Posted At : September 2, 2010 11:31 AM
Related Categories:
Fun
Follow the clues to join the hunt for weekly prizes and the grand prize of a 5 day Whistler Blackcomb lift ticket!
Each week a new question/clue will be posted on alluraDirect.com. The first person to submit the correct answer to that question by tweeting @alluradirect or posting on our wall at facebook.com/alluradirect will win a $10 USD Amazon.com gift card.
We're also posting a bonus clue each week. Collect the answers to all ten bonus clues and submit them before the contest closing date to info@alluradirect.com and you'll be entered in our draw to win a 5 day Whistler Blackcomb lift ticket!
Anyone can play, it doesn't take much time and you've got great chances of winning a prize! Learn the full details and get your first clue by visiting our Amazing Vacation Rental Race Contest Page now. Hurry, the first correct answer wins!
Skiing as a family activity has so many benefits. It's a family-flexible sport, especially if you live close to the mountains. You can day-trip it, do a weekend getaway or even a week-long vacation.
Children develop many skills when skiing such as: strength, coordination and balance, along with an appreciation of the thrill to ski. Kids also learn to be conscious of their manners, their whereabouts and how they relate to others, since there are typically many other people that they are sharing the slopes with.
When to Start Your Kids Skiing
Children can start as young as two or three years old (and yes, there are even some one year olds out there). But many begin at age four. It just depends upon the child. Most three and four year olds can ride a chair lift once they have learned how to use them safely, have taken a few trial trips with an adult and have gained a sense of comfort and confidence.
What to Know about Kids Ski Equipment
If you buy new equipment, it can easily cost you over $500, which is somewhat costly since kids outgrow their gear very quickly. It's best to buy used equipment that is recent and not too old. Ski shops have to follow strict standards for equipment safety so, for example, if the bindings on the skis are old, they will not adjust them. It is also important to buy ski equipment that is the
right size for your child. If the gear is too big it, it makes it harder to ski, which could cause frustration and abandonment of the sport.
Helmets are a must and in some places it's the law! Get modern helmets that are light and comfortable and fun. The National Ski Area Association has put together this informative and interactive helmet website helping to educate parents about the benefits and limitations of helmets.
Finally dress your child in warm moveable clothes and make sure to not have any dangling scarves and hats!
How to Introduce Skiing to Your Kids
Focus on fun and success. Restrain yourself from barking orders on what they are doing wrong. Better yet, sign them up for lessons as they will thrive better amongst their own kind. If you do go out on your own, try the "follow me" approach. It tends to work well, especially if there is more than one kid for a bit of peer pressure.
However, before you even hit the slopes here are a few tips to help condition your child to the idea of skiing:
Get use to the movement- ice skating is good to get a sense of using edges and controlling movement on a slippery surface-sledding/tubing is great for getting them use to the sensation of going downhill
Get used to the equipment - start wearing ski boots around the house or outside - play "space adventure"
Have them watch older children having fun and understanding that falling is part of the sport
Walk around a ski area/mountain with your child before you sign up for lessons
Final Tips
Keep "skiing" fun. It could mean playing in the snow with skis on and not really "skiing" with maybe an excuse to drink hot chocolate, it doesn't really matter. What's most important is having fun in the snow and the skiing part may just be the by-product of the activity.
Have lots of patience and low expectations. Some kids can hop on and off the chairlift right away, while with others it may take a little longer.
Make the mountain a playground. Adventuring—through the trees, into the powder, playing with natural terrain features—adds to the fun.
Light powder is fun to ski. Heavy powder can be nearly impossible for little ones to negotiate.
Don't push racing. If you're child is interested, let him or her propose it so it's their thing. It's a big commitment for everyone involved.
Take regular breaks to recharge enthusiasm.
Don't go skiing when it's bitterly cold. If kids are cold, they can't enjoy themselves.
Don't push beyond comfort zone while still trying to establish confidence
Know when to quit - if you child is cold, tired or hungry, it's time to take a break or go for a hot chocolate.
I grew up in Vancouver and enjoy living in the city so much that I wouldn't plan on moving so a smaller town. There are just so many things to do in a city this size that you can't get bored. Also, Vancouver's not too big that you get lost in the collective monotony of everyday life; here, we remember to stop and smell the flowers.
However, sometimes simply stopping for the moment is not enough. Sometimes we need to get away from the city completely to regroup, reconnect, and relax. For me, this means getting out into British Columbia's backyard and enjoying nature at it's finest.
One of the best things anyone can do to relax and refresh their mind is go hiking. I know that some people don't think they would like hiking and it's "not their thing" but most of these skeptics have the idea in their mind that hiking means climbing up mountains with sweat poring out of you, bears everywhere, and mosquitos up the whazoo; but hiking doesn't have to be like that!
I am someone who does enjoy trekking up mountains in remote areas of BC, sometimes hiking solo, and sometimes with friends, and I have never encountered a bear on a trail. Sure they are around but they are not everywhere! If you enter a trail with friends just keep up the chatter and the wild animals will want to avoid you as much as you want to avoid them.
Okay I will admit, I have had some pretty horrific mosquito moments while hiking. Once I camped next to a tarn in an alpine meadow and around dusk we were attacked by an endless onslaught of hungry skeets. After a half hour mosquito massacre, and haunted by the collective drone of thousands of buzzing bugs, we gave up and retreated to out tent to hide for the night. But that was our own fault, we camped next to a lake of shallow stagnant water in the middle of a remote alpine meadow in the heart of summer, that's just asking for mosquito trouble! So, if you'r smart and stay away from mosquito hotspots you should be fine.
Finally, the most popular and daunting reason many city folk think that hiking isn't for them: the physical effort and exhaustion from hiking up the side of a mountain! Well don't worry because it doesn't have to be like that! If you live near any ski mountain the chances are they are running the lifts in the summer for hikers. This means that anyone can casually hike along a beautiful alpine meadow, filled with wildflowers, and look out over grand vistas of lakes, rivers, valleys, mountains, and even cities, without the exhaustion of trekking up a steep ominous forest trail filled with scary bears and pesky mosquitos.
Whistler's brand new 'Peak 2 Peak' Gondola is open for the summer giving you the opportunity to do some relaxing alpine hiking on two different peaks in the same day without breaking a sweat. Check out whistlerblackcomb.com for more information.
Sun Peaks is opening their popular 'Sunburst Express' chairlift June 26th to offer casual day hikers the opportunity to explore their gorgeous mountain as well. Check out sunpeaksresort.com for more information.
Show your national pride and have a mountain of fun doing it! BC's top resorts have some fun and fabulous events planned to help you celebrate our nation's 143rd birthday. Even if you aren't Canadian, this is great time to plan a visit and party with us fun and friendly folks :)
Whistler Blackcomb Canada Day Events
Community Pancake Breakfast: 9 - 11am, Upper Village
Pay by donation with all proceeds going to the Whistler food bank.
Canada Day Parade: starting at noon from the Whistler Public Library and heading via the Village Stroll to Mountain Square
See street entertainers, Olympians and a huge marching band!
Apres Parade Party: 2pm, Village Square
Featuring an Olympian/Paralympian recognition ceremony, cake cutting and free concert by Spirit of the West.
Party at Rebagliati Park: 7pm
Feel the beats of Whistler's best acoustic artists, watch an outdoor movie and cap off the night with a fireworks display!
And the party rocks on through July 2 & 3 with free outdoor concerts in the Village Square from 3 - 5pm!
Learn about other fun Whistler events happening this summer.
Find Whistler accommodation for the Canada day weekend. One bedroom condos starting at $85/night!
Sun Peaks Canada Day Events
Sun Peaks Resort will celebrate Canada Day over the weekend this year, July 3 & 4.
Jo's Road Race: July 3, registration at 8am
A fun run through beautiful Sun Peaks Resort raising money for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Collect pledges and choose between a 5km, 10km or Kids 1km course. Join the after party at Masa's Bar + Grill and enjoy a BBQ lunch for only $10.
Climbing Wall, Obstacle Course & Bouncy Castle: July 3 & 4, starting at 10am
What kids won't love these activities? Enough said.
Clown Performances: July 3 & 4, throughout the day
Watch and laugh along with Tickles and Yowza the Clowns as they rove around the village.
5 Star Dog Agility Demo: July 3, 1:30 - 2:30pm
Take a break from your active adventures and watch these amazing K-9s put on a show!
Mountain of Beer & Chili Cookoff Competition: July 3, 2 - 4pm
The kids have bounced around the obstacle course and watched the clown show, now it's time for Mom and Dad to enjoy this yummy event!
Free Live Music: July 3, 4 - 7pm & July 4, 11:30 - 2:30pm
Groove to the tunes of Jon Kelly.
Drum Cafe: July 4, 10 - 4:30pm
Interactive drumming lessons.
Plus, enjoy Canada Day cake, temporary tatoos, stickers and more!
Visiting Sun Peaks later this summer? Check out all Sun Peaks events.
Find Sun Peaks accommodations for the Canada day weekend. Two bedroom condos starting at $98/night!
Posted At : June 14, 2010 2:26 PM
Related Categories:
Fun,Whistler
If you're like me and love the outdoors than BC is an amazing place to be; Mountains, lakes, ocean, desert, temperate rainforests, islands, reefs, rivers, glaciers, beaches, sand, snow, ice, sun, and the list goes on. There is an environment for everyone and tons of outdoor adventures to be had.
I can't truly explain just how awesome it is to be here; words and pictures are poor substitutes for actually standing on a mountaintop and looking down over a grand vista of peaks, valleys, oceans and rivers--you just have to see it for yourself.
As a Vancouver native, I have been fortunate enough to grow up a stones throw away from one of the top Outdoor destinations in the world: Whistler. I have done a lot of exploring in Whistler now--from hiking and climbing in the summer, to snowboarding and mountaineering in the winter--and I urge anyone who is interested in outdoor activities to join me in exploring one of the world's best outdoor adventure playgrounds.
To coax you into visiting Whistler and experience it in all it's glory, I have compiled a list of activities in the area for you to check out--complete with links to businesses that offer great activity discounts.
Zip Lining
I have always wanted to try zip lining but have yet to experience the thrill. I think the closest I have come is ripping over rivers in a cable car on the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island. If you want to give it a go then check out Whistler Ziptrek Ecotours: the same guys that setup a zipline through Robson Square in downtown Vancouver during the 2010 Olympics.
Bungee Jumping
Zip-Trek looks cool, but bungee jumping is a whole other level. I'm still toying with the idea of taking the plunge myself, but if this is something that calls out to you then check out Whistler Bungee and get $10 off your next jump.
Hiking
If you only do one thing In Whistler this summer, let it be hiking! You don't have to be a thrill seeker or hardcore climber to enjoy the beautiful mountain trails and alpine meadows of Whistler. Take the Gondola up the mountain for a relaxing morning hike through the best areas of the mountains, then take another ride back down to have a meal on a patio by lunch! However, if you are into the more hardcore hiking and climbing activities, check out Whistler Alpine Guides Bureau for more info on their adventures and 10% off select tours.
Next, For the Kids
Although I don't have kids myself, I'm pretty sure it's a safe bet to say they'll love the Adventure Zone at the base of Blackcomb mountain. Activities include a roller luge track, climbing wall, mini golf, horseback riding, zero-gravity human gyroscope, climbing web, balloon castle, batting cage, go-carts and bungee trampoline! Purchase a 5, 10 or 15 activity pass for $44 to $104.
Check out a short video of the Adventure Zone below:
Posted At : May 20, 2010 8:44 AM
Related Categories:
Fun,Whistler
Have a few rug rats with a TON of energy and need to be busy-bodies in Whistler?
Hmm - well, here's a fantastically free idea that won't cost you even a penny!
Check out the universally accessible playground located in Whistler Village North, previously known as the Whistler Medals Plaza during the 2010 Winter Games.
The playground is designed for all kids, including disabled children, to play side-by-side with their friends and family.
The new 13,000 square foot playground will keep kids busy with play structures and individual play elements for fun-seeking toddlers and older.
The entire playground will be complete at the end of 2010. There are two wooden tree houses: one for smaller children six years and younger and another for seven to 12 year olds. Both tree houses have large roofs that stretch out beyond the play area to provide shelter from the weather no matter what season it is.
Whistler Kid Playground Stand Alone Features:
a "Sway Fun Glider", shaped like a bobsleigh, and is like an amusement park ride
a sensory wall
rope climbers
water and sand play areas
a saucer swing
a spinning disc, spinning childern around at ever-increasing speed due to its axis being off kilter. Holds a number of kids at once.
The playground is not just for kids, but it's a place where resort guests and residents meet, being the social fabric of Whistler. Socialize by sipping on a coffee at one of the many coffee shops adjacent to the playground which include Blenz coffee & Starbucks.
Whistler Family-friendly Accommodations Near the Whistler Kids Playground
Marketplace Lodge 1 bedroom as low as $88/night available in June, 2010
