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An Internet Sportsbook is a place where players and good handicappers make money on their wagers. Sportbooks offer a large range of sports competitions, including football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, horseracing and boxing, however the 2006 World Cup betting is the most targeted activity during the last few months.

Betting methods vary according to the sport and the type of game, as is the case of World Cup betting, however the more prominent the event, the more wagering options now available for players from around the world wanting to participate in world cup soccer betting. While bets are paid when the event finishes, there are certain conditions to evaluate.

An event does not necessarily have to be finished, when it has been played long enough to declare officially that it is over. Events can be suspended so if not finished, all bets are returned to bettors, while championships, including 2006 World Cup betting free sports scores, require several days and even weeks, before learning the winning results.

This type of policy implemented by most Internet Sportbooks may cause certain confusion among players, who probably ignore what a sportsbook site considers official and what are the conditions that sports leagues consider official. In addition, when World Cup betting is the topic of discussion, the different games scheduled on different days at different times may increase betting disorientation.

When evaluating world cup soccer betting online, keep in mind the policies that may apply, and read carefully the sportsbook rules before placing your bets. 2006 World Cup betting is an excellent opportunity to make money through Internet Sportbooks, but the betting volume varies for special events like this, throughout the year in general.

World Cup betting is around the corner, in fact, available at many sites for a while now, so when players have more interest in certain types of sports like soccer and others, the money wagered is increased, particularly if these sports are in season. In addition, most online sportsbooks are located in Europe and the Caribbean thus local sporting events may be available at some sites.

Disregarding its locations, all Internet sportsbook offer different bets, such as teasers, parlays and over and unders, besides world cup soccer betting and other events that vary from country to country, depending on the level of interest in the different sports available to bet. World Cup betting and boxing, which does not follow a specific and constant schedule may create activity peaks at some betting sites.

Bettors heading up to the 2006 World Cup betting lay odds on a team’s chance of winning the championship. Along with World Cup betting, they usually are engaged in other types of bets to increase their chances of winning. “If win” bets in which a players wager a fixed amount on one team, and only if that team wins, bet another fixed amount on a different team, including world cup soccer betting.

A great day on the slopes can mean several different things. Not everyone shares the same expertise when it comes to sliding down a frozen mountain on waxed slices of fiberglass. Hopefully this quick guide to skiing will help you get on your way. Use the following links to skip down to the section that most interests you.

1. Taking lessons
2. Choosing the right clothing
3. The best equipment for you
4. Where to skiv
5. For the extreme skier

Taking lessons

If it’s your first time on skis, there are several ways you can learn the proper style and technique. You can teach yourself, learn from a friend or take lessons from a professional ski instructor. Teaching yourself might not be the recommended option. There are more risks of injury and you can learn some bad habits. This could result in missing out on some (or most) of the fun, getting discouraged and not enjoying the sport.

If you decide to take lessons from a friend, you will definitely save yourself some money but you might not get all the important information and tips you would get from a seasoned pro. What if your friend taught himself and learned some bad habits?

The most practical option is to take lessons from a professional ski instructor. This will help you stay safe and learn important techniques. You can also choose to have the lessons tailored to your skiing needs. Luckily, all five ski resorts around Canmore offer lessons.

What to wear

When it comes to staying warm on top of a snow covered mountain, you will need to find the appropriate clothing from head to toe. The good news is you don’t have to worry about the boots; they come with the skis. However, they don’t offer much insulation and extra socks might be a good idea. You will appreciate having two pairs of socks. The outside pair should preferably be wool.

For your legs, layers are recommended. A good pair of flexible pants (i.e. not jeans) covered with water tight ski pants will usually be adequate. Depending on the forecast, long johns might also be necessary. You might be thankful of spending a little extra for some ski pants with reinforced knees – this is usually the first place to wear-out with frequent falls.

Your upper body should also be covered in layers; a minimum of three. The bottom layer can be a comfortable long-sleeve T-shirt. However, the next layer should be water resistant but breathable. This will keep water away from you body, keep you dry and help keep you warm (there’s nothing worse than cold water to steal all your body warmth). The outside layer should break the wind – most ski jackets do the trick. They also have several zippered pockets to stash all things necessary (lip-balm is indispensable).

Let’s not forget your noggin’. A good percentage of body heat is lost through the head. This makes it very important to cover it up. Start with a good neck warmer or scarf for you neck and chin (if you opt for a balaclava ski mask, this might not be necessary). You will also need eyewear. While sunglasses usually do the trick, winds can pick up unexpectedly on the mountain tops so goggles are recommended. If you buy goggles, make sure they offer UV protection; the sun glare off the snow can be hard on your eyes. Finally, cover up your head with a warm toque.

Note: the amount and warmth of the clothing you decide to wear all depends on the forecast and the season. Obviously, spring skiing asks for cooler ski wear. Use your best judgement and always remember – too warm is better than too cold!

The right equipment for you

When it comes to choosing the best equipment, a beginner can more than manage with some inexpensive rental skis and poles. All of the ski resorts near Canmore offer rentals. Plus, you might find out that skiing is not for you so you might not want to spend too much money getting all geared up before hitting the slopes a few times.

Once you get the hang of it, enjoy it and start skiing more frequently, it’s time to look at the option of purchasing your own equipment. Luckily, several online outlet stores (like Backcountry.com) let you browse various items before deciding on what brand, type and style of skis, poles, bindings and boots you want to invest in. Some online stores even offer used equipment if you want your own gear with a less expensive approach.

Where to ski

With five major ski resorts within an hour’s drive, your stay in Canmore gives you access to a wide variety of skiing options.

Choose Nakiska, just 35 minutes away, for its smaller, uncrowded atmosphere.
Visit Fortress Mountain for its two mountains and sweet snow conditions.
You can try Mount Norquay if you like night skiing.
Maybe you prefer Sunshine Village, which offers fast lifts, the most snow and great powder.
There’s also the ski resort in Lake Louise, the largest ski area in North America.

No matter which resort you choose, there is enough skiing around Canmore to keep you coming back season after season.

For the extreme skier

If you’re an experienced skier, you know that powder snow is the ultimate experience. However, you also are aware of the fact that it’s rare and hard to find. Even though most ski mountains get frequent snowfall, the dryness and depth of the snow is marginal. Add the early morning traffic to all this and the deep, smooth, untracked powder is soon groomed and packed, making that “perfect powdered run” hard to come by.

The good news is that there are alternatives to being a conventional “powder chaser”. There is ski touring, heli ski and Cat Skiing.

Ski touring is arduous and time consuming. For those who aren’t familiar with it, you basically trek through the backcountry on remote alpine peaks, far from crowded resorts. You can then enjoy the powder as well as the peaceful nature of the uncrowded slopes.

Those who are willing to spend a bit of money to get the ultimate skiing experience can choose Heli Skiing. This type of skiing has been around for several years. It consists of hitching a ride aboard a helicopter to the top of the mountain where there is powder as far as the eyes can see. This however will run you around $1000 a day and is only available to proficient skiers. Also available are multiple day guided tours on huge, isolated slopes upon mountain tops.

This type of adventure does not come without its downsides. There are days when the helicopter cannot fly due to inclement weather conditions and there is always the inherent risk of avalanches. However, all reputable heli-operators provide qualified guides who know the safest routes down the slopes. When weather is unforgiving, guides will restrict skiing to the wooded areas; “skiing the trees”.

Tree skiing is usually associated with another type of mechanized skiing – cat skiing. This type of extreme skiing is fairly new. Basically, a snowcat (a large mechanized snow caterpillar) takes you up the mountain. This takes more time than by helicopter but some prefer its more cozy, relaxed and tranquil environment. Snowcats boast comfortable cabins than can accommodate up to 12 people, a guide and a driver. While you scale the mountain in this comfy coach, you can nibble on some snacks, warm up and even sit out the next run. Yes, even if snowcat skiing or snowcats are slower, most people get their money’s worth and wear themselves out.

Cat skiing is more affordable than its big brother, heli-skiing. It will run you approximately $600 a day, including transportation, lodging, meals and guiding. Plus, snowcats still run in inclement weather. This cuts down on “down days” you would get with a helicopter. This way, especially if your ski vacation is limited for time, you get the most amount of skiing possible.

Of course, like its big brother, cat skiing has its limitations. The snowcats can’t go everywhere a helicopter can so cat skiing is more limited geographically. However, cat-operators become very familiar with their “limited geography” and this limits unpredicted events.

Sports’ betting has always been popular, and has shot up in popularity with the spread of the Internet. It’s now much easier for individuals to find the information that is needed to place an informed bet on the outcome of a game. Those who like baseball wagering know that baseball is one of those sports where more is needed to place a bet then just looking at the records of a team.

In baseball wagering you’re often dealing with a situation where any team can beat any other team. To make an informed bet you need to look at all of the possible factors that might influence the outcome of the game. These include any injuries to key players, the records of starting pitchers, whether key hitters are in a batting slump, and many other factors. This information used to be primarily available to baseball insiders, but now experts are willing to share the information with anyone that’s into baseball wagering.

There’s no doubt an expert can help. A good baseball sport wagering expert can provide you with the hottest betting trends and keep you up on the latest line so you know who to bet on and how and where to bet. In other words, your odds are greatly increased when you do your baseball wagering with the help of the odds makers themselves. Sports’ betting is fun and exciting and with the right knowledge at your finger tips it can be lucrative. You won’t win all of the time, but by using expert advice you can greatly improve your chances.

If you enjoy football scores sports Wagering you probably know that baseball Wagering is truly an art. You can’t just decide that you like the Yankees and bet on them to win every game. In baseball no team wins all of its games and to engage in informed baseball Wagering there is a lot of research to be done. For example, what do the odds makers say about the line on a game? Is a team favored to win and by how much?

Of course, just knowing the odds may not even be enough. The odds makers involved in baseball Wagering may differ so you’ll want to look deeper for information. For example, what is the team’s overall record and specifically what is its record against the team it’s playing next? Are there injuries to key players on either team and how have the starting pitchers been doing lately? You may even want to dig into information about any batting slumps by key hitters. lottery

You probably won’t find this information in the morning newspaper so if you’re serious about baseball Wagering you may want to consult with an expert. A good expert does all of the work for you and provides you with the information you need to place bets that have a good chance of being successful. You already know that baseball Wagering can be fun and you want to make it profitable, so make sure the odds are in your favor. Get all of the information that used to be only available to baseball insiders by checking with an expert.

One thing that you will want to look for is whether or not sports handicapping services have their picks listed by a sports monitoring service. This is a pretty good indication about how different sports handicapping services feel about their own picks. If you have difficulty finding them, then they might not be worth the risk. You will be spending some money for the information that they provide you and you want to make sure that it is well spent.

You might want to look for some kind of a guarantee. Many of these services will include a guarantee that you can have your fees refunded to you if your free sports picks and up being particularly bad. This might be an indicator of a reputable sports handicapping service and it is great to get your money refunded to you but remember that you will not get your lost bets back so it is better to be careful right at the outset.

One of the red flags that you should look for when it comes to sports handicapping services is the percentage that they advertise. It is reasonable to expect that a good service should have a success rate of somewhere around 55 to 60%, particularly when it comes to something like football. If they are telling you that they can get somewhere between 70 and 80% of their sports picks correct then you should be rather suspect. Even the best sports analysts that have played the game and have talked to the players and coaches do not have a success rate like that so if they tell you they can win that much you should probably proceed with caution.

Try to look for sports handicapping services that have a proven record over more than one season. There are always seasons in which the favored team almost always wins and the underdogs never score an upset. In these types of seasons all sports handicapping services are going to look outstanding in their winning percentages. It is important to consider the overall correct predictions across several seasons. Some of the really well-run, well-connected and highly-researched types of services can offer a very competitive winning percentage, which is really incredible when you think about it.

Websites and online sports handicapping services are great for easy access to information. These sites are, of course, up and running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, allowing you to stay up to date with injury reports, weather conditions, statistics on players and teams and even what the Vegas betting trends are. Not only can this information be helpful to you, but it also shows that the information that the service is using is as timely as it can possibly be. Websites are also ideal since they can be accessed from anywhere that you have an Internet connection. With new wireless cell phone options, online access has never been easier, no matter where you may be stuck in traffic. Getting information when you are on the go can give you that extra edge when you are ready to place your wager.

Look for sports handicapping services that provide information on their websites. A few top of the line services offer free newsletters and perhaps even the option of a free pick to help you determine if you want to sign up for regular picks. Typically packages that may include weekly, monthly or season picks are part of the handicapping service, and individual game picks are also typically offered. Trying out a few of the day picks can allow you to become familiar with the site and the services before committing to a full season. Season packages are usually discounted over each individual game pick price, actually saving you money over the season.

If you find one of the few really great online sports handicapping services, you will also be privy to information that simply cannot be found anywhere else. This may include information on coaching styles or even issues between players that may affect the team. This type of info not only will help you in placing your bet, but it also allows you to have the edge over others who simply don’t have the resources to do this type of research.

After reading several comments made to some of the worlds most respected top sportsbook sites, I made a list of what many satisfied customers have agreed, makes a top sportsbook.

1 – Who doesn’t like to be attended by a nice, intelligent, capable, english speaking customer service representative? Some one who is able to deal with all you queries in the fastest yet understandable way. As you have undoubtfully guessed, customer service is the first choice between sports gamblers; this can definitely make a difference between sportsbooks of choice.

2 – Payouts come in second place on our list. In my opinion, this one should come in first place, but it’s probably because I’m a money oriented person; anyway, a responsible staff should make sure you get your money fast! There are thousands of payment methods now a day’s, from PayPal, to cashiers check or bank wire transfers so there are no excuses when it comes to delivering your money to you.

3 – Ease of use. If you prefer to use the sports books web site to punch in your bets, is it user friendly? How long did you take to find what you were looking for? How fast is it?
No one likes to wait half an hour for the web page to load; besides, you can loose your chance to place the bet.

Those three are the most common, but obviously there are many more, the thing is that with the shirr volume of gamblers asking for the above three points, some times the rest just seem less relevant. I’ll discuss a few just for the sake of it.

4 – Bonuses: Some people believe that good bonuses are a great plot for you to gamble with a certain Sportsbook, but it can also turn into a death trap. Books on the edge of bankruptcy normally tend to throw the biggest, most juiciest bonuses out there, in order to attract newbie gamblers to their almost certain end.

5 – Sports Betting: North American are by far the biggest percentages of gamblers in the world, if you’re not from the United States, then skip this point.
Basic football gambling, free sports scores, basketball betting and baseball betting, the rest is just for show off, cricket, what’s that?

Every one is entitled to their own point of view, you have just read mine, hope you agree and if by any comment I made any one fell uncomfortable, I’m truly sorry.

Sportsbook

Online sportsbook Bettors are eager to find the correct offshore sportbook online available in the internet the moment they think they can win a bet. They expect that the outcome of a game be the one they have predicted.

They will stick most to the online sportsbook betting that some friend or relative has recommended him, but still, there are plenty and different online sportsbook betting new bettors can find and place their wagers. Some work on the phone, others in the internet, and others do both ways of communication.

An online sportsbook betting always tries to manage the most popular sports. Some online sportsbooks betting focus on one single sport and others accepts bets for many sports.

There are online sites that also accept bets for college competition. It is important to take a wide approach to online betting and try to have as many sports wagering online that the sports book can handle, since more sports will attract more public.

New bettors always like to have a friendly voice on the other side of the phone, a fast reply to their inquiries and questions on the online website, good and on-time odds by handicappers and experts. Such good details make a online sportsbook betting a favorite between the online sports wagering market. The best online sports betting sites are always listed first on search engines as they have gained a level of popularity and quality in their service. Still, you should check the one that fits to you the most.

Professional basketball gets more exciting to watch every year. Of course, the excitement is even greater if you’re into nba basketball betting. If you like nba basketball betting football scores you know there is much more to successful betting than just putting money on your favorite team to win every game. You also know that sometimes the information you need may be hard to find. This is where getting the recommendations of a good expert can come in handy.

These are the people who know everything there is to know about nba basketball betting. They don’t just give you the odds and betting lines, they tell you how they were arrived at. Then you can base your nba basketball betting on more than just a hunch. For example the experts will know if there has been an injury to a key player and will be able to determine how that may affect the player’s performance in the next game or series of games. If the injury will cause the player to miss some games then the expert can determine how his loss will affect the team as a whole.

As you can see team records are just one of the factors to be considered when doing nba basketball betting. The team may be having internal problems or individual off court problems. So clearly, he more you know the better your chances of making a winning bet and with the right help the odds can quickly shift in your favor. So get the information you need to know and start winning your basketball bets.

Millions of people bet on sporting events every year and some of the most exciting action can come from nba betting. The large number of professional basketball games allows you to do a lot of nba betting and potentially win a lot of money. However, you need to know how to make the best bets. A lot more is involved in successful betting than just looking at the betting lines and odds and then laying your money down; lottery. There are numerous factors that can affect the outcome of a pro basketball game, and just knowing team records don’t always tell you everything you need to know.

For example an injury to a key player might dramatically affect a team’s ability to win the next game against their arch rivals. Therefore it could also affect which team you bet on and how much you want to bet. For example, is the injury serious enough to keep the player out of the game, or will just limit his playing time? If he can play, how might the injury affect his performance? If the player normally scores over 30 points a game and will likely only score half of that due to the injury this is information critical to your nba sport betting decision.

A NBA betting decision may also be impacted by such factors as friction between team members or between a player and a coach. Something like that can cause team members to lose focus and affect their play. So to do the best at your nba betting be sure and do your research and listen to the recommendations of the experts. Then place your bets and collect your winnings.

There are various techniques important in learning to ski. Below are some of the essential ones you will need to know.

Traversing uphill

Making your way up a long slope you will find the least tiring way is it “tack”, just like a sailing-ship.

Both skis parallel, at right angles to the line of the slope.

Weight on the right ski and the left ski raised and pointing in the new direction. Left pole thrust into the ground close to the left foot.

The right ski is lifted up and brought parallel to the left, with the right pole thrust into the ground by the right foot. By placing the weight on the poles you will prevent any tendency to slide back.

Your “tack” is now complete, and you can continue to ski uphill, with knees well flexed.

“Snow plowing” downhill
You’ve reached the top of the hill, and you’re now going to ski down for the first time. Your first problem is to determine your speed, and to have your skis under complete control as you ski downhill. For this purpose the “snow-plow” position is the correct method of braking.

The full “snow plow” position is flat skis, knees bent forwards, and not inwards. Assume a wide “snow plow” position, with the weight on the heels. Sit well back, with the knees flexed forward. The body from the waist up should be leaning slightly forward. All muscles should be relaxed, and the hands should be held close to the knees. In this position you will be able to brake, edging your skis as required.

Half “snow-plow” position
Running obliquely down a slope a less pronounced “snow plow” position of the skis will, as a rule, suffice to brake, and control the skis and the heliskiing.

When you come to learning your first turns, you will find this position, and the practice it gives in the distribution of the weight, of great importance.

Place the weight on the outer (lower) ski by bending the corresponding knee. This ski should be edged a certain amount, while the upper ski should be flat on the snow, with comparatively little weight on it.

With this distribution of the weight you will be able to carry out your first turns. Changes of direction are determined by torsion, or rotation, of the body.

“Snow plow” turns
Learning to “snow-plow” will teach you the correct position of skis and body required for executing turns to the right and to the left. Transference of weight from one ski or Catskiing to another, combined with body torsion, will enable you to change direction at will. Every movement must be carried out rhythmically, and your skis should retain the full “snow-plow” position while the turn is being carried out.

Ski straight down hill, with your skis in the full “snow-plow” position. Place the weight on the left ski, and at the same time thrusting the left hip forward. You will find that you are turning to the right. Transfer the weight to the right ski, thrust the right hip forward, and you will turn to the left. Continue to ski downhill, turning alternately to left and right.

Perfect these techniques and your skiing will become a lot more enjoyable.

If you are searching for a thrilling adventure sport but haven’t figured out what particular sports to enter to, then Thrill rides review is the right site for you. Here, you can look into the top rated thrill rides and other thrill rides which you may find interesting. Aside from the brief description of the thrill rides in the top rated menu, you get to see thrill rides reviews on subject thrill rides from experienced riders and those who simply observed the sport. With their reviews you can evaluate if you want to try such adventure sport. All you have to do is to take in consideration what you read in the thrill rides reviews and choose the sport that you would dare.

On the other hand, thrill rides review is not just a site for those searching for thrilling adventures. Thrill ride enthusiasts and experienced thrill riders can also visit the site and contribute thrill rides reviews. They can write their own reviews about a particular thrill ride subject which they have personally experienced and observed. They can add any type of thrill rides and jot down their comments and feedback about the particular thrill rides that they feature. They simply have to go to the directory list and input the subject on the alphabet that corresponds to the first letter of the name of the thrill ride for easy reference. The directory will compile all thrill rides reviews on directory list in alphabetical order so that it would be easy for visitors and readers to locate reviews about a particular thrill rides.

Aside from thrill ride reviews, contributors to the site can vote add thrill rides ratings based on how they rate the particular thrill ride subject. With thrill ride ratings, it will determine how recommended and how fun the thrill ride as it is rated from very poor to excellent in five-star rating scale with fifth star as the excellent.

Thrill rides is an extreme adventure sports that puts you on your thrills with the risk and the fun that the sport can give to person. This involves specific locations around the world that offers the specific thrill rides. Thrill rides may include cave diving, heli-skiing, white water kayaking, base jumping, and body boarding among others. Cave diving involves scuba diving into artificial and natural caves hidden beneath the waters. Heli-skiing is a form of skiing on top of mountains using ordinary skis or snowboards. Whitewater kayaking is ravaging through rough waters through a kayak. The Island Lake Group offers some of the world’s most exciting private heli ski tours and untouched powder snowcat skiing, Cat Ski, Catskiing in Canada. Visit Island Lake Lodge today for a perfect hiking & mountain spa getaway! A single person in a small kayak or six or more people in larger one will both give the thrills in surviving on whitewaters. Base jumping is another thrill rides example of risk and fun at the same time, done by jumping from one high platform down to the base with a parachute to aid down. Body boarding involves riding through rough water waves by a piece of foam formed hydro dramatically.

These are only few thrill rides that can be named and there are many more out there. With the thrill rides review, anyone can input certain thrill rides and provide thrill rides reviews and thrill rides ratings that can be helpful to readers and visitors alike.

Do you have a favorite team that you are rooting for? Or maybe you just have a player that you like. Does your team have a shot at the next NBA Finals? Usually if the team was pretty good in the previous year they will have approximately the same performance unless major players are hurt, were traded or retired. New players are too green to have an effect as it will take them a while to get trained and acclimated to professional basketball.

Number 24 Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers have the greatest odds to win. They are the returning champions and have won numerous titles, so they are really the team to watch. In a poll recently posed to fans 51 percent felt that the Lakers would win again in 2010. Unless Kobe gets hurt or something unforeseen happens they should be one of the two teams vying for the title.

One of the other two contending teams that might have a shot is the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron James leads this team. He is the franchise player that skipped college basketball because of the beauty of his playing abilities. Though many say that LeBron is still young and hasn’t fully matured enough to win even though he is a phenomenal player. Although Shaquille O’Neal is an experienced player with four championship wins Cleveland doesn’t have enough supporting players on the team to help them win. Even as extraordinary as LeBron may be he cannot win the playoffs by himself.

Sports picks and sports handicapping articles brought to you by Johnny Detroit’s The Sports Gambler, quickly becoming one of the best free sports handicapping and professional sports betting picks service online, backed by one of the most expert sports handicapping teams in the world, featuring paid and free sports picks on hundreds of pro and college sports betting events.

The other team that is on the watch list is the Boston Celtics. They have won a championship game in the past decade so they would need to have a few key players to step up to the plate to get to the playoffs. Boston used to be a powerhouse in the eighties and they may rise up yet again with the right people in place. Many people felt that Boston has a 24.3 percent chance to win it all in 2010.

Most of the teams that are in contention have franchise players and are at the salary cap so they will not have an opportunity to draft any really good players. They can only do a trade to try and lower their salary budget to bring in fresh blood. Many feel that the salary caps should be raised so that other teams can compete. Yet still others feel that the top league players should take a salary cut to gain additional players if they are truly serious about winning. The other time that happened was with the Chicago Bulls as Michael Jordan wanted to win so badly that he was willing to sacrifice his NBA salary since he was making more money in advertising endorsements. Unless LeBron James is willing to go this route the Cavaliers may never win.

As it is still early yet anything could still happen. Nothing is set in stone. No one yet knows who is going to win and the NBA picks are still too early to decide. The favored team could have a really bad year. Your underdog team could possibly get that NBA ring.

A great day on the slopes can mean several different things. Not everyone shares the same expertise when it comes to sliding down a frozen mountain on waxed slices of fiberglass. Hopefully this quick guide to skiing will help you get on your way. Use the following links to skip down to the section that most interests you.

1. Taking lessons

2. Choosing the right clothing

3. The best equipment for you

4. Where to skiv
5. For the extreme skier

Taking lessons

If it’s your first time on skis, there are several ways you can learn the proper style and technique. You can teach yourself, learn from a friend or take lessons from a professional ski instructor. Teaching yourself might not be the recommended option. There are more risks of injury and you can learn some bad habits. This could result in missing out on some (or most) of the fun, getting discouraged and not enjoying the sport.

If you decide to take lessons from a friend, you will definitely save yourself some money but you might not get all the important information and tips you would get from a seasoned pro. What if your friend taught himself and learned some bad habits?

The most practical option is to take lessons from a professional ski instructor. This will help you stay safe and learn important techniques. You can also choose to have the lessons tailored to your skiing needs. Luckily, all five ski resorts around Canmore offer lessons.

What to wear

When it comes to staying warm on top of a snow covered mountain, you will need to find the appropriate clothing from head to toe. The good news is you don’t have to worry about the boots; they come with the skis. However, they don’t offer much insulation and extra socks might be a good idea. You will appreciate having two pairs of socks. The outside pair should preferably be wool.

For your legs, layers are recommended. A good pair of flexible pants (i.e. not jeans) covered with water tight ski pants will usually be adequate. Depending on the forecast, long johns might also be necessary. You might be thankful of spending a little extra for some ski pants with reinforced knees ? this is usually the first place to wear-out with frequent falls.

Your upper body should also be covered in layers; a minimum of three. The bottom layer can be a comfortable long-sleeve T-shirt. However, the next layer should be water resistant but breathable. This will keep water away from you body, keep you dry and help keep you warm (there’s nothing worse than cold water to steal all your body warmth). The outside layer should break the wind ? most ski jackets do the trick. They also have several zippered pockets to stash all things necessary (lip-balm is indispensable).

Let’s not forget your noggin’. A good percentage of body heat is lost through the head. This makes it very important to cover it up. Start with a good neck warmer or scarf for you neck and chin (if you opt for a balaclava ski mask, this might not be necessary). You will also need eyewear. While sunglasses usually do the trick, winds can pick up unexpectedly on the mountain tops so goggles are recommended. If you buy goggles, make sure they offer UV protection; the sun glare off the snow can be hard on your eyes. Finally, cover up your head with a warm toque.

Note: the amount and warmth of the clothing you decide to wear all depends on the forecast and the season. Obviously, spring skiing asks for cooler ski wear. Use your best judgement and always remember ? too warm is better than too cold!

The right equipment for you

When it comes to choosing the best equipment, a beginner can more than manage with some inexpensive rental skis and poles. All of the ski resorts near Canmore offer rentals. Plus, you might find out that skiing is not for you so you might not want to spend too much money getting all geared up before hitting the slopes a few times.

Once you get the hang of it, enjoy it and start skiing more frequently, it’s time to look at the option of purchasing your own equipment. Luckily, several online outlet stores (like Backcountry.com) let you browse various items before deciding on what brand, type and style of skis, poles, bindings and boots you want to invest in. Some online stores even offer used equipment if you want your own gear with a less expensive approach.

Where to ski

With five major ski resorts within an hour’s drive, your stay in Canmore gives you access to a wide variety of skiing options.

Choose Nakiska, just 35 minutes away, for its smaller, uncrowded atmosphere.
Visit Fortress Mountain for its two mountains and sweet snow conditions.
You can try Mount Norquay if you like night skiing.
Maybe you prefer Sunshine Village, which offers fast lifts, the most snow and great powder.
There’s also the ski resort in Lake Louise, the largest ski area in North America.

No matter which resort you choose, there is enough skiing around Canmore to keep you coming back season after season.

For the extreme skier

If you’re an experienced skier, you know that powder snow is the ultimate experience. However, you also are aware of the fact that it’s rare and hard to find. Even though most ski mountains get frequent snowfall, the dryness and depth of the snow is marginal. Add the early morning traffic to all this and the deep, smooth, untracked powder is soon groomed and packed, making that “perfect powdered run” hard to come by.

The good news is that there are alternatives to being a conventional “powder chaser”. There is ski touring, Heli Skiing and CatSkiing.

Ski touring is arduous and time consuming. For those who aren’t familiar with it, you basically trek through the backcountry on remote alpine peaks, far from crowded resorts. You can then enjoy the powder as well as the peaceful nature of the uncrowded slopes.

Those who are willing to spend a bit of money to get the ultimate skiing experience can choose HeliSkiing. This type of skiing has been around for several years. It consists of hitching a ride aboard a helicopter to the top of the mountain where there is powder as far as the eyes can see. This however will run you around $1000 a day and is only available to proficient skiers. Also available are multiple day guided tours on huge, isolated slopes upon mountain tops.

This type of adventure does not come without its downsides. There are days when the helicopter cannot fly due to inclement weather conditions and there is always the inherent risk of avalanches. However, all reputable heli-operators provide qualified guides who know the safest routes down the slopes. When weather is unforgiving, guides will restrict skiing to the wooded areas; “skiing the trees”.

Tree skiing is usually associated with another type of mechanized skiing ? Cat Skiing. This type of extreme skiing is fairly new. Basically, a snowcat (a large mechanized snow caterpillar) takes you up the mountain. This takes more time than by helicopter but some prefer its more cozy, relaxed and tranquil environment. Snowcats boast comfortable cabins than can accommodate up to 12 people, a guide and a driver. While you scale the mountain in this comfy coach, you can nibble on some snacks, warm up and even sit out the next run. Yes, even if snowcats are slower, most people get their money’s worth and wear themselves out.

Cat skiing is more affordable than its big brother, heli-skiing. It will run you approximately $600 a day, including transportation, lodging, meals and guiding. Plus, snowcats still run in inclement weather. This cuts down on “down days” you would get with a helicopter. This way, especially if your ski vacation is limited for time, you get the most amount of skiing possible.

Of course, like its big brother, cat skiing has its limitations. The snowcats can’t go everywhere a helicopter can so cat skiing is more limited geographically. However, cat-operators become very familiar with their “limited geography” and this limits unpredicted events.