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Who knew?  Japan is a country where almost 80% of the landmass is mountainous.  And where there are mountains, there is awesome downhill skiing.

Shiga Kogen is one of Japan’s largest ski resorts.  Located in Nagano, there are several mountains with 21 resorts in total where skiers can interconnect by buses and ski lifts but you only need one lift pass for the day.  Check out the view from one of their live web cams or cameras here.

At the Furano Ski Resort located on Hokkaido Island, skiers and boarders alike can enjoy world-class runs with 2 high-speed quad lifts. 

When I think about it, I guess these mountains are why the Winter Olympics were held twice in Japan.  According to Japan Tourism, Nagano and Hokkaido are Japan’s most popular ski resorts where the powder is rumored to be amongst the best in the world.

Searchers resumed their efforts this morning in hopes of finding the 8^th man missing in a tragic avalanche Sunday that killed 7 snowmobilers near tiny Sparwood, British Columbia (BC), Canada.

The men were snowmobiling Sunday afternoon even though the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC) avalanche rating for the area was rated as ‘considerable.’  Three people initially escaped the avalanche unharmed and seven bodies were pulled from the avalanche yesterday.  The eighth man, who is presumed dead, has still not been found at this time.

It has been reported that all of the men were equipped with emergency beacons and some were found as close to 3 feet from the surface.  Snowmobiling is one of Canada’s most popular winter sports.

Sparwood, with a population of just over 4,000, has been inundated with support from the neighboring town of the same population, Fernie, approximately 30 kilometres northeast.  The area is known as the East Kootenay or South Rockies is approximately 300 kilometres southeast of Calgary, Alberta. Officially, no names have been released at this time. 

NOTE: Since posting this blog earlier today, the 8th body has now been located.

Let this official state tourism website be your guide to Alaska!

Alaska is the vacation that you’ve been waiting a lifetime to experience and there’s no better time than now, especially if you’re looking for adventure or ecotourism.

The website allows you to access the 5 distinct regions of Alaska: Interior, Far North, Southwest, Inside Passage and Southcentral. 

Here you can view the Photo or Video Gallery, check out the awesome list of Sample Excursion itineraries or the not-to-be-missed What You Need to Know section.  This is where questions about weather and climate are answered plus there is a travel tip section. 

I like the Local’s Tour section where well-known residents of Alaska list their favorite picks for Alaska’s hidden gems: adventures, restaurants, museums, cafés and more.  This is where you’ll get sound travel recommendations to places like Front Street in Kotzebue or hiking the Battery Point Trail in Haines. 

Alaska is yours to be discovered.  Order your FREE Alaska Travel Book from the Official Alaska State Tourism Office here. 

This official New York State Tourism website is a great resource if you’re planning a trip to New York.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, I would love to take a walking tour of the Mansion District in historic Albany, NY.  The architecture displayed ranges from Gothic to Greek revival while the city of Albany has become a very desirable, vibrant and affordable community for residents.

The I Love NY website also offers great maps, listings of events, things to see & do, and what to see along with suggestions for accommodations and travel ideas.  You can also order print brochures or plan your trip itinerary online. 

If you have any questions, you can call I Love NY toll-free at 1-800-CALL- NYS. 

Did you know that Lonely Planet now has its own YouTube channel since this past April?  It’s true and well worth a look. 

ith over 500 staff and 300 writers world-wide, Lonely Planet has developed from a book about a couple’s travel adventure to Europe & Asia to a name in travel that can be trusted to provide accurate and up-to-date travel reviews for anyone who travels.

Now they’ve branched out into YouTube with the launch of the Lonely Planet YouTube Channel.  The site features the best travel videos as submitted to the Lonely Planet website along with information on upcoming Lonely Planet television specials.

The Head of Lonely Planet Television, Ms. Laurence Billiet, stated that the new YouTube channel “is an exciting way for us to showcase these inspiring videos to the YouTube community.”

To check out the new Lonely Planet YouTube channel, click here.

There is nothing more gorgeous than the islands of Hawaii.  And there’s no better way than to experience them up close and personal by hiking the trails of Maui.

Hike Maui is the island’s oldest and most experienced hiking company in the state of Hawaii.  Started in the early 1980’s by Ken Schmidt, Hike Maui has expanded into a group of men & women guides who are highly knowledgeable about the island.

Hikes range from a 3-hour waterfall & rainforest trip to a full-day hike up Haleakala Crater or over to Hana for the day.  You will experience pristine waterfalls, gorgeous flowers, and views – so don’t forget your camera and extra film or a storage card.

The Kayak, Snorkel & Waterfalls Hike is popular with tourists as it allows you to do it all in only a 6.5 hour trip: waterfalls & rainforest, ocean kayaking and snorkeling where the green sea turtles live.

Tour prices range from $75-154 USD per person and reservations are necessary.  For more information, check out the Hike Maui website.

All I can think of today are the 3000+ passengers stranded at Vancouver International Airport because of the snow storm.

They’ll be missing the presents under the glowing Christmas tree, the unwrapping and throwing of paper everywhere, the excitement of giving and receiving presents, the snacks, the food, the turkey and cranberry…the alcohol, the fighting, and the yelling.  Well, maybe that was just normal at my house.

But mostly, they’ll be missing their families.  I hope that the snow clears and that all the passengers get home to their Christmas – whenever it happens for them.  I know that their families will recreate Christmas even if the travelers are a few days late.  With family, it can be Christmas any day of the year.

Happy Holidays,

Connie

If you’re planning a trip to Vancouver, BC, look no further than the Pacific Palisades Hotel to nurture your Zen spirit.

The Mind, Body & Soul package includes a mat, block and yoga strap to use during the stay plus an instructional CD that you can take home and can continue to use.

The package includes a one night stay in a suite at the Pacific Palisades along with breakfast for two at the ZIN Restaurant & Lounge, two 30-minute infrared sauna therapy sessions plus a massage.  There is also a 24-hour yoga channel for those exercise urges in the middle of the night.

If you’re travelling by yourself, you can trade in a massage towards any other spa treatment offered which can be in the privacy of your own suite.

For more information and reservations, please contact the Pacific Palisades Hotel directly at 1-800-663-1815 or 604-688-0461.

Yesterday morning Continental Flight 1404 was departing for Houston when it slid off the runway, crashed into a ravine and caught fire upon take off.

Denver airport officials stated that all 107 passengers and 5 crew onboard the Boeing 737 escaped the burning aircraft via the emergency slides.  Nearly 40 passengers were taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries but none were reported to be life-threatening; no deaths were reported in the accident.

It is believed that the aircraft never left the ground but some passengers reported feeling airborne for a few seconds before they noticed a ball of flames on the right side of the aircraft.  The plane then skidded off the runway causing the fuselage to crack 

The Denver Airport was closed for almost an hour with the incident causing 40 minute passenger delays.

The National Transportation & Safety Board (NSTB) is investigating.