Monthly Archives: March 2023

Trip

Best Places to Go for Late Season Ski Trips

Think ski trips will have to wait until early winter? Think again! Ski and snowboard bums who can’t wait until next winter for their snow fix still have plenty of options to choose from. In North America alone, there are about more than a handful of locations where there’s plenty of snow to go around (sans the rowdy crowd in the après ski scene).

Here are some of the ski vacation destinations that still receive (or retain) plentiful snow:

Snowbird, Utah

With 2,500 acres of skiable area and an average of 500 inches of snow (which often lasts into May), it is no wonder that Snowbird ranks 2nd in the list of best North American ski resorts. But Snowbird not only banks on its bountiful snow. The place is located just 29 miles from Salt Lake International Airport, and 24 miles from the downtown area of Salt Lake City, making it very accessible to skiers from any part of the US. The resort also boasts of a massive Aerial Tram, which could take you to as high as 11,000 feet in just 8 minutes!

Squaw Valley, California

Squaw Valley in spring time guarantees the best of both worlds for avid skiers: plenty of sunshine and tons of snow up to mid-May (depending on snow accumulation in Lake Tahoe). The resort, too, has quite a history. It played host to the VII Winter Olympic Games in 1960, and is also considered the birth place of the American Extreme Skiing Movement. And you’d be happy to know that late season means more discounts on ski passes and accommodations.

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia

The ski scene in Whistler and Blackcomb keeps rolling up until April, with plenty of après ski activities, parties and lots of snow to carve on. Ski or snowboard on more than 200 trails in more than 8000 acres of combined terrains.

Tip: Take the two hour drive to Whistler Blackcomb on the most romantic road in the world – the Sea to Sky Highway.

Sunshine / Banff, Alberta

On a good year, Sunshine and Banff can guarantee decent snow conditions up until mid-May, thus guaranteeing more fun on the slopes minus the crowds and the long lines to the chair lifts. The views, too, are a sight for sore eyes. Hop on the Sunshine Gondola and head out to the on Mountain Base of Sunshine Village at 7000 feet, or go to Banff down the valley where you can mingle with the friendly locals, or visit the Lake Louise Ski Resort.

Winter’s definitely not over in these destinations. So go right ahead! Pack your bags and end the season with a bang on ski trips in these destinations.

Travel

Choosing The Best Currency Exchange When Travelling Overseas

One of the most overlooked tasks when planning a holiday is the purchasing of foreign currency.There are a number of options with varying currency exchange rates.Lets go through the options.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are a mixed bag. There are few specialist credit cards which offer the current exchange rate with no cash withdrawal fees. These cards will still charge interest even if paid in full. This is really as good as it gets. Most other credit cards charge 3% on top of the exchange rate and charge for cash withdrawals. Interest is also charged even if the balance is paid in full.

Debit Cards

Debit cards can be the worst way to spend money overseas. Almost all debit cards add between 2 and 3% on top of the currentcy exchange rate. The banks don’t stop there. 1% charges are added for spending as well as a typical 1.5% cash withdrawal fee. Some banks offer travel friendly debit cards with certain account so I recommend speaking to your bank or check their website for special offers.

Travel Cash

Travel cash is usually easy to get hold of. Most travel agencies will offer 0% or a marginal commission fee with a competitive exchange rate. It is always a good idea to enquire a week or two before travel for obscure currencies but in general foreign currency can be purchased on the same day from Travel Agencies. If ordering from your bank please allow more time for delivery although some banks restrict this service for certain customers.

Never exchange money at airports or on ferries. To say that the exchange rate is unfavourable is an understatement.Also remember that debit and credit cards will charge an additional fee when purchasing currency at a Bureau de change.

Although travelling overseas with some foreign currency is advantageous it is not ideal.The travel money is not insured by the Travel Agent. If the travel money is lost abroad there is no there is no replacement. Your travel insurance may cover some spending money but will not cover the whole amount.

Prepaid debit cards

Prepaid debit cards are my preferred way of spending money abroad. The exchange rates are very competitive. They can be purchased at either Travel Agencies or Post offices. The cards with the best deals are found online however. All prepaid cards can be loaded without a fee either at the branch, online or over the phone even from overseas. Pre paid debit cards are commission free from outlets and loaded with money immediately. There is usually a charge of around 1$ for cash withdrawals but nor charges for using it as a debit card.I usually withdraw money no more than three times for a two week holiday and make debit card purchases for the rest of the time. Two cards can be ordered for the same account. In the event of the card being lost a replacement will be with you within 24 hours.

The cards companies are backed by banks so if they went bust your money is safe. If the bank goes bust you would not be covered so as a precaution It is always a good idea to load the money near the time of travel instead of using it as a place to store cash.

Tips

Racing Tips For The Newcomer In Horse Racing

Earning money easily through horse racing can be a challenge to the newcomer. You need to familiarise yourself with the horses that are competing in the race in order for you to choose one that has a higher percentage of winning a race. You can read up on horse racing tips found in books or on the internet. You will find some that you can benefit from in this article. Take into consideration the form of the horse, and if he has been constantly getting good records in finishing races. It will also help you to place your bets if you study how the horse jockey performs. Consider the trainer of the jockey, and the effectiveness of his training.

When studying a particular horse, check the distance that he is capable of running. It is important that you collect as much data as you can on the horse. If the horse has had experience in running a particular distance and has a good track record of finishing it, you will have a higher chance of winning. However, you should reconsider if he has never had experience in running the distance for a race that he has been assigned to. You should also take into account the weather conditions since horses prefer certain ground conditions. Be sure that your horse can run on any weather condition or is fitted to run in a specific ground type on the day of the race. Other than focusing on the winning horse and its jockey, you should also be aware of the ins and outs of the market. See if you can find the horse that is the crowd favourite, the horse that is garnering the most bets, and where the experienced betters are staking their money.

It helps to do your research online. This is an ideal place for you to start researching on the various horseracing tips. You will have an easy time in comparing horses since there are records available online. Lastly, draw your limits and do not spend too much cash. Always have a budget and stick to it. Once you have won a race, leave as soon as you have collected the money. Do not be tempted to spend too much money after your first win. Instead of spending on another bet, celebrate with close friends so that there are fewer chances that you will splurge. A newcomer can benefit from the suggestions discussed in this article.