Headline News
Here comes the latest news...Alaska style.
We wade through the news to find the gems that will help you plan your adventure travel vacations.
Winter Is Back Across North American Resorts; Use Caution in the Backcountry
Unless you just woke up from a Rip Van Winkle winter sleep, you already know that major snowstorms have hit most areas of North America over the past two weeks. Needless to say, conditions are wonderful right now, so get out and get in some turns at your favorite mountain. If you plan to go into the backcountry, make sure to check on the conditions before venturing out.
On Valentine's Day and through the weekend that followed, a nor'easter slammed through the Northeast and dumped anywhere from two feet to almost seven feet, with northern Vermont resorts receiving the most. It was the snowstorm everyone was waiting for, and all indications point to record attendance at resorts over the weekend and during Presidents Day Week. I certainly can tell you that at Jay Peak, Vt., we saw record visits this past weekend. While lines were long, the skiing was so amazing, most of us there felt it was worth the wait. Since the entire mountain was skiable, including the sidecountry, skiers and riders were spread out once the lift deposited them at the top so it did not feel as crowded as the lines indicated.
It's a rare occurence, but Northern Vermont has issued a backcountry advisory. EXTREMELY HIGH AVALANCHE DANGER exists in the backcountry, due to the recent heavy snowfall and high winds that created significant windloaded snow on certain aspects. With continued cold temperatures forecasted, dangerous conditions are expected to continue through the week. Some snowfall also is forecasted over the next few days. Many people scoff at the thought of avalanches in the Northeast, but they do occur and people have died. Please take this advisory seriously.
In the West, recent storms have left up to four feet of new snow, with Utah, Montana and Idaho hit hardest. Many regions are expecting significant snowfall starting today and through the weekend. In the backcountry, many Western states have avalanche ratings of CONSIDERABLE and HIGH. There have been a string of deaths in the backcountry due to avalanches. Don't be another statistic.
Moab Skinny Tire Festival Celebrates Beauty of Canyon Country and Beauty of Living
Cyclists know Moab as the home of the Slickrock Trail, the Mecca of mountain bikers. What many don't realize is Moab has some of the best road biking in the world. Hundreds of miles of paved roads weave in and out of the world-class scenery that is sought by adventure seekers around the globe. The Moab Skinny Tire Festival, scheduled for March 2–5, 2007, puts the spotlight on Moab as a destination for road biking. It also is an annual fundraiser to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
The four rides of the Moab Skinny Tire Festival highlight Moab's different riding opportunities. The first two days follow the mighty Colorado River corridor, both upstream and downstream. The next two days leave the valley and climb the beautiful canyon roads into redrock country, including Arches National Park and Dead Horse Point.
Pacific Whale Foundation Ecotours Include Snorkeling, Whalewatching in Maui
It’s prime whalewatching season in Maui, and you shouldn’t miss this spectacular experience. The peak of the season is January through April, but whales are commonly seen from December through early May. Maui is considered one of the world’s top whalewatch spots, famous for the proximity of whales to its shoreline and the large number of whales found there. Pacific Whale Foundation, now in full swing for the 2007 migration and birthing season, has offered educational whalewatches and conducted whale research in Maui since 1980.
Pacific Whale Foundation uses the newest high-tech, ultra-smooth catamarans, powered with biodiesel fuel produced on Maui. All profits from the cruises support Pacific Whale Foundation's education programs and its work to protect whales, dolphins, all other marine life and their home—the oceans of the world. You can choose from a variety of eco-adventure tours.
Experience Appalachian Mountain Club's High-Mountain Huts in Winter Solitude
Winter is the perfect time to head to some of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s huts and experience the peaceful beauty of winter in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Three huts are open this season: Lonesome Lake, Zealand Falls, and Carter Notch.
Getting to the huts in winter is very different from summer. Various routes are available to each hut and AMC’s website provides information on the trails in winter. All trails will be easier if hikers use ski poles and wear something on their feet for traction, such as snowshoes, crampons or skis with skins (the website recommends the best “tools” for each trail).
Maine Handicapped Skiing's Ski-A-Thon Raises Funds for Year-Round Programs
A free day of skiing or riding. Three delicious meals. Great prizes. A fun race. A zany obstacle course. Dancing. And last but not least, a ton of laughter. It must be Maine Handicapped Skiing's 22nd annual Ski-A-Thon, which is set for Saturday, March 24, 2007, at Sunday River Ski Resort and Sunday River Inn & Cross Country Ski Center.
Did you know that every lesson taught at Maine Handicapped Skiing, winter and summer, is free of charge to its participants? That's where the Ski-A-Thon comes in. The pledges that participants solicit from friends, co-workers, family and businesses result in 70 percent of Maine Handicapped Skiing's operating income for one whole year. In one day, thanks to the incredible generosity of hundreds of Ski-A-Thoners and some terrific sponsors, the organization is able to raise the income needed to support its year-round programs.
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