Author : Corvina BeaulontTelluride is one of the best resort destinations in the United States If you are thinking of going on a vacation there, you need to book a hotel room now from among the various Telluride lodging in the area such as Lumiere Booking a the finest hotel room is an important part of any vacation trip And because of the popularity of Telluride, you need to make your reservation early
This is to prevent running out of a place to stay due to the big number of local and foreign tourists that gather on the area
Telluride is a winter wonderland but you can also experience the place on other times of the year If you do not desire your dream vacation to be spoiled by a bad accommodation, choose Telluride lodging that were created with your comforts in mind A wonderful accommodation is one that will give you an option to rent or own a place It has been among the most popular hotels in Telluride because of its focus on its quality of service, its affordability and its comfortable settings Many amenities that will make your stay worth your while are also installed around the hotel
If you need to get a glimpse of what this great hotel can offer, you can browse their website online and get a taste of what you can experience with them Images that are meant to portray the comfortable arrangements of each room are posted on the site, as well as the surrounding attractions that will make you all the more eager to visit the place Telluride lodging offer accommodations that are usually found on five star hotels The staff is put together of professionals and is always ready to do anything at your command With such attention, you will be able to take pleasure in your vacation more
To go to the best lodging visit Telluride Lodging
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Discoe, Kearney Take Moguls Gold
.....Squaw Valley, Calif. (Ski Press)-It was icing on the cake for one, and a new frontier for the other as 2010 gold medalist Hannah Kearney and Joey Discoe took moguls titles at the Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships at Squaw Valley.Joining Kearney on the podium were two women who picked up the first World Cup wins of their careers this season. Eliza Outtrim (Steamboat Springs, CO), just off a win at World Cup finals in Spain, was second and Heather McPhie (Bozeman, MT) was third.Kearney was happy to share the podium with such distinguished talent."The podium was three individuals who have won a World Cup so you're really skiing against the best in the world, which makes it that much more difficult," Kearney said.The Olympic champ broke out some new moves Friday, throwing a mute grab off the bottom air to freshen up her run and set herself apart from the stiff competition."That was the first time I've ever thrown a mute in competition or qualifying and a new trick, it's always satisfying when that goes well," Kearney said. "I like to try to push myself because I've been stuck in a rut for a few years as far as my tricks go."For Outtrim the day marked another career landmark, which she said she was hoping for after her time in Spain."I've never been on a U.S. Championship podium before, so that's incredible," Outtrim said. "I really wanted to come off the win from last week, ski well here and follow up on that win."As far as her run went, Outtrim was pleased and plans to keep it up."I feel like I messed up my top air a little, but I was really happy with the rest of my run," Outtrim said. "I feel like I'm skiing faster and I've been trying to do that - to push the limits a little bit."Outtrim wasn't the only one making first impressions Friday, as Discoe took down his first Champs podium appearance as well."I'm really excited. It's an amazing feeling and I'm super stoked," Discoe said. "My skiing has been coming together for the last three events with a couple World Cups making the finals. I got a top 10 there and just kept the skiing going into here." Joining Discoe on the podium were Jeremy Cota (Carrabassett Valley, ME) who was second and Michael Morse (Duxburry, MA) who was third.Now with the champs win in Hand, Discoe has a plan for how he can keep his momentum rolling into 2011."Lots of training. I'm going to go home for the summer and take a little bit more of a break to clear my mind and then just get right back into it," Discoe said.Young Cota was also a happy camper on the sunny ski day as he also marked his first appearance on a U.S. Champs podium."It feels great. I skied really well and was happy with the way I skied. I did my harder tricks and landed them, so I was stoked on that. I'm just happy to be on the podium," Cota said.Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships continue Saturday with men's and women's skier halfpipe and aerials competitions.OFFICIAL RESULTS2010 Sprint U.S. Freestyle ChampionshipsSquaw Valley, CA - March 26, 2010MogulsMen1. Joey Discoe, Telluride, CO, 25.512. Jeremy Cota, Steamboat Springs, CO, 25.413. Michael Morse, Duxbury, MA, 25.304. Reed Snyderman, Winchester, MA, 25.295. Dave DiGravio, Farmington, ME, 25.17Women1. Hannah Kearney, Norwich, VT, 26.372. Eliza Outtrim, Steamboat Springs, CO, 25.413. Heather McPhie, Bozeman, MT. 25.024. Shelly Robertson, Reno, NV, 24.815. Laurel Shanley, Squaw Valley, CA, 24.31
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Isabella Tree meets Mexico's glorious matriarchs
The writer finds out why it's considered a misfortune to be born a man in Juchit�nIt's a testing experience trying to get some shopping done in Juchit�n (pronounced "Hoocheetan") ? a market town on the Pacific coast of Mexico, on the isthmus of Tehuantepec in the state of Oaxaca."Looking for something fishy, something nice and slippery, gringa?" A mountainous woman, her arms elbow-deep in a basket of prawns, sniffed her fingers ostentatiously as I made my way between the overflowing food stalls in the crowded market.Next door, the fruit seller joined in. "Perhaps she's after one of these," she screamed with laughter, lunging out with a bunch of gigantic bananas known as pl�tanos machos as if to stick them up my skirt.The butcher, another woman the size of the Popocatapetl volcano, held up a string of sausages. "Perhaps it's meat she wants, or" ? making a grab for a half-plucked chicken ? "a nice big cock."The egg-seller was convulsed with laughter, gold-capped teeth twinkling. "Looks like it to me. See how skinny she is ? half-starved, poor thing. You need to beat a few eggs, sister." The word for eggs is the same as for testicles so I guessed she wasn't talking about making omelettes.The women were speaking their native Zapotec, a language that lends itself to innuendo and puns and with which they have danced circles around foreigners for centuries. My friend Natalia, a Juchiteca herself, but living in Mexico City and a quarter the size of most of the women here, was translating for me ? when she could stop laughing."The Zapotec culture is very strong," she told me, as we moved, thankfully, away from the food stalls into the quieter realm of the flower market. "Being so far away from Mexico City, the Zapotecs were on the very edge of the Aztec empire. Even the Spanish had trouble exerting their influence here. Zapotecs are notoriously rebellious. They don't like being told what to do."Juchit�n market was run entirely by the women and this was the secret of their remarkable self-confidence ? and their size. While their husbands were out labouring all day in the fields or the fishing boats, the women of Juchit�n took charge of trade, bartering and haggling with every foreigner who passed through this fortuitous bottleneck between the two continents of America. When money fell like a ripe harvest into their aprons, the Juchitecas took to running the economy, owning land and property, even fighting in wars. Nowhere in Mexico ? or anywhere else in Latin America ? has a matrifocal culture like this come into being.It was a refreshing surprise to encounter these glorious matriarchs in a country infamous for machismo and misogyny, where the stereotypical ideal female is the retiring mujer abnegada ? a paragon of restraint and pious self-sacrifice. I'd lost count of the times I'd been ignored by waiters or passed over in the queue for the man behind me. But in Juchit�n, amazingly, men took a back seat."Men aren't allowed in the market," Natalia said, "unless they're a muxe."She gestured to a flower-seller with long, braided hair and the traditional huipil (embroidered blouse) and voluminous skirts of the Juchiteca ? but the hands wrapping dripping stems of tuberoses and hibiscus were enormous and hairy, and there was a prominent Adam's apple poking out above the neckline of the blouse. She was, quite clearly, a he.Well over a quarter of the town's male population were thought to be muxes, or transvestites. Homophobia was another stranger here. "If you have a son in Juchit�n, people will try to cheer you up", said Natalia, "they'll say, 'better luck next time' or 'perhaps he'll be a muxe'."In Juchit�n, if you had the misfortune not to be born a woman, the next best thing was to behave like one.? Flights to Mexico City from Gatwick from �623 through Netflights (netflights.com). See hotelesdeoaxaca.com for a list of places to stay in Juchit�nSliced Iguana: Travels in Unknown Mexico by Isabella Tree is published by Tauris Parke Paperbacks (�11.99)Mexicoguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Hotel chefs offer their best Thanksgiving recipes
Filed under: Festivals and Events, Food and DrinkThanksgiving is in less than week and if you're like me, you've thought about how great the dinner will be but haven't actually put any thought into building your menu. And who can blame you (us)? From deadlines to due dates to the mental preparation one needs in order to host Thanksgiving dinner, it's no wonder you (we) haven't had a moment to plan the menu.
Good news procrastinators: I put in a call to a few of my favorite chefs at hotels from coast and coast and asked for their best Thanksgiving Day recipes. The results are, simply, delicious. Even better, each one of these recipes is easy to make!
A special thanks to the chefs at Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, XV Beacon, Hotel Viking, Charles Hotel and The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove Miami for their recipes.
Enjoy!Continue reading Hotel chefs offer their best Thanksgiving recipesHotel chefs offer their best Thanksgiving recipes originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Good news procrastinators: I put in a call to a few of my favorite chefs at hotels from coast and coast and asked for their best Thanksgiving Day recipes. The results are, simply, delicious. Even better, each one of these recipes is easy to make!
A special thanks to the chefs at Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, XV Beacon, Hotel Viking, Charles Hotel and The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove Miami for their recipes.
Enjoy!Continue reading Hotel chefs offer their best Thanksgiving recipesHotel chefs offer their best Thanksgiving recipes originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Turkey with presidential pardon not going to Disneyland
Filed under: North America, United States, Theme ParksEach year just before Thanksgiving, the president pardons a turkey in a ceremony at the White House, saving that turkey from its likely fate atop a dining table. But this year, that turkey is not going to Disneyland.
Disney started flying the pardoned turkeys to California in 2005, when Disneyland was celebrating its 50th anniversary. The turkey has served as grand marshal of the the Disneyland Thanksgiving Day Parade ("The Happiest Turkey on Earth") each year since, except for 2007, when the bird went to Walt Disney World instead.
Disney officials told the Orange County Register that this year, the lucky bird just doesn't fit into its theme parks' new promotion, "Let the Memories Begin."
So the turkey that President Obama pardons this Wednesday will live out its life at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate, rather than Mickey Mouse's house.
Three previously pardoned turkeys still live in a coop at Disneyland's Big Thunder Ranch petting zoo.
[Image credit: Flickr user Myrna Litt]Turkey with presidential pardon not going to Disneyland originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Disney started flying the pardoned turkeys to California in 2005, when Disneyland was celebrating its 50th anniversary. The turkey has served as grand marshal of the the Disneyland Thanksgiving Day Parade ("The Happiest Turkey on Earth") each year since, except for 2007, when the bird went to Walt Disney World instead.
Disney officials told the Orange County Register that this year, the lucky bird just doesn't fit into its theme parks' new promotion, "Let the Memories Begin."
So the turkey that President Obama pardons this Wednesday will live out its life at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate, rather than Mickey Mouse's house.
Three previously pardoned turkeys still live in a coop at Disneyland's Big Thunder Ranch petting zoo.
[Image credit: Flickr user Myrna Litt]Turkey with presidential pardon not going to Disneyland originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Have Added Fun on your Vacation through Telluride Lodging
Author : Corvina BeaulontTelluride is one of the best resort destinations in the United States If you are thinking of going on a vacation there, you need to book a hotel room now from among the various Telluride lodging in the area such as Lumiere Booking a the finest hotel room is an important part of any vacation trip And because of the popularity of Telluride, you need to make your reservation early
This is to prevent running out of a place to stay due to the big number of local and foreign tourists that gather on the area
Telluride is a winter wonderland but you can also experience the place on other times of the year If you do not desire your dream vacation to be spoiled by a bad accommodation, choose Telluride lodging that were created with your comforts in mind A wonderful accommodation is one that will give you an option to rent or own a place It has been among the most popular hotels in Telluride because of its focus on its quality of service, its affordability and its comfortable settings Many amenities that will make your stay worth your while are also installed around the hotel
If you need to get a glimpse of what this great hotel can offer, you can browse their website online and get a taste of what you can experience with them Images that are meant to portray the comfortable arrangements of each room are posted on the site, as well as the surrounding attractions that will make you all the more eager to visit the place Telluride lodging offer accommodations that are usually found on five star hotels The staff is put together of professionals and is always ready to do anything at your command With such attention, you will be able to take pleasure in your vacation more
To go to the best lodging visit Telluride Lodging
This is to prevent running out of a place to stay due to the big number of local and foreign tourists that gather on the area
Telluride is a winter wonderland but you can also experience the place on other times of the year If you do not desire your dream vacation to be spoiled by a bad accommodation, choose Telluride lodging that were created with your comforts in mind A wonderful accommodation is one that will give you an option to rent or own a place It has been among the most popular hotels in Telluride because of its focus on its quality of service, its affordability and its comfortable settings Many amenities that will make your stay worth your while are also installed around the hotel
If you need to get a glimpse of what this great hotel can offer, you can browse their website online and get a taste of what you can experience with them Images that are meant to portray the comfortable arrangements of each room are posted on the site, as well as the surrounding attractions that will make you all the more eager to visit the place Telluride lodging offer accommodations that are usually found on five star hotels The staff is put together of professionals and is always ready to do anything at your command With such attention, you will be able to take pleasure in your vacation more
To go to the best lodging visit Telluride Lodging
Okapi Conservation
Only discovered in the 20th century, the unusual okapi has qualities that resemble the horse, giraffe and zebra. But in truth, the okapi is the only relative of the giraffe (Giraffidae), a family that branched off from antelope, deer and cattle (Artiodactyla) approximately 34 million years ago. Like the giraffe, okapis have enormous, upright ears and long prehensile tongues. Only male okapis have horns. The okapi lives in a patchy range in the Democratic Republic of Congo, finding suitable habitat in high-canopy, closed primary or older secondary rainforests. But these mammals are hard to find in their fragmented distribution, and experts estimate that less than 35,000 okapis remain in the wild. Illegal "bush meat" poaching for trade, human populations and deforestation are the greatest threats to this animal species. Under Congolese law, the okapi is a protected species and has become a national icon. It is currently listed as "near threatened" by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and protected areas within the DR Congo (such as a portion of the Ituri Forest in central Africa) are helping to ensure the okapis' long-term survival. Did you know? An okapi's ears are so long, they can clean their ears. And the okapi's coat is so oily that if you were to pet it, your hand would leave a handprint impression on its velvety coat. Learn more interesting Did You Know? animal facts by following @natgeowild on Twitter or searching the hashtag #DYK. Photo Credit: Jodi Kendall
Heavy Medal Tour: Skiers Get Armed Forces Sendoff
..... Steamboat Springs, Colo. (Ski Press)-In support of the U.S. ski team athletes departing this week on the Armed Forces Entertainment?s Heavy Medal Tour to visit troops, the athletes' hometown communities are enacting a Heavy Medal Tour Yellow Ribbon campaign.The Olympic medalists: Bill Demong (Vermontville, N.Y.), Johnny Spillane (Steamboat Springs, Colo.), Brett Camerota (Park City, Utah) and Todd Lodwick (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) and their combined seven Olympic gold and silver medals departed Saturday, April 3, to meet with troops in Southwest Asia. The first ribbons in support of the Armed Forces Entertainment Heavy Medal Tour were given out by the athletes to their families during the Hometown Heroes Celebration in Steamboat Springs on Friday, April 2. The Hometown Heroes Celebration in Steamboat Springs honored the achievement of the athletes in Vancouver during the Olympic Winter Games and featured a send off for this special trip overseas including the reading of Orders by USAF Colonel Ed Shock, Chief of Armed Forces Entertainment, statements by government officials, and a special note by the Commander of the Colorado Army National Guard. Similar homecomings were held recently for Demong in New York and for two-dozen Olympians in Park City, Utah. Beginning today, Monday, April 5, yellow ribbons are available in various locations in the athletes? hometowns. Fans in New York's Adirondack Region can get ribbons at the Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce or at the Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau. The U.S. ski team's Center of Excellence will have ribbons in Park City. Hometown supporters in Steamboat Springs will find ribbons at the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, the Steamboat/Hayden (HDN) Airport, and the Clark Store just outside of Steamboat. One of the biggest stories at the 2010 Olympics was the performance by the U.S. nordic combined ski team. Spillane started the two weeks of historic results off with the USA?s first-ever Olympic nordic combined medal, winning silver in the normal hill combined event. Spillane was then joined by teammates Demong, Camerota and veteran Lodwick for the team competition where they came away with a team silver medal. Demong and Spillane then capped off the historic Olympic fortnight with a gold-silver finish in the large hill combined competition.
DH-er Scotty Mac Retires After 12 Seasons
..... Crystal Mountain, Wash. (Ski Press)-Two-time Olympian Scott Macartney announced his retirement from the U.S. Ski Team leaving a legacy of leadership at every level of the U.S. alpine program.In 12 years with the Team, 'Mac' amassed World Cup podiums, top-10 finishes at Olympics and World Championships and a record of World Cup points at every downhill venue he raced. "There's a lot of things that I'm proud of in ski racing, but some of my greatest memories are fairly recent," said Macartney. "Our speed team's trip to Moab mountain biking last summer was pretty amazing for our group. It was cool to get together and be competitive in something else other than ski racing. There are bonds I've built with these guys I'll hold my entire life." A skier from birth, Macartney's volunteer Ski Patrol parents had him on boards at age three. By seven he had started racing at Crystal Mountain and in 1998 made his break through with a bronze medal and the Junior World Championships in Megeve, France. Through racing, he continued his education through Dartmouth College and received a degree in 2004. His rise through the U.S. Ski Team program was something that Head Speed Coach Chris Brigham lived through every training camp, every race start and every injury. "Mac has always been a leader in this program," said Brigham, who has been with the U.S. Ski Team since 1997. "As a young guy he was pushing the veterans then it was him getting pushed and responding with outstanding performances. He's battled through a lot of injuries and came back charging and smiling. As a team, we're all bummed he's leaving. He's been a fantastic teammate and a friend for a long time. We'll miss him." His most notable injury, both personally and across the ski racing community was at the 2008 Hahnenkamm downhill in Kitzbuehel, Austria. After finishing on the podium earlier that year in Val Gardena, Italy, Macartney was on laser point to what would have been a top 10 at ski racings biggest and most treacherous event when a crash off the finish jump sent him through the finish line unconscious. It was his 30th birthday. After completing an incredible recovery, he returned to the World Cup circuit the following season and was producing some of the best skiing of his career when another crash in Wengen, Switzerland ? the week before Kitzbuehel ? knocked him out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. The result was another year of waiting before returning to Kitzbuehel. "I was ready to charge it again in at Kitz last year. I had just come off an incredible race in Bormio, which is one of the gnarliest tracks in all of ski racing and then I blew my ACL at Wengen. It was pretty heartbreaking, but I'd been there before," Macartney said. It was heartbreaking to his coaches too. Brigham, more than anyone, was fired up to see him conquer the Hahnenkamm and knew that his skiing was in a place where he could, then the crash at Wengen. It hit teammate Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA) especially hard. "That December, he was skiing better than ever," said Sullivan. "He basically came back from something that no one would have thought possible. He was super focused and then he blew out his knee, but he still came back to race at Kitz the next year. That showed a lot about his character. He has a unique passion for the sport and for him to put that out there is pretty inspiring." "To see him cross the finish line at Kitzbuehel, two years after that crash - as a coach - was one of the coolest things of my career. I couldn't have been more proud," added Brigham. Yet it wasn't the mark Macartney wanted to leave. "I never had just a check box next to Kitzbuehel," he said. "It wasn't that I just wanted to finish again, I wanted a top 10, I wanted a top 5, but by the time I got back there it became more about how my body felt. My back was hurting, my hip was hurting. I wanted to charge, but being in the finish again and on my feet, that was pretty special. While Sullivan's worries end when it comes to Macartney's next career, he does have some competitive fire left for the snow and plans to go head-to-head with Macartney in one more race this season. The friends plan to meet early April in Alaska for the Arctic Man Ski and Sno-Go Classic, a unique event deep in the Hoodoo Mountains that opens with a downhill, before the skier is intersected by a snowmobile and towed at 90 mph through a canyon then whipped down to the finish line. From the start, the course drops 1,700 feet to "hook-up" then climbs 1,200 feet to "release" before dropping 1,200 feet to the finish line. Both Macartney and Sullivan have Arctic Man victories on their resume, with Macartney, along with driver Tyler Johnson, holding the event record. On this line this year is a guaranteed purse of $25,000.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Ski Gear: DPS Wailer 112RP Launch
..... Salt Lake City (Ski Press)-DPS Skis (dpsskis.com) announced the launch of The Wailer 112RP which ?bridges the gap with a shape that combines the loose and early planing feel of a fully rockered ski with aggressive sidecut and slight camber underfoot.??Once in awhile a ski comes along that breaks boundaries and becomes the new standard in terms of shape, flex, and construction. The Wailer 112RP is truly the centerpiece of any skier?s quiver. It?s equally at home pulling loaded g?s on packed snow as it is slashing a wave feature or surfing powder. It?s as close to a one ski quiver as possible and will become the new standard in versatility ? it?s fun everywhere,? says Stephan Drake, DPS Founder and President. DPS has built and shaped skis geared for the freeride community since 2005. According to Drake, The Wailer, is ?A 16m radius underfoot and great torsional stiffness allow for maximum versatility, while the rockered and tapered tips and tail allow the Wailer 112RP to get loose and be driven from the ball of the foot in deeper snow. It's a game changer.? For information visit: http://dpsskis.com/
Freestyle Champs Hit Squaw Valley
..... Squaw Valley, Calif. (Ski Press)-An event half a century in the making, Squaw Valley is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games with the Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships as Olympic medalists and the sport's best compete for U.S. titles March 26-28.The action kicks off Friday with men's and women's moguls where Olympic champion Hannah Kearney (Norwich, VT), and Olympic bronze medalists Bryon Wilson (Butte, MT) and Shannon Bahrke (Tahoe City, CA) and World Champion Patrick Deneen (Cle Elum, WA) will ski the bumps looking for a win. For Bahrke, who plans to retire at the end of the 2010 season, the event at Squaw Valley represents special significance. "That's where I grew up, that's where I learned how to ski my first moguls course, so you know to finish it there, to start a career and finish it there is something that you know I think every athlete dreams of doing and I get to do it, so that's pretty cool," Bahrke said. "It's going to be so much fun. My whole family, my friends, you know my coaches that have been through everything with me are going to be there, so that's really going to be an awesome experience." Things keep rolling on Saturday when David Wise gets back in the halfpipe looking to mark the fifth consecutive U.S. title of his career. Adding to the action on Saturday will be men's and women's aerials, which feature an incredible lineup of athletes including Olympic silver medalist Jeret "Speedy" Peterson (Boise, ID), World Champion Ryan St. Onge (Winter Park, CO), World Cup winner Emily Cook (Belmont, MA) and Olympians Lacy Schnoor (Draper, UT) and Scotty Bahrke (Tahoe City, CA). "I'm looking forward to competing at U.S. Champs, and to get to go out and spin one last time with my teammates before I take a little break," Peterson said. I'm just looking forward to having this one last competition and seeing how everything goes." Wrapping up the weekend will be the dual moguls event where Kearney, who just won back to back World Cups in both moguls and dual moguls, is looking to shine. "Squaw last year was gorgeous. It was kind of like spring vacation. To show up on an Olympic year and share with the freestyle community is always something I look forward to," Kearney said. The Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships kick off March 26 and run through March 28. Fans can watch from the comfort of their own home on April 4 when the events air on Versus at 6 p.m. ET.
It Ain?t Over ? Utah Gets Rocked!
..... Snowbird, Utah (Ski Press)-While many ski areas are shutting down after the Easter weekend, it looks like Utah is only just getting started on the ?deep? season. April showers have resulted in ample powder at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, which has received four-and-a-half feet in the last week, pushing the season total to 440 inches with a mid-mountain base depth of 127 inches. With an additional 30-40 inches forecasted in the coming days, the mountain is in mid-winter form and skiers are raving about the spring storms. ?Just like last year, April is providing some of the best conditions we?ve seen all year,? said resort president Bob Bonar. ?With this deep snowpack we expect to offer skiing and riding well into May, continuing our tradition of offering the longest season in Utah.? And at Solitude (from whence we received a photo collection of nothing but over the head faceshots yesterday ? Thanks a lot Joe and Nick), 58? of snow last week brings the YTD total to 438?!!
Love Ice Skating?
Bluewater Ice RinkBluewater Ice RinkFrom 19 NovemberGreenhithe, KentChristmas at Bluewater begins on 19 November. The Winter Wonderland includes the new Candy Mine grotto, traditional funfair, circus and an undercover ice skating rink. So get your skates on and head to Bluewater!�Brighton Royal Pavilion Ice RinkBrighton Royal Pavilion Ice Rink13 November - 16 JanuaryBrighton Royal Pavilion, BrightonBrighton's Royal Pavilion will play host to its first ever outdoor real ice rink with the only rink-side pre-school cr�che in the country, pop up restaurant serving award-winning food from Due South, beginners' area and 'penguin' skate aids especially for the youngsters.Canary WharfCanary Wharf13 November - 18 FebruaryCanary Wharf, LondonNestled beneath Canary Wharf's world famous tours, the rink is a spectacular sight, with the best outdoor skating facilities in the capital. The rink also offers the fully licensed Alpine caf� bar, where skaters can enjoy hot drinks, mulled wine, beer and tasty snacks pre or post skate.Hampton Court Palace Ice RinkHampton Court Palace Ice Rink27 November - 9 JanuaryHampton Court Palace, LondonFeel the cold tingle of London's crisp winter air, listen to the music, and take in the incomparable surroundings as you glide (gracefully or not so!) around the rink in Hampton Court Palace.Natural History Museum Ice RinkNatural History Museum Ice Rink5 November - 9 JanuaryNatural History Museum, LondonFeaturing a stylish caf� bar and beautiful fairground carousel, plus 76,000 pea lights glowing in the surrounding trees - come and skate against the most stunning backdrop London has to offer. Whether you are a novice or an expert, it is the perfect way to welcome in the winter season with family, friends or that special date.Somerset House Ice RinkSomerset House Ice Rink23 November - 23 JanuarySomerset House, LondonSet in the spectacular setting of the 18th century Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, Somerset House offers the perfect location underneath the glittering Tiffany tree for open-air skating in London this winter. Relax and enjoy a tempting selection of food and drink in the Skate caf� and bar or visit the bespoke Tiffany tuck shop where jewellery, cupcakes and other treats will be on offer.Tower of London Ice RinkTower of London Ice Rink20 November - 9 JanuaryTower of London, LondonLondon's most dramatic winter ice rink returns to the banks of the River Thames for the quintessential festive skating experience. Tower of London Ice Rink is set against a stunning backdrop of the moat beneath the awesome fortress battlements and is both beautifully illuminated at night.Winter WonderlandWinter Wonderland19 November - 4 JanuaryHyde Park, LondonLondon's largest and most dazzling winter event returns to Hyde Park with beautifully decorated attractions set out across 20 acres of historic parkland. Featuring London's biggest outdoor ice-rink, the iconic 50 metre Giant Observation Wheel and the return of Zippos Circus with two new shows.���
10 November 2010
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10 November 2010
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Gear of the Week: K2 Iron Maiden Revival
Sounds like the product designers in the K2 factory have been blasting metal while they design skis. They?ve teamed up with Iron Maiden to put out a limited edition Iron Maiden Revival ski. K2 is calling them an all-mountain park ski and they have jib rocker, no camber underfoot with a rockered tip and tail. The graphics are inspired by the 1981 ?Killers? album. This isn?t K2?s first foray into Maiden inspired skis. The culty 2005 Made?n AK was a slightly more big-mountain twin tip, with similar metal head graphics. They?re only producing a limited run of the Iron Maiden Revival, so if you need some Maiden in your quiver, run to the hills. k2skis.com
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Stockholm on a budget
Stockholm is glacially cool, stylish ? and notoriously unkind on the pocket. Susan Greenwood goes in search of some affordable entertainment with the help of a local bloggerThe self-declared capital of Scandinavia is equal parts confident elder brother and shy new boy in class. Stylish? Most certainly. Great for those on a budget? Not always. Although Stockholm does not even figure in Mercer's top 50 most expensive cities, so its reputation appears somewhat unjustified. I met up with local blogger Anna �stman for a tour of her local haunts in hipster Sodermalm, with its thriving cafe and bar culture, and refined Ostermalm, before heading off to explore more of the city's best budget-friendly hangouts.1. Gildas Rum, SodermalmThe counter disappears under piles of cakes, buns and jam tarts, and coffee is served in anything from pretty chinaware with broken handles to serious white mugs. Deep red walls and velvet sofas clash magnificently with multi-coloured fairy lights, explosions of flowers in tabletop pots and dripping chandeliers. It shouldn't work but it does and you'll find yourself slipping into a reverie pretty quickly while the carrot cake near your fork softly calls "eat me".? Skanegatan 79. Mon-Thu 8am?11pm; Fri 8am-8pm; Sat 9am-8pm; Sun 9am-9pm. Two coffees and two tarts for SEK80 (�7.40).2. Caf� String, SodermalmIf you'd like to purchase a table with your coffee, then you may want to consider a latte in String. The glass-fronted cafe spells out its trendy credentials with a black and white chessboard floor, eclectic, colourful furnishings and a young clientele who look like they've stepped out of a Whyred catalogue. You, too, can buy into the beauty by purchasing any of the furniture that takes your fancy. The cafe flexes its cultural muscles with regular poetry meetings, theatre performances and gigs by upcoming artists. But despite its arty attitude, it's also a great place to simply sit and people watch from its huge windows.? Nytorgsgatan 38, cafestring.com. Sandwiches from �3.253. Akkurat, SodermalmAmong all the dark wood and glistening bronze in Akkurat there lurk around 400 types of whisky and 200 beers, although they are rotated so frequently it's easy to lose count. The low lighting and soft murmuring of punters adds to the reverent air. If a monk walked through the crowd carrying some hops he wouldn't seem out of place, because the Trappist ales are an Akkurat speciality ? everything from the 4.5% Chimay Doree to the 11.3% Rochefort 10. To avoid toppling off one of the very tall bar stools, I went for a USA brewed Brother Thelonius (9%) and chose a cheeseburger from the bar menu which embraced ribs, steak and fish and chips with gusto.? Hornsgatan 18, akkurat.se. Beer and a burger for �164. Koh Phanagan, SodermalmSwedes love Thailand and at Koh Phanagan some enthusiastic souls have basically created a full moon party without the sand. Even if you go in for lunch, the lighting is a deep navy blue, with twinkling bulbs weaving in and out of makeshift beach canopies. "I think," said Spotted by Locals' tipper Anna Ostram, who brought me to this slice of Thailand, "we should sit in the tuk-tuk." I avoided the Moo Pat King (seriously hot) and ordered the Nua Nam Man Hoi ? beef, vegetables, oyster sauce (not hot). The restaurant doesn't take reservations so expect to queue on a Saturday night.? Skanegatan 57, kohphangan.se. Main courses average around �155. Snotty Sounds Bar, SodermalmThe Sodermalm district has long been home to musicians and creative typres. In Snotty's there's a touch of the Seventies in the sculpted stools and smooth bar with its stripy wood grain while music posters and album covers pack the walls with distractions. Despite sitting on the uber-hip Skanegatan, Snotty's manages to keep its feet on the ground. Order a no-nonsense beer and hang out.? Skanegatan 90, 4pm-1am daily. Food served until 10pm daily. Pint of beer �46. Pet Sounds Bar, SodermalmIn Pet Sounds, the record store, there is vinyl. A lot of it. So it's logical that in Pet Sounds Bar the music is the reason people come. The bar houses regular DJ nights with a bent towards indie rock but it remains refreshing in its acceptance of anything that is good. Black butchers' tiles nudge the interior towards 80s territory but the funky lighting and walls full of music posters save the day.? Skanegatan 80, petsoundsbar.se Pint of beer from �4.507. Ljunggrens, SodermalmAdmittedly, drinking in a shopping mall is a bit weird. Especially after hours, when all opportunities for retail therapy are closed off. But that's part of Ljunggrens charm ? the low lighting making you feel as if you've broken in with a few friends for an illicit drinking session. Having said that, the giant glitter ball coupled with the industrial architecture also lends a certain theatrical nature to proceedings which can be quite dangerous after a few drinks. In the summer it is a favourite with Stockholmers for the view from its roof terrace.? Gotgatan 36, restaurangljunggren.se. Pint of beer �4.508. The Blue Lotus Caf�, SodermalmEntering the subterranean Blue Lotus from the freezing streets of Stockholm is like walking into a blast furnace filled with humus and curry spice. The effect is instantly warming and you could easily spend an afternoon chatting in one of the cosy corners. The cafe has a lot of vegetarian and organic options on the menu and its decor nods towards India with a jewelled colour theme and ornate wall hangings serving as decorative archways. Move into one of the two anterior rooms and the lack of windows allows you to forget the snow and indulge in an Indian summer.? Katarina Bangata 21. Sandwiches from �4.609. Grill, OstermalmNowhere is style embraced quite so enthusiastically than in Grill, where each room is decorated in a different theme ? from a chintzy, turn-of-the-century parlour to an outdoor Italian bistro. When it's busy, you have no say as to where you sit ? so if you have a thing against Colorado ski chalets, you may want to look elsewhere. Is the menu cheap? Not really ? mains start at �16 ? but everything on the menu is grilled (hence the name) to perfection, which when coupled with your surroundings makes for a quirky and tasty evening.? Drottninggatan 89, grill.se.10. Le Bar Rouge, Old TownOh I know it's the old town and if you don't want to look like a tourist you walk quickly around those cobbled streets pretending you don't think it's pretty and head straight into Sodermalm. But Bar Rouge is an exception. Decked out like a turn-of-the-century boudoir, the red lighting and velvet seats capture decaying opulence in a way staring at the nearby Royal Palace for 30 minutes certainly won't. The tipple of choice is cocktails ? frankly anything else wouldn't be nearly bourgeois enough. If you're on a budget, avoid the adjoining restaurant but the bar snacks are reasonable at around SEK50 (�4.60).? Osterlanggatan 17, lerouge.se. Cocktails from �7.50Further information: visitsweden.comStockholmFood and drinkBars and clubsCity breaksBudget travelSwedenShort breaksTop 10sSusan Greenwoodguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
Vail Throws Homecoming Party for Vonn
..... Vail, Colo. (Ski Press)-Vail Resorts will host a homecoming celebration for Lindsey Vonn in Vail, Colo. on Wednesday, March 31.The Vail resident recently won Olympic gold and bronze medals in Vancouver and captured her third consecutive World Cup Overall title, making her the winningest U.S. female skier of all time with 33 World Cup wins, including�a U.S. record�11 this season. The homecoming festivities will kick off at 3:30 p.m. in Vail Square, located in Lionshead. Supporters will be greeted with Lindsey Vonn commemorative pins and memorabilia as well as complimentary cookies, hot cocoa and�entertainment including a DJ and jumbo screen videos of Vonn?s racing career highlights to date. Guest speakers including�Co-President of Vail Resorts' Mountain Division John Garnsey, Ski & Snowboard Club Vail Executive Director Aldo Radamus,�Town of Vail Mayor Dick Cleveland�and former Olympian Chad Fleischer�will take the stage and introduce Vonn at approximately 4 p.m. followed by a special children?s press conference with the ski racing champion. Guests who ride one of several exclusive ?Welcome Home Lindsey? cars on the Eagle Bahn Gondola throughout the day can register to win one of five 2010-2011 Epic 7-Pack Passes. Winners will be announced by Vonn at the conclusion of the homecoming celebration in Vail Square. ?We could not be more proud to welcome Lindsey home to Vail after a season of unprecedented success on both the World Cup and Olympic stages,?�said John Garnsey, co-president of Vail Resorts? Mountain Division and chief operating officer of Beaver Creek Resort. ?Lindsey?s unwavering work ethic and poised representation of our country, our community�and alpine skiing continues to be an inspiration to all of us at Vail Resorts and particularly to the next generation of young athletes following in her tracks.?� Vonn fans can follow Lindsey through her ski racing career this past year via www.LindseyIsEpic.com. The site provides the most detailed background and insider?s view of Vonn?s endeavors this ski season including�27�webisodes and interviews with Vonn chronicling her successful ski career and season to date on the World Cup circuit. The webisodes give fans perspective on Vonn?s drive to becoming a World Champion from preparing and training for World Cup events in pre-season ski fitness sessions in the gym and World Cup race footage as well other unique surprises about Lindsey, including being an owner of three cows and a goat.
Lebanon in pictures
Photographer Max Milligan's new book The Lebanon, is a 'celebration of what the country has to offer someone with the time to look around it'
Discoe, Kearney Take Moguls Gold
.....Squaw Valley, Calif. (Ski Press)-It was icing on the cake for one, and a new frontier for the other as 2010 gold medalist Hannah Kearney and Joey Discoe took moguls titles at the Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships at Squaw Valley.Joining Kearney on the podium were two women who picked up the first World Cup wins of their careers this season. Eliza Outtrim (Steamboat Springs, CO), just off a win at World Cup finals in Spain, was second and Heather McPhie (Bozeman, MT) was third.Kearney was happy to share the podium with such distinguished talent."The podium was three individuals who have won a World Cup so you're really skiing against the best in the world, which makes it that much more difficult," Kearney said.The Olympic champ broke out some new moves Friday, throwing a mute grab off the bottom air to freshen up her run and set herself apart from the stiff competition."That was the first time I've ever thrown a mute in competition or qualifying and a new trick, it's always satisfying when that goes well," Kearney said. "I like to try to push myself because I've been stuck in a rut for a few years as far as my tricks go."For Outtrim the day marked another career landmark, which she said she was hoping for after her time in Spain."I've never been on a U.S. Championship podium before, so that's incredible," Outtrim said. "I really wanted to come off the win from last week, ski well here and follow up on that win."As far as her run went, Outtrim was pleased and plans to keep it up."I feel like I messed up my top air a little, but I was really happy with the rest of my run," Outtrim said. "I feel like I'm skiing faster and I've been trying to do that - to push the limits a little bit."Outtrim wasn't the only one making first impressions Friday, as Discoe took down his first Champs podium appearance as well."I'm really excited. It's an amazing feeling and I'm super stoked," Discoe said. "My skiing has been coming together for the last three events with a couple World Cups making the finals. I got a top 10 there and just kept the skiing going into here." Joining Discoe on the podium were Jeremy Cota (Carrabassett Valley, ME) who was second and Michael Morse (Duxburry, MA) who was third.Now with the champs win in Hand, Discoe has a plan for how he can keep his momentum rolling into 2011."Lots of training. I'm going to go home for the summer and take a little bit more of a break to clear my mind and then just get right back into it," Discoe said.Young Cota was also a happy camper on the sunny ski day as he also marked his first appearance on a U.S. Champs podium."It feels great. I skied really well and was happy with the way I skied. I did my harder tricks and landed them, so I was stoked on that. I'm just happy to be on the podium," Cota said.Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships continue Saturday with men's and women's skier halfpipe and aerials competitions.OFFICIAL RESULTS2010 Sprint U.S. Freestyle ChampionshipsSquaw Valley, CA - March 26, 2010MogulsMen1. Joey Discoe, Telluride, CO, 25.512. Jeremy Cota, Steamboat Springs, CO, 25.413. Michael Morse, Duxbury, MA, 25.304. Reed Snyderman, Winchester, MA, 25.295. Dave DiGravio, Farmington, ME, 25.17Women1. Hannah Kearney, Norwich, VT, 26.372. Eliza Outtrim, Steamboat Springs, CO, 25.413. Heather McPhie, Bozeman, MT. 25.024. Shelly Robertson, Reno, NV, 24.815. Laurel Shanley, Squaw Valley, CA, 24.31
Where to Ski this Weekend: November 13-14
Storm have been pummeling resorts from California to Colorado. And the backcountry doesn't look bad either.
Isabella Tree meets Mexico's glorious matriarchs
The writer finds out why it's considered a misfortune to be born a man in Juchit�nIt's a testing experience trying to get some shopping done in Juchit�n (pronounced "Hoocheetan") ? a market town on the Pacific coast of Mexico, on the isthmus of Tehuantepec in the state of Oaxaca."Looking for something fishy, something nice and slippery, gringa?" A mountainous woman, her arms elbow-deep in a basket of prawns, sniffed her fingers ostentatiously as I made my way between the overflowing food stalls in the crowded market.Next door, the fruit seller joined in. "Perhaps she's after one of these," she screamed with laughter, lunging out with a bunch of gigantic bananas known as pl�tanos machos as if to stick them up my skirt.The butcher, another woman the size of the Popocatapetl volcano, held up a string of sausages. "Perhaps it's meat she wants, or" ? making a grab for a half-plucked chicken ? "a nice big cock."The egg-seller was convulsed with laughter, gold-capped teeth twinkling. "Looks like it to me. See how skinny she is ? half-starved, poor thing. You need to beat a few eggs, sister." The word for eggs is the same as for testicles so I guessed she wasn't talking about making omelettes.The women were speaking their native Zapotec, a language that lends itself to innuendo and puns and with which they have danced circles around foreigners for centuries. My friend Natalia, a Juchiteca herself, but living in Mexico City and a quarter the size of most of the women here, was translating for me ? when she could stop laughing."The Zapotec culture is very strong," she told me, as we moved, thankfully, away from the food stalls into the quieter realm of the flower market. "Being so far away from Mexico City, the Zapotecs were on the very edge of the Aztec empire. Even the Spanish had trouble exerting their influence here. Zapotecs are notoriously rebellious. They don't like being told what to do."Juchit�n market was run entirely by the women and this was the secret of their remarkable self-confidence ? and their size. While their husbands were out labouring all day in the fields or the fishing boats, the women of Juchit�n took charge of trade, bartering and haggling with every foreigner who passed through this fortuitous bottleneck between the two continents of America. When money fell like a ripe harvest into their aprons, the Juchitecas took to running the economy, owning land and property, even fighting in wars. Nowhere in Mexico ? or anywhere else in Latin America ? has a matrifocal culture like this come into being.It was a refreshing surprise to encounter these glorious matriarchs in a country infamous for machismo and misogyny, where the stereotypical ideal female is the retiring mujer abnegada ? a paragon of restraint and pious self-sacrifice. I'd lost count of the times I'd been ignored by waiters or passed over in the queue for the man behind me. But in Juchit�n, amazingly, men took a back seat."Men aren't allowed in the market," Natalia said, "unless they're a muxe."She gestured to a flower-seller with long, braided hair and the traditional huipil (embroidered blouse) and voluminous skirts of the Juchiteca ? but the hands wrapping dripping stems of tuberoses and hibiscus were enormous and hairy, and there was a prominent Adam's apple poking out above the neckline of the blouse. She was, quite clearly, a he.Well over a quarter of the town's male population were thought to be muxes, or transvestites. Homophobia was another stranger here. "If you have a son in Juchit�n, people will try to cheer you up", said Natalia, "they'll say, 'better luck next time' or 'perhaps he'll be a muxe'."In Juchit�n, if you had the misfortune not to be born a woman, the next best thing was to behave like one.? Flights to Mexico City from Gatwick from �623 through Netflights (netflights.com). See hotelesdeoaxaca.com for a list of places to stay in Juchit�nSliced Iguana: Travels in Unknown Mexico by Isabella Tree is published by Tauris Parke Paperbacks (�11.99)Mexicoguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
Avila Hotel
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Dutch Treat
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avila@tradereps.com
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http://www.avilahotel.com
A ?dutch treat? is usually an outing or date in which each person pays his or her own expenses. However, at the Avila Hotel, the treat is on us during most of 2011! Receive $50 off published rack rates, per room, per night! Travel dates are January 3 ? December 15, 2011.
Terms and ConditionsOffer subject to availability at time of booking and can not be combined with other promotions. Rates are subject to 19.84% tax and service charge per night. Blues Wing room category does not apply to this promotion. To qualify, reservation must be made directly with the hotel.
Avila_Hotel_Curacao.jpg
Dek:
Dutch Treat
Valid From:
October 01, 2010
Valid To:
December 14, 2011
Phone:
1-800-747-8162
Email:
avila@tradereps.com
Website:
http://www.avilahotel.com
A ?dutch treat? is usually an outing or date in which each person pays his or her own expenses. However, at the Avila Hotel, the treat is on us during most of 2011! Receive $50 off published rack rates, per room, per night! Travel dates are January 3 ? December 15, 2011.
Terms and ConditionsOffer subject to availability at time of booking and can not be combined with other promotions. Rates are subject to 19.84% tax and service charge per night. Blues Wing room category does not apply to this promotion. To qualify, reservation must be made directly with the hotel.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa
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For the couple that has everything, here?s the perfect holiday solution.
Something for both of you because a day apart can make the heart grow even fonder. He gets a round of golf while she gets a signature Jewel massage. Meet back on the white sand of the Caribbean at the end of the day for a free private beach dinner. Nothing is more romantic than rekindling the fire surrounded by Jamaica?s beauty at The Jewel.
Terms & Conditions: Book by December 31st, 2010 and stay before August 31st, 2011 Restrictions apply, based upon availability, four-night minimum stay, not combinable with other offers
aereal34
Dek:
HIS AND HER DAYS GOLF/SPA
Valid From:
November 11, 2010
Valid To:
December 31, 2010
Website:
http://www.jewelresorts.com
For the couple that has everything, here?s the perfect holiday solution.
Something for both of you because a day apart can make the heart grow even fonder. He gets a round of golf while she gets a signature Jewel massage. Meet back on the white sand of the Caribbean at the end of the day for a free private beach dinner. Nothing is more romantic than rekindling the fire surrounded by Jamaica?s beauty at The Jewel.
Terms & Conditions: Book by December 31st, 2010 and stay before August 31st, 2011 Restrictions apply, based upon availability, four-night minimum stay, not combinable with other offers
Vail Throws Homecoming Party for Vonn
..... Vail, Colo. (Ski Press)-Vail Resorts will host a homecoming celebration for Lindsey Vonn in Vail, Colo. on Wednesday, March 31.The Vail resident recently won Olympic gold and bronze medals in Vancouver and captured her third consecutive World Cup Overall title, making her the winningest U.S. female skier of all time with 33 World Cup wins, including�a U.S. record�11 this season. The homecoming festivities will kick off at 3:30 p.m. in Vail Square, located in Lionshead. Supporters will be greeted with Lindsey Vonn commemorative pins and memorabilia as well as complimentary cookies, hot cocoa and�entertainment including a DJ and jumbo screen videos of Vonn?s racing career highlights to date. Guest speakers including�Co-President of Vail Resorts' Mountain Division John Garnsey, Ski & Snowboard Club Vail Executive Director Aldo Radamus,�Town of Vail Mayor Dick Cleveland�and former Olympian Chad Fleischer�will take the stage and introduce Vonn at approximately 4 p.m. followed by a special children?s press conference with the ski racing champion. Guests who ride one of several exclusive ?Welcome Home Lindsey? cars on the Eagle Bahn Gondola throughout the day can register to win one of five 2010-2011 Epic 7-Pack Passes. Winners will be announced by Vonn at the conclusion of the homecoming celebration in Vail Square. ?We could not be more proud to welcome Lindsey home to Vail after a season of unprecedented success on both the World Cup and Olympic stages,?�said John Garnsey, co-president of Vail Resorts? Mountain Division and chief operating officer of Beaver Creek Resort. ?Lindsey?s unwavering work ethic and poised representation of our country, our community�and alpine skiing continues to be an inspiration to all of us at Vail Resorts and particularly to the next generation of young athletes following in her tracks.?� Vonn fans can follow Lindsey through her ski racing career this past year via www.LindseyIsEpic.com. The site provides the most detailed background and insider?s view of Vonn?s endeavors this ski season including�27�webisodes and interviews with Vonn chronicling her successful ski career and season to date on the World Cup circuit. The webisodes give fans perspective on Vonn?s drive to becoming a World Champion from preparing and training for World Cup events in pre-season ski fitness sessions in the gym and World Cup race footage as well other unique surprises about Lindsey, including being an owner of three cows and a goat.
2011 ISLANDS Photo Contest
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Submit your favorite island photos and you could win a Tahitian cruise, and a chance at $45,000 in travel prizes. Enter Now!
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Discoe, Kearney Take Moguls Gold
.....Squaw Valley, Calif. (Ski Press)-It was icing on the cake for one, and a new frontier for the other as 2010 gold medalist Hannah Kearney and Joey Discoe took moguls titles at the Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships at Squaw Valley.Joining Kearney on the podium were two women who picked up the first World Cup wins of their careers this season. Eliza Outtrim (Steamboat Springs, CO), just off a win at World Cup finals in Spain, was second and Heather McPhie (Bozeman, MT) was third.Kearney was happy to share the podium with such distinguished talent."The podium was three individuals who have won a World Cup so you're really skiing against the best in the world, which makes it that much more difficult," Kearney said.The Olympic champ broke out some new moves Friday, throwing a mute grab off the bottom air to freshen up her run and set herself apart from the stiff competition."That was the first time I've ever thrown a mute in competition or qualifying and a new trick, it's always satisfying when that goes well," Kearney said. "I like to try to push myself because I've been stuck in a rut for a few years as far as my tricks go."For Outtrim the day marked another career landmark, which she said she was hoping for after her time in Spain."I've never been on a U.S. Championship podium before, so that's incredible," Outtrim said. "I really wanted to come off the win from last week, ski well here and follow up on that win."As far as her run went, Outtrim was pleased and plans to keep it up."I feel like I messed up my top air a little, but I was really happy with the rest of my run," Outtrim said. "I feel like I'm skiing faster and I've been trying to do that - to push the limits a little bit."Outtrim wasn't the only one making first impressions Friday, as Discoe took down his first Champs podium appearance as well."I'm really excited. It's an amazing feeling and I'm super stoked," Discoe said. "My skiing has been coming together for the last three events with a couple World Cups making the finals. I got a top 10 there and just kept the skiing going into here." Joining Discoe on the podium were Jeremy Cota (Carrabassett Valley, ME) who was second and Michael Morse (Duxburry, MA) who was third.Now with the champs win in Hand, Discoe has a plan for how he can keep his momentum rolling into 2011."Lots of training. I'm going to go home for the summer and take a little bit more of a break to clear my mind and then just get right back into it," Discoe said.Young Cota was also a happy camper on the sunny ski day as he also marked his first appearance on a U.S. Champs podium."It feels great. I skied really well and was happy with the way I skied. I did my harder tricks and landed them, so I was stoked on that. I'm just happy to be on the podium," Cota said.Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships continue Saturday with men's and women's skier halfpipe and aerials competitions.OFFICIAL RESULTS2010 Sprint U.S. Freestyle ChampionshipsSquaw Valley, CA - March 26, 2010MogulsMen1. Joey Discoe, Telluride, CO, 25.512. Jeremy Cota, Steamboat Springs, CO, 25.413. Michael Morse, Duxbury, MA, 25.304. Reed Snyderman, Winchester, MA, 25.295. Dave DiGravio, Farmington, ME, 25.17Women1. Hannah Kearney, Norwich, VT, 26.372. Eliza Outtrim, Steamboat Springs, CO, 25.413. Heather McPhie, Bozeman, MT. 25.024. Shelly Robertson, Reno, NV, 24.815. Laurel Shanley, Squaw Valley, CA, 24.31
Britain's Best Views: London
Martin Wainwright gets a tip-off about an impressive panorama from a south London suburb, which proves a surprising and stunning addition to his Best Views collection - in spite of the misty weatherA Best View in London might seem a yawn and a clich�, with everything from Big Ben to the Millennium Dome represented on millions of postcards.But to make that assumption would be to underestimate Ian Cobain, one of the prime sleuths involved in investigative reporting for the Guardian.Earlier this year in the paper's newsroom, he sidled furtively up (as sleuths do) and said, with his hand over his mouth (as sleuths also do): "I've a best view for you, Martin. It's the one I get from my allotment here in London."I could look at it all day. In fact I do, to the detriment of the Cobain runner beans and pumpkins."Pshaw! A best view in the London suburbs? Pull the other one! But Ian was undeterred by my incredulity and in due course he was proven right. The great thing about this great city is how its immensity breaks down into fascinating detail - everywhere.I live in Leeds and detest metropolitan arrogance. But I love London itself and, thanks to years working there in the past, know its centre backwards. Every time my wife and I stay with our son in Bloomsbury, we work out a different route from his flat to John Lewis in Oxford Street (there isn't ? yet ? a branch in Leeds). I reckon we are on number 135 at the moment, and they have all been full of wonders.The suburbs have less of the centre's fame but just as much of the same unexpected magic. Chiswick was the one I got to know best, and as Ian took Chris Thomond and me through his native Dulwich, much was familiar. Arts and crafty villas, astonishing numbers of street trees, small but imaginative gardens, and relics such as Pond Cottages - the equivalent of Hogarth's house in Chiswick ? from the pre-Victorian past.The route to the view also passes one of London's moments of incidental splendour which, in Chiswick, took the shape of Chiswick House and Lord Burlington's arcadia beyond that ropey "temporary" flyover across the A4. In Dulwich, the equivalent is the art gallery and the college, a world of wealthy serenity leading up to the quaint tollbooth, set up in 1619, which charges you a �1 to drive on to Crystal Palace and the wider world.Here, Ian turned left up Grange Lane, through a landscape as rural as anything we have in Yorkshire. Brambles, honeysuckle and a great, dominating hillside of densely planted ancient trees, less than five miles from Charing Cross. To top it off, we could hear the screech of one of our cosmopolitan capital's most successful immigrants, the ring-necked parakeet).As it flew overhead, we turned into the allotments: it's private land that doesn't welcome sightseers, but you can have the same view from paths within the neighbouring Dulwich Wood. This is a wonderfully wild piece of rus in urbe; an unusual mixture of ancient woodland, Victorian "improvement" and modern planting. There are more than 200 species of trees and plants, masses of wildlife and a folly hidden away in the centre. But we are here to look outwards, and to view ? I take back that pshaw! and all my related scepticism ? a truly stunning panorama, even though it was a slightly and grey and misty day."There's the Wembley arch," said Ian, flinging out one hand to the west. "And there's Canary Wharf," making a Y with his other hand pointing due east. In between, the whole mighty skyline of one of the world's greatest cities marches across the field of view, with the homely patches of veg a pleasantly contrasting foreground.The middle distance is instructive, too. First the open spaces of the college and its playing fields, with related land preserved by the bequest of the great Elizabethan family of Alleyn. Then comes the canopy provided by all those street trees undulating over three gentle hillsides between here and the Thames.Finally there's the river itself: it's not visible, but on a warm summer's day a skein of mist traces its course from Hammersmith Mall to the Isle of Dogs. Around it are the familiar shapes of the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, the Post Office Tower and, well, everything else."You can see Nelson's column on a good day," said Ian. More nebulously, you can see Hertfordshire. You can also sleuth 'til you drop. "One of the other plotholders has brought along binoculars and watched people going in and out of the Victoria and Albert museum," says Ian. Never pick your nose or scratch in central London. Someone may be watching from Dulwich.We started our film on Westminster Bridge, recalling those lines by William Wordsworth about earth not having "anything to show more fair". Quite how he came to that conclusion, as a child of the Lake District, will be forever mysterious. But when it comes to the view from Grange Lane allotments in Dulwich, Earth has few things to show more impressive.LondonUnited KingdomEuropeMartin Wainwrightguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
Indian millionaire may save Pontin's
There are rumours that Bhanu Choudhrie has teamed up with the Dubai Royal Family though his family?s investment company C&C Alpha Group, to look at buying Pontins holiday camp chain for up to �15 million.He is reported to have examined the business six months ago, after Pontin?s chief executive Ian Smith looked for potential investors, however Choudhrie walked away from a potential deal, despite spending �100,000 on due diligence, he said.Choudhrie has said he would want to keep the management team in place and expand the business.It comes after it emerged that bad publicity about the chain?s holiday camps by a BBC Watchdog documentary was one of the factor?s which led to the� company?s collapse.Undercover reporters told of poor standards of cleanliness, broken furniture and peeling linoleum.Jane Moriarty, the KPMG administrator said Pontin?s had also suffered from tough competition with Butlins for the ?staycation? market.?Butlins run a really tight ship. If you get a lot of people chasing the same pounds, you get winners and losers,? she told the Observer. ?Commentary in the press hasn?t helped ? the Watchdog programme didn?t help.?KPMG has pledged to keep all five sites in Somerset, Sussex, Suffolk, Wales and Merseyside running. It has pledged to honour all bookings, and it is understood a leisure operator will be appointed this week to help KPMG run the business.TTG
15 November 2010
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15 November 2010
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No April Fool's - 3 Feet of Fresh at Squaw
.....Squaw Valley, Calif. (Ski Press)-No fooling, a strong storm has left up to 3 feet of new snow at Squaw Valley USA in the last 36 hours. A chance of snow showers remain in the forecast in the days ahead, providing continued fresh ski conditions. Squaw will be open through May 9th, with superb springtime skiing and snowboarding, and a host of spring events, including weekly pool parties at the spectacular High Camp Swiming Lagoon and Spa, and fun events like the annual Billy Dutton Uphill Race on April 11th, and the Lake Cushing Classic Pond Crossing. SEASON STATS To date this season, Squaw Valley USA has received over 428? or more than 35 feet of snow on the upper mountain. Current base depths measure 139-151? on the upper mountain.
World Famous Markets and Bazaar s
Author : John WelshShopping is a past time favoured by nearly every woman in the world, and quite a few men Some say, that there is nothing quite as exhilarating as the purchase of something shiny and new; or a unique and unusual acquisition, found in the corner of a junky looking market stall Markets everywhere harbour hidden treasures, just waiting to be found From wholesale markets selling large quantities of goods for retail, to the tunnel-like souks of North Africa and the Middle East, there is nothing quite so exciting as a find in a market But wherein the world is the best place to sample the delights of markets, bazaars and souks?LondonThere is nowhere in the world that has such an interesting array of markets, from wholesale meat market of Smithfield to fruit and vegetable's in New Covent Garden, to the many clothing, thrift and vintage markets London has it all Finding the best London has to offer is quite a task as there are many amazing markets selling clothing, accessories and trinkets There are large markets such as Borough Market, medium sized markets such as Petticoat Lane and small markets such as Dover Street Market But two particularly stand out, Portobello Road and Camden Markets Both of these are synonymous with youth culture and fashion Camden Markets is the 4th most visited attraction of London, its markets sells everything from bric-a-brac and craft to fast food Portobello Road in trendy Notting Hill is the ideal place for vintage clothing and antiques Marrakech, MoroccoMorocco is famous for its traditional markets, and none are more revered than the one in Marrakech, which has the largest traditional souk in the country The Djemaa el Fna, one of the busiest markets in Africa is a way of life for the locals and a source of amazement for visitors The square in which it is held is a hive of activity with acrobats, story-tellers, dancers and musicians; alongside stalls selling trinkets, clothes, water, in fact anything at all At night food stalls open in the square and the souk becomes a busy open air restaurant Cairo, EgyptNorth Africa is renowned for its souks and the busy Khan el-Khalili is an ancient shopping area in Cairo The souk (suq in Arabic) is one of the oldest in Africa dating back to 1382, and houses a number of stalls and shops in its winding alleyways, many with their own factory or workshop attached Paris, FranceThe famous Paris flea market, on the banks of the River Seine, is in the district of Saint-Ouen It is widely appreciated to be one of the most important antique and second hand furniture markets in the world; and is held every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday BangkokBangkok plays host to a plethora of markets From the tourist orientated Patpong market, where cheap fake designer items can be bought, to Chatuchak weekend market, which is the largest market in Thailand, to the famous floating fruit and vegetable market of Taling Chan, bartering is a way of life in Thailand Also be sure to check out other article topics such as professional cleaning services and egg recipes.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
EasyJet profits triple as budget airline attracts more passengers
Filed under: Europe, United Kingdom, Airlines, Transportation, Budget Travel, NewsBudget carrier easyJet almost tripled its profits in the past 12 months as fuel prices dropped and passengers flocked to book cheap flights, BBC reports.
The airline released figures for the past twelve months through September, revealing a profit of £154m million ($247 million). The previous 12 months saw profits of £55 million ($88 million). A total of 49 million people flew on easyJet in the past year, up 8 percent.
While a 9 percent drop in fuel prices helped all airlines, there's been a continued shift away from national carriers such as British Airways and Air France in favor of budget carriers, and no budget airline has as much share in the European market as easyJet. The carrier now accounts for 7.6 percent of the European market.
The airline also announced it will pay a dividend for the first time in 2012, and will be buying 24 airplanes in order to expand its services.
[Photo courtesy Antony J Best via Wikimedia Commons]EasyJet profits triple as budget airline attracts more passengers originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
The airline released figures for the past twelve months through September, revealing a profit of £154m million ($247 million). The previous 12 months saw profits of £55 million ($88 million). A total of 49 million people flew on easyJet in the past year, up 8 percent.
While a 9 percent drop in fuel prices helped all airlines, there's been a continued shift away from national carriers such as British Airways and Air France in favor of budget carriers, and no budget airline has as much share in the European market as easyJet. The carrier now accounts for 7.6 percent of the European market.
The airline also announced it will pay a dividend for the first time in 2012, and will be buying 24 airplanes in order to expand its services.
[Photo courtesy Antony J Best via Wikimedia Commons]EasyJet profits triple as budget airline attracts more passengers originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Afghan archaeologists race to study Buddhist site before destruction
Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Asia, Afghanistan, China, NewsWe all remember the Bamiyan statues, those giant stone Buddhas the Taliban blew up in 2001. One of the 1,500 year-old statues is pictured here. Pictures are all we have left of them.
Now another Buddhist site in Afghanistan is under threat of destruction. This time the danger isn't the Taliban, but a Chinese mining company. The site of Mes Aynak in eastern Afghanistan was home to a thriving Buddhist monastery in the seventh century. It's also right next to an abandoned Soviet mine that may have the world's second-largest reserve of copper. A Chinese mining company has invested $3.5 billion to exploit the mine and Afghan officials are eager for work to get underway.
A team of Afghani archaeologists is busy excavating the site and has found an entire monastery complex with more than 150 statues. They were originally given three years, a woefully inadequate length of time for a team of barely forty people, and now they're being pressured to finish by the end of this year. The archaeologists fear that once the miners move in, the monastery will get wrecked.
The mine will bring much-needed jobs and wealth to Afghanistan, which is also courting adventure tours, so the in the rush to yank copper out of their land they might want to think about preserving some of their past.
[Photo courtesy Marco Bonavoglia via Wikimedia Commons]Afghan archaeologists race to study Buddhist site before destruction originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Now another Buddhist site in Afghanistan is under threat of destruction. This time the danger isn't the Taliban, but a Chinese mining company. The site of Mes Aynak in eastern Afghanistan was home to a thriving Buddhist monastery in the seventh century. It's also right next to an abandoned Soviet mine that may have the world's second-largest reserve of copper. A Chinese mining company has invested $3.5 billion to exploit the mine and Afghan officials are eager for work to get underway.
A team of Afghani archaeologists is busy excavating the site and has found an entire monastery complex with more than 150 statues. They were originally given three years, a woefully inadequate length of time for a team of barely forty people, and now they're being pressured to finish by the end of this year. The archaeologists fear that once the miners move in, the monastery will get wrecked.
The mine will bring much-needed jobs and wealth to Afghanistan, which is also courting adventure tours, so the in the rush to yank copper out of their land they might want to think about preserving some of their past.
[Photo courtesy Marco Bonavoglia via Wikimedia Commons]Afghan archaeologists race to study Buddhist site before destruction originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Gulfstream's $500 million expansion of Savannah, GA headquarters to create 1,000 jobs
Filed under: Business, Asia, North America, United States, Luxury Travel
According to many pundits, the so-called recession that gripped the world in 2009 is far from "over," but we've been noticing steady signs of recovery in the travel industry over the course of 2010. While consumers and businesspeople alike are still pinching pennies and thinking twice as hard about where their funds are going, more and more bodies are moving about, particularly by plane. Gulfstream, which maintains a headquarters in Savannah, Georgia, seems more convinced than ever that we're on the rebound, and it's announcing today a huge investment that'll better position it "to meet future demand for business-jet aircraft and support services."
The spend? $500 million over the next seven years, and that'll buy significant expansion of its Savannah plant as well as around 1,000 full-time Gulfstream Aerospace jobs (a hike of about 15 percent from its current level of 5,500 employees). According to Savannah Now, those positions will include production specialists, engineers, and support technicians. Needless to say, quite a few folks in the Peach State are celebrating the news, with Gov. Sonny Perdue being one of many on hand today for the announcement. Moreover, the expansion will result in new facilities at the northwest quadrant of the Savannah / Hilton Head International Airport.
Gulfstream suggests that the investment will also help it meet a growing demand for large-cabin aircraft, with large chunks of the cash used to build production plants for G650 ("Like a G6!") and G250 jets, as well as maintenance capacity for all of the models that the company manufactures. Unsurprisingly, we're hearing that the bulk of that demand is coming from international clients (Asia Pacific, specifically), but the company seems bound and determined to keep its roots in the south.
We know Gulfstream doesn't speak for the entire aviation industry, but it's definitely good to see a major player like this making such a tremendous investment in the future of air travel. Here's hoping it's just the beginning of a beautiful turnaround.
[Via Twitter (@mksteele)]Gulfstream's $500 million expansion of Savannah, GA headquarters to create 1,000 jobs originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
According to many pundits, the so-called recession that gripped the world in 2009 is far from "over," but we've been noticing steady signs of recovery in the travel industry over the course of 2010. While consumers and businesspeople alike are still pinching pennies and thinking twice as hard about where their funds are going, more and more bodies are moving about, particularly by plane. Gulfstream, which maintains a headquarters in Savannah, Georgia, seems more convinced than ever that we're on the rebound, and it's announcing today a huge investment that'll better position it "to meet future demand for business-jet aircraft and support services."
The spend? $500 million over the next seven years, and that'll buy significant expansion of its Savannah plant as well as around 1,000 full-time Gulfstream Aerospace jobs (a hike of about 15 percent from its current level of 5,500 employees). According to Savannah Now, those positions will include production specialists, engineers, and support technicians. Needless to say, quite a few folks in the Peach State are celebrating the news, with Gov. Sonny Perdue being one of many on hand today for the announcement. Moreover, the expansion will result in new facilities at the northwest quadrant of the Savannah / Hilton Head International Airport.
Gulfstream suggests that the investment will also help it meet a growing demand for large-cabin aircraft, with large chunks of the cash used to build production plants for G650 ("Like a G6!") and G250 jets, as well as maintenance capacity for all of the models that the company manufactures. Unsurprisingly, we're hearing that the bulk of that demand is coming from international clients (Asia Pacific, specifically), but the company seems bound and determined to keep its roots in the south.
We know Gulfstream doesn't speak for the entire aviation industry, but it's definitely good to see a major player like this making such a tremendous investment in the future of air travel. Here's hoping it's just the beginning of a beautiful turnaround.
[Via Twitter (@mksteele)]Gulfstream's $500 million expansion of Savannah, GA headquarters to create 1,000 jobs originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
No April Fool's - 3 Feet of Fresh at Squaw
.....Squaw Valley, Calif. (Ski Press)-No fooling, a strong storm has left up to 3 feet of new snow at Squaw Valley USA in the last 36 hours. A chance of snow showers remain in the forecast in the days ahead, providing continued fresh ski conditions. Squaw will be open through May 9th, with superb springtime skiing and snowboarding, and a host of spring events, including weekly pool parties at the spectacular High Camp Swiming Lagoon and Spa, and fun events like the annual Billy Dutton Uphill Race on April 11th, and the Lake Cushing Classic Pond Crossing. SEASON STATS To date this season, Squaw Valley USA has received over 428? or more than 35 feet of snow on the upper mountain. Current base depths measure 139-151? on the upper mountain.
Bargain Hawaiian Vacation
Author : Damian HiggensWinter is on its way, and with it comes the holidays and all of the pandemonium that the season brings Wouldn't it be nice to buy yourself a holiday treat once the festivities have ended? If you need a getaway to break up the winter doldrums, a Hawaiian vacation is just the thing to give you something to look forward to—a sunny paradise!
Although you may be concerned that an exotic Hawaii vacation is too expensive for your budget, you may be surprised at the affordable deals going on right now Travel agency websites that specialize in Hawaiian travel can offer you some of the best prices, especially if you choose an entire Hawaiian vacation package over separate reservations for each aspect of the trip For instance, you may find a better deal on a package that includes round trip airfare, hotels and rental cars together than if you were to book your flights separately from the other components
In addition to the range of prices, you also have a lot of variety to choose from in terms of hotel locations and excursions with these packages If the hotel is your biggest concern, you can find a list of accommodations pages long, complete with pictures, customer reviews, amenities included and of course, prices Read up on what previous visitors had to say about the establishment Need a pool for the kids? Hankering for that picturesque balcony view directly on the beach? No matter how specific your vision of Hawaiian paradise, there is a hotel to fit the bill
Excursions can also be booked separately or as part of a package Outdoorsy types can choose from rainforest hikes and snorkeling, while avid shoppers can troll the many stores and enjoy fine restaurants No matter what your pleasure, Hawaii has something tailor-made for your interests and desires For more resources regarding Search Hawaii Vacations or even about Cheap Flights To Hawaii and especially about Best Hawaiian Vacation Packages please review these pages.
Although you may be concerned that an exotic Hawaii vacation is too expensive for your budget, you may be surprised at the affordable deals going on right now Travel agency websites that specialize in Hawaiian travel can offer you some of the best prices, especially if you choose an entire Hawaiian vacation package over separate reservations for each aspect of the trip For instance, you may find a better deal on a package that includes round trip airfare, hotels and rental cars together than if you were to book your flights separately from the other components
In addition to the range of prices, you also have a lot of variety to choose from in terms of hotel locations and excursions with these packages If the hotel is your biggest concern, you can find a list of accommodations pages long, complete with pictures, customer reviews, amenities included and of course, prices Read up on what previous visitors had to say about the establishment Need a pool for the kids? Hankering for that picturesque balcony view directly on the beach? No matter how specific your vision of Hawaiian paradise, there is a hotel to fit the bill
Excursions can also be booked separately or as part of a package Outdoorsy types can choose from rainforest hikes and snorkeling, while avid shoppers can troll the many stores and enjoy fine restaurants No matter what your pleasure, Hawaii has something tailor-made for your interests and desires For more resources regarding Search Hawaii Vacations or even about Cheap Flights To Hawaii and especially about Best Hawaiian Vacation Packages please review these pages.
Outside art
From life-sized elephants to figures hanging from the trees above you, England's sculpture parks and trails make for an enlightening winter walk. Here are 10 of the bestThe vast number of sculpture parks and trails around England seems to be one of the nation's best-kept secrets. Scattered across the country, they offer a wide variety of artworks to be enjoyed outdoors and the general ambience and landscape of each is uniquely different. They are also a great way to encourage the enjoyment of art for children who might otherwise rebel at being taken to a gallery. Best of all, many are free. The ones selected here remain open all year so you can enjoy them with the end of the autumn colours, and even in the snow.Yorkshire Sculpture ParkIs this the best sculpture park in England? Probably. The park has pieces by many internationally famous artists, including Elisabeth Frink, Barbara Hepworth and Antony Gormley. A huge variety of work is permanently scattered throughout the grounds, while exhibitions in the galleries also spill out into the landscape (currently David Nash until the end of February). It gives a perfect overview of British sculpture in the 20th century and is set in lovely scenery with sweeping views towards the lake and sheep grazing around the plinths of huge Henry Moore sculptures. Seeing everything is exhausting (allow at least five hours), especially if you walk to the Longside Gallery, but be sure to spare time for Skyspace by James Turrell, a hidden chamber with an Egyptian feel. Details West Bretton, Wakefield, 01924 832 631; ysp.co.uk. Opening times: grounds and centre, all year, 10am-6pm (Longside gallery 11am-4pm). Admission free (donations only), car parking �4. Facilities: toilets, cafe, shop, galleries.New Art Centre, WiltshireAn impressive list of artists have shown their work here over the past 17 years including William Turnbull, Antony Gormley, Richard Deacon and Anthony Caro. There are also always a few pieces by Barbara Hepworth on display, but most of her work is only here temporarily, usually for several months. The sculptures are shown in beautiful grounds (allow about an hour and a half to see everything). The map leads you through the carefully planted gardens, over a stile and down to the bottom of a big field (Barry Flanagan's Acrobats is permanent and worth the walk), and then back by a small wooded area. The house is sometimes shut, but maps are left on the shelf on the porch.Details Roche Court, East Winterslow, Salisbury, Wiltshire, 01980 862 244; sculpture.uk.com. Open daily all year, 11am-4pm. Admission free (donations welcome).Kielder Water and Forest Park, NorthumberlandSome 22 sculptures are scattered along a 27-mile forest trail around a lake ? and are best seen by those who love walking. Fortunately, the sculptures are often grouped together so, using your map, choose a few, drive to the nearest car park and walk from there. With kids, visit the Minotaur Maze, the Play Garden or the sculpture trail called the Kielder Keepsake. You can buy a Keepsake pack from one of the visitor centres (�4.99) and follow the trail to find 12 brass plates. Make a rubbing of each one to produce your own souvenir book. The trail is only two miles but can take hours to complete as you have to hunt for the plates. Other sculptures worth a hike for are Belvedere, Skyspace by James Turrell or, on a sunny day, Mirage (silver discs hanging from a tree) and Wave Chamber (a huge stone camera obscura).Details Kielder, Northumberland, 01434 220 616; visitkielder.com/site/things-to-do/art-and-architecture. Leaplish visitor centre is open daily Feb-Dec, 01434 251 000. Kielder Castle visitor centre open Nov-Dec, Sat and Sun, 11am-4pm, then Apr-Nov, daily 10am-5pm. Tower Knowe visitor centre open Jan-Oct, daily 10am-4pm. Admission free; car parking �3, which covers any of the car parks.Norton Priory Museum and Gardens, CheshireThis crumbling monastery is a well-hidden retreat from the modern world. The sculpture does vary in quality, but the gardens are gorgeous, with little bridges over the stream, grassy areas by the river and part of the grounds are covered by woodland. The trail is an on-going project which has been some 20 years in the making, and is set in 38 acres. Allow about two hours plus to see all the sculptures, about four of which are in the walled garden. Be sure to see Kitty's Gate, inspired by a story about a maid who drowned herself in the pond. Most of the other sculptures are very colourful, such as Planthead by Diane Gorvin in the rhododendron bushes, her face framed by sculpted and natural leaves.Details Tudor Road, Manor Park, Runcorn, Cheshire, 01928 569 895; nortonpriory.org. Admission: adults �6.25, children �4.40, under-5s free. Family �15.25. Open daily in winter, 10am-4pm (walled garden shut), and summer, 10am-5pm. Shut: 24-26 Dec and the first two weeks of Jan. Facilities: toilets, cafe.Burghley House and Gardens, LincolnshireThe sculpture garden is separate from the Garden of Surprises, which is in a smaller courtyard and has lots of exciting water features. The sculpture garden is spread throughout the original gardens of the house. The sculptures are carefully sited to make the most of the beautiful lake, old open-air theatre and grounds. There are about 20 permanent pieces and the walk takes about an hour and a half. From April to October there is also a temporary exhibition. Be sure to see Balance by Sophie Dickens, three life-size figures balancing above you on the branch of a tree ? easy to miss among the leaves in spring. Vertical Face is a giant rust-coloured face made from small pieces of steel that has great presence and drama.Details Burghley House, Stamford, Lincolnshire, 01780 752451; burghley.co.uk. Open (gardens only) 11am-5pm daily. Admission free in winter. From 20 Mar-31 Oct, �6.70 adults, �3.40 children (includes Garden of Surprises). Facilities: toilets, garden cafe (11am-5pm in season).Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail, GloucestershireThis is one of the oldest trails in England which is befitting of an ancient royal forest. The trail is 3.5 miles long and begins at Beechenhurst Lodge. It follows a circular path that starts with the enormous and iconic Place, a giant chair. Do not be tempted to stray too far from the signposted path as the forest is huge. The trail takes up to three hours, with about 20 sculptures along the way. The map helps you find the larger sculptures which are hidden just off the path. These sculptures are all permanent and some are a little worn. Be sure not to miss Cathedral, a giant stained-glass window suspended in the trees, David Nash's Fire and Water Boats, and the tall and skinny House by Miles Davies.Details Beechenhurst Lodge, Coleford, Gloucestershire, 01594 822 612; forestofdean-sculpture.org.uk. Open daily Nov-Mar, 10am-4pm, Easter-Oct, 10am-6pm. Shut Christmas Day. Admission free, car parking �3, map �1.25. Facilities: cafe, toilets, shop.The Pride of the Valley Sculpture Park, SurreyThis park is opposite a very nice pub, also called the Pride of the Valley, which means you can easily include lunch in your visit. The park has an enormous number of sculptures (at the moment there are more than 180, including Rolling Horse by Lucy Kinsella, Speed Skaters by Michael Marriott and Adolph Hitler or Mother Theresa by Wilfred Pritchard) squeezed into a small area. It has a varied landscape, with a lake, woodland areas and intimate clearings. Start from the office which is inside the actual park. There are several routes, the longest being about a mile and a half which will take most people up to two hours to complete. Some areas of the gardens look a little unkempt, but there is an amazing and eclectic mix of sculptures to see at every turn, including some life-size circus elephants.Details Jumps Road, Farnham, Surrey, 01428 605 453; thesculpturepark.com. Open daily apart from Christmas Day. Admission: adults �6, children �3, under-5s free.Another Place, Crosby Beach, MerseysideAnother Place is an installation of life-size figures by Antony Gormley. About 100 cast-iron figures which gaze out to sea are scattered along a mile of beach. Are they watching the horizon for the arrival of something? Or quietly trying to leave? If you want to get up close you'll need wellies unless you get lucky with the tide (officially you are advised to stay back). Gradually the figures are changing ? their varying encasement in barnacles and seaweed only adds to their beauty as they are gradually claimed by the sea.Details Off the A565, follow signs to Crosby beach or Another Place. Nearest rail stations are Blundellsands or Hall Road, and then a 10-minute walk. Detailed directions can be found at tiny.cc/pi35t. Facilities: toilets and seasonal mobile catering.Grizedale Forest Park, CumbriaGrizedale boasts about 80 sculptures, spread out over 6,000 acres, making it impossible to see everything in one visit. Some of the work has softened with time (a few pieces have been here for 26 years) and almost disappeared into the forest ? you often have to venture into the trees to find things. Some pieces have benefitted from the weathering process, such as Some Fern by Kerry Morrison, an enormous fern-like carving that has blended into the bracken around it. A map is essential and shows a variety of trails graded by length and difficulty ? from the shortest with the most sculptures (one mile) to the longest of 9.5 miles.Details Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria, 01229 860 010; forestry.gov.uk/grizedale. Open daily in winter, 10am-4pm (shut 23 Dec-2 Jan), and in summer 10am-5pm. Admission free, car parking �3, map �1.50 or catalogue �3.95. Facilities: toilets, cafe, shop.Broomhill Art Hotel and Sculpture Garden, DevonThe sculpture garden is attached to the hotel so combine your visit with lunch, a cream tea, or an overnight stay. The gardens have 300 sculptures set in 10 acres of land. The hotel is at the top of a steep hill and the paths wind down through various levels of woodland to the peaceful river below. The sculpture is from a wide spectrum of artists ? more than 60 sculptors in all ? with many bronzes and figurative works. The top terrace is the most open and flat area, with many small sculptures dotted throughout. The lower levels feature the larger and more dramatic pieces.Details Muddiford Road, Barnstaple, North Devon, 01271 850 262; broomhillart.co.uk. Open daily, 11am-4pm, shut 20 Dec -15 Jan. Admission: adults �4.50, children �2.50, family �10. Facilities: toilets, restaurant, indoor gallery and hotel.? Sculpture Parks and Trails of England by Alison Stace is published by A&C Black, price �15.99. Buy it from the Guardian BookshopUnited KingdomDay tripsFamily holidaysYorkshireSculptureArtguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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