Everyone knows that residents of California love their cars, but they’re probably stuck in them a little too much. That’s why we're looking to some offroading at Mammoth Mountain, just of the two-wheeled, human-powered variety. The ski resort has a lot to offer when the weather is warmer, and their mountain bike park has just opened for the season. Even without your car, you’ll be able to fulfill your need for speed with their downhill runs.

Of the different trails and runs for cyclists of all levels, both the Paper Route and Downtown runs will take it easy on you, while the Twilight Zone and Kamikaze represent the more black diamond options. With over 90 miles of trails, you should be able to find one you like, just remember your helmet and pads. ]]> kjb 2009-06-26T09:17:17-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/5/14/73457/0581

Winter is coming to Australia, but that's definitely no reason to avoid planning a Down Under trip, especially not with the crazy off-season airfare sales going on. Half the country's still warm in winter anyway, and if you're a snow enthusiast, then you'll be pleasantly surprised at the ski resorts in the states of New South Wales and Victoria.

This year in particular looks fantastic for the Victorian snowfields. The Mount Buller resort region has already had a weekend opening for skiers, making it the earliest start to the season in history, and five weeks ahead of the usual schedule.

The official season (along with all the appropriate celebrations) will launch on June 6, 2009, with a big festival over that weekend. The fact that the resort website mentions free hot chocolate during the opening weekend is enough to entice us, without hearing how snowfalls should make for some excellent skiing and snowboarding this winter.

You can reach Mt Buller most easily from Melbourne - it's a three and a half hour drive, or a bit longer on the bus, in the Alpine National Park. We like it because it's not quite as corny as going to the snow in the Snowy Mountains further north.

Related Stories:
· Mt Buller Ski Resort [Official Resort]
· Buller to Open for Skiing After Cold Snap Snowfall [The Age]
· Australia Travel: Sand, Surf and … Snow? [Jaunted]

[Photo: Mariyath] ]]> amandak 2009-05-14T16:55:55-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/9/2/134830/7557

A mountain escape to Beaver Creek, Colorado was an awesome way to wind down the summer, although we packed so much into four days this Labor Day weekend that we actually returned home, um, a little tired. One of the highlights? Amazing frisbee golf at Beaver Creek Resort. OK, so the (well-experienced) locals refer to it as "disc golf," but the equipment's pretty frisbee-esque.

The Rocky Mountain views from the top make the game unbelievable and the 18-"hole" course is a challenge to say the least. We overestimated a few downhill throws and greatly increased our score. Take the open-air chairlift up to the top from Beaver Creek Village ($20 per person) and borrow the discs from the lodge (credit card deposit plus $11 per disc if any don't make it back). Then traverse the stunning mountainside course and be aware of the towering aspens and pines--they will eat up discs quickly, trust us.

Another insider tip? Snag a cold soda or beer from the lodge before you head out. We didn't notice any cops in the trees, so with a few brews you'll be set for quite an enjoyable afternoon.

Related Stories:
· Beaver Creek Resort: Summer [Official Site]
· Ski Resorts in Summer coverage [Jaunted]]]> sedona 2008-09-02T14:45:21-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/7/15/7299/90936

The summer months don't exactly scream skiing and mountaineering, but if you head to the Andes Mountains in Chile that's exactly what the summer is all about. Just wait until you get back home and tell all you friends about the world-class ski trip you took over Labor Day Weekend.

ChileMontaņa offers a tour of Portillo, El Arpa, La Parva and Valle Nevado over a week. You'll start off in Santiago and you'll return there at the end of your summer/winter vacation. Each ski area offers something different--huge mountain peaks, steep and deep terrain and even a 3,000-foot decent at El Arpa.

The trip offers opportunities for both skiers and snowboarders alike. You'll spend your evenings in high-end accommodations, and cultural interaction and cuisine are also on the agenda. The tour will set you back $2,800 per person, but that price does cover pretty much everything including airport transfers, dinner and lift tickets. All you need to do is get your flight and pack a pair or two of skis.

Related Stories:
· ChileMontaņa [Official Site]
· Ski Resorts in Summer: Skiing Edition [Jaunted]
· Summer Vacations with an Edge coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: ChileMontaņa]]]> kjb 2008-07-15T12:35:17-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/6/30/15657/2210

Although this 3-day weekend of live music and great microbrews from the southwest and beyond is not technically at the resort, the town of Telluride, Colorado wouldn't be much more than a tumbleweed museum and billy goat hang out without the mountain destination.

You can expect lots of great blues and roots bands at the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival starting September 12, including Canned Heat, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, G. Love and Special Sauce and Gov't Mule. The list of brewers is 56 strong and will include heavy hitters and little-knowns alike from as far way as Georgia. Big names to look for include Sierra Nevada, Moab Brewery and Santa Fe Brewing Company.

There are lots of hotel options available in town and there is camping available for $40. Entrance to the festival can be purchased day-to-day or you can go for the full monty for $155. Birkenstocks, patchouli and dreadlocks will not get you any discounts either, hippies!

Related Stories:
· Telluride Blues and Brews Festival [Official Site]
· Ski Resorts in Summer coverage [Jaunted]
· Summer Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of The Black Crowes at Blues '07: Barry Brecheisen]]]> DanielR 2008-07-02T13:00:09-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/6/18/05545/6812

While we sweat it out here in the States, going to cook outs, forming relationships that won't last past Labor Day and crashing on our friends' couch at their beach house, life in the deep Southern hemisphere is in full-on winter mode. Argentina has been having a moment the last couple years with lots of coverage about super-cool Buenos Aires. But a lesser known feather in the old Argentine cap is the Las Leņas ski area.

Located just 90 minutes by air from Buenos Aires, the Las Leņas Valley is a hot spot for South American ski nuts as well as North Americans looking for the perfect year-round snow buzz. The base area of the resort is pretty much the whole town, where you'll find cheap-to-five-star dining options and lodging, as well as clubs and bars that go off all night.

For people from North America, the mountain definitely has a much different look and feel: This stretch of the Andes has craggy, cathedral-esque formations full of open snowfields and tight, steep chutes. So whether you're headed down to experience a different culture or the rush of your life, Las Leņas has you covered.

Related Stories:
· Las Leņas [Official Site]
· Ski Resorts in Summer coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Powderruns]]]> DanielR 2008-06-18T12:00:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/6/10/17535/8165

The Food & Wine Classic, takes place this weekend in the swellest mountain town in the USA, Aspen, Colorado. It's the Art Basel of American cuisine, a place where you can sample some of the country's finest wines, attend a "Future of Flavor" seasoning seminar by high cuisine juggernaut McCormick and steal away to the US Open viewing lounge to gripe to other dudes about how all you want to do is play some golf and get away from your wife and her drunk friends.

Beginning this Friday afternoon, there are some really quality events such as the Sam Adams beer pairing with food and a documentary about Spanish wine country held at the Aspen Opera House. (We're pretty sure Aspen is the only ski town with an opera house.)]]> DanielR 2008-06-11T12:17:23-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/