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Forget whizzing down the ski hills or hot dogging on a snowboard, the latest way to make winter fun is on a zipline. During a recent trip to Mont Tremblant, Quebec, James Coates and I tried Acrobranche’s outdoor obstacle course and found it presented some unique challenges you won’t find on the slopes. We made our way from one snow-covered tree to the next through a series of balance beams, ladders and rope lines.
Open year round, outdoor adventure seekers aged five and up can test their Tarzan skills in this fun, safe and challenging course.
Curious? See for yourself....
Charmian Christie
Outdoor Adventure Expert
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The line between tears of laughter and sorrow is very thin. I tested this boundary recently in Mont Tremblant, Quebec, when I took my first snowboarding lesson ever. My initial enthusiasm waned after friends and colleagues repeatedly warned me I could:
- Break my wrists
- Bruise my buttocks
- Never walk again
None of this happened. I never picked up enough speed. But I did pick up some good snowboarding tips. If you’d like to learn a bit and have a laugh at my expense, check out the video below. Happy ‘boarding!
Charmian Christie
Outdoor Adventure Expert
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As a typical Gemini, I thrive on change. I seldom take the same trip twice. Since my travel needs are always in flux, one of my biggest frustrations is finding a pack that will suit the trip I'm about to go on, not the one I've just had. But what's the solution? If I buy a pack with small pockets, I inevitably need large ones. If I buy a pack with generous compartments, I end up needing nothing but tiny items that get lost in the confusion. And if I need my SLR camera, it ends up slung around my neck. And don't get me started on what to do with the lenses.
Never knowing where I'll head next, I decided to get a pack as versatile as my outdoor adventures. Although the Lowepro CompuDaypack is designed to tote your laptop, SLR camera, lenses and personal audio device of choice, like a good Gemini, it's willing to change in a heartbeat. The adjustable dividers, designed for camera lenses, are removable. And it's not an all-or-nothing option. You can remove one, two or all three dividers. Ergonomically designed, the padded shoulder straps don't strain me and the water-resistant outer fabric means I don't have to pack a collapsible umbrella to save my gear.
We're so impressed with these daypacks, we're showcasing them at the Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show this weekend. Come by and check us -- and our backpacks - out. Whether you can join us or not, be sure to enter our Great Gear Giveaway for your chance to win one of these adaptable daypacks.
Charmian Christie,
Outdoor Adventure Expert
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Whether we're hiking the Appalachians or wandering the unforgiving tiles at the nearest mall, we Nomadiks are always looking for comfortable footwear -- at prices that leave enough change in our pockets to cover the park fees. While most “sensible shoes” make orthopedic footwear look sexy or cost so much you'd think they're lined with gold, Warmbat.com provides a line of footwear that offers comfort and style without blowing the outdoor gear budget.
Being a sucker for anything Australian, I couldn't resist. I'm breaking in a pair of Hobarts from their Tas-Mania line (Velcro sneakers, for those who don't speak Warmbat).While the Aboriginal art detailing has drawn a lot of compliments, I'm more impressed to find a slip-on sneaker that actually fits. No more floppy laces threatening to trip me. The cushioned memory foam insole is comfortable and claims to be both removable and washable.
But the proof of a good shoe is in the wearing, so I'm putting Warmbats to the ultimate test - three days roaming the concrete floors of the Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show. I'll put these puppies through the wringer at the show and then the washer once I get home. Drop by our booth for an update, or stay tuned for a full report once the show is over and my laundry is done.
Charmian Christie,
Outdoor Adventure Expert
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Considering membership to an RV campground? Many liken themselves to resorts, but don't be fooled into thinking they all have heated pools, tennis courts and WiFi. Some are little more than a convenience store that doubles as a check-in desk. While you can buy into private parks, affiliate memberships or even discount clubs, the old warning applies - buyer beware.
On the upside, membership has its privileges, and most private campgrounds are:
- Well-kept
- Less expensive per night (or free!)
- Don't always require a reservation
- Offer perks like tour packages, group life insurance, tour packages and even discounts on car rentals
Before you commit, consider everything - especially the fine print. Be sure you ask about:
- Initial and annual dues
- Cost of camping
- Amenities
- Restrictions on dates and minimum / maximum stays
- Termination options
Membership or private RV campgrounds are ideal for RVers who know their likes and dislikes and miss the stability of a permanent home. But you likely won't reap the full benefits of membership if you:
Whether or not an RV membership is right for you, consider the highway itself as an open invitation to adventure.
Read our other great RV
Camping Posts
Charmian Christie,
Outdoor Adventure Expert
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Ever dreamed of your own Olympic Gold? If my Adirondack trek has inspired you, there's good news. "If world class athletes can do it, you can, too," says Sandy Caligiore, Director of Communications for the Olympic Regional Development Authority in Lake Placid. And he means it. From Bobsleds to biathlons, you can get a taste of any sport the two-time Olympic site has to offer.
Think you have a steady hand? Try the Biathlon. If you know how to cross-country ski, they'll teach you the rest. You'll be assigned a real coach who'll show you how to shoot. No watered-down air guns, here. You'll use the same kind of rifles the athletes use. Even summer temperatures don't slow this program. The rifles remain, but you swap your skis for running shoes.
Ski jumpers can take the elevator up the 120-meter tower and get a sobering peek at what the jumpers see before flying off into air. Would-be Eddie the Eagles can learn this death-defying sport. All you need is intermediate skiing skills and some nerve. They'll teach you how to touch the sky on the 15m jump.
For those who have never skied, their ski school, "Parallel from the Start" has a high success rate with adults who think it's too late to learn how to carve powder. The snow-shy can take an eight-minute gondola ride up the mountain to watch the skiers and snowboarders, take in the view and reconsider the ski lessons.
The best news? Unlike most Olympic destinations, where venues can be five hours apart, all activities are within 10 miles from downtown Lake Placid. You'll log more miles on the slopes than the highway.
The hardest decision you'll have to make is where to start your personal Olympic journey.
Charmian Christie,
Outdoor Adventure Expert
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If it weren't for the sign out front, you'd think the converted house was someone's home.
And in a way, it is. The chef / owner, Charlie Levitz, is a local culinary legend, catering the Ironman competition and earning a special place in everyone's hearts by catering NHL goalie Mike Richter's wedding. Step inside and you're greeted by a one-eared cat, skis in the corners and bottomless mugs of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters brew.
Despite its high-brow clientele, Chair 6 serves up hearty Adirondack fare - with a gourmet twist. If I hadn't been told about the sweet potato pancakes and breakfast burrito before I'd arrived, I'd likely still be standing at the counter trying to make a decision.
When breakfast comes, its generous serving belies the healthy, organic ingredients. The pancakes are tender and while it doesn't really need to be laced with Adirondack maple syrup, I can't resist the flavor combination. The burrito is bursting with scrambled eggs, black beans and tang. No namby-pamby wanna-be omelet, this breakfast bites back. Green chili sauce and pepper jack cheese are enough to make you forget that the thermometer lives below freezing at this time of year.
Despite my best efforts, I can't finish my meal - the only complaint Chair 6 hears on a regular basis. No worries. Our server has the take away box ready for us.
Upon leaving, I'm not sure what I'm more taken with, the sweet potato pancakes or Bones the cat. Clearly, more research is needed. I haven't sampled the buttermilk pancakes yet -- or the French toast, or Smoked Salmon with all the fixin's...
Charmian Christie,
Outdoor Adventure Expert
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Remember my hesitation to hop on the dog sled when the thermometer was threatening frost bite? Seems I'm not the only wimp. According to Mike Arnold, who runs Adirondack Wilderness Adventures, they had no takers that day. In the warm lobby we chat as he keeps an eye on his dogs from the hotels floor-to-ceiling picture window. For at least 150 years, there's been dog sledding on Mirror Lake and is as much a part of the history as the frigid temperatures. Mike's been here the past 25 with his dogs, a mix of Alaskan husky and Samoyed. These blue-eyed wonders are quite literally born to run. Boredom, not fatigue or cold is the biggest obstacle for them. And probably for Mike as well.
As the air warms to barely bearable, Mike has a steady stream of riders - us included. I wonder if this ride can compete with the morning's bob sled run. But the two are so different, the only commonality is the word “sled”. I find myself seduced by the dogs. Their brilliant blue eyes and willing manner created a sense of excitement and adventure. Balto, named from the heroic dog that inspired the Iditarod, looks eager to get going. Six-month-old Finch, too young to join the team, barks every time the sled glides by. The pup and his uncle Atticus are named after Harper Lee's “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Mike's son AJ is so impressed I know the literary reference I'm too embarrassed to ask what a story of the Deep South has to do with dog sleds.
When our turn comes, we get on the sled. This time Andrew sits behind me and I'm glad for his warmth. We snuggle into the sled and AJ tucks a winter sleeping bag over my legs. Mike, standing behind, calls the dogs to action. The sled glides effortlessly over the ice. I hear the dogs pant, the ice crunch and the jangle of the harness. While I barely noticed the blurred ice walls that whipped by us on the bobsled, I soak in the snow-covered trees, the lake and kids playing pick up hockey nearby. After our five-minute loop, we tumble out of the sled. More Zen than the warp-speed bobsled, I see the allure of Mike's day-long excursions and moonlight rides.
We're in no rush to return to the heated hotel and spend a bit of time getting to know Finch. We're part of Adirondack history now even if we aren't sure what a dog named after Harper Lee's classic is doing in the frozen north.
Charmian Christie,
Outdoor Adventure Expert
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When we arrived in Lake Placid yesterday we were greeted by -26F temperatures and an impressive view of Mirror Lake. From the warmth of our hotel window, I watched a team of dogs hitched to a sled, waiting patiently for customers. Despite my soft spot for canines, I wasn't quite able to work up the nerve to go for a ride. While kids played hockey on the lake, only a few feet from the dogs, the whisker-freezing temperatures are too much for just about anyone not chasing a puck. I wondered how we'd cope on tomorrow's bobsled run with the thermometer dipped so low.
Fortunately today - Bob Sled Day - is a kinder, gentler -6F. After a hot breakfast, we head to the bobsled run before the thermometer changes its mind. Once there, our thrilling ride begins with waiting. Waiting for our number to be called, being shuttled to the launch site, getting fitted for helmets, watching the crew unload the bobsleds, waiting our turn yet again. We wait an agonizing 45 minutes before getting into the sled.
 The driver puts my husband in first and tells me to climb in behind and hang on tight. Being smaller, I wonder why I'm not up front for a better view. The brakeman gives our sled a running start and then hops in behind me as we rumble down the ice track. We glide gently around the first corner, speed through the second and OH-MY-GAWWWD around the third. Perpendicular and threatening to break the sound barrier, we finish the 11-turn, half-mile run in 45 seconds. My eyelashes are frozen and my heart pounds so loudly I can barely hear our driver say, "Sit up sir, you're squashing the lady."
The force has pushed my husband flat.
How would I rate the ride? I've skydived, made an emergency landing hang gliding and ridden some of the wildest roller coasters in the country, and this beats them all. Hands down.
Olympic bobsled run - $23 million
Half-mile ride with complimentary photo - $65
Snow-laced, adrenaline rush grins - priceless.
Charmian Christie,
Outdoor Adventure Expert
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If you're like me and live in a cold climate, you likely embrace all winter has to offer - skiing, outdoor skating and even snowball fights. This winter though, Mother Nature seems to be in a snit and we've entered a slushy winter purgatory...
With only a few days to recharge the batteries, my husband and I head to the winter retreat of Lake Placid - the lure of a bobsled ride seals the deal.
I'll admit, as we roll into Lake Placid I wonder if we've booked ourselves into DisneyLand with stick furniture. I expect cartoon moose, cabin kitsch and the Ghost of Olympics Past to haunt every corner. I might be wrong.
Lake Placid doesn't exist for tourists. It thrives in spite of them. Since 9/11, quiet Lake Placid has been a magnet for those seeking an alternative to big city life - despite spotty cell phone service. Sandy Caligiore, the Director of Communications for the Olympic Regional Development Authority lights up when talking about his town. He urges us to visit the Speed Skating oval at night. "You can meet people, take a few laps, work up an appetite or burn off calories," he says.
And the people are friendly; Lake Placid residents love to share. We chat with the owner of The Adirondack Kitchen Store and he tells us how the women's hockey team comes in regularly to stock up on sushi supplies. He's not bragging, just amused that star player, Julie Chu, converted so many teammates. He seems more impressed that world-famous figure skating team, The Protopopov's, drop by than the fact Bruce Springsteen brings his daughter to the annual horse show and Rod Stewart makes regular appearances. He shrugs when he mentions the rock stars, but smiles with affection when telling us how the skaters, now in their 70s, pop in to say hello.
At the local tobacconist, With Pipe and Book, we meet a camera shy dog and an owner who admits her hours are "sporadic." Lake Placid is a lifestyle, not just a way to make a living. Even Candy Man, with a counter full of handmade confections doesn't rush me into a hasty chocolate decision.
And after a few hours wandering the snow-laced streets, the stick furniture is beginning to make sense. No wonder the locals aren't eager to get full-blown cell coverage. They know a good thing when they've go it.
Charmian Christie,
Outdoor Adventure Expert
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RVs don't get the respect they deserve. When Robin Williams isn't backing one off a cliff, they're the vehicle of choice for low-class sitcom characters. But the joke might be on those who shun RVs. New models are comfortable, maneuverable and can keep your outdoor adventure on budget. And everyone seems to be driving them - from couples to families with kids to empty nesters. RVing is a great way to explore.
Many first-time RVers make the mistake of thinking all RVs are created equal though. They're not. The wrong vehicle can get tempers flaring and burn through your budget like a California wildfire. But finding the right vehicle isn't just a matter or scouring showrooms. To make sure your travel dreams aren't nightmares, Nomadik offers some simple steps to get you RVing without losing your mind - or your shirt.
- Know your travel needs so you can pick the features you'll need and avoid high cost ones you don't.
- Know your vehicle options Some are designed to soak up the bumps off-road adventures throw, while others are ideal for making endless miles of highway sail by.
- Try before you buy: Renting or leasing an RV is a great way to see if the vehicle you like is a good match, without committing yourself to a long-term relationship.
- Shop around. When you're ready to start shopping, Nomadik can help you find the RV of your dreams.
Now that you've got the world at your wheels, where will you go?
Read our other great RV
Camping Posts
Charmian Christie,
Outdoor Adventure Expert
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Before my Aussie friends spit the dummy (get upset) over my previous posts, let me set the record straight. Australia has more to offer than ill-tempered kangaroos and duckbilled platypuses - or is it platypi? Having had my fill of death-defying flights and moody marsupials, I decided some star gazing would be a fun and safe way to spend an evening. Even with my track record, I'm not unlucky enough to get hit by a falling star.
Good thing the locals warned me to keep my eyes on the ground while seeking my perfect patch of stargazing beach - it was blue bottle season. Forewarned, I picked my way through gelatinous blue carcasses abandoned by the tide. Lying amid dead jellyfish and listening to the waves on shore, I spent a warm summer night admiring stellar views available only in the southern hemisphere. I emerged sandy, inspired - and unscathed.
Safely home, I miss my star-gazing nights. But when winter temperatures turn my breath to white wisps, the night sky loses some of its shine. Thanks to a nifty piece of software, Starry Night , I can surf the stars from any view point at any time. I can even program it to relive the Australian sky I saw that very night - without the stinging marine life. Available in a Backyard version for beginners and a Pro edition for serious star gazers, this application satisfies even the most cosmically curious. With versions for both Macs and PCs, anyone can brush up on their constellations and impress fellow campers with their astronomical knowledge come mosquito season.
Sirius stuff? Hardly...
Charmian Christie,
Outdoor Adventure Expert
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Be careful what you post in a blog. Recently, I mentioned my kangaroo misadventure and promised to elaborate. Seems people read Five Things You Don't Know About Me and expect me to keep my word. Good thing I was clear that I'd keep my seasickness adventures to myself. Anyway…
After a humbling experience in the Australian air, I decided to stick to terra firma and head to a beach that didn't double as a landing strip. Located a few pot-hole ridden miles down a dirt track too crude to rank as a road on the maps, Pebbley Beach posed no dangers beyond hungry roos and persistent parrots.
Kangaroos may have small brains, but they're smart enough to understand we humans are a pretty soft touch when it comes to anything cuddly. A palm full of kibble can coax a herd of marsupials to hop from the forest for a free meal.
And I'm not talking about tossing the food a few feet away and watching the wildlife approach by timid inches. These animals bound right up to you and eat straight from your hand.
The first time I fed a kangaroo, it was at a zoo and the animals had been raised with humans since they were old enough to leave their mother's pouch. Visit a few of these and you begin to think that all kangaroos are tame.
So when a one-armed Mamma kangaroo approached me - with a joey peeking from her pouch - I thought nothing of blocking off the competition to let her to munch uninterrupted. She was gentle, almost grateful, as she licked the kibble from my fingers. And I admit, I felt pretty good about protecting this defenseless animal and her baby.
In fact, I felt so good about my altruism that when a 7 foot dominant male came hopping up and pushed the disabled flyer (female kangaroo) out of the way, I decided to teach him some manners. I turned my back on him and continued to feed the vulnerable mother. Big mistake. Next thing I knew, the buck slapped me and brought my kibble-filled hand to his mouth - holding me firmly with his taloned paws.
And I thought only birds had a pecking order.
Charmian Christie,
Outdoor Adventure Expert
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Angela at ThinkFashion.com tagged me. If you haven’t heard of this new internet game, once tagged you post five things about yourself that other people don’t know. Since I’ve already fessed up about my inability to hang glide, you might not be surprised to find that:
1. I once got slapped by a wild kangaroo on what should have been a soft outdoor adventure. I’ll blog in detail when I’m feeling stronger.
2. I was the only person out of the hundred who got sea sick on a boat tour of The Great Barrier Reef. It was so bad that I threw up while snorkeling and slept through most of the trip. (I will NOT blog in detail about this. Use your imagination.)
3. I have such a bad sense of direction that I once got hopelessly lost in Harrods. It took me almost an hour to find my way out and when I eventually escaped, I inadvertently exited through a side door and wound up in an alley - hopelessly lost again. It took another two hours to find my way to the tube system.
4. I am terrified of spiders and once slept on the sofa for two nights to avoid the eight-legged monster that had invaded my bedroom.
5. I’m named after the heroine in Jeffery Farnell’s novel, “The Broad Highway.” She’s feisty, green-eyed and buxom. Two out of three ain’t bad…
So to Jodi at Bloomingwriter and Steve who’s Angry in The Great White North – Tag, you’re it!
Charmian Christie,
Outdoor Adventure Expert
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When you're hang gliding, the sky's the limit. Unfortunately, the ground is less forgiving.
New to both Australia and hang gliding, I was ready for a day of firsts. For the past half hour I'd watched hang gliders circle overhead, then land like gulls on the Illawara cliff top -- mere yards from their launch point. I'd memorized the drill. Step off the escarpment, glide effortlessly out over the ocean for 10 minutes and return.
I also knew the most difficult part would be getting fastened into the tandem gear. As I dangled over a complete stranger, his team tightened straps around my nether regions. After a few uncomfortable moments I thought the worst was over. Safely strapped in, we took a long walk off a short cliff.
But within minutes of our launch the wind died. After a brief romance with the Australian skies, I was flirting with danger.
On my right, the Pacific Ocean. On my left, a thicket of unfriendly shrubs. I thought the water would cushion our landing, but my pilot assured me that given the choice between dropping into the sea and plummeting into a forest, take the trees – even if they're on fire. Once in the water, the glider pulls you down, and you'll drown before you can free yourself.
I imagined being impaled on the vicious looking shrubbery and wondered if a watery grave wouldn't be a less painful exit. Luckily, a thin strip of beach lay between the thorny devils and the deep blue sea. And we had a full 30 seconds to prepare for it.
With eyes fixed on the horizon, we landed on the sand unharmed but with a new problem. We were a hundred feet below the launch site and had to haul the glider's orange carcass to the ute (Aussie slang for pick up truck). In the spirit of cooperation, I helped lug the lifeless glider up the slope. At the top, the hang gliding company offered me a second flight -- for free. I declined. As the saying goes, "When a boat goes aground, mother nature has spoken." And this time she was screaming at me.
Charmian Christie,
Outdoor Adventure Expert
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