FOR SKIERS AS WELL AS GOLFERS It’s the place where spec- tacular snow-capped mountain peaks jut into an icy-blue sky, and Swiss- made cable cars scale craggy cliffs to an unspoiled wilderness atop an 8,500- foot summit. All of the visual effects of Courmayeur, Davos, Inn- sbruck or St. Moritz to daze the “winter ~ enthusiast’s eyes are only 20 minutes from balmy 75- degree breezes, swaying palm trees, lush golf courses and thousands of sparkling swimming pools in Palm ~ Springs. oe Now, with a ski centre high in the sky on Mt. San Jacinto, this desert resort Offers the “best worlds” and an interesting change of pace where cross- country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding and the creation of snow sculptures are the favorite pastimes. Instead of driving through a blinding snowstorm on slippery roads, necessitating tire chains and their ac- companying frozen fingers are transported aboard one of the most exciting and popular attractions in the world. The $8 million Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (leaving a balmy 70 degrees at the desert-statron}, hugs the sheerest mountain face ur North America — Chino Canyon — arriving to a clear, crisp 30 degrees at the “top of the world.” Spectacular views of the hfe tame, tfineranes party leaders Craton, “of both Other excellent vc along the Tberian Sypecial Voyages et Photo submitted season were cross-country skiers who enjoyed the four circular ski trails laid out just a short walk from the tramway’s mountain station. Three of the four trails are approximately one mile in length and are geared for the novice, while the fourth 1s designed for the more ad- C9 - Wednesday, February 9, 1983 - North Shore News snowboots and = sleds for snow play. Wanrming up or dining in the Alpine Restaurant, a view of the desert nightlife twinkles far below. The mountain station also features gift and apparel shops, a cocktail lounge and _ observation deck. Leaving the snow of the mountains for the warmth of the desert, a pleasant way to close a winter day of skiing is by relaxing in a bubbling hot therapy pool. The nighttime sights and sounds of the desert provide a Pleasing background. -- “distance of two miles “(the lengths are computed for a full circular run). The trails are fully maintained by snowmobile patrols to ensure the safety of skiers. SNOW “AND GREENS ‘make Paim Springs an all- round vacation heaven. entire Palm Springs area are only minutes from the desert floor. Known by many as the eighth wonder of the world,” the steel-cabled link from palm trees to snow-laden peaks was conceived by a young electrical engineer named Francis Crocker. After 25 years of delay in the planning stages and two years of construction, mainly by helicopter, “Crocker’s folly” as it was known, became a reality in 1963. Since then, more than five million passengers have enjoyed the breathtaking journey which passés i Zones before reaching the mountain station more than 8,500 feet above sea level. Each zone has its own variety of wildlife and VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY SEA & LAND FOR ADULTS * P&O Sea Princess/Canberra, May, Oct and Now Saihngs 1983 theme voyages with a professional escort leader Swan's Hellenic Cruises, May to Sept 1983 credible travel expenence, standing quest lecturers Swan's Escorted Nile Cruises 1983/84 Season created by the people who first) designed such ort Custom land programs to Western and Central European Countnes, plus USSK, informal study tours of Australhta, New Zealand, Japan and Peuple’s Repubhe of China on request All land tours escorted by professional escorts and lecturers FOR STUDENTS * Educational Mediten anean/Baltic 1983/84 waters voyages with fully ~ Land programs 19%5/44 to UK Western burcpe & Somet special student: travel itineranes to Australia New Zealand, Japan and Mainland © hina in total comfort, with five out ages in the Mediterranean/Baltic Seas and West Afncan Coasthne school escorted vegetation and could be likened to driving from Sonora, Mexico to the Arctic. Winter activity in the San Jacinto Wilderness Park is heralded by an = annual contest to guess the date of the first measurable snowfall at the mountain station. Ago increasing number of cross-country skiers, along with the six-to-10 feet of snow that normally blankets the 14,000-acre park, led to the opening of a ski facility in 1979. The Nordic Ski Center is in its third season, offering Southern California’s finest cross- country skiing. * Depending on snow conditions, skiing begins around Thanksgiving and continues until Easter. Many of the 4,000 tramniders on any given weekend last share an in yourney of a year in teacher HA SeyOuEs Prawelanth Che batereational group: space talists In CoOuperabon Poonoclation cha rotmastere de UP hac ation Natonabe SPORTS TRAVEL Wimbeidon Tennie Lournament 83 owned Mugtn NEWORLD EDUCATIONAL with, the brane are generally good packs have averaged around eight feet and ski conditions from Popularity of cross- country skiing in the San Jacinto Wilderness park can be credited to accessibility, uncrowded conditions and low cost, as well as the availability of the summer- ike haven in the valley below. It is a two-hour drive from Los Angeles and only three hours from San Diego over low, snowless, dry interstate highway. Complete cross-country ski packages with skis, poles and boots are available at a reasonable price without the cost of daily lift tickets. The sport has a low accident rate, thus it appeals to the as youngsters. Cross-country ski in- struction is) given’ with lessons ranging from beginner to parallel. The centre also rents snowshoes, the —years,-_snew — ‘“‘We Pre-Tanned the _ Tanfastic Way _ T t Sivehine Don't spoil your vacation with a sun- burn, pre tan NOW the safe Tanfastic $65” 20 VISITS 107 Esplanade Centre 260 West Esplanade Call 984-9656 dWardair Bring your relatives over LONDON .. VANCOUVER adult fare from £279.00 or S5 3 OQ” CANADIAN FUNDS child from f 259° or $490 CDN Vanous Conditions and restrictions apply Please contact your local agent for details “Exchange rate is bused on the cur rent rate of 189, and is subject: to change depending on when the book Ing ts made Departures March 13° April 30 return to UK by May 31 CRUISES INC. 905-100 PARK ROYAL SOUTH WEST VANCOUVER, B.C., V7T 1A2 Tel. Area Code 604-922-0422 (7. Neorr porecoftt Coremaraccition Apel | POO) P LAWSON TRAVEL aw VOYAGES Aft AIR Thavels My hy de yt gk 754 Park Royal North West Vancouver 922-4131 ae,