Located in the heart of central Oregon close to one of the largest ski resorts in North America, Sunriver is a dynamic city where you truly can getaway from it all. The perfect place for skiers, snowboarders, and cross-country skiers to get back to the great outdoors and experience some big terrain and soft powder, nearby Mt. Bachelor is the ideal place to let loose this winter. Make your way to the exciting city of Sunriver and enjoy all the winter delights of the spectacular Mt. Bachelor when you need a vacation filled with the best skiing in the west.

Sunriver is a gorgeous community ripe with year-round recreational activities but when the snow begins to fall, it turns into a stunning winter retreat perfect for cold weather lovers. Visitors are treated to a variety of possibilities in Sunriver, including cross-country skiing on the golf courses and in the surrounding countryside, ice skating on the local rink, and snowmobiling in the stunning area between the city and Mt. Bachelor. The highlight of any Sunriver winter vacation, however, is the time spent on the slopes of the Central Cascades at Mt. Bachelor.

Mt. Bachelor is where all the action occurs for visitors who decide to head to Sunriver for a winter getaway. Here, you will find 71 trails on almost 3700 acres that are accommodating to every skill level. The trails are divided fairly evenly for this high level of a mountain with 15 percent devoted to beginners, 25 percent to intermediate skiers, 35 percent to advanced skiers, and 25 perfect to expert skiers. In addition to the wide selection of runs, you will also notice that with so much terrain, the lift lines are short so you can get the most out of your day.

While skiers will certainly be content with the wide selection of trails, snowboarders will be pleased to find there are challenging parks and pipes also at Mt. Bachelor. The superpipe is considered the best on the West Coast, offering maximum air and the chance for able snowboarders to showcase their skills. In addition, there are three parks, each tailored towards different skill levels, where you can catch some air, ride rails, or simply work on your latest trick at your own leisure.

If the flat land around Sunriver does not meet your cross-country expectations, the dozen trails around Mt. Bachelor most certainly will. Designed almost exclusively for intermediate and expert Nordic skiers, these polished and groomed trails will push you to your limit with elevation changes sometimes as much as 600 feet. Although it would be difficult to traverse all 56 kilometers of trails, you will certainly catch some breathtaking views and notice a peaceful serenity no matter which path you follow.

In addition to the fabulous skiing that abounds on and around Mt. Bachelor, visitors can enjoy a more casual yet still thrilling ride down the mountain at the snowblast tubing park. Hop aboard a snowtube for an 800 foot descent full of rollers and when you need to make your way back up, the ride is quick and smooth with the latest surface lift. For those who want an off the beaten path adventure, consider a ride in an Iditarod Dog Sled where you can soak in the beauty of central Oregon behind the pull of a real race team.

When you have decided that Sunriver is the ideal place for you to make your home base in central Oregon, consider the convenience and amenities that vacation rentals have to offer. Sunriver rentals are located close to all the great outdoor activities of this area while also providing a cozy feeling as you surround yourself with towering, snow-covered trees and a breathtaking expanse of land. Enjoy entertainment right outside your back door with the acres of snow or stay inside and take advantage of the gameroom, wireless internet, and numerous TVs and DVD players. Whatever kind of winter vacation you have in mind, your vacation rental can help you realize your dreams while also allowing for adventures you may not have considered.

HomeAway.com has the most comprehensive selection of vacation rental homes on the Internet. For an alternative lodging option, consider Sunriver rentals for your next trip to Oregon.

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Buying ski holiday insurance can protect you financially as well as in other ways if any of these things happen to you. You are covered from the moment you buy the policy, even before you board your plane. If the weather cancels your flight and you cannot reschedule, you are covered. If an emergency happens and you have to cancel your plans, the insurance will cover you; you do not lose all of your hard-earned money.

Ski holiday insurance will also cover you if you are injured or become ill while you are away. Think about how dangerous skiing can be. You can break a leg just getting your skis on. You could get hit in the head with a lift chair. You can ski down the slopes right into another skier or a tree. Ending up in hospital can be very expensive, especially if you are far from home.

Having insurance will allow you to go to hospital for the care that you need without having to worry about the cost at all. Medical fees, doctor’s exams and hospital stays are all covered by ski holiday insurance. You are even covered if you simply lose your prescription medications or forget to pack them.

Your ski equipment must be checked in as luggage when you travel, that is common knowledge. The problem though is that it can end up stolen, lost or damaged in transit making the trip less fun from the start. Who wants to have to cover the cost of renting equipment if you had already planned on bringing your own? Having ski holiday insurance will cover this expense for you, as well as covering the cost of repairs for damages or replacement if your own equipment is never recovered.

Another consideration is at the slopes themselves. Many resorts charge ahead of time for holiday goers, which is fine if the slopes are actually open, but a problem if they are not. If a run of unseasonable weather leaves you unable to ski, will you be out all of that money? You will be if you do not have ski holiday insurance to protect you.

You take the right kind of clothing, the right kind of gear. You wear goggles and other equipment to protect yourself while you are on the slopes. Doesn’t it just make good sense that you would do whatever you could to protect yourself for the rest of the holiday as well? Make sure that you are protected with ski holiday insurance.

If you would like more information on Holiday Insurance, please visit our website Cheap Holiday Insurance

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The only way to see different countries and to experience their cultures is to travel to the country itself and depending on where your destination is, it can mean traveling from one end to the other, right across the globe. And while being away from the security and comfort of your home, certain form of protection against any mishaps is essential. Therefore, travel insurance is the safest way to see the world…!

Insurance ensures peace of mind and sees to any unexpected problems arising from your trip. You have the assurance that everything will be taken care of while abroad and problems such as losing your luggage or falling sick will be promptly attended to. Other types of problems such as delayed and flight cancellation, sickness, loss of personal belongings, theft and even accidents are also covered. In other words, insurance guarantees a worry-free holiday. On your part, all you need is to have sufficient coverage. There are many insurance companies in the market, offering various types of insurance policies with affordable rates. Below is a list of comprehensive insurance packages designed to meet the different requirements of travelers:-

(1) Annual travel insurance

(2) Single trip insurance

(3) Business travel insurance

(4) Adventure travel insurance

(5) Backpacker travel insurance

(6) Ski travel insurance

(7) Pre-existing medical insurance

(8) Over 64 travel insurance

Besides the above mentioned packages, coverage for hijackings and personal liabilities is also available. Be careful when disclosing personal information. Ensure that all particulars are truthful without withholding any information, especially on health matters. Any discrepancy will seriously affect the terms of the policy. In the event that the plan does not cover certain areas which are important to you, you can always request for add-ons to be included into your policy. And if there are any queries or doubts, do not hesitate to ask for further clarifications.

When deciding on the right insurance, it is advisable to make comparison with other insurance companies to ensure that you are getting the best value for your money. You can either visit the insurance companies personally or if time is a constraint, you can check them out online. Remember not to rush into any decisions and take some time to seek out a insurance policy with maximum benefits that fits into your budget. Go for reputable and reliable insurance companies or online insurance provider as their services are generally better and more professional.

Lastly, do not leave the country without signing up for a travel insurance plan. When you think of traveling, think of Travel Insurance…! Both should go hand in hand. Be wise, act smart and travel safely while venturing the world. Here is a recommended site http://www.columbustravelinsurance.org for those who are keen to purchase travel insurance or interested to gather more information. Happy safe traveling…!

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Ski vacations can be very costly, especially if you are going to the slopes in a foreign country. The cost to purchase or rent the gear alone is ridiculous. Once you factor in travel expenses, hotel or lodge accommodations, food and beverages, and lift fees, you are looking at a pretty big chunk of change. The cost is significantly higher if you go skiing in a foreign country. It is definitely not a hobby that everyone can afford. However, cheap ski vacations are not beyond the realm of possibility.

Cheap ski vacations are not going to just drop in your lap. You will need to do a little research in order to find the best deals and the Internet is the perfect place to start. Most ski lodges have websites where you can frequently find discounts or package deals on accommodations, dining, ski gear rentals, and lift tickets, especially during the off-seasons. If you are willing to take your vacation before the peak ski season starts or after it ends, you can usually find some really good deals by just visiting these websites. For discounted rates or package deals that include transportation and hotel accommodations, try visiting some of the discount travel sites, such as Orbitz or Expedia. In addition to searching the Internet, call or visit your local travel agent. Often times they will have information on deals that you can’t find anywhere else.

Cheap ski vacations do not necessarily mean that you have to sacrifice great accommodations. It is convenient to be able to stay at a lodge where you can find the ski slopes right outside the front door. However, it can also be very costly. If you really want to save money on your ski vacation try finding a hotel that is located nearby. Not only are their normal prices less expensive, often times they will offer discounted rates on their rooms and ski packages in an effort to fill their rooms. Many of them also offer shuttle service that will take you to the slopes for a minimal price, sometimes even free. It may take a bit longer for you to get to the slopes but you still get the same level of quality that you would get at the ski resorts but at a fraction of the cost.

Going to a ski resort in an area that is not well known is another way to save money on your ski vacation. The accommodations and ski tickets tend to cost less in these areas. If you are looking for a slower paced ski vacation this might just be what you are looking for. These resorts do not get nearly the number of patrons that you would see at the better-known resorts so there are fewer people both in the resort and on the slopes.

Another way to ensure a cheap ski vacation is to take advantage of group rates. Hotels and ski resorts will frequently offer group discounts as long as you make reservations ahead of time. Also, there usually has be a minimum number of people in order to qualify as a group. If you don’t know enough people to get a group together, try joining a ski club. This is a great way to get the group discounts but be aware that you may have to schedule your vacation around the times that the club trips are planned. If you are flexible about the timing of your vacation and you don’t mind sharing your vacation with other people, group rates are a great way to save 10% to 20% on the overall cost of your trip.

Cheap ski vacations are possible. You do not have to spend a fortune to have a great time on the slopes. With a little research and flexibility, you can take that ski vacation that you have been dreaming of without emptying your bank account.

For other ideas for cheap vacations ranging from cheap Vegas vacations to cheap Caribbean getaways, be sure and visit http://www.cheapvacationsdirectusa.com today.

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The internet is a goldmine if you are looking for budget ski holidays. There are many good deals on bargain ski holidays many of which may be just a click of your mouse away. The online ski holiday deals may include everything you need for a great ski vacation, from your flight to accommodation. And if you shop around, you can even find deals that include ski-gear rental.

However, you should remember not to book the first holiday package that you find. As tempting as the first deal may seem, you might be able to find an even better one. so check lots of places first before booking and be sure you are getting the best deal possible.

Check Several Sites

Compare prices from several companies. It would be best for you to use a few different sites that compare prices from lots of major operators. That would be ideal for comparison shopping. Also, if you know of any companies that the price comparison sites do not cover, check those yourself too. That might just be the one with the best offer. Remember, you don’t even have to leave your desk to check, so there is absolutely no reason to rush or cut corners. Time is money. And spending some time shopping for ski vacation deals online could mean money in your pocket. You could save hundreds of dollars just by spending a few extra minutes checking several different companies.

The Lowest Price Is Not Always The Best

The cheapest quote may not be the best value. Make sure you know what you are getting in the package. You may find that paying a little extra will get you shuttle to and from the airport, and include equipment rental, which would more than make up for the slightly higher price.

Most of these online travel companies have support centers. Don’t be afraid to contact the travel companies’ support centers, either. Comparison shopping may be the best thing you can do since it can work wonders at getting you the best possible deal. Also, if you can get a better deal on airfare from one company, but prefer to fly the airline offered by another, you can try giving them a call, or sending them an email, and asking them if they can offer you the same price on airfare as “company b”. You may be surprised to know that many of these online travel companies are more than willing to try to get you a better deal on bargain ski holidays ‘ especially if it prevents you from using a competitor. That’s a true “win-win” situation.

Book Well In Advance

Unless you are willing to hold out for a last minute deal and accept the disappointment if one is not available, you should book as early as you can since prices tend to go up before they come down, so the sooner you can book the better. If you can be flexible about when you take your holiday, try plugging a few different dates in to the booking system to see how far ahead, and what time of year, will get you the best prices at your chosen destination.

Discover great budget ski holidays [http://vacation.every1loves2travel.com/category/ski-vacations/] and other exciting ski vacations [http://vacation.every1loves2travel.com/category/ski-vacations/] online at [http://vacation.every1loves2travel.com]

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No one can tell us where to go or what to do and in this sense, if you want to enjoy a different romantic destination, you should really do it. This is why sometimes romantic ski vacations can be a great idea for those who want to escape from the beaches and the crowded shores, but also for those who want to be able to enjoy some fun and exciting activities apart from having a relaxing time. Skiing and sky centers are certainly a marvelous opportunity to enjoy a beautiful place together, so please read this brief article and find it all out about romantic ski vacations.

There are a lot of places where to find ski centers and skiing opportunities. Of course, it all depends on your preferences and what you want to visit since a ski center is not only about the snow. It is also a rather small town or city where you can enjoy some unique and picturesque facilities or, in some special cases, a truly developed system of comfort and relax. Luxurious hotels and resorts, adorable urban areas, amazing settings, exciting activities and romantic moments are only a few of the possibilities to enjoy in such places. Let us give you some of the best and most recommended examples.

Of course, one of the most popular and attractive places where to have a romantic ski vacation is Aspen, a beautiful and glamorous town located in the American state of Colorado. Aspen is famous around the world because of its beautiful setting, its wonderful urban area and its distinctively amazing skiing areas. But Aspen is also a spectacular possibility to have romantic moments alone since there are many luxurious hotels and resorts where to stay. Plus, romantic dinners with some incredible views are definitely a must in this city: you won’t be able to enjoy them anywhere else!

But America is not the only place where to enjoy a great ski center. On the contrary, in Europe there are numerous ski areas where to enjoy the most fantastic vacations and getaways together. The Alps are certainly one of the most fabulous regions and we should mention places like Chamonix, Courchevel, Avoriaz, Les Deux Alpes, Tignes, Meribel and La Plagne among the most interesting ones for France. Of course, there are some other wonderful ski centers in Austria, Switzerland and Italy and they are all glamorous and ideal for honeymooners and couples that want to enjoy a romantic trip together.

The best of having a romantic ski vacation is that you have both possibilities at the reach of your hand. You can either enjoy excitement and adrenaline if you choose to go skiing, but you can also relax and discover the beauty of nature together if you choose to stay at your hotel or at a lovely restaurant where you can have a delicious hot chocolate and give in to pleasure. Start planning your romantic ski vacation and make it all come true!

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New guide: Santa Fe, Taos, Albuquerque – Yahoo! News

What’s the best time of year to visit New Mexico? That all depends on what you like, according to the new “Santa Fe, Taos & Albuquerque” guide from Fodor’s.

In July and August, enjoy Santa Fe’s cool, dry climate, along with events like the Santa Fe Opera, the Chamber Music Festival, and various Indian and Spanish markets. If you want to avoid the heaviest crowds, try spring or fall. September is also the month for the Santa Fe Fiesta and New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque, while the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is in October. In winter, you can ski, and at Christmas, you can experience Indian ceremonies and Hispanic religious folk plays and musical events. Santa Fe is also known for the festive Christmastime farolitos – glowing paper-bag lanterns that line walkways, doorways and rooftops.

Historic sites here make the Pilgrims look like newcomers. There are buildings constructed by Europeans that existed well before the New England colonies existed, and pueblos like the one in Taos that date back more than a millennium.

Hiking adventures include the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, the eight-mile hike up Wheeler Peak over the Taos Ski Valley, and the Wild Rivers Recreation Area at the confluence of the Rio Grande and Red Rivers.

If you have just a day to spend in Albuquerque, the Fodor’s book recommends kicking it off with breakfast at the Gold Street Caffe in the heart of downtown, then checking out the shops and galleries on Gold and Central avenues. Then head to Old Town, with a stop at the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History and the Albuquerque Biological Park. For lunch, try Monica’s or the St. Clair Winery and Bistro. In the afternoon, drive to the University of New Mexico and the funky, hip Nob Hill district with its cafes and offbeat shops. A ride on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway is a must. Then head for dinner back in Nob Hill at Graze or Flying Star.

A day in Santa Fe might include Museum Hill with stops at the Museum of International Folk Art and the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, then lunch at Santa Fe Plaza, followed by a stroll to nearby shops and galleries and a visit to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Head east along San Francisco Street for a look at St. Francis Cathedral Basilica, then make your way to the galleries and restaurants on Canyon Road.

For side trips, Fodor’s recommends the Turquoise Trail, which follows an old route between Albuquerque and Santa Fe that’s dotted with ghost towns, some of which are now being restored by writers, artists and others; the High Road to Taos, which offers sweeping views of woodlands and villages (US 285/84 north to NM503 to County Road 98 to NM76 northeast to NM75 east, and finally on to NM518 north); and the Enchanted Circle, an 84-mile loop north from Taos and back, ringing Wheeler Peak and through the Carson National Forest.

The guide is $16.95 and is a first edition, but is excerpted from Fodor’s “New Mexico.”

Blue Zones finds places where people live longest – Yahoo! News

MINNEAPOLIS – If you are looking for a Fountain of Youth, forget pills and diet supplements. Adventurer Dan Buettner has visited four spots on the globe where people live into their 90s and 100s and outlines how they add years of good life in his new book, “The Blue Zones.”

The answer, Buettner says, includes smaller food portions, an active lifestyle and moderate drinking.

“If someone tells you they have a pill or hormone (that extends life), you’re about to lose money,” Buettner says.

Buettner identifies four hot spots of longevity: the mountainous Barbagia region of Sardinia, an island off the coast of Italy; the Japanese island of Okinawa; a community of Seventh-day Adventists in Loma Linda, Calif., about 60 miles east of Los Angeles; and the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica, in Central America. (The term “Blue Zones” takes its name from the blue ink Belgian demographer Michel Poulain used to circle an area of long-living Sardinians on a map.)

What Buettner found in his seven years of research and travel were common denominators among the vigorous super-elderly — close family relationships, a sense of purpose, healthy eating habits. He distills them into what he calls the Power Nine that readers can use to create their own Blue Zone.

“Picking half a dozen things off of this al a carte menu, and sticking to it, is probably worth eight to 10 (extra) years for the average American. And you’ll look younger and feel younger on the way,” says Buettner, a tall and lean 48-year-old who says he hopes to live until at least 100.

Buettner turned to probing the secrets of the longest-living cultures after leading three long-distance bicycle expeditions — from the tip of North America to the tip of South America; across the United States, Europe and the Soviet Union; and across Africa — in the 1980s and 1990s. He also used the Internet to take classrooms on interactive quests to solve everything from the collapse of ancient Mayan civilization to human origins in Africa.

Buettner made his first expedition to Okinawa in 2000 and eventually wrote a National Geographic cover story, “The Secrets of Long Life,” in November 2005. That led to National Geographic publishing “The Blue Zones” this March. The book debuted at No. 15 on The New York Times’ list of advice book best sellers but has since dropped off.

Living long — even forever — is a human desire throughout history, says Dr. Robert Butler, president and CEO of the International Longevity Center-USA in New York. But Butler says he’s skeptical of claims of places of long-living people.

“There’s always been these rumors but they’ve always turned out to be inaccurate,” said Butler, who appears in “The Blue Zones” but has not read it.

Buettner is aware of the skepticism, but says he and his team of demographers, which included Poulain, scrupulously checked birth and death records and vetted the ages of Blue Zone residents in his book.

“We have the numerical data that shows that these places (in ‘The Blue Zones’) are living longer. It’s not just anecdotal,” Buettner said.

While ranking populations by average life expectancy is nothing new, Buettner has “done a nice job putting faces to it and looking at some of the special characteristics — be it diet or happiness — that typify some of these regions,” said Dr. Thomas T. Perls, director of the New England Centenarian Study and an associate professor of medicine at the Boston University School of Medicine. Perls also appears in the book.

Because of obesity and smoking, Americans are living about 10 years less than they should be, said Perls, co-author of the book “Living to 100.” He said if Americans embraced the healthy habits advocated by Buettner, the impact on public health “would be huge.”

Buettner found long-lived people have a sense of purpose and a strong support network. In Okinawa, women gather in social networks known as moais.

“Even at age 100, they’re all getting together in their moai … at 5 o’clock every day. They sit around, they drink a couple glasses of sake, they gossip, they talk about sex. If one doesn’t show up to the afternoon gathering, the other four sort of hobble over to see if she’s fallen down or if she needs help,” Buettner said.

Women in Okinawa also tend to be spiritual leaders, which imbues them with a sense of purpose, or “ikigai,” Buettner said.

Regular attendance at religious services also is a factor, Buettner said. Seventh-day Adventists observe the Sabbath on Saturday, which gives them a weekly break from stress.

“There’s no question but having a spiritual sense — a sense of belonging, a sense of personal value — enhances a person’s ability to follow good health habits. Out of that arises the longevity,” said Dr. Richard Hart, president and CEO of Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center.

Limiting food intake and eating healthy also are key, Buettner said. Elderly Okinawans follow a maxim to eat only until their stomachs are 80 percent full, Buettner said. Centenarians in Sardinia, Okinawa and Nicoya rarely ate meat, and some Adventists stick only to a plant-based diet. Adventists frequently eat nuts while Okinawans eat tofu.

Drinking in moderation can help, Buettner said. Sardinians drink a dark red wine that’s loaded with antioxidants, he said.

Exposure to sun — a source of vitamin D — also is common in Blue Zones, where the residents are tan, Buettner said.

“We shouldn’t be burning ourselves, we shouldn’t be frying. But 20 minutes a day, in the climates or the latitudes that have quality sunshine, it’s probably a good takeaway,” he said.

Buettner also advocates low-intensity physical activity. After years of biking, Buettner has switched to yoga for his main exercise. He lives on Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis, where he can skate around the lake in the summer and cross-country ski across it in the winter.

“You identify what you like to do, and you do it, because you’re likely to do that over the long run,” Buettner said.

Buettner also recommends “de-conveniencing” your home — getting rid of the TV remote or the power lawnmower. Buettner moved up to the third floor of his spacious home “so every time I need a shirt I walk three flights of stairs.”

Modern life is threatening the Blue Zones’ reputation for longevity, Buettner said. Obesity rates have soared in Sardinia, where young people are eating chips and drinking soda pop, he said.

“The phenomena of longevity is disappearing in all places, except for maybe among the Adventists, and the purpose of this book was to capture it and observe it before it disappeared, and measure it,” Buettner said.

___

On the Net:

http://www.bluezones.com

http://www.nationalgeographic.com

Park City, Utah is a resort town located 32 miles from downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. The primary attractions this resort town is the world class ski resorts which fuels the towns thriving tourism industry.

There are 3 main ski resorts in Park City; Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort, and The Canyons Resort. Deer Valley is open to just skiers while The Park City and The Canyons Resort ski resorts allow both skiing and snowboarding.

You may have heard of Park City Mountain Resort as it received world wide attention while hosting the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. All the Olympic snowboarding events and the men’s and women’s alpine giant slalom events happened on resorts Olympic-sized halfpipe and slopes. The U.S. Ski team also trains at the resort.

Deer Valley is well known for its luxury amenities and routinely ranks as one of the top ski resorts in the United States. Deer Valley hosted the freestyle moguls, aerial and alpine slalom events in the 2002 Winter Olympics. They also host competitions for the International Ski Federation. Deer Valley has received a lot of criticism from snowboarders for banning their sport at the resort.

The Canyons Resort was once considered the sister to the Park City Mountain Resort. The resort was purchased by American Skiing Company in ’97 and renamed The Canyons Resort. The Canyons is now owned by Talisker Corporation.

There are many options in for owning your own slice of this popular ski destination in the areas private and gated communities. One of the most popular communities is Wolf Creek Ranch. This gated community offers 24 hour a day security and security cameras. There is also a manned gatehouse and electronic entry to the community.

In addition to skiing, residents enjoy walking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and fly fishing for trout on the Provo River. The 26 acre equestrian center offers a 28-stall stable with tack room, equipment barn, hay storage barn and large riding space within the community.

In Closing

Park City was named by Traveler Magazine as one of the 20 ‘prettiest towns’ in the United States in 2008. When planning your trip to Utah give this world famous resort town a try.

Hubert Miles is the founder of Gated Communities USA which features the best Gated Communities in the USA and Internationally. Find information on Utah Gated Communities.

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Skiing: Discover the power of the Powder (Highway) – Yahoo! News

CRANBROOK, British Columbia – A gloomy pall caps the valley as the lift rattles at the bottom of the mountain. Slowly, it passes into the clouds, a frosty mist hitting passengers in the face as an eerie yellow light envelops the chair.

The first glint of blue streams through the trees like sunlit daggers, giving way to a brilliantly cloudless sky that forces a squint, even through sunglasses. Once the eyes adjust, a splendor is revealed: massive, jagged peaks looming above, hundreds more on the horizon, all draped in a heavy blanket of snow.

Spectacular views, oceans of downy powder, unequaled variety — it’s all part of the allure of the Powder Highway, a collection of authentic rural Canadian ski resorts and one of the last uncovered winter destinations in North America.

“We’re sort of the undiscovered part of British Columbia,” says Wendy Van Puymbroeck, director of sales and marketing for St. Eugene Mission Resort. “It’s really a beautiful area; people will love it once they realize it’s here.”

Located in the Kootenay Rockies region in southeast British Columbia, the Powder Highway has one of the world’s highest densities of snow sports operations, with over 60 along the 530-mile loop. There are eight alpine resorts and dozens of backcountry, heli and snowcat ski operators, along with other activities, from snowshoeing to dogsledding to snowmobiling.

A destination for skiers from the Calgary area and Europe for years, the Powder Highway has mostly been an untapped resource for U.S. skiers and boarders. Extreme skiers know about the region — it is the birthplace of heli and cat skiing, after all — but the vacation crowd has stayed away, in part because it wasn’t easy to reach.

A new direct flight from Salt Lake City to Cranbrook should change that.

The service, offered by Delta, began Dec. 17 and will run through April 1, with roundtrip fares starting at $278. Instead of a four-hour drive from Calgary, the two-hour flight gives U.S. skiers direct access to the Powder Highway, starting with Kimberley Alpine Resort just up Highway 95A up to Revelstoke Mountain Resort on the loop’s northwest corner.

There are negotiations to extend the service to the summer, when visitors can take advantage of outdoor activities like golf (27 championship courses), fishing and kayaking.

“We’re really touting ourselves now as fly-in, fly-out, ski-in, ski-out because in western Canada that’s unheard of,” says Bob Dyrda, manager of Tourism Kimberley. “You might be used to that in a place like Colorado, but here you often have to drive four hours once you fly in. Now, people are going to have access to some pretty wild country.”

And truly Canadian.

Unlike bigger resorts filled with high-end art galleries and trendy shops, the towns of the Powder Highway have remained relatively unchanged, funky little hamlets filled with laid-back residents who still use “eh” to punctuate sentences.

Kimberley, the closest town to Cranbrook, has the look of a Bavarian alpine village with cozy local places like “Our Place” diner on the Platzl. For an authentic Canadian (and really cool) experience, Spirit Trails Adventures offers dinner in an igloo in the deep backcountry north of town.

The main street in Fernie, about an hour east of Cranbrook, still looks as it did during the coal-mining days of the late 1800s and the town is believed to have been cursed by the Ghostrider, which can been seen (in the form of a shadow) on the south face of Mt. Hosmer. Take in a drop-in curling game for a truly Canadian vibe.

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, roughly an hour north of Kimberley, is at the center of one of the largest collections of natural hot springs in the world and most don’t have that musty sulfur smell. And visitors to Cranbrook can stay at the historic St. Eugene, a one-time mission where children of the Ktunaxa people attended school, and get a firsthand look at Canada’s love of hockey by taking in a Kootenay Ice game.

“This is very grass roots, classic Canadian,” says Ken Wilder, business manager for Panorama Mountain Village. “It’s not a sort of Gucci kind of experience. It’s very real.”

The snow’s not bad, either.

Unlike the wet, heavy stuff of western B.C., the snow along the Powder Highway is dry and fluffy, creating pristine champagne powder. There’s a lot of it — most places average around 30 feet a year — so skiers can often find fresh powder three or four days after a big dump.

There’s a wide variety of terrain, too, from the family-oriented groomers of Fairmont to the shoots, open pitches and tree skiing at Fernie. At Panorama, skiers can hit the backcountry from the resort’s onsite heli-plex, then catch a couple black-diamond tree runs on the main mountain’s Taynton Bowl in the afternoon.

And with so many options in close proximity, skiers and boarders can bounce from one resort to another and come back for 10 straight years with a different itinerary each time.

“We’re encouraging people to try another ski opportunity,” says Laurie Reed of Kootenay Rockies Tourism. “It’s another option, an opportunity to see where some of these great backcountry adventures were born.”

Here’s a look at the eight alpine resorts along the Powder Highway. Listed price is for adult lift ticket.

FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS RESORT, http://www.fairmonthotsprings.com, about 90 minutes north of Cranbrook, off 95-93 near Invermere, adult lift ticket $32 U.S. or $40 Canadian.

Designed mostly for beginners and intermediate skiers, making it a favorite among young families, seniors and newbie snowboarders. Packages with Fairmont Hot Springs Resort allow visitors to ski all day, then soak in the toasty — and non-smelling — onsite mineral pools.

FERNIE ALPINE RESORT, http://www.skifernie.com, about an hour east of Cranbrook, lift $58 or CA$75.

A wide variety of terrain with a backcountry feel. Great views of the Lizard Range hovering above and plenty of shoots, open pitches and steep treed runs for the expert skiers. Check out local favorite Griz Bar at the end of the day and look for the Ghostrider on clear days.

KICKING HORSE MOUNTAIN RESORT, http://www.kickinghorseresort.com, about three hours north of Cranbrook in Golden, lift $54 or CA$67.

The newest resort on the Powder Highway, Kicking Horse has over 4,100 vertical feet from top to bottom, second-highest in Canada. Kicking Horse has an impressive amount of steep skiing with 60 percent of its runs designed for advanced and expert skiers.

KIMBERLEY ALPINE RESORT, http://www.skikimberley.com, about 20 minutes north of Cranbrook on Highway 95A, lift $48 or CA$59.

Located in the Purcell Range, Kimberley offers a family atmosphere with plenty of options for all levels of skiers, including some great glade runs on the face. Ski-in, ski-out condos near the lift. Check out the aptly-named Vortex black diamond run for a challenge.

PANORAMA MOUNTAIN VILLAGE, http://www.skipanorama.com, about two hours north of Cranbrook off 93-95 near Invermere, lift $45 or CA$56.

Panorama features a nice mix of groomers on the front side and killer double-blacks in the Extreme Dream Zone and Taynton Bowl on the back. Mountain capacity is 8,000, but village only holds 2,000, meaning lots of wide-open skiing. Has its own onsite heli-plex with about 120 different landing spots for all levels of skiers.

RED MOUNTAIN RESORT, http://www.redresort.com, about three hours west of Cranbrook in Rossland, lift $48 or CA$59.

Rated among North America’s top expert ski resorts, Red Mountain is filled with steeps, trees and has a 30-acre terrain park. Red has 360-degree fall lines and beginners can ski for what feels like days by taking Silver Sheep to Rino’s Run along the backside.

REVELSTOKE MOUNTAIN RESORT, http://www.revelstokemountainresort.com, about 4 1/2 hours from Cranbrook, NW corner of Powder Highway, lift $57 or CA$71.

“The Stoke” lives up to its name by offering plenty of steep runs, with just 10 percent of its trails designed for beginners. It claims to have North America’s highest vertical at over 5,200 feet from top to bottom and incredibly long runs, including the recently added 3.2-mile Snow Rodeo.

WHITEWATER WINTER RESORT, http://www.skiwhitewater.com, just under three hours west of Cranbrook, near Nelson, lift $44 or CA$55.

A relatively small mountain with just three chair lifts, Whitewater makes up for it with its deep powder; 45 feet per year. The best stashes are found in the trees and advanced skiers can traverse to Ymir Peak for a challenge. Fresh Tracks Cafe is unlike any mountain cafeteria you’ve ever tried; they’ve even got their own cookbook.