Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox, Very Much a College Lifestyle
Stamford, CT (PRWeb) November 21, 2006 -- With the release of PlayStation 3 on November 17 and the release of Nintendo Wii on November 19, this weekend marks the first time Xbox 360 will have to compete with the other two major next-gen gaming consoles. One of the groups most eagerly awaiting the release are college students.

Anderson Analytics' www.genx2z.com division asked 1,000 colleges students about their habits, spending and preferences in regard to gaming. Video games continue to be a major activity among students, with only 26 percent of students reporting not to play video games.

Among the previous generation consoles, PlayStation 2 has the largest share with 28 percent of the students reporting owning the system, followed by Xbox with 17 percent and GameCube with 12 percent.

To get an idea of how the 2006 holiday season would affect market share GenX2Z asked whether students already own or plan to purchase a next-gen console. The 3 major consoles are commanded similar favorability. 12 percent of students plan to purchase PlayStation 3, 11 percent said that they either own or plan to buy an Xbox 360, and 8 percent are interested in Nintendo Wii. Though GenX2Z anticipates the significant differences in price may somewhat favor the Nintendo Wii as students consider the differences.

Though the gaming console war is the main focus during this holiday rush, and online capability is one of the required features of next-gen gaming consoles, only 34 percent of the students report playing games online. What's more, among gamers, half report most frequently playing PC games, not consoles.

Overall, the most popular online gaming site is Yahoo! Games; and the most popular type of online game is online poker. In terms of other game favorites, the World of Warcraft is the most frequently mentioned online game. And surprisingly, among the shooter genre, after almost a decade, Counter-Strike remains more popular than more polished and modern iterations of the genre such as the Battlefield games and Halo.

Overall, 83 percent of the gamers report only playing 6 hours or less per week. However, there are significant differences between gender. While only 8 percent of the female gamers report playing more than 6 hours a week, compared to 25 percent of male gamers. Among the more devoted, only 1 percent of female gamers report playing over 10 hours a week compared to 8 percent of male gamers.

Regardless of how the console wars play out, one thing is clear, gaming remains an important part of the college experience for not only men, but for women as well.

Aspen Hosts Only 2006 Women's Alpine World Cup in the U.S. Nov. 25-26
Aspen, Colo. (PRWeb) November 20, 2006 -- The Aspen Winternational tradition continues November 25-26, 2006, when the world's best women's ski racers descend upon the famed resort for a weekend of nonstop action and entertainment. The Sirius Satellite Radio Aspen Winternational Audi FIS Women's Ski World Cup features the fastest women in the world for two days of Giant Slalom and Slalom competition.

Sirius Satellite Radio Aspen Winternational Audi FIS Women's Ski World Cup racers are looking to capture international notoriety and points towards this season's overall World Cup title. This is the only chance during the 2006-2007 winter season to see America's favorites on U.S. soil. U.S. Women's Ski Team competitors include Olympic Gold Medalist Julia Mancuso, Lindsay Kildow, Resi Steigler and Stacey Cook.

ResortQuest Aspen offers a variety of Aspen vacation rentals options from which to explore this winter wonderland, including everything from condominiums to luxurious private homes. Special early season rates are available during this event. For information or reservations visit ResortQuest.com, or call 800-230-1895. Aspen is a vibrant mountain town with incredible skiing. The Aspen area is actually four mountains: Aspen (or Ajax as it's also known), Snowmass, Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands. One lift ticket provides access to all four, a total of 5,206 acres of skiing and snowboarding, plus high-speed lifts, the ESPN Winter X Games slope-style course and the famous Maroon Bells. In addition, Aspen has a fascinating history, a thriving arts culture, charming architecture and spect acular scenery. There are art galleries, museums and shops to browse, sensational dining to savor and a vibrant nightlife to enjoy.

How To Prevent Lost Luggage On Your Next Flight
The Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year's holiday travel periods are among the busiest travel periods of the year. The Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year's holiday travel periods also have the highest reported incidents of lost luggage per passenger. By heeding these travel precautions during peak holiday travel periods passengers will ensure luggage will arrive safely at their final destination and enjoy a happy holiday season.

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Win Your Own Montana Mountain
One lucky winner, five friends and nobody else carving up the nicely tilted terrain at, Showdown, Montana for 2 days and 3 nights. We’ll even throw in airfare, lodging and gourmet meals, as well as a shred-ready clothing system compliments of The North Face. To enter simply visit winyourownmountain.com enter in your information and wait for the winning announcement. Hurry contest ends November 30th.

Maine Winter Resort Announces Country Christmas Events
On Friday, November 24, a hometown craft and wares fair with locally crafted jewelry, quilts, wooden-ware, pottery, knitting, photography, basketry, candles, stained glass, and alpaca fiber products will be held at the Bethel Inn Conference Center. The weekend of November 25 and 26 is the Annual Demo Days at Sunday River Ski Resort. Skiers and snowboarders can try out the latest equipment from twenty different companies. The Bethel Rotary Club sponsors an all-you-can-eat, breakfast buffet at Gould Academy Sunday November 26.

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More Snow Blankets Telluride for Opening Day on November 22
Telluride is digging out from a storm which dumped 12 inches of snow on top and the Telluride Ski Patrol has measured a 22-inch base on the mountain overall. This recent storm which blanketed all of the Colorado Rockies brings Telluride's pre-season snow totals to over 55 inches.

Mother Nature has been helping the mountain operations crew prepare for opening day on November 22, 2006 for several days now. "It started snowing hard Wednesday evening and it is still coming down," said Jeff Proteau, senior vice president of resort operations for the Telluride Ski Resort. "With the help of this storm, we will be on pace for a great opening next month."

Early ski season offers some of the most competitive rates of the season. ResortQuest Telluride, with over 200 Telluride vacation rentals, is offering Telluride vacation rentals packages which are tailored for each individual at early season discounted rates to allow visitors to stay slopeside or ski-in/ski-out at an affordable price. Area visitors are invited to stay in fully-equipped rental properties while taking advantage of added on services including discounted lift and lodging packages. Call 800-463-9579 or visit ResortQuest Telluride to inquire about a stay at Telluride or Mountain Village.

Recreational Fishing Under Attack
Orange Beach, AL (PRWEB) November 12, 2006 -- Recreational and Sport Fishing Enthusiasts -- voices are needed to help stop the National Marine Fishery Service (NMFS) from implementing the Red Snapper Interim Rule.

In order to counter the thousands of signatures from environmental groups requesting the NMFS to drop the Red Snapper Total Allowable Catch (TAC) to 5.8 million pounds, the Orange Beach Fishing Association (OBFA) has created an online petition. This petition supports the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council's decision to delay, by four months, any further action on Red Snapper, and supports the voluntary buyout of a portion of the commercial quota which would then be transferred to the recreational sector. It is not a question of if Red Snapper should be protected, but how they should be protected. The new rules create an undue burden on recreational and sport fishing enthusiasts.

Among other things, the NMFS interim rule proposes:

• Setting the Red Snapper TAC at 5.8 million pounds, proportionately reducing the commercial and recreational quotas
  
• Reducing the recreational bag limit to 2 fish
  
• Setting the for-hire captain and crew bag limit at zero
  
• Reducing commercial minimum size limit to 13 inches
  

This Interim Rule is being pushed by environmentalist groups based on flawed data. Recreational and sport fishing enthusiasts nationwide must speak up and let the NMFS know this is not acceptable to the recreational fishing sector! Your signature on this petition will have an impact!

Please visit www.OrangeBeach.ws for additional information and a link to the OBFA's online petition. Please don't delay, as time is running out for your support of this positive action.

Banff Lake Louise Officially Launches 2006/7 Canadian Winter Ski Season
Snow has fallen early in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, ushering in the 2006/7 ski season on a white carpet of powder that is unique to the Banff Lake Louise area. This special snow that falls in Banff National Park is eagerly sought by skiers and snowboarders who favour light, dry powder on varied terrain that accommodates beginners to experts.

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