The 2010 Winter Olympic Games have dazzled us with many inspiring moments. Here are just a few:

• Bode Miller races to his potential, winning Olympic gold in the Men’s Super-Combined after withering under high expectations four years ago.
• Shaun White defies gravity in the Men’s Snowboarding Halfpipe with flips and spins that send him orbiting above his competition.
• Lindsey Vonn skis through pain, blazing down the mountain to take the gold medal in Women’s Downhill.
• In Men’s Hockey, a young Team USA defeats favorite Team Canada on home ice, skating into the quarterfinals 30 years after the original Miracle on Ice.
• Apolo Ohno slices his way to the front of the pack in Men’s Short Track, on his way to the most career medals ever won by an American at the Winter Games.

Inspired by the dedication, strength, and ability of the Winter Olympic athletes? Here in Northeastern Wisconsin, you can try winter Olympic sports for yourself, and even compete for a medal. Want to try curling? You can! Or maybe you want to hit the ice in an adult hockey league. Experience cross-country skiing or ski jumping events for yourself at a local ski club.

Now that the Winter Olympics are drawing to a close, take inspiration – from the games, from the passion of the competitors, from the possibilities of the human body. You don’t have to be an Olympian to be considered an athlete.

Skiing/Snowboarding

Compare your speed against skiers and boarders across the country in every age group. In NASTAR, racers compete against the clock, with the potential of earning medals and qualifying for national events. NASTAR Racing is held Saturdays and Sundays at BlackJack Resort, Bessemer, Michigan, and Thursday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays at Pine Mountain Resort, Iron Mountain, Michigan. At Norway Mountain, Norway, Michigan, five different racing teams train and compete in events with Team Norway Racing.

Cross-country Skiing

The American Birkebeiner will be held this weekend in Hayward, Wisconsin, as it is every year. In “The Birkie,” America’s largest cross-country ski race, professional competitors on the Worldloppet circuit ski amongst the masses in 11 waves on a 50K course. While registration for this year is closed, you can still take part with the estimated 15,000 to 20,000 spectators.
http://www.birkie.com/

Ski Jumping and Cross Country Skiing
The Iola Winter Sports Complex offers 20K of cross-country trails open to the public for a daily fee. Or join the Iola Winter Sports Club, where you and your family can participate in cross-country ski events and learn about the sport of ski jumping on ski jumps ranging from 5 to 60 meters. Stay in nearby Stevens Point with our discount certificate to the Fairfield Inn, or use this travel coupon for the Stevens Point La Quinta Inn.

Hockey
Adult hockey leagues  play year round at the Appleton Family Ice Center. In the Green Bay area, the Cornerstone Community Center of De Pere offers adult hockey leagues for Novice and Elite players 18 years old and up. The Oshkosh Community YMCA Ice Skating Rink offers adult hockey leagues and clinics for players of all abilities.

Speed Skating
At Cornerstone Community Center, Team Cornerstone Speed Skating offers classes for all ages.

Ice Skating
In Oshkosh, Figure Skating and Ice Skating lessons are available at the Oshkosh Community YMCA Ice Skating Rink. In De Pere, the Cornerstone Community Center offers Open Skating, Figure Skating Lessons, and Skating Fitness classes.

Curling
At the Appleton Curling Club, leagues are available for all ages. New members are assigned a mentor to help get the training they need. A New Curlers Clinic is usually held at the beginning of December, and they offer a Learn to Curl League, with no experience required. The Green Bay Curling Club is offering Open Houses March 1-5 from 6pm to 9 pm, with instructors available. Leagues are available for every level.

Pine Mountain Resort

This popular ski resort is located in Iron Mountain, Michigan which is approximately an hour and a half north of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Pine Mountain has terrain for all abilities and has three lifts. The resort provides food, beverages lodging, and of coarse, great skiing. Pine Mountain is also known throughout the world as having one of the best ski jumping hills.

RTownShopper.com is offering this great gift certificate:

Two(2) lift passes  a $78.00 value, RTown Price $39.00

Passes are valid only during lift season and only one pass per person.

Blackjack Mountain

Located in the upper peninsula of Michigan, Bessemer is about a four-hour drive from Green Bay and is the home of Black Jack Mountain ski resort.

The mountain has 19 ski trails. New improvements to the lodge and the slopes; a new terrain park, and an increased focus on customer service will all add to your NEW Blackjack experience.

RTownShopper.com is offering these two different certificates:

Two(2) lift passes, an $80.00 value, RTown Price: $40.00
Four(4) lift passes, a $160 value, RTown Price: $80

Visit skiblackjack.com for information on trail conditions, directions, and other mountain information. Black out dates apply- holiday week of 12/26/09 – 1/3/10. Expires 4/1/10

Nordic Mountain

Nordic Mountain, located in beautiful Wautoma, Wisconsin, offers a great place for the whole family to enjoy. At Nordic Mountain, they believe that skiing should be a sport that everyone can enjoy and afford. The resort is centrally located, about an hour and forty minutes south-west from Green Bay, and less than an hour west from Oshkosh.

RTownShopper.com two gift certificates for 50% off:

Two(2) lift passes, a $70.00 value, RTown Price: $35.00
Four(4) lift passes, a $140.00 value, RTown Price: $70.00

Valid 11/15/09- 4/1/10. Black out dates apply: Holiday week of 12/26/09- 1/3/10.

There are those who dread winter’s upcoming snowfall, and there are those who live for it.

Soon winter will be here in Wisconsin, and skiers and snowboarders can head for the slopes. Whether you ski or ride, area ski hills have something for everyone. Beginners can work on their form on the green runs, while expert skiers take on the challenges of the bumps and jumps. After a day on the trails, enjoy the après ski life with live bands and a frosty beer, or warm up with hot chocolate while you curl up to a toasty fire.

Create a memorable ski vacation with our discount lift tickets to BlackJack ski resort in Bessemer, Michigan. You’ll find new improvements to an old favorite along with unbelievable amounts of lake effect snow. New owners have made BlackJack Ski Resort even better with improvements to the lodge, a new terrain park, and a renewed focus on customer service.

Head out to a local Wisconsin favorite with discount lift tickets to Nordic Mountain near Wild Rose. Local ski bums know Nordic Mountain is a great place to learn, and they now have a new beginner area and lift. The adventurous can shred it up in three terrain parks, or try Nordy’s Narrows, a new black diamond run that winds through the woods.

Here in the Midwest, we may not have the altitude, but we do have the attitude.  Whether your family is skiing or snowboarding, staying close to home means affordable fun for everyone.

Think Snow!

We’re excited to announce this new and exclusive offer. RTownShopper has a limited quantity of gift certificates for the Pine Mountain Resort on sale now!

Now selling lodging, ski passes and gift certificates to their 5-star golf course!
Pine Mountain Resort is the gate way to the U.P. and only 100 miles north of Green Bay.

Room Gift Certificates:
Pine Mountain has two condo units, the Mountain Haus and the Cedar Haus, that are ski-in/ski-out units.  All of the two bedroom units come with a fully equipped kitchen, two bathrooms and a fireplace.  Each unit has a deck that provides great views of the hill.

Ski Passes:
Pine Mountain Resort has terrain for all abilities open for skiing with three chair lifts and two surface lifts.  New to this season is their Paddle Tow for the Bone Yard Terrain Park, the new ski run “Here to There”, and now a rope tow installed on the Bunny Hill.

Golf Gift Certificates:
TimberStone at Pine Mountain; has once again joined a very exclusive group by receiving Golf Digest Magazine’s highest honor of a 5 star rating. Now, the course is 1 of the only 24 courses, out of 6,000 to receive this rating.

Pine Mountain Resort is a four season, full service resort conveniently located in Iron Mountain Michigan, the gateway to the Upper Peninsula.  Pine Mountain has welcomed skiers from around the world since 1939 when Fred Pabst began this winter recreation area dedicated to friends and families.  Today, Pine Mountain continues this rich tradition of providing a warm, friendly place to relax and enjoy all the northwoods has to offer.  Coupled with the award winning TimberStone Golf Course, Pine Mountain truly is your year-round destination.

Buy your certificates today, and give this as a special gift this Christmas.