Word: skying
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...this is not Afghanistan, of course, or even the tribal lands of the frontier provinces. The Swat valley is Pakistan's premier tourist destination, home to its only ski slope and a haven for trout fishing. But it has become increasingly embattled in the face of an anti-government campaign, over the past five months, by the charismatic radio preacher Maulana Fazlullah, known as the FM mullah, who has spawned a wave of fundamentalist militancy that has swept from the Afghan frontier through the lawless tribal areas of Waziristan and into the settled areas far from the border. The government...
...Kiwi snow is above the tree line, so New Zealand has lots of clear slopes on which to try this exciting sport for the first time (Southern Lakes Heliski, www.southernlakesheliski.co.nz, offers two introductory runs near Queenstown). Things are more difficult in Europe, however. It's illegal to heli-ski in France for environmental and noise reasons, and the Swiss have a large anti-heli-skiing lobby. But Italy has two regions that allow heli-skiing and Austria permits it (at restricted times) in Arlberg. The Freeride Center, www.freeride-center.at, in Solden offers heli-skiing in both those countries...
...North America, on the other hand, is heli-ski heaven - think Colorado's Rockies, Utah's Wasatch Mountains, the Canadian Rockies and rugged Alaska. In the U.S., try Diamond Peaks, www.diamondpeaks.com, or Heli Trax, www.helitrax.com - both have access to some of the best snow. In Alaska, Points North, www.alaskaheliski.com, offers heli-ski cruises to the Chugach Mountains. Skiers spend a week flying from the back of a cruising vessel that serves as a floating inn. Across the border is the world's most extensive heli-ski operation, Canadian Mountain Holidays, www.canadianmountainholidays.com. It runs 12 remote lodges dotted around stunning terrain...
...truly intrepid can consider Russia's Kamchatka region (Vertikalny Mir, www.vertikalny-mir.com, is an experienced operator) or the Himalayas (try Himachal Heli, www.himachal.com). But wherever you choose, think long and hard, and amass plenty of funds, before you step into the chopper. The heli-ski beast is a hungry one, and will need feeding for life once unleashed...
...location determines what they offer. Trilogy at the Vineyards, near San Francisco, for example, has a wine-country feel to attract locals who don't want to give up the Napa lifestyle and émigrés who want to adopt it. Anthem Ranch, near Denver, takes advantage of its ski-country site, making it easy for residents to hit the slopes or hike the mountains...