Jetsettersblog

PARK CITY, UT - Following up one of its most successful seasons in 25 years isn’t the easiest of milestones to beat. But the 2009 U.S. Cross Country Ski team is four competitions into its World Cup season and ready to hit its stride to compete for another page in the annals of history.

“We had our best winter in 25 years of U.S. cross country skiing, and this past summer was even better than the summer before for training. We had great camps, great head-to-head training sessions, and all of our athletes were obviously at a higher level than before,” said Cross Country Head Coach Pete Vordenberg. “So, we have higher expectations this season to have some podium results on the World Cup and a podium at World Championships.”

The Team, which experienced a good amount of World Cup podium success in the 2008 season, has focused on training throughout the summer months to prepare for what it feels can be another monumental season.

“Our World Cup skiers have had tremendous off season training, they are fit, healthy and fired up to test themselves against the rest of the World Cup athletes,” Nordic Program Director John Farra said. “While training can be perfect and testing results point to improved results, the only true measure is the weekly battles with the rest of the world’s best.”

According to Vordenberg, on the whole, the focus for the Team is to pace itself for success.

“This year we are looking at being in Europe, adjusting, training well, and hitting the World Cups with performance at the forefront of our minds. It’s the same for World Championships,” Vordenberg said. “Our preparation has been focused on achieving great results at specific events mostly because looking toward the Olympics, it’s one race on one day and we have to learn to peak for specific events.”

Among the athletes to watch are World Cup performers Kris Freeman (Andover, NH), Andy Newell (Shaftsbury, VT), Torin Koos (Leavenworth, WA), Chris Cook (Rhinelander, WI) and Kikkan Randall (Anchorage, AK).

Geared up and ready to put on a show for the women is Randall who, last season, became the first woman to win a modern day FIS World Cup in a sprint at Rybinsk, Russia December 2007. It also was the first U.S. victory in cross country since Bill Koch in 1983. American Allison Owen-Spencer last won in 1978, before the FIS established the permanent World Cup series.

“I’m looking forward to making sure I am prepared for all the sprints on the schedule this year. Last year there were three skate sprints and this year there are six and one at World Championships,” Randall said. “The fact that I did well in the skate sprints and won makes me feel strongly that I can win. I’m looking forward to winning some more World Cups this year.”

Randall began her World Cup season in Kuusamo, Finland, finishing 33rd in her first sprint and 23rd in a 10K. Her competition travels then took her to Davos, Switzerland, where, after an unlucky tangle with another athlete, she was 26th. She will be one of the favorites in this weekend’s Dusseldorf sprints.

Another athlete who has been preparing heavily after landing on the World Cup podium in Finland last March is Newell who aims for the top of the podium each weekend.

“Last year’s second place finish has motivated me a lot because I know I have what it takes, but this year I’m going for a win,” Newell said. “It’s hard to say how I will stack up in the overall, but I’m going to try to take it one World Cup at a time and see what I can do. If it’s classic or skate, I’m going to try to win each weekend.”

Newell kicked off the season with some good momentum, finishing 11th in a sprint in Kuusamo, but an unexpected slip as he was in the lead at the top of the race hill in Davos, Switzerland, pushed him back to 26th.

With World Championships coming over the horizon, Newell also says that part of his plan is to hit a stride that has him at his best for the title event - a competition he has spent his whole training period focusing on.

“My preparation for this season has been more focused than ever before. My coaches and I have tried to simplify our training a little bit to try and figure out what kind of intervals work best for me and how to peak best for World Champs,” Newell said. “That’s the main focus for the year - the sprint at World Champs.”

Backing up the World Cup Team in its pursuit of success is the Continental Cup Team, which features athletes Liz Stephen (East Montpelier, VT), who took the bronze medal at the U23 World Championships, marking her first international medal, and Garrott Kuzzy (Hayward, WI), who had back-to-back wins during the Madison, WI, SuperTour.

For now, however, the athletes plan to take it one day at a time as a Team.

“This is going to be an exciting year. I think our team has come a long way as a whole.” Randall said. “As well as my individual World Cup, I’m just excited for a year as a team because I think we’re going to have a lot of success on all levels. I’m just excited to be a part of it.”

Luxury breaks, traditional Christmas getaways and winter sports are just some of the highlights on offer in Seattle this season.

The luxurious Artic Club is offering special discounts over the festive period, rates start at $406 per couple and includes a tour of the city’s Christmas lights and afternoon tea at the Polar Bar.

The Harrison House Suites Bed and Breakfast on the stunning San Juan Islands is also offering discounted packages for December, January and February. Prices are from $205 per night, which includes dinner at the nearby Coho Restaurant.

Enjoy the Christmas lights in the historic town of Leavenworth and stay on to ring in the new-year at the Sleeping Lady Resort. The eco-friendly lodge is offering an accommodation and entertainment new-year package and is also hosting a separate party for children. Prices start from $200 per person.

Alternatively hit the slopes in Spokane and receive discounted room and ski passes then relax in one of the numerous spas. The Fairfield Inn is offering rate from $179 per night, which includes lift pass and use of its spa.

For further information please call: 020 7978 5233

 or visit: www.visitseattle.org

or www.experiencewa.com

The 2009 Alaska Official State Vacation Planner, an invaluable tool in planning any Alaskan adventure, is now available in Australia.

The free 96-page vacation guide provides detailed information on how to get the most out of your “once-in-a-lifetime adventure,” including striking pictures of some of Alaska’s most spectacular scenery and culture that will whet your wanderlust.

Highlights of the planner include a colour-coded map designed to help you understand the size of the state and select the regions you want to visit.

A Regional Information section provides an overview of each region with general information on weather, history, attractions, geographic highlights and more, so you can quickly source key information about the parts of Alaska that most pique your interest.

Once you’ve worked out which regions of Alaska you’re keen to visit, refer to the Trip Planning Information for brief descriptions of Alaska’s many outdoor activities, opportunities for wildlife viewing, and cultural and historical roots. You will also learn about what the state has to offer in each remarkable and diverse season, as well as the various modes of travel that are available.

Finally, the Alaska Businesses section provides a helpful listing of products and services located throughout the state, covering how to get there and get around, where to stay, what to do, and where to ask for more help in discovering America’s 49th state.

Order your FREE copy of the 2009 Alaska Official State Vacation Planner by contacting:

Sarah McColgan
Alaska Travel Industry Association c/o AVIAREPS Oceania
smcolgan@aviareps.com

North Lake Tahoe residents and visitors enjoyed a white Christmas after a storm rolled in over the weekend leaving nearly a metre of snow at the ski resorts’ higher elevations. The storm doesn’t show any signs of letting up with another half-metre predicted tonight and additional snow forecast throughout the week. North Lake Tahoe has the greatest concentration of ski resorts in the United States and they’ve released a variety of ski deals to encourage visitors to get out on the slopes for less.

- Midweek Specials: Homewood Mountain Resorts offers US$39 lift tickets Monday through Thursday.

- Mt Rose-Ski Tahoe has a variety of deals includes Two-for-Tuesdays, Ladies Day Thursday (US$29 for women) and Runs ‘n’ Roses packages where two adults and two children can ski for US$128.

- Squaw Valley USA offers a Frequent Skier Program, which allows members who ski four days to ski the fifth day for free.

- Snowbomb.com has a Winter Tahoe Card, a membership discount program that pays for itself almost immediately. The US$49.99 card comes with one free SugarWood ticket (valid at Sugar Bowl or Kirkwood) and discounts at more than a dozen resorts.

- Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area have free cross-country skiing lessons every week.

- The North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureau recently put together a one-stop-electronic-shop for holiday packages and limited-time promotions. The site, www.gotahoenorth.com/cool-deals is updated frequently.

North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport.

While sun, surf and sand is more commonly associated with California the state has plenty to offer ski-bunnies. Lake Tahoe has the largest concentration of ski resorts in the country and traditionally receives 10-metres of snowfall each year, but it’s not uncommon for the region to receive up to 6-metres in one month.

www.visitcalifornia.com.au and www.visitcaliforniasnow.com

Spurred by a love of travel and the outdoors, Emma and Nick Thomson have launched Lost Campers, a San Francisco-based campervan rental service.

Campervans are a hybrid car and RV. A quick peek at the Web site, www.lostcampersusa.com, reveals that these smaller-sized vans with big amenities are proving popular with fans from Australia to Slovakia. Rental rates are comparable to car rental fees and there’s a big bonus.

Campervans come equipped with a full-sized, double bed; picnic table and camping chairs; cooking and kitchen equipment; awning for added living space; fresh linens; 24-hour roadside assistance; portable ice cooler; travel atlas, and competitive insurance rates. Additional items for rent include sleeping bags, winter comforter, towels, bike racks, roof racks, electrical heaters, GPS navigation systems and dome tent.

Surfboards will soon be added to the list. Van rental facility is located at 2955 Third St., between 25th and 26th streets and is close to public transportation including the T-Third light rail.

For information and reservations (recommended), visit www.lostcampersusa.com  or call 415-386-2693 or 888-LOST-VAN (567-8826).

DK Eyewitness Travel has named its pick of the best cities to visit in 2009. The world’s bestselling city-guide publisher shows why Northern Europe and the Americas are going to be hot next year. So whether it’s new attractions, regenerated neighbourhoods, or more for your money, the travel experts at DK have 2009’s Top 10 cities all wrapped up…

Vilnius – European Capital of Culture in 2009, the Lithuanian capital is planning 120 art and culture projects, and over 900 cultural events. Highlights include the Vilnius Book Fair in February, Street Musician Day in May, Culture Night on Midsummer Night, and the LUX Festival of Lights in November which brings socially deprived groups into the ‘lighted’ city, using science, nature and art to ‘light’ Vilnius at its darkest period of the year.

Buenos Aires – The old port district of La Boca will feature a major exhibition of France’s surrealist master Marcel Duchamp at the recently revamped Fundación Proa art gallery in February. In June the Puerto Madero docklands district opens the first-ever Fosters & Partners (led by Sir Norman Foster) design project in Latin America. The uber-hip residential space will be the centrepiece of a new cultural district. The bicentenary of Argentina’s independence from Spain is in 2010 but next year offers the chance to go before the hordes do.

Gdansk – Reputed to be the new Krakow in 2009, Gdansk’s old town has been spruced up and the picturesque Bergher houses that line its streets are interspersed with an influx of new hotels, restaurants and shops. With direct flights from Liverpool, Stansted and Birmingham with Ryanair, Poland’s coastline could see a new influx of visitors to this part of the Baltic Sea.

Seattle, USA – With a new Four Seasons hotel just unveiled, a new Hyatt at Olive 8 opening in January 2009 from the Hyatt brand, and a large new “eco-friendly” hotel called “1” scheduled to open mid 2009, a good nights sleep in Seattle is scheduled for next year. Something you need in a city that can see you catching a rock show or taking in the sleek downtown area by kayak, all in one trip. A truly modern American city surrounded by acres of stately redwoods, misty coastline, and glacial caves makes for intriguing juxtaposition.

Bristol – Dita Von Teese recently opened a new Harvey Nichols store alongside a Cinema de Lux and a wealth of luxury apartments at Cabot Circus - a long awaited boost to the Broadmead shopping district. Not long after, Bristol’s robust eco-appeal got stronger as it was named the ‘most sustainable city in Britain’. Luxury consumerism and environmental sustainability look set to coexist in 2009.

Fes – With new direct flights from Gatwick starting in December 2008, with the low cost airline Atlas Blue, it won’t take long before the tourists turn east from Marrakech’s crowded souks, to explore Morocco’s spiritual and cultural hub. The narrow streets of Fes are alive with commerce, and all lanes lead to the Karaouiyne mosque, established in 859, one of the oldest and most illustrious mosques in the western Muslim world.

Washington DC – Fresh with reinvigorated patriotism, tour the Eastern Seaboard by train or bus, heading south from New York to the home of the founding fathers in Philadelphia, then on to the seat of American government. With the largest library in the world (Library of Congress), the National Museum of American History and Arlington National Cemetery, not to mention the White House, Washington DC is a vision of marble and light, with icons and monuments at every turn.

Copenhagen – With 12 Michelin stars awarded in 2008 (that’s more than Vienna, Rome, or Madrid) plus a clutch of new boutique hotels and minimalist designed budget hostels, Copenhagen has become the ultimate gourmet and style destination. Its green-credentials aren’t bad either, recently becoming the world’s first ‘Bike City’ with 36 percent of all Copenhageners cycling to work, school and university.

Cape Town – The hosting of the world cup in 2010 means that visitors in late 2009 will see an upgraded Cape Town Station and the arrival of the One&Only Cape Town luxury resort, complete with Africa’s first branch of Nobu. Cape Town looks set to raise its tourist game in 2009 as it gears up for the sporting events of the following year. Add this to the world famous vista, outdoor activities, and affordable prices due to the exchange rate, and it’s a good time to visit.

Vienna – Vienna’s festival calendar is a true ballroom blur, kicking off with the city’s glittering New Year balls and the annual splendour of the Vienna Opera Ball on 19 February 2009. Come mid-May the city’s greatest festival, the Wiener Festwochen, comes into play with operas, theatre, music and performing arts, and Mozart’s operas are performed in the beautiful Schönbrunn Park until late August.

THE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY GIFT

Providing access to an unrivalled world of privileges, benefits, expert knowledge and a global network of insider information, a Quintessentially membership offers the perfect present this Christmas.

Quintessentially is a unique private members’ club and global luxury lifestyle group committed to delivering nothing but the best in high quality services. Available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, by telephone or email, Quintessentially provides unlimited access to an unrivalled package of privileges, preferential rates and bespoke services, and acts as your very own PA – any time, anywhere.

With three tiers of membership available, starting from $1500 per year Quintessentially provides an affordable and long-lasting support to help guide you through to 2009. From securing last minute hotel reservations and travel deals, to restaurant bookings and access to events and galas around the world, Quintessentially is here to help. Offering an excellent benchmark of service and a unique network of insider information and benefits, Quintessentially aims to bring you nothing but the best, making it not only an invaluable resource but, more importantly, an easily accessible time and money saving solution.

Membership also includes access to the growing number of expert Quintessentially sister companies which can cater to all your needs including the dedicated personal shopping service Quintessentially Gifts, the bespoke experience company Quintessentially Escape, the bespoke wine service Quintessentially Wine and many more including Quintessentially Art, Quintessentially Events, Quintessentially Estates and Quintessentially Flowers. Members are also sent a weekly Quintessentially newsletter, packed full of the latest news, views, events and benefits, as well as the Quintessentially Magazine, published quarterly.

Quintessentially now encompasses a staggering 44 offices in a host of major cities worldwide, in destinations as diverse as Hong Kong, Cape Town, Istanbul, Mozambique, Cairo, Panama, Los Angeles and Sydney with a number of new office launches planned in the coming months, including those in Amsterdam, Auckland, Chicago, Luxemburg and Kuala Lumpur.

The new 2009 brochure from Walks Worldwide, the walking holiday specialists, offers a superb portfolio of private guided treks, guided and self-guided, open-dated departures and ‘In Style’ walking tours (the connoisseur’s choice).

 For 2009, Walks Worldwide has added 54 new tours, including a greatly expanded programme in Eastern Europe and South America, plus a whole new section dedicated to their increasingly popular ‘In Style’ tours – great for trekkers who prefer a bit of luxury at the end of a day! Many guided tours are now open-dated, offering greater flexibility and, unlike many ‘rival’ operators, available for a minimum of two travelling together. Perfect for those who want independence with the benefit of their very own local guide.

The dedicated team at Walks Worldwide combines years of firsthand experience and is genuinely enthusiastic about each of the countries they visit - all keen walkers too! Want to know the best Inca route to Machu Picchu, be one of the first to try Husky Trekking in Finland – walkies here takes on a whole new meaning, unravel the secrets of Romania’s mythical Maramures – an ancient land of wooden churches, or visit the only town in the US where the mail is still carried by mule? Ask Walks Worldwide, they’ve been there, done that…

Headliner trips for 2009 include:

FINLAND - Husky Trekking: 8-day guided tour with scheduled departures in June & Aug 09 - £895 p/p (land only).

A brand new tour exclusive to Walks Worldwide - dog-assisted walking with your very own Husky in Finland’s wild forests. Arctic dogs have traditionally been used for many purposes, and when there is no snow, they’re used for carrying packs and also to help humans walk faster by utilising a special leash tied to a harness. It’s not a walk in the park, and to fully enjoy this incredible experience, you need to be strong and a dog lover – Nordic Hiking is sooo last year!

ROMANIA – Mythical Maramures: 8-day guided tour departing May-Oct 09 (min 2 persons) - £1,095 p/p (land only).

A new walking holiday in the remote Maramures region of Romania, offers a journey back in time into a rural medieval life that will enchant even the most jaded world traveller. Visit the ‘Merry Cemetery’ as seen on Michael Palin’s BBC TV series New Europe, and the ancient hand-built wooden churches, many of which are now World Heritage sites.

USA – Canyons of the South West: 14-day self-drive tour with guided walking departing 09 daily - £2,895 p/p (land only).

This itinerary combines the independence of a self-drive tour with guided off-trail trekking in some of the country’s best national parks. Explore the Grand Canyon, Escalante River and famous ‘Grand Staircase’, Navajo and Havasupai Indian Reservations, Bryce and Zion NPs. Later, visit the only town in the US where mail is still carried by mule and stay in ‘The Most Beautiful Place in America’ – Sedona.

PERU – Salkantay Luxury Lodge Trek: 17-day guided group tour departing March-Dec 09 – from £2,995 p/p (land only).

Why follow in the footsteps of the Inca Trail hordes when you can trek to Machu Picchu along the magnificent Salkantay Trail? With breathtaking views around every corner this tough trail is hugely rewarding, even better when trekking ‘In Style’, from one luxurious eco-lodge to another. Take a dip in the stunning glacial lagoon at the foot of mystical Salkantay (6,271m), the second most important Inca peak, or enjoy the scenery amidst the bubbles of an outdoor Jacuzzi, just one of the little luxuries available on a superb new tour.

Salmon have been spotted in Miller Creek for the first time in 60 years.

The decline of the salmon was due to the creek being so polluted that salmon could not swim up it properly or create a proper breeding ground with tires and concrete blocks in the way.

Miller Creek is right next to Sea-tac Airport and the Port of Seattle officials promised that the creek would be cleaned up after the completion of the airport’s third runway.

The new runway became operational this week and the Port of Seattle officials made good their promise. Josh Feigin, an environmental specialist with the port, has been monitoring Miller Creek and last week, following a storm he spotted six adult Coho salmon working their way upstream.

Josh Feigin said “I came out to the creek to look at a hydrology well right next to it and heard the ruffling sounds in the riffles. It was very exciting to see fish come back and use the habitat.”

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air have launched a sale featuring low fares to many of the carriers’ destinations for travel after the holidays. Tickets must be purchased by Dec. 31, 2008, and travel is valid between Jan. 6 and Feb. 11, 2009. Sample one-way fares are: $49 between Portland, Ore., and Sacramento, Calif.; $59 between Seattle and San Francisco; $69 between Flagstaff, Ariz., and Los Angeles, and Prescott, Ariz., and Los Angeles; $79 between Seattle and Santa Rosa, Calif.; $89 between Spokane, Wash., and Reno, Nev.; $109 between Seattle and Palm Springs, Calif.; $109 between Seattle and Minneapolis; and $159 between Portland, Ore., and Boston.

A complete list of fares is available at www.alaskaair.com  and www.horizonair.com  or by calling 800-ALASKAAIR.