NEW SENSATIONS FOR THE OLD WINTER WONDERLAND
The words "winter wonderland" conjure up memories of family ski vacations and playful acts of snowball fights and making snow angels. Perhaps you remember toboggan rides, ice-skating, or adventurous days on the ski slopes. Today, winter destinations beckon with a much greater array of activities. Here is the top five:
1. Helicopter Skiing
Heli-skiing is the ultimate winter adventure. No other winter activity combines the world's most thrilling ski lift with the chance to ski or snowboard remote slopes of untouched powder descending thousands of vertical feet (read reviews here). Some terrain and chutes are so isolated that accessibility is limited to rappelling, while other slopes are gentle enough to accommodate strong intermediate skiers.
Heli-skiing is offered throughout the United States, including Alaska, and in Canada, Asia, Europe and New Zealand. Ski packages are available for one day or multiple days, where most operators charge per vertical foot skied. For example, at Sun Valley Heli Ski, $540 affords 12,000 vertical feet of skiing, usually about five runs. All heli tours include guides.
2. Snow Tubing
Snow tubing parks are emerging entertainment facilities - family fun for children, teenagers and adults - at winter resorts across the country. Rekindle those childhood memories by riding a pull lift up the hill and tubing down a groomed flume with whoop-dee-doos (small hills in your path) and even jumps for catching air.
Tubing parks, such as Soda Springs Winter Resort in Soda Springs, California, offer much more than tubing. Here, the whole family can tube, ski, snowboard, sled and even snowshoe on the same lift ticket. Gorgoza Park in Park City, Utah has mini snowmobile rides and a jib park complete with ramps and jumps for ski and snowboard tricks.
Prices range from $5 per ride to $25 per day. At Winterplace Ski Resort in Flat Top, West Virginia, $17 affords a half-day of tubing.
3. Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing has been a method of transportation for thousands of years, but only in the past decade has its popularity grown as a winter sport. Snowshoeing is simple exercise that provides access to quiet, snow-covered woodlands and hiking trails. Depending on your skill level, snowshoeing can be recreational hiking, advanced mountaineering or even racing.
Snowshoeing expert Carl Heilman II provides workshops and publishes educational articles for those interested in the sport. He guarantees a rewarding journey if you dress warm and carry plenty of water and food. For all levels, Mr. Heilman is a great resource for questions & answers.
4. Snowmobiling
North America has over 220,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails with remote access to the sights and sounds of backcountry beauty and stunning wildlife. No other winter recreation offers the ease and mobility to visit stunning winter landscapes like snowmobiling. Operations are spread across the country.
Snowmobiling tours range from one hour to several days, with prices starting around $50/hour. The New England Outdoor Center offers lodge-to-lodge overnight trips exploring the wilderness and hospitality of Maine. For beginners, a guide is strongly recommended. After gaining experience, riders can venture on their own, steering away from groomed trails and into backcountry powder. Appropriate clothing and helmets are required.
5. Dog Sledding
For adventurous animal lovers, dog sledding is an exhilarating way to experience winter's majestic beauty.
The U.S. has more than 130 touring kennels offering tours from coast to coast. Before participating, it is important to learn all you can about the operator and dogs of your tour. Pricing ranges considerably depending on the extent of travel, which can be a few hours or a few weeks. A directory of tours may help decide which trip is best for you. Be sure to dress warm, pack the appropriate equipment.
Explore any of these winter activities and your "winter wonderland" impressions may never be the same.
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