When deciding whether to rent or to buy skis or a snowboard there are five questions you should ask yourself:

1. How often do you plan on skiing/riding?
2. Are you a drive-in ski resort visitor or are you flying more often to get to your resort of choice?
3. How new are you to the sport of skiing or snowboarding?
4. Are you nervous about damaging equipment or prone to scratching your skis or board?
5. Are you a fashion king/queen even on the hill?

1 - Will you ski or ride a lot this year or for the next few years?

Quality ski or snowboard gear is expensive. It's also continually being improved meaning gear you buy today will be the way of the VCR in just a few years. This means that if you want to ride the best equipment AND save the most money, you need to be skiing more than a handful of times each season.

2 - Where do you ski or ride most?

Unless you've been living under a rock, you're aware of how airlines are adding new fees and charges like leopards have spots. Transporting your skis or snowboard is included in this list of new charges. Keep this in mind if you're thinking of buying and then flying skis or a snowboard.

If you ski close enough to home that you can drive to the resort this won't affect you. If you fly, factor the shipping of your gear into to your overall ski/snowboard ownership costs.

3 - Are you a beginner or a pro?

Newbies should almost always rent gear. There's three reasons for this:

1. Maybe you won't like skiing or snowboarding (doubtful, but we've heard it can happen).
2. You won't have a very good idea of what type of gear you need to buy.
3. You'll buy beginner gear, improve quickly and then need high performance gear in no time.

Rent gear when you're starting out and discover what you like to ride best and the length you're most comfortable with.

Advanced or expert skiers or riders may lean toward buying their own gear. If this is you, just make sure you're going to use it - a lot.

4 - Do you cringe when you ride over a rock?

Not to say you should use and abuse your rental skis but most people worry less about scratches or damage when they don't own the gear they're riding. Most rental shops and resorts (including Whistler ski and snowboard rentals from AlluraDirect.com) offer damage protection insurance for a minimal cost.

Hit a rock when you're riding your own stuff and have the scratch to show for it as long as you own the skis or board.

5 - If looks could kill, would you want your skis or board to at least score a knockout?

When you rent gear, you get good performing equipment but what it looks like is up to what the rental tech picks. If you want to make a statement or ride gear with a wicked design you'll probably have to buy it. Or if you're one of those people who likes to plaster your board with tons of stickers, you better buy the board. Rental shops won't appreciate your decorative touches. :)

Tips for the Indecisive Skier or Snowboarder

Still don't know if renting or buying is right for you? Consider the mid-way route: buying your own boots. Most people will agree that proper boot fit is crucial for a comfortable and enjoyable day on the hill. When you buy boots, you can also have them molded to your feet. Boots are also smaller and easier to pack than a full ski or snowboard set.

Another option is to set up a rental of equipment you're considering purchasing for the first few days of your ski vacation. This way you'll know if it's what you're looking for and most shops will credit your rental fee toward the purchase price.

What do you think about renting vs. buying ski or snowboard gear? Let us know by leaving a comment.

2008 marks the 150th anniversary of the province of British Columbia and Sun Peaks is throwing a party.

Take part in family activities such as the Wildlife Geocache Adventure where participants will map out and search for hidden caches - much like the prospectors did 150 years ago during BC's gold rush.

Other activities and events sure to keep the kids entertained include magic shows, cookie-making lessons from a famous Sun Peaks chef, the zoomobile and story telling.

Parents can enjoy more adult-oriented activities and events like the Farmer's Market or musical performances on the outdoor stage.

Another bonus: Sun Peaks Resort should have great weather this weekend - perfect for a day outside with nature. BC's interior destinations are traditionally hot, hot, hot during July and August. But fear not, fair-skinned vacationers - you won't be returning the work looking like a lobster! This weekend will bring relief for those venturing outdoors with temperatures expected to hover around 21 - 26 degrees celcius (or 70 - 79 fahrenheit for our American visitors).

Sun Peaks Schedule of Events for August 2 - 3

Saturday, August 2
10:00am - Wildlife Geocache Adventure; Valley Trail
11:00am to 4:00pm - Climbing Wall; entrance to the Village
10:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm - Nylon Zoo; Village Square
11:00am to 2:00pm - Firefighter Truck Display; adjacent to the Coast Sundance Lodge
11:00am to 2:00pm - Art Pruce; live music adjacent to Masa's
11:30am - Zoomobile; Village Square
12:00pm to 1:00pm - Finnen the Magician; throughout the Village
12:30pm - Pickleball Demo and BBQ; Sports Centre
1:00pm - Wildlife Geocache Adventure; Valley Trail
2:00pm to 3:00pm - Finnen the Magician; throughout the Village
5:30pm to 7:30pm - Sweatshop Union; live hip hop next to Masa's
6:00pm to 9:30pm - Fifty Mile Buffet; Mantles Restaurant
8:00pm to 8:45pm - Imagine That! Stories by Peg Hasted; Village Square

Sunday, August 3
10:00am to 2:00pm - BC 150 Farmers' Market Feastival; Village Square
11:00am to 11:45am - Around the World and Back Again, Stories by Peg Hasted; adjacent to the Fireside Lodge
11:00am to 4:00pm - Climbing Wall; entrance to the Village
11:00am to 2:00pm - Culinary Kids; Village Square
11:00am to 1:00pm - Chef in Market with David Tombs; Village Square
12:00pm to 2:00pm - Farmers’ Market Olympics featuring Scarecrow Making, Corn Husking, Eggstacle Race, and Corn Eating; Village Square

Haven't got a place to stay for this weekend? Plenty of spacious, family-friendly rental properties are still available for this weekend at great summer rates (like $99/night for a two bedroom condo). Check out AlluraDirect.com's current Sun Peaks BC Resort Accommodations availability and book your weekend get-away today!

Fly your children to Vancouver for free using a special deal we've uncovered!

Zoom Airlines will allow kids 17 and younger to fly free if accompanied by adults. The young ones are still assessed taxes and fees, but the airfare is covered.

But hurry: you have to book your travel by July 31.

Zoom flies from Vancouver and Montreal to several European destinations: London, Paris, Glasgow, Manchester, Cardiff and Belfast.

In order to get this amazing discount, simply book travel at www.flyzoom.com and enter the promotion code: Children2008.

Zoom Airlines does offer some fine print on the deal. There is limited availability, and other restrictions may apply. So visit www.flyzoom.com to learn more.

Calling all skiers and snowboarders! Discount Whistler lift tickets are now on sale!

As always, AlluraDirect.com is offering a book by deal that'll save you tons of money if you book before November 15, 2008!

Savings and Perks!

What is the book-by deal? It's a fantastic way to save money! As long as you book your tickets before November 15, you could save up to 30% off in-resort pricing. As an added bonus, for every adult ticket of 3 days of more, you receive a child ticket of equal length. This means you save hundreds of dollars over several days of skiing! Sorry, as with most promotions this fantastic, the Christmas Season (December 20 - January 2) is blacked out.

Hint: Lift tickets rates and promotions are based on your first day only. This means that if you start skiing on December 19, one day before the blackout period begins, you'll still get the deal and the free kids tickets.

Sample Savings

Say you've got a family of four, two adults and two kids. You want to ski for 6 days starting on December 19. When you book by November 15, you pay a total price of $678.30 including tax. If you wait and buy the exact same tickets in-resort, they'll cost you upwards of $1,600!

Even if you don't have children, this is a great deal. An adult skiing for 10 days, beginning December 19 will pay $509.25 including tax through the book-by promotion. Wait until you're in-resort and be prepared to shell out around $860 for the same ticket!

New "Peak to Peak" Gondola

Our discount Whistler lift tickets will also allow you to ride the Peak to Peak Gondola, which opens this December 2008. This crazy new ride will allow skiers and boarders to go from the top of Whistler to the top of Blackcomb, and vice versa, in only 11 minutes! This means that diehard riders can now do both mountains in one day without major downtime!

With 28 cabins serving 28 people each, the Peak to Peak gondola will be able to serve 2050 people per hour each way. This means you won't spend a lot of time waiting in line.

Ready to Buy Your Lift Tickets?

It's ok to do a little more research if you like. Have a look around and discover how hard this deal is to beat. But keep in mind that you have to buy your lift tickets BEFORE midnight, PST on November 15 to qualify for early booking prices. We also ask that you reserve your lodging through AlluraDirect.com first.

To buy tickets now or for further information, please visit our discount Whistler lift tickets page.

Test your skills in stealth and marksmanship at Silver Star's newest summer activity. The super-messy game of paintball is the ultimate team-bonding activity or just plain adrenaline-pumping to take part in on your own.

How to Play Paintball

A game of paintball usually involves two teams competing to take-out the opposite team's players, one-by-one. Depending on the chosen course, players will find cover behind trees, buildings or other objects. There's no cheating and no need for referees. Players who've been struck will display their wounds in the the form of big, bright, blobs.

Each player is equipped with a "hopper" hooked to a compressed air tank that shoots balls of paint. It's also mandatory to wear safety gear including goggles, a mask and often body armour to prevent injury when hit.

You're likely thinking that this sounds pretty violent or dangerous. Not the case. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, paintball reports the fewest injuries of 26 ranked sports (even running is more dangerous!).

Who Will Enjoy Paintball?

Does what you're reading excite you? If it does, you'd probably enjoy paintball. Due to the team component of the game, groups may get more out of it than a single person joining in. Think about it. It's fun to strike another player, but imagine blasting your boss. Or your big brother. Or your smack-talking friend. Or... well, you get the idea.

Anyone 12 years or older can play paintball at Silver Star.

Silver Star Paintball Courses

Choose between three challenging courses:

Wild Woods - Sneak around amoungst the shady cover of Silver Star's sub-alpine forest. Can you see your opponent through the trees? Then shoot him!

The Old West - Experience the thrill of a wild west shoot-out. This abandoned western town-themed course will have players playing sheriff and taking out the bad guys.

The Bone Yard - Ever wondered where chair lifts go to die? Find the Old Yellow Chair and Town Tee along with other resort relics scattered around this course.

When to Go, What you Need and How to Book

Silver Star paintball opens June 26 and runs Thursday to Sunday until September 1. The rest of September will see weekend-only openings. Hours of operation are noon to 8pm.

Bring your own gear or rent everything. Paintball is relatively inexpensive. For those with equipment, all-day play and 500 paint balls will cost $25 - 30 (with the option to add unlimited air for $10). Need gear? A two-hour battle with everything you need will run you $40 - 45.

Make sure to reserve early as space is limited. Reservations can be made by phone at (250) 558-6010 or you can try your luck at a drop-in booking by visiting the ticket office in Ski Dazzle.

Need a Big Place to Host Your Team?

Find great summer deals on Silver Star Ski Resort accommodation for your next vacation. Splitting the cost of a larger rental home or condo amoungst your group can save you a lot of money versus booking multiple hotel rooms. Spend the money you saved on accommodations on extra ammo. Just remember to leave the paint on the course!

Living amidst the excitement of the Olympic Winter Games is an almost unrivaled experience. A truly multi-cultural gathering of world-class athletes achieving their dreams with world-wide media attention must give you chills. But the disruption to everyday life might just give you a headache.

Giving A Little - New Rules & Operations for 2010

The 2010 Winter Olympics will bring some changes that jumble up familiar Whistlerite and Whistler Visitor routines. From parking restrictions and road closures, to security cordons and the extended line-ups at restaurants, residents and visitors will all have to adapt to their surroundings.

While more regulations and changes are bound to solidify as the planning continues, here are some modifications announced by 2010 organizers:

• Zero Public Parking – To endure the surge of vehicles flocking to Whistler during the Olympics, organizers have deemed to close off public parking all together. Grab your private spots now and treat them as gold!
• Limited Access – Access to venue sites will be restricted to people with tickets or special accreditation from Olympic organizers. Expect blockages and detours as you make your way through Whistler.
• Public Transportation Plans – With no public parking, the next best thing is to hop on transit. Special transit plans have been proposed, including an addition of up to 75 busses and 6 mini-busses to the regular Whistler transit regiment.
• Security – Getting around Whistler will also include the obstacle of heightened security. Though cordons will not be put up around public areas, security will likely affect road closures around venues.

Getting a Lot - An Olympic Legacy

Large developmental projects aimed to accommodate the 2010 Winter Olympics have already brought noticeable change to the Whistler area. The Sea to Sky Highway, proposals to solve Whistler's chronic housing shortage and even the Peak to Peak Gondola have all slightly hampered the familiar day-to-day schedule at Whistler.

However, these developments will all eventually pay off, for those who can wait through the temporary inconveniences. Residents and visitors will breeze through their drive to Whistler on the soon-to-be-completed highway. Come December 2008, anyone can transfer from Whistler to Blackcomb (and back) in the speedy convenience of the largest free-spanning gondola in North America. Even for the strongest critics, these developments will prove handy in the long-run.

The bottom line: Visiting Whistler in February of 2010 is for Olympic fanatics. If you don't fit this bill, there's many more normal (and much less expensive) times to visit. Visit just before or after the main event for more affordable (and available) accommodations, blockade-free Village strolls and the lingering buzz in the atmosphere.