VIDEO: Olympian for a day

Photo: Courtesy of Mont Tremblant Ski Resort

There’s nothing like witnessing Shaun White stomp a double-cork 1080 in the 22-foot halfpipe, or seeing Rachael Flatt effortlessly nail a triple Salchow. However, if you can’t join the sports-loving masses in Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics, never fear. There are plenty of ways to harness the oomph of the Olympics way beyond Vancouver and all year long. How about bobsledding in Jamaica? Or, testing out the skeleton track in Utah? You can even heli-ski with 1994 gold medalist Tommy Moe in Alaska.

After interviewing Jim Kaese, cofounder of the athleticmindedtraveler.com, I wrote “10 great places to feel like an Olympic champion” for USA Today. If you’re feeling adventurous, click here for the story. And, for a guaranteed giggle, check out Stephen Colbert’s first curling experience below.