Marty Davis asked:


Skiing holidays to France are very popular especially to resorts in the French Alps with popular places like Courchevel and Meribel, but France has absolutely hundreds of kilometres of ski slopes, which are situated in some of the most spectacular mountainous regions in the world.

So when you go on your family skiing holidays or snowboarding, you need to find the right place with the right ski slopes or the nursery slopes for the beginners, so you can be sure of getting the ideal holiday, and whether this is through a travel agency for a luxury package ski holiday, or you are organising everything yourself by choosing your own chalet or staying in a hotel and being pampered whilst off the ski slopes, the choice is endless but you will not be disappointed.

Also, France has some of the biggest ski resorts such as Les Trois Vallees, which is made up of three valleys and includes resorts like Courchevel and Meribel, with this area having around 600km of pistes for skiers of all abilities and experience so there is enough choice for everyone.

Meribel can offer skiing to people with all abilities, as there are some fantastic beginners slopes but The Three Valleys area offers a good challenge for more experienced skiers, and has an incredible choice of ski schools, which cater from groups to individual tuition.

And although it is generally a purpose built resort, you will find it like a fairytale atmosphere with the ski chalets that blend into the scenery, however, it does have quite a lively nightlife and can get very busy in the peak season as it is such a popular destination.

Courchevel is an outstanding place to ski or snowboard, but can be a little on the expensive side, although the extensive slopes of the resort will offer extensive and varied skiing. It is made up of four villages known by their altitudes and they vary immensely from their access through to facilities, but some places you can get to ski right out of the door of the hotel!

Font Romeu is one of the oldest ski resorts in Europe and also has the biggest snow making operation in the Pyrenees and with well over 2500 hours of sunshine each year, this makes it another very popular resort for weekend breaks and longer holidays alike.

Chamonix is a town in a valley and there are five very good resorts, but these are not near to the slopes and you would need transport to get to them, but this place has everything from great shops to a wonderful atmosphere, yet because of how well known it is, the whole area can seen very crowded compared to some other skiing towns, especially around the ski lifts.

Alpe d’Huez is one of Europe’s largest and highest ski resorts and is currently one of only around twenty in the world that offers a lift-served vertical of over 2000 metres, plus it has the largest slope in the world where you can ski for well over an hour without taking any ski lift, although these are definitely not for the beginner or intermediate skier.

Yet even though many think of skiing as a winter sport, there are a few places in France where you can still get to ski on the glaciers in the summer months, such as Tignes or Val d’Isere. And there are very few great skiing areas in the world that can excite the imagination more than the Val d’Isère and L’Espace Killy is considered to be one of the best ski areas in the world, plus an amazing variety of different skiing can be achieved through ski lifts and ski buses that link the area of Val d’Isère to the neighbouring Tignes,

But if you have never been skiing then it is advisable to book you holiday through a tour operator, as they will know exactly what resorts are going to be suitable, and it is also an idea to have some lessons on dry slopes prior to going, so that you can make the best of your holiday, rather that spending the first few days just learning to stop falling over on the snow!

Of course, booking your skiing holiday independently can save you quite a lot of money, but there can be downsides as well, especially if you have never been to the resort before, for instance, you may not realise how far it is to get from your accommodation to the slopes, or even how far it would be to get to the ski hire places.

And lets face it, you do not want to be spending a whole day just getting set up rather than on the slopes doing what you went there to do, please do bear in mind that even if you do not have your own skis or skiing boots, you will still need to purchase other items of equipment before you go such as proper skiing gloves and sallopettes to keep you warm and the snow out.

There is a wide range of ski accommodation in France and you can choose from purpose built private ski chalets, chalet apartments or hotels. French skiing accommodation meets the needs of all skiers, with self-catering cabins to fully serviced luxury apartments and hotels, ideal for the skier on every budget.

But the choice of accommodation can be quite mind-boggling and you have to consider all the people in your party, especially if you have young children where childcare facilities or entertainment may be an important issue, or if you are a more experienced skier, you may wish to look at chalets nearer to the more difficult runs rather than the nursery slopes or perhaps opt for a little more luxury in a hotel with gourmet meals by evening in peace and tranquillity.

Speaking to people that have already been to a resort, or even going on to forums can help a great deal, especially if you wish to know what places are the best for good value restaurants when you are on a self-catering holiday, or maybe even avoiding a resort with a lively night life if you have little ones that need their sleep!

Of course, you will also need to look into what other activities that are available in your chosen resort, as there are always things for all of the family to enjoy, such as shows, archery, concerts, squash, tennis, ice skating, golf, swimming, dancing, saunas and spas, plus much, much more.



RONALD

mariadetts asked:


I have recently gotten into downhill/alpine skiing. I am wondering what equipment should you have to ski comfortably, and also, if you have any, tips for skiing and getting better at it. Any websites with any of this would be helpful as well.
Thanks for your time!

BART

Rik Johns asked:


Cruising the waters and going for a ski on your new ski boat is the perfect way to enjoy those long deserved days off.A popular outing and sport, water sking has been around for a number of generations.

To ski on water you not only need the right kind of skis, but also the right kind of boat. For a better ski boat they should have small wake and have nippy maneuverability and turning capability, and getting the biggest meanest boat doesn’t make it better. Some popular ski boat ranges are equiped with an inboard engine rather than outboard, and while many people ski using general purpose deck ski boats, the best are purpose built.

There are many popular ski boat ranges in Aussie and since there are so many of them and most are great for Australian conditions for water sking. It would be easier to single out those slightly less fabulous than the rest than to pick the best, and you can’t go by price. Australia is a nation perfectly situated for water skiing, and they know how to build the right ski boats for sale to do the job.

If we were to name a few, then of the popular ski boat ranges in Australia, Lewis must be amongst the most favoured, being one of the major ski boat builders in the world.  Anywhere there is water skiing you will find a Lewis boat, built by Australia’s oldest manufacturer.

Although the original Lewis boats were made of wood, they are now fiberglass that provides a strong but very lightweight boat.  Even though the internal stringer system is generally wood, Lewis boat sales are high preformance and have the speed and dexerity for great skiing. The 2280 and Revolution are typical of the Lewis range with their zippy Mercruiser engines that produce a small wake at speed for a smooth slalom ride, and nice big wake for wakeboarding at lower speeds.

Their well crafted Wake towers can be pimped any way you like them, with sound system speakers, . However, the disadvantage in a dual purposeski boat or wakeboarding vessel is that you can get a rougher ride on skis.  It isn’t always ideal to have a dual purpose boat, but if you enjoy both sports then you should get enough performance from a wakeboarding and ski boat to make you happy.  If it’s championship performance you are seeking, then a specialist boat for sale for skiing could be an option.

A well known and popular boat builder Bayliner has a great standing in the 16-22 foot range of ski boat sales The Bowrider 205 is is a great example of skiboat with a 220 hp Mercuiser engine. This ski boat for sale comes with and great sound system from its stereo controller that allows you fit a CD player, iPod or MP3 player. Building boats for over 40years Bayliner has the experience to know how to build good boats. These ski boats for sale are quality, and respond to the helm perfectly.  They have great acceleration with a agility for some great water skiing.

Crownline boats are for the boating enthusist that likes a bit more power.  These boats for sale exude class and quality, and the Bowrider 240LS is great for skiing. With a variety of colours to choose from and your Mercedes engine up to a maximum 425 horse power.  With many great options including an entertainment system, sink and shower it makes it a great fun throughout your ski boating day. If you prefer a deckboat to a bowrider for your skiing, then the Crownline 252 EX has similar features with the same outboard engine, and a Sony Marine stereo system as standard. Crownline may be a little more expensive but you pay for quality and one of the best ski boats for sale.  Again, though, they are multi-purpose and while a common choice with the mid range ski boat skier they are not designed to be specialised ski boats.

For a championship specialist ski boat, then Skicraft must figure in there somewhere.  Based in Bayswater, Skicraft boats, have been building top of the range ski boats for sale since 1969, offering very reliable turning and maneuverability, but is also very safe. From the lustrous and prompt 202 to the new V-Drive eXV Skicraft are true ski boats.  The ExV is an updated model of the popular eX2, with a good heaviness design allowing you to switch from wakeboarding to skiing with a turn of a switch.

Skicraft normally build specialist boats, and the V-Drive is commonly better for wakeboarding. However, wakeboarding boats for sale can be costly because they have to be heavier to produce a good wake. Skicraft have developed a wake control technology whereby you can adjust the size of the wake to switch between skiing and wakeboarding, and all at a price well below that of a purpose-built wakeboarding boat.

However, the luxury cruiser that catches everyones attention is the new Mustang. Since being taken over by new owners, Mustang has re emerged, and is going from strength to strength. Their most recent boat, still to be unveiled, is the Mustang 2008 430 Sports Coupe.  How good this will be for ski boat we don’t know, but it is equipped with Volvo IPS 600 engines as usual, with 418 HP each so is going to be prompt enough.

These are among the more popular skiboat ranges around Australia, and with so many more ski boats for sale that we have missed it might pay to visit a great website Boats To Buy for both new and used boats for sale online.



MATTHEW

Travis asked:


I have a water skiing rope and want to start wakeboarding. Do i have to buy a rope specifically made for wakeboarding or can i use the water skiing rope?

BOOKER

Bill asked:


I’m looking for a pair of skis that i can use 2 do jumps, rails, etc, but still are decent for skiing normal slopes. Obviously they need duel tips, and preferably not to expensive. i’m an advanced skier, but i’m not very picky when it comes to skis. any help here would be appreciated.

ELLIS

Melanie Broemsen asked:


Most of us associate water skiing with summertime fun - warm sunshine, beaches and picnics - so it may come as a surprise that water skiing was born in Minnesota in 1922 when Ralph Samuelson used two boards and a clothesline to ski across Lake Pepin. Samuelson has been credited by the American Water Ski Association as the first water ski racer, and the first to jump a ramp and slalom ski, as well as the first to hold a water ski show, too.

Like Samuelson, avid enthusiasts will water ski nearly any time, any where there is an opportunity, even when winter temperatures and chilly water are a deterrent for most people. Fortunately, no matter what city and state you call home, there’s probably a local lake or other body of water where you can get in some ski time, perhaps even practice your gainers and other tricks.

Of course, skiing at the same location all the time can become routine. Add a little excitement to your water time this year by planning a water skiing vacation. Whether you are a novice or expert, you can have some added fun by water skiing at one of these five great locations:

Top U.S. water skiing destinations

1) San Diego, Calif. - With a climate that provides ideal conditions year-round and an average of 264 days of sunshine each year, San Diego is a water skier’s dream. It’s also the home of Mission Bay Park, the largest manmade aquatic park in the U.S. Located just 10 minutes from downtown, Mission Bay offers ******** skiers the opportunity to take an early morning jaunt around the bay, and still make it to the office on time. In addition, there’s a variety of water ski classes for everyone from the novice to the experienced. For a little more excitement and a change of pace, skiers can cruise around the freight and military ships in San Diego Bay. A variety of local lakes are perfect for those that prefer freshwater water skiing. Plan your trip to San Diego the weekend of Oct. 9,, 2009, and you’ll be able to watch the 5th U.S. Open Water Ski Racing National Championships, too.

2) Austin, Texas - As the Live Music Capital of America, Austin’s earned a reputation as a vibrant city that exemplifies a young, active outdoor lifestyle. For water skiers, the long summers and short winters provide almost year-round opportunity to hit the water. In addition to Lake Austin and Lake Travis, Austin offers several world-class facilities built specifically for water skiers:

- Austin Aquaplex - The Aquaplex is known for “easy” water with a medium-to-high viscosity - great for slalom and jump-ski enthusiasts.

- Guadalupe Ski Plex - Built to accommodate competitive water skiing, Guadalupe is home to three lakes, two slalom courses and a ski jump, as well plenty of boat docks and storage areas.

- Utopia River Ranch - For professional lessons, trek to Utopia River Ranch, a private water ski training facility located near Staples, just outside of Austin.

3) West Palm Beach, Fla. - South Florida, from Key West and Miami to West Palm and Orlando, is a hub of activity for water sports lovers of all kinds. With few days under 70 degrees, South Florida’s Palm Beach County offers ski enthusiasts nearly year-round opportunity, as well as two major water ski attractions and several exciting competitions.

- Okeeheelee Park - The site of choice for beginners and professionals, the facility is a nationally recognized competitive water ski park with five courses that can accommodate everything from traditional to barefoot and kneeboard skiing. If you love to bask in the moonlight, you can take advantage of night skiing on a lit course, too. At under $100, annual permits are more than affordable, too.

- Palm Beach Training Center - Ask Chet Raley, one of the world’s top ski coaches and a national champion, for world-class water ski instruction at Palm Beach Training Center, a private facility located in Boca Raton. Raley offers video coaching for under $100, as well as more expensive clinics for professional skiers.

In addition, South Florida hosts the following water skiing events:

- 3rd IWSF Pan Am Region Wakeboard Championships (Miami)

- Board Up Miami (Miami)

- 4th Big Dawg Slalom Series Championship (West Palm Beach)

- 67th GOODE Water Ski National Championships (West Palm Beach)

4) Pine Mountain, Ga. - Located just outside of Atlanta in Pine Mountain, lays Robin Lake Beach, home of the world’s longest manmade white sand beach. Ranked among Fine Living’s top 10 most unique beaches in the world in 2007, Robin Lake Beach is part of Callaway Gardens resort. Callaway Gardens also hosts the Masters Water Ski and Wakeboard Tournament®, which awards more than $100,000 in winnings each Memorial Day weekend. A great destination for the entire family, the stunning vacation resort offers something for everyone, from water skiing to golf, relaxing spa visits and more.

5) Seattle, Wash. - Although you may not think of the rainy Emerald City as a water skiing hub, it’s the testing ground of choice for popular water ski manufacturers like Herb O’Brien, Pat Connelly, Jeff Jobe and Denny Kidder. With picturesque Mount Ranier as a backdrop, Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish provide the perfect glass.

Of course, these aren’t the only great places to water ski. Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Charlotte, N.C., Sacramento, Calif., Grand Rapids, Mich., and Madison, Wis. are other destinations beloved by ski enthusiasts.

No matter where in the U.S. you are located, there’s a great place to water ski near you. However before you take your boat on a trip or hit the water, be sure it’s protected. Nationwide offers affordable boat insurance, as well as personal watercraft insurance in case you own any other water sport toys, like jet skis. For more information, visit nationwide.com.



RUSTY

Steve M asked:


I am planning a ski trip for this spring with a group of my friends (mid 20’s) to the area around Park City, Utah. What time of year is the best time to go skiing in Utah? I’ve been skiing in Utah in late March twice and the weather was warm, but we didn’t get any powder days. I am looking for the best time for some good powder, weather that isn’t freezing, and lines that aren’t crazy long.

RANDY

prasadsprint asked:


Meribel is in the heart of the Three Valleys skiing area in the French Alps. It’s Europe’s favourite skiing destination with stunning scenery and excellent snow conditions for a wonderful ski holiday. Travel to the ski slopes is now very convenient with budget airlines and trains offering their services from UK to the ski destinations in France.

But travelling with all your bulky winter clothes, accessories and the heavy, large bags of your ski equipment is not an easy thing. At the same time, buying ski equipment is not an option if you are only going for a season.

Also, ski gear is expensive and requires maintenance and care to keep it in top condition. With the constant upgrades and latest models available in skis, your gear can quickly become outdated. Another issue is that your ski gear needs to match the snow conditions at the ski resort. With your own equipment, you are stuck with equipment that’s not quite suited to the snow conditions at Meribel.

For all these reasons, many skiers prefer ski hire at Meribel. The advantages are many: its convenient- lighter and hassel free travel, cheaper than buying your own ski equipment. You are also assured that you will get ski gear that’s in excellent condition and just suited to the snow conditions and for your skiing level. The ski hire services at Meribel cater to all levels of skiers from beginners to advanced skiiers. Hiring ski equipment may also be a good idea for young children. They’ll outgrow their boots, if not their skis, in a season, sometimes quicker.

Here are tips on ways to save money when skiing, including purchasing equipment inexpensively in Meribel.



Start your search well before you plan to go on your ski holiday. The best place to start your search is the internet. There are many ski hire websites which offer their services for hiring skis and skiing equipment in the Meribel resort. You will find several cheap ski hire packages to match your requirements and your budget.





When you hire ski in time equipment online, you will have a range of options to choose ski equipment for your family or group based on their personal requirements.





Give all your details accurately: your height, weight, and ability level are the most important things that you will be asked while hiring ski equipment online. This information is important to get you the right equipment and also for setting the release weight (DIN setting) on your bindings.





Insurance recommended: Many shops will offer optional ‘insurance’ on top of normal rental. This will typically cover all of the costs should you lose your skis, damage them or have them stolen. Its important given the risk of unpredictable snow and weather conditions on the pistes.





Are discounted lift tickets available when you book your ski rental? If so, check out all the options (multi-day tickets, mid-week tickets, etc.) to make sure you’re getting the best deal.



These are some of the important things to bear in mind while hiring skis and ski equipment at Meribel. You can visit (website URL) for details, information and discount offers for ski hire at Meribel.

For further information log on to http://www.ski-hire-meribel.com

Key words:

ski hire meribel, ski hire meribel ski hire, ski rent meribel, ski hire services in meribel, ski hire in meribel, ski hire france



MANUEL

diagonaluk asked:

Ladies and gents, we present Twiggy the water-skiing squirrel. And a speedboat driven by some hamsters.

TRAVIS

Highlife Ski & Snowboard asked:


Highlife is delighted to offer you a unique opportunity which brings together world-class 3 Valleys skiing with a refreshing yoga programme. Combining the best of skiing in the magnificent French Alps with the effective and thoughtful courses of Irish company Sunrise Yoga, this excellent holiday is designed to be as flexible as its participants!

The exciting programme gives you the perfect mix of the finest skiing and the most relaxing yoga at Highlife’s Chalet Amelie in Méribel. Start each day with an invigorating morning yoga class, followed by a wholesome breakfast, which includes cereals, porridge, French pastries, smoothies, yoghurts, fresh fruit, juices, tea & coffee, and a range of hot options including a Chef’s Special every morning. You can relax over your breakfast indoors or enjoy the crisp morning mountain air with your muesli (breathing deeply!), out on your private sundeck.

To ensure you enjoy a great week on the slopes, ski lessons or exclusive ski guiding with experienced Highlife guides is arranged each day. A second restorative yoga class awaits on your return from the slopes to help ease any tired muscles, as will a wind down in your Jacuzzi. The evening continues with your private chef preparing a delicious three course meal which you can enjoy with a range of carefully selected French wines and, of course, Highlife chefs are happy to provide excellent vegetarian and vegan options.

Sunrise Yoga teacher Caragh Egan will lead the yoga classes, offering a very special holiday combination for yoga lovers and novices, as well as practiced skiers and beginners alike. So relax and ski, all you yogis and yoginis – whichever combination suits you, Highlife has the perfect holiday!

Full details on Highlife’s exclusive range of Ski Holidays in France can be found at www.highlife.ie. The company can be contacted on +353 1 677 1100 and by email at info@highlife.ie.



JOAN