Beat the November Blues

October 28, 2009

The Vancouver forecast is suggesting two weeks of rain with the sun perhaps peeking out on only one of those days. I must stop looking at the weather channel as I just get depressed. However, it is the perfect time of year to start planning your winter adventure, a spring break or a summer vacation.

I am constantly amazed by people who have no idea what to do for a getaway,  perhaps because they’ve been on one too many prepackaged affairs where they end up bored by the third day. So here are some ideas to chew on with today’s focus on winter adventures.

Cold weather trips

  1. Plan a ski trip to a locale where the sun shines more often than not. Places to consider are resorts in the British Columbia interior, Colorado, Idaho and Utah. Try Alta, Utah for amazing powder and Steamboat, Colorado for a friendly atmosphere. Silver Star Resort in the Okanagan offers some of the best early cross country skiing.
  2. Look for deals and head to Europe for a mix of skiing and culture. Enjoy the 2 hour slopeside lunches with a bottle of wine and hire the cute ski guide to take you off the beaten path.
  3. Sign up for the Canadian Ski Marathon, held in Quebec, in the second week of February. It is North America’s longest and oldest ski tour. It is a 2 day, 160 kilometre event where everyone’s a winner!
  4. Ski the Birkebeiner in Wisconsin over the last weekend in February. It is a 50 km course and the biggest ski race in the US.
  5. Head to Ottawa, Ontario and skate on the Rideau Canal the world’s longest skating rink. It has a cleared length of 4.8 miles.

Warm weather trips

  1. Travel to Palm Springs but without the golf clubs. Enjoy the daily sunshine as you hike on one of the 140 trails in the area. You can hire Phillip, the author of the book, to take you off the beaten track. (and my downloadable  itinerary will be up by Christmas!)
  2. If it’s cold in North America then it’s time to visit South America. Try a backpacking trip in Patagonia, tour Argentina where great values are to be had or head to Brazil and the beaches. Airfares are high to get there but the rest of your expenses will be low
  3. Sea kayak in the Sea of Cortez in the Baja region of Mexico. A week of exercise, sun, beach and great sea and bird life should put a smile on your face. Try Baja Kayak Adventures for a reasonably priced trip.
  4. Head to New Zealand for biking and hiking tours. Throw in some wine, great beaches, sunshine and some of the friendliest people on the planet for an unforgettable experience.
  5. Asia offers value. Think about a trip to one of the following countries.
  • Lombok, Indonesia with superb beaches and the possibility of a 2 day trek to the volcano, Gunung Rinjani
  • Kuantan, Malayasia, 30 minutes by air from Kuala Lumpur where you’ll find both developed and undeveloped beaches
  • Palawan, Phillipines for super clear waters and unspoiled corals
  • Hua Hin, Thailand for beaches and golf though it is still a traditional fishing port

Stay active and stay tuned for more ideas.

Leigh McAdam

www.hikebiketravel.com

Posted by Hike Bike Travel | Filed Under Adventure Travel Tours and Tips, Miscellaneous travel tips, Skiing Info and Tips 

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