Outdoor Survival Courses

Imagine you're on a day hike and dusk sets in a little too early. You're low on water. No food left. And no map. As dark settles on the ground, your feet quicken pace to match your racing heart. Will you make it back in time? Are you on the right trail? Can you even see the trail? Or what if an small avalanche rolls across your path in the snow on a winter hike or snowshoe adventure? How would you survive if a day hike goes wrong?

A New York Times article covered courses designed to train people how to survive with just the clothes on their backs and a sharp knife. How Survivor or Lost TV episodal! Seriously, if you're ever in the deep woods, it might not be a bad idea to know what to do. The New York Times article details a group survival trip taken by the author. Gathering nuts and wild onions for a soup over a fire made from twigs and no matches, these troopers brave the cold and learn a greater appreciation for Mother Nature and human's inventions to stay warm and fed.

This type of adventure might be a creative bonding experience for groups of friends. Not that there aren't a significant amount of women who'd do this, but I can particularly imagine this as a guys experience: "putting hair on chest" and proving to themselves they can hunt, gather, make fire, and survive under adverse conditions. A worthy right of passage. If someone can survive in the wild on minimal accoutraments, they've earned my respect.

Three courses offer survival training from one-day sessions to nine-week courses:

1. Arizona: Ancient Pathways
2. Montana: Wilderness Arts Institute
3. New Hampshire: Jack Mountain Bushcraft and Guide Service

Know of other courses or guides who offer survival training?

Source: New York Times

Snowshoeing: An Eco-Friendly Winter Activity

Puget Sound Journey's Nov/Dec issue has a great article on how snowshoeing is "an escape from both urban and ski-resort crowds." As winter blusters its way in, snow fans who want to get their fill of the powder, but away from the crowds and off the beaten path, can reap magnificent rewards with snowshoeing. It's a great group sport for the following reasons:

1. Like skiing, you can snowshoe at your own pace. Like hiking, this often leads to good conversation with various members of the group, depending on your speed, etc. Unlike skiing, you rarely lose your group to lifts and runs and mostly stick together yet with the freedom hiking allows to stop and snack, look at vistas, etc.
2. Safety in numbers: Should avalanche danger exist, or one person gets injured, there are multiple people to take action and mitigate problems or help in any other way.
3. Orientation: If solo trekking while snowing, your tracks can easily get erased with new snow, causing some disorientation of where the trail is or which way is north; therefore, it's always good to count on at least one other to share responsibilities for staying on track.
4. Unique way to "walk" in nature and share an outdoors experience.
5. Photo ops: You won't just get scenic shots. You can get proof you were there by having a friend take your photo next to Mt. Spectacular and email it to your mom.
6. Green travel in action: Snowshoeing is one of the best ways to experience winter without noise pollution (as in snowmobiling), expensive gear (as in skiing + lift tickets), and low impact on the environment (it's essentially you, the elements, and your snowshoes).

Any other reasons snowshoeing is either neat-o in general or eco-friendly? Any other tips for people organizing group snowshoeing trips?

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Marathon Tips

Marathoners who need encouragement before the race should check out the USA Today compilation of comments by marathoners on what to do, what not to do, advice for the day of the race, and tips for preparation. It's a great list from veteran marathoners and racers.

One of the consistent themes is how much family, friend, and fan support along the route helps. If you're ambitious enough to try an Ironman, you'll need all the support you can get. And if you run a marathon for a cause, you'll need your support system to help raise funds.

For families, friends, and fans who want to organize a trip to a marathon, TripHub has many trip planning tools go get you there.

Ironman Quest: Smells Like Team Spirit

Whether you're scoring points on the field or rooting in the stands, team sports are a bonding experience among groups of friends and like-minded jock and jills. Athletes of all levels compete in leagues of softball, football, soccer, hockey, tennis, year-round.

Others choose individual sports and only race against the clock and their own athletic skill in marathons, triathlons, walk-a-thons, and race for the cure type events. Groups can occasionally join forces for training, but when it comes to the fiercest, most grueling sports, it takes a unique individual with an independent spirit.

Such is the case with the Ironman triathlon, a famous event where fit athletes swim for two miles, bike over 100 miles, and finish by running a marathon. It's inspirational for anyone who's attempted a race, played sports, or even tried to stay in shape. Ironman participants are in a league of their own. The athlete in all of us has to admire them, which is why they usually have a team of supporters cheering them along the route and ready to share in the momentous accomplishment of crossing that finish line. Groups of athletes, fans, friends, and family often travel to these events to witness a bit of athletic history.

A new movie, What It Takes, documents four Ironman participants' training and preparation for the 2005 event. You don't have to be an Ironman to appreciate the sheer physical and mental prowess it takes to do a triathlon of this magnitude. This film follows Peter Reid, Heather Fuhr, Luke Bell, and Lori Bowden (three of them previous world champions) for a year on their quest to the 2005 Ironman finish line. For an insider's look at one of the pre-eminent sports competitions, take a look. It opens in select cities across the U.S. this  month. And you can enjoy the movie from the comfort of a theater seat, popcorn and drink in hand.

The 2006 Ironman world championship is October 21 in Kona, Hawaii.

Outward Bound for Groups

Outward Bound has an excellent reputation for putting individuals and groups into wilderness adventures that challenging them while helping them grow and bond. If you are part of a club or team and looking for a way to share an unusual outdoors experience and come back united, this is a great option. I've never done it myself, but have heard nothing but praise from those who have.

These are the types of groups they cater to:

• Students, teachers, and school administrators
• College alumni
• Clubs and associations
• Religious organizations
• Sports teams
• Family reunions
• Birthday celebrations
• Friends and colleagues
• And other groups

Across the U.S., Outward Bound expedition leaders take groups backpacking, kayaking, sailing, dogsledding, and camping. See their full list of group activities.

If you have experience with Outward Bound, please share your thoughts or tips. We'd love to hear!

Sharks Bites: What Every Swimmer Should Know

Unpleasant yet intriguing as the subject of sharks and the sea may be, I found some good data on Divester for vacationers who surf, swim, scuba dive, snorkel, and enjoy all sorts of water sports. Summer may be over, but many friends and families will soon take trips to beach destinations such as Hawaii, Caribbean, Mexico, or Australia where the sand is as warm as the day.

Sharks are out there. It's true. They are one of the great predators of the sea. But whales still rank higher on the marine food chain, and I've heard they can take a Great White shark down (someone correct me if I'm wrong). Nonetheless, one of the things that stirs shark fears is all the media hype coupled with ignorance about the true nature of shark attacks. How common are they? Divester examined a 200-page report by IOL called Finding a Balance. If knowledge is power, here are some statistics to help quell your fears (and mine).

• The number of shark-related fatalities has dropped from 13% in the 1990s to 8%, attributed largely to advances in safety practices, medical treatment, and greater public awareness.
• In 2005, surfers and boardriders composed 54% of victims worldwide; swimmers 37%; and divers 5%.
• There appear to be "no causative factors" for bites.
• The average depth in which bites occur is 20 feet and average distance offshore was 330 feet.
• Florida, South Africa, and Australia have the highest number of shark bite incidents.
• Although some degree of conditioning can occur between sharks and cage diving boats, this happens when operators do not comply with regulations and allow sharks to feed on the bait. However, this conditioning occurs between the shark and cage diving boats and cannot be linked to any conditioning with bathers as potential prey items.

And since the International Shark Attack File reported that there have have been 870 reported, documented shark bites worldwide since 1990, chances are extremely slim you'll have an issue.

Once on a snorkeling tour with my sister, she saw a 4-foot long reef shark swim about 20 feet below her, but the shark had no interest in the snorkel group. Of course, if you're intrigued by sharks enough to swim near them, there are plenty of "swim with the sharks" tours out there. Go, adrenaline junkies, go. Me? I'll linger ashore sipping drinks with tiny umbrellas, taking quick dips to cool off.

Source: Divester

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Ski Guide for Groups

Carving around corners, bumping down moguls, breathing in cool mountain air and sweeping views. Ah, the essence of skiing. What a rush. Plus, there's also the company of like-minded ski aficionados. Ski villages offer whatever nightlife you crave, from a quiet family dinner to dance floors for shaking your groove thing with friends.

Boarders and skiers put their passion for powder to practice on slopes across North America from mid-November through March (later if snowfall permits). Skiing is an ideal activity for groups, fostering camaraderie and a healthy dose of competition among friends and family. It allows adventure-seekers to vacation together, skiing off on separate runs if desired and meeting up at the lift lines to swap slope stories. At the day’s end, everyone regroups for some après ski activities. Here’s a guide with tips and resources to help you plan your group ski trip with ease.

Plan Ski Trips Using TripHub's Free Tools

1. Find a mountain and ski resort for your group
2. Create a trip home page
3. Invite friends, family, or team/club members (ski team, church group, school mates, professional organization members)
4. Discuss trip details with travel companions
5. Create an event schedule of dinner reservations and other key itinerary details
6. Shop for flights, hotels, rental cars, activities and attractions (or share your travel information if already booked elsewhere so your friends/family know when you'll arrive and where you're staying
7. Discuss hotel options

Ski Trip Checklist
When planning a group ski trip, there are plenty of factors to keep in mind. Does anyone in the group require child care for their kids? Is anyone interested in taking group ski lessons and how varied are the ski skill levels? Is everyone buying group lift tickets before arriving or while there? Here's a quick list of things to consider before you go:

• Lift tickets
• Ski rentals
• Group discounts
• Group ski lessons
• Ski lessons for kids
• Daycare for kids
• Restaurant reservations
• Bulk food assignments made (who's bringing what?)
• Hotel or rental home reservations
• Pet-friendly hotel rooms, condos, or houses
• Extra gear for those who may have forgotten gloves, goggles, hats, wool socks

Top Ski Resorts in North America
Take your pick of ski areas, states, and snow conditions for the upcoming ski season and start planning your ski trip. Since there are simply too many ski areas to list, but here are 10 popular ski resorts for groups for starters (in no particular order):

1. Vail Ski Resort, Colorado
2. Breckenridge Ski Resort, Colorado
3. Heavenly Ski Resort, Lake Tahoe
4. Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort, British Columbia
5. Steamboat Ski Resort, Colorado
6. Mammoth Lakes Ski Resort, California
7. Killington Ski Resort, Vermont
8. Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort, Colorado
9. Park City Ski Resort, Utah
10. Jackson Hole Ski Resort, Wyoming

You can also dig around to find many more ski areas on sites such as Expedia or Ski.

Ground Transportation Options
Find out what options are available at the airport and ski resort your group is heading to. If you're on a budget, shuttle services offer group rates. One of the greatest benefits of a group trip is being able to split costs such as transportation to and from venues.

• Shuttle service – There are usually private services that transfer you from airports to your hotel or ski resort area. Some ski resorts themselves even offer airport transportation to and from their resort. Call ahead so you find the best deal for your group.
• Private limo
• Taxi
• Bus
• Rent cars, SUVs, vans
• Hotel/resort transportation service
• Friend as chauffer – best option if available

Ski-In, Ski-Out Accommodations
Convenient for those who plan to spend most of their trip skiing, you can save gas and glide right outside your hotel door. Hotels, condos, and resorts can all fall into this category. Examples include Snake River Lodge & Spa in Jackson Hole, Sunshine Inn (Banff's only ski-in/ski-out hotel), and The Loft at the Mountain Village 3-bedroom condo in Park City.

Vacation Rental Homes
One of the best ways to enjoy a group ski trip is by renting an entire house. I've done this several times and it's usually been the best option. Do a Google search for your ski area or look at this worldwide directory for ski area vacation homes.

Aprés Ski
TripHub's blog feature allows you to discuss, plan, and make decisions on group activities with your trip mates all in one central location, saving you the hassle of sending a zillion emails to coordinate.

• Shopping – Most ski resorts cater to skiers and the fact that you're a relatively captive audience, having traveled through snow-covered roads to the mountain. So there's plenty of shopping variety from apparel boutiques to candy shops to cafés to video rental stores.
• Sightseeing – Whether driving or flying in for a weekend getaway or vacation with friends or family, ski destinations often have more to offer than just mountain with slopes. There may be historical or art museums/galleries, or nearby attractions such as lakes to explore. Find out what interests your group most and offer suggestions before the trip.
• Nightlife, Restaurants & Bars – You can always find a variety of restaurants, many of them high-end, to recharge after a day on the slopes. And all major ski resorts (Whistler, Vail, etc.) have nightlife equally as invigorating as the day life (if you're in a party mood). But there are also quaint, charming pubs and restaurants as well as the cheap eateries. If your group is set on a certain type of food or restaurant, book reservations as early as possible to ensure a seat.

Wintry Activities – Numerous ski resorts give snowbirds other ways to play in the snow either before or after they ski (or when taking a day off of the slopes):

• Ziptrek or ziplines through treetops
• Heli-skiing
• Snowmobiling
• Dog sledding
• Snowshoeing
• Cross-country skiing (most major ski areas have trails for this, including Lake Tahoe, Telluride, Stowe, The Canyons, Sun Valley, and smaller resorts around the continent)
• Massages at spas

Groups That Gather at the Slopes

• Girls getaways
• Bachelor parties (or other trips with the guys just for fun)
• Family reunions
• Group getaways with friends
• Wedding parties
• Book club pals, college friends, church retreats, and any other gatherings

Ski Trivia

• Ski history includes Swedes and Russians hunting on skis, Norwegians popularizing the sport in the 1700s, the Winter Olympic Games in 1936 including alpine skiing for the first time, and Austria and Switzerland developing the first ski resorts shortly after World War II.
• Historical ski cartooning – who knew such a thing existed? – includes a look at ski humor from 1500 to the present. My favorite is a cover page cartoon from The New Yorker.
• The U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame, located in Michigan, was born in 1956.
• Next Winter Olympic Games will be in 2010 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Best of the Web (Ski Related Links)

• Customized ski packages for groups "by skiers for skiers to destinations around the world."
• Ski training for intermediate to expert skiers. All-terrain classes/courses around the world, including ski mountaineering.
• Comprehensive ski resort information in North America, South America, and Europe. Snow reports, lift ticket pricing, and more from Onthesnow.com.
• Ski Magazine and numerous other inspirational resources, including Warren Miller videos.
• Lest you forget safety, have a look at these Warren Miller wicked wipeouts. His ski bloopers are equally entertaining.
• Lake Tahoe guide with links to all Tahoe-area ski resorts and après ski activities.
• Ship your ski gear to your destination ahead of time and simplify ski travel.
• 3D maps of select North American ski resorts.

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Photo: Sun Valley/Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau

Mountain Weddings

Say "I do" in a location where vistas rival vows for taking your breath away. Destination weddings don't have to take place at exotic beaches in countries far, far away. If you're a nature lover and/or skier (or boarder), your dream destination just might be in the mountains or at a ski resort a quick road trip or plane ride away.

Nature calls many to plan weddings at her rocky foothills, and there are plenty of mountain destinations that offer loads of activities, attractions, and services for wedding guests to be entertained from dawn 'til dusk (or vice versa).

Sample ski resorts or mountain areas as hotspots to tie the knot:

• Aspen
• Lake Tahoe
• Killington
• Pocono Mountains
• Steamboat
• Vail Valley
• Whistler Blackcomb

TripHub offers free group travel planning tools for wedding parties and other groups where you can discuss trip details, hotel options, and arrange transportation together.

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Scuba Dive Grid

While summer ended with the quiet dawn of fall, winter vacations in sunny destinations are coming soon, including trips to Maui, Cancun, the Bahamas, and anywhere else you can still get a tan and splash around.

Scuba diving is one of those activities you can still do in the winter - in sunny destinations. I've heard Grand Cayman is a diver's mecca, and the Great Barrier Reef and Red Sea also rank high. Since I'm terrified of being masked and submerged for extended periods of time, my water activity consists of snorkeling in shallow bays near shore.

However, divers take note: Scubaratings.com is a site that allows you to find dive packages and rate dive trips to various destinations. It looks like a divers' community site, complete with a new "Dive Grid" where you enter in trip criteria (number of divers, travelers, dates, number of rooms needed, etc.) and see results of vacations that are specific to divers.

In doing a basic search for 6 nights, scuba diving 5 days, and traveling solo, I got results ranging from $463 to $8,011 across 11 countries (from Trinidad to Tanzania). Quite the range of budget to luxury packages. Dig around and see if the dive grid or site works for you. Summer may be over, but sun worshippers and adventurers who gear their travel around warm-weather activities can start planning now for winter getaways.

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Autumn Trips with Smallish Crowds

TripAdvisor.com issued a list of "fall's finest escapes" and I wanted to republish the list, as it gives great ideas of where to watch the leaves turn vibrant shades of red, yellow, orange and kick up the fallen leaves before they become mulch. The crowds happen to thin in these destinations during the fall, so this is an ideal time to go (in my opinion).

1. Munich, Germany

2. Napa Valley, Calif.

3. Montreal, Quebec

4. Asheville, N.C.

5. Woodstock, Vt.

6. Vancouver, Canada

7. Lake Placid, N.Y.

8. Camden, Maine

9. Mystic, Conn.

10. Aberdeen, Scotland

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