If you’re coming to ski in Utah this January, specifically January 8th, you should consider spending that day at Sundance.  Even more so if you’re planning on renting your skis or snowboards from our friends at Canyon Sports. Here’s why:

On Saturday, August 16, 2008, Christian and Stephanie Nielsen were in a small plane crash along with their flight instructor, Doug Kinnear, near St. Johns, Arizona.

Sadly, Doug Kinnear passed away soon after arriving at the Maricopa County Hospital. Christian is now recovering from home while Stephanie still remains in the hospital. (Christian has sustained burns on over 30% of his body, his wife Stephanie’s body was burned over 80%. )

Stephanie was a ski instructor at Sundance and so it is that skiers are rallying to help out.

Additionally, over the past four years Stephanie has maintained a blog, the NieNie Dialogues about her life at home as a wife and mom. It has become very popular, and since this accident it is now receiving 30,000 hits per day. Their story was featured on a local television newscast, MSNBC ran a story and People Magazine published an article, so there has been a lot of interest both locally and nationally about this family’s plight.

In the end, and despite how rough and insensitive the world can often be, skiers and bloggers are a tight knit bunch and support one another, especially in tough times.

The Deal:

Canyon Sports and Sundance Resort are hoping to do something substantial with this event to raise enough money that will alleviate some of the financial concern and hardship on the family. They have organized a ski day at Sundance Ski Resort to be held on January 8th with all proceeds will be donated to the Nielsens’ recovery fund.

With a donation of $100 you can enjoy a day on the slopes at Sundance with complimentary lunch from the Pizza Factory and ski/snowboard rentals from Canyon Sports.

Aside from the opportunity being limited, it’s more than a good cause so please help spread the word and if you’re able to, go today to the SKI FOR NIE website to donate and reserve your spot on the 8th.

Earlier this week I posted on how to beat the summer heat by going to Park City and Big Cottonwood Canyon.  The activities in those areas are not limited to what was in the post and you can easily spend more time in either place. 

One thing I love about Big Cottonwood Canyon is the wildlife.  On several occasions I’ve seen moose, deer, and beavers.  This photo of a moose crossing a driveway was taken from Bear Trap Lodge.  

Bear Trap Lodge is a 5 bedroom cabin located approximately 13 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon not far from Guardsman Pass which takes you into Park City and the Heber Valley.   It is close to hiking, biking, fishing, and Frisbee golf and also has an abundance of activities on site including a game room with Pool Table and Ping Pong.  This cabin is ideal for a weekend getaway and works well for Family Reunions, Girlfriend Getaways, and Man-cations.

Another reason to stay at Bear Trap Lodge this summer is the hot deal running for the rest of the summer, which is $100 off the nightly rate.  This makes the nightly rate, $499,  hard to beat on accommodations for 24 people.

When I first heard about the Salt Lake Connect Pass a myriad of thoughts went through my mind. First I thought of a ski resort connection pass but then realized I was thinking about the Salt Lake Super Pass. Then public transportation came to mind with me thinking it was a way to connect rail with bus. Then I conjured up a restaurant super pass if you will leaving the bearer of the pass “connected”. Although I was getting slightly warmer with my guesses, I was still way off the mark.

The Salt Lake Connect Pass is a pass offered by the Salt Lake Visitors Bureau that allows summer time visitors and locals to use it to access an array of activities across the Salt Lake Valley. Utah Vacation Homes sells the Connect Pass at a discount to lodging guests.

The Visit Salt Lake Connect Pass comes in 1, 2, 3, 5, or 7 day increments. The card is activated the first time you use it. It is then valid for that day and the number of consecutive calendar days you have purchased at the following attractions:

• Discovery Gateway
• The Lion House Pantry Restaurant
• The Living Planet Aquarium
• Red Butte Garden
• Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort
• Clark Planetarium
• This Is the Place Heritage Park
• Utah Museum of Fine Arts
• Utah Museum of Natural History
• Utah Olympic Park
• Utah’s Hogle Zoo
• Thanksgiving Point

Additionally you can use the card to save at restaurants, soccer games, the symphony and one of my favorites the Utah Olympic Park in Park City.

If you’re planning on a stay in Salt Lake this summer check out the connect pass pricing at Utah Vacation Homes’ special deals page.

Springtime is an amazing time to be in Utah. Snow-capped mountains give way to green fairways and mild evening temperatures in Salt Lake City. It’s the perfect time to get away for a spring ski trip, especially when Utah has enjoyed record snowfall as it has this season.

If you’re bringing the family or teaming up with another family, one of the most accommodating and ideally located vacation properties in the Salt Lake Valley is at the Canyon Racquet Club. It was completely remodeled in 2007 and has a slough of upgrades including:

• All new Furniture & Lighting
• All new Kitchen Appliances, Washer & Dryer
• Incredible new Hardwood Flooring & Upgraded Carpeting
• Granite Counter-tops
• New Hot Tub Spa with 86 jets
• New Plasma & LCD TV’s

Considering the 25% off of the nightly rate special that is currently happening, this property can’t be beat.

Located adjacent to Wasatch Boulevard at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains this property is just 15 minutes from Snowbird Resort and 20 minutes from Brighton. Since it’s spring time the Old Mill golf course which is now open is just a short 4 minutes down the road. The reality of skiing in the morning and playing a round of golf in the afternoon is easily accomplished when staying here.

Unit B-4 at the Canyon Racquet Club is very comfortable, sleeping 10 with 4 bedrooms in a contemporary setting. A private hot tub and spacious living room with a 50″ plasma TV makes going out a tough decision.

Keep your eyes on the specials page for other hot deals on ideal vacation properties in the Salt Lake and Park City area.

– Check out the rest of the specs and details for the Canyon Racquet Club B-4 property.