USA Travel Magazine - Topics

  The Tanana Valley Fairgrounds in Fairbanks will present the World Ice Art Championships this February until the end of March. Among the competitions are : Multi Blocks Double Blocks Single Blocks Collegiate  Snow - a family event Youth Classic Volunteering at Ice Alaska is is a fun way to meet the international community of artists. Check out  the  Ice Alaska  website for full details on the opportunities available.  By Melody Schubert Plan Your Trip: The   World Ice Art Championships  is held in February through March at the  Tanana Valley State Fairgrounds . See the  Ice Alaska  website for current news, events, and schedules.  The beauty of Alaska is wild and wonderful, and for regional adventures, food, entertainment and more to do, go to the  Travel Alaska  website.  Photo Credits: Ice Alaska / Travel Alaska

  Fairbanks is the Ice Capital of the World , and where the World Ice Art Championships has been hosted since its inception in 1988. We're excited to see the works of artists from around the world, who will share their talents at the upcoming  international ice sculpture competition sponsored by the non-profit organization, Ice Alaska.  Thanks to Lee Ellen King for the highlights of the competition and exceptional artists, which you can read via Ice Alaska here .  Congratulations to all the Single Block artists. Your sculptures are truly amazing objects d’ art. It is always such a pleasure to witness the dedication and talent you all possess and share with us. Congratulations to the first, second and third place winners: Daniel Bergin, first place “Musical Escape”. (I have to admit, this was my favorite sculpture. The fluidity and grace are breathtaking), Dan Helmstatder, second place “Cold Chameleon (adore the fly) and Steve Dean, third place “Flight Risk”, said Le...

  New England winters offer beautiful scenery and activities to enjoy, and to celebrate the season Camden Maine’s historic Hartstone Inn is offering a unique package; the Toboggan Building 101 Package. With this two-night getaway package you learn how build a hand-crafted wood toboggan. Both mornings, you'll enjoy the inn's legendary multi-course breakfast. Then, your instruction begins with basic techniques, such as bending, sanding, finishing and fastening a hand-crafted wood toboggan. Classes will be offered in Early Nov., Dec., and Jan., and can opt to spend either Friday and Saturday or Saturday and Sunday night at Hartstone Inn, or add a third night for a great price. After your toboggan building class, Hartstone's innkeeper will greet be there with two signature Slippery Slope cocktails, served with a delicious nibble from the kitchen. Happy hour is followed by a five-course chef's tasting menu. Later, take a shirt walk to the picturesque Camden Harbor, which off...

  There is no better place in New England to discover the pleasures of winter recreation than Connecticut. Anyone seeking to combine an invigorating and thoroughly relaxing weekend of outdoor fun with the cozy warmth of a country inn, comfortable B&B or family-friendly hotel need look no farther than an hour or so beyond Boston, Providence, or New York. Cross country enthusiasts will discover that Connecticut has some of the finest, and most scenic, ski touring centers in New England. Some offer a "pure" cross-country experience, others, as in the case of Woodbury, feature other winter sports. Among the best known are the 4,000 acres of the White Memorial Foundation in Litchfield , offering 35 miles of ski trails through meadows and woodlands, and Winding Trails Cross Country Ski Center in Farmington, where, in addition to 20 kilometers of ski trails (rental equipment is available) through gently rolling hills, outdoor enthusiasts will find ice skating on Walton Pond a...

  There are truly remarkable recreational opportunities in every region of Idaho – hiking, skiing, whitewater rafting, fishing, hunting, camping and much more. Idaho mountain ski resorts are ready to see the snow fly on another outstanding ski season. New lifts, runs and facilities abound, making this winter in Idaho really sizzle as a vacation spot to remember. Schweitzer Mountain Resort , located in North Idaho, is becoming an all-season, destination resort overlooking Lake Pend Oreille. With more than 2,500 acres of skiable downhill terrain and eight lifts, including Idaho’s only high-speed, six-passenger chairlift, this mountain resort is already a spectacular family or solo destination. The resort’s newest features include recently constructed ski-in, ski-out accommodations and additions to the Stomping Grounds Terrain Park, which include the new Terrain Garden, featuring entry-level and intermediate jumps and rails, along with the addition of six Planet Snow Design rails. Ano...

  Whether you want to commune with nature or have some mechanized fun; the perfect activity is waiting for you in Deer Valley , Utah . On a vacation in the winter you can enjoy awesome downhill skiing, and there are plenty of other fun activities that the winter snow provides. Enjoy the area's undefiled wilderness by touring the area by way of cross-country ski or snowshoe. It is a physical, yet relaxing possibility that is sure to make you feel in harmony with nature. Especially if you are new to backcountry adventure, it is a wise thing to go with a guide, although, the flight back to civilization in a Search and Rescue helicopter is a pretty memorable experience. If you like taking in the scenery with ease and speed, embarking on a snowmobile tour is a great option. Deer Valley offers the Summit Meadows Adventure snowmobile tours. Tours are held on the Garff Ranch which is only 5 miles from nearby Park City's historic downtown. This seven THOUSAND acre ranch is available by ...