OCR Text |
Show I c Jhe Daily Herald Sunday, March 10, 1996 skiing iross-eoymifii- ry By JOHN BEST Special to The Daily Herald There are some surprising y secrets about skiing that only participants of this invigorating sport know and understand. Why else could a sport that requires ultimate physical 'exertion during adverse weather conditions become one of America's fastest growing cross-countr- cross-countr- s? jfysk any cross-countr- skier y why 'they enjoy the sport and thpy will more than likely be glad to share their secrets with you. Don't be surprised if their answers sound too good to be true, because until you slap on some skinny skis and experience this exhilarating sport, you may not understand. y many, skiing is anscape. It is a quick getaway from work, from stress, from the city, jind even from the drudgery of wirjter itself. .unjust minutes a skier can be free in a winter wonderland of quiet solitude. Deep snows that can be such a pain to city folk are now beautiful and inspiring, providing the pathway to sublime recreation. This sport requires good physy ical conditioning. maximum a test on skiing puts cardiovascular muscle and endurance. 'jvlHst participants of this sport findf"ihe physical requirements cnane'hging and gratifying. It is a great form of conditioning. In fact?' it's such a good workout thi('exercise equipment compa-nie- s' try to capture its body-tonin- g qualities in their equipment. They may capture some of its conditioning qualities, but they will'never capture its spirit. cross-countr- to capture that feeling in her words. "It's exciting; it makes me tingle all over." Castleton likes skiing in the American Fork Canyon area. The brisk clean air and aesthetic surroundings seem to y heighten many skiers' senses to a near euphoric condition. If it isn't the great escape that skiers like, or the physical conditioning, or the exhilarating spirit they experience, then maybe it's simply the solitude of the sport and the adventure of journeying into the incredible beauty of a frozen wilderness. Utahns are the envy of many Americans because of the unlimited skiing opportunities literally in their back yards. The impressive natural beauty of this state, combined with the greatest snow on earth, provides unparalleled skiing opportunities. To some, the best reason to tfymi, activity because of the gradual slopes of most trails and the easirecreation around. Rentals of ly learned skills. Dave Faux, a Pleasant Grove pharmacist, tried his first crossis country skiing experience in the Overall, Uinta mountains, and he found to learn. Even the sport to be challenging but enjoy very enjoyable. After his first trip, he committed to go again, and he of activity reported the experience was gradual "quite enjoyable." By the end of of trails his first five-mitrip, he was the trail. conquering easily For anyone willing to test skills. the secrets of this rapidly growing sport, the investment in a equipment are inexpensive pair of rental skis for a quick often under $ 0 for an entire day of trip to the back country is well use. worth it. But beware, many Many groomed state trails are skiers report the sport to be addictive. absolutely free and easily accessible around the state. For those Utah has perhaps as many y who are hooked on the sport, purski trails as great is in an the country. Skiers inexpenchasing equipment anywhere sive way to go. can blaze their own trails, but Overall, this sport is easy to most prefer to use groomed trails, learn. Even beginners enjoy the which require less work and are ski is its price. It is one of the least expensive forms of cross-count- ry this sport easy beginners the because the most the spmi easy-to-lea- m slopes and learned le often in national parks and other forest areas. In central Utah, trails exist in American Fork Canyon, Little Mill Campground, near Tibbie Fork Reservoir and near the roads of the Alpine Loop area. In the Kamas area at the base of the Uinta wilderness is the groomed Beaver Creek ski trail. This trail follows the Beaver Creek River and Mirror Lake Highway. Skiers can start at the top and ski one mile, or two, three, four or five miles with parking areas near the trail every mile. One nice aspect of this trail is that if a skier starts at the top and skis down the canyon, the trail is mostly downhill, which is much easier running. Other ski trails worth trying include Bryce Canyon, Duck Creek and Cedar Breaks. Many other private trails also exist at resorts, which are available to skiers for a fee. . cross-countr- " W. .urn frmj)mmmmj , I Cross-countr- The exhilarating spirit of skiing is perhaps It is the pa$'t)f the sport that must be experienced to be truly under- - cross-countr- y haziest to put in to words. , Kathy Castleton, Grove cross-country Photos courtesy of John Best At left, Ann and Jerry Boyer lead a group of Pleasant Grove crosscountry skiers along one of the many groomed ski trails in the Duck Creek area east of Cedar City. Above, Reed Flygare, owner of Jerry's Sports in Orem, enjoys a skiing trek along the Beaver Creek Trail in the Uinta area. a pleasant skier, tried UlS. slips from second to third as tourist destination -- By DONALD Knight-Ridd- er D. GROFF Newspapers The" bnited States slipped from econd to third place in number of nternational tourist arrivals in 995, while Spain moved into sec- - end place and France retained its as No. 1, according tsual ranking World Tourism Organiza- Son's annual tally. improvement was Spain's ttributed to its parlaying exposure rom tne ivw uiympics in Barcelona into tourism appeal. U.S. tourism officials noted that the United States has a similar opportunity with the Atlanta Olympics coming up in July. The top 10 countries, their tourist arrival totals, and percentage change from the previous year are: France: 60.6 million, down 1.13 percent Spain: 45.1 million, up 4.38 percent United States: 44.7 million, down 1.7 percent Italy: 29.2 million, up 6.2 percent China: 23.4 million, up 10.9 percent United Kingdom, 22.7 million, up 7.92 percent Hungary, 22.1 million, up 3.09 percent Mexico, 19.9 million, up 16.11 percent Poland, 19.2 million, up 2.2 percent Austria, 17.7 million, down 0.6 percent. which culminates with Fat Tuesday on Feb. 20. you might take advan tage of a ValuJet offer. The airline has a limited number of one-wa- y $59 "Escape Mardi Gras" fares that require departure for New Orleans on Feb. 15, 16 or 17 and return on Feb. 20. 21, -- r 22. No advance purchase required. Ev en if the cheapest seats are gone, the ValuJet fares will probably be less than on the big airlines. This is the first year that ValuJet has served New Orleans. Information: ValuJet at no-fril- ls If you get the urge this week to visit New Orleans' Mardi Gras, at. Patrick's Day Festival big deal in Ireland Knlght-Rldd- er SteamVintage Machinery Newspapers tival. Contact John Koch.' ski school director, (413) Exhi- bition. The festival events coincide with the Temple Bar Traditional Music Festival, and will close with the Lord Mayor's Ball at 8p.m. in the Burlington Hotel. For more information, contact the Irish Tourist Board Fcr decades, 443-475- iavef been visiting their ancestral homeland and boasting about the t. Ifatnck s Day celebration and )arade on Fifth Avenue in New rbrkfr- Tras vear, envious Dubliners no, to ire determined to match BRODIE MOUNTAIN in their U.S. cousins in New urpass! Ashford, Mass., is having he March 17th Wearing of the .its first annual St. Patrick's Ski jredif extravaganza. Race for kids Saturday, March Ajdtually, Dublin has always 9. is noon-12:4- 5 in elenrated the day, but now the theRegistration main lodge and cost is $1 t. Pfctrick s Day Festival will racer, each of whom must ecJfew a showcase for excel- - per have at least a four-holift )iece The route, starting at St. 'atrick's Cathedral, will take in .ome of Dublin's finest architec- ural' gems, Christchurch Cathe- Iral and City Hall among them. VIong the way, buildings, statues ind trees will be decked out in (410)641-824- kftheme is green trips, are escorted vacations, from $1,393. including airfare from New York or Boston. Starting in Shannon, the tour takes in the Cliffs of Moher. Tralee, Ring of Kerry, Blarney, Cobh, Waterford, Glendalough and Dublin. Highlights include tea and scones in a Kerry farmhouse, walking tour of Waterford City and a ferry ride across the Shannon Estuary. Weekly departures through Oct. 3. Contact CIE Tours International at Call Kil-larne- y. ticket to participate. Medals will be awarded to boys and girls in the following age divisions: 5 and younger; 6; 7 and 8; 9 and 10; 11 and 12. The race starts at p.m. and consists of about 15 gates. Sponsored by Annie's Macaroni & Cheese, the event is part of Brodie's 31st annual Irish Olympics Fes 1 We want everyone to in green and become resW'up film and theater nJing ' and lesi productions xdi rkare advising participants ind helping them create their wr floats. Other activities will bal-or ocl ide a Funfare, on races the rides, curragh and a rides jff :y river, donkey crs hot-ai- Bars; ty torch U ind Other tnnl April 30, 1996 One Wiy Fires are cempltltd restrictions may apply. Seating is limited. Fares change without notice. Roundtrip Airfares Minneapolis. $131 ; St. Louis J179 J308 j Houston 199 $348 I Washington DC Sat Seating is Smiled. Other I I I Atlanta New York City Boston tdnnct purfasi rtquirsd. Victoria, Vancouver, train into Canadian Rockies. Lake Louise, Jasper, train to Toronto, Niagara or Sept. 26 - Oct Falls: June 13-2- 2 L CALIFORNIA TEMPLES St. George, Las Vegas, San Diego, Los Angeles and Oakland Temples; also Old Town Mormon Battalion site, Reagan Pres. Library, Danish Solvang, Hearst Castle, steam train thru Giant Redwoods, & Alcatraz. "EFX" show optional: June 18-2- Haf 31, 19M 1 May Thtrt will b 1, June Tours Dranson Oct. 14-2- July Including thM 4, 0, 0, Nov. 7 . . . Shol, Lawrence Wilk Start, Andy 13 show Wimamt, TIm Osmonds, Bobby Vinton, Jim Stafford, plus Silver Dollar City, 12 Maala-Roun- d Trip Airfare from Salt Lake City to Kansas City and MUCH MUCH MORE) Scandinavian Spectacular June Deluxe Church History Tour .10-2- 5 CHURCH HISTORY HILL CUMORAH PAGEANT Choice of 3 itineraries with excel- July 10-2- 6 Departing SLC on stay. Seating is Smamm u VllL5ALIVilV LosCeaEos Rounrflnp airfare Irom j March 18 - April 8 Seattle, Portland & Boise Temples; also Glacier and Banff Nat'l Parks, Calgary, Lake Louise & Vancouver . Sept. 3 13. -- ATLANTIC CAN. Boston, Salem, Maine, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Is., New Brunswick, Quebec, Montreal, New Hampshire, Vermont, fall colors: Sept. 25 Pet, 7. 1 bum c)9 apply. MmMunuiuM LJViC.icnj fJlazaQian Si Zjh V W II Other restrictions may .........774 Paris 774 Frankfurt OMrMrUma nan 259, required. Saturdays only; 3daymaximum intel. 3 Nights maximum stay Mar. 22, 29 & Apr. 5 departure departures Call for prices to Puerto Vallarta and Cancun! nmnmimm. Itnuomammm At Knar iron reMf ft lihararorf(ta9B ni ttamaumMtim torn ummt urn wttmtimaS3iKtnmtiauimMianamtMtiwmmMt wwtfaaw mam noms loauiftwemt nana. tMu wmwiiimwMiiiinMMMtMqiiairiM mom As Sim hnltm mm mmmtomrviK! ml cmh n soma tiimmti MM jinn awmtosriMlgAkwtrSiaC&itr.timMim'mfmm Dream Vacations A.DekAbIioe Honolulu from SLC! 5 Night Package Includes: Roundtrip air from Sky Court Valid April Departure 1 Jmt to of up SLC Roundtrip Transfers tij Jy from 5 nts. at the Outrigger Maile Flower lei greeting t And More! THurt. departures only 10. Per person based on double occupancy and Wed to $21 not nckided. Smiting n limited. Other restrictions may apply -- or re Laogan, Idaho Falls, Alberta, NEW ENG ' tdnnc$purctuse 6. NORTHERN TEMPLES 30-De- c. ' Wis, '689 London ValU April 79 ! SIC. from 3. nanivf it! L CANADIAN TRAIN lent Church History instructors by the most experienced operator of Church History tours. 10, 12, or (includirlg the Nauvoo Pageant) 15 days. All include selected U.S. his8 or July tory sites. July the st y IRISH DISCOVERY olcn he environment, nature. orefl r,wnatever you wani to art M tne event, says Kupen duwiy,' director of the festival, vhof ilso promises some big sur-ri- BRANSON SIC Seattle Portland EUROPE 8 shows, Eureka Springs, Precious Moments. St. Louis & Kansas Citv: 6. NAUVOO & North Apr. Missoun optional: Apr. Airfares from One-Wa- y TravelTue., Wed., and restrictions may apply. 27-3- 4. Low tt-ii- y IRISH-AMERICA- N -L 'r S3 2. DELMARVA CLUB in Ocean City, Md., is celebrating St. Patrick's Day with an Eastern Shore flavor. The parade starts at noon on Saturday. March 16 with bands, floats, food & drink, music & dance. Call ur enco in Ireland's sports, cul- u rail and commercial fields. vithjthe parade as the center- - IcIUAMWolJI iVhfrff1! I ii :J wtiiinii 1: |