Things to Do in Scottsdale, Arizona

Whether you are tired from work, school, or maybe just the day to day grind, Scottsdale provides fun, relaxing activities that will get you out of the house and out of the rut. Not every city can provide year round golf and hiking, hot air balloon rides, helicopter tours and professional sports teams. With movie costs on the rise and weekend activities that seem to suck the money out of your pocket, we're lucky to have activities outside of our normal realm. If you're visiting or a resident it's always fun to get out and experience everything Scottsdale has to offer! Listed below are just 10 things out of many to experience in Scottsdale.

SCOTTSDALE GOLF

Home to numerous golf courses and professional golfers, Scottsdale provides golf for any player at any level. Troon North Golf Club offers two 18-hole courses with views that can make even the worst round of golf beautiful and fun. JW Marriott Wildfire Golf Club offers a spectacular view and golf course; visitors can stay at their luxurious resort. No matter the course you can't go wrong when golfing in Scottsdale. Get the best rates on Scottsdale golf packages. Stay and play golf packages start at only $150 per person/per night.

SCOTTSDALE HUMMER AND ATV TOURS

Take a tour in style. You can see wildlife and the terrain of the Sonoran Desert where a normal car can't take you. Outback Safari offers its guests guided tours on their Hummers and ATV's that take you on mountain sides, through sandy creek beds, landmarks, and ravines. Never sure of what you will see next, a tour will ensure that you have a good time and an adventure you won't forget.

SCOTTSDALE REAL ESTATE

Anywhere in Scottsdale will provide fantastic views, beautiful homes, and an environment that offers so much to do. Open houses are always fun, even if you aren't interested in purchasing a home you can go and see unique designs and ideas for your own home. There's no better time than now to look for your second home or investment property. Scottsdale has a big market for vacation homes and rentals, so even if you didn't want to live in Scottsdale year-round there are still a lot of opportunities. If you are looking for a great deal on a home you can look into the REO Properties or homes that are being sold as short sales.

SCOTTSDALE FBR OPEN

Every year, thousands gather for one of Scottsdale's premiere events, the FBR Open. Known as one of the biggest turnouts for PGA Tour events, the FBR Open attracts everyone from golf enthusiasts to those who just go for a good time. The end of January and beginning of February starts the week of golfing and events. Located at TPC Scottsdale and open to the general public the FBR Open is something everyone will enjoy.

SCOTTSDALE HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES

As you glide over the surroundings of Scottsdale and all the peaks and valleys it will be like nothing you have experienced before. balloon rides are a peaceful, fun and scenic environment, without having to see your thoughts on the situation of passenger traffic or noise. His off stage and landing include certain amounts of land that is concerned about the much needed free time.

Desert Botanical Gardens SCOTTSDALE

Open all year, the Desert Botanical Gardens offers Web sites and events that you can see anywhere else. If you are a member or pay the admission is worth every penny of flowersart, and trails that some pictures can't do justice. The Fall Music in the Garden and Luminaria are some of their events that people travel to see; you won't regret going and seeing some of the most unique collections of desert flowers.

ARIZONA PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS

The Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Phoenix Coyotes all provide exhilarating experiences and will leave you wanting more. As the Suns rush down the court pressing their opponents every person in the arena is promised a good time. When lights dim and the spotlight roams, the Coyotes are out on the ice ready to face their next opponent. There is never a dull moment watching players fight for their team and score for a win. Day game or night game the Diamondbacks are ready to strike for a win. Knocking it out of the park or making an amazing catch, you never know what is going to happen next and you won't want to miss it.

HELICOPTER TOURS OF THE GRAND CANYON

See the Grand Canyon at a level you never seen before. Papillon Helicopters Tours takes each person high above the Grand Canyon to see the earth's creation at a level that magnifies the beauty. Papillon also goes to lower depths to show the years of transformations and growth that make the Grand Canyon as spectacular as it looks. You can enjoy the surroundings and get a grasp for how nature connects its beautiful elements to create one of the world's most beautiful sites.

HIKING IN SCOTTSDALE

If you love to take a nature walk or a strenuous hike, Scottsdale offers all levels of hiking and trails that can take you high up on Camelback Mountain or within the beautiful desert. Camelback Mountain offers several hikes and trails for less strenuous hikes and some hikes for those who are very experienced and can be very difficult. Squaw Peak offers other good hikes and trails for all levels of experience. Early in the morning or late in the afternoon, every time of day Scottsdale will amaze those who walk its surroundings.

OLD TOWN SCOTTSDALE & ART DISTRICT

Old Town Scottsdale, the Southern part of Scottsdale, draws visitors and residents for its entertainment, waterfront, restaurants, and art district. Known as The West's Most Western Town, Old Town has a shopping district that ranges from exquisite boutiques to southwest gifts and apparel. The art district of Old Town is one of the most prominent and respected art districts in the nation. Every Thursday night from 7 - 9 pm Scottsdale Gallery Association hosts ArtWalk, an event that is free for the public to experience the galleries of Old Town. As residents and visitors stroll the streets of Old Town Scottsdale the architecture, entertainment, shopping, dining and culture all paint a vivid picture of Scottsdale with its Western charm and modern allure.

North Lake Tahoe Ski Resort Guide

North Lake Tahoe offers some of the best skiing in the world. However, the task of choosing a ski resort can be kind of daunting when there are so many good ones. Here's some recommendations:

1. Squaw Valley: Probably has the best terrain in the Tahoe Basin. Amazing facilities (being that it hosted the olympics in 1960). If you like steep terrain, this resort is for you. As for cons, it can be a bit pricey if you don't have a season pass. Typical day rates are in the upper $80s.

2. Alpine Meadows: The terrain is similar to Squaw Valley. Amazing views of the surrounding mountains. And the best part of Alpine is it has more of a local vibe and it is cheaper than many of the other resorts around Lake Tahoe. Often, you can find good deals for Alpine. Keep your eyes open in the supermarkets and ski shops.

3. Northstar at Tahoe: This resort is more of a family resort. If you're into the really steep and deep skiing, Northstar probably isn't for you. But if you want to have a great time with the family, Northstar has a quant village and lots of fun runs for any ability level.

4. Sugarbowl: This is one of the first ski resorts in the Tahoe Basin. It's definitely a classic. Good terrain for any ability, reasonable prices, good views, its got it all.

5. Homewood: A small ski resort on the west shore. Doesn't have much expert terrain or variety but it does blow out the other ski resorts in one category: the view. Homewood has the best views of the lake out of any Tahoe ski resort.

These are just some of my favorites. There are many more around the Tahoe area, but I would encourage you to check out one of these. Have fun out there!

Top 5 Things To Do Around Reno, NV

When traveling northeast of Lake Tahoe, you will encounter the high desert land of Reno, which is the second largest city in Nevada (behind the flashy Las Vegas scene). Often referred to as the "Biggest Little City in the World," Reno has a reputation, as well, for providing adventurous gaming opportunities and more. Many casinos have come and gone, but one of the biggest crowning achievements of Reno is serving as the birthplace of the casino empire, Harrah's Entertainment. While there is plenty to do in the city, (depending on the season), you might want to consider some of the following suggestions:

The Great Reno Balloon Race

If you're in the neighborhood when September rolls around, Reno features the Great Balloon Race at the Rancho San Rafael Park. A tradition for about 25 years, you don't have to be a flight enthusiast to enjoy this sight, which is free for all to enjoy.

Enjoy the Water

Numerous seasonal and year-round outdoor activities are offered in Reno, especially when it comes to the local bodies of water. Three major marine gems are located in the city, including the Truckee River, Pyramid Lake, and Lake Tahoe. While swimming is a popular activity, locals and tourists also enjoy water-skiing, fishing, wakeboarding, parasailing, and jet-skiing. Visitors also flock to the Truckee River to enjoy a day of kayaking.

Enjoy the Snow

A trip to Reno in the winter brings you close to an enjoyable atmosphere that makes skiing and snowboarding a real joy. There are eight major ski resorts to consider paying a visit to, such as Diamond Peak, Alpine Meadows, and the Squaw Valley Ski Resort. The snow also allows ice-skating, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.

National Automobile Museum

To enjoy a walk into automotive history, this museum is the perfect place to visit, especially if you have a thing for old cars. Here, vehicles made in the late 19th century to beyond the 1960s are on display (many of which once belonged to the late casino owner, William Harrah). Some of the items you may come across include a V-16 Cadillac, as well as a Jeep SUV with a V-12 Ferrari engine.

Get Married

If you can't wait a second longer to solidify the union between you and your sweetheart, then Reno has the solution. Quick marriages are offered in Reno, where no waiting period is required. Plus, if you are 18 years or older, you don't have parental consent, in Reno, marriage licenses of 8 clock at midnight in the court of Washoe County has engaged.

Stawamus Chief - One Of The World's Largest Monoliths

Over millions of years it was shaped by the ice during the ice ages that eroded the rock around it. The ice also scooped out Howe Sound which is actually a fjord.

There are about 189 routes for hiking and climbing the Chief. To climb everyone begins at the base of course. However, there are 3 routes for hikers and the rest for rock climbers. The climb is up one of the largest free-standing granite monoliths in the world.

The Chief, The Squaw and The Apron are the names of the individual towers comprising Stawamus Chief Mountain.

Probably the first thing you will notice about the chief is the many different license plates on the many vehicles filling the parking lots.

Over 50,000 visitors hike the mountain and 25,000 climb it each year. The climbers parking lot is located on the east side of Hwy. 99 at the junction with the Swawamus River Forest Road, just north of the Swawamus Chief viewpoint.

The Chief is a tiring, tough, return hike of 7 to 11 km, depending upon which of the 3 routes you choose to do. Everything about this hike is either up or down. Your legs will be sore for a long time after this one. For the first hike, park your vehicle in the lot beside Shannon Falls Provincial Park's Logger's Sports Area. Look for the orange markers nailed to a large cedar tree at the north end of the sports area. It takes 15 minutes to walk to the base of the Chief. Notice the smooth face of the rock. This has been shaped by glacial action.

Another approach is to drive to the base of the Chief at the interpretive center and viewing area on Hwy. 99 just north of Shannon falls. You should take the gravel road that leads up the embankment in the middle of the viewpoint. It will link up with the old highway that runs along the base. This is where you really find out just how awesome the chief really is. Now you will realize why it has been featured in countless magazine articles all over the World.

Do not forget to visit the information center to see many interesting relics of the history of the mountain and head Stawamus.

To reach the trail head, south and follow the old road to the end. The hike from this point is two miles to the summit and takes about 2 hours. If you need to contact the Centre and the summit via the North, you have to tack on an hour, as is 3.5 miles. Both paths have a common beginning. They share topOleson Creek. The trail from Shannon Falls joins up at Oleson Creek as well. From the bottom to the top is 2,000 feet.

Up top you will see the polished surfaces as well as the striated surfaces created during the era when the entire area and rock was actually under thousands of feet of ice. As the ice moved it ground other rock into the surface.

Actually geologists believe that the Chief may be the root of an extinct volcano because no volcanic activity has taken place from 86 million years ago up until about 2-3 million years ago. Since the last ice age no volcanic action has been noted.

Lake Tahoe Hiking

Lake Tahoe is sprawling lake in the border between the US states of California and Nevada, which spans both the states. Situated in the valley of Sierra Nevada mountain range, Lake Tahoe basin is known for some of the best hiking spots in the United States. Even during the summer, the place is surrounded by the strange bedfellows of mist and bright sunshine, which provides a tailor-made environment for hiking. The river is surrounded by 74 acres of thick forest. Different varieties of bear species are abundant in this dense forest and a tourist is very likely to encounter some of the species. But almost all tourists will agree that hiking through Tahoe Rim Trail provide the best view of Lake Tahoe.

There are more than 135 trails and the best part is an 8-mile long trail that arches over Lake Tahoe between Kingsbury Grade and Star Lake. It is said that it will take several years for an incorrigible hiker to complete hiking in all the hiking trails in Lake Tahoe basin. Such is the number of hiking spots in Lake Tahoe basin that it can be safely declared that Lake Tahoe basin contains the most number of hiking spots per square kilometer in United States. The season begins from the second week of June. In the beginning of the season, the valley is particularly scenic, with wild flowers blooming in innocent abandon. But one should keep in mind that a wilderness permit from the state authorities should be obtained before embarking on a hiking trip.

Some of the must-hike hiking spots in the south shore of Lake Tahoe basin are Big Meadow and Frog & Winnemucca Lakes, each of which offers two miles of hiking stretch amidst a variety of flowers. In the east shore of the lake there is Marlette Lake, which offers five miles of hiking stretch and is filled with a variety of wild flowers. In the west shore, the 'flowery' hiking spots are Cascade Falls to Snow Lake, Eagle and Velma & Fontanillis Lakes, which are five miles long. In the north shore, one can hike through a sea of wild flowers in Donner Lake Area (two miles long), Donner Pass-Pacific Crest Trail, Mt. Rose (six miles long), and Squaw Valley (two miles long).

Some hiking stretches through the cliffs in Lake Tahoe basin are extremely difficult to engage in hiking. Such difficult trails in the south shore of Lake Tahoe include Moraine Trail (one mile long), Angora Lakes Trail (half mile), Tallac Historic Site (0.3 miles), Echo Lakes Trails (which provide a variety of trails of varying length), Glen Alpine Trail (two miles long), Clark Trail (1.6 miles long), and Mt. Tallac Trail (which provides strenuous hikes of varying lengths).

US Adventure Spots You Shouldn't Miss

United States of America is more than 3.6 million square miles in land area. This huge-sized nation houses diversified adventure spots that you should not miss. The land profile of U. S. is a good venue for outdoor activities. You can choose a variety of outdoor activities from land to water. Your U. S. travel will surely be memorable with these miscellaneous adventure spots that match your adventure fancy.

Kayaking and boating
You will surely love to do kayaking in some of the great known lakes in U.S. Paddling in Lake Superior will surely be one of the remarkable activity you can do when you're there. The fascinating view is already a plus when you explore this known lake. You can also enjoy boating and sailing at Chautauqua-Allegheny in New York for a more relaxing outdoor activity.

Back Packing
You can combine hiking and camping when you do your back packing activity in U.S. Mesa Verde National Park which is located at Southwestern Colorado, is known as the only American National Park that protects man-made structures. The "cliff dwellings" is one of its beautiful spots which were constructed by the community who lived around 600-1300 A.D.

Grand Teton Park is another place you can visit for a hike. There are more than 300 species of birds in this area and bird watching is the perfect activity while camping. Yosemite National Park is also one of the favorite spot of back packers. This place is located in California and is very famous for its U-shaped valley. You can do your camping near fascinating falls in the park. Yellowstone National Park and Great Smoky Mountain National Park are also known destinations in U. S.

Caving
Spelunking or caving is another outdoor activity you can enjoy in the States. Tennessee is known for having most of the caves in the U. S. There are 8,350 caves found in this place alone. Spelunkers will surely love to explore these thousand caves and spent their summer vacation for this worthwhile activity.

Surfing and wakeboarding
Surfers will surely love the great waves of Hawaii, the smallest state of the U. S. Despite its size, this archipelago is one of the most visited states.. The island life experience will definitely ease out the summer heat as you ride with its island waves with your surf boards. The Southeastern part of the nation is another venue for occasional surfing and you can bring your family along to bask in the sea and the sand. You can also enjoy wakeboarding and ride with the professionals on the waters of Miami. By the way, the dwellers of Miami are considered as the best looking people in the US. How about that?

Cross country biking and skiing
The best site for cross country skiing and biking is the well-known place of Niagara Falls. You can visit the Eirie Canal and the village with your family. Horseback riding is one of the outdoor activities that you can take pleasure in when you visit the New York State. Ice skiing is also of your reach in Squaw Valley, U.S.A. With its 450 inches thick snow, you can be able to enjoy a breath taking ride of its Alps.

People who love the outdoors will never regret it if they visit these amazing adventure spots in the U.S.A. Surely, there are countless of quests and location choices that you can decide on from among the 50 American states. Summer and vacation getaway is the perfect time for you to see the sights and unearth the beautiful sceneries and adventure spots America can offer. For those who love to travel a lot and discover fresh exciting activities in life, United States should be on top of your list.

Ski Vacations - How Snowboarding Became Popular

During many ski vacations, you will see the slopes dotted with snowboards. Some industry insiders predict that snowboards will actually surpass snow skis in popularity within the next decade.

People have always loved sliding down snow-covered hills, so it's impossible to say who invented the first snowboard. There is evidence that ancient civilizations snowboarded with crude contraptions in areas of the world where snow was an everyday or seasonal occurrence. In Hawaii (of all places), the highest mountain tops retain snow during the winter months and the ancient Hawaiians used "papa holua" or "ti leaf sleds" as a pastime that is still practiced today. The annual Hawaiian Snowboarding Championships take place on the Island of Hawaii each winter. There's nothing quite like snowboarding at the 9,000 foot level and having an ocean vista below. Pretty incredible.

Some feel that Jack Burchette invented the precursor of the modern snowboard back in 1929 when he made a snowboard out of a plywood plank. Others credit Sherman Poppen who, in 1965, made a stand-up sled for his daughter and named it the 'Snurfer'.

Whoever was the first we'll never know, but the evolution of modern-day snowboarding has been remarkable and snowboards are an important part of many ski vacations. In the early years of snowboarding, many ski resorts banned snowboards on their slopes. Snowboards were viewed as "nuisances" similar to the reputation that skateboards have gained over the years. Both snowboarding and skateboarding have come into the mainstream and are recognized as legitimate sports with rabid followers worldwide.

Avalanche Snowboards was founded in 1982 and became the first major snowboard manufacturer and forerunner of many others to come onto the scene. Millions of runs have been taken on Avalanche snowboards since the first ones were sold and they are still the only manufacturer to offer a lifetime warranty on their boards.

In 1982 the National Snowsurfing Championships were held at Suicide Six Ski Area in Woodstock, Vermont, featuring a slalom and downhill. Racers in the downhill were reportedly clocked going at speeds of more than 60 m.p.h. This was the first time that riders from all over the country competed against each other.

Absolutely Radical arrived in March 1985 as the first magazine devoted exclusively to snowboarding. Six months later the name was changed to International Snowboard Magazine.

Vermont played an important role in the early days of snowboarding, and has been credited as being the first state to open a Snowboarding Park. By the time 1989 rolled around, most of the major ski resorts that had banned snowboards from their slopes surrendered to the public popularity of the growing sport and welcomed snowboarders. These first resorts included Squaw Valley - California, Snowbird - Utah, Mammoth Mountain - California, Sun Valley - Idaho and Vail - Colorado. These resorts remain today as some of the most popular for ski vacations.

Snowboarding gained worldwide "legitimacy" when it was credentialed as an official Olympic event at the 1998 Nagano, Japan Winter Olympics. The first competitions included men's and women's halfpipes and men's and women's giant slaloms. Since then new events have been added at each competition and snowboarding is an exciting attraction sport. In a short 40-year "modern" history, snowboarding has taken over the hearts and minds of enthusiasts around the world .

Snowboards continue to be the #1 Christmas present request by children who participate in winter sports, and you will often see families on ski vacations with snowboards in tow.