About Crans-Montana

Stretching from the Rhone valley to the Plaine Morte Glacier at 3000m, Crans-Montana is one of Switzerland’s foremost skiing regions. Visitors and residents love it for its many hours of sunshine and great slopes, with breathtaking views over a string of mountain peaks that unfold from Bietschhorn to Mont Blanc via the Matterhorn. But there’s also so much more to Crans-Montana than just winter snowsports activities, both for skiiers and those just wanting a fantastic winter break.

Two towns, Crans and Montana, merge together to form the resort and both have their own identities. Sitting on a high plateau above the Rhone Valley and facing south, the views are spectacular, especially from higher altitudes where it’s possible to see Mont Blanc in the west, through to the Matterhorn and way beyond to the east. During the winter, the skiing is well suited for intermediates, with a wide range of blue and red runs, but there are also excellent beginners areas as well as some more challenging slopes for experts, including some interesting off-piste and ski touring terrain.

During summer, the resort is a haven for both road cyclists and mountain bikers as well as hikers and adventure seekers. Accommodation is varied, with a strong luxury element including several 5* hotels and a spread of 3* and 4* options as well as self-catering apartments and Bed and Breakfasts.

Crans-Montana has a host of hotels that contain spas, enabling their elite, older patrons to enjoy a combination of skiing, health treatments and shopping at the resort’s chic boutiques. This well-heeled, health-seeking clientele mixes with bankers from Geneva and – rather incongruously – a huge snowboarding crowd and freestyle skiers, who visit Crans-Montana in winter for one of the best snowparks in the Alps.

Ski and Snowboard in Crans-Montana

Crans-Montana is a good intermediate’s resort with good slopes for beginners.  A good beginners area is Arnouva, accessed by the short gondola from Montana.  The nursery slopes down by the golf course in Crans are even easier.

Long Open Runs Fit for Carving

The largest group of intermediate pistes at Crans-Montana is in the Violettes sector, with trails winding their way through the woods. The Toula chair leads to steeper reds. From Bella-Lui you can head down the Nationale ski slope or Chetseron, both World Cup runs. The only official black run in the resort is a bumpy fall-line pitch on the ridge under the Toula chair, although by the standards of many resorts it’s no more than a red. On the whole, this is a resort of long, open runs fit for cruising and carving.

Snowboarding, Skicross and Snowparks

Crans-Montana is an active snowboarding centre and the Adrenaline snowpark, at top of the Crans gondola, is one of the biggest in the country. It has a half-pipe, several rails, an area for beginner freestylers, a skicross/boardercross course and a brand new snowpark for teenagers.

Some 50km of Langlauf tracks in Crans-Montana include a 10km loipe, set unusually at an altitude of 3000m on the Plaine-Morte Glacier. A host of other winter sports take place on the mountain and in the town, including snowshoeing, ice-skating and curling. Only about half of all visitors to Crans-Montana come here to ski or snowboard.

Crans-Montana Winter Activities

Dog Sledding

For a unique experience that doesn’t involve trying to stay upright on two planks of wood, try a dog sled ride at Crans-Montana on the stunning Plaine Moret Glacier. You’ll get to take the reins and steer your own husky team, guided by a professional musher. Afterwards you can even play with the dogs.

Find out more about dog sledding and how to get a dog sled transfer from airport to resort.

Snowtubing

You and the kids can go snowtubing on Snow Island. Spin your way downhill in a big inflatable ring, knowing that you can use the magic carpet conveyor to get back up to the top again. Perfect for tired children (and parents).

Ice Rink

Channel your inner Torvil and Dean on the ice rink at one of the ice skating sessions.  Or watch the kids going round while you nurse a hot drink.

Paintball and Laser Tag

If you have enough energy left after being on the slopes, you can get rid of your angst with a spot of winter paintball. For those who aren’t keen on being hit by paint pellets, you can opt for the more gentile laser IR tag.

Shooting Range

Learn how to handle a 357 Magnum, 7mm Remington or 9mm Parabellum on a shooting course with a professional coach.

Horse Riding

Panwall Stables in Crans-Montana offer group riding lessons, private lessons on dressage and jumping, forest walks and Shetland tours.

Snow Island

Snow Island transforms the competition standard golf course into a family-focused island of fun. On Snow Island you’ll find plenty of different winter activities including snow-tubing, a sledge run, snowman-building competitions, a ‘magic carpet’ ski lift to make getting back to the start of the run way more fun, huge inflatable towers on the snow and La Maison de Bibi, the house where Crans-Montana’s famous marmot mascot, Bibi, lives. Parents and children alike love the place.

Trail Running

Crans-Montana hosts a variety of routes for trail runners. There is a fitness trail that starts at Moubra Lake which has exercise along the way to test your endurance, mobility and strength.

Climbing Centre

The indoor climbing centre at Crans-Montana has a range of routes that lead up to a height of 13.5 metres, from 4C to 8A.

Curling

This beautiful indoor curling hall is right next to the Ycoor Café, right in the center of Montana. The 3 tracks enjoy an extraordinary ice cream which, according to specialists, curle perfectly. For insiders, it’s a pleasure.
For those who want to discover this sport, you can take an introductory course.

Crans-Montana Winter Activities Indoors

Bowling

When the winter chill is seeping into your bones, you can spend some toasty times indoor. Bowling is a popular family favourite.

Cinema

there are a selection of films to see at the cinema.

Indoor Golf

The indoor golf academy is composed of 5 experienced teachers as well as an assistant in 3rd year of apprenticeship. The academy is located in the golf area between holes 8 and 12 of the Ballesteros course.

The whole area is fully equipped for players of all levels. Whether you are a beginner, advanced of expert, the outdoor and indoor facilities are specially designed to help you progress.

The performance center is equipped with trackmans, a gym specially dedicated to Golf-Fitness and an indoor putting green.

More Indoor Sports and Games

There are more indoor activities to keep everyone amused including:

• Swimming Pools
• Gym sessions
• Badminton
• Snooker
• Table Football
• Table Tennis
• Tennis
• Yoga

Hiking and Exploring on Foot in Crans-Montana

With its lakes, forests, glacier and vineyards, the region has something to offer every nature lover. Ski touring is available, as are snowshoeing trips exploring the area.

Sports fans will be delighted to discover a large array of amenities dedicated to sporting activities, whilst cultural devotees will enjoy the wide range of museums, events and festivals.

Luxury and Outstanding Service

LeCrans is generally considered to be one of the top in terms of hotels in Crans-Montana and it also has a one star Michelin restaurant that is exceptional.

The Crans Ambassador is also really nice and it has great views as it’s elevated above the town. It’s pretty much ski-in-ski-out too which is the only large hotel to offer that (until the new Sixth Senses opens up but that’s in 2021).  The Ambassador is amazing to be honest.

Another amazing place to stay is Pasdelours , again with a one star Michelin restaurant. It’s very high end and a little more cosy feel too.  The food is amazing.

Then there’s the Chetzeron – it’s a hotel on the mountain.  You can only get there by snow cat or skis during the winter, which makes it a bit like a James Bond lair.  It has really nice super friendly staff including the owner who is a really nice guy. The restaurant is listed in the Michelin Guide.  It doesn’t have a star but just great food done well, from traditional stuff like fondue to more varied international dishes.

Find Out More About Crans-Montana Winter Activities

You can find out more about events and winter activities in Crans-Montana from the Cran-Montana Tourist Board. The resort is part of the Best of the Alps group.

You can also find out about Crans-Montana Summer Activities

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Luxury safari holidays can be tailored by a safari holiday specialist like Aardvark Safaris to provide an African safari package that suits your needs. You could explore the Zambezi River by canoe steering clear of pods of hippos, or fly low over the Rift Valley lakes in Kenya with flocks of flamingos beneath you.

Alternatively you might find yourselves helping baby turtles to the sea, avoiding marauding crabs, or fishing for your lunch just off the coast from Cape Town.

During a stay in Livingstone in Zambia you could meet elephants in the morning, raft in the afternoon and go on the river for a sunset cruise in the evening. The next morning you could head out to the Devil’s Pool on the edge of the Victoria Falls, before bungee jumping in the afternoon followed by a microlight flight to get some aerial shots of where you were in the morning.

Where you stay on a safari holiday

Image courtesy of Aardvark Safaris

Safari holiday accommodation varies widely and can accomodate most preferences.  You could sleep under a cube of mosquito net set up on a beach so you can safely sleep under the stars..  For the ultimate luxury safari holiday, you can stay in a room in a lodge bigger than your house, with a beautiful ensuite marble bathroom and your very own plunge pool.

Traditionally tents have been used on safari holidays, but these aren’t tents as you might have seen them in the scouts or guides. With proper beds, connected loo and shower and wardrobes and chairs, they’re effectively canvas hotel rooms in the bush.

What is a normal safari holiday package?

There is no normal safari holiday package. When you arrange what you want to do with a safari specialist they can alter the holiday to fit your needs.  This includes things such as:

• Your budget
• Your desire to walk, horse ride, canoe etc
• What time of year you are travelling
• What type of accommodation you want to stay in

A combination of safari and beach is quite common.  People use the section of the holiday by the sea to relax after the early starts of the safari days. If you are not a beach lover then you might choose a few days away from wildlife.  You can stay somewhere like Cape Town, in South Africa or Livingstone, close to the Victoria Falls on the Zambian side.

Where should I go on safari at different times of year?

Broadly speaking there are two different climatic zones for the safari areas of Africa.

Image courtesy of Aardvark Safaris

East Africa – Kenya & Tanzania (and to a certain extent Rwanda and Uganda)
Their best weather periods, when they have little or no rain, are June to October and then December to March. So good places to visit for the summer holidays, October half term and Christmas, but not for Easter.

Southern Africa – Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Namibia and Malawi
They tend to have sunshine from April to November so work for holidays in the summer, at Easter and for the October half term, but not for Christmas (although Cape Town is an exception and is nice at Christmas and not in our summer)

How much does an African safari holiday cost?

It is almost easier to ask what you want to spend as there are safaris to suit all budgets.

Specialist luxury safari holiday operators tend to work with smaller camps and lodges.  Here the guiding and hosting is better and there are fewer people on each game viewing vehicle. These camps are generally in quieter areas ensuring a more exclusive safari.  Clients would typically fly by light aircraft between camps to minimise travel time and increase comfort.

With economy class flights from the UK a two week holiday planned by a safari holiday specialist, with a week on safari and a week on the beach, would generally cost £4,000 per person. This would include all international and internal flights and taxes, accommodation, meals, some drinks and safari activities – very little is excluded.

How do I arrange a safari holiday?

Image courtesy of Aardvark Safaris

There are many companies offering safari holidays; some are purely African specialists, others offer safari holidays throughout the world. You will be able to find many of these by typing African safaris or family safaris into a search engine.

The big question to ask the person who answers the phone is whether they have been to the places they are selling. Discount those who haven’t and work with those who have; they will make sure you are matched to the best safari holiday for you.

Aardvark Safaris

This safari holiday summary was written by African safari specialists Aardvark Safaris who have many years of experience of arranging tailor made holidays for couples, families, honeymooners and singles. Their consultants have incredible knowledge from years of travelling to Africa. They will use their knowledge combined with your thoughts to plan the perfect safari holiday for you

More adventure and activity holidays

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Skills – Strength: 7, Balance: 6, Flexibility: 3, Agility: 5, Coordination: 6
Time needed: travelling time + 3 hours, Cost to try: £100

If you would like to do something unusual this winter, have a go at dogsledding. Canada and Alaska are the best places to go dogsledding. You can go for a dogsledding weekend, or perhaps you may prefer a dogsledding vacation.

What is Dogsledding?

Dogsledding is where you have a sled that is pulled by one or more dogs across snow and ice. The dogs used for this purpose are usually huskies, chosen for their thick fur that keeps them warm.

There are various different types of dogsled. A basket sled is has a woven bed that is raised above the snow on runners and is used for dogsled racing. A Sprint sled is a short version of the basket sled. A toboggan sled has a lower carriage and uses a closed bed, allowing the sled to slide or float over deep snow.

The sleds have runners that stick out behind the dogsled, and are used by the mushers to stand on.

Dogsledding Adventures in Canada

Do I Have to Be Fit to go Dogsledding?

You don’t have to be an athlete to go dogsledding, but you will need to be reasonably fit. When you go dogsledding, you aren’t on the dogsled for the whole time. Sometimes you will have to get off and run beside the dogsled in snow. This is usually to help the dogs pull the dogsled up hills. You will also have to help load equipment onto the dogsled.

So, how fit do you need to be? It is recommended that you should be able to walk 3km on hilly terrain in less than 45 minutes. You should ideally also be able to run 3km in less than 35 minutes. If you aren’t able to do this now, then gradually build up to it. Consult your doctor before starting any physical exercise programme. You can find more details in Outward Bound Canada – Dogsledding – How Fit do I Have to be?

Where Can I go Dogsledding?

You can go dogsledding in several places in Canada and Alaska. Locations include:

• Algonquin Park, Haliburton Highlands, Ontario;
• Banff;
• Canmore;
• Kananaskis Country
• The Canadian Rockies;
• Alberta, Canada;
• Guelph, Ontario, Canada;
• Port Blandford, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Huskies

Huskies are the breed of dog selected for pulling dogsleds, as they have an amazing ability to survive in the cold winter snow. When you have finished dogsledding for the day and have unharnessed them, they bed down in the snow and their thick fur keeps them warm.

A dogsled team is put together with much thought. The team consists of leader dogs, point dogs, swing dogs, and wheel dogs. The lead dog is very treasured, and mushers will seldom let these dogs out of their sights.

Dogsledding Holidays

• Exodus Travel Dogsledding – Finland, Sweden and Lapland.
• Ontario Outdoor Dogsledding – Northridge Ranch in Huntsville, Algonquin Park and Temagami.
• Winterdance Dogsledding, north of Haliburton Lake on the doorstep of Algonquin Park
• Whistler Dog Sledding Tours – Soo Valley near Whistler.

If you would like to recommend any other places to go dogsledding, post it on the discussions area, or submit an article about your dogsledding experience.  If you prefer to go sledding somewhere hot, try basket sledding in Madeira down steep cobbled streets.

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What are the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, is nature’s display of coloured lights that fill the nights sky in the most northern parts of the world. It is a shapeshifting swirling cloud of coloured lights caused by the interaction between gas particles in the atmosphere and electrically charged particles from the sun. The Northern Lights occur when a continuous stream of charged particles called the Solar Wind that comes from the Sun hits the Earth’s upper atmosphere. The light is created when this solar wind causes ionisation of oxygen and nitrogen atoms. Oxygen gives off a greenish glow, and nitrogen gives off a red or blue glow. So, where are the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights are seen above the magnetic North Pole and are called the Aurora borealis. There is a similar light phenomena over the magnetic South Pole which is called the Aurora australis. It is easier to travel to see the Northern Lights than the Southern Lights because Antarctica is a bit of an inhospitable place.

Where can you see the Northern Lights?

View of the Northern Lights from Alaska

The best places to see the Northern Lights are in Alaska, Canada, Iceland and Norway. The amazing light shows given off by the Northern Lights are never guaranteed, but if you get yourself to locations close to the northern latitudes at the top of the world such as in Iceland or Canada, you will maximise the chances of an unforgetable experience.

The level of solar activity is a big factor in the intensity and appearance of the Northern Lights. The solar activity changes in intensity over 11 years, and was expected to be at a maximum in 2012-2013.

You can also see the Northern Lights from places like Sweden and Scotland.

Northern Lights Holidays

Iceland offers some of the cheapest options for Northern Lights Holidays. You can book short breaks to Reykjavik with Thomson on a three-night trip. The Thomson Northern Lights Tour and a Golden Circle excursion takes in some of Iceland’s most spectacular sights, from geysers to waterfalls, for approximately £400pp B&B, including flights. Departures tend to be in January and February.
Inghams Northern Lights Holidays to northern Norway include the Narvik Polar Express Adventure. You get to ride on the Polar Express train, go husky sledding and on a trip to the Polar Wildlife Park. A three night Northern Lights Holiday from Inghams will cost about £800pp, including flights and excursions.

Northern Lights Cruise

Most of the Northern Lights cruises sail to Norway or Iceland where the aurora appears regularly and the climate is relatively calm.
P&O Cruises has a 12-night round trip from Southampton on Oriana. It calls at Stavanger in Tromso overnight, Alta for a two night stay and Flam. It costs about £850pp.

Northern Lights Flight

If you don’t like the cold and just want to have a look at the Northern Lights, you can get a plane from UK airports that flies up over Iceland and back in a few hours. The Aurora Tours mean that you can see the Northern Lights in a few hours without a long trip or having to stay out in the cold. However, nothing beats the awe and wonder of spending time with your camera in Alaska or Canada on a Northern Lights Holiday.

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The most popular dream adventure experiences as voted by the UK

1. Travel the world
2. Ride on the Orient Express
3. Swim with Dolphins
4. Go on Safari
5. Experience freefall or zero gravity
6. Drive a racing car
7. Pilot a jet
8. Walk the Great Wall of China
9. Dive the Great Barrier Reef
10. See the Northern Lights
11. Fly in a hot air balloon
12. Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
13. See the Grand Canyon
14. See the Taj Mahal at sunset
15. Watch the Serengeti migration in East Africa
16. Visit Antarctica
17. Visit the Galapagos Islands
18. Visit Ankor Wat in Cambodia
19. Drive along Route 66
20. Go on a gondola ride down the Grand Canal in Venice



21. Explore the Forbidden City in China
22. See the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt
23. Watch sunrise at Uluru, Australia
24. A Helicopter flight over Niagara Falls
25. Visit Yellowstone Park
26. Marvel at the Moal statues on Easter Island
27. See the terracotta army in China
28. Go jungle trekking and river kayaking in the Amazon Basin
29. Watch the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge
30. Go island hopping in Greece by boat
31. Go camping in Yosemite
32. Travel on the Trans-Siberian railway in Russia
33. Watch the great wildebeest migration on the Masai Mara in Kenya
34. Celebrate Hogmanay in Edinburgh
35. See the art and treasures in the Sistine Chapel and Vatican in Rome
36. Explore the Rocky Mountain in Canada
37. Visit Lake Garda in Italy
38. Visit Rome
39. Go shopping in New York City
40. Go surfing in Hawaii

The post Top 40 Best Dream Adventure Travel Experiences appeared first on Active Outdoors.

MedjetAssist®

MedjetAssist® is the premier air medical transport membership program for travelers. If you are hospitalized 150 miles or more from home, Medjet will arrange air medical transport all the way back to your hospital of choice in your home country — regardless of medical necessity. Most travel insurances and platinum card benefits programs will get you to the “nearest acceptable facility”, Medjet gets you all the way home.

Collegiate Memberships

These special Collegiate International memberships are annual, and were developed for students and academic faculty up to age 75, who are attending or teaching at a university or other accredited educational programs outside of their home country for up to 20 weeks at a time. Those planning to study or teach abroad for longer than 20 consecutive weeks will need an Expat180 or Expat365 Membership.

MedjetHorizon

3 out of 4 travelers say they worry about safety and security when they travel. That’s why we created MedjetHorizon®, an added layer of protection to any MedjetAssist Membership.

MedjetHorizon members have all the air medical transport benefits of MedjetAssist, plus added travel security and crisis response services benefits powered by corporate security experts FocusPoint International. And unlike other global transport and travel security membership programs, MedjetHorizon does not depend on hard triggers, like government-issued evacuation mandates, to act on behalf of our members. It’s the most comprehensive Medjet travel protection membership for travelers.

Medjet Goes Global with COVID-19 Air Medical Transport Benefits

Medjet Members hospitalized with active COVID-19 infections are now eligible for air medical transport to a hospital at home from worldwide destinations.
Medjet Covid Cover

Where will your next adventure take you?

So now that you are considering getting travel insurance, where will your next adventure be?
To get a few ideas of what you would love to do, you might want to explore the top 40 dream adventure vacation ideas. To give you that warm fuzzy feeling of reassurance, the Active Outdoors guide for solo women travellers will also help get you started.

The post Medjet Insurance Flies You Home Even With Covid appeared first on Active Outdoors.

This is great news for the French alpine resort, Les Arcs, meaning that once again the ski resort can be reached directly from London by train.

The new Travelski Express service will arrive into Bourg Saint Maurice each Saturday morning during the ski season, after departing London on Friday night. Upon arrival in Bourg, it is a simple 7 minute journey by funicular to Arc 1600, meaning skiers can be on the slopes the very same morning!

The Compagnie des Alpes Group has announced the conclusion of an agreement with Eurostar to relaunch the direct rail service from London-Saint Pancras to the Tarentaise Valley, which they will finance, for the 2021-2022 ski season.

Marketed under the name “Travelski Express“, this door-to-door transport service will be offered by Travelski, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Compagnie des Alpes. They will offer the service in the form of a dynamic package, including transport, transfers, accommodation and ski passes.

Travelski is the exclusive distributor of this service in the context of packages intended for the British market and for the benefit of the sites operated by the Compagnie des Alpes. Marketing in the UK will begin in September 2021.

The Travelski Express will run on weekends during the 2021-2022 ski season, departing on Friday evenings from London St Pancras and serving the stations of Moûtiers and Bourg Saint Maurice non-stop. Returns will be offered on Saturdays from Bourg Saint Maurice and Moûtiers, without stopping, to London-Saint Pancras.

With the introduction of this new offer, Compagnie des Alpes is continuing to strengthen its international distribution through its Travelski brand and is organising a seamless journey for customers who choose to stay in the French Alps.

In this way, it is acting in line with its role as a long-term partner of the areas it operates in, behalf of its licensors and, more broadly, servicing the entire territorial ecosystem.

Yariv Abehsera, BU Mountain Director/ Distribution and Hospitality: “Travelski Express is first and foremost the Group’s unique initiative to open a direct high-speed train service from Great Britain to the Compagnie des Alpes mountain resorts and to the French Alps. Travelski Express also symbolises the interest we take in our foreign customers. Distributed exclusively on the Travelski website, this unique offer reinforces its international dynamic and contributes to the conquest of new customers for the French destination “.

For David Ponson, BU Mountain Director / Ski Areas and Outdoor Activities: “Faced with an unprecedented health crisis that led to a complete closure of its activities the last winter season, Compagnie des Alpes is working hard with its partners to promote a rapid and vigorous recovery of the mountain economy. It is doing so now through concrete actions that involve the continuity of its investment commitments and innovative, low-carbon projects. Investing in the mountains, and beyond that, investing for the mountains, are the key words for a lasting relationship of trust with our delegating partners. “

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Skills – Strength: 4, Balance: 6, Flexibility: 5, Agility: 3, Coordination: 5
Time needed: travelling time + 1 hour, Cost to try: £free

Sometimes starting out in a sport can seem a little daunting; is it for you? What equipment do I need? What you really need is some sound advice. If you’re interested in getting into sailing then here are a few top tips about getting started from what kind of sailing you want to do and where to do it, to how much it costs and what courses are available.

What kind of sailing do you want to do?

Before you get started you’ll need to have a think about what kind of sailing you want to do; dinghy or yacht sailing.

Dinghies are open boats which are suitable for day sailing in a variety of areas both inland and on the open sea. They are fun and exciting whilst bringing you closer to nature.

They provide an exciting and cost effective way of getting afloat to experience the thrills of sailing. You could go cruising somewhere like the Lake District or hire a dinghy off the beach for your summer holiday; participate in high octane and fast performance sail racing or just sail on your own for fun.

The great thing about dinghy sailing is that it provides one of the cheapest ways to get afloat. It is also the quickest and easiest way to learn to sail as dinghies are easy to rig, anyone can handle them and they are very responsive, providing limitless entertainment for everyone. But remember with dinghy sailing you will get wet, especially when you are learning the ropes!

Yacht sailing is extremely diverse and there are opportunities for everyone to participate. The boats are bigger and come equipped with more of your home comforts such as toilets and kitchens and place for you to stay onboard and sleep. It’s a great way to get out on the water in warm climates with the family, explore far flung remote places with friends or you might even try your hand at racing.

Yacht sailing is about adventure, exploration, teamwork and fun. It’s relaxing and an enjoyable way to discover new places.

What Sailing Lessons and Courses are Available?

The RYA (Royal Yachting Association) offers a whole host of courses from complete beginner right through to professional qualifications. Run through the RYA’s network of some 2,500 recognised training centres both in the UK and abroad, you should be able to find a course to suit you.

To get you started many RYA Training Centres, sailing clubs and charter companies throughout the UK and abroad run taster sessions/days providing an ideal opportunity to get out on the water for the first time and help you decide if sailing is for you and if you wish to go ahead and sign up for a course.

If you decide that yachting is for you then the RYA’s Start Sailing and Competent Crew courses are the perfect way to learn the basic principles of sailing whilst meeting like-minded people and exploring new locations.

The Start Sailing course is designed especially for the complete beginner. During this two day course you’ll get a real hands-on experience and start learning how to steer a yacht, sail handling, rope work and be aware of safety on board.

The RYA Competent Crew course is a five day course, usually over three weekend or three days and one weekend, but if you have your Start Sailing certificate it reduces to three days or two weekends. You’ll experience living on board and really get to know the boat. Virtually all the course is hands on. You are the crew – without you the sails won’t go up and the boat won’t be steered.

By the end of the course you should be able to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day duties on board. You should also have visited some interesting places and had an enjoyable holiday.

If you decide on dinghy sailing is more your style then the RYA’s Youth Sailing Scheme, for under 16’s and National Sailing Scheme for adults offer the Stage one and Level one courses respectively, and are perfect for beginners.

The Youth Sailing Scheme is a series of courses to develop your skills with instructors signing off each skill as it’s complete it and, once completed, the certificates can be of use in other areas of study or activities such as PE at school, or the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

Stage one is a day two course and provides a basic understanding of how a boat sails, with some experience of steering and handling the boat

The National Sailing scheme is a series of two-day courses for adults wanting to learn in dinghies, small keelboats and multihulls.

It has been designed to help you enjoy whichever aspect of the sport appeals to you. Level one starts by introducing you to sailing with all you need to know to get afloat under supervision. During the course you’ll learn how to sail in all directions and have an awareness of launching and recovery.

Where can I learn?

Whether you decide to take a course as part of your holiday or take a course at your local sailing club, there are plenty of locations to choose from.

Visit the RYA’s ‘Where’s my nearest’ to find a training centre near you – . Here you can also find details of RYA Training Centres overseas if you fancy doing your course in the sunshine!

Is sailing an expensive sport to take up? How much does it cost?

Sailing has always been seen as an expensive sport to get in to, but the reality is that it doesn’t have to be. You can buy a small dinghy to get on the water with for as little as £600 and a wetsuit will cost you from around £70 to buy.

Like any sport it costs a lot to compete at the very top but thousands take to the water each year for less than it costs to play golf or tennis and for a lot less than a gym membership in many parts of the country. As a family you can join a sailing club for as little as £150 a year and have free or very cheap access to their fleet of club boats.

The cost of training courses vary depending on where you live and what course you decide to do. An RYA level one course for sailing starts at about £200 per person. It is always best to go to an RYA recognised centre where a national curriculum is taught. This means that if you move you can still follow the different levels all the way through and the RYA certificate is internationally recognised. RYA recognition also means the centre will run the course to the RYA’s syllabus with safe, well maintained boats and equipment.

Sailing really is for everyone

The beauty of sailing is that is really is for everyone, young or old, able bodied or disabled.

Especially for youngsters is the RYA’s OnBoard programme which provides children with the opportunity to learn to sail as part of the school sports curriculum or through youth groups. Find out more at www.ruob.co.uk

There are also racing programmes for youth and junior sailors and windsurfers wanting to sail competitively both at home and abroad. Many of our current Olympic sailors have come up through these programmes.

Sailing is also one of most accessible sports for disabled people to participate in and is also one of the only sports where people with disabilities can participate on equal terms with able bodied people.

RYA Sailability is the charity of the RYA (Royal Yachting Association) which offers people who think they can’t even get on a boat, let alone sail it, the chance to have a go. There are over 200 sites for disabled sailing throughout the UK encouraging and supporting thousands of people with disabilities to take up sailing, with a proportion, over 40%, having learning disabilities. Find out more about RYA Sailability at www.rya.org.uk/programmes/ryasailability

Where can I find out more information about getting into sailing?

Visit the RYA website www.rya.org.uk. As national governing body for all forms of recreational and competitive boating, it represents dinghy and yacht sailing, as well as motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sports boats, powerboat racing, windsurfing, inland cruising and personal watercraft. The RYA can advise you on how best to get started with any of the above activities as well as answering any questions you have.

If you want to get yourself some gear to go sailing, sailing clothing and gear is available from Amazon.

The post Learning Sailing Skills appeared first on Active Outdoors.

This page tells you all about the basics of camping. However, you may prefer to read some great hints and tips on going camping with your boyfriend or girlfriend.

Things that Make Camping Fun

Best Camping Stoves

Guide to Camping Hammocks

Family Camping Equipment Checklist

Camping is an outdoor recreational activity where people give up the luxury of a nice warm solid house for a flimsy canvas tent to enjoy nature while spending one or more nights at a campsite. They may use a tent, a primitive structure, a camping hammock or no shelter at all. Camping is often restricted by law to designated sites in order to prevent campers from damaging the environment.

Camping as a recreational activity became popular in the early 20th century. Campers frequent national parks, other publicly owned natural areas, and privately owned campgrounds.

Camping may be an end unto itself, but often it is done in conjunction with other activities, such as hiking, wild swimming, fishing and binge drinking. It may be combined with hiking either as backpacking or as a series of day hikes from a central location.

Different Types of Camping

Some people vacation in permanent camps with cabins and other facilities (such as hunting camps or children”s summer camps), but a stay at such a camp is usually not considered ”camping”. The term camping (or the slightly sarcastic camping out) may also be applied to those who live outdoors out of necessity (as in the case of the homeless) or for people waiting overnight in very long lines (queues). It does not, however, apply to cultures whose technology does not include sophisticated dwellings. Camping may be referred to colloquially as roughing it.

Campers span a broad range of ability and ruggedness, and campsites are designed accordingly. Many campgrounds have sites with special facilities such as fire rings, barbecue grills, bathrooms and utilities, but not all campsites have similar levels of development. Campsites can range from a patch of dirt with a sign marking it to a level, paved pad with sewer and electricity. These latter are often designated for the use of handicapped campers. For more on facilities, see the campsite article. Rugged campers believe that provisions for comfort detract from the experience of being out-of-doors, but comfortable camping avoids some hazards of outdoor activities.

Camping in an RV

The most comfortable form of camping uses recreational vehicles (RVs), essentially wheeled houses. Some call this style of camping “tinboxing”.[citation needed] Many RVs are quite luxurious, featuring air conditioning, bathrooms, kitchens, showers, satellite TV and even Internet connections. RV campers often choose these devices because they consider tent camping uncomfortable and inconvenient. In the United States, some campgrounds offer “full hookups” where motorhomes are supplied with electricity, water and sewer services. Some retirees and self-employed people sell their homes and live nomadically in their RVs, often moving with the seasons.

RV Camping Around Europe

Tents

Those who seek a rugged experience in the outdoors prefer to camp with only tents, or no shelter at all (“under the stars”). Tent camping commonly employs an automobile to transport equipment to an established campground (this practice is called “car camping”). Other vehicles used for camping include touring bicycles, boats, and even bush planes, although backpacking and using pack animals are popular alternatives. Tent camping attracts young families because the children tend to enjoy it, and because gear is inexpensive and rugged. Tent camping sites often cost less than campsites with full amenities, and most allow direct access by car. Some “walk-in” sites lie a short walk away from the nearest road but do not require full backpacking equipment.

Backpacking is a mobile variety of tent camping. Backpackers use lightweight equipment that can be carried long distances on foot. They hike across the land, camping at remote spots, often selecting campsites at will if resource protection rules allow. Backpacking equipment typically costs more than that for car camping, but still far less than a trailer or motorhome, and backpacking campsites are generally free.

Canoe camping is similar to backpacking, but uses canoes for transportation; much more weight and bulk can be carried in a canoe or kayak than in a backpack. Canoe camping is common in eastern North America.

One form of bicycle touring combines camping with cycling. The bicycle is used to carry the gear and as the primary means of transportation, allowing greater distances to be covered than backpacking although less capacity for storage

Survivalist campers learn the skills needed to survive out-of-doors in any situation. This activity may require skills in obtaining food from the wild, emergency medical treatments, orienteering, and pioneering.

“Winter Camping” refers to the experience of camping outside when there is sufficient snow on the ground. Some campers enjoy the challenge this form of recreation brings. Campers and outdoors people have adapted their forms of camping and survival to suit extremely cold nights and limited mobility or evacuation. Methods of survival when winter camping include building snow shelters (quinzhees), dressing in “layers,” staying dry, using low-temperature sleeping bags, and fueling the body with appropriate food.

Workamping allows campers to trade their labor for a free campsite, and sometimes for utilities and additional pay.

Camping Equipment

Common tent camping equipment includes:

• A tent, lean-to or other shelter device
• A sleeping bag for warmth
• A sleeping pad or air mattress is often placed underneath the sleeping bag for cushioning from stones and twigs as well as for insulation from the ground
• A portable stove to prepare hot meals and/or drinks where campfires are forbidden or impractical
• A lantern or flashlight
• A hatchet, axe or saw for cutting firewood (where allowed; see campfire) or constructing camp gadgets
• Various types and sizes of ropes and tarps for stringing clotheslines, sheltering dining areas, and other purposes.
• A chuck box to hold the many varied camp kitchen items for food preparation, consumption and cleanup.

Some campers may prepare food by cooking on a campfire, sometimes using such equipment as a Dutch oven.

Much of the remaining needed camping equipment is commonly available in the home, like dishes, pots and pans. Lists of what to take are available in many camping books and websites. Many people opt not to use their home items but equipment better tailored to camping, such as heavy plastic tableware and salt and pepper shakers with tops that close to keep out rain. Backpackers use special lightweight and highly portable equipment.

Social camping

Many campers enjoy socialising with a small group of fellow campers. Such groups will arrange events throughout the year, to allow members with similar interests, or from similar geographical areas, to get together. This allows families to form small close knit societies, and children form lasting friendships. Some who participate in this sort of camping, feels that it brings a closer form of bonding, as members become more mutually dependant, than they would otherwise be in modern society. There are 2 large organisations in the UK who facilitate this sort of camping: the Caravan Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club. It is also possible to find online special interest groups, who cater for those with a love of a particular pastime or sport.

In more recent years, those who camp alone have been able to share their experiences more easily with a large group of fellow campers, through the use of blogs & online social networking.

Whatever you do, use the Camping Equipment Checklist before you go camping to make sure you have packed everything you need to make camping comfortable.

The post What Makes Camping Comfortable? appeared first on Active Outdoors.

Tom started snowboarding when he was 12 years old after previously enjoying the thrill of skiing before that on school trips. He comments: “I got into snowboarding after learning how to ski because at that age it looked really cool. I definitely loved it straight away and tried to do it as much as possible.”

After being introduced to Snowboard Cross at University, he became hooked and eventually decided to go professional and do it full time. Tom started to compete internationally in 2011 and has recently finished second season:

“My snowboarding and my results keep improving. It’s been an awesome lifestyle travelling across Europe to compete at different resorts whilst also snowboarding full time where I live in France. So far, I always walk away from a result thinking ‘that’s good, but I want it better’. I’ve had some pretty cool moments, joining the GB team being right up there.”

Tom has started his own blog to share his snowboarding experiences, which follows his life as he competes around the world. Tom recently went to Hintertux in Austria to complete his Level 2 Snowboarding course with BASI (The British Association of Snowsport Instructors), the UK body responsible for the training and licencing of snowsport instructors. The Association currently has over 6,000 members who are actively involved in delivering instruction to recreational ski and snowboard enthusiasts at snowsport centres and dry ski slopes in the UK as well as at ski resorts in 24 countries worldwide.

“I chose to do a BASI qualification because of its credibility and reputation in the industry. I had looked at other qualifications from other countries and you seem to have to invest a lot of time into going up the ranks before it starts to gain enough weight” comments Tom. Below are his thoughts about the course:

“There was still a week left of the season in Morzine when we had packed the car to leave. It was pretty sad to be going away and missing the closing party. But the snow was getting pretty slushy by then so I was looking forward to going a lot higher up. It was the first time I had driven over to Austria but the journey was simple enough. 450 miles and beaming hot sunshine later, I arrived in Vorderlanersbach, which is about 15 minutes down the road from the Hintertux ski lift. We had an hour to settle in before heading off to a BASI meeting to be told what was happening over the next two weeks. Five hours on snow, two hours in the classroom then an hour of private study a day. I’m used to at least five hours on snow so that was cool, but when I’ve finished, I usually lie around on the sofa drinking water and eating, not in a classroom! Luckily, it was pretty mellow as there were lots of discussions on the hill.

At 8am the first day, we met up with our trainers and everyone in our group. Rob Sanderson was my trainer, who was great. I wasn’t really sure how to approach the whole BASI course. A few people I know really aren’t keen on the programme and had been warning me about things for a couple of months before I went. My coach in particular, who was worried that they might undo all the work we’ve done together. For the first day I pretty much kept my mouth shut and just honed around the resort whilst Rob got to know us all and our level. I felt at the beginning that it was going to be the case that my riding level would be enough to see me through and I just had to be present to pass. However, I quickly realised, that that was not going to be the case.

I had to change my riding style. I’ve spent the last few years riding specifically in one way as I’ve been told by my coaches. Rob managed to explain it well though, saying that there has to be a distinction between competitive riding and riding in a way that beginners can copy. That was an awesome way of putting it. I know a few people have clashed heads in the past thinking that BASI trainers have said that their riding style is inferior, when really they mean it’s not appropriate. That really won me over and I started to really get involved with what Rob was trying to teach us all. It was pretty interesting looking at the biomechanics of riding but also all the loads of different exercises to practice each element of the movement. I’m used to pretty much flying around resort as quickly as I can, but it was pretty fun to slow it all down.

My first lesson was teaching beginners to do the ‘falling leaf’. I was one of the last of the day, which was awesome because it meant I had the chance to watch everyone else’s lessons before it was my turn. The style most people used was all a bit too command orientated for me though, so I decided to mix it up a bit and use my own experiences. I’m used to my coaches setting out the training objectives then sending me off to go find it out for myself as they sit and observe to provide feedback. It’s not the quickest way of learning something, and really frustrating, but it definitely gives you a chance to learn from your mistakes and really understand why something works. It was cool to incorporate into my lessons and it went down well.

By the second week I had passed all of the assessments so far, which made it even more fun because I was able to play with different things. I even got a few laps through the park on the sly when Rob wasn’t looking, which was awesome.

Now I’ve passed, the next step is to use this qualification in the UK scene and start building up some strong competitive snowboard cross riders that do FIS races. I’ll be over in Manchester for the British indoor champs coaching for a couple of evenings to get people prepared. After that, I’ll be putting together a camp in the preseason around October.

If I hadn’t found snowboarding, I definitely would have ended up in a not too exciting desk job. When I was at Uni, I was quite keen on either becoming a solicitor or joining the diplomatic service. I think now though, if I wasn’t snowboarding, I would have to do something within the industry that allowed for travelling! I would like to say a huge thank you to Butta, Forcefield, sno!zone, York Sport and Sheffield Hallam University for all of your support over the years.”

Tom’s next step is to use his BASI snowboarding instructor qualification in the UK scene and start building up some strong competitive snowboard cross riders that do FIS races. Tom will be over in Manchester for the British indoor champs coaching for a couple of evenings to get people prepared. After that, he will be putting together a camp in the preseason around October. Tom wants to start building up some of the university riders as well, seeing as that’s where the whole team has come from.

So, as you can see, if you like your boardsports, you too could take a snowboarding instructors course and learn all the skills to become a BASI qualified snowboarding instructor. With the BASI snowboarding instructor qualification, you can get a job as a snowboarding instructor in Europe. If you are a student and like the snowsports scene, have a look at OffthePiste.com, the UK’s leading student snowsports tour operator.

Find out More About Snowboarding Instructors Courses

To read more about Tom’s experiences, please visit his website: www.tomfarrow.net.

BASI currently has over 6,000 members who are actively involved in delivering instruction to recreational ski and snowboard enthusiasts at snowsport centres and dry ski slopes in the UK as well as at ski resorts in 38 countries worldwide.

For further information about BASI’s wide range of training courses, please visit www.basi.org.uk or call 01479 861 717.

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The post How to Become a BASI Snowboard Instructor appeared first on Active Outdoors.