with hotelier.ca

South America Travel

Backpackers.com :: South America travel forums Home > South America > Forums 28 December, 2005 Browse By Destination All Regions South America » Argentina » Bolivia » Brazil » Chile » Colombia » Ecuador » Falkland Islands (Malvinas) » French Guiana » Guyana » Paraguay » Peru » S.Georgia & S.Sandwich Islands » Suriname » Uruguay » Venezuela Popular Destinations Current Temp: -- Amsterdam °C °F -- Barcelona °C °F -- Dublin °C °F -- London °C °F -- Paris °C °F -- Rome °C °F -- Sydney °C °F -- Venice °C °F -- Find: Whole Site Classifieds Directory Events Forum Hostels Newsletter Forums Select a Category all General Forum Travel Warnings Travel Buddies Select a Destination All Regions --------------------------- South America --------------------------- Argentina Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia Ecuador Falkland Islands (Malvinas) French Guiana Guyana Paraguay Peru S.Georgia & S.Sandwich Islands Suriname Uruguay Venezuela Backpacker Travel Forums Recent Topics -- » Start a New Topic » Narrow down the list by using the "Browse By Destination" box -- [Bahia] any tips of brasil? Jose Luis Porturas [South America] Great Vegas Site with Real Great Deals Janice Edwards [Brazil] help! kelly [South America] Volunteering Steve McElhinney [South America] Panama - Voyager Hostel Nick from Belgium [Buenos Aires] Apartment share in BA Lynne [Venezuela] MISSING astrid dv (Replies: 1) [Buenos Aires] What season to travel in? Jordan Chanler-Berat (Replies: 1) [Venezuela] Information Randy Castilla [Buenos Aires] travel buddies guillermo [Sao Paulo] visa tilia [Panama City] Verry verry Bad Nicolas Lippens [South America] Bewar of ALAN ROOSTER Holger Fuss [Chile] Best Route from Lima to the tip of SA drew (Replies: 1) [Rio de Janeiro] Travel buddy Javier Alejandro Garca [San Carlos de Bariloche] anyone here or headed this way? Anna (Replies: 1) [Quito] Ecotourism Martijn [Peru] What to do? Where to go? Advice please! Josh (Replies: 2) [Brazil] iguazu fall informations fred [Brazil] iguazu fall informations fred [Argentina] Spanish Anonymous [Brazil] recommendations? Anonymous [Brazil] Travel buddy agus [Caracas] TURSIM JOSE CLANDIO COSTODIO [Venezuela] sailing in carib and south america bonja [Iquitos] need some help Yliana Vela [Bolivia] Advice on South America Luke Wright (Replies: 1) [Lima] Travel Companion Barron Reyes [Buenos Aires] Travel companions? Andrew (Replies: 1) [Chile] Travelbuddies for Chile, patagonia and Peru wanted..! Tanja [Rio de Janeiro] Music / Rio 14th Jan to 14th Feb 2006 Stefan (Replies: 3) [Lima] Stay with Peruvian Family OMAR [Sao Paulo] Travel buddy Hanna (Replies: 1) [Salvador] Travel Buddy HANNA [Rio de Janeiro] shared apartment damon farry (Replies: 1) [Mendoza] cervesa por favor alexander kennedy [Brazil] looking to travel inland for quiet, waterfalls, nature Trin [South America] See you in South America. Inti (Replies: 2) [Puerto Iguazu] looking for partners Larish hanna (Replies: 1) [South America] TRAVEL BUDDYYYY adrienne coombs (Replies: 2) [Venezuela] travel buddy and info nick [Peru] Dating Markus Strobel [South America] Mexico to South America - travel buddies and advice needed! Kate Lister (Replies: 3) [Brazil] travel buddies needed- late July 06 Jenny Chang [Ecuador] surfing and paragliding info, PLEASE HELP tommy [Peru] surfing and paragliding spots PLEASE HELP tommy (Replies: 1) [El Calafate] thanksgiving Ronit Schwartz [Rio de Janeiro] arriving on December 21st until Jan 4th looking for a travel buddy Ray (Replies: 1) [Peru] Nasca mummies Rebecca (Replies: 1) [Cusco] travel to Cusco-Peru Doris Gomales (Replies: 1) 1 2 3 4 Next » Start a New Topic Please be considerate to others when posting messages in the Forums. The Forums are a place for travellers to exchange travel advice and personal views, not for abuse and spamming! General Rules   Search Whole Site Classifieds Directory Events Forum Hostels -- home | directory | forums | classifieds | events | hostels tell a friend | f.a.q | contact us | your privacy | terms of use | link to us | advertise with us ©1996-2005 Backpackers.com. All rights reserved. Served fresh on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 14:36:57

Travel Insurance Take a

Travel Insurance - Health Insurance - Total Travel Insurance Companies Plans Products Coverages About Us Best in the Industry Welcome to Total Travel Insurance Take a test drive of the best travel insurance system. Select an area of insurance that interests you, click on a link below and browse. Review information about all major companies that sell travel insurance. Compare plans, products and coverages. Complete a quote, to see prices and plans that match your insurance needs. Companies Plans Products Coverages Compare You can review We offer Each Plan is divided into Every Major 100+ 17 30 travel insurance company plans different products coverages You can review and compare information about companies such as Travelex, TravelGuard, M H Ross and CSA. We offer a wide variety of products ranging from total trip protection that are ideal for expensive vacations, international travels and cruises, to cheap/economy - ideal for students and senior citizens. Some products include all coverages, some only trip cancellation, trip interruption, flight accident, evacuation, or medical. We are reviewed in NY Times Travel Section. You can see a re-print of this article and others in our News section. We now offer plans from HTH Worldwide . HTH operates its own 'best of class' physician community in 170 countries. Easy To Use Our on-line system is very easy to use. In 3 simple steps , you can get a quote, compare 100+ travel insurance plans , and purchase a policy on-line from one of our providers. Complete the 6-question quote to see what you are eligible for. Input your trip dates, trip cost, your residence, and age of all travelers. Then, click button and receive a list of all plans that you are eligible with prices Compare quotes, review plan's coverages side-by-side, and either change quote details or proceed to complete your purchase Select insurance that best suits your needs, complete trip details and instantly purchase policy Why Buy Travel Insurance From Us? Travel insurance is available from many sources, including your tour / cruise operators and individual insurance companies. Most tour / cruise operators and insurance companies sell plans from a single company only. They do not allow consumers to compare prices and coverages. Would you want to buy cruise insurance from a cruise company? At Total Travel Insurance you are able to compare prices of all major companies and select a plan that best suits your needs. Even our former competitors have chosen our system to offer their customers better value. We offer plans from including American International Group (AIG), Lloyd's of London, Stonebridge Casualty and Old Republic. Our system is unique in the industry. It dynamically changes the order of plans based on comparison of your trip insurance needs with the needs of thousands of other travelers. We sort plans based on three factors: What other travelers in an age and travel category similar to yours have purchased Our experience with plan administrators in paying claims Best level of protection afforded to you for the price (cheap is not necessarily the best) Our plans are prioritized based on how best they suit your needs, and not alphabetically or in plan cost order, as do other systems. Why do I Need Protection? You can start your trip without any insurance and thus insure yourself. But did you know that if you become ill abroad, costs to treat you would be very high. How would you find a doctor? Where would you find appropriate healthcare facility? Where would you seek advice? Did you know that HMO's, PPO's and Medicare typically do not cover you abroad? With one of our plans, you would be covered. Wouldn't trip insurance or cruise insurance make you feel better? Review certificate closely before you buy, receive instant quote, then policy (cover) and have a worry-free vacation. Frequently Asked Questions Researching trip cancellation insurance can be a daunting experience. That is why we created this section to list some of the frequently asked questions. What if there is an act of Terrorism at your departure or destination? If you have a specific question, please contact us at: What if your tour operator, cruise company or airline declares bankruptcy ? Will you be covered? info@totaltravelinsurance.com What if a Hurricane or other inclement weather affects my travel? What is Travel Insurance? If you have a group of 10 or more travelers, you can get a custom quote at: Latest News group@totaltravelinsurance.com Trip Deposit Date Departure Date Return Date Trip Cost $ Cost Per Traveler Total Trip Cost I live in Resident of Australia European Union (EU) Japan United Kingdom Other International Alabama Alaska Alberta Arizona Arkansas British Columbia California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Dist. of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Manitoba Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Brunswick New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York Newfoundland North Carolina North Dakota Nova Scotia Nunavut NW Territories Ohio Oklahoma Ontario Oregon Pennsylvania Prince Edward Isl Puerto Rico Quebec Rhode Island Saskatchewan South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Yukon Territory Age of Travelers (today) Get a quote from all of these companies: Travelex TravelGuard Travel Insured CSA M H Ross MNU Specialty Risk Intl Medical Group Global Underwriters iTravel Insured SOS International Medjet Assist HTH Privacy Policy Support Contact Us Links Site Map 1999 - 2005 Total Travel Insurance all rights reserved (261118)

Germany Travel

Travel German - vocabulary for travellers visiting Germany tips & resources to learn German Visit our Contacts between German Learners " Travel German " - vocabulary for travellers visiting Germany diese Seite auf Deutsch Have you already had the embarrassment of travelling a country without knowing a word of the national language? Think about the completely new dimension of experiences that are available to a traveller when he can talk with the locals in their own language! Although most Germans can at make themselves clear with 'a few scraps' of a foreign language, usually English, French or Spanish, you will still benefit from being able to communicate in German. Here are a couple of tips for quick orientation: | basic travel words and phrases | facts about Germany | practical travel information | German travel phrases and Words At the service of travlang.com and its page Foreign Languages for Travellers a quick click on your mother tongue and then a click on the flag of the target language will take you to a choice of foreign word lists (structure words, numbers, shop, journeys, directions, places and times). Very easy, basic and open. You will also find similar lists with standard words and sentences on the following pages: Essential holiday phrases from the BBC (also to listen!) German Travel Dictionary from www.canuckabroad.com www.parlo.com/de/german_basics_en.asp (also to listen!) If you want to get in into the foreign language more deeply, then we recommend buying a special travel dictionary/phrase book. Word lists and simple sentences are normally categorized according to typical tourist situations. If you already know how to speak some sentences in the foreign language, a 'classical' dictionary is recommended because you can finds a specific word to translate faster there. Here are a few further tips on online and offline ictionaries and - much more comfortable - information on the electronic Franklin BOOKMAN translator. Emergency guide: most important words Emergency help in a foreign country. Nervous that you may not be able to express yourself adequately? With these one page documents you will have the most important words and sentences at hand in case of an emergency (Acrobat pdf format) >>> German-English (369kb) >>> German-French (397kb) >>> German-Italian (373kb) >>> German-Spanish (408kb) >>> German-Turkey (355kb) Facts about Germany Besides the classical travel literature a few online services are offering quick overviews about Germany. The information is thus often more up to date. Here are the most important sources in various languages: The independent and non-commercial site www.deutschland.de is organized by the German government and offers a collection of essential references to German information in 5 languages. www.germany-tourism.de : The German National Tourist Board (Deutsche Zentrale für Tourismus e.V. / DZT) with its portal for tourism in Germany On the website of the Federal Foreign Office there is not only information about entry into Germany, consular services and customs, but also an event diary and Facts about Germany with information on The country and the people, History, The State, the Legal System and the Citizens, Foreign policy, The Economy, Education, Science, & Research and Society and Culture available in 5 languages. · Here are some of the best of the other references written in English: www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/germany/ www.german-way.com/ www.europe-today.com/germany/index.html web.tampabay.rr.com/maseman/travel.html www.raileurope.com/us/rail/passes/germany_index.htm www.informationeurope.com/germanypage.html www.travelnotes.org/Europe/germany.htm www.travelsthroughgermany.com/ Germany - Consular Information Sheet of the U.S. State Department Especially for all, who love travel by train: www.bahn.de/pv/view/int_guest/subhome/international_guests.shtml Practical travel information Here we have listed some overviews - mostly with German comments only: events, sights city maps , route planing phone services , emergency numbers German airlines, car rental hotels Tips for business professionals visiting Germany (book recommendation) A lot of new interesting information appears on the Internet every day. Searches with (e.g.) yahoo.com can help you find these. Suggested search words include: "travel languages"- - - "German for travellers" - - - "Reisewörterbuch" - - - "Reise Sprache" - - - "Fremdsprache Reisen" - - - "foreign language" - - - "travel dictionary"... German as a foreign language (DaF) Textbooks DaF Learning software Dictionaries Travel German Online German courses German spelling reform German tests Grammar German culture Literature Encyclopaedia Cinema Fairy tales Jokes Music TV & Radio E-mail Newsletter Journalism Public festivals Christmas Learning tips for your course abroad Prepare During After Useful pages Apply for a job City maps Relocation in Germany Job hunt in Germany Educational resources Back to the main page for GermanLearners >>> For intensive German training: Take part in our German language program in Bamberg / Germany © 2000-2005 Language school TREFF PUNKT , Bamberg / Germany E-mail: info@learn-german-online.net - Link Exchange & Advertisement - Masthead Last update: November 23, 2005 - Ideas for Learning German

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. 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