Snowcat Skiing: What Is It?

Written by Lockie Brown


Continued from page 1

Most snowcat operators cater to 12, 24 or 36 clients, who ski from independent snowcats. Skiing tenures are sufficiently large that groups often won’t see one another inrepparttar course ofrepparttar 133182 skiing day, even at a distance. Each group determines its own pace. While keeping their group together, guides are expert at finding “lines” to challenge more competent skiers/riders while leading others on a more “mellow” path. Guides setrepparttar 133183 bounds on every run leaving guests ample opportunity to find “fresh tracks”. Safety is alwaysrepparttar 133184 first priority.

Some guests organize their own group of 12 skiers, so they are ensured a compatible skiing group of people they know. Many operators offer group organizers a significant discount for their efforts. However, most clients arrive singly, or in pairs and operators work hard to find compatible skiing groups for everyone. New friends are made and groups bond very quickly.

Most cat skiing operators recommend their clients be at least “strong intermediates”. However, depending onrepparttar 133185 nature of their terrain, some operators can accommodate less experienced intermediate skiers who are in good physical condition. Potential clients should discuss concerns with operators.

Backcountry skiing usually offers consistently soft powder snow. Sometimes, areas of “wind crust” or “sun crust” will develop, but guides try to avoid these and quickly find better snow. There is no tracked and “lumpy” snow to contend with, and “moguls” are unheard of. The short, fat “powder skis” rented by operators are forgiving and easy to turn. People having little “off-piste” experience find they learn very quickly. Again, fitness is a great asset.

“Tree skiing” is a fixture of all backcountry skiing. Whenrepparttar 133186 weather is stormy, snowcat skiers and boarders just head forrepparttar 133187 trees, whererepparttar 133188 protected snow is softest and deepest andrepparttar 133189 visibility is best. Skiers with little experience “inrepparttar 133190 trees” find thatrepparttar 133191 consistent snow andrepparttar 133192 powder skis not only allow them to “do it”, but that it’s great fun. Many cat skiers prefer tree skiing torepparttar 133193 open alpine slopes.

Snowcat skiers in North America tend to ski between mid-January andrepparttar 133194 end of March. However, excellent skiing and reduced rates can often be found in December and in April (when longer spring days can mean more skiing). While a few cat operators offer day-trips, most provide multi-day full-service packages. These require a booking at least a year in advance, although shoulder-season tours can be booked on much shorter notice. Cancellations also accommodate short-notice bookings, sometimes at a reduced rate.

The amount of skiing done in a day depends onrepparttar 133195 group. Typically, 9 to 15 runs will be skied for a “total vertical” between 9,000ft. and 16,000 ft. Individual runs vary in vertical drop between about 800 ft and 2000ft. Long cat rides are usually broken up into a number of short “hops” that provide short rests between runs but keep guests active. The lack of any skiing “minimums” allows guides to focus onrepparttar 133196 needs of their group and on findingrepparttar 133197 best skiing. There is no need to “rack uprepparttar 133198 vertical”.

Overseas visitors might consider combining resort skiing with snowcat skiing. For example, visitors to Kicking Horse Resort in Golden BC could break their visit with a 3-day or 4-day tour at nearby Chatter Creek Snowcat Skiing (www.chattercreekcat skiing.com/). Also, visitors to Whistler-Blackcomb can do cat skiing day-trips with Powder Mountain Catskiing. Many other snowcat operators are located near excellent ski areas.

The Chatter News Web site (http://powder-skiing.blogspot.com/) provides a client’s view of snowcat skiing at Chatter Creek. This photo journal provides many pictures and descriptions of all aspects of cat skiing and boarding.

In Western Canada,repparttar 133199 BC Helicopter & Snowcat Skiing Operators Association (http://www.bchssoa.com/) lists snowcat skiing tour operators who operate under its stringent safety guidelines.

Lockie Brown has organized cat skiing tours for friends to BC venues. He has written a number of articles about his snowcat skiing experiences at Chatter Creek and elsewhere. For more information, Lockie suggests the Cat Skiing Articles photo gallery.


Par and Beyond: Secrets to Better Golf

Written by Dr. Jerry V. Teplitz


Continued from page 1

3. Instruct your partner to resist as you push down, firmly and steadily, on his extended arm for several seconds. Your partner's arm should not move down more than a couple of inches.

4. While your partner keeps his arm extended, have him close his eyes and think of a negative golf experience. When he has it focused, press down on his arm. His arm will come down easily.

5. Now ask your partner to think of a very positive golf experience. Once he has it in focus, press down again. His arm will stay level and strong.

6. Have your partner check you. The muscle checking is real and repeatable. It is indicatingrepparttar response of your partner's unconscious mind to negative and positive golf experiences. The results have nothing to do with muscular strength; rather, you are accessing a neurological phenomenon. Withrepparttar 133181 positive thought your muscle stays strong indicating that your body's life energy and brain functions are switched-on.

Withrepparttar 133182 negative thought your muscle switches off demonstrating how negative thoughts actually affect your physical body, and this interferes with your golf game. As you observed and experienced for yourself,repparttar 133183 contrast is very easy to see. For more information on muscle checking and other techniques to help you play better golf, visit www.golf-help.info.

Dr. Jerry V. Teplitz brings his expertise in the field of Holistic Health to help you revolutionize your success on the golf course. He has coached the University of Pennsylvania Women's Golf Team, and has been named one of the Top 6 Head Masters in the country.


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