Travel news from the sources

Skiing, snowshoeing at Gunnison-Crested Butte

The Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley, in southwest Colorado, has emerged as a Nordic skiing and snowshoeing hot spot. Groomed Nordic trails now number more than 95K, backcountry routes are plentiful. 

 The Crested Butte Nordic Center and Crested Butte Mountain Resort are open for the season. Full-service cross-country ski center provides lessons and complete rental packages for skate and classical skiing, as well as ice skating, snowshoeing and sledding. The Nordic Center maintains more than 50 kilometers of groomed trails that meander around the outskirts Crested Butte and offers tours, races, events and ski programs).

 Located in the heart of town at Second Street and Whiterock, the Nordic Center will be open for the season until April 4, 2010. For more information, call (970) 349-1707 or visit www.cbnordic.org.

Ski, play for free at Rockies YMCA

Rockies’ Snow Mountain Ranch offers skiing and activities for affordable family vacation

YMCA of the Rockies’ Snow Mountain Ranch in Winter Park, Colo. offers guests staying this winter season the opportunity to stay free for a night after paying for two nights, free access to ski trails, and free kid’s cross country ski lessons.

 In an affordable and cozy lodge room or cabin this winter at Snow Mountain Ranch, families can stay two nights and get a third night free with rates starting at $74 per night. Guests staying in a lodge room will also receive two free adult breakfasts each day of their stay.

This package is available at both Snow Mountain Ranch and at Estes Park Center, and is valid through May 27, 2010, excluding holiday periods and during March.

Ski web site details North Carolina High Country

Information on skiing and winter sports in the North Carolina High Country is now at SkiTheHighCountry.com.

The web site now features three ski resorts -- Appalachian Ski Mountain, Beech Mountain Resort and Sugar Mountain Resort -- as well as key info on the snow tubing park at Hawksnest Resort.

Visitors can access live webcams for real-time conditions, view trail maps, check rates and hours of operations, and browse accommodations. There's also a dining guide and an overview of activities away from the slopes.

Photo galleries of each resort feature the work of award-winning photographer Todd Bush of Banner Elk.

North Carolina's High Country is a five-county region anchored by the popular towns of Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Blowing Rock, Boone, Linville, Sparta, West Jefferson and Wilkesboro.