Skyline Drive is a scenic 105 mile long roadway curving across the majestic Blue Ridge mountaintops through the Shenandoah National Forest in Virginia. Enjoy a slow and relaxing drive through the park, experiencing gorgeous views from the many picturesque overlooks along the way. There are plenty of opportunities to see wild animals and to enjoy the fragrant and beautiful flora that decorates the mountainsides. Skyline Drive offers bed and breakfast inns and other nearby lodging, as well as numerous camping opportunities, including backcountry camping in the Shenandoah National Forest and family campgrounds along Skyline Drive. Whether you're filling up the Coleman chest cooler for an afternoon...

~ "Sot Suppe" ~ (Norwegian Sweet Soup) My mother was the daughter of Norwegian immigrants who homesteaded our small Wisconsin dairy farm in the late 1800s. When my mother was a child, sweet soup was a traditional part of Christmas Eve, served cold with julekake, lefse, Christmas bread, or open-faced sandwiches. Sweet Soup is made with dried fruit and tapioca. Sot Suppe - 6 cups water - 1/3 cup sugar - 1 tablespoon quick-cooking tapioca - 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (depending upon how well you like the taste of cinnamon; you can also use a cinnamon stick) - 2 cups dried fruit (use any kind you like: apples, apricots, peaches or a mixture of dried fruit) - 1 cup raisins (dark or golden) - 1 cup...

If you are longing to leave the confines of the city for a relaxing mountain getaway, there is no better destination than Asheville, NC. Thanksgiving in the mountains of Western North Carolina offers unparalleled fall beauty with the autumn colors just peaking, warm days and cool nights. Asheville is the perfect city for a North Carolina holiday vacation. Whether coming from the city of Atlanta, Raleigh, Charlotte or Durham, Asheville is less than a four-hour drive away, but still provides visitors with the feeling of being in a different world. Asheville offers many different styles of lodging - from boutique hotels and luxury resort condominiums to luxurious hotel suites with concierge services...

For winter sports enthusiasts, there is nothing better than rushing down a mountain on freshly snow-covered slopes. To help you find the right ski resort that will fulfill your craving for an outdoor adventure, here is a list of popular ski slopes in the United States: Breckinridge, Colorado One of the better known Ski resorts in Colorado, Breckinridge totals 2,358 acres and has 155 trails. Its longest trail, Four O’clock, reaches a length of 3.5 miles and the resort spans over more than 10 peaks. Of the 155 trails this resort hosts, 36-percent are expert slopes, the largest percentage of slope difficulty, and 13-percent of the slopes have the easiest designation. Aspen, Colorado Located in...

American's only year-around ski area, the Timberline Lodge is located on Mount Hood in the state of Oregon. It is a full-service resort, famous for its ski slopes that stay open during the winter, spring, and summer due to its far northern locality, with summer for world-renowned summer skating. Mt. Hood is an active volcano which is considered to be dormant, occasional tremors being felt with visible steam vents, with Timberline Lodge being located at its 6,000-foot level. The winter season appeals to the beginner and intermediate skiers, with a few places reserved for skiing experts. The Timberline has 35 trails on 1,400 acres, with a top elevation of 8,504 feet and a vertical drop of 2,501, plus...

Cheap holidays to Japan at Christmas have become quite popular. Although Japan never recognized Christmas as a national holiday, it is catching on more as many people travel to the area to see the beautiful Christmas trees and the stores that go all out with Christmas lights and decorations. In Japan ladies, the traditional Christmas gift for buying is diamonds and other superb pieces of jewelry. In Japan, Christmas has become an event that was never celebrated as we do, but with the overwhelming attendance of Americans for Christmas holidays, the area has taken hold of the holiday excitement and now you will see many celebrations of Christmas, not only at the stores, but all around the area...

With its ideal location near the crest of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California's stunning High Sierra region, Mammoth Lakes is the perfect place for an all-season retreat filled to the brim with a variety of recreational pursuits. Whether you want to ski the slopes at the beautiful Mammoth Mountain or trek past the natural wonders of the Inyo National Forest, Mammoth Lakes has everything you need for a memorable vacation getaway. Visitors who want to take advantage of the soft powder that blankets the region every winter can head to the always exciting Mammoth Mountain for a cruise down the 150 trails that extend across 3,500 skiable acres. While truly accommodating Advanced/Expert skiers with...

Whether you are planning a skiing and snowboarding vacation for a fun family event or you are a skilled athlete, the Copper Mountain area of Colorado is the perfect place to go. This area is the known for its variety of properly equipped ski resorts, not to mention the magnificent snowy slopes. Colorado is one of the most popular destinations in the United States for mountainous terrain. The Copper Mountain area of Colorado offers some of the most amazing natural landscapes in the world. Here you will find nearby ski resorts which include the best location, accessibility, and amenities. Regardless of which vacation lodging you choose you can experience the vast slopes which range in length and...

Deer Valley Resort was given the rating of best skiing resort in North America by SKI magazine in 2001 and 2005 and number two in 2006. This rating is given for the beautiful setting, luxury, awesome Utah powder, and variety of terrain that Deer Valley has to offer. This ski resort was home to the slalom, mogul, and aerial events of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Anyone who skis and Deer Vally is never dissappointed by the 3,000 vertical feet and 1,750 acres of terrain that you can ski on. Deer Valley is an awesome ski resort for any skier of any ability. Around 15% of Deer Valley�s slopes are rated beginner. This resort is known for its smooth, groomed runs that are fantastic for beginners or...

Skiing is a popular sport and pastime in the winter season. During the winter holidays, it is common for families to go out on skiing trips. Even in the summer months, when it gets too warm, people head northwards to relax in the cool environs of the snow clad peaks. Here too, it is common for people to indulge in the popular sport of skiing. But carrying skiing equipment can be quite a task, especially if you are driving down in your own car. Ski roof racks come to your aid in such a scenario, and help you in carrying your skiing and other winter equipment safely. Before buying ski roof racks you have to consider a few important things in mind. The first and foremost thing to be checked is that...

Family ski vacations are available in a lot of places during the Christmas season. You can have a lot of fun during this family winter vacations especially if you like winter sports. Check out ski vacation packages during Christmas with various ski resorts. You can have great time enjoying the winter sports like skiing, sledging, tubing and snowboarding. If you have not experienced fun with these sports earlier, it is a great time to learn them for you as well as your kids. Kids would learn it faster at their tender age. Family winter vacations are not limited to just skiing and other sports but they are more than that. You can have good time with your children for example having fun in the snow...

With the months of winter just around the corner, those who love the snow and the winter sports that come with it can expect good things. You can be sure that the best ski resorts in the West are gearing up to greet their guests and prepare their facilities to enchant and entertain them. When people think of California, they frequently the sand and surf of the coastline, the vineyards of the Napa Valley, the glitz and glamour of Hollywood or the thrill of the prominent amusement parks. Still, there are some fine California ski resorts and numerous places to pursue your beloved winter sports and activities. Located on the Eastern slopes of Central California's Nevada Mountain range, the Mammoth...

Are you on the market for a rash guard? If you're shopping for rash guards there are some very important factors you need to consider before you make a purchase. Maybe you need a rashguard for surfing, sports, martial arts, grappling, or just spf sun protection. Whatever your reasons for buying this type of garment, you need to make sure you're shopping decisions are smart ones because this purchase is sensitive to your health. There are very important things to evaluate before spending any money on a rashguard, such as the fabrics used, the comfort and protection guarantees, pricing considerations, the origin of the manufacturer and several other important variables. Read on and this short buying...

As winter gets into full gear, people from all around the south are tuning up their skis and pulling out their snowboards in anticipation of a weekend ritual of winter fun - going to ski North Carolina. This year promises to be a good one, as Sugar Mountain opened from the top with five trails on November 22nd. And a Happy Thanksgiving weekend it was! Some of the highest peaks in the Blue ridge Mountains are located in the northwest corner of North Carolina, standing guard over the quaint little resort town of Banner Elk in Avery county. Just east of the continental divide is Grandfather Mountain, the highest peak in the Blue Ridge, and to the north west of Banner Elk looms Beech Mountain, which...

If you find exciting the new idea you and your friends shared late one afternoon of getting together over the following weekend to try parachuting, the hobby of jumping off a moving training airplane while wearing a parachute, you better read the following tips, as your and your friends' safety literally depend on pulling the right type of cord at the right time. Begin by researching the facilities at your area that offer these kind of extreme sports adventures and then speak -in person- with the trainer who has to be an experienced and professional skydiver. You should be able to tour the facilities, ask for other people's reviews, request their authorization and certification documents, and...

This fall foliage scenic drive in Central Vermont is a loop tour of about 150 miles. Although it?s possible to do the drive in one day and bypass many of the attractions and rambles suggested, I?d recommend you carve out a weekend to do it justice. The drive offers some of the best views in the Green Mountain National Forest, which in the fall is dramatic and stunning. The scenic drive follows mostly Route 12 south from Montpelier to Woodstock, before heading north on Route 100 and 100B back to Montpelier. You?ll discover plenty of surprises on the way, but it?s no surprise you?ll experience some magnificent fall foliage views all along the way. Okay, start the ignition and let?s get going... Our...

Aspen Flying and Transportation Information Aspen, Colorado is a town located on the western border of the Colorado Rockies. The famed town of Aspen, Colorado is home to four ski resorts and two mountain communities. Aspen and Snowmass Village provide the majority of lodging and accommodations for Buttermilk, Highlands, Snowmass Mountain and Aspen Mountain. Getting to Aspen and Snowmass is easy, but there some tips for flying into Aspen, Colorado & Snowmass. Read more about airfare, flights and car rentals to Aspen. Flying In To the Aspen / Pitkin Airport Many visitors choose to book their flights flights to the Aspen / Pitkin Aiport for direct access to the town and ski resorts. This is the closest...

Located in a picturesque valley in western Wyoming and surrounded by spectacular mountain ranges, Jackson Hole has been called "the last and best of the Old West." The town of Jackson (at the end of Jackson Hole) features a charming square complete with western boardwalks and elkhorn arches, plus a number of designer shops, cafés, restaurants, and art galleries. This frontier-town-turned-ski-resort has over two thousand hotel rooms to accommodate the droves of tourists that filter in throughout the year. With Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park nearby (which attract nearly 6 million people each year), visitors can enjoy terrific fishing, hiking, camping, rafting, climbing and...

If you are looking for a great way to please your family, a ski vacation is the right choice. Ski vacations are relaxing for the family and you can enjoy the various winter sport activities like skiing, snowboarding, sledding and tubing. Winter holidays are extremely popular in the state of Maine. Sugarloaf, located on Sugarloaf Mountain is a ski resort that appeals to every member of the family. The Sugarloaf resort has a grand history of winter sports. In 1951, the Bigelow Boys created the first ski trail on Sugarloaf Mountain. Today, the trail is a premier ski area, second in elevation to Mount Katahdin, the highest mountain in Maine. This Ski area is a favorite among all the United States winter...

Cross-country skiing is a fun way to take in the beautiful back-country trails in winter with your family. What It Is and Where You Can Do It I relish winter snow blanketing the landscape. Luckily, I've found a sport that allows me to get exercise and travel on skis without skiing downhill at a resort with lift lines. There exist downhill ski resorts that have a separate area of trails for Nordic skiers. The term "Nordic" covers not only cross-country, but telemark and ski jumping. These are trails that are usually groomed creating a flat, grooved surface. The pattern will usually appear like giant corduroy fabric. The advantage of a groomed trail is that you will glide completely on top of the...

High in the Utah mountains there is the land of boundless snow covers found. This is the Park City region - a true heaven for real mountain-ski gourmets. Nowadays this ski resort is a huge megapolis where three ski lodges become one - those are The Canyons, Park City and Deer Valley the name of which probably reminds us of the times when wild animals were grazing freely here. Park City's way from a miner's district to ultra-fashionable ski resort can be compared to modern ski tracks that decorate the slopes with their intricate ornaments. The history of the Park City ski resort started in February 1936 when local officials decided to organize the first ski festival on the Deer Valley northern...

Essential information & advice for people looking to book their first skiing holiday. If you have not been skiing before, then you need to read our tips to make sure you book a skiing holiday that matches your requirements. If you are looking to book your first skiing holiday, then it can be a daunting process for most people. You might have lots of questions you need answers to e.g What resorts are right for beginners?, what sort of activities do certain resorts have to offer?. By far the easiest and quickest way to get this information is via the internet. Most of the main ski resorts will have a web site that details what they have to offer. However, it is a good thing to know a little about what...

As a way of relaxing, more and more people are adding a hot tub to their home. Not only are hot tubs relaxing but they also offer tremendous benefit for people of all ages. Today, the number of sales for hot tubs has skyrocketed. Made from redwood, cedar, and teak, hot tubs are attractive and designed to accommodate two to twelve people. In addition, you can choose from a stand-alone unit or one that can be moved from home to home. The following are five of the top reasons why you might consider a hot tub! Relaxation The number one reason people choose to install a hot tub is for the benefit of relaxation. In today's society, people rush around more and faster than any other time in history. There...

What are pocket bikes? Pocket bikes or mini motos are small, speedy, gas powered motorcycles about 47 inches long and 18 inches tall. The smaller models reach a speed up to 35 mph while the superior models can achieve up to 50 mph. Earlier, pocket bikes were specially made and were costly but with these becoming popular, they are now more affordable. With the 47cc pocket bikes available now, you can choose among several varieties to suit your specific needs. You can ride pocket bikes on tracks for competition or simply for fun. The sanctioning body, NAPRA was established to promote pocket bike racing and you can race on the pocket bikes with friends or in competitions. Go-kart tracks provide...

There are many places in this world which are quite famous as holiday destinations. However there are some places which are not so famous still they are regarded as one of the god's finest creations. Breckenridge is one such place sleeping quietly on the lap of Colorado Mountains and entertaining the tourists throughout the year. Breckenridge is a tourist destination and is a complete package for entertainment. Apart from other attractions the special attraction and the reason of Breckenridge being a tourist destination is skiing. The area on the Colorado Mountains which is near to Breckenridge facilitates snow skiing. This attracts the tourists from all over the world. However there are a lot other...

The spectacular Lake Tahoe skiing area is split roughly into two-third in California and one- third in Nevada. Many ski magazines have billed Lake Tahoe ski resort as one of the most beautiful resorts in the world and these praises have also been underscored by skiers on holiday vacation in Lake Tahoe ski resorts. "Gold has been found along the base of Carson-Sierra Range. It has a magnificent lake. It will become a world renowned place" the Placerville Herald proclaimed in 1853. The newspaper was right about every thing else except about the gold. Lake Tahoe ski resort certainly has a magnificent lake and definitely is world renowned for its pristine beauty and excellent skiing terrains. When Les...

The site is opening more windows for water sports enthusiasts, yachtsmen, recreational boaters and fishermen than ever before. You will find professionals from the cruise ship industry, commercial shipping, oil & gas exploration and research organizations. If none of this floats your boat then who wants to plan a tropical vacation to the south pacific or the Greek isles. Avid travelers are also coming to splashvision and the travel industry is answering with promotional videos of hotels, resorts and spas. has it all! A splashing venture backed by Chief Executive, real estate investor and acclaimed mega yacht captain, Todd Weider, features thousands of eye pleasing and unique videos and photos. "You...

The state of Washington offers an extremely diverse landscape. From the temperate rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula and the moderate Pacific coast in the west to the high peaks of the Cascade Range and the dry deserts of the west, it is no wonder the beauty of Washington state parks attracts visitors from all around. There are 120 Washington state parks and recreation areas with a wide variety of amenities, attractions, and activities. Windsurfing, rock climbing, skiing, and snowmobiling, Washington state parks offer plenty of activities to suit every outdoor lover. There are also plenty of historical sites, cultural exhibits, and interpretive centers for educational opportunities. More than...

Introduction We all know someone like my friend Carol. She has done fairly well for herself and holds down a reasonable job. She works as a primary school teacher here in the U.K. but quite frankly her salary is nothing to write home about. Yet, (and this is the amazing thing), Carol always seems to be able to take the most remarkable holidays outside of term time. Amongst our group of friends she is known as the "supremo of cheap last minute foreign holidays" as she always seems to be away on some Caribbean cruise or safari in Africa. One of her cheap vacations last year wasn't quite so glamorous - she visited Argentina and stayed in some metal shack type accommodation, but when you are literally...

If you're interested in finding an action packed adventure holiday, there are few more enjoyable options than skiing. Skiing is one of the most popular winter sports in the world, and provides excellent enjoyment for people of all ages; so whether you're planning to vacation with your family, go on a fun holiday with your friends or escape on a romantic holiday for two, skiing holidays are sure to provide fun and games. Moreover, the United States is full of fantastic skiing locations - Salt Lake City, Utah, for example. The Wasatch Mountains in Salt Lake City provide the area's most popular skiing spots, and eight ski resorts lie within 50 miles of the city. These are: Alta, Brighton, Solitude and...

When a person thinks of Montana, they think of wide open spaces, cowboys, and cattle. But we may want to rethink this theory when the Big Sky Resort comes to mind. Big Sky Resort consists of Moonlight Basin and Lone Peak, located in southwest Montana, with an annual snowfall of over 400 inches. Located between Bozeman and Yellowstone National Park, it has over 3,600 acres of the most extraordinary terrain even seen, for an unsurpassed skiing experience possible. Many enjoyable recreations are available at Big Sky Ski Resort, other than cowboys and cattle. Many recreational opportunities can be found in Montana's abundant wildlife and western hospitality, along with other Boyne U.S.A. Resorts to...

Before you go ahead and book your bargain ski holidays there are a number of points to take into consideration about keeping you skiing equipment safe that you might find very useful! If you want to ski every weekend or every other weekend it's to your advantage to get the most out of your skiing dollar. You know the slopes, now it's time to learn the ropes. Here are three tips to help you save money so you can ski more often this winter. Shop at the Right Time and Place You might think that the Christmas week starting with Boxing Day would be a good time to pick up a bargain on a new pair of skis or boots. Think again! It's true that during this time of the year, you can find big discounts on items...