Parents' Guide to Grand Mountain Adventure

Like the real thing, skiing and snowboarding in this game is tricky to master, but fun once you have it down. In Grand Mountain Adventure, you take to the slopes on your choice of skis or a snowboard, and engage in some fun challenges. There are times when you'll do tricks, or just try to race through gates to beat the fastest time. Though you can also just be Zen and enjoy the ride. Of course, there are some obstructions and hazards you have to avoid (though don't worry -- things never get graphic, even at the worst of times). Not only do you have to avoid being taken out by avalanches, and do your best to not slam into other people, but you also have to avoid hitting stationary objects that, honestly, just seem to jump out in front of you.

But the real challenge of this winter sports game is mastering its controls. While they're easy to learn, they can be tough to master. Y'know, like real skiing and snowboarding. Which isn't to say this is a physically (and physics-based) realistic simulation, but it's not an arcade game, either. There's even a rewind function for when you goof up and need to try again, or start over. Though what's weird, and a little irritating, is how the other people on the courses seem determined to get in your way, and don't avoid you like, well, people would in real life. Still, even with this bit of oddness, and the game's learning curve, Grand Mountain Adventure is still, well, the name says it all, really.