The Perfect Birthday Present: A Vacation To Park City, Utah

Posted on February 11, 2013 by

VacationRoost was the perfect site to help me plan a destination 30th birthday surprise for my husband in Park City. The condo at Red Stag Lodge was wonderful and in walking distance to Deer Valley Ski Resort. The slopes had some of the best powder my husband had skied in a while. We were in heaven in the mountains.

We started off our birthday weekend by driving up to Park City and checking out some of the shops on Main Street. After some leisurely shopping, we decided to go stock up on groceries for the weekend. One of the best things about staying in a vacation rental is the kitchen. I love being able to cook my own food instead of eating out for every meal. It’s also nice to be able to eat breakfast in your jammies!

Beautiful Park City, Utah

After grabbing groceries, we picked up our keys and headed to our condo – right next to Deer Valley Resort. The 2 bedroom condo at the Red Stag Lodge is beautiful and furnished with a comfy fireplace, luxurious bathrooms (with jetted tubs!) and even a hot tub to soak in after your day of skiing. We almost didn’t want to leave.

The next day we headed out skiing. We happened to stay during a snowy weekend up in Park City, which made for really awesome ski conditions. Park City has 3 large ski resorts within 10 minutes of each other, so there are plenty of runs to choose from. My husband spent the day on the mountain while I read and drank hot chocolate in the lodge.

All-in-all, our Park City vacation rental provided the best, most fun, and most romantic birthday weekend either of us have ever had. Sometimes you just need to get to the mountains.

Thank you VacationRoost!

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5 Tips for Raising Expert Skiers

Posted on January 28, 2013 by

Skiing and snowboarding are excellent life-long sports the whole family can enjoy. My sister and I were taught to ski as young children, and now that we’re teaching our own kids, our entire family can experience multi-generation ski trips together. Of course, kids don’t learn to ski without the dedication of time, effort, and yes, money. Read on for five tips for raising expert skiers without breaking the bank.

1. Start young. My kids were three years old when they first stepped into a pair of skis. Yes, taking preschoolers skiing is a lot of work, but there’s a big pay-off: by the time each of my sons were in kindergarten, they were skiing black diamond runs everywhere they went. Most ski resorts offer free lift tickets for kids under age five, so take those savings and put them into ski lessons!

2. Be consistent. An annual trip to one resort each winter does not an expert skier make. If you live within reasonable distance to a ski resort, purchase season passes as incentive for getting the whole family on the mountain consistently. All resorts offer steep discounts on their passes if you know when to buy: often, the best time is at the very end of the previous ski season. Subscribe to your resort’s email list or Facebook page to know when the big deals are. If you don’t live near a ski resort, consider taking 2-3 weekend visits to a resort instead of one week-long trip. Kids will learn throughout the ski season in a consistent way.

3. Stick with the same ski program or instructor. If possible, keep the same instructor throughout the season. To ensure our kids have the same instructor consistently, we like to book private family lessons instead of group classes. Many skiers think private lessons are more expensive, but they’re often not: most resorts allow up to five family members in one private lesson, making the cost compatible to group lessons. Private lessons ensure that one instructor is able to give your kids individualized attention, and they usually get more ski time: one private lesson perk is front-of-the-lift-line access.

4. Research ski schools before you go. If you do enroll your kids in a ski school, save time on the slopes by researching their class level requirements ahead of time. At Whistler Blackcomb in BC, Canada, their ski school posts skill requirements for each ski school level for parents to view before arriving. That way, they can place their kids in the appropriate class before stepping into their skis, saving the instructors the time it takes to assess skills. Now they can jump right into teaching.

5. Look for after-school or community center programs. If you live near a resort, chances are your school-aged kids are eligible to join an after-school ski program. These programs get kids up on the mountain for up to six weeks in a row, provide transportation, and usually include rental equipment (if needed) and ski lessons for one reasonable price. Our kids love the social aspect of these programs as they schedule in free-ski time (but if they skip their lesson, they’re kicked out!).

Posted in Outdoor Travel, Ski Vacations, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Stein Eriksen Lodge Park City, UT

Posted on January 26, 2013 by

My husband and I recently spent the weekend at Stein Eriksen Lodge at Deer Valley in Park City, UT.  We arrived in the evening after it was dark out and our first view of the Lodge was the beautiful tree-lined entrance.

We drove into the parking garage and pulled up to the Bell Desk.  There is only Valet parking at the Stein Eriksen Lodge, they opened the doors for us and offered to take our bags.  They took our bags to the front desk as we checked in and then to our room for us.  The gentleman that was helping us with our bags offered the light the fire for us.  The fireplace is a beautiful wood burning fireplace with a stone exterior.  Before he left, he asked if there was anything else he could do.

The room was spacious and clean.  It was beautifully decorated and furnished.  The kitchen was spacious with granite countertops.  There were 2 bathrooms.  The master bathroom was very large and had a separate room for the shower, bathtub, and toilet.  The bathtub was spacious and jetted.  We had our own hot tub on our private balcony with an amazing view.

 

The room had been prepared with turn-down service.  There were mints on our bed as well as a robe and slippers for my husband and myself.  There were tea cups with soothing before bedtime tea as well as bottles of water for each of us.

We weren’t sure what activities we were going to do while in the Park City area, we asked the front desk for suggestions.  They recommended several activities that would be fun for our little family.  They also told us that they have a free shuttle service every day to Park City’s Main Street.  She also suggested restaurants on Main Street that we might like based on our personal preferences.  The employees at the Stein provide customer service at the highest level.  Everyone at the lodge is helpful, friendly and eager to assist in any manner possible.  I  imagine that they would’ve done just about anything for us if we just asked.

Stein Eriksen Lodge is beautiful, clean, and relaxing.  We felt very spoiled by the great customer service and personal attention during our stay.  It is perfect for a romantic weekend or even a family getaway.  The on slope access to the Deer Valley ski resort is a prime reason to stay here during the winter, but the summer can be just as fun.  I highly recommend the Stein Eriksen Lodge to anyone and I will definitely return to the Stein Eriksen Lodge in the future.

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Cool Ski-Resort Chairlifts and Gondolas in North America

Posted on January 24, 2013 by

“It’s the journey, not the destination, that matters most” just might apply to some of the cool chairlifts and gondolas found at ski areas across North America. These speedy, warm, record-setting or quirky contraptions make it fun to ride to the top of towering mountains before pointing ski tips down for the (admittedly) more fun run down the slopes.

Check out these nifty chairlifts and gondolas you might encounter on your next ski trip:

Vail, Colorado: Gondola “One”

This state-of-the-art gondola is brand new this ski season, replacing the old Vista Bahn Express (#16). It’s dubbed “One,” to commemorate Vail’s original gondola in that location in Vail Village. The cabins carry 10 passengers and each features heated, cushioned seats and Wi-Fi access. With a speed of 1,200 feet per minute, the gondola is the fastest gondola of its type in the world, creating a 40 percent increase in uphill capacity. I love that Vail’s Lift Operations team helped design the equipment racks, which allow for fat powder skis, tapered tips and up to eight snowboards.

 

Canyons Resort, Utah: Orange Bubble Express

I thought the “Orange Bubble” was just a nickname for the quad chairlift at Canyons Resort; but it turns out that’s the official name of the high-speed lift that has an orange, opaque shield in the back that seemingly evokes looking at the mountain (if you turn around to look out the back) through orange ski goggles. Another nice feature: seats that heat up to 50 degrees in 20 seconds.

Snowmass, Colorado:  “Skittles” gondola

The official name of the six-passenger gondola that runs from the bottom of Fanny Hill to the Snowmass Village Plaza is the Skycab. But everyone calls it “Skittles” because the colorful cabs are bright green, red and yellow – just like the candy! What’s notable about this lift: it’s free to all passengers, which is great if you’re not skiing for the day, but want to avoid the hike up from Snowmass Base Village to the plaza.

Squaw Valley, California: KT-22

This legendary quad lift is speedy: it climbs 1,800 vertical feet in six minutes. The name dates back to a 1940’s story about area founder Wayne Poulsen and his wife, Gladys “Sandy” Poulsen. Sandy reportedly needed 22 kick turns to ski down the peak. Wayne started using the name to tease Sandy’s skills, and the name stuck. The lift, dubbed “The Mothership” by locals, accesses intense and steep terrain – not necessarily for beginners!

Mad River Glen, Vermont: Single chair

This Vermont ski resort is the only one in the continental United States to use a single chairlift – and visitors embrace its quirkiness, even if it is a solitary 10- to 12-minute ride (depending on volume of skiers loading at the base). In 2007, the resort totally renovated the aging lift, but chose to keep the single chairs, even though it would have cost less to install a modern-looking double chair!

Sunday River, Maine: Chondola

This lift with the funny name is comprised of both detachable six-person chairs and fixed eight-passenger gondola cabins. Clever, right? From the top of the Chondola, skiers and boarders can access six of Sunday River’s eight peaks.

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia: PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola

This record-breaking gondola spans two peaks (Whistler and Blackcomb) across 2.73 miles of cable, so you can go up one mountain and come down the other. It features the world’s longest unsupported (free) span of 1.88 miles between the two towers furthest apart. The highest vertical point is over Fitzsimmons Creek at 1,361 feet – the world’s greatest distance above a valley floor.

 

Posted in Canyons Resort, Lake Tahoe, Mad River Valley, Outdoor Activities, Outdoor Travel, Ski Vacations, Sunday River, Uncategorized, Utah, Vail, Whistler | Leave a comment

10 Things to Look forward to this Winter

Posted on January 22, 2013 by

After a slow start to the season, the snow in the Rocky Mountains has started piling up. From fresh powder runs to serene mountain landscapes, a little snow can go a long way when it comes to wintertime experiences in the mountains. And as more lifts start running and the terrain parks open their gates, there are a lot of reasons to be grateful for the white stuff falling.

First Chairs

There is something to be said for waking up at the crack of dawn, braving the cold, and being on the first chair lift up the mountain. At the top, you’re greeted with untouched runs of either freshly laid powder or perfectly groomed courderoy, awaiting the first edges to cut into it. There is simply no feeling like having the mountain all to yourself, even if it’s only for one run.

The Winter X Games

The high flying action of North America’s most popular extreme sports showcase returns to the town of Aspen for a record 12th consecutive season. Big names like Sean White huck themselves into the cool night air, twisting, flipping, and rotating before the crowds of thousands gathered to witness the spectacle.

Winter X Games

photo credit Ryan Holst

Powder Days

Is there anything better than an epic powder day coinciding with your vacation? Man-made snow is alright, and groomers are fun, but nothing beats a fresh, white, billowy layer of snow greeting you as you point your tips down the mountain.

powder day

photo credit Aspen/Snowmass

Vail’s Turning 50

Consistently ranked as one of the very best ski resorts in the world, Vail Resort in Eagle County marks a major milestone this year – a half century of operation. The resort is still a young one, even compared to some of its neighbors like Loveland or Aspen. But in its short time, the incredible skiing and snowboarding at Vail have established it as a premier destination. Special events are planned all season in honor of the anniversary, including a 50th Anniversary film and the Burton US Open of Snowboarding, the longest running snowboarding competition in the world.

Snowshoeing

For a quiet walk through peaceful winter mountain settings, strap on a pair of snowshoes and head into the wilderness. Many ski towns such as Steamboat Springs and Telluride offer snowshoe trails that allow visitors to access dramatic mountain landscapes that would otherwise be impassible due to heavy snow fall.

Skiing ‘The Legend’

Sure the big resorts offer acres of skiable terrain that rival Rhode Island in size and amenities that can’t be found anywhere else, but there is just something about the smaller, classic hills like Arapahoe Basin, nicknamed the legend. Maybe it’s the wicked steeps off the Pallavicini lift or the chutes and glades of Montezuma Bowl, but there is a certain charm to this old school mountain.

Arapahoe Basin, Colorado

Heated High Speed Gondolas With Wifi

Okay, this one isn’t so much related to snow as it is about bringing you to the snow. This year, Vail opened ‘One’, their new high speed gondola ferrying visitors from Vail Village to the mountain. The lift is the fastest of its kind with a speed of over 1200 feet per minute. It also offers many creature comforts not typically found on the mountain including heat, cushioned seats, and in-cabin wifi. Not a bad way to warm up in between runs.

Diversions

Spending 5 or 7 days on a mountain can be exhausting. Thankfully, there are plenty of diversions to be found once the snow starts falling. Winter Park offers a variety of tubing hills for when you just want to sit back and let gravity do all the work. Meanwhile over at Keystone, they turn their village lake into a giant ice skating rink. The lake is the largest Zamboni maintained outdoor rink in North America, providing a smooth surface for pick up hockey players and figure skaters alike.

Snow Transportation

Certain vehicles are better than others for getting around in the snow, and many mountain towns offer the chance to experience these unique forms of transportation. Horse drawn sleigh rides are the classic method for getting around and pair well with a blanket and a cup of cocoa. For a more thrilling experience, climb aboard a snowmobile, squeeze the throttle, and take off on a adrenaline-laced ride through the wilderness.

snowmobiling

photo credit phyxiusone

Apres Ski

Of course the number one reason to take a skiing or snowboarding vacation is to well, ski or snowboard. But coming in at a close second is drinking in the Apres Ski environment (literally). When the weather gets too cold or the body is too achy to continue, Colorado ski resorts offer a number of places to thaw out and nurse yourself back to health, all in the company of some live music and a tasty adult beverage. Gather round the fire with other revelers who’ve called it a day and sip on a local craft beer or hot chocolate spiked with a little Baileys to ease into the evening.

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Maile’s Quick Hits – Must Do List of Things in Salt Lake City

Posted on January 18, 2013 by

Every year the Outdoor Retailers show brings thousands of folks to Salt Lake to check out the latest gear, trends, and technology in the outdoor industry. The town fills up with lots of scruffy looking but healthy and handsome guys. The entire thing makes my single girlfriends happy.

Ski! One of the most amazing facts about Salt Lake is that within a 20 minute drive you can be at 4 different ski resorts. Within 30 minutes, add another 3 resorts. An hour and you can hit another  2 ski resorts. Is there anywhere else in the world that within an hour you can be at any one of 9 ski resorts? I think not.  Alta, Brighton, Canyons, Deer Valley, Park City Mountain, Solitude, Snowbasin, Snowbird, and Sundance Pick one or two and ski world famous powder.

Eat! I could write thousands of words on this category, but I’ll limit it to my favorite dining spots and my favorite dishes.  I’ve eaten Walnut Shrimp all over our great nation and J. Wong’s Asian Bistro’s is stellar. Takashi’s for sushi is a must; order the Strawberry Fields roll. For Mexican food, the Red Iguana is an institution. Try anything with Mole sauce on it. If you still have room, drop by Bruges Waffles and be prepared to be transported to heaven. Or skip dinner and eat one of their waffles topped with Belgian chocolate, strawberries and crème fraiche .  Yes, I am trying to make your mouth water.

Drink! Salt Lake has some of the finest craft breweries anywhere. Start at Uinta, have lunch and a beer at the Brewhouse Pub.  Try the seasonal  Yard Sale, my personal favorite.  Head to The Bayou for a second round of beer and choose from an astonishing selection of over 300 beers. Oh, and the food there is delicious and deserves to be mentioned in the “Eat!” section. For live music while getting your favorite drink, head to Gracies for the latest local bands.

Sightsee!  If you are in the mood to bobsled, guess what? You can! Dinner in a yurt? Yup! Ride a funicular? Sure! There is a reason a lot of us live in Salt Lake City and it has to do with the plentiful number of activities. For those with a bit more refinement and a couple of hours to spare, swing by The Leonardo museum.  The current exhibit includes a Da Vinci exhibit that showcases a high definition recreation of The Last Supper at actual size (29 x 14.5ft). Seeing that would certainly be an impressive conversation starter.

Shop! As a shoe collector, this might be my favorite pastime. The new City Creek Center is a shopping extravaganza that includes a retractable roof. Again, great conversation starter while you are hunkered down at The Bayou or Gracies.  Afterward head over to the Gateway, go to my favorite shop, Z Gallerie, eat, and take in a movie, all within a few blocks.

Relax. For gals like me in the outdoor and travel industry (and the occasional metro man), we have fabulous spas like downtown at the Grand America Spa or, for a mountain experience, The Cliff Spa at Snowbird. The view from the pool will make you wish you had a better camera. If you are pressed for time and can’t take a spa day, stop by the Beehive Tea Room for Afternoon Tea.  For $22.50 per person they serve a selection of scones, sandwiches, sweets, and a tea off their extensive menu. Afternoon tea is Wednesday through Sunday from 2-4pm; reservations are required. I love the funky vintage vibe of the tea room and find it extremely relaxing to sit and sip a cup of tea. Their scones are mouth wateringly delicious!

I may have to write a “round two” of quick hits because I’ve only scratched the surface of the extraordinary amount of things to do in our great city. As a note, these are MY favorites and might not be yours, but if you are from out of town it is a solid start of must-do activities. Send me your thoughts to add to my next list– what are the favorite things that folks from out of town must do when visiting Salt Lake City? Let me know so I can try them!

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Snowshoe vs Downhill

Posted on January 14, 2013 by

In a state like Colorado – known for its world-class mountain resorts – downhill skiing and snowboarding are synonymous with winter fun. We have the gift of lift. The ski slopes are such an obvious destination that it’s easy to forget about the backcountry trails and wilderness areas, accessible by snowshoe. Here are three reasons to snowshoe your way into the woods rather than ride your way up to the mountaintops:

More Atmospheric

A snowshoe adventure into the wilderness gets you off the beaten path and away from the downhill masses. No Texan tourists rocking the gondolas. No ski students swerving out of control. No speakers blaring music at the base. No lodges with overpriced burgers and drinks. On a snowshoe trail, it’s often just you, your companions, and the white winter wonderland around you. Break trail. Leave tracks. Go wandering.

Added bonus – snowshoeing lends itself better to high romance than the slopes. Secluded and serene, a snowshoe trip makes for an ideal date excursion. You can find wide swaths of untouched snow for writing messages or building a snow couple. If the weather is right, you can even plan a moonlight snowshoe adventure. My sister and her husband report that they fell in love on snowshoes under a full moon.

More Aerobic

Another advantage of dodging the ski lifts and strapping on the snowshoes is that you have to earn your elevation gains. Reaching tree line or a lookout point becomes an achievement, rewarded with a pounding heart and an endorphin-induced “runner’s high.” On an intermediate to difficult route, you’ll work up enough of a sweat to open the underarm vents of your jacket.

In terms of calories burned, measurements are always relative to personal factors like body size. According to livestrong.com, a person weighing 160 lbs burns around 365 calories in an hour of downhill skiing, whereas a person weighing 150 lbs will burn around 550 calories in an hour of snowshoeing.

Fewer Barriers to Entry

Snowshoeing is easier on the budget than the ski slopes. One of the biggest expenses for skiing and snowboarding is the lift ticket, which a backcountry adventure doesn’t require. Another major expense is the equipment. Snowshoe outfitting is less specialized and therefore less expensive than downhill snow sports equipment, both to rent and to buy.

Also, skill level is less important on snowshoes than on skis. As the saying goes, “if you can walk, you can snowshoe.” With a learning curve that gentle, no lessons are needed. Practice, however, is good for becoming familiar with routes and keeping your baseline level of fitness up.

Check out tips and ideas for snowshoeing routes in Colorado from The Denver Post:

http://guide.denverpost.com/lists/best-places-snowshoe/

Just a reminder, remember to be careful when going into the backcountry.  Having proper safety gear and training is suggested.

Posted in Outdoor Activities, Outdoor Travel, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Alta’s Peruvian Lodge, A Tribute to Classic Ski Lodges

Posted on January 11, 2013 by

For the second year in a row, our company chose to host our annual Christmas party at the Alta Peruvian Lodge. We view it as a time of celebration and thankfulness for the opportunity we have to work in the wonderful vacation rental and ski travel industries. Two years ago some of our party planning committee were skeptical of a change of venue from a hotel ballroom to the Peruvian, but since much of our company history is grounded in the ski vacation industry, our executive team thought it made perfect sense.

If you haven’t visited the Peruvian, you are missing out on a great opportunity to stay overnight in one of the most classic American ski lodges in the West. My job takes me from ski town to ski town and I’ve toured dozens and dozens of ski lodging properties and rarely see one as classic as the Alta Peruvian. The lodge, built in 1948, is loyal to its roots of classic ski lodge culture. Each room includes breakfast, lunch and dinner in one price, allowing the hard core skier to focus on getting the most out of their stay and ski as much as possible.

Upon arriving, you are warmly greeted by the front desk staff, someone like Hannah McIlwain who checked us in. You often see Patrick Pike, the Reservations Manager or Todd Collins, the General Manager pitching in to assist the front desk staff during a busy time. There are complimentary hot chocolate, coffee, tea and hot cookies in the lobby. You can sip on a cup while gazing up through the wrap around the ceiling windows at a breathtaking view of the mountains. The lodging options include shared baths down the hall, private bathrooms and one and two bedroom suites.

My boyfriend Jim and I were lucky to have secured a suite with a corner sitting area and a beautiful view of the mountain. Our room had brand new furniture and a Starbucks coffee maker. The view struck me because of the ability to watch the groomers light up the mountainside late at night. I stayed up later than I should have watching them prep for the next day’s skiing. The view made me feel like a mountain town insider, privy to a private world not seen by many.

Each lodging reservation comes with all-inclusive food served family style in their dining room. Our company dinner consisted of a delicious buffet of crab legs, shrimp, roast beef and a dessert menu that made me want to start there and leave the crab legs for later. The staff was wonderfully attentive and efficient. Our group of 170 was seated at 7:30pm and everyone made it through the buffet line (some several times!) within an hour. A few toasts and cheers later, we moved from the dining room to the space across a small lobby and enjoyed dancing with a DJ and after-dinner drinks. A few folks played ping pong downstairs and some enjoyed the outdoor hot tubs and pool.

If you haven’t been to the Peruvian Lodge, find a few nights this winter to head up, stay and have someone else cook for you. At a minimum, you should stop by after skiing at Alta, wander through the lobby and swing by the Alta Peruvian Bar, affectionately nicknamed the “P-Dog.” There you’ll mingle with hard core skiers back from a long day on the hill, or locals stopping by on their way back to the valley.

Have you stayed in a classic ski lodge? If so, where and what was your experience?

Posted in Ski Vacations, Uncategorized, Utah | Leave a comment

Family-friendly après-ski at Sugarbush

Posted on January 7, 2013 by

I have a specific set of requirements when it comes to après-ski with my kids: It needs to be comfortable; food needs to be plentiful, delicious, and available early; and most of all, it must be fun. The newest addition to the après-ski scene near Sugarbush meets all of these requirements and also offers a great value. The Hostel Tevere is the perfect place for families to head after a day of skiing.

Tevere has quickly become popular with families as was in evidence one December night when the dining room filled up early with large groups of adults and kids, some still wearing their ski pants and hats. Table décor is full of casual, stylish touches like Mason jar drinking glasses tucked with cutlery. Food is served at long tables, and everyone gets a numbered spot including some with lucky number pi.

The food at Tevere is excellent and will satisfy foodie kids and grownups alike. Selections come as small, medium, and large plates and the menu offers creative items like homemade beet pasta as well as kid-friendly choices like a burger and fries. Prices are very reasonable, ranging from five to fifteen dollars.

We enjoyed treats like spicy sausage pops – deep-fried country sausage, served with a creamy sauce for dipping. Deep bowls of New England clam chowder are laden with clams, potatoes, and the surprising twist of some fresh dill. A salad of Brussels sprouts was also a surprise – the sprouts are served raw, shaved thin, and are tossed with a tarragon vinaigrette, pickled red onions, and blue cheese and come accompanied with a half a soft-boiled egg. Fettuccine came topped with smoked trout and crème fraiche.



Dessert did not disappoint either. While we found the cheesecake to be a little dry, but the homemade Snickers pie was a gooey treat and white chocolate, caramel, whisky mousse was creamy and light enough on the alcohol for everyone to enjoy.

Other things to like about Hostel Tevere? While kids play foosball or checkers in one of the comfortable public rooms grown-ups can relax in the cozy bar where the carefully-curated beer list is full of interesting microbrews from across the United States.

When you are renting a condo on a ski vacation with your family, it’s great to have dining out options where you can fill your stomach and enjoy fun family time after a day on the mountain. At Sugarbush, Hostel Tevere fits the bill on both fronts.

Dinner is served at the Hostel Tevere from Wednesday to Saturday 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. (on select evenings during holiday weeks, they start serving at 5 – check the website).  Reservations are accepted for groups larger than eight. Breakfast is available Sundays only.

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6 Ways to Make this Season’s Ski Trip Better than Last Year

Posted on January 4, 2013 by

Like thousands of other folks planning a ski vacation to Utah this year, you might be considering a wait-and-see approach to planning your trip. You might have questions about how much snow there will be and where you should go. Due to the disappointing lack of snow last year, many are wary about the 2012/2013 season. The recent snow is making a splash and everyone is getting excited and hoping for a good snow year. If you are considering waiting to plan your ski vacation, you may be making a big mistake to wait any longer. So far this year skiing has been amazing at the resorts in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.

According to Accuweather.com, there is above normal snow predicted for the 2012-2013 season. In addition, MTRiP, a provider of lodging performance benchmarking, reports 60% of winter reservations are already confirmed. This means that lodging is filling up and available options are shrinking.

Below are 6 things you should do right now to get ahead of folks rushing to book a Utah ski trip at the last minute as the snow piles up:

Decide what kind of trip you are taking

Do you go with buddies or girlfriends? How about a family ski vacation this year? Or maybe a few couples? Each of these scenarios requires different planning. I’ve been on all of these types of trips and each time I’ve stayed in different lodging, decided on lessons or no lessons and even changed up the restaurants on my hit list. With the girls, all that mattered was the nightlife.  Ski trips with children require a location closer to the mountain to avoid schlepping gear and throwing out your back in the morning rush. Decide the type of vacation first, and then move on to planning.

 Be Ready to Pull the Trigger

Planning a ski vacation can be complex. Do research and decide which type of lodging and location is best for you. Talking to someone who knows the local market is a good way to round out your online research. Ski vacations are typically one of your higher cost annual trips, so make sure you chat with someone who knows the town, places to visit, and can give you the inside scoop. This is essential, especially if it is somewhere you haven’t visited in the past. Expert advice can make the difference between a wonderful ski vacation and a mediocre one. The thing about good deals is that they don’t last, so knowing it when you see is important so you can jump on it.

Try something different

Check out vacation rentals as alternative to a hotel room. A growing number of people are finding that the space and amenities at vacation rentals make their ski vacation more enjoyable. It provides a place to stash things on a gear intensive trip like skiing. Children can have their own room and adults can have space to relax, be entertained, or get in a few hours of work in the case that you can’t completely unplug while on vacation. Most importantly, vacation rentals give you a place to spend time together, which is probably why you’re going on vacation with the group you are in the first place. If you normally stay in a hotel, it’s time you experienced how a vacation rental can enhance your entire vacation.

Prep your gear

Don’t wait until your vacation arrives to find, prep, or upgrade your gear. Start gathering those lost gloves, pants that might be too tight, and ski socks. Decide what gear to take and what to rent. A lot of my friends take all their gear, but there is a growing trend toward just taking ski or snowboard boots. Airline baggage fees for odd-sized or extra items like skis often make it more economical to rent gear. Services that deliver skis right to your hotel or vacation rental also make it easier to leave stuff at home. Local rental shops like Wasatch Powder House at the mouth of the Cottonwood Canyons can gear you up in style without any hassle.

Get in shape

I could opine on this all day, but suffice it to say that you’ll enjoy your ski vacation much more if you aren’t waddling around in pain every night from being out of shape. Run, walk, swim—do anything that will get you moving and in better shape. A lot of gyms have classes specifically designed to prep for ski season. Start now or you’ll regret it. Neither a hot tub nor Advil compensate for a lack of physical preparation.

Book Early

Despite a dismal winter last year, things look to be booking out early. According to data from RRC and NSAA, the lack of early snow last year caused skier visitors to be the lowest in 20 years – but trends show that is highly unlikely to happen this year. Additional data shows that bookings for February and March are actually running ahead of last year – if you’re skiing then, you better hurry! Take advantage of deals and get what you want.

*http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/winter-forecast-snow-northeast-nyc/80787

Posted in Ski Vacations, Uncategorized | Leave a comment