Ski Vacation Dreaming: The moment the first snow falls, ski and snowboard enthusiasts immediately think of the slopes. There is nothing quite like that first time the heavy powder falls and blankets an alpine ski slope. When you’re done with the site-seeing, you're ready to bear down on the hill. Maybe you warm up with a blue run, or then again maybe you’re the type to dive in full force with a double black diamond. Either way, before you know it, you’re blazing down the slope at top speed. The scenery rushes past in shades of silver, green and white. You carve out your turns effortlessly in the fresh, untouched powder. Civilization and the alpine village come rushing up towards you as you hurtle down the slope. You decide to be brave and head into the narrow trails that run parallel to the mountain run. You zigzag in and out- barely missing the monstrous arms of the sagging tree limbs that hang down-weighty under the deep snowdrifts. And then you spot a ramp as you head back onto the main run. You kick it into full speed and take the jump at maximum velocity. You hurtle high into the air, feeling the rush of adrenaline pounding through your blood stream. As you round the last turn you finish the run by crouching and gunning it to the bottom of the hill. You wait till the last second before cutting your skis hard against the snow. In the powder you stop nearly on a dime- just meters from the lineup. You pull of your ski goggles, breathe deep of the mountain air and cherish the perfection of a great first run. And then you scoot into line and get ready to do it all over again!

Before you know it you and your friends are in the car, your gear loaded, racing up the mountain road towards the lodge. At the lodge you and your friends are short on conversation. Everyone’s mind is set on one thing and one thing alone- tackling the slopes. You ride the chairlift to the top- gazing in anticipation at the fresh, virgin powder that awaits you on your first run. Once at the summit you pause to take a look around at the spectacular mountain scenery. You can see for tens of miles in each and every direction. Peak after peak of pristine alpine terrain fills the horizon. Skiing and snowboarding is not just about speed and carving out the snow, its about connecting with the mountain; its about experiencing the majesty of the slope in all its winter glory.