Winter

Not too many ski regions allow you the ability to cross as many borders as does skiing in the Alps. You can hit the mountain from any angle (or country, shall I say) and experience the unique cultures of France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and other Eastern European countries.

While skiing is the main daily activity in towns like Les Gets and Livigno, food is looked at as more than just a means of refueling for the slopes. Most European countries take great pride in their culinary cultures and you will not be disappointed with the entrees in any rest stop along the way. Just make sure not to enjoy too much wine before you’re done with the runs for the day.

To spend a season in the Alps, there are unique ways to stay cheaply around the resorts. Real Travel blogger Nat B. explains an interesting job her friends worked to live in the Alps-near Geneva, Switzerland- for the winter season:

“Jeff and I arrived on Tuesday afternoon and met Jade and Vaugny at their chalet. They are working as chalet hosts - which mean they each have a chalet with a couple of English families and they have to act as hosts, cook the food, clean the chalet, sit down for dinner with the families and provide conversation etc so they both have about 5 hours during the day when they can go out for a ski…very hard life!”

Though averaging one million visitors per year means the Alps do get crowded, you can rest assured that people are coming for a reason. With the proper research and preparation, a winter in the Alps will be a manageable one that you’ll never forget.

For useful suggestions and tips, visit:
Switzerland Hotels
France Hotels
Austria Hotels
A great resource about unique ski town features of each Alps country:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2006-11-28-ski-europe_x.htm

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Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake in the United States. It is filled by rain, stream, and snow runoff from the steep mountains that surround it. While the lake is the main stage for summer activities - boating, swimming, and the likes - the powdery peaks and numerous ski resorts are the prime destinations of winter vacationers.

Located on the California/Nevada border and one hour from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, travelers come from near and far to ride the slopes and roam the resorts around the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.

There are two sides to Lake Tahoe– North and South. North Lake Tahoe includes most of Tahoe’s ski resorts including Squaw Valley, the home of the 1960 Winter Olympics, and Tahoe City, an area with many restaurants and shops. South Lake Tahoe offers gaming with a strip of casinos including Caesar’s, Harrah’s and Heavenly Ski Resort just a mile away.

Whichever side you choose, Lake Tahoe offers a range of sleep accommodations from fun snowboarder commons to five-star resorts. If you prefer to travel with a big group, the most fun and affordable choice is a house or cabin rental. There are many resources and websites to find places to rent for just the weekend or for as long as a full season. Splitting the bill makes this option great for a group of college kids or for a large group of friends and families.

The most popular ski resorts in Lake Tahoe are Squaw Valley, Heavenly, North Star, and Kirkwood, but there are numerous smaller, boutique ski resorts that are perfect for a quick ski day or for instructional lessons.

Build a snowman with the kids or hit the Jackpot tables after a day of skiing and make the most of the winter season in Lake Tahoe.

Start planning your snow trip and visit:

South Lake Tahoe Hotels
South Lake Tahoe Attractions
Find house, cabin and condo rentals at http://www.tahoevacationguide.com

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