Skiing At The Linden Chalet

By Gemma Cleanslate

Now that things have settled down a bit after the flurry of the holiday spots and parties it is a good time to enjoy the slopes and frozen rivers and lakes of Second Life. One of my favorite place to visit for a variety of possibilities is the Voss, Wengen, Zermatt, Moritz  area in the "always winter" area of the grid. I always start at the Linden chalet where you an meet some interesting people lounging around or getting ready to go out to the slopes, or down the hill to the lake. My friend and I stopped there before going to the ski lift. There is also a rezz area near by where people meet to check their creations.

When you walk out the door you have the choice of heading east for a ski lift, or west for another ski lift.  I like both areas. The ski lifts give you a wonderful view of the valleys with homes and shops below. It is a pleasant ride up and at the top you will find free boots and skis. There is a choice of cross country or downhill. Try both.

The views on the way down both slopes are lovely. Try the cross country skiing also which is partly downhill. We did that this time.

After warming up in the lodge go down the hill to Lake Zermatt. You can skate on that lake for long distances wearing free skates found there or your own. Skate balls give a choice for skating with a partner , alone , or performing tricks on the ice. If you have your own skating hud it is a great place to try out all the runs and jumps.This makes for a pleasant day.

Near by on the road to the east you can grab a ride on a small train or jump on a pod and get a look at the spots along the road  you might like to visit.

If you have  horse you might like to meander through the lower hills . I like to do that too and my horse does very well through the snow. When I returned another day I did skate to the other side of Lake Zermatt and found a delightful little cafe overlooking the road where you can get a wonderful view of the lake area and a hot drink. I had hot tea and a cherry mini pie.

Go check it all out and have a terrific skiing day in Second Life.  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Wengen/22/211/86

Gemma Cleanslate

Ready for Winter

By Gemma Cleanslate

Many of the winter sims are not ready to change season yet. Yes, it is early but I know people are already looking for the winter activities in Second Life. Some regions are going to celebrate Thanksgiving before changing over, although I saw some snow lingering along the roadways in  places that I know will have lots of snow and ice soon. Here are a few that are ready!
      

 “We believe everyone should  be free to be themselves, to be the unique person they are .
so everyone is welcome here at Skate and Date..... “ This is from the welcome sign in Freyr at Winter Wonderland and train ride. Cute little penguins are circling the ice rink and offer you free skates in case you don’t have them already. Hop on the couples skating balls nearby and take a tour on the ice. Grab a seat and cuddle with your date or drop down near the fire to warm up. I spied a sled rezzer and took a quick ride around through the trees passing more penguins along the way. There is a train tour too. If you have your own train you can put it on the tracks as it is a slrr rail but you can rezz one there if not. Have fun!  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Freyr/154/65/50 .

 

 

“Welcome to our Winter Enchantment, made in loving tribute to our late friend Soraya Wardhani.....” Though a more somber greeting than at skate and Date I found it a lovely memorial thought as I surveyed this lovely skating venue. More penguins circled the skating pond . Free skates for both men and women and  singles and another sled rezzer await your pleasure. A fat jolly snowman offered me a cup of hot chocolate .  On the other side of the pond I found a ski lift and took a ride up to the top of the mountain where I took some free skis and boots and hopped on the ride down the mountain. It was a winding trail down the hillside that gave me a good look at it all, another place not to miss. Some of the decor is for sale .  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Xeriacle/46/73/21.

 

Winter scenes by Incendia Outdoors in Dizza offer wonderful skating , soft snowflakes falling and a peaceful lodge with fireplaces where you can lounge around alone or with friends and grab up for a run down. I found an igloo with snowball fighting walls set up with kids having fun and lots of snowballs so you can join in. The scenery is lovely with nature the object of the region. I found sheep hunting for morsels of grass , in another area moose looking warily at a horseback rider as she passed, and a found a  bear fishing in the open creek. Another lovely place to put on your list of winter venues.There is a carriage to ride in and a horse rezzer for you. At the entrance is a guest book where you can leave a comment or read those of former visitors. Dress for snow. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dizza/223/63/21

 

More to come!

 

Gemma Cleanslate

Winter Fun at Areo Pines and Wolf Mountain

 By Gemma Cleanslate

The Sixth Annual Winter Festival, which runs from December 1 through January 31, at Aero Pines is now open.  I am happy to tell you that the skating rink is busy and the winter decorations are all in place. This is a great region to visit and you can pick up some really nice free skating outfits or shop for some before you venture out on the ice. I kept mine from last year, but picked up a chinchilla coat to add to my collection.  http://slurl.com/secondlife/Equus/42/188/23  It is right next to the skating pond. 

 

Cindy Bolero has so many events prepared for the two months that you can find on the festival brochure you will get. While you skate, you can watch the Nutcracker Ballet on the super screen and join in on the pose balls. One of the free outfits is a white ballet dress with tutu.  It is delightful. Here you may also take a cross country ski tour on eight sims, take a ride in the sleigh, and more. All directions to help you are on the brochure. It is always such fun to visit these sims any time of year, but winter is special. Anyone is always welcome here. The whistling snowman will greet you.

 

 I guess I have a lot of favorite places to ski and skate. My next favorite I have been visiting for 5 years, not only in the winter. Wolf Mountain Ski Resort has everything you want or need for winter activities. Here you can pick up a guide to activities and landmarks to help you get around. The lodge is so inviting that you will want to spend some time in there where you can sit by the fire, or take a dip in the indoor pool. I love the trip up the mountain on the ski lift and then coming down on skis or sled. 

 

You will find free skies at the top, or rezz a sled for you and your friends.  http://slurl.com/secondlife/WolfMountainResort/54/44/33 . There are so many wonderful spots at both these recreation regions you can spend all winter visiting and finding new activities to try. I never tire of visiting either place. Enjoy. Look for more soon. 

 

Gemma Cleanslate

Wolf Mountain

Here I am again looking for more winter fun for you. I had such a great time at Wolf Mountain the past few years, I went back to check it out.

I stopped by the PeachTree Resort Lodge and found the manager there along with some people relaxing by the fire. I asked if anything was new. Oh yes! There is so much fun there! You can look for your favorite sport on the mountain or down below.

One of the first things I checked out was the ski lift ride to the top of the mountain. At the top I found skis and also a winter sledge waiting. There is also a snow tube if you like to be really close to the snow as you travel down the steep slope. I tried that out since I have skied there before and also sledded. That hill is fun for all the types of downhill so try each one and hope you make it down better than I did!

When I reached the bottom again, I decided to take a sleigh that was waiting next to the ski lift. That is a delight, but takes some work to control that horse. I stopped off at the chapel already decorated in festive red for the holidays. It looked as if there had been a wedding lately.

At the bottom of the hill is a lovely skating pond. Just don't hit the old gent who is ice fishing. Looking around a bit more, I found a ski board with special boots and went barreling down the hillside doing tricks as I went. Another exercise in control! A balloon ride takes you for a tour of the all the sims. That can be found at the skating pond.

I love Wolf Mountain and the owner Peach Fizz is always helpful as are her employees. Go enjoy and I did not tell you all the experiences you can have there. A 20+ minute balloon ride over the 7 sims will give you an idea of many of the activities you can enjoy there. Grab a bag of popcorn and go.

Start here at the entrance to the lodge: PeachTree Resort (52, 44, 33).