If you own an ORV, be certain that your insurance coverage is adequate.  While most states do not require you to carry a policy on your ORV, it will cost you far less than even very cheap car insurance and may prove well worth the price.  Generally, many of the same factors used when you get free auto insurance quotes are used for ORV insurance quotes as well.  Instead of your regular insurer, you may want to check out a company such as Foremost Insurance which specializes in ORV insurance coverage.

Like so many people before me, from the California Gold Rush to the Silicon Valley explosion, I made the big move from the Northeastern United States to greener pastures, and bigger mountains, out in the Rocky Mountain West. Now, this is a move every skier or snowboarder born East of the Front Range dreams of making, but, looking back, one begins to get nostalgic for a few of the comforts of home, despite the epic lines and bountiful snowfall available in the Rockies. Here are a few that jump to mind:

4. Jay Peak:

The main point employed against the East Coast by doubtful Westerners (and self-hating Ice Coasters) is, of course, “it just doesn’t have the snow!” And, for the most part, it’s a solid argument. While there can be dumps, as evidenced by the current storm and last season, which saw even southern Vermont resorts having multiple twenty and thirty inch-plus days, the majority of the season is dominated by serious hardpack and ice, re-enforced by the Northeast’s unpredictable weather (it’s not uncommon to see a major dump ruined a day later by an equally major rainstorm). But Jay Peak, just below Vermont’s border with Canada, sits in a unique storm shadow that affords 355 inches of fresh a year, more than any other resort east of the Mississippi. It also features some of the best tree skiing available anywhere in the states, combined with a homey feeling unique to East Coast resorts. Truly a diamond in the rough.

3. The Chin:

For all you Western skeptics reading the previous item and thinking, “All right, so there’s some snow out East, and maybe some decent terrain, but there’s certainly nothing out there that can compete with the out-of-bounds terrain available at Western resorts like Jackson Hole, Alta, and Big Sky”: You’re wrong (sort of). While resorts with backcountry access gates are few and far between in the Northeast, Stowe in Northern Vermont has some serious hike-to terrain that could challenge even advanced backcountry skiers. The Chin is a case in point. Accessible via a five hundred foot hike from the top of the lifts, it’s serious terrain, beginning with a ring of tight, steep chutes and leading into some of the tighter trees to be had in the East, and it ends on a toll road which can either lead you back to the resort or off into the wilderness (if you’re not careful). Sound like something you could find out West? That’s because it is.

2. Laps:

About 45 minutes from my hometown in Western Massachusettes is a hill called Otis Ridge. It’s not a hill in the ironic sense, like the way someone who has just completed a full season at Vail says “I got 100 days on the hill this year.” No, it’s a hill in the sense that it has about 500 vertical feet of terrain, serviced by what the locals claim is the US’s oldest operating ski lift (there is also a rumor that it is powered by the engine from a ’67 Corvette). There are four trails living in the paltry snow conditions south of southern Vermont and New Hampshire, and the mountain often gets by with a few inches of old, iced over snow covered in a light dusting from their old-school snowmaking equipment.

Sounds like a real pit, eh? Well, here’s the kicker. Every once in a blue moon, even Massachusettes gets dumped on. Now, these snows are often turned swiftly into slush or ice by the unpredictable temperatures, but those able to make it down the unplowed back roads are often greeted with no lines – literally, you can’t pack people onto the Otis’ slow moving lift fast enough. And then the hill is, quite literally, yours. How do thirty, forty fresh lines in a day sound? They may not be particularly steep or technical, but they’re there for the taking, and sometimes that’s enough.

1. Leaving Your Shoes in the Lodge:

This might seem too simple, but it makes a world of difference. The fact that at most East Coast resorts you can deposit your shoes, backpacks, and other items without fear under cafeteria tables or in free cubbies gives the resorts a homey feel, even at corporately-owned resorts like Stowe, Stratton, Mt. Snow, and Sunday River. Whereas out West, leaving your things lying around the lodge might as well be kissing them goodbye, there’s an unwritten rule of mutual respect out East that leads people to be comfortable leaving their things lying around. There’s something about coming in midday, grabbing your backpack from under a table and pulling out your brown bag lunch – about getting in after a full day of shredding and putting your shoes back on at a cafeteria table bench – that all the luxury in the world can’t make up for. For an Ice Coaster, even an expatriate who has tasted the fruits of the West, it feels like home.

Jonathan S. Gang lives to shred, be it mountains or rivers, snow or rock, trails or bush, on his feet, in a kayak, on a bike, tied into a rope, or strapped into his snowboard. He is also a consummate backcountry gourmet, and has never found a piece of camp cooking gear he can’t (or won’t) try and stuff into his backpack.

Jonathan is a contributor for Active Junky. For more of his useful articles and gear reviews on Ski Gear, please visit Active Junky’s Outdoor Gear Deals site.

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Although the quality of snow is not always as good in Southern California, there are a few Resorts that deserve a mention. One of these is Bear Mountain located in the San Bernardino Mts., an hour east of Los Angeles; Bear boasts three terrain parks and its own Snowboarding team. On cold nights, when the snow is blowing, some great carving will prevail. Snow summit the sister mountain to Bear Mountain is a great place to board as well. Just two miles away, Summit offers nearby accommodations, Restaurants, and after- Boarding activities, IE: Nightlife.

There are a few more Resorts in Southern California, that may deserve a mention, but we won’t. Let’s move on to Northern California where there are numerous Awesome Resorts, too many to mention them all, so let’s do the top five. Right behind Mt. Whitney and Yosemite National Park is Mammoth Mountain, our number one pick, due to the fact that it has epic Boarding, on at least one side of its Mountain all the time. You’ll enjoy exploring the vastness of the terrain accumulated here, and the high tech Quad chairs and Gondolas that will allow seeing it all in one day.

Our second pick Heavenly Valley Resort, which is located in Nevada as well as California, and manages to accumulate at least 20 feet of snow every year. With over 4800 board able acres, and some of the most scenic terrain in the Sierra Nevada’s, Heavenly’s name pretty much says it all. Although, we will mention there are over 250 Hotels, Half pipes, Terrain Parks, Gambling Casinos and numerous munch able Restaurants.

Third on the list is Squaw Valley with North America’s only Funitel and an aerial Cable Car. Squaw Valley offers over 4000 acres of exciting terrain, Located at the end of a Sierra Valley, You’ll be hard pressed trying to conquer it all. The village at Squaw is reminiscing European architecture and reminds you of a place you’ve visited in the Swiss Alps. The town of Truckee is about eight miles away and offers affordable accommodations and fast food. They also boast three Snowboarding Parks, a Super Pipe and Half pipe.

Our fourth choice is June Mountain, located close to Mammoth Mountain, about a ten minute drive from your condo in mammoth. June is a very small but unique Resort, secluded and hard to get to in a Sierra storm. The fact that it is tucked away, seems to be what makes it special, as well as the fact that it is never crowded. June mountain also sports a competition Half-Pipe, and some wicked tree Boarding.

Sugar Bowl Ski Resort in Norden is only a three- hour drive from San Francisco, and is our fifth mention of Northern Resorts. Currently Sugar Bowl is under a ten year renovation, but still remains a jewel. There are 84 trails open to Boarders, as well as two terrain parks and a Scorpion cut Half-Pipe. They also have a new Snowboard park, for this season, as well as a family fun park. Check out Truckee for a place to bunk down.

At imagineoutdoor we bring you the best of the outdoors. Check out one of many Blogs, start with http://imaginesnowboarding.blogspot.com/ and begin to Explore!! imaginesnowboarding/BURTONGEAR Get all the Gear for your Boarding Venture!

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Celestron’s SkyScout
We took the Skyscout into the desert this winter and it was fascinating! The skyscout uses GPS technology, enabling users to navigate the stars! On our clear night we were able to pinpoint stars, planets and constellations!

Leo Carrillo
Leo Carrillo, is located just outside of the beautiful city of Malibu, Ca. it is a favorite amongst locals and surfers because of its convenience and perfect wave break. In addition to the beach, the large Sycamore trees, the store, the campground, and the hiking trails, Leo Carrillo has a “family feel” to it and we often run into the same people year after year and we have always felt safe at Leo Carrillo.

Camping Gets A Whole Lot Brighter
The new line of lanterns and headlamps from COAST LED Lenser make camping quite a bit easier. On our last camping trip we took our two youngest girls (8 and 10) to El Capitan campground for a long weekend. We gave the Personal Lantern (TT7100) to the girls (nighttime frolickers) and I (as Fire Master and Head of Campsite Security) used the Revolution Headlamp (TT7468).

Sequoia National Forest
The 22 miles of winding roads made the kids and the dog car sick, but it was worth it, the Sequoia’s are amazing, giant and ancient. We settled into our site, #210 at Dorst Creek Campground which is just 5 miles Northwest of Lodgepole Village, I definitely prefer Dorst over Lodgepole, Dorst Creek Campground is isolated, untouched and backs right up to the national forest.

I/O Biocompatibles Under And Outerwear – Wool That Won’t Itch Or Smell
Once introduced to I/O’s new line of garments, we decided to put them to the test. We were sent three items to review; the men’s universal tee, men’s contact euro tee and women’s sleeveless hoody. The thing that interested us the most was the fact that the garments are very lightweight and comfortable yet fashionable and designed to keep you toasty warm.

Redondo & The Beach Cities’ Sport Fishing Spotlight
Located on the Redondo Beach Pier, Redondo Sportfishing proves to be a champ when it comes to LA County sport fishing. With no concern for being flashy or pretentious, which is a nice change from the typical LA outfit, Redondo Sport Fishing offers everything that you need for a fun night or day on the water.