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Frommer's Guide
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FEATURES AND EVENTS
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Snow Toys: Fun, New Contraptions for Non-Skiers
by Nicole Clausing
Freelance Writer
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And Now for Something Completely Different...
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Any ski area worth its salt will also have some sort of spa facility. The Spa at Chateau Whistler (British Columbia) is particularly good, but almost any ski area will have some place where you can soak your day away while the other members of the party hit the slopes. And almost all ski towns, no matter how remote, offer far more shopping, eating, and entertainment options than the average town their size. In short, ski areas are no longer just about strapping boards on your feet and careening downhill. Today's skiing and snowboarding vacations can accommodate every member of the family, from the speed demon to the outdoorsman to the frost-fearing shopaholic.
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Barstools on skis. Downhill bicycling. Tumbling inside a giant beach ball. Sound strange? Sure, but then, most people thought snowboarding was a little wacky when the first baggy pants started hitting the slopes.
A new crop of snow toys has sprung up, some catering to adrenaline freaks jaded by years of traditional downhill sports, some designed for the more fearful among us. Some require a degree of physical coordination, but none absolutely requires ski or snowboarding experience--or serious athletic ability. Whether you're a skier or a snowboarder looking for something new, or trying to find activities for the non-skiers on your ski vacation, the following snow toys are worth checking out.
Zorb
Leading the list of toys for the adrenaline freak is the Zorb. Imagine a beach ball nearly 10 feet in diameter. Make that two beach balls, one inside the other, separated by a cushion of air. Now imagine you could crawl into the inner ball, strap yourself in, and be rolled down the hill in this see-through cocoon. You've just cooked up something like a ride in the Zorb. No need to worry about wax, bindings, or even technique in the Zorb. Just hang on and roll with it. And remember to take your Dramamine. Even though you'll probably be sent down a relatively gentle hill, the end-over-end rotation isn't for everyone.
Snow Scoot
The snow scoot is another high-energy ride, but with a bit more control than the Zorb. Essentially a snowboard with a set of handlebars (mostly just to hold on to), the snow scoot zips along like a snowboard, except that you stand facing forward. This one probably requires the greatest degree of athletic ability, although it's much easier to get the hang of than snowboarding. The snow scoot is a great option for the snowboarder looking for something slightly different. But don't send the most timid member of your party out on one of these.
Snow Bike
Take a mountain-bike frame, replace each tire with a short ski, and remove the brakes (and the pedals), and you've got a snow bike. This "bike" is ridden while wearing ski boots and short skis, but you don't have to be a skier to enjoy the ride. With shock absorbers and a cushy seat (come on, how many other winter sports can you do sitting down?), the ride is surprisingly comfortable and controlled. No burning quads here--but you can achieve blistering speeds if you want to. You can also take a slow, lazy glide down the mountain--unlike the Zorb, it's up to you.
Snow Fox
Here's a toy for just about everyone--if you've got a rear end, you can ride the snow fox. Just a wide seat mounted on a short ski, you lounge through your snow-fox ride wearing short skis on your feet. Subtle weight-shifts (giving new meaning to the term "seat-of-the-pants-flying") have you gliding down the mountain carving beautiful controlled turns. Best of all, your hands remain free for waving to those hard-working folk on their stand-up boards.
Where Can I Find Them?
More and more of these toys are popping up all over the country, so call your ski area ahead of time and inquire if any are available for rental. Many can be found at Booth Creek resorts, which include: Loon Mountain (NH), Cranmore (NH), Waterville Valley (NH), Grand Tarhgee (WY), The Summit at Snoqualmie (WA), Northstar-at-Tahoe (CA), Sierra-at-Tahoe, and Bear Mountain (CA).
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Inside Scoop |
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Of course, these newfangled snow toys aren't the only alternatives available to the non-skier/snowboarder. Snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, tubing, and snowmobiling are also popular activities that can often be found near, if not at, major ski areas.
For safety reasons, ski areas do not encourage snowshoeing on ski trails, at least not during the hours that the lift operates. But the beauty of snowshoeing is that it can be done anywhere else there's snow--a cleared path is not even necessary, since underbrush is usually covered with the white stuff during the winter. In the East, Sugarbush (VT) offers snowshoe rentals. At Stowe (VT), rent through Umiak Outdoor Outfitters: 802-253-2317. Out West, Copper Mountain (CO) offers snowshoeing at the Telemark Lodge. Crested Butte (CO) also offers good terrain and ample rental opportunities.
Those hardy enough to master telemark skiing can always use their Nordic ski equipment at any downhill area. But many ski resorts also offer flatter, groomed Nordic trails for a more mellow cross-country experience. The Lake Tahoe region, with over 500 miles of Nordic trails, is the cross-country ski capital of the West. Sun Valley (ID) has particularly fine offerings, as well. In the East, the Mount Snow (VT) area is home to several touring areas, as is Killington (VT).
Inner tubing is catching on in popularity, with many resorts setting aside a special tubing hill. Squaw Valley (CA) offers on-site tubing, as does Mount Snow (VT). You'll find dedicated tubing areas near both Killington (VT) and Mammoth Mountain (CA).
Snowmobiling is not allowed on ski trails, but many resorts, including Sun Valley (ID), Mammoth Mountain (CA), Stowe (VT), and Sugarbush (VT) all are located near prime snowmobiling territory. You'll find rental facilities near each.
All articles are the exclusive property of Travelocity.com LP, and may not be reproduced in any format without Travelocity.com's express written permission.
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