Dog Sledding Coast to Coast

My friend just ran in the NYC "Iditarod." Of course this being crazy New York, the "sleds" were grocery carts and the "sled dogs" were campily dressed 20 and 30 somethings out for a good time. The day-long trek across the Brooklyn Bridge and into Manhattan featured skits, songs and lots of beer!

I've always wanted to experience the excitement of dog sledding. When I was growing up a neighbor had a sled team and trained in the park across the street on snowy weekends. I would marvel at his gorgeous Huskies, muscles bunching beneath their sleek fur coats, as they crashed silently through the snow to his cries of "Mush! Mush!" It all seemed so exciting and romantic.

You can experience the romance of the Alaskan wilderness in between cross country treks or downhill ski runs on either coast of America. In California's popular Mt. Shasta ski area and Vermont's fabled Green Mountains, adventuresome tourists can experience the excitement of dog sledding. Dogsled Express in Mt. Shasta offers one-hour sled rides through the majestic Mt. Shasta, Mt. Lassen and Castle Crags wilderness area. Green Mountain Dog Sled Adventures, profiled on the Travel Channel, carries you through the breathtaking Green Mountain wilderness, though you may have to wait until late winter to book your tour. Owner Bruce Linton and his team of dogs are currently in Alaska to realize their dream of racing in the famed Iditarod.

A dog sled adventure makes a nice change from charging down the ski slopes. What better way to fully experience the awesome majesty of nature than while being silently whisked through the pure, white snow. In Stowe, Vermont, enjoy a stay at the gracious Trapp Family Lodge (above, left; yes, it's the Sound of Music Trapp family). You'll delight in the Austrian-style guesthouses, spectacular views and live music. Make sure you sample the luscious pastries in the Austrian Tea Room. For a change of pace, on the West Coast, stay in Klamath Falls, Oregon and take a day trip down to Mt. Shasta in far north California. Stay at Eagle's Landing (right) in the heart of Oregon's winter ski country to experience all of winter's delights.

Ski the Beautiful Poconos

You don't have to travel to the Rockies for great skiing. The mountains of the Northeast -- Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut -- offer downhill runs every bit as exciting as those in Vail and Tahoe. Surprisingly, you'll find some excellent downhill and cross country skiing as far south as Pennsylvania and New Jersey, less than a day's drive from many Midwest and Eastern Seaboard states.

The Poconos are a true year-round vacation destination. From your Poconos timeshare, you can enjoy hiking, biking and boating in the summer. The views are breathtaking in the fall when the mountains erupt in a never-ending riot of color. And winter brings deep, powdery snows perfect for downhill and cross country skiing. You can enjoy everything the Poconos have to offer from your timeshare at Ridge Top Village or Ridge Top Summit in Shawnee, Pennsylvania (see photos).

Nestled in the forested hills along the scenic Delaware River, this 2,200-acre resort features exciting downhill runs, exhilarating cross country treks, even a ski school for those who need to learn the ropes or want to improve their form. The onsite recreation center includes a fully equipped exercise room, sauna, Jacuzzi and indoor pool to keep your muscles limbered up when you're not on the slopes. Snow tubing, ice skating, daily scheduled activities and a children's play area provide fun for the whole family.

Click the post title to preview other Poconos resorts. You'll find more Pennsylvania and New Jersey ski resorts at Timeshare Giant.

Snow Adds Magic to Yosemite Winter Vacation

Yosemite in winter? It's time to think outside the box when planning your winter vacation. The sheer cliffs, thundering waterfalls and clear blue lakes of this stunning Southern California national park are, if anything, more breathtaking shrouded in snow and ice. As you cross-country ski toward the spectacular sheer face of Half Dome on your way to Glacier Point, you experience the same awe that must have overcome the first explorers to this part of the Sierra Nevadas. It's just you and nature -- untouched, majestic and silent but for the sound of the wind whispering in the pines overhead.

Many of Yosemite's trails and features are open and accessible year-round. Badger Pass offers downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. You can also try snowshoeing on ranger-led hikes or strike out on your own. The sled run at Crane Flat is an experience as exciting as any roller coaster you've ever ridden. Ice skate in the shadow of Half Dome at the Curry Village rink in Yosemite Valley where folks have been skating since 1923.

There are a number of hiking trails open during the winter. Several of the most notable are paved, wheelchair accessible and stroller friendly. The 1-mile Lower Yosemite Falls loop takes you through Ponderosa pines, incense cedars and canyon live oaks past the base of the falls. The gentle 1-mile roundtrip hike to Bridalveil Falls takes you through pine and cedar-scented forest quite close to the ice-shrouded falls on the shady side of the canyon. A slightly more difficult 3-mile hike to Mirror Lake affords spectacular views of Half Dome and Mount Watkins. Hiking lovers will want to take the Columbia Rock trail, a 3-mile hike that rises 1,000 feet to Upper Yosemite Falls. The panoramic view of Yosemite Valley is magnificent.

After a day of winter fun at Yosemite, return to your cozy Bass Lake, California timeshare (above, right). The 5-star WorldMark property offers spacious, comfortable accommodations with room for the whole family. Cuddle up around the fireplace and sip hot cocoa in the evening while you relive the day's exciting Yosemite adventures. Units are equipped with all the comforts of home, including a fully-equipped kitchen, CD/stereo, cable TV, iron and ironing board, hairdryer and more. Each unit has a washer/dryer so you'll be able to quickly dry out the kids' parkas and snowpants after a day of sledding and tubing. For complete information on WorldMark Bass Lake, click the post title.

Everyone visits Yosemite in the summer. It's the lucky few who savor the park's winter beauty and pleasures.

Vermont Ski Resorts Opening Early

Wax up your skis and book your timeshare now, Vermont ski resorts are opening early this year. Mount Snow opened November 10, its earliest start in more than a decade. The resorts at Killington and Okemo Mountain just opened last Friday and a whole slew of others are getting ready to start the ski season at the end of the month -- that's next weekend!

Vermont is the East Coast's winter wonderland. Skiing, snow boarding, tobogganing, ice skating, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling -- if it happens on snow or ice, you can enjoy it in Vermont.

The Killington, Vermont ski area is the largest ski area east of the Rockies. Extensive snowmaking capabilities allow skiing from November through June. It's six snowy mountains offer 23 lifts and more than 200 ski trails. You'll discover many delightful timeshares in the Killington area (click the above link to peruse the complete list), several within walking/skiing distance of the slopes. When the ski season is over, the Killington area offers plenty of hiking, golf, horseback riding, water sports, cycling, mountain biking and other enjoyable outdoor pursuits that make Killington a year-round vacation paradise.

Cedarbrook Resort (right) is centrally located and just minutes from everything. There's nothing like a dip in the resort's heated outdoor pool to loosen the muscles after a day on the slopes. Retire to your spacious, comfortable suite for a hot toddy or cocoa in front of the fire for the perfect ending to a perfect day.

Or ski home to Trail Creek Condominiums (top, left) which are nestled at the foot of the mountain. Enjoy the indoor pool, jacuzzi and sauna when you get back from the slopes. When the snow melts, these delightful condos overlook the 18th hole of Killington's championship golf course, one of many in the area. If you need a break from the slopes, Killington offers many delightful restaurants, activities, shopping and nightlife.