Bugaboo Alpine Traveling » History Of Downhill Skiing

Adrenaline Fuelled – Why a Stag Weekend in Budapest is the Perfect Choice For Adrenaline Junkies

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:09:44 +0000

By: Josey Walker

Budapest is a city steeped in history, with world-famous historic sites, museums and art galleries – but there’s no time for culture on this visit. This time it’s a stag weekend and you are here purely for a high-octane couple of days of fun with the mates. Time is of the essence so let’s crack on.

In addition to over sixty thermal springs, Budapest is also a city of caves. In the limestone under Budapest, the heated water that feeds the spas has formed a huge cave system, thought to extend more than 100km. The longest is the 19km Pálvölgyi Stalactite system located in the Duna-Ipoly National Park, about 30 minutes drive away. It is a real multi-level labyrinth with most of its chambers under the residential districts of Budapest. If you are looking for a unique experience, pre-book a two-three hour cave tour (you will be supplied with overalls, helmets and headlights). Guided by experts, the expedition will see you scrambling up cave walls, crawling through narrow passages and exploring caverns no one else you know will have ever seen – seriously crazy and wet.

Back out in the open, it’s time to experience Budapest’s thriving extreme sports scene. There is also Budaring Go-karting or Eurocentre Go-karting closer to Budapest. For a bit of off-road mountain biking, head for the Buda hills above Moszkva tér – if your legs are not up to the long uphill slog, the Cogwheel Railway offers an easy alternative. Get rid of the hungaroring stuff

You should also try the ‘Fun Extreme Canopy’ in Visegrád, to the north of Budapest. This is a massive zip-wire system between ten pillars over 900 meters in length. Once kitted out, you climb up Pillar One (which is 14m high) accompanied by two escorts. At the platform on top of the pillar, the escorts fasten the pulleys to your belt and you slide downhill from pillar to pillar – easy… except you are flying over treetops and ravines at about 50 km/h! After getting off the last pillar, walk back to the start along the forest path for a beer (and a chaser of something stronger) at the Nagyvillám Hunters Inn. Or if you prefer water to air, try wakeboarding and water-skiing on the Danube.

Of course, booking all this and not speaking the language is a challenge and, not having been before, you need to know the best places to eat, drink and make merry in the evenings for your stag weekend in Budapest. The solution is to speak to an established and reputable company that will organise the whole thing for you. You can choose your own bespoke package and they do the rest – the whole thing – from when you land to when you take-off, bleary-eyed and a bit smelly… you simply just need to gather your mates, book your cheap flights and pack. Remember to look for a company that will do your airport transfers into the city, will find you competitively priced hotel accommodation and will book you the best choice of high-adrenaline activities.

Josey Walker – The Founder & Managing Director of party organisers Stag Republic and Hen Nation. Stag Republic have been organising made-to-measure stag weekends abroad and hen weekends in Eastern Europe since 2000. More recently popular destinations include stag weekends in Krakow and Budapest. For interviews, images or comments contact: Josey Walker Stag Republic Phone: 00 3630 34 99 015 Email: info@stagrepublic.co.uk

Find Boundless Beauty and Serenity in Lake Arrowhead

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:09:25 +0000

By: Jen W.

Renowned for its namesake lake located only 90 miles east of Los Angeles, Lake Arrowhead is an all-season recreational paradise where the great outdoors take center stage. While summer is always the most exciting time along its shimmering shores, endless opportunities for adventure are waiting for you on the nearby ski slopes when snow begins to blanket the area.

Since Lake Arrowhead rests within the San Bernardino National Forest, you just know that fresh mountain air and outdoor pursuits are going to abound along its terrain. During the warm California summer, the lake becomes an inviting safe haven for vacationers looking to escape not only the stress of daily life but the congestion and overwhelming city atmosphere of Los Angeles. From its cozy and quaint beaches to the depths of the water, there is no better place to kick back and surround yourself with pristine natural beauty than in Lake Arrowhead.

While you could certainly sit out on your deck all day and simply soak in the spectacular views out over the water, Lake Arrowhead is a place for action and water-filled adventures. Out on the man-made lake, water sports such as swimming, water skiing, wake boarding, and boating are always on the menu. However, one attraction that should be at the top of every itinerary is an excursion with Lake Arrowhead Queen Boat Tours. Offering a scenic ride aboard an enclosed paddle boat, visitors can learn more about the history of the area as they relax and enjoy the picture-perfect landscapes and homes around the lake.

Throughout your summer stay, be sure to explore the areas away from the water to truly appreciate the expansive beauty that reigns in the Lake Arrowhead region. The San Bernardino National Forest is the perfect jumping off point for any outdoor-oriented adventure you can imagine, including nature hiking, mountain biking, fishing, sightseeing, horseback riding, and hunting. While the Arrowhead Ranger Station is the best place to find information about hiking conditions and degrees of difficulty, a couple of tried and true options are the short Woodland Trail and the longer Pacific Crest Trail, which leads visitors through the mountains and above Big Bear and Arrowhead lakes.

While convenience to summer activities is a large part of Lake Arrowhead’s appeal, its proximity to various ski hills makes it an ideal resting point for winter sports enthusiasts. In nearby Big Bear Lake, visitors can hit the slopes at either of the Big Bear Mountain Resorts, Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, for an always exciting downhill ride. At Snow Summit, 240 skiable acres and 31 trails are serviced by 14 lifts to ensure that you spend more time on the mountain and less time waiting in line. And when you consider the diverse degrees of difficulty on the runs, the two halfpipes, and the five snowboard and terrain parks, it is easy to see why skiers and snowboarders of all levels and abilities appreciate the excitement of Snow Summit.

If you need a little more variety during your time in Big Bear Lake, head over to Bear Mountain for 31 more trails that are divided 15 percent first-time beginner, 15 percent beginner, 40 percent intermediate, and 30 percent advanced. There are also 150 jumps, 80 jibs, a half pipe, and Southern California’s only Superpipe to entertain the thrill seeker in any family. Another option that is closer to Lake Arrowhead, the Snow Valley Mountain Resort in nearby Running Springs is the perfect place to work on your form with its 35 challenging and invigorating trails.

Lake Arrowhead is certainly an appealing vacation destination whether you simply want to getaway for the weekend or escape for a week of pure serenity and solitude. However, one thing that you need to keep in mind is that the lake is private, meaning that Lake Arrowhead vacation rentals are the best option for gaining access to the lake, beaches, and private docks along the shore. While other accommodations leave you on the outside looking in, Lake Arrowhead rentals offer a backstage pass to all of the scenery, adventures, and excitement in and round the water so you can experience the vacation you imagined.

Homes for Sale Aspen Snowmass Neighborhood Report

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:09:21 +0000

By: Jonathon Howell

Are you searching for a new home in a neighborhood in Aspen or Snowmass, but know little about it? Before you check Aspen and Snowmass homes for sale, it will help if you do a neighborhood search first.

Aspen is like fairy tale paradise. Celebrities and VIPs see it as an expensive playground, but it has remained a charming community of locals takes pride of the perfect combination of culture and sports. It also gives you everything from hiking and skiing to shopping haute couture and fine dining.

Finding Aspen homes for sale? Aspen will not disappoint since it has beautiful things to offer. One great neighborhood is the West End, a peaceful residential area, which houses Victorian homes.

The Downtown Aspen is also a nice neighborhood, dubbed as North America’s ski capitol by the Ski Magazine. The Hyman Avenue, Cooper Avenue, and Mill Street Pedestrian malls serve as the area’s centerpieces. Its tree-line streets have brick retail units with cool dining, hip shops, and top-class local pubs, with Victorian structures a feast to your senses.

The neighborhood of East End has the feel of a residential forest because of the many trees. Head into the Roaring Fork Valley and you will see a time when ranching was the West’s way of life and horses were the rulers.

Many visitors spend much time in the valley, especially in summer, to have a genuine feel of the mountains. The Frying Pan and Roaring Fork waters are also drawing a lot of fishermen to take the fly fishing challenge.

If you visit the towns of Old Snowmass, El Jebel, Carbondale, and Basalt, you will find yourself enjoying a low-key atmosphere. A huge bulk of manual laborers are based here.

Woody Creek is perhaps the most eccentric town in Aspen. It is the home of the famous Hunter S. Thompson. Many people see him at the Woody Creek Tavern while enjoying cold beer.

It took only less than ten years to build all the Victorian houses and other important buildings, many of which stand in the charming town today. Examples of these grand structures include the Wheeler Opera House and the Hotel Jerome.

A group of pioneers who came to the town in the mid 1930′s constructed a ski resort in Roaring Fork valley. Aspen became popular as a major ski destination and a top-class sport and cultural center when people flock the town in 1950 for the downhill competition hosted by the ski resort.

The history-rich Snowmass in Pitkin County is considered a part of the Aspen Community. For many centuries, this village, located in western Colorado, was home to the Ute Native Americans. In the late nineteenth century, white Americans eventually explored and settled in the area.

If you would like more info about Aspen Snowmass homes for sale, please visit Aspen Snowmass Homes for Sale Neighborhood Report.

Carol Walker tracks Aspen Snowmass homes for sale.

Val D\’isere, Beyond Championship Skiing

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:59:53 +0000

By: Edison Adam

The FIS or the International Ski Federation, which began the tradition of organizing world ski competitions in 1931, is one of the most awaited ski experiences for all serious skiers. These global ski events are synonymous to the famous icy slopes of Val d’Isere. The ski resort of Val d’Isere, however, is not just for championship skiing. This new ski resort is also for all other types of holiday fun.

Holiday History

If it is the skier’s first time to visit the new ski resort of Val d’Isere, they will immediately observe that the town has a duality. One part of it clings to its vivid past and the other part embraces the future. The past is found in the central and eastern areas of the town where the architecture is predominated by chalets. The charming chalets are actually just the more recent evidences of the past. The Val d’Isere was established during the Roman Empire and the church that was built in 1664 is still a major landmark today. Then skiing came.

Skiing, when it was introduced in Val d’Isere, was not considered a winter sport. Skiing was the favored transportation of churchgoers every Sunday. The children also ski when going to and coming from the school. It wasn’t until in 1934 when Val d’Isere officially became a ski resort. A ski school was established in 1936 and a cable car was finally built in 1942 to replace an older draglift. The name of the new ski resort of Val d’Isere became famous and the town attracted the attention of many skiing enthusiasts. The western area of the Val d’Isere is now lined with modern high-rise buildings.

Family Fun

The new ski resort of Val d’Isere is not just famous for the championship medals won after conquering its slopes; rather it is also a great place to have family fun. The town is right on the border of the Vanoise National Park and the new ski resort has its own Snow Park, the Val Park. At the Val Park, the whole family can enjoy easy runs as well as the visual proof of why the Val d’Isere is considered as one of the most beautiful ski resorts. The Snow Park has a recreational area for music and barbecue, and there are draglifts and chairlifts for anyone who is interested in putting those skis to good use.

Important Skiing Information

When planning to visit and ski at the Val d’Isere new ski resort, it would be best to first check out the new traffic and parking plan. The skier zones were expanded and more snow cannons are used to augment the snow. There also several off-pistes and ski runs located at more than 2,500 meters above sea level. The 50 ski lifts are capable of uplifting more than 64,000 skiers and snowboarders in an hour. Downhill runs have a total of 150 kilometers and composed of 22 green runs, 28 blue runs, 18 red runs, and 7 black runs.

O.B.S. company is currently working on Val d’Isere skiing project. It represents possible Val d’Isere accommodation and activities during Val d’Isere winter vacations in France.

History of Tissot Watches

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:30:33 +0000

By: ZaiZhu

Tissot, a Swiss watch company, was established in the year 1853. Charles-Félicien Tissot with his son Charles-Emile set the foundation of this prominent business in the city of Le Locle. Buoyed by an extremely pioneering spirit and a forceful drive for mechanical craft, these two initiators brought in to the watchmaker’s trade a sturdy and skilled company.

All the way through the existence of the Tissot Company, the firm has forever fascinated the thoughts of people across the globe. Right from the very inception, the company possessed technicians and engineers, contributing thoroughly in the growth and development of new innovative watch models. Led by a strong technical team, it incidentally went on to become the first producer of the antimagnetic watch. It also holds the glorious record of being the first to produce plastic watch, the ”Rock Watch”, the ”Wood Watch” and ”T-touch”.

Along with the production of some exemplified “first of its kind watches”, the Tissot Company also has its presence felt in the history of sports. It got its share of fame by participating vehemently in some major sports events: linked with Davis Cup in 1957 as the timekeeper and also took part at the downhill skiing in Switzerland in the 1938. At present, Tissot Company is the authorized timekeeper for various sporting galas: road biking, circuit racing, cycling, ice hockey and fencing. All these sporting affairs call for supreme dependability and correctness; they signify the meticulousness, significance and excellence of the Tissot Company. The company has rejoiced 150th anniversary of its esteemed institution in the year 2003. The Tissot brand, without any doubt, is not only one of world’s most admired ones but also one of the most sought after brands in Switzerland itself.

From the year 1985, the Tissot Company has been attached with the Swatch Group. From the same period onwards, it has been characterized by a networked system of merchants in 140 countries all around the world. Since all Tissot watches are fashioned in Switzerland itself, which facilitates the company to make use of the ”Swiss Made” brand. The Company tenders a broad array of products that will catch the attention of both admirers of a pleasant design and enthusiasts of watchmaker’s technology.

In the recent years, the company has transformed itself into a more popular brand than ever. It could well be attributed to its ”T-Touch,” expertise. In this unique range of watches, a number of new watches encompass ”touch-sensitive navy faces” and comprise compasses, barometers, altimeters and thermometers. Same range of watches has further provided it a boost by featuring in some movies: as in The Cradle of Life and Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

Those who get gratification by having fine quality watches, admire these traits in Tissot watches. By and large, it is rated as the foremost watch brand that presents high class watches at mid price range. Tissot is on its way to take their sports sponsorship to a towering height by becoming the official timekeeper and partner of some grand sporting events like Olympics and other adventure sports. By sponsoring some big names in the sporting arena, it has already created a niche for itself that cannot be easily taken over by its rivals in the near future.

Zai Zhu is a watch collector and a watch dealer. Visit http://www.discountwatchstore.com to learn more about wristwatches. You can also shop over 2000 styles fine watches including many Tissot watches, Mondaine watches, Casio watches, Sector watches, Movado watches, Bulova watches, Accutron watches, Wittnauer watches, Citizen watches, Seiko watches, Invicta watches, Luminox watches as well as other brand name watches such as Adee Kaye, Corvette, Croton, Lucien Piccard, Orient, Perigaum, TW Steel, Vanceur, and Wenger.