It's getting that time of the year when some folks start thinking about going skiing. For a lot of them, especially if they want to go during the Christmas or New Years holidays or during Spring Break, they should have been thinking about it back in the summer!!!
I never know about our listening and reading audience, but to be honest, I don't ever remember talking on Travel Tips about a ski vacation. Hopefully some hearty, athletic, outdoorsey type would be interested in some ski trip tips. We sell several packages a year; back in the 70's and 80's when there were ski air charters to Purgatory and Crested Butte from DFW, we sold a lot more. Since they don't do that anymore, we have been using a company over the years which has done a wonderful job of choosing exactly the right place to put our clients. We give the several options of locations in Colorado or Utah, approximate budget, and this operator usually nails it for our guests.
Several weeks ago the Dallas Morning News had a column regarding some tips that might interest our guests. One very important tip was to do your best to avoid landing in Denver and driving to your destination. I-70 traveling west from Denver becomes a rolling parking lot if you are traveling in on a weekend, and if you want to depart on Sunday, wherever your are west of Denver, start rolling very, very early. If you do have to rent a car, consider choosing a front-wheel-drive sedan with snow tires....a lot safer in snowy or icy roads. Better still, try to get direct flights to Steamboat, or Eagle, or Aspen; your stress level will subside considerably.
Take it easy the first few days in that higher-altitude-than-Abilene environment. It takes a little time for your body to adjust, so drink lots of water, for sure, stay off the alcohol for a while.
Use plenty of sun screen on your nose and cheeks...even though the sun might not be shining. The ultraviolet rays will also reflect off the snow and you'll blister a lot quicker than you think you might.
Unless you are just married to your equipment, consider renting the excellent equipment from those vendors at the slopes. Finding a place to put them in the auto or plane is a pain when you can get some excellent, good fitting equipment right there at the slopes, and if it doesn't fit, take it back and change it.
If you have driven to the slopes, and you want to park at the lifts, remember that there are not unlimited places to park. So.....consider that when you are selecting a place to stay. Many properties have shuttles that take you to the lifts, and they run about every 10-15 minutes.
You won't need to impress anyone on the slopes with your formal wear......just jeans, corderoy or flannel shirt, a wind breaker, ear muffs and gloves will be just fine. And if you are eating out, everyone will be dressed just like that too.
The professional travel agents at The Travel Factory have a great contact that will fit you and your family with just the right property, so give us a call today for that extra-special memory-making ski vacation you've always dreamed of. We can be located at 4150 Southwest Drive or give us a call at 698-1421 or toll-free 80-760-4040. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!