Snow Reports and Ski Vacations
By VBT Cross-Country Skiing Vacations
We're two weeks into December and the snow is flying all over the world. The excitement of watching the flakes fall over Lambeau Field on Sunday night as the Packers beat the Lions was nothing in comparison to watching Kikkan Randall and Jessie Diggins take World Cup victories in a Quebec City blizzard last weekend. Across North America, snow reports have been coming in-whether it is the New York Times featuring man-made snow in Craftsbury, Vermont, or one of the biggest December storms on record in Minneapolis.
The reports that I've been following the closest, however, have been in the locations where we're launching our 2013 ski vacations: the Canadian Rockies, the Alps in Slovenia and Austria, and the Dolomites in Italy and Austria. Here are a couple of web-cams that you might enjoy.
Canadian Rockies
With the upcoming World Cups this weekend, you're sure to find some action at the Canmore Nordic Centre. Canmore hosted an early season race in October on real snow; not man-made snow or fresh October snow, but snow that they had saved from last winter under a blanket of hay.
Slovenia
Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, is home to Planica-one of the world's largest ski flying hills. They also host a stop on the Men's Alpine World Cup circuit. Located at the corner of Slovenia, Italy, and Austria, you can ski across the border from Slovenia into Austria from downtown Kranjska Gora.
Ramsau, Austria
The winter paradise of Ramsau, Austria, is best known for the Dachstein Glacier and early season skiing. However, the flat, 5km glacier loop in October is nothing in comparison to the 150km of groomed ski trails available by December. In a town where it is faster to travel from Point A to Point B by skis than by car, Ramsau is always ready for winter.
Obertilliach, Austria
Obertilliach is an annual stop on the Biathlon World Cup circuit and second home of Norwegian biathlon legend Ole Einer Bjorndalen. Obertilliach is also the host of the Austrian "Dolomitenlauf" Worldloppet ski race. While you're skiing, stop by one of the many huts along the trail for a warm drink and hot food. Be sure to check out the European web cams in the morning from the US, otherwise it may look a little dark!
Passo Lavaze, Italy
Passo Lavaze is the back-up site for the 2013 Nordic Ski World Championships. It is also one of the most idyllic cross country ski resorts in the world, surrounded by the towering, limestone peaks of the Dolomites.
We've still got space available on several of our ski vacation departures this winter. If you're interested in joining us, check out www.vbt.com/skiing to learn more. Even if you can't join us, you'll be able to see us on any one of the web cams above during the coming winter. For now, enjoy the fresh snow wherever you are and see you on the trail!
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