December 18, 2009
Holiday travel advice
by Tony Chamberlain/
If you’re taking to the road this holiday season, either for an extended weekend or long destination stay, it’s worth highlighting just a few of the things that can go wrong and plan so as to avoid them.
► This occurred to some friends who made a plan last season to meet in Montana and left the planning details to one member who booked a destination lodge at a ski area more than 300 miles away from the airport. Everybody should check out — quick, cursory computer check — the travel plans that include them.
► Also, check your airlines regarding the policies of charging for extra bags. Some are better than others, and some are lots better than others. If you do take skis, boots, or both, you don’t want to pay a surcharge to get equipment there.
► Before wasting days of a ski vacation sore and recuperating, plan early to get in shape for those first days on the slope. While, as Phil Mahre says, the only real way to work all the ski muscles is to ski, there is one grind that every recuperating ski racer knows oh so well — the stationary bike. You've got to do it faithfully by the hour. Bring a book. As an exercise it really stinks, but ask any veteran skier what else works those necessary quads. Advanced yoga is good for balance and limbering.
► As far as extreme altitude changes — Boston to Vail, for example — believe all the advice: Drink lots of water, reduce alcohol intake, walk stairs slowly, get plenty of sleep, and by all means rent a humidifier for nightly use in your hotel or condo. This can save many a bleeding sinus and sore throat.
► Also, in high altitude, you’ll feel a lot better after a light lunch. Save the chili-loaded baked potato for dinner and eat light at the midday break — fruit, chocolate, soup and plenty of water should do it. Also, save the beer and wine for après ski.
► If you really don’t want to hassle traveling with your skis (my own epiphany came in Tokyo’s Narita Airport) you should at least take your boots. It’s hard to match a pair you’re used to with rentals. Then, rent skis, but not at a resort’s rental shop on a Saturday morning. That just chews up valuable snow time. Instead, call a shop near the slopes and reserve demo equipment. If possible, get your boots fitted to the bindings the night before you ski.
► If you’re renting a car, call ahead to reserve an all-wheel (best) or four-wheel (OK) drive vehicle with four snow tires. Do not opt for the chains, as there’s almost nothing worse than trying to put those suckers on in a driving storm — or anytime.
► When you’re at a new mountain, invest in an hour group lesson appropriate to your skill level first thing first morning. This is the very best way to get to know a mountain and the parts of it you’ll be likely happiest with. Asking questions of an instructor takes lots of the trial and error out of a new area.
► And if you do find yourself in Apsen by some happy fate, do wander around town and end up at the Hotel Jerome bar.
