Bluegreen Colorful Places

Skiers resemble colorful little bullets descending down from the mountaintops with great speed and agility. Looks like fun, doesn't it? If you're into feeling the surge of adrenaline rush past the icy tip of your nose, Bluegreen has two great resorts with ski mountains to choose from: Mountain Run at Boyne™ in Boyne, Michigan (the Midwest's largest ski area) and Christmas Mountain Village™ in the Wisconsin Dells.

But before you strap on the skis and slalom along, there are a few things you should know.

Shape up
The earlier you begin to exercise and limber up the better. You can skip the soreness by making sure you are physically fit before the season starts. Do lunges. Practice squatting. Both strengthen your quads and improve your balance.

Take a lesson
Even Olympic gold medalists step off the winner's podium for refresher course. So make sure you receive some guidance from a qualified instructor—it's the best way to have fun on the slopes and become a better skier.

Snowfall
If you're out on the slopes, that means the snow has fallen. You will too. When you find yourself falling, try landing by sliding like a baseball player going to sit in a chair. This will keep your skis in front of you. From there, you can push yourself up (your poles are great for balance and support) from a squatting position. Getting up can be tricky at first, but once you master it, you'll be back on your feet and heading down the slippery slopes in no time.

Protect yourself
It's the middle of winter and those darn UV rays from the sun are reflecting off the snow causing just as much harm as a hot summer day. Protect yourself by wearing sun block and glasses or goggles. The protective eyewear will also help you see better—a definite plus when you're plummeting down the side of a mountain.

Give your feet the boot
A tight fit with a little wiggle room for your toes. That's the key to a great day on the slopes. You should also have your bindings checked by a ski shop operator prior to any downhill or cross-country run.

Warming trend
Be sure to wear something that can resist water and wind. Nylon pants and jackets are the best choices because they allow the snow to slide off, keeping it away from your body. Jeans and sweat pants soak up the snow, which sticks to you and melts. Once that happens, there's no way to stay warm. Heat escapes through the top of your head—so hats and helmets are also a must.

Dress in layers
Things change. Especially the weather and your body temperature. Combat the elements by dressing in polypropylene underwear next to the skin. This material absorbs sweat and dries quickly. Top it off with a turtleneck, sweater and jacket. You'll be all toasty, warm and ready for fun.

Cross-country skiing
Take it in stride. At modest speeds of just 2.5 miles per hour, the average person will melt away more than 475 calories cross-country skiing.

Now get out there and conquer the mountain, or scenic terrain. A great skiing experience is waiting. Visit our Winter Sports Travel Guide for trip ideas and a list of Bluegreen resorts in ski destinations.

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Related Travel Guides
Boyne

Related Resorts
Christmas Mountain Village™
Mountain Run at Boyne™