Cheap Ski Trips - Find the Best Deals This Olympic Year!

By Steven Magill

The Internet is a great resource for ski trips, especially cheap ski trips. These days you don't need to know a friend of a ski operator or a cousin who works winters at a ski resort if they know of any deals on cheap ski trips. They can all be found online. These days with the opening of Eastern Europe, there are a lot of inexpensive ski packages, almost like backpacking ski resorts. Added to the situation is that this being an Olympic Year means that some resorts are experiencing temporary dips in their occupancies during the season and with a prolong season at that, some tour operators are giving great deals in order to fill up their quota for the year. It's an interesting process for until the last minute; let's say a week or five days before the trip itself, there may be last minute offers too good to pass up. In this instance, hedging a bit helps out a lot. But then again, this is just possible for this year as it is an Olympic Year.

If you are an experienced skier and a bit adventurous, then why not go and try skiing in new resorts that are out to make a name for it. These resorts offer great discounts and may even have long term packages or loyalty programs as they want to promote themselves as the next best thing. A lot of these resorts may be found in Eastern European countries so it's best to contact them to see what packages they offer and to see how their English is. You may get a good deal on a resort but if the people aren't very fluent in English, there may be a communication problem. The solution to this is to do your research and if needs be, bring a translation book that can quickly teach you words or phrases on that language. You would have to be a bit adventurous for this but then again, it may be worth it as you are introduced to a new culture. Don't forget to try the local cuisine as well.

But if you like going back to your old haunts and favor being pampered by the ski resort that treats you like you are their only customer, email them and see if they have great rates for you. More often than not, they may have emailed you already in anticipation of the Olympics. See if you can get an upgrade to your rooms for the price you are paying. One thing good about such resorts is that you are already familiar with them and I am sure that a few freebies will be thrown in your way.

Finally, some useful information on how to find cheap ski trips. Check out the offers and get ready to hit the slopes with cheap ski packages! Imagine how much fun is waiting for you and your friends on your next vacation when you play in the snow!

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For more on Ski Vacations, see www.bestskisource.com.

Ski Jacket - 7 Secrets From an Industry Insider to Keep You From Getting Ripped Off

By Denise Street

If you are interested in purchasing a ski jacket, you should know the 7 secrets from an industry insider to keep you from getting ripped off. There are many different manufacturers that produce and sell ski jackets. Unfortunately, not all of these companies work to deliver jackets that are appropriate for skiing activities. In the same respect, not all companies produce ski clothes that are high in quality. In this consumer guide, you will be introduced to the 7 secrets as noted by an industry insider on what to look for in a jacket so that you can avoid being ripped off.

1. The first step to choosing a high quality ski jacket is to ensure that the fabric used on the jacket is waterproof. It is important to ensure that moisture will not soak through the jacket onto your body. When skiing, you experience many different environmental conditions such as snow, ice, and rain. You will want to know that your jacket will protect you from these elements.

2. If you want a real ski jacket, it is important to select only those that have multiple layers. Flimsy jackets with only one to two layers simply are not enough. You will want to make certain that the layers are composed of high quality fabric that will keep moisture away from your body.

3. The next factor that you will want to consider prior to purchasing a ski jacket are the seams of the clothing. You will want to focus on only closed seams. These types of seams will lock out wind and moisture. If you do not purchase closed seams, you will find that the jacket does not have as high of a lifespan and is not nearly as durable.

4. When choosing a ski jacket, it is absolutely important that you pay special attention to the construction of the sleeves. It is best to choose those that have elastic sleeves. It is also important to seek out only those that have an outer-cuff that is considered to be "straight".

5. When buying your ski clothing, it is important to ensure that there is a hood on the jacket. This hood will help in keeping moisture away from your head and face area. It will also help protect you from the wind. If there is no hood at all, you may find it to be distracting while on the slopes.

6. When buying a jacket, it is important to have both a button enclosure and a zipper enclosure. This offers many different levels of protection. In addition to this, the double enclosure level allows you the ability to move freely on the slopes without having to worry about your buttons popping open.

7. Last, but not least, it is important to ensure that you select a jacket that contains sections where you may place your belongings while skiing. There are different compartments that are created for cell phones, wallets, and more. If you want a truly functional jacket, choosing those that have these compartments will prove to be highly beneficial.

As you can see, there are many different factors to consider when shopping for a ski jacket. If you follow the steps contained in this guide, you can successfully avoid being ripped off.

Denise Street is a fashion consultant/adviser and avid skier and snowboarder. Since she spends a lot time outside doing these activities she knows the importance of wearing the appropriate clothing. She strives to provide you with her expertise and experience to help you choose the right apparel so you can focus on having fun, not on the cold. For more consumer advise about purchasing a ski jacket, visit http://www.squidoo.com/ski-jacket --------------------------------------------------- For more information on Ski Clothing, see www.bestskisource.com.