If you stay in or close to Washington State and like to ski or snowboard you could visit Crystal Mountain. It has an elevation of just over seven thousand feet and a drop of over three thousand feet. Crystal Mountain actually sits below Mount Rainier, which has an elevation of over 14 thousand feet. Mostly between the winter months of November and April it is normal for 7 feet of snow to fall on Crystal Mountain.

There is lots of rough terrain and as such there is not much to offer the complete novice as far as easy runs go. Nevertheless there are lessons on offer as well as ski and ski boot rental to enable you get started with this great outdoor sport.

With more than 50 trails to choose from this is the largest ski area in Washington State. To cope with the large numbers of skiers there is a number of alternative ski lifts, around 10 in all. There is also one surface lift for the children.

The main season mostly starts from the middle of the month of November to the middle of April when the snow is at its most. If there is enough demand and there is still sufficient snow this can sometimes be extended.

Being such a favourite ski region there are lots of tourists who all need to eat. As such there are lots of different places to eat and of course abundant accommodation from lodges to luxury hotels depending on your requirements.

During the busier months there is a bus service that runs direct to the base of the slopes close to the ski lifts. This service runs from lots of the favourite hotels and lodges and can provide a cheap and efficient option to get to the slopes.

Despite the challenge of some of the ski runs, Crystal Mountain still provides a great choice for families wishing to go on a family skiing holiday. Remember to play it safe and avoid any runs that you think may be beyond your skiing expertise.

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Packing for a ski vacation could be difficult especially if you have to take a flight. Lots and lots of airlines these days are charging for additional bags and particularly for the heavier ones. It is not unheard of for travellers to pay as much as their flight ticket in extra baggage charges. If you reckon you are going to have to travel with a lot of stuff with you on a holiday it would be a better idea to go with the flight company with the greatest baggage allowance or one that provides cheaper charges.

On most ski holiday destinations the flight companies are used to travellers taking skis and they generally to take this into account. Always notify the airline well in advance if not at the time of booking that you are going to be taking skis and get them reserved. The airline will have a limit on the amount of skis they can carry on each trip. You do not want to be in the nightmare position that you turn up at the airport and you can not take your skis with you on the plane.

If you are new to skiing or do not want to take your skis with you then you will normally find that you will be able to rent skis, ski boots and suitable clothing in most ski resorts. Just check your ski resorts amenities on the net or speak to the hotel you are booked in for some local knowledge.

If you simply are unable to do without all your clothing and stuff you can organize to have a suitcase transported before your flight by a courier company. With the large excess baggage costs on some flights you could discover that it is easier to ship your stuff cheaper than pay these additional costs. Make it even more affordable by sharing the cost with the individuals you are travelling with.

Ski jackets and sweaters can be bulky and will take up a lot of room in any case. Why not wear them on the flight instead. It may be to hot to do this but you can take these items on the aircraft with you and when you arrive in the colder ski resort you can instantly put your jacket and sweater on and get the benefit immediately.

Do not forget the greater you plan and get organized the more smoothly things will go and the less hassled you will be.

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Keeping safe is the topic for this part of our learn to ski guide.

Statistics indicate that the injury rate for skiers is lower than that of many other recreational activities, however, there are still thousands skiing injuries sustained every year. There will always be a certain degree of risk, but you can minimize it by following some basic guidelines.

Check that you have all the necessary equipment, and that it’s in good, working condition, and that you’re wearing the appropriate attire. Make sure that your skis, boots, and bindings are suited to your height, weight, and level of proficiency, and if they have sat idle for any prolonged time period, take them to a certified ski shop and have them inspected by a professional before skiing in them again. Your clothing must be wind and water resistant and should keep you adequately warm (your head, hands and feet being particularly susceptible to the cold).

If you don’t know how to ski and don’t have confidence in your ability, then just don’t. While family and friends may know what they’re talking about, it’s a better idea to learn from a certified ski instructor. Reducing the number of mistakes you make will reduce your risk of injury, and improving your skiing skill and technique is the best way to reduce mistakes. It’s a proven fact that taking ski lessons reduces your risk of injury on the slopes.

Ski only at a speed which is safe (in relation to your ability and experience, the number of skiers around you, the condition of the slope and the weather conditions), don’t make any rash or unpredictable maneuvers, and never stop unnecessarily. There may be times when you find yourself on a slope that causes you to feel unsafe; if so, side-step down it with your skis on. Pay close attention to posted signs (predominantly at the top and bottom of slopes, and in the convergence of slopes) and obey them.

As with any sport, you must prepare yourself physically, so start a strengthening and conditioning regime several months in advance of your ski vacation. Aerobic training with some weight training added is recommended. The fitter and more conditioned you get, the longer you can ski for and the less bearing fatigue will have on you. It is dangerous to ski when you are tired, so frequent rest breaks are important, as is knowing your own physical limits.

Re-apply your sunscreen during your rest breaks, and make sure you rehydrate as well. Drinking enough water is critical to avoid nausea, fainting and altitude sickness, and sunburn is more likely at high altitudes so use a sunscreen with a 30+ factor even on cloudy days.

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Ski trips are the focus of this installment of our learn to ski guide.

Character and ambiance are just two of the many features of a resort that you will need to think about before selecting the right one for your ski trip; other considerations being budget, location, and what facilities are offered. So, let’s look at each of those important considerations individually

The three most popular skiing locations are Canada, France, and the U.S., however Andorra, Austria, Bulgaria, Italy, and Switzerland are also well-liked destinations. While prices may vary a great deal during different times of the year, the better-known countries will most likely be more expensive. Going at the start or end of the ski season can result in considerable discounts.

As far as costs go, just some of the outlay for your trip will go towards travel and lodging as well as expenses for food and beverages, but you must also remember that you will be paying for passes, maybe lessons, equipment rental, and a very important, but often over-looked expense, insurance. When searching for affordable air fare and lodging, remember to ask about the costs of these other items. Prices for everything tend to be higher than they would be in your hometown due to the lack of stores (and thus price competitiveness) in the mountains. To minimize costs, plan carefully and take with you those things that could be more expensive in the resort town, and do a bit of advance research to see what discounts you might find on-line for the things you will need.

Every country is different and every resort is different, so after you have decided on a location, make sure that the quality and types of facilities in which you are interested are offered by that country and/or resort. Major considerations will include lodging types (everything from dormitories to hotels to chalets); access to eating establishments and night clubs; and finally what types of activities are available, as perhaps you wish to snowboard, toboggan or ice skate while on your trip. Prices for all of these things can be drastically different from resort to resort, and you cannot rely on the price to give you a clue as to quality. Being cost conscious does not mean that you have to give up amenities and services, however, when you take in to account that countries like Bulgaria and Andorra are home to ski resorts that rival those of the better-known properties in more prominent countries.

While almost an intangible, it is also important to consider the character and ambiance of the ski resort you choose. Your personal vision of what a ski vacation means to you should drive your choice as to resort selection – you may wish to have a more cutting-edge resort with all the modern conveniences, or you may wish to forego high-speed internet in lieu of a small village where you can taste and feel the local culture. Are you looking for quiet, relaxing nights or late-night partying? Each resort has a little something different to offer, and it will make your stay more enjoyable if you do a little research on the front end to see what matches your tastes and expectations.

No need to worry about international toll calls when the internet is available to assist you with your research – to find the prices, services, and amenities of a resort, visit each one’s official website, and don’t just take it from them, type the resort name and ‘+ review’ into a search engine to see what other visitors have said about it.

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Anyone with bigger calves has probably had to deal with the disappointment and frustration that comes from looking for wide leg boots in regular shoe stores. Whether you’re an athlete with a lot of muscle, built with heavier calves than the average person, or plus sized, you’re probably sick of dealing with tight boots and zippers that break all too easily.

The good news is that you have an option that doesn’t require you to get rid of your boots forever. Since boots are a fashion must right now, think about placing an order online with a specialty retailer that sells wide topped boots. After all, except for some of the clunkier and more flexible styles, including Uggs, most boots need a close fit. Certain brands are already offering larger calf sizes if you know what you’re looking for.

There are some styles that work better for wide calves than others. If you’ve been looking for styles that aren’t specialty boots but will still fit, you’ll need to try these kinds first. Remember that this won’t fix everything – very wide calves don’t fit these boots. However, if your calves are only a little too wide, you may be able to choose suede-look stretch boots.

These boots not only fit – they can even make your calves look thinner. Of course, it’s important to remember that your stretch boots never should feel like they’re cutting your circulation off. If you feel like this is happening, check online for wide top boot styles instead. While stretch boots often look too small to fit at first, in most cases they expand to fit. Another great choice if your calves are “almost there” is to pick a slouch type.

Ankle boot wearers won’t find buying boots a problem, but they should remember that if you’re wearing ankle boots without trousers, the size of your calves will be highlighted. This can make them look larger than they really are, and is probably the major reason that celebrity attempts to wear short boots and short skirts have never really taken off.

Whether they have a heel or are flat soled, fashion boots can be a much bigger deal if you have wide calves. Since they’re unyielding, and usually don’t have lacing or stretch panels, they’re hard to find in sizes that fit larger calves. These are the most popular boots right now, and many of us have outfits that demand this boot style. That means that if you’re interested in being fashionable or you love high, sleek boots, you need to think about fit.

There are a number of online retailers out there offering styles for large calves. It’s easy to buy online, though you should check the seller’s return policy in case of a bad fit. Measure the largest part of your calf in either inches or centimeters, depending on where you’re ordering from, then match your calf size and the foot size you usually wear.

Shaft height is another important factor, especially for those with long legs and those women who are on the petite side. Fortunately, if you have a problem measuring yourself, the majority of wide boots have a little stretch built in. These wide leg boots are a wonderful choice for anyone who has a hard time finding boots to fit, but still wants to look great.

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