Breckenridge is celebrating its 50th anniversary this winter, by offering a number of great deals on lift tickets and lodging alike. Now that winter has finally arrived in Colorado, bringing plenty of powder along with it, it is a perfect time to hit the slopes at last.

As we mentioned last week, ski resorts across the western United States have finally been receiving healthy doses of snow, and Breckenridge is no exception. So far this season, the area has had more than 150 inches of powder dumped on it, and currently Breckenridge has a base of about 51 inches. That means that all of the lifts, and nearly all of the runs, are currently open for business.

To entice visitors to come ski or ride some of the best snow in North America, several of the lodges there are currently running some great specials. For instance, the Village at Breckenridge, which is a ski-in/ski-out resort, is offering up to a 30% discount on double occupancy rooms through April 15. Similarly, the near by Mountain Thunder Lodge has a great weekday rate that allows travelers to book two nights and get a third one free, which also runs through the 15th of April. Even the Doubletree by Hilton is getting in on the action by offering bonus points for their HHonors members who stay there through the end of April. For a complete rundown of these deals, and others, click here.

The snow may have been late in coming this year, but there is still plenty of time left to enjoy the ski season. Breckenridge is truly one of the best destinations around for doing just that, and in its 50th year of operation, there are some good discounts to help skiers and snowboarders enjoy the mountain.

The first-ever Teva Winter Mountain Games get underway today in Vail, Colorado, where some of the top pro and amateur outdoor athletes have gathered to compete in a variety of sports. The event, which lasts through the weekend, will also feature a number of concerts, gear giveaways, clinics, and more.

Some of the sports that the athletes will be competing in including ice climbing, Nordic and telemark skiing, snowshoeing, and on-snow cycling. Even man's best friend can get in on the action, as there are several events for dogs to compete too. But the biggest event of the weekend is the Ultimate Mountain Challenge, which features three different sports spread out over three days. In order to be crowned the King or Queen of the Mountain, a single athlete will have to fend off all the competition in a Nordic Freestyle race today, than follow it up with an up-hill cross country skiing competition tomorrow. On Sunday, those same competitors will then square off in the toughest stage of all – a skiing race up, over, and back down, Vail Mountain.

A large group of spectators are expected to be hand over the three-day event, cheering on their favorite athletes. That crowd won't have to sit on the sidelines without getting the opportunity to join in on the fun however, as they'll get the chance to take part in photo competitions and clinics, test out some gear, and hone their own winter outdoor skills. They can also enjoy an adventure film festival, listen to some live bands, and join the celebration at several parties.

The inaugural Teva Winter Mountain Games is a natural extension of the summer Mountain Games, which will be taking place later this year. If you're an outdoor enthusiast who loves to run, ride, or climb, you'll certainly find a lot to love at both events.

Are you a lonely skier looking for love this Valentine's Day? If so, the Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, located in Utah, just might be able to help you find that special someone you've been looking for. Next Tuesday, February 14, the resort will play host to a unique speed dating event, during which skiers and snowboarders will get a chance to get to know one another while riding the chairlift up the mountain.

To entice single skiers and riders to visit Snowbird for Valentine's Day, the resort is offering all-day adult lift tickets for just $40. But that is just the start of the fun, as they've also designated one of their lifts, the aptly named Peruvian Express, as "single's only" for the day. Speed-daters will then have the opportunity to hop on the lift together, chat on their way to the summit, and then ski back down the slope. If a love connection is made, they can elect to spend the rest of the day getting to know one another better, or simply get back on the lift and give it another go. At the end of the day, they can also gather at the singles social in the El Chanate restaurant, where the new Snowbird love-birds can enjoy two-for-one appetizers and entrees.

If you've already found your significant other, Snowbird has you covered as well. The resort is offering specials for couples looking for a romantic escape, with packages including options for a romantic dinner, a visit to the spa, and a night's stay at one of the onsite lodges.

And in case you're wondering about the conditions on the hill, never fear. Snowbird has had more than 170 inches of powder already this winter, and is maintaining a base of 63 inches as well. In other words, it is business as usual, with plenty of great skiing on tap.

So, whether you're looking to treat your sweetie to a romantic getaway, or meet a new one on the slopes, Snowbird has you covered for Valentine's Day this year.

Looking to add a little activity and adventure back into your weekends now that the football season is officially over? Then REI Adventures may have exactly what you need. The company, which is the travel arm of the REI gear stores, has introduced several new winter weekend getaways that will get you out playing in the snow this February and March.

These excursions are short – most are just three or four days in length – but pack plenty of activity into the itinerary. Local guides lead groups of active outdoor enthusiasts into some of the more remote, and beautiful winter playgrounds in the U.S., giving them the opportunity to visit those locations at a time when crowds are non-existent.

Amongst the new trips for 2012 is a three day snowshoeing excursion into the Adirondack Mountains, where travelers will stay in a rustic log-cabin while spending a long weekend hiking some of the more scenic trails in the region. Similarly, REI offers a four day snowshoeing trip to Michigan's Upper Peninsula during which visitors will trek past frozen waterfalls and visit caves along the shores of Lake Superior. And for those looking for something even more adventurous and active, there is a three day escape to the Catskills to do some ice climbing.

These short, but active trips are proof positive that we don't have to stay inside all winter waiting for the warm weather to arrive. REI Adventures will give you a reason to dig out your warm clothes and boots and head outside for some much-needed winter fun.

Adventurers and extreme sports athletes looking for a new challenge may well find what they're looking for in the newly announced Pacific Rowing Race. The event, which isn't scheduled to take place until June of 2014, will cover more than 2100 nautical miles, beginning in Monterey Bay, California and ending in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Organizers of the event expect that it will take around 30 to 35 days for the fastest two- and four-person crews to row the entire length of the course. The current record for an individual rower is 64 days, and was set back in 1997, but due to advances in technology and better boat design, a solo racer could easily break that record. On the other hand, teams who are more interested in enjoying the experience of being out on the ocean, and aren't trying to set new speed records, could take as much as 100 days to reach the finish line.

Along the way, racers will face a host of weather conditions, ranging from clear, calm days to potentially dangerous storms. They'll also have to contend with seas that can be both extremely turbulent or smooth as glass. And while they're out on the water, they'll experience breathtaking sunrises and sunsets and a peaceful solitude that is broken from time to time by a passing dolphin, whale, or other sea creature.

Some of the details on the race are still being worked out, but if you're interested in taking part in the event, there is an online form that you can fill out by clicking here. Completing that form will ensure that you receive the latest news on the event and keep you updated on any announcements from the race organizers.

Online entry for the Pacific Rowing Race is scheduled to open on April 2nd of this year, giving participants more than two years to prepare.

[Photo credit: Roz Savage]

Now that you've read our review of the Nikon's rugged new CoolPix AW100 digital camera, you have the chance to win one for yourself. We think you'll love this waterproof, shockproof, and freezeproof camera, that also happens to come packed with all kinds of great technology.

The contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

To enter, leave a comment below.

The comment must be left before 5PM Eastern Time on February 10th, 2012.

You may enter only once

One winner will be selected in a random drawing.

One Grand Prize Winner will receive an Nikon CoolPix AW100 digital camera (valued at $300).

Click Here for complete Official Rules.

Buying a digital camera is no easy task these days. As cameras have grown in popularity, the market has become flooded with dozens of models, all with a dizzying array of features and specs, and few ways to distinguish one from the next. Aside from minor variations in shape and color, most of them all look about the same, and it is difficult to know which one is the best fit for each of our individual needs. That simply isn't the case for the new Nikon CoolPix AW100, which not only has a unique look, but an identity all of its own. This is a camera that is built for travel, and will have a great appeal to adventure travelers in particular.

After removing the AW100 from its box, the first thing you'll notice is how solid it feels in your hands. The ruggedized body conveys the sense that this is a camera that can take a lot of punishment, which makes it a great option for those excursions that take us to the far flung corners of the planet. The AW100's tough shell keeps it waterproof to 33-feet, while allowing it to withstand temperatures down to 14ºF and survive drops up to five feet in height. Those qualities alone help to set it apart from nearly any other digital camera on the market and make it an attractive option for scuba divers, climbers, skiers, and other outdoor enthusiasts who demand a high level of performance out of their gear.

Don't let this camera's rugged body fool you however, because under the hood, it has plenty of brains to go along with its brawny exterior. This CoolPix features a 16 megapixel CMOS sensor that not only takes fantastic photos, but also manages to capture video in full 1080p HD as well. It has a vibrant 3-inch screen, an easy to use (and understand!) interface and Nikon's new Action Controls, which make the AW100 a snap to operate, even while wearing gloves.

Late last week, law enforcement officials in Chile detained a man for allegedly stealing part of a glacier from inside Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, located in the Patagonia region. It is believed that the thief intended to sell the ice to various clubs in the capital city of Santiago, where it would be put into expensive designer drinks.

Police stopped the man, who was driving a large refrigerated truck, for a routine traffic violation, but were surprised to find that he had five tons of ice hidden in the back. Upon further examination, they discovered that the ice had come from the Jorge Montt Glacier, which is located not far from where the man was apprehended. So far, the driver has only been charged with theft, but officials are considering extending the charges to violating a national monument as well, since the ice came from inside a national park.

It is estimated that the five tons of ice would have sold for about $6300 had the man been able to deliver it to is buyers in Santiago. That doesn't seem like a lot of money for harvesting so much ice.

Global climate change has played havoc on glaciers throughout Patagonia, and the Jorge Montt is no exception. Scientists say that is is currently retreating at a rate of about a half-mile per year, which is an alarmingly fast pace. The question now of course is how much of that is due to these nefarious ice thieves?

Travel can be such an incredible, life altering, experience, both for us, and the people that we interact with on our journeys. But seldom is that more clearly defined than in the case of an upcoming special trip from an organization called Bustan, which works closely with indigenous Bedouin tribes of the Negev Desert, a rocky, arid region located in southern Israel.

Starting in March, Bustan is launching a five-month long project in the Negev that will be a unique and intensive mix of education, cultural immersion, and desert adventure. Over the course of the time spent there, those joining the expedition will get the opportunity to live with the Bedouin people, while learning about their way of life and picking up practical skills on how to live simply and sustainably with the desert. They'll also gain extensive knowledge of the history of the Middle East, while also sharpening their Arabic language skills and discovering the unique landscapes of the Negev Desert.

But this journey also has a larger purpose as well. Participants will be living in the village of Qasar A Sir, which remains without many basic amenities that most of us take for granted, such as running water, electricity, or a sewer system. While there, travelers will be a part of Bustan's permaculture and sustainability program, which will help to create a more permanent community for the Bedouin people. They'll learn eco-building techniques, help create water harvesting systems, basic waste management facilities, organic gardens, and more permanent structures, all under the supervision of a team of educators who specialize in desert culture.

The cost for joining the trip has still not been posted on the Bustan website, but you'll find a lot more information about this opportunity by clicking here. This is one of those unique opportunities where you know before you go that you'll be a part of something that can truly impact the lives of those living in the place you visit.

[Photo courtesy Free Israel Photos via WikiMedia]

The number of permits available on a daily basis for Yosemite's popular Half Dome hike could be reduced in number starting next year – if a National Park Service proposal goes into effect. The move could be made in an effort to make the hike up the iconic mountain less crowded, and therefore safer, following the death of a hiker this past summer who fell while descending on the steep slopes.

The Half Dome hike is amongst the more popular attractions in Yosemite, despite its strenuous and daunting nature. The trail to the summit is 8 miles in length and wanders up the side of the massive rock slab, requiring hikers to use metal cables to help stabilize them both on the way up and down. It can be a treacherous walk, particularly if bad weather sets in, and traffic jams, like those seen in the photo to the right, are not uncommon along the way.

Last year, the Park Service began requiring a permit for the hike, limiting the number of people on the trail to just 400 per day. That was way down from the 1200 that it would sometimes see on busier days before the permit system went into effect. Under the new proposal, which is currently open for public comment, the number of permits issued would be reduced to 300, cutting crowds even further.

Cutting back on the number of people on Half Dome will have the added benefit of helping to protect the environment there as well. Large crowds can have a adverse effect on any ecosystem, and by reducing the number of visitors, the region is more likely to stay protected and viable for future hikers to enjoy as well.

We'll have to wait and see if the number of permits available does indeed get cut for 2013, but it almost seems like a foregone conclusion at this point. All around, I think it's a good move, although travelers will have to plan further ahead if they hope to hike Half Dome.