Park City is located in the Wasatch mountain range near Salt Lake City, UT.  This idyllic town has become a famous tourist location due to the 2002 Winter Olympics.  My favorite thing about this location for skiing is how amazing the powder is, and the range of difficulty the mountain offers.  This skiing location is truly the perfect spot for any family because while the kids are learning in soft as cotton snow, the parents can take off and challenge themselves on the superfluity of slopes available.   Furthermore, the accessibility of the town to the mountain adds to its appeal as the rider can wake up in his room, be on the slopes within fifteen minutes, and downtown in ten.

If you are booking your vacation to Park City, I would strongly suggest going during the Sundance Film Festival, through January 19-29^th.  Besides the fact that one has an extreme likelihood of spotting a celebrity, the events of the week would make this vacation truly unforgettable.  During the day one can hit the powered filled slopes and then end their night watching independent films brought in from all over the world.  This vacation truly has the ability to inspire and empower the individual through the physical aspects of skiing, and through the visual culture found in the independent films.

While Park City has a multitude of different slopes available, more advanced riders may find Jackson Hole a better fit for them this season.  Located in the Cowboy State, Jackson Hole Wyoming is an ideal location for snow enthusiasts.  Upon arriving at the ski resort one will find a large tram that takes riders up to the top of the mountain.  As I can state from experience, one should only attempt this slope if fully ready for it, because “falling leaf” or “pizza breaks” do not cut this intense but exhilarating slope.  However, while Jackson Hole does have more advanced rides, it does not mean that the mountain does not cater to beginners.  With plenty of other ski lifts and trams, this mountain is ideal for learners and those who want to push themselves to be better.

The quaint town of Jackson is truly a slice of Wyoming that caters to every age.  The small town square is filled with unique shops and eateries.  A quirky joint called Billy’s Burger, famous for its large burgers and criss-cut fries, was a perfect way to refuel before exiting out into -16 degree temperature.   During the evening,  attractions of downtown include The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar where guests can ride a mechanical bull, and drink festive and warm beverages.

Either way, each ski town would be a perfect way to make ones winter vacation perfect this year because of their abundance of activities and the range of difficulty found at each mountain.

Book your Jackson Wyoming Vacation Rentals or Park City Utah Vacation Rentals Today!

Ring in the new year with Santa and the lighting of the Big Bear Christmas tree.  Santa Clause and Mrs. Clause will make their grand entrance in a sleigh into the Big Bear Village on Friday, November 26 for the first tree lighting of the season.  Every year thousands attend the tree lighting ceremony.   The Village Business Association and the city of Big Bear Lake invite visitors and locals to come out and enjoy live entertainment like  Christmas carolers and Santa. Make sure to dress warm! With more than a quarter-of-a-century of family traditions, the village shops and restaurants will remain open through the night.  Such a great and beautiful place to spend your Christmas at Big Bear Lake.  For more information go to info@bigbearlakevillage.com or call (909)-866-4694.

Get in the Holiday Spirit at the Community Arts Center in Big Bear, Ca!

The Community Arts Theatre Society Presents ” A Christmas Carol” from the book by Charles Dickens at the Performing Arts Center located in  central Big Bear Lake.  Directed by KarenSargent Rachels, this Christmas favorite play stars Robin Field as Scrooge as well as a bright cast of local favorites.  Get into the Christmas spirit and relax and unwind at the beautiful Big Bear Lake Resorts.  With beautiful snowline mountain views and year round activities you are such to have the vacation of a lifetime.  For information call (909)-866-5831.

Winter isn't complete without a spin around the ice!

Winter Sports are great family fun and ice skating is a cold weather treat that can’t be beat! Come celebrate winter by ice skating on the lake, Saturday December 17 from 2 to 5pm at Harry A. Nottingham Lake in Avon, CO.
Enjoy family ice skating, festive craft making and snow mobile rides for the kids. While there, kids can get their picture taken with Santa, while parents can enjoy hot cider and a heaping bowl of chili while listening to the sounds of Mountain Harmony.  Later you can cozy up near the fireplace at Christie Lodge Resort.
Come join us for a great time! For more information contact the Avon Recreation Center (970)-748-4060 or email them at info@avon.org.

Big Bear is hosting the 4th annual Snowshoe the Bear 5k and 10k challenge. This event will be one of the largest snowshoe competitions in the United States located in Big Bear Lake Village, competitors will embark on a snowy journey to the finish line Saturday February 5. There will also be live music, demo’s, raffles and also race awards following the race.

Snowshoe the Bear is for everyone, both kids and adults, the majority of the participants are generally snow shoe first timers. Its all about enjoying the snow, sun, friends, tree’s and completing the course at your own pace and in your own style. Vacationers who invested in condo rentals in Big Bear Lake Resorts will not only enjoy this event but also the beauty and splendor of the mountain and clear lake views. As well as antique shopping and local boutiques. It’s a mountain getaway for a fun family adventure! For more information email info@snowshoethebear.org or call (909)-866-3456.

Winter fun in Avon, Colorado

Individuals who are looking for the ideal place to take a fantastic winter vacation with their family should consider venturing to Avon, Colorado, a beautiful ski/snowboard village in Eagle County. In this idyllic town, outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of the many things to do in Avon, such the numerous snow-related activities and other fun nature-centric attractions.

A great place to start one’s vacation in Avon, Colorado, is the Beaver Creek Ski Area. For individuals who are looking to ski Avon, this is the ideal place to go, based on its dozens of trails, terrain parks and other winter activities. Travelers who visit during the colder weather months may wish to ride one of the several high-speed chairlifts up the mountain, go ice skating, spend the afternoon snowshoeing, or take a day-long ski or snowboard lesson.

Beaver Creek Ski Area is also a fantastic place to visit in the spring and summer. On the giant property, individuals can golf, sample delicious food at an upscale restaurant, go hiking, canoeing or fly fishing.

The Eagle Vail Golf Course is another fun place to visit during Colorado’s sunny and warm months, as is the Vail Valley Paragliding Tandem Adventure Park. Both of these beautiful outdoor attractions are ideal for individuals traveling to Avon in a group, as they allow all members to have an exciting and enjoyable experience while spending time together.

When visiting Avon, Colorado, travelers should be sure to select their accommodations carefully. While there are many places to stay in this picturesque mountain town, the Westin Riverfront Mountain Villas may be the best of all the Avon resorts. At this fantastic hotel, individuals can ski in and out of their condos, which come in two-bedroom, one-bedroom and studio versions. All are decorated in an Alps-inspired style and offer upscale amenities such as a DVD player, stereo system, down comforters and LDC flat panel televisions.

Other Avon, Colorado, rentals that travelers to the area should consider looking into include the Sheraton Mountain Vista and the Christie Lodge Resort. At the Sheraton, individuals can choose to stay in one- or two-bedroom villas that come equipped with Jacuzzi tubs, wireless high speed internet access and a lovely fireplace. On the other hand, the Christie Lodge Resort offers three-bedroom condo suites, multiple saunas and hot tubs, two on-site restaurants and free shuttles to local ski areas. Either of these accommodations is sure to provide visitors with a wonderful Avon vacation experience.

Take a ride down main street on the Park City Trolley.

As summer starts winding down and the holidays approach, snowy vacations and days on end cruising down ski slopes may come to mind. With the vast array of places to visit, all claiming to have the best resorts and perfect skiing conditions, none can compare to the unique and expansive location of Park City, Utah, home of three of the largest, most talked about ski resorts in North America. Park City, located thirty miles east of Salt Lake City, can be described as a true winter dreamland, with its trademark “best snow on earth” slogan ringing true every year as light fluffy snow falls on these mountains, creating the most ideal skiing conditions imaginable. When worn out from a day on the slopes, there is no better place to shrug off those ski boots and unfreeze those fingers than at the Park Plaza Resort, located just minutes from all the major ski areas and equipped with every amenity a vacationer could desire, including jacuzzis and sanas great for relaxing and a game room for the kids. When not skiing, travelers should definitely take a stroll down Park City’s historic main street, filled with shops of all kinds, exciting night life, great eateries, and even a free trolley to ride up and down the street.   Whatever your desire during your winter getaway, Park City and Park Plaza Resort is sure to satisfy any traveler looking for a great time this winter.

During a trip to Whistler Blackcomb, travelers can ski on the same runs that hosted the Olympics’ alpine events. People who don’t know how to ski can still enjoy the mountain resort thanks to the stunning views from the peak’s lodges and the many cross-country snowshoe trails at the nearby Whistler Olympic Park in Callaghan Valley.

Another resort with Olympic history is Cypress Mountain. Located just half an hour from the center of Vancouver, the peak hosted the freeskiing and snowboard events during the 2010 games.

Whistler was also home to Olympic bobsleigh, luge and skeleton competitions. At the Whistler Sliding Center, visitors can go on a self-guided walking tour and may soon be able to ride the track themselves thanks to a public sliding experience currently in development.

No journey to Whistler is complete without taking a day trip to Vancouver to see the Olympic Cauldron, a glass-and-steel icon situated in Canada Place.

Make your next winter travel destination a Whistler mountain resort.

Visitors to Park City will find something that appeals to any taste in the resort town’s more than 100 restaurants. One fine dining option is the Riverhorse Restaurant, a sophisticated eatery with a diverse array of appetizers, entrees and desserts. The Riverhorse is the only restaurant in the state of Utah to have won both the DiRoNA (Distinguished Restaurant of North America) Award and the Mobil Travel Guide Four Star Award.

Several other restaurants have won acclaim from important food critics. Fodor’s named Wahso, an Asian-inspired grill, one of the top ten restaurants in the world, and 350 Main routinely wins top honors at the Dining Awards handed out by Salt Lake Magazine. Additionally, Michael LeClerc, the head chef at 350 Main, won the Platinum Carrot Award for his innovative and adventurous healthy cuisine. Another decorated chef – Jean Louis Montecot, a member of the Cordon Bleu Society – operates the Jean Louis Restaurant and Bar.

Park City has much more to offer than great Mountain Skiing. Swing by Main Street on your next visit.