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Skiing and snowboarding are inherently risky sports, and there’s no way to completely avoid all possible injuries or mishaps. You can, however, take steps to reduce the risks you take on the slopes.

Family skiing holidays

The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA)endorses a responsibility code, and signs referring to its campaign—”Know the Code”—are posted at resorts across the country. Some states have even incorporated these principles into their statutes and laws regarding winter sports, and this season the NSAA has made a video available for those who want to see the principles of the code in action.

Here’s a run-down of the NSAA’s code, as well as reasons why you need to know and follow it:

1. Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.

Just about everyone on the slopes has had the experience of some crazy, out-of-control skier or snowboarder almost mowing him or her down on a free-flight down the mountain. It’s no fun. The fact is, it’s up to you to stay in control of your speed, and to know how to stop and avoid people and obstacles. There’s no excuse here. No matter how fast you’re going, always be ready to stop.

2. People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.

This is an important principle, and it relates to the first rule. The people in front of you have the right of way. Period. No matter how much they’re taking up space or how wrong they are for being where they are, they have the right of way. Even when they’re not following the code (see the next rule), it’s up to you to avoid them.

3. You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.

With all of that said, don’t be one of those people who stop in the middle of a trail to send a text or admire the view. You simply can’t obstruct trails. If you need to stop, go to the side of the trail.

4. Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.

If this sounds like a traffic rule, it’s because it is. Skiers and snowboarders hurtling down a mountain are rather like traffic on a fast-moving highway, and you have to look both ways (OK, mostly up) to make sure that there is room for you to pull out. When the traffic is clear, you can start. This principle is especially important when merging, since sometimes people coming down one trail won’t even realize they’re merging onto another one, and they simply might not see you. You need to watch out for yourself.

5. Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.

Most modern skis come equipped with brakes, so that any time your boot pops out of the bindings, the brake engages. Make sure that your skis have them, and if they don’t, get some installed. Snowboarders also need to wear retention straps, which keep loose boards from sliding down the mountain. These kinds of protections are important, because a wayward ski or snowboard can be a dangerous hazard to others who might hit it.

6. Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.

Signs and warnings are posted, and trails are closed, for good reasons. Don’t second-guess the resort authorities; they know what they’re doing. Sometimes a trail will be closed because of rocks, tree stumps, or other obstacles, and following all signs, directions and warnings will help keep you safe.

7. Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.

A large part of the skiing and snowboarding learning curve involves using lifts correctly. And that’s easier said than done. Make sure when you’re boarding a lift to go up to the designated line, and as the lift approaches, bend your knees slightly to catch it. Settle into the seat and pull down the safety bar when everyone is in. It’s also a good idea to let everyone else in the lift know when the bar is going down. When disembarking, glide down the ramp and get out of the way of people coming off the next chair.

The NSAA emphasizes that this is a partial list, and many states have their own codes, statutes, and laws that you’ll want to consult. These rules are a good place to start, however, and following them will help you stay safe and also make your time on the slopes more enjoyable.

Vivian Wagner is a writer and skier in New Concord, Ohio. Visit her website at www.vivianwagner.net.

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As we approach the skiing season, many people wonder, “What are the most important things that I need, in order to go skiing?” Some things, such as skis, are rather obvious; others, such as goggles, which may not seem important, are less obvious.

The key to skiing equipment is to get something that suits what kind of skiing you are doing (cross country or downhill), and should also suit your particular enthusiasm for skiing. If you are a casual skier who goes out three or four times a year, you don’t necessarily need top-of-the-line equipment.

If you are going every weekend, you will want to get the highest quality equipment you can.

Skis

The most essential piece of equipment for skiing are, of course, skis. The type of skiing you are participating in will determine what kind of ski you need.

If you are participating in cross-country skiing, you will want a longer, lighter ski than if you are participating in alpine (downhill) skiing; this will prevent you from wearing out on a long excursion. A good quality, carbon-fiber ski, such as the Rossignol Evo Glade, will last you a long time.

Ski Poles

Ski poles are just as essential, as they help to control your direction, and also help to propel you across the ground. The key is to select a pole length that feels most comfortable for you. You will also want your skis to be made of a sturdy material, such as aluminum or carbon-fiber. The K2 Lockjaw is good for the casual skier, as it can be adjusted for an individual skiers height.

Ski Helmets

More important for alpine skiing than cross country, ski helmets are designed to protect the head during any (inevitable) falls. One key is to make sure that the helmet is designed to allow a comfortable fit for snow goggles (many helmets are made to support this). The Giro G10 Snow Helmet is made with this design.

Ski Goggles

Important in both downhill and cross-country skiing, goggles help to keep snow out of your eyes, as well as protect the eyes from sunlight reflecting off of the snow on the ground. Bolle Gravity Polarized Goggles are excellent for downhill skiing.

Water-Proof Clothing

Light clothing is usually best for cross country; slightly heavier clothing may be more appropriate for alpine skiing. The waterproof aspect is most important for that inevitable fall into the snow; it will help keep you dry, which can prevent any potential bout with hypothermia. A coat, such as the Columbia Bugaboo 3-in-1, and pants, such as the Columbia Chilliwack Pants, are great, waterproof clothes for skiing.

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Follow this link, if you are looking for wide selection of Ski Holidays.

Hi all,

Here I simply wanted to share a video about the Trois Vallées (Three valleys) ski domain in France. Filmed as the cameraman/woman was skiing down hill, the video really gives you a good impression of what to expect if you were to ski in the 3 Vallées.
It is not said to be the biggest skiable domain in the world for nothing, and from the video, the big space, the never ending mountain chain, the interminable view above the clouds, can really be appreciated and sensed.
And if you are not familiar with this skiable domain, then you need to know that it is home to some of the best known resorts, not only in Europe, but also in the World.

Enjoy and have fun watching the video!!!

Should you feel tempted to go to France to ski the Trois Vallées, which include the ski resorts of La Tania, Courchevel, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, Saint Martin de Belleville, Brides Les Bains, Méribel Mottaret, we advise you to vist our website page where you’ll be sure to find snowboard and ski holidays, book hotels and other accommodation to please your wishes.

A big thank you to jimgrieve72 who did the video.

There are many traditional ski resorts and alpine communities in France and one of them is Megève. Guests love to visit the Megève’s skiing area known as Domaine Évasion Montblanc. Megève and the entire Domaine Évasion Montblanc have the best ski slopes in Europe. There are excellent hotels in Megève that will meet everyone’s preferences, budget and requirements.

One of the best Megève hotels is HMC Hotel l’Arboisie. This hotel is centrally located on Mount Arboise Road and offers one of the most fantastic views of the village. This hotel offers beautifully appointed and spacious rooms perfect for guests looking for an ideal mountain resort experience. Another tourist accommodation that boasts of breathtaking views of the mountains is Lodge Park. The proximity of the Lodge Park Hotel to the casino gives their guests an alternative activity during the evenings.

Another hotel in Megève that has a great view of the mountains is Au Coin du Feu. The welcoming atmosphere of this charming hotel will give you that feeling of a home away from home. Guests will love to have a quiet and romantic dinner in their cozy restaurant that serves a wonderful blend of European dishes.

One of the most recommended Megève hotels is Le Fer de Cheval located in the heart of the village. This quaint and beautifully maintained hotel offers excellent cuisine surrounded by antiques in rustic settings. It is not cheap but the price you pay for the experience of staying in Le Fer de Cheval is worth it.

There are many other hotels in Megève that cater for couples, families and groups. All the hotels in Megève offer great service and are sure to make your holiday a memorable experience.

For a full listing of Megève hotels, we advise you to visit the following link http://www.mountvacation.com/en/france/megeve/, where you will be able to read reviews, view pictures and tariffs of all the accommodation found in Megève

MountVacation, mountain and ski accommodation provider, with more than 3800 properties across the best resorts in Europe, has pimped its site with a brand a new feature on its destinations and hotels pages: the long awaited ski pistes maps.
As from now, when making a reservation for you next ski holidays or just browsing the site for special deals, ski holidays, accomm0odation or more generally for information, you’ll also be able to view the maps of the ski slopes on specific ski resorts. The Ski maps show the start and end of each track within a chosen resort or ski area, but also the colour of each them: green, blue, red or black, according to the level of difficulties, with black being the hardest.

Alternatively, if you’re browsing hotels, then the ski maps showing the location of the accommodation according to tracks around. Mountvacation listened to its clients and understood that it is indeed a crucial information to provide to its visitors.

As you know, ski maps are essential information to any hardened or beginner skier or snowboarder who desire to book their ski holiday. Ski pistes maps are courtesy of Snowranger.com, the map provider for Garmin GPS equipment giant. As you will notice not all the resorts have their maps, although the main ones are covered, But fret not, as we are in the progress of adding more ski maps, the aim being to provide evry single skiing area with a details maps of its skiing tracks. MountVacation obviously tries to update as many of the resorts as is possible, and will notify its clients as soon as they will be available on the site. In the mean time, you can visit our website which displays enough information to help you plan the vacation of your expected on slopes.
In addition, MountVacation is pleased to announce that it will also be very soon including snow reporting, current weather conditions, weather and snow forecast as well as the history of snow fall for the last 10 years within a given region or locality. This will be added to the site soon, and a notification will be sent once operational.
To view some of the ski maps just visit a destination or accommodation in http://www.mountvacation.com/, where you will also have the chance to book your long awaited, hard earned ski holidays.

My Dad hates to leave things behind. Over the years he has developed a Master Ski List of things not to forget. Not that the average person would forget their snowboard or skis, but he even writes those items down. This list is locked quietly away in a filing cabinet and perused a few weeks before each family trip. A blanket is laid out on an unused part of the floor and accessories are assembled together there for about a week before the trip.

I have, unfortunately, inherited this inclination toward retentiveness, and yes, often anally retentiveness runs deep in my family. Yes, it makes having friends very difficult. In any case, here are 4 ski accessories most often forgotten taken from the manuals of Dad’s Lord of Lists (Including: A Horror Story of what happens if you do forget!)

Ski Poles

I talked about these little understood but most necessary accessories last week. Well, these are one of the top ski holiday utensils most often forgotten. My twin brother brought one of his (sort of) expensive Scott’s and not the other. He took it to the ski rental shop to find a match—I can see it now: “I’d like to rent one, yes one, ski pole.” At any rate, he sat it down to ask about renting another single ski pole and this one disappeared. It either walked off or was stolen. Anyway, he now had only one ski pole at home, forever going on ski vacation thereafter and trying to rent one ski pole. True story!

Goggles

Whether for snowboarding or snow skiing, goggles are just so darn necessary that they are often lost or forgotten. Those Smiths, Oakleys or Zeals are not something you want to replace often. At any rate, here’s the horror story: This one time a band camp…no, wrong story…ski camp…my sister forgot her goggles. So, she rented a pair and had to sign for them, agreeing that they were not damaged. Not too long after, she damaged them. It was more of a crack than a scratch if I remember correctly. She had to pay for them, as per the agreement.

Helmets

It seems like every sport these days requires a helmet. I have one for biking, rock climbing and for skiing. Depending on the slopes, however, I don’t often wear it like I should. Helmets are so easily forgotten or misplaced that it’s best to tick them off of the list once they are for sure in the car. I personally like the Bern or Giro models (for biking). One time, I accidentally left my helmet on top of the 4X4 going from Courchevel in France to a smaller no-name resort and it flew off the top, unbeknownst to any of us. I’m sure it fitted someone else perfectly and they considered themselves very fortunate. I was not as fortunate delving out another €127  for a new one. No apres ski drinking (or girls) for me that year!

Funny Pack

My mom will not leave the house without it. My grandma uses it for everything from used tissues to hiding bags of candy. My brother and I can’t get within the vicinity of them with their fanny packs without laughing our heads off, and I’m older now, but I still laugh out loud. Here’s a suggestion: The little back country pouches that ride your fanny (butt) are fanny packs and are great to poke fun at—funny packs. The larger ones, used for important gear, called lumbar packs, are not so funny. So, choose the latter over the former if at all possible. Two lumbar packs (not fanny packs) are made my NorthFace and Eagle Creek. If you plan to get off-piste at all, like in the hills of France in Chamonix or like in Innsbruck or Tux in Austria, you’ll want a fully prepared lumbar pack (not funny, er, fanny pack – enough of a horror story in itself here).

If you think skiing is cooler without ski poles or that they just hinder your every move, then you’ve been missing out on one of the most cleverest ways to not only improve but also do your best. More often than not, the instructor will tell you not to use ski poles as a beginner. This is only to help you focus on your center of gravity, starting at your core and spreading out through your butt, thighs and angle of your legs. Once you start to gain equilibrium, however, skiing poles will become your best friend throughout your skiing career: from beginner to intermediate to expert and onward. Here are some things to keep in mind no matter your skiing ability before you buy the El-Cheapo ski poles or decide to ditch them altogether.

Parts of the Ski Pole
Grip – the bottom of the ski pull; the part your hand grips around
strap – the nylon strap your hands go through to make sure you don’t leave your ski pole mid-piste
shaft – the part of the pole between the grip and the tip; these are made of graphite, metal or aluminium
basket – this is that plastic, round and flat piece a few inches (5-8 cm) above the ski pole tip
Tip – this is the top or tip of the ski pole; it’s usually pointy, can be sharp and made of unpainted metal.

Other Than Intended

Ski poles are often used, quite nicely, for things they really are not intended for. One example is to hit that little button on the back of your ski that unlocks your boot from the ski. I’m not sure how else anyone would push that oh-so-far little fastener anyway. Also, ski poles are a great way to knock the snow off your ski boot bottom. Again, it’s really the only way. But, before you think this is all ski poles are good for, think again.

How To Buy

I’ve seen ski poles for as little as 20-30 euros to well over 200 euros. The former gets you some form of metal and plastic glued together while the latter gives you the best composites of carbon and graphite money can buy. If you’re a beginner, shoot for the medium priced pair (durable enough to handle some falls, like aluminum) and if you’re an expert, buy the best you can afford. At any rate, you can check for the proper fit (size) if you turn the poll upside down. Simply grab the shaft of the pole that is just underneath the basket. Your forearm should be somewhat parallel to the ground. If too short, you won’t be able to stand upright; if too long, you’ll have trouble turning and be pushed backwards onto your heels. Some newer models are telescoping, but I’d only recommend these if they are a pair of the more pricey variety. If you’re an expert skier, you may want to be professionally fitted, as these are just rules of thumb, not rules to compete in competition by.

Grip Fitting

You’ll want grips on the ski poles that either ergonomically fit your hands or will eventually mold to their grip. However, I use a pair made of cork that smoothed out over time that I totally love. So, the most important thing about the grip is comfort, since no two hands are exactly alike. It’s wise to make sure your gloved-hands will fit into the straps without difficulty before you buy as well. You’ll enter the straps from the underneath, and if you’re an expert, it is often wise to have straps that will “unsnap” or come off if you get finagled in a tree or bush. The strap can be used in conjunction with the grip to hold your weight as well. The grip of a woman or man’s ski pole can be thick or thinner depending on the intended use. Be sure that your hand can easily fit around the grip when skiing.