Posts Tagged ‘Skiers’

Arinsal ski holidays

September 27th, 2011 Tushar Mathur

Arinsal, Andorra is renowned for its sunny days and friendly hospitality, as well as being a resort that offers excellent value for money. With the neighbouring resort of Pal, Andorra linked by high-speed cable cars, skiers can take advantage of the Ski areas in the larger Pal Arinsal Ski resort. Since they have been interlinked, skiers of all different levels of ability have benefited from the variety that Pal-Arinsal has to offer. Pal Arinsal hotel accommodation is of a good standard and caters for a range of budgets.

Two new developments have transformed ski holidays in Arinsal over the last few years. The first is the linking of Arinsal to Pal, creating a very respectable ski area, particularly suited to beginners and intermediates on  Arinsal ski holidays, and second is the building and opening of a number of good quality and attractive hotels to supplement the existing old favourites.

Arinsal lies at the end of a valley in the southern part of Andorra. It’s a typical Andorran ski resort, mixing smart new hotels and apartments with quaint water fountains; the locals collect their drinking water at the fountain as it’s the purest water in Andorra and is bottled here for the supermarkets, and of course for those on ski holidays in Arinsal to enjoy.

With the new link to Pal, the ski area boasts a reasonable 65km of pistes, mainly reds and blues, many of them cut through the woods. The ski school, as in the rest of Andorra, is excellent and has many English speaking instructors, which attract many Brits to ski holidays in Arinsal. Snow reliability is some of the best in Andorra as most of the slopes are above 1900 m and is supplemented by plenty of snow cannons.

Ski holidays in Arinsal have a good reputation for après ski, with numerous bars, restaurants and discos, so they’re perfect for young people who are learning to ski and looking for a good time in the evenings, all of which is helped by the generous measures and the cheap prices.

For non skiers, ski holidays in Arinsal has little to offer during the day but there is a frequent bus to Andorra la Vella, a mecca for shopaholics.

Arinsal is quite picturesque in places, with stone buildings and not too many apartment block buildings in the centre.

Accommodation
There are plenty of mid-range and budget options, but not too many luxury places though. You can pick up some really low rates (for a ski resort) if you look around.

Food
Ok for a weekend, but not that much choice. A lot British type pub food and pizzas.

Click to continue reading

Posted in Destinations Comments Off

Altitude Sickness

July 30th, 2009 Tushar Mathur

Altitude sickness is a disease that can affect peak climbers, trekkers, skiers, or travelers at high altitude normally above 8,000 feet.
Travelers face mild altitude sickness at an altitude of 6,000 feet and moderate altitude sickness more than 8,000 feet .The risk becomes greater between 10,000 and 14,000 feet where travelers experiences harsh indication of the sickness. There is extremely damaging to traveler’s physical and mental health if they stay at altitudes over 18,000 feet for few weeks.
Symptoms of mild and moderate altitude sickness typically consists of headache, shortness of breathe, sleeping trouble, loss of appetite, nausea and rapid pulse. These symptoms normally increase after 2 days of arrival.

When altitude sickness turns into harsh altitude sickness then most travelers have trouble in balancing, feel difficult to walk uphill or climbing stairs. It is essential to identify a worsening case of altitude sickness and seek medical help immediately. Worsening symptoms of altitude sickness are difficulty in thinking and reacting, confusing state, pale complexion, cough, congestion and also excessively tiredness or sleepiness.
If a traveler refuse to visit to a doctor or just ignore it then he or she can experience high altitude pulmonary edema or high altitude cerebral edema. High altitude cerebral edema is a state where the brain swells and high altitude pulmonary edema is a state where fluid collects in the lungs. Both these situation are serious but curable.
The main treatment for all forms of altitude sickness is to climb down to a lower altitude as soon as possible. People with serious altitude sickness may be admitted to a hospital. Extra oxygen should be given to the patients if required.
Acetazolamide (Diamox), a drug used to reduce mild symptoms of altitude sickness. Drink plenty of fluids and do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine. Pulmonary edema is treated by giving oxygen with the help of a breathing machine. The steroid drug dexamethasone helps in reducing swelling in the brain.
Teaching of altitude travelers before climbing is the key to prevention. Basic principles include: slow ascent, rest after each day for each 2,000 feet; sleeping at a lower altitude whenever possible; and knowledge of how to get familiar early symptoms of altitude sickness so that you can come back to lower altitude before symptoms get poorer.

Posted in travel Comments Off

Six Tips to Preparing for a Winter Vacation

November 11th, 2008 Tushar Mathur

When you try to prepare for a vacation, you know it can get hectic. There are so many things you have to do and to prepare for. When you prepare for summer, there are fewer things you have to bring along. Yet, preparing for a winter vacation is the total opposite. You have to remember all sorts of stuff. Here are six tips to make sure that your winter vacation has everything you need.

Make A List

Above all else, make a list of everything you need and want to bring as well as things that have to be done before you leave. As you are getting the things together and getting tasks completed, place a checkmark beside the item. Be sure you go over the list several times so you do not forget a single item. Should this be a family vacation, enlist everyone’s helping fulfilling the list. Before you finish getting ready, check the local forecast to where you are going.

Clothing

You want to make sure you have the right kind and enough clothing for your winter vacation. Always think from the bottom to the top on what you need. Make sure each member of your family has a winter coat that keeps them warm. If it rains, you might want some umbrellas or parkas to help you out.

Extras

When wintertime hits, making sure everyone has his or her extras is a necessity. What are the extras you need? These are:

* Scarves;
* Earmuffs;
* Caps or hats; and
* Gloves.

Don’t forget those umbrellas in case in rains.

Health and Safety

You don’t have to be in the summertime to suffer from sunburn. So bring those sunglasses and sunscreen along for your winter vacation. Be sure to bring some sort of lip protection too. This is especially necessary if you plan to do some skiing or winter hiking. If you are going ski, bring some knees and wrist pads to soften any blows… just in case.

Fun Things

Everyone wants to bring his or her own things. Be sure you allow them to. Let the kids have their snowboards and the skiers bring their gear and whatever you plan on wanting yourself. Never forget the safety items to go along with their fun gear.

Timing

Do you plan to stay at a hotel? Find out before you pack if your hotel charges a large fee to wash clothes. If so, then make sure you bring enough for your entire stay.

Click to continue reading

Posted in travel, Vacation Comments Off