Feature photo by Son of Groucho. Photo above by that_james.

Photo by icanteachyouhowtodoit.

Last Halloween, I stumbled into the town of Puente la Reina, in Spain’s Navarra region. I had just walked 30 kilometers from Pamplona on the Camino, the pilgrim’s road to Santiago de Compostela.

While leaving Pamplona that morning, I noticed university students had posted flyers all along the roadway announcing a huge Halloween party on campus that night. People were urged to wear outrageous costumes and were enticed by promises of door prizes, strong elixirs, and general good cheer.

By the time I made my way to that night’s camp in tiny Puente la Reina, I was so exhausted that I forgot what day it was… until three miniature ghouls, a witch, and a pumpkin swooshed by.

They were local kids dressed up for the night and they were going from shop and café to shop and café along the main drag in town, which just happened to be the millennia-old pilgrim’s road to Santiago.

In Puente la Reina I learned that while Halloween involves the familiar costumes and trick-or-treating, it all revolves around local food shops and cafes rather than homes. Café and shop owners all had baskets of candies at their doorways, ready for the little ghosts and goblins.

Photo by padesig.

The Old New Halloween in Spain

An import more or less, Halloween is still a pretty new phenomenon in Spain. But the north seems to celebrate it more than the rest of the country, and the reasons are profoundly ancestral.

Many regions in northern Spain claim archaeological evidence for early Celtic-speaking inhabitants who arrived anywhere from 3,000 to 2,500 years ago in Iberia and mixed with the indigenous Iberians, or made their way into remote reaches of the north and northwest and created their own cultural region there.

In these regions today there is a growing Celtic revival that couples with interest in related holidays imported from other Celtic-loving lands.

One is Halloween, better called Samhain, Noche de los Muertos (Night of the Dead), or in the farthest northwest of Galicia, Noite dos Calacús (Night of the Pumpkins). Other Celtic-inspired holidays found in spots in the north are Lughnasad and Beltane, the latter overlapping with summer solstice and St. John’s Day.

While Halloween throughout Spain is mostly celebrated in the manner I discovered in Puente la Reina, there are some communities, such as Cediera along Galicia’s northern coast, where locals carve pumpkins, light bonfires, and imbibe quemadas—the local fire water infused with herbs and set aflame—a proclaimed ancient drink of their Celtic ancestors.

It is linked symbolically to the act of burning off bad luck and clearing dark energies at this dangerous time of year. In these areas you might discover modern-day druids and priestesses taking the “thinning of the veil between worlds” very seriously.

Photo by cesarastudillo.

How to Join the Halloween Festivities in Spain

If you are not in the cities, Halloween really is a children’s holiday. But in the big cities, and especially in the university towns, there are bound to be costume parties with cauldron themes posted about town on walls and lightposts. Most will have some nominal admission fee plus the mandatory costume.

And whether you find yourself in a big town or small, you can always do what the adults do when the 31st rolls around: continue your daily enjoyment of the shops, bars, and cafes over a steaming café con leche or a deep glass of earthy Rioja red to take off the chill as the little devils home from school swirl about.

If you go to Spain during Halloween, be sure to stick around a few more days and take in the more traditional Dia de Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day). Unlike Halloween, this holiday is more traditional and is observed everywhere in Spain as a time to honor the dead.

People head to cemeteries with magnificent flowers and gather around the tombs as they do in a café, celebrating life and enjoying being there. Afterwards, most head to a café or restaurant or family home to soak up the rest of the afternoon over food, wine, and conversation with family and friends.

Community Connection:

Curious about the ancient pilgrimage mentioned at the start of this article? Check out our Audio Guide to the Camino de Santiago, or this post about lessons learned on the famous trail.

Photo by Mr. J Doe

Halloween is here! So what can you do to if you’re a bit too old for trick or treating? Go on a scary tour, of course!

Whether you’re looking for a horrifying walking tour, a haunt to curl up inside your coffin and spend the night, or a scary museum, check out some of these spooky places this Halloween:

1. La Rundel Mental Asylum – Melbourne, Australia

While on a tour of this abandoned red-brick building, especially at night, visitors report hearing strange music, howling, and laughter. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes; the former inhabitants did not clean up after leaving.

2. Ghosts of the East Village – New York City, United States

Ordinary ghosts aren’t enough for you? Prefer to visit celebrity undead? This Halloween, go on a tour of New York City’s historic East Village with Ghosts of New York Tours.

You’ll come across the old haunts of famous ghouls like Gothic-Romantic writer Edgar Allan Poe, former rough-riding President Theodore Roosevelt, and legendary escape artist Harry Houdini. It’ll frighten you more than hearing the price of a drink at one of the local bars.

London Dungeon photo by Victius

3. The London Dungeon – London, United Kingdom

The London Dungeon is a popular museum showcasing the real horrors of not-so-Jolly Old England year-round, and they have special events for Halloween.

Whether you’re a history buff or merely seasonally interested in wretched Medieval torture, it’s certainly worth a visit.

Performers and tour guides bring England’s cruel past to life for visitors of all ages. Try not to eat too much before traipsing into the torch-lit authentic dungeon.

4. The Paris Sewer Museum / Paris Catacombs Museum – Paris, France

That foul smell isn’t old camembert – it’s the old Parisian sewer! The sewers of Paris are some of the oldest in the world. Sections of the Parisian underground date back to the Roman Empire. Travel the same icky pathways as ancient French waste.

The Catacombs are even more eerie, as they are the resting place of literally thousands of ancient corpses. These catacombs were built in the 18th century as a repository for plague victims.

If you’re worried about encountering any French zombies, don’t worry too much – they amble after foreign brains about 15 hours a week. Try to go during lunch if you are concerned for your safety.

Empty Chernobyl school photo by Stuck In Customs

5. Chernobyl – Kiev, Ukraine

Believe it or not, the site of the catastrophic 1986 nuclear disaster is open for guided tours. The entire city was abandoned in the wake of the meltdown, leaving it frozen in the Gorbachev era.

A total of 135,000 people in the area had to evacuate permanently due to the dangers of radioactive fallout. It’s the ultimate urban exploration site, and one of the most dangerous.

Tours leave Kiev on a regular basis. Unless you have special expertise or a guide to bring you along, it could be a deadly mistake to travel there on your own. Pockets of radiation are still trapped within certain buildings, and unless cancer and devastating radiation sickness sound like fun to you, it’s better to visit with a local.

Bring your own candy. Eating anything you find lying around isn’t advisable unless you are interested in seeing if radiation can give you super powers.

Photo by darek.zon

What are the scariest places you’ve visited on the planet?

Photo by timparkinson

From the subtle to the macabre (and the downright quirky), here are seven things to check out should you find yourself here on October 31, craving fright or fun.

1. Spirit Houses

Spirits are everywhere, and it is readily apparent that animist beliefs and superstitions color everyday life for Thais, a majority of whom are Buddhists.

Every home or building has a dollhouse-sized shrine on its premises, ranging in style from traditional Thai architecture and ornate kitsch to modern minimalism.

Regardless of form, the shrine serves as an altar for gifts to appease guardian spirits of the land. Aside from offerings of fruit and flowers, it is not uncommon to see figurines of people and animals, carbonated beverages, and model cars inside the shrine.

It’s widely known that accidents or bad luck afflict those who fail to acknowledge the rights of the supernatural beings who rightfully dwell on the grounds.

Photo by zoonabar

2. Fertility Shrine

Hidden on the manicured grounds of the Nai Lert Park Hotel (BTS: Chidlom Station) is the shrine of Chao Mae Tubtim, a female fertility spirit.

Piled with hundreds of phallic offerings, from realistic wooden carvings to stone sculptures that stand ten feet tall, this unusual display may make you snicker or blush.

Women seeking to conceive leave offerings of jasmine garlands or lotus buds, and if their wish is granted, return to place yet another phallus in gratitude.

Sexual imagery is not uncommon in Thailand. These particular phalluses or lingams originate from the Hindu god Shiva, and are commonly associated with protection and good luck.

3. Real-life Horrors

Lurid, gruesome, and horrible are words that best describe the exhibits at Siriraj Hospital’s Medical Museum.

A combination of six museums, including ones dedicated to anatomy and forensic science, the building houses organs with stab or bullet wounds, the intricate web of an extracted nervous system, and diseased body parts, including an elephantiasis-swollen testicle.

The Museum’s most sinister exhibit is the moldering corpse of Si-Oui, a notorious serial killer and cannibal from the 1950s. Hanging vertically in a glass case, his darkened, waxy, and naked body seems almost unreal.

Perhaps the most heart wrenching are the conjoined twins, stillborns, and infants with deformities. True to Thai spiritual beliefs, locals leave offerings of candies and tiny plastic toys for the babies.

To get here, take the Chao Phraya River Express Boat to Rot Fai (also called Bangkok Noi) Pier on the western side of the river.

Photo by 13bobby

4. Frightening Folklore

Sometimes lore becomes larger than life. In the case of Mae Nak, the fierce spirit of a devoted wife who died in childbirth gradually acquired the ability to reveal winning lottery numbers.

At Mahabut Temple (BTS: On Nut Station), devotees light candles, place garlands, and offer artifacts of daily life, including toys, diapers, and cosmetics, in front of a gold-encrusted statue of a mother holding a baby.

As they lie on the floor, Mae Nak eyes a flickering television, presumably watching her favorite program.

Nearby, others rub oil on the tree under which Mak Nak is buried, seeking winning numbers in the swirly patterns of the trunk. Not surprisingly, lottery ticket vendors and fortune tellers hover nearby.

5. Punishment-themed Park

Hell on earth, literally, is a 90-minute drive outside the city, towards the beach town of Bangsaen. In the gardens of Wang Saen Suk Monastery, garish sculptures of an emaciated male with a drooping tongue and a frightful female with a swollen belly and sagging breasts loom overhead, representing sinners.

Twenty or so life-sized figures join these unsavory characters. Each undergo some sort of punishment, including being sawn in half, smashed between giant clamps, and boiled in vats.

Make merit, in the form of a donation to the temple, for a better chance of avoiding such fates in the afterlife!

Photo by joeltelling

6. Revered Deity

The Erawan Shrine (BTS : Chidlom), with its four-faced Brahman idol, is a long favorite of Thais and foreigners, especially those from East Asian nations. The shrine was built in 1956 as part of the adjacent Erawan Hotel to correct construction site mishaps.

Today, heady incense thickens the air as worshippers exchange marigold garlands and small wooden elephants for the granting of wishes.

In 2006, a mentally ill man smashed the hollow statue and sadly, enraged bystanders subsequently beat him to death.

Many took this as a bad omen. Government critics charged that the destruction was a plot by embattled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to maintain power through black magic.

His response? “That’s insane.” (Thaksin’s currently in exile in Great Britain.)

7. Street Parties

Relating to spirits of another kind, Halloween has become another occasion for fun-loving Bangkokians to host boisterous celebrations.

Annual Halloween-themed parties take place in bars and clubs throughout central Bangkok. Silom Soi 4 (BTS: Sala Daeng), a gay-friendly area, throws a huge outdoor bash, with high-spirited revelry spilling out of its many bars, restaurants, and clubs.

Community Connection

Several Matador Community members recently got together for an evening out on the town in Chiang Mai – here’s Stu’s blog about the event, or Ross Borden’s post about the night the two Matador co-founders hit the town in Bangkok.

Matador members are making connections all around the world. Join the community today!

Photo by Darcy McCarty

Accidents can occur even at relatively benign roadside crags. Still, there are certain mountains that command respect from even the most experienced climbers, mountains that continue to inspire awe and anxiety decades after their first ascents.

Here are 11 of the world’s most dangerous mountains:

1. Annapurna

Since its first ascent in 1950, Annapurna has been climbed by more than 130 people, but 53 have died trying. This high fatality rate makes Annapurna, the 10th highest mountain in the world, the most statistically dangerous of the 8,000 meter peaks. For more information on getting close to this mountain, check out Trekking the Annapurna Sanctuary in Nepal.

2. K2

The world’s second highest mountain is known among climbers as one of the most technically difficult in the world. Ascents of even the easiest route require crossing a complicated glacier, ascending steep sections of rock, and negotiating a path around a series of ice pillars, called seracs, which are prone to collapse without warning. The technical difficulty of this mountain makes it one of the most committing and dangerous in the world.

Snow wall on Matterhorn. Photo by Ezzzk

3. Nanga Parbat

The world’s ninth highest peak, Nanga Parbat, competes with K2 in terms of technical difficulty. The route of the first ascent follows a narrow ridge to the summit. On the southern side is the largest mountain face on earth, the 15,000 foot Rupal Face. The difficulty of these routes has earned the mountain the nickname “The Man Eater.”

4. Kangchenjunga

When you look at the fatality rates on the world’s most dangerous mountains, you’ll see that most decrease as time goes on. One notable exception is Kangchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world. Death rates have reached as high as 22% in recent years, a reflection of the avalanche and and weather hazards that plague this dangerous mountain.

If you are interested in seeing this mountain up close, Matador Trips has a great reference: Trekking the Mt. Kangchenjunga Circuit in Nepal.

5. The Eiger

The Nordwand, or north face, of this peak in the Swiss Alps is an objective legendary among mountaineers for its danger. Though it was first climbed in 1938, the north face of the Eiger continues to challenge climbers of all abilities with both its technical difficulties and the heavy rockfall that rakes the face.

The difficulty and hazards have earned the Eiger’s north face the nickname Mordwand, or Murder Wall.

Annapurna photo by tboothhk

6. The Matterhorn

This iconic mountain, which looks like a horn rising out of the surrounding valleys, has one of the highest fatality rates of any peak in the Alps. This is caused by a wide range of factors, including technical difficulty, the prevalence of avalanches and rockfall, and severe overcrowding on routes during peak climbing seasons.

7. Mt. Vinson

Mt. Vinson, the highest mountain in Antarctica, is not notable for its height, technical difficulty, or fatality rate. However, the mountain’s isolation, combined with the extreme cold and unpredictable weather on the continent, makes Vinson a very serious undertaking. Even a small accident here could be disastrous.

8. Baintha Brakk

Commonly known as The Ogre, Baintha Brakk is considered one of the most difficult mountains to climb in the world. Though it saw its first ascent in 1971, The Ogre was not summited again until 2001. One of the first ascentionists, Doug Scott, broke both of his legs on the descent, forcing him to crawl through a major storm to the team’s base camp.

This famous epic and more than 20 failed attempts on the peak have earned it a reputation as one of the most dangerous in the world.

Matterhorn photo by AlphaTangoBravo / Adam Baker

9. Mt. Everest

More that 1,500 people have climbed the highest mountain in the world, with as many as 50 people or more reaching the summit on a single day. This congestion, when combined with Everest’s extreme altitude, makes it an undeniably dangerous objective. Whether you plan to summit or not, trekking to Everest’s base camp is one of the 5 Best Treks in Nepal.

10. Denali

Mt. McKinley, also known as Denali, is the highest mountain in North America. Though its altitude is only 20,320 feet, its high latitude means that the atmosphere is far thinner than it would be at the equator. For the many people who climb Denali each year, the altitude, weather, and extreme temperature pose a serious danger.

For these reasons, the success rate on Denali is around 50% and more than 100 climbers have died attempting the summit.

11. Fitz Roy

Cerro Chalten, or Mount Fitz Roy, is the tallest mountain in Patagonia’s Los Glaciares National Park. Fitz Roy’s summit is guarded on all sides by steep rock faces requiring difficult, technical climbing to ascend. Because of this, it was considered one of the most difficult mountains in the world for decades.

Even today, the region’s unpredictable weather and relative isolation makes it extremely dangerous. As a result, Fitz Roy may see only a single ascent in a year: truly the mark of a dangerous, difficult mountain.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

If you’re even thinking about getting into mountaineering, avalanche safety training is fundamental. Check out Hal Amen’s piece How to Survive an Avalanche.

Nora Dunn and Charlotte are just two of many Matador members that like to climb a mountain every now and then. Join them in the Matador Community today!

Prefer your adrenaline rushes in armchair form? Check out the exploits of the Primal Crew over at Matador Life.

Photos by Baxter Jackson

Between the waters of the Gulf of Oman and the crags of the Western Hajar Mountains, you’ll find a distinctly Arabic pastime: bull wrestling.

Every Friday, prized bovines are trucked in from all over the Emirates and the neighboring Sultanate of Oman to the bull wrestling capital of the Arabian Peninsula: Fujariah, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.).

Huffing, snorting and puffing themselves up, these hump-backed Brahmin bulls aim to psych out their opponents long before being led to the ‘ring’. The ‘ring’ (which consists of nothing more than a dirt field) lies between a white sandy beach and a black-top road leading to the Omani border.

Picnicking spectators line the perimeter in clothes that have been worn for centuries in the Gulf: colorful turbans, dark veils, white dishdashas (male shirt-dresses) and black abbeyyas (flowing female gowns).

Amidst this millennium-old tradition (Arabian bull fighting purportedly predates Islam), twentieth century flourishes pop through here and there: a video camera phone in the henna painted hand of a veiled woman; an electronic bullhorn in the MC’s grip; Hummers and Mercedes in the sand parking lot.

The announcer gives a frenzied blow-by-blow report of the head butts and the crowd jostles for position. Warily pulling smoke from their wooden pipes, owners carefully watch the action. Trainers stand at the ready.

Like a sumo wrestler, the bull that loses ground or turns tail and backs down forfeits the match. Unlike their two-legged Japanese counterparts, however, these bad boy Brahmins have to have their horns forcibly unlocked even after a winner is announced. Corner men, trainers (and spectators even) rush in, grabbing the bull’s tethers.

A tug-of-war between man and beast ensues. This gets the crowd going almost as much as when a tug-of-war participant loses his footing and soils his dishdasha.

As the sun dips below a blue horizon, the lawn chairs, rugs and picnic baskets are packed up as unceremoniously as the bulls are loaded into Toyota pick-ups. The big boys of the U.B.F. (Ultimate Bull Fighting) circuit can now look forward to another week of pampered bliss: milk, honey and relaxation amidst the verdant palm groves of the U.A.E.

Who? You, the next time you’re in Dubai.

What? Arabian bull wrestling.

When? Every Friday from 4-7PM.

Where?Fujariah, on the East Coast of the U.A.E.

How? In a shared taxi from Dubai, costing about 25 Dirhams.

Why? Because if you haven’t experienced what makes a place unique, have you really experienced it?

Community Connection

Be sure to read Baxter Jackson’s essay Muslim Fear: How Teaching In Oman Taught Me The Shades Of Islam.

For more destination ideas in the Middle East, check out Benjamin Orbach’s excellent guide to 6 under-the-radar destinations in the Middle East

Honolulu photo by cliff1066

Each of the following cities sees sunshine for no less than 70% of annual daylight hours. But more than that, they provide great opportunities to get out and enjoy it!

Photo by Thomas & Dianne Jones.

Yuma, AZ: 90%

Not only does Yuma receive the most sunshine of any U.S. city, but it’s the Guinness Book of World Records’ pick for the sunniest place on Earth!

The landscape is decidedly desert, but thanks to the Colorado and Gila Rivers, water sports offer a perfect way to beat the heat. Boat rentals are available at some of the nearby lakes, and the Parks and Recreation Office leads canoe and kayak excursions.

Las Vegas, NV: 85%

There’s more to Las Vegas than craps tables and the glittering lights of the strip. The city experiences abundant sunshine and is positioned within the stunning geography of southern Nevada.

Hikers, mountain bikers, and rock climbers head to Red Rock Canyon. Lake Mead is also a short drive away, allowing bathers to stay cool while soaking up the sun, then wrap it up with a tour of the monumental Hoover Dam.

Photo by Flickr Creative Commons.

El Paso, TX: 84%

The past, present, and future of El Paso is inextricably tied to its sister metropolis across the river: Ciudad Juárez. Several festivals throughout the year pay homage to the area’s Hispanic heritage and are a great excuse to get out under sunny skies.

The well-attended Fiesta de las Flores takes place every Labor Day weekend, while the local celebration of Día de los Muertos (late October – early November) emphasizes the cultural connections between El Paso and Juárez. For fans of Mexican cuisine, La Que Buena Gordita Festival couldn’t sound more delicious.

Albuquerque, NM: 76%

Residents of New Mexico’s largest city are renowned for taking advantage of the outdoors. Nestled between the Rio Grande and the Sandia Mountains, Albuquerque offers up every activity imaginable, from golf to hang gliding.

In addition, the city relies on its fair skies to host the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta every October. The nine-day hot air extravaganza is the world’s largest and features around 700 balloons, adding even more color to Southwestern vistas.

Photo by Michelle.

Key West, FL: 76%

Of course, the sun doesn’t only shine in the West. Famous as the haunt of Hemingway and the southernmost city in the continental U.S., Key West mixes year-round mild temperatures with its solar rays.

The ocean dominates outdoor leisure time, whether it’s testing the sand’s softness on one of several beaches or voyaging offshore on a deep-sea fishing excursion. Alternatively, the historic Old Town lends itself perfectly to two-wheeled exploration. Island Bicycles and Eaton Bikes are among the many shops offering rentals.

Lake Charles, LA: 72%

Southwestern Louisiana is often most closely associated with the petrochemical industry, but it’s also home to another of America’s sunniest cities. Lake Charles is a center of Cajun culture, and its dozens of annual fiestas have earned it the nickname, “The Festival Capital of Louisiana.”

Though playing second fiddle to the main event farther east, Lake Charles’ Mardi Gras still draws crowds. Parades, live music, and a gumbo cook-off make for plenty of fun in the sun (with a more family-friendly atmosphere than New Orleans’ celebration). Later in the year, the huge Contraband Days Festival highlights the city’s colorful history.

Photo by Katie Dureault.

Grand Junction, CO: 71%

Another outdoors mecca, Grand Junction is the largest city on Colorado’s Western Slope. Its proximity to the Colorado National Monument (and, farther afield, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park) introduces countless opportunities for whitewater rafting, camping, hiking, biking, and more.

Even winters see a lot of sun, making time spent in the snow that much more enjoyable. Powderhorn Resort, on Grand Mesa, is less than an hour away, while Telluride and Aspen are a three- and four-hour drive, respectively.

Photo by Ron Layters.

Honolulu, HI: 71%

Last but certainly not least, Hawaii’s capital has been a beacon for sun-seekers for centuries. Honolulu’s beach-related activities need no elaboration. Its hiking, both along the coast in places like Diamond Head Crater, and in the tropical mountains of interior Oahu, are less well-known but equally worthy of attention.

And for runners of all stripes, Honolulu hosts the sixth-largest marathon in the world. Around 30,000 athletes hit the streets each year to test their stamina under the Hawaiian sun.

What’s your favorite sunny city, whether in the U.S. or abroad? Share your top picks below!

Sunshine Village photo by Andy Bell

The following ten ski resorts have been selected based on two criteria more important than any other: consistency of good snow conditions, and quality of terrain. Building your trip around any one of these places will make for an epic days this season.

Please ski and ride safely and we’ll see you out there!

10. Kirkwood, CA

Off Tahoe’s beaten-path, Kirkwood is 45 minutes south of the lake and resorts like Heavenly and Squaw. Its location helps thin the crowds, even as Kirkwood receives the most snowfall of any Tahoe resort, averaging 600 inches a year.

When it’s not snowing, it’s probably sunny, as Kirkwood also boasts a healthy majority of bluebird days. Take Wagon Wheel or Cornice Express and slice down steeps, bowls and chutes like The Wall and Cliff Chute.

9. Big Sky, Montana

With 4,350 feet of vertical, Big Sky is one of the largest in the US. It’s also pretty huge in terms of acreage—3,812. Purchase a Big Sky-Moonlight Basin Interconnect ticket and your skiable acreage expands to 5,512, quickly making Big Sky/Moonlight the country’s largest lift-served resort area.

Ascending the mountain, you can’t help but stare at the sheer face of Lone Mountain, towering ominously in the background, inviting the willing onto its many chutes, bowls and couloirs. While the riding is huge, the crowds and lift lines are virtually non-existent—so if you miss out on any terrain, you can be sure it’s because the resort was just too damn big.

Photo from Silverton Mountain

8. Sunshine Village, AB

One of 3 Banff-area resorts, Sunshine Village is all about imposing terrain and quality powder. Delirium Dive, Wild West and Silver City are free-ride areas offering some of Canada’s most extreme terrain within resort boundaries.

In-bounds backcountry, you’d better bring a riding partner, avalanche equipment and big-time skills. Once in, expect to negotiate cliffs, cornices, steeps and variable terrain. You’ll need to have good timing—these areas are often closed due to high avalanche danger.

Not quite ready for the backcountry? Goat’s Eye Mountain offers slightly-tamer, but still demanding expert options.

7. Powder Mountain, UT

In a state that earned its reputation on snow quality, only one resort is named Powder. Receiving 500 inches of dry Utah fresh a year, Powder also has more accessible terrain than any other resort in the US— 5,500 acres. You’ve never heard it billed this way because the terrain is a combination of lift-served, snowcat and hike-to.

Powder Country offers 1200 acres of hike-to terrain, notorious for having fresh lines even weeks after a storm. A shuttle comes by regularly to carry you back to the base once you’ve hit pavement.

Cat rides run either daily or for just $12 a ride. If you feel like gravity stifles your flow, 20 bucks buys you access to snowkiting terrain via Sunrise Lift.

6. Arapahoe Basin, CO

A-Basin’s altitude at 13,050 feet allows for a lengthy season that often welcomes skiers on Fourth of July. A-Basin also has some of the gnarliest, steepest terrain in Colorado, with 60% of the mountain graded for advanced or expert riders. Last season, the resort nearly doubled its skiable terrain with the addition of Montezuma Bowl on the backside.

While there’s no lodging on the mountain, there is tailgating—a section of A-Basin’s parking lot dubbed “the Beach” is the place to pull up a lawn chair, grill some brats and enjoy like-minded company and sweet mountain views.

Photo from Powder Mountain

5. Kicking Horse, BC

The Horse’s 4,133 feet of vertical is second only to the BC untouchables of Whistler and recently-cut Revelstoke. And that’s not PR-guru spin (i.e. vertical divided among seven base areas). You can drop the full 4,133 in one continuous line, from upper mountain chutes and bowls to lower runs and on to the base.

There are only 5 lifts, so catch Golden Eagle Express Gondola or Stairway to Heaven and choose from 70 chutes, cut across several ridges. Don’t expect smooth turns all the way to the bottom, however; chutes are laden with cliffs, cornices, rocks and other expert fare.

4. Jay Peak, VT

Those who complain that Jay Peak is too cold, windy or isolated don’t come back. The rest of us have different priorities. Priorities like 350 inches of powder, 24 glades and some of the only chutes in the east— numbers that would be impressive in the Rockies; in the east they’re unheard of outside Jay’s boundaries.

For backcountry, find a shred with his thumb out on the side of VT 224; he just tracked a sweet line over Big Jay and should provide some local knowledge. When it’s time to head in, lodges like Grampa Grunt’s (more like a hostel) and Snowshoe Lodge are the closest you’ll find to the Ritz here.

Photo by McPhoto, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

3. Red Mountain, BC

If you’re in BC and looking for a “scene”, head to Whistler. If you’re looking for pure riding and no hassles, consider Red Mountain your spot. Red’s southern inland location allows for much drier powder than resorts toward the coast. It’s still BC though; Red serves big terrain including glades, cliffs and steeps.

The resort also offers easy access points to 2,500 acres of backcountry. Red has piloted The Mountain Project, a cooperative among the resort, locals and outdoor manufacturers to preserve and sustain true mountain community values and lifestyle, the essence of what we sought to capture on this list.

2. Mt. Baker, WA

If you had to describe Mt. Baker in just one word, it would undoubtedly be SNOW. Last year, Baker was crowned the unequivocal snowfall king with a lofty 641-inch average. The resort also owns the world record of 1,140 inches in a single season. That’s no misprint.

Baker’s appeal doesn’t stop at deep pow; you’ll also find some of the sickest terrain in the lower 48. With gut-churning cliffs, cornices and steeps inside boundary lines, and a generous backcountry policy, Baker will ingrain lifelong memories (and lessons).

Don’t expect any plush amenities—the nearest lodging is 17 miles away in Glacier, ensuring that people who come have but one motivation.

Adult lift tickets run just $43/weekend and $36/weekdays, probably cheaper than your local hill.

1. Silverton, CO

Silverton has taken the vision of a rider’s resort to the next level. There’s a mountain. There’s a lift. And there’s over 1,800 acres of steeps, bowls and chutes. A yurt serves as the base lodge. No grooming. No runs. All terrain is colored black.

Depending upon when you’re there, you’ll have guided or unguided options. Avalanche gear is required. Take THE lift, hike the ridgeline and drop in on the line that looks most promising. A shuttle will pick you up where you land and take you back to start again. Expect to be joined by fewer than 80 others. Epic.

Community Connection

Interested in trying out a new snow sport this year? Thinking you’re finally ready to try telemarking? Check out Chrysser’s First Timer’s Guide to Telemark Skiing.

How about the backcountry? Either way, remember that it’s all about progression and new challenges, but always staying in control.

Photo: Hessam

Travelers who are also wine enthusiasts know that California is their North American mecca. With more than 2,000 vineyards and wineries, California produces over 90% of the wine made in the U.S. An entire segment of the tourism industry has grown up around wine-based itineraries.

Photo: coba

Napa Valley, Sonoma, and the Central Coast offer the oeno-traveler the most wineries per square mile, and became only more popular after the release of the 2004 film, “Sideways.” Capitalizing on travelers’ interest, vineyards and wineries opened up their operations like never before.

In addition to the usual field and cellar tours, all sorts of new experiences were offered to tourists: wine hikes, bird’s eye vineyard tours from the perspective of a hot air balloon, and tours by train and bike.

The wide range of offerings paid off: 14.2 million international travelers visited California in 2006, and at least 11% enjoyed activities that were specifically geared to California’s wine and food industries.

Not all the fun’s in Napa, Sonoma, or the Central Coast, though. In fact, some of California’s most interesting destinations for wine-loving travelers are in totally unexpected places… like Los Angeles.

Photo: Rob

A bit off the well-beaten path of California’s wine trail is the San Antonio Winery, located in the heart of the city. San Antonio, named for Saint Anthony, was established in 1917 by Santo Cambianica, an Italian immigrant who was but one of many vintners in L.A. at that time.

Just three years later, though, the majority of his competitors had shuttered their wineries in the wake of Prohibition. Cambianica wasn’t one to give up. He worked his way around Prohibition by seeking permission to make wine of religious services rather than general consumption, and it was this creative intervention that kept his business afloat.

Today, the San Antonio Winery continues to make sacramental wine but also makes wine for the public, and it’s the only working winery in L.A. Guests can tour the cellar, participate in a wine seminar, sample wines during an artisan tasting, or enjoy Italian-inspired meals at the winery’s own restaurant, which was built in what was formerly the fermentation cellar.

Located five minutes from downtown, the San Antonio Winery is an ideal option for wine enthusiasts who don’t want to stray into the countryside or have no plans to make it to the coast.

The fact that the winery is family owned and has been for four generations will guarantee the personal touch of some of the more remote wineries, and the fact that it’s tucked into the city means that you’re likely to enjoy a winery that’s not overrun with wine trail tourists.

Community Connection

Matador member and frequent contributor Craig Martin is a traveling wine aficionado. Read more about his recommendations in How to Drink Wine Like a Pro.

Feature photo by Theiggsta. Photo above by JOE WU.

Starting in February – all the way through the end of September – major comic conventions begin their season. With conventions all over the country, it’s hard to decide which ones are worth the trip.

Here are five of the biggest comic conventions in the U.S.

1) San Diego Comic-Con

Given that the San Diego Comic-Con is the biggest convention in the world, I would be extremely remiss if I didn’t give this event a mention. San Diego is geek heaven for four days in July. It doesn’t matter whether you prefer science fiction, horror, adventure, or animation – you’ll find it all at this convention.

Not only is it the largest convention but it has also become THE place for Marvel and DC to unveil their latest projects, film and television previews and newest toys. 2007 saw 125,000 attendees come through the door.

Photo by geener.

2) Wizard World Chicago (formerly Chicago Comic-Con)

The Wizard World conventions are the second biggest conventions of their kind in the country, seeing attendance of over 58,000 people. At Wizard World Chicago, you’ll find all the major players in the comic book industry, as well as artists, writers, and other celebrities.

Needless to say, there’ll be plenty of vendors selling rare merchandise and lots of interesting people to watch. People new to the Wizard World Chicago convention will be surprised to find that the convention is not actually in Chicago proper, but in Rosemont, IL. You definitely want to book a decent hotel well in advance for this one.

Photo by Vinh-Luan Luu.

3) Baltimore Comic-Con

Going into its tenth year next fall, Baltimore Comic-con is pretty much the last of the major Comic-Cons of the year. In comparison to some of the other major conventions, this one is low key and laid back.

This is a true convention for comic book fans. While other Comic-cons like San Diego have turned their focus to other forms of media and genres, Baltimore Comic-Con tends to focus strictly on the comic book industry. This convention also hosts The Harvey Awards, an award show for members of the comic book industry.

Photo by Mtyndall.

4) MegaCon

Along with WonderCon in San Francisco, MegaCon (in Orlando) kicks off the Comic-Con season. Around 20,000 comic book, science fiction, fantasy and anime fans converge on MegaCon each year.

One of the things most worth checking out at MegaCon is the Live Action Role Playing game, Paranoia Live! Based on a popular RPG game set in a dystopian future where a deranged computer protects an underground city, this LARP version is definitely worth seeing. Starting next year, MegaCon will also host the new annual Project Fanboy Awards.

Photo by kykdaddy.

5) Wizard World Los Angeles

Wizard World LA is much newer than the rest of the conventions on this list, getting ready to enter its sixth year. More laid back than its Chicago sister, it is considerably smaller than the media frenzy that is San Diego but it has potential for major growth.

Given its location at the Los Angeles Convention Center, its accessibility to Hollywood makes it definitely the convention to watch out for.

Central Park / photo by Mark Heard

New York City – Central Park

The credit for Central Park belongs to many individuals. Evening Post editor William Cullen Bryant called for its creation in 1844. Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux provided the plan – winning a public design competition.

The project took 20 years to complete. Live concerts, boating, running, cycling, museums, restaurants – Central Park has so many things to do that you will find it hard to make time for the rest of the city. Check out the Central Park Conservancy for free walking tours.

Dublin – Phoenix Park

When in Dublin, tear yourself away from the Guinness factory to visit Phoenix Park and its gardens, monuments, and wildlife. This enclosed urban park (the largest in Europe) is a former royal hunting ground with a large herd of wild deer.

It was enclosed to keep the wildlife on the hunting grounds. It has been open to the public since 1745.

Chapultepec Park / photo by Leonardo, easthastings

Mexico City – Chapultepec Park

Located in the same spot as a former summer residence for Aztec rulers, Chapultepec Park is a popular spot, with 1800 acres, several lakes, forested land, museums, and the residence of the President of Mexico. This park also includes Chapultepec Castle, which serves as the National History Museum.

South Mountain Park / photo by John-Morgan

Phoenix, Arizona – South Mountain Park

With 16,283 acres, this is the largest city park in the United States. The land making up South Mountain Park was purchased and developed throughout the 20’s and 30’s.

South Mountain Park is part of the Sonoran desert, with 58 miles of trails available to hikers and bikers. Look for petroglyphs throughout the park. A trail guide is available online.

Santiago, Chile – Metropolitan Park

In downtown Santiago there is a 1785 acre park with tiered gardens, swimming pools, a zoo, a 45 feet tall statue of the the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, and panoramic views of the city. Metropolitan Park is also called San Cristobal Hill – named by conquistadors for St. Christopher.

Bitsevsky Park / photo by kygp

Moscow – Bitsevsky Park

This park offers a huge open area to get away from the city. It is the place in Moscow to go cycling in the summer and skiing in the winter. Don’t be put off by stories of a serial killer who used the park for his amusement from 2001 to 2006.

Philadelphia – Fairmount Park

Claiming to be within walking distance of every Philadelphia resident, Fairmount Park is a park system with 63 different sections. The largest chunk is along the Schuylkill River, offering fishing and paddling opportunities in addition to the usual park activities.

Stanley Park / photo by SqueakyMarmot

Vancouver – Stanley Park

Linked to downtown Vancouver by a series of biking and pedestrian routes, Stanley Park is easily accessible. It contains the Vancouver Aquarium, formal gardens, forest, beaches, and numerous sculptures and monuments scattered over 1000 acres. Start by renting a bicycle near the entrance and riding along the 10 km perimeter seawall. The seawall is a stone wall built to prevent erosion along the shore. Now it is the park’s most used facility.

Denver

With over 200 parks within the city, Denver has the largest park system within the United States. And with 300 days of sunshine each year, there is no bad time to visit. Start with Washington Park, City Park, and Cheesman Park.

Kings Park / photo by g-hat

Perth, Australia – Kings Park

Kings Park is my best memory from my visit to Perth. Many others probably feel the same, since it is the most popular visitor destination in Western Australia. Go walk among the treetops on the Lotterywest Federation Walkway, then just wander towards whatever catches your eye.

In the comments below, share the best city parks you’ve visited!