Salomon Oasis

This unique town has become a cult place for mountain lovers, winter sports, and year round tourism. Many first-time visitors to Bansko, the town tucked into the foothills of Pirin Mountain, say they instantly fall in love with this place. Indeed, this town begs to be visited again and again. It has combined to perfection the charm of its natural beauty with its unique cultural heritage. Located 170km south of Sofia, Bansko is a 2.5-hour drive from an international airport. However, once one gets there, the town feels like a surreal place from a beautiful fairytale. The region of Bansko is an ethnographical, archeological, and architectural preserve. Beautiful churches and houses, each representing...

ou looking for a way to stay fit and have fun in the winter? Consider cross-country skiing! Depending on your weight, the intensity of your skiing, and whether or not you choose to ski hills, cross country skiing may burn between 400 and 1400 calories per hour. In fact, since cross-country skiing involves a simultaneous use of the arms and legs, many exercise physiologists consider it to be the best form of aerobic exercise. The main difference between cross country Skiing and alpine or downhill skiing is that cross country skiing, the skier is attached to the ski only with the toe of the boot.. In alpine skiing, the entire boot is attached to the ski. The free heel allows cross-country skiers to...

Ask anyone in business, "who is the best customer, the first timer or the repeat customer?" they will surely tell you the repeat customer, this is almost a guarantee in the hotel industry. Loyal travellers are the key to a hotels success, these are the visitors who have had an excellent visit and are impressed with the hotels services, just ask our children who are aged 16 and 9 years and they will tell you in the UK, only Marriott hotels and in the USA only Hyatt Resort hotels, this is down to the excellent experience they had when visiting and will be with them for life. The ultimate question a hotel has to ask is, "what can my hotel offer, that will keep customers wanting to come back?" In the...

The difference between winning and losing in sport is often marginal and we are all searching for that edge, whether you are off piste or on the track, optimal visual performance is crucial. As a sports person or athlete wishing to excel in your chosen field you require peak performance from your entire body including your eyes. Using appropriate eyewear with the correct tint can help maximise your visual performance by eliminating harmful ultra-violet (UV) light, reducing glare and increasing contrast. All these factors work together to reduce distractions and enhance performance. With sports participation becoming more and more popular the demand for expertise in sports vision is increasing...

Head to the northwestern part of the Colorado Rockies and rip it up on the slopes surrounding Steamboat Springs. If the name alone doesn't get you, it's reputation for training Olympic athletes should. Dust off those gold medals, find a great Steamboat Springs condo, villa or home and start packing for one snowy good time. Steamboat Springs is a small town with two adjacent ski areas. Your best bet is to settle into a Rocky Mountain rental cabin or condos, making it easy and comfortable to get to everything you want to do while on your getaway. Steamboat Springs luxury rentals are always equipped with the necessities, like fresh linens full kitchens and nice furnishings. There are plenty of upscale...

It appears that some ski holiday chalet companies are liquidating their assets due in part to the weak economy. Early estimates show that luxury chalet bookings are down about 17 percent compared to last year's early bookings. Ski companies and luxury chalet rentals are trying to maintain pricing as usual, but many have had to offer incredible price breaks to lure guests back. Descent International, one of Europe's most famous and prestigious resorts, has begun total liquidation of assets. Over the years, Descent International has maintained a star-studded client list that includes David and Victoria Beckham, JK Rowling and Rowan Atkinson. Prince Andrew hosted a party at Descent in January 2009 and...

ext">Canada ski vacations have it all: snowy landscapes of mountains, valleys, and glacial lakes; deepest and most consistent snow; internationally known parties and resorts… and the crowds who love them. So, for a line-free ski vacation this winter, consider one of Western Canada’s lesser known gems. They may not have Whistler’s glitz and glamour, but locals in the know find the best powder here. Fernie Where is it? In the Canadian Rockies, a 3.5 hour drive from Calgary International Airport and an hour and 15 minutes from Cranbrook, BC (served by Time Air and Air BC). The town of Fernie is five minutes away. Why you should go: This world-class ski area is known among locals as the...

A handful of excellent European Ski resorts are placed in Switzerland, the country identified for loveliness and sophistication. More than the beauty, the country prides other elements such as international centre of winter sports and fashion malls. The ambience and natural feeling backs up the ski resorts in Switzerland. Switzerland is not new to Skiing. The virgin alpine environment creates a wonderful know-how to the ski lovers altogether. A lot of the immensely good-looking Swiss winter resorts are to be found in the Wallis Canton. The most well-liked and authoritarian Matterhorn fronts onto Zermatt. Swiss Alps is the best spot for skiing in Switzerland. You can either opt for a ski or a...

Mammoth Lakes vacations are everything that you've been looking for and more. Why go anywhere else to find the best skiing when Mammoth is one of the world renowned skiing destinations in the U.S.? That's right, right in California you can find one of the top skiing destinations, with all the activities, adventures, and amenities that you could ask for. The towering Eastern Sierras frame the hills and rolling forests surrounding the lakes of the area, providing you with a beautiful and serene ski vacation that will take you down some of the most famous slopes west of Colorado. Mammoth Lakes vacations offer something for just about everyone. You can make your vacation more enjoyable by skipping all...

Winter Park Resort opened for its 68th ski season on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2006 with 57 inches of snowfall so far. If October is any indication they are in store for another epic season. Last month was record setting with several storms moving through, one dropping more than 2 feet of snow! Winter Park Mountain is now open top to bottom with a 29 inch base at mid mountain. 9 lifts (including Zephyr Express, Eskimo Express and Prospector Express) and 20 trails are already up and running. Open ski trails include the ever popular Cranmer, March Hare, White Rabbit and Jabberwocky, plus Discovery Park, aimed at beginner skiers and boarders. Dog Patch Terrain Park is also open for those wanting to hone...

If you exercise often, you'll begin to build your strength and enhance your endurance in the muscle groups used in downhill skiing. You'll be preparing yourself for the rigors of skiing in the expert zones where both staying power and explosive power are of the utmost importance. First, we'll get into the why and when you need to exercise, before moving onto the five essential elements of ski-specific exercising. The ultimate body for an expert skier is powerful, from strong ankles to strong shoulders, and every finely-tuned muscle in between. Remember the last time you watched someone effortlessly weave through a mogul field and wondered, "How does he do that?" It's partly due to practice, and...

Although you may have been renting that little country cabin you have way up in the mountains every ski season for years, you may have noticed that recently there's been a dip in rentals. It's not that less people are skiing, it's that people are booking vacations in a way far changed from every before. Instead of looking around for the most remote, private, or rustic cabin, people are just heading to their computers to book their vacations quickly and easily with the help of a website. Such sites offer special deals and packages with big time, big name resorts, and people feel like they have a clear idea of what they're getting for their money. People see such locations advertised online, or on...

Copper Mountain Lift Tickets can be purchased all season long and many out of state visitors find that buying their tickets online before they come is the easiest most convenient method for saving money on their vacation. Additionally, many visitors stop in Denver or Colorado Springs to buy discount tickets. Often times many of the chain grocery stores along the Frontrange offer discounts on multi day tickets. If you're a Colorado local, and are planning on skiing a lot this season, it is highly advisable to purchase a Season Pass. This can save you a lot of money if you use the pass a lot. There are several different passes for various resorts which are offered by Intrawest. Season passes are...

Winter Park Resort lift tickets deals are aplenty if you are thinking and can plan ahead. If not you will find yourself paying the $92.00 walk up window rate with no discount at all. Wintepark guests have the opportunity to purchase a coupon book with great coupons for discounted lift passes! Each Gold C coupon book costs only $10 and can save you up to $200 on lift tickets to Winterpark Resort. Below is a list of the coupons that are in each coupon book. Regular prices were $92 for adults and $48 for kids last season. * Three $43 adult lift pass coupons * Three $50 weekday adult lift pass coupons * Three $55 adult lift pass coupons * Three $35 child lift coupons * Two $10 off child's all day lesson...

You can travel the world over, but it is hard to find a better ski vacation destination than the state of Colorado. The ski resorts in the Rocky Mountain state are among the best in the world, offering that perfect combination of challenge, fun and lush scenery. But what are the best places to ski in Colorado? And will every resort cost you an arm and a leg just to purchase a lift ticket? The following killer Colorado ski destinations represent not only the best places in the state to hit the slopes, but also some of the most gorgeous vistas anywhere in North America. You can spend a lifetime visiting everywhere there is to ski in Colorado, but let’s get started with five of the best! The 5 Best...

When you think about working at a ski resort, does the word "liftie" first come to mind? Nothing wrong with being a lift attendant, but you may be looking for more of a full-time year- round professional career. The seasonal hourly jobs which are most visible at a ski resort are perfect for some, but many professional opportunities exist as well that keep local mountain residents happily employed, year after year. Ski resort jobs can be broken down into three categories; seasonal, full-time seasonal or full-time year-round. Seasonal Jobs Starting with the seasonal job, the majority of employees in this group has either just recently graduated college or intends to work seasonally until they figure...

If you've never been to Bulgaria, or you've booked flights to Bourgas and want to know what there is to do here, then here's why you need to visit Bourgas. 1. Bourgas is home to one of busiest airports in Bulgaria. The city also offers plenty to see and do for those who people who choose to stay here, rather than going off to the popular resorts of Sunny Beach, Nessesbar, Sozopol, Dyuni and Elinete. 2. Bourgas has hot summers, around 30ºC to 40ºC, and so it makes a change from wet summers in the UK. If you're looking for a bit of sun, then this could be just the place for you. 3. As well as being hot in the summer, there's skiing from December to March as well. It's a well liked destination by...

France, world's most visited country famous for its great holidays, great cities and great monuments, receives more than 82 million tourists each year. France tours offers tourists to explore their cultural and historical past, indulge in lip smacking cuisine and relish the vineyards and the sparkling wines. Everything about France tours is mesmerizing, ranging from the museums housing paintings of masters like Leonardo da Vinci, street cafes and bars, exciting and hip nightlife, gorgeous beaches to the chic and trendy culture. Paris - the mecca of fashion; Alps - famous for its locales, skiing resorts and majestic beauty; Loire Valley, Brittany, Normandy - hub of French castles are just few of the...

Andalucia is probably one of the most archetypal or stereotypical of all of the semi autonomous regions that make up Spain. Once described as where bull fighters meet beaches, flamenco, white villages meet cave houses and all intermingled within a whole plethora of gaudy festivals! From religious processions to tapas and sherry, all forms of culture and life can be found in Andalucia. Andalucia comprises of eight provinces which stretch across southern Spain from the deserts of Almeria to the Portuguese border in the west. Bisected roughly down the middle by Spain's longest river, the Guadalquivir, Andalucia is connected to the rest of Spain via a pass called the "Desfiladero de Despenaperros...

Driving holidays are fast becoming a popular choice, due to the introduction of budget airlines. People can afford to spend more on their hire car and petrol, and explore more of the country. Make sure that you have Travel Insurance for driving holidays abroad. Here is a selection of routes that tourists love to burn rubber on. - Great Ocean Road, Australia – fly into Melbourne and experience the glorious sites of the Ocean Road. The stunning scenery and natural wonders make for a great drive. - Sydney to Cairns – not wanting to be too Australia orientated, but this is one that can't be left out of driving magic. The east coast is crammed with places to visit, and the roads are a pleasure to...

Slovenia is one of the best destinations to invest in cheap property for sale which has good growth prospects for long term capital growth. Not many people know much about Slovenia, so article is designed, to give you a brief overview of Slovenia property for sale... Slovenia is a small compact country, about the same size as Switzerland. Slovenia sits at the very crossroads of Europe bordering, Italy, Croatia, Hungary and Austria. Whilst a beautiful country in its own right, Slovenia makes a good base to explore a host of nearby attractions including, Venice, Prague and Budapest which are all, within a few hours drive. Slovenia is a beautiful country and features soaring mountains, beautiful lakes...

The Republic of Finland is a Nordic country in north Eastern Europe, bounded by the Baltic Sea to the southwest, the Gulf of Finland to the south and the Gulf of Bothnia to the west. Finland has land frontiers with Sweden, Norway and Russia. The Aland Islands, off the south western coast, are under Finnish sovereignty while enjoying extensive autonomy. Finland has a population of only five million people in three hundred thousand square kilometres. The capital of Finland is Helsinki. Cold temperate and potentially sub arctic, but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea and more than 60,000 lakes. On 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union...

Magical flower meadows, snow clad mountains, enchanting valleys, lovely landscapes and many more – Gulmarg is one such place in the state of Jammu & Kashmir that offers something or the other for all kinds of tourists with varying tastes. Be it your honeymoon vacation, adventure trip or a family holiday, Gulmarg offers you the best of natural beauty and the most exciting & thrilling adventure sports. Fascinating Attractions The city was named Gulmarg in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, as he was quite impressed with the stunning spectacle of the grassy hills adorned with colorful flowers. A few of the most popular attractions of the city are: - Gulmarg boasts of a gorgeous and...

Austria is a country that has a number of buildings in its cities and towns, which are remarkable for their architectural splendor. The buildings include churches, monasteries, fortresses, castles, palaces and museums. If the buildings keep you awe struck for their magnificent architecture, the snow-capped peaks of the Alps invite you to play with nature. In Austria you could watch water cascading down in the triple level waterfall at Krimml, explore the largest ice caves near Salzburg, attend an orchestra in Vienna, visit the Mozart museum in Salzburg and appreciate art and architecture that reach Baroque perfection. Skiing, the favorite past time of Austrians has resulted in the conversion of...

If you're looking for a holiday destination with a difference, or want a weekend away somewhere that's not going to be full of tourists, then why not consider Bulgaria? Here's why you should 1. Bulgaria is becoming well known for it's skiing resorts. The most popular winter sports destinations are Bourgas, Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo. 2. The Black Sea Coast offers many towns and villages, and is very picturesque. Why not visit Varna, Albena, Riviera, Rusalka or Golden Sands? 3. The Rila National Park is well worth a visit, and is situated in the Rila mountain range. The Pirin Mountains are home to the spa resort of Sandanski, and the Bankso ski resort. If you enjoy the great outdoors, or hiking...

When it comes to planning a holiday that will provide you with not only masses of fun and entertainment but a feeling of luxury and lavishness, you cannot get much better than a catered chalet skiing holiday. Skiing holidays allow you to not only explore and experience some breath taking landscapes, but also keep active with the fantastic sport of skiing. There are various spots around the globe which house some great skiing resorts, but for one of the best skiing resorts in the world, look no further than Meribel, France. Tucked away within the French Alps, Meribel is a beautiful resort which is so named by the three neighboring villages which surround it- Meribel Centre, Meribel-Mottaret and...

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is an ideal place for a vacation. Jackson Hole is the gateway to the Grand Teton National Park and the Yellowstone National Park. In case you are planning a trip to this destination, start searching for the best Jackson Hole vacation rentals to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. You can hike, bike, ride horses, go fishing, climb mountains and enjoy the beautiful sunset with the Teton as the backdrop. Things to Consider When Planning a Jackson Hole Vacation The first thing you need to consider before planning your vacation is the season. While spring is ideal for late season skiing and sightseeing, summer is the best season if you plan to go hiking in the Grand Teton and...

The task of planning a ski holiday for the family can often be somewhat overwhelming. There is no doubt that the success or failure of a family ski vacation is going to depend on all members of the family having a great time. Finding the right destination with activities to keep everyone engaged and entertained is of utmost importance. The good news is that when a family holiday is well-planned and you have found the ski vacation package that really fits your family, you can be confident that the trouble you went to will be worth your while. Many families report that their trips have created some of the most special experiences and lasting memories that they have ever had as a group. Booking a ski...

Vienna has beautiful skiing resorts in its vicinity. It is hard to imagine in Vienna that snowy peaks are one hours drive away but that's all it takes to get to Semmering, traditional fresh air spot for the city. Semmering can be crowded of course but its homey atmosphere and wide selection of winter sports make up for it. Beginners start on an almost flat bunny hill and for really little ones a ski playground is offered. If the kids don't fancy skiing then rent a sledge. Across the road the larger slope has a dozen ski runs, a sledging run all the way down from the top and a lovely cross country trail around the back. February is time for the traditional Austrian ski holiday. The snow is piling up...