Story last updated at 2:09 PM EST on January 4, 2007

You Must Be Trippin'

Your winter guide to skiing the North American slopes

While there are those who love nothing more than soaking up some rays with their feet in the sand and the ocean close by, some people actually prefer the colder months. A big reason for that is the increased popularity of skiing and, for the younger crowds, snowboarding.

To some, the ski and snowboard boom might seem like a relatively recent phenomenon. However, skiing has been popular for well over 100 years in the northern reaches of North America. While history is unsure if North American natives introduced the sport to new settlers or if settlers of Danish or Norwegian descent brought the sport to the continent, it's now clear that skiing has become entrenched in both American and Canadian culture.

For years, the sport was associated with wealth, as the country's elite were known to escape to a variety of largely Colorado-based resorts for weekend getaways or lavish vacations. However, resorts abound throughout North America, making the sport more affordable than ever. For those thinking of a ski trip this winter, consider some of these popular North American ski destinations.

• Whistler Blackcomb — Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. Whistler Blackcomb holds the distinction of being the largest ski resort in North America. A relatively short drive (around 80 miles) from Vancouver International Airport, Whistler Blackcomb features a pair of ski-developed mountains, leaving many to say this ski area is the largest in the world.

Newcomers to the skiing game should take note of the varying trail designations, as not all trails are meant for everyone. Metro Creative Services

Thanks to its size, Whistler Blackcomb is amenable to skiiers of all talent levels, making it an ideal getaway for both experts and beginners. The Village also features numerous hotels, condominiums, bars and restaurants, providing lots to do when not out gliding down the slopes. Other activities figure only to increase as well, as the town prepares itself for its hosting duties in the skiing events of the 2010 Winter Olympic games.

• Killington Ski Resort — Killington, Vermont. One of the more widely known ski resorts on the eastern coast of the United States, Killington boasts the largest ski area in the eastern region of North America. The ski area at Killington extends over seven mountain peaks, the most noteworthy of which is Killington Peak. Killington Peak's notoriety stems from its vertical drop, which is 3,050 feet, making it the second highest drop in the east.

Killington's size enables skiiers of all skill levels to enjoy themselves. In addition, the resort's season typically lasts from October to April, making it one of the longer skiing seasons in North America.

• Lake Tahoe — California/Nevada border. Among the more aesthetically pleasing ski resorts in North America, Lake Tahoe is home to a handful of different resorts, including Heavenly Mountain, Alpine Meadows and Northstar at Tahoe. Squaw Valley, which hosted the 1960 Olympic games, is also among the many resort options along Lake Tahoe.

Skiiers thinking of heading to Tahoe can expect the tourist treatment, as the area caters to both winter travelers as well as summer vacationers. Parents bringing the kids along will also enjoy the various sled parks throughout Tahoe, many of which boast rope tows to assist sledders in getting back up the hill.

• Telluride Ski Resort — Telluride, Colorado. One of the more isolated ski resorts in North America, Telluride Ski Resort is nestled in the tiny town of Telluride, which has slightly more than 2,000 year-round residents.

The resort itself is 1,700 acres, nearly 40 percent of which can be skied by skiiers of intermediate skill. For advanced and veteran skiiers, the resort features The Plunge, a 3,140 foot drop that is sure to get hearts pumping. See Forever is one of Telluride's more popular points, so called for its panoramic view that enables skiiers to see into the mountains of Utah.

SKI TRAIL RATINGS

Newcomers to the skiing game should take note of the varying trail designations, as not all trails are meant for everyone.

• Green Circle — This designation is used for a resort's easiest trails, which are typically utilized by newcomers and snowboarders. The trails are often wide and well groomed, offering easy skiing for those new to the sport.

• Blue Square — Trails designated with a blue square are the most common among resorts, as they're for intermediate skiiers. These trails feature a significantly steeper slope than green circle trails and are often not as wide but are typically groomed due to the volume of skiiers.

• Black Diamond — Black diamond trails are difficult, and should be left to advanced skiiers. The slopes are especially steep on black diamond trails.

• Double Black Diamond — Only for experts, double black diamond trails are narrow, exceptionally steep, and feature significant wind exposure.

TAKE CARE DRIVING ON SNOWY ROADS

The leading cause of death during winter storms is transportation accidents, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). No matter how long you've had your license, driving in snowy conditions is a test for even the most experienced of drivers. Follow these tips, and you'll drive safely all winter long.

•†Do everything slowly and gently. Accelerate, turn and brake slowly and gently (don't go too slowly though, as you often need momentum to get through snow drifts). Anticipate turns and stops. Leave enough distance between other cars and yours.

• Avoid bridges and overpasses if possible. They are often the first surfaces to freeze. If you have to drive on them, drive slowly and avoid sudden changes in speed or direction.

• Test your car's handling in snow. Find an empty, snow-covered parking lot. Skid intentionally by slamming on the brakes, and practice regaining control of the vehicle.

• If you are skidding, keep your foot off the break and steer until you regain control. Once you've recovered from the skid, gently apply the brakes. If you are behind someone in a skid, drive straight and slow down. Don't attempt to pass the vehicle.

• If you're in a spin out, apply the breaks hard and hold them to slow down the car.

• Keep your windows and windshields clear of ice and snow.

• If you get stuck in snow, straighten the wheels and accelerate slowly. This will prevent spinning the tires, which will only put more snow behind your car. You may want to keep sawdust, kitty litter or another similar product in your trunk to use when your tires lose traction and get stuck in snow.

• In high winds, be especially careful. If you drive a trailer or van, use even more care because of the tall profile of the vehicle, or consider using another vehicle.

• In rain, the road becomes slippery as it mixes with road oil, grease and dirt — not to mention the fact that it may turn to freezing rain amid the cold winter temperatures. Drive slowly and increase visibility by turning on your lights and using the defroster or air conditioner to keep windows and mirrors clear.

• Winter conditions often produce fog. During this time of low visibility, stay to the right of the road and turn on your low beams. If you can't see the road, head to the shoulder and turn on your flashers until the fog subsides.

• Fill your washer fluid receptacle with a product that contains a deicer that won't freeze during cold conditions. This will help keep your windshield clean when snow and residual salt sprays up and crusts on the windshield.

COLD WEATHER CAR CARE CHECKLIST

No motorist relishes the inconvenience and hazard of being stranded on the highway or city street. Yet, year after year, the nation's motoring clubs echo the same reports. These organizations respond to more than 50 million customer calls every year. They estimate one-fifth could be avoided if car owners inspected tires, belts and hoses, and had worn parts replaced before they failed unexpectedly.

Gates Corporation, the auto aftermarket's leading supplier of belts and hoses, also supports regular inspection and replacement. Industry-wide, Gates says at least 30 percent of all belts and hoses are changed at failure rather than on a preventive maintenance basis.

For drivers who want to avoid car problems this winter, Gates offers motorists these simple cooling system maintenance procedures that should be done on cars by a service technician.

Look for belt cracks: Inspect the serpentine, or V-ribbed engine belt, which drives the water pump, power steering pump, air conditioner compressor, alternator and fan (if it's not electric). When the belt on a serpentine drive breaks, it's the equivalent of as many as three regular V-belts breaking at the same time. Without the belt, the accessory drives won't work. Gates engineers recommend inspecting serpentine belts every 60,000 miles. If more than three cracks per inch are evident on the grooved underside of the belt, more than 80 percent of its service life is gone, and you should consider replacement. Change them every four years, regardless of appearance.

Feel for hose degradation: Until recently, the most common method of checking an engine coolant hose was to visually inspect its outside cover for signs of wear, or "ballooning" under pressure. However, after four years of testing, Gates engineers identified the primary cause of coolant hose failure as an electrochemical attack on the tube compound of the hose. The phenomenon, known as electrochemical degradation, or ECD, produces fine cracks, or striations, in the tube wall. These cracks extend from the inside to the outside of the hose tube, near one or both ends of the hose. The coolant seeps through these cracks and attacks the hose reinforcement as it wicks along the length of the hose. The condition eventually leads to a pinhole leak or a burst hose at failure.

A replacement interval of four years for all coolant carrying hoses — especially the upper radiator, bypass and heater hoses — can help prevent unexpected failure from ECD. Gates says the incidence of hose failure increases sharply after four years for most vehicles.

For more information on Gates Corporation, visit www.gates.com/consumer.

CAR SUPPLIES FOR WINTER