| Planning ski vacations is a bit more complicated than | | | | are going to an exotic location such as New Zealand |
| simply strapping the skis to the top of the car. With | | | | or the European Alps. |
| the large and growing variety of great skiing resorts | | | | If you are traveling a long distance, it may be more |
| springing up worldwide, you have more choices than | | | | cost-effective to buy what you need when you |
| ever. Where you go and the time of year dictate | | | | arrive. This may save you a significant amount in |
| what you need on your ski vacation checklist to | | | | excess baggage costs. Some seasoned skiers simply |
| ensure you bring with you exactly what you need. | | | | pack the most essential personal items such as ski |
| Winter vacations can be in January in the Northern | | | | boots, goggles and clothing and buy or rent skis or a |
| Hemisphere or July below the equator. | | | | ski board when they arrive. |
| Spring skiing in the Rockies or the French Alps can | | | | Some of the most popular ski destinations with |
| involve packing a bikini for wearing on the slopes for | | | | traditionally great snow include the I-93 corridor in |
| expert female skiers. Skiing in the White Mountains of | | | | New Hampshire with a number of great mountain |
| New Hampshire in the dead of winter can mean | | | | resorts in close proximity to each other. Vermont, |
| sub-zero temperatures and windchill factors | | | | West Virginia and Pennsylvania have smaller |
| effectively in the range of -50 degrees is a frostbite | | | | mountains, but do not lack for amenities. The |
| threat. The sun can be blistering in the higher | | | | American Rocky Mountains have awesome skiing |
| mountains. | | | | destinations, some requiring a helicopter to get to. |
| First on your checklist should be vacation insurance. | | | | Essentials on the slopes include zinc oxide-based lip |
| It's a sad commentary on today's society, however, | | | | balm and SPF 50 sunblock. Good sunglasses with a |
| there is little more heartbreaking than finding your | | | | double gradient cat's eye mirrored coatings, such as |
| skis gone when all you wanted was a cup of hot | | | | the Vaurnet PX-4000 Skilynx are ideal for UV and |
| chocolate in the ski lodge. Winter vacation insurance | | | | glare protection from both the sun and the snow. |
| is cheap and widely available from a number of | | | | If you insist on skiing in a bikini, do consider not |
| insurance providers. If you have the American | | | | wearing a string-style. A good athletic Spandex top |
| Express Platinum card, your insurance headaches are | | | | and French boy shorts or cut-off 501's can save your |
| already taken care of, and one less thing to worry | | | | hips if you happen to crash and the guys like to see |
| about. Same with flight and travel insurance if you | | | | you in them just as much. |