February 22, 2010
Vacation technology: know before you go
by Heather Burke/
Some pre-planning and online research can lead to a great ski trip. (photo: Greg Burke)
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To think, in the good old days our parents would pack up the station wagon (no seat belts) and take us skiing based solely on a buddy’s recommendation and a rough forecast. There was no cell phone GPS to follow or Travelzoo review on where to stay.
It’s a modern world we live in. With today’s technology on our side, we can plan down to the last details of our ski trip. We can virtual tour our ski lodging via an online video before booking. The local meteorologist can predict within inches the snow due at our destination, and on our drive. We can survey our route with Google maps from our driveway to the condo parking lot before leaving home.
While I miss a bit of the surprise element (arriving at a ski area not knowing where the heck you are staying and if lifts will be running), it’s nice to have everything at your fingertips. I suggest you do a little research before you pack up and go.
Ski area web sites have tons of useful info from lift hours to special events and ticket deals that change almost daily, to where to eat for the best on-mountain meal. This doesn’t have to be an all-consuming research project, just a quick browse to find out what’s happening where you are headed can really enhance your trip.
Even better, give your techie teens and adolescents the task of surfing the ski area stats. Kids are whizzes at the web, so let them report back chairlift opening times and events going on at your favorite hill this weekend. If there is a rail jam, they will be that much more stoked to ski and ride there. Our kids have unearthed everything from lunch deals (1-cent beers at the Phoenix House with lunch) to free ski races and product giveaways, even entertainment and snowshoe tours – all online.
Conversely, pulling into a full parking lot only to learn it’s locals’ day after you crammed the car with the family and drove three hours to wait in lines can be avoided if you do your homework – at home.
My mom used to tell me to let my fingers do the walking – with the yellow pages. Remember that? My kids don’t know how to use the phone book, but they are wonderful on the web, especially when the research topic is their favorite pastime – skiing.
I hope your research leads you to long runs and deep snow!
For more of Heather’s family ski tips and stories, go to www.familyskitrips.com.
