Tired of Skiing Your Front Yard?

Ever dreamed of taking a ski vacation to Park City or Salt Lake City? Enter now to win a 3 night ski vacation to Utah! Ski Weekend Sweepstakes winner will receive airfare, lodging, car rental, ski lift tickets, ski rental and restaurant gift card. Utah Vacation Homes has partnered with Ski N See Ski and Snowboard Rentals, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, and Market Street Grill to bring you a chance to live the dream. Don’t delay – enter to win now!

Enter To Win Here:

http://www.utahvacationhomes.com/ski-weekend-sweepstakes.aspx

And while you are at it – take a look at the following condos and homes still available for this Christmas and New Year’s week with only a 4 night minimum:

Park City
Bear Hollow #10 http://www.utahvacationhomes.com/parkcity_bear_hollow10.aspx
Bear Hollow #9   http://www.utahvacationhomes.com/parkcity_bear_hollow9.aspx
Red Pine O6   http://www.utahvacationhomes.com/parkcity_redpine_o6.aspx

Salt Lake City

Canyon Racquet Club B4
 http://www.utahvacationhomes.com/saltlake_canyon_racquet_clubb4.aspx
Oaks at Wasatch #8  http://www.utahvacationhomes.com/Oaks-at-Wasatch-8-205.aspx
Ontario House http://www.utahvacationhomes.com/Ontario-House-207.aspx
Oaks at Wasatch #4   http://www.utahvacationhomes.com/saltlake_oaks_wasatch4.aspx
Oaks at Wasatch #2 http://www.utahvacationhomes.com/saltlake_oaks_wasatch2.aspx
Bengal Park http://www.utahvacationhomes.com/saltlake_bengal_park.aspx

I had the duty of attending a Ski Utah Board Meeting yesterday, December 7, 2011 at Alta Ski Resort.  I know, bummer for me right?  Well when duty calls . . .

Fortunately the meeting was a mid-mountain at the Watson Shelter mid mountain lodge.  And attendance required a ski -in ski out agenda.  Much to my delight, conditions were amazing!  Great coverage on all runs, and even Ballroom was completely filled in.  I shared a chair lift with Onno Wieringa, Alta Ski Resort General Manager, who mentioned that even Ballroom Couloir was almost ready to open.  The snow was a blast to carve, no icy spots and no crowds.  Blue skies and nice temperatures were the cherry on top.

I also shared a chair lift ride with Kym Buttschardt (by the way, she rips).  She was excited to share with me that she would soon get her new  Goode Cabon Fiber Skis – made in Ogden Utah! .  She’s very proud of her hometown – Ogden, Utah – and it’s transformation into the outdoor recreation industry capital of the world.

Kym didn’t take any credit, but reveled in the revitalization of Ogden’s 25th street and downtown atmosphere.  A little digging showed me that her family has been greatly instrumental in the creation of a new life for the city, and its downtown entertainment atmosphere.  As a result of her parents long history in the restaurant business, Kym and her husband Pete jumped in to develop Historic Union Grill at Union Station and Roosters Brewing Company and Restaurant on 25th Street in 1994 – long before downtown was cool.  Their presence gave locals and the droves of new outdoor recreation companies, including Salomon, Goode, Descente, Smith Optics and others,  a place to hang.  I’ve also been a customer for a long time, not knowing the faces behind the food till now.  Mmmmm  . . . I’m getting hungry.

Anyway – the meeting was a great chance to network, and work, and do business stuff – very official and  . . .workish.  And, the skiing after was OK too .

Kym from Roosters & Union Grill Skiing Alta Dec 7, 2011

The Beartrap Lodge, nestled in Big Cottonwood Canyon near Solitude and Brighton Ski and Snowboard Resorts, is an ideal setting for a corporate or company retreat and party.  With seating for 24, everyone has a place.  Two kitchens and a bar serve up convenience for caterers or home cooked meals.  Billiards, Ping Pong, Sauna, Hot Tub, 72 inch TV, fireplaces and other amenities ensure a fun time.  Summer or Winter, rain or shine, this unique lodge accommodates family reunions, ski groups, corporate retreats and other large groups.

Each year Skiers and Snowboarders wait for the first big snow fall.  Their dances are now fullfilled.  This year we have cold temperatures to help the natural snow with plenty of man made snow from snow guns.  The artificial snow isn’t what you ski on, it’s beneath the natural snow providing a great base layer to extend the season.  We know this first snow won’t be the last so get ready for your next ski vacation to Park City, Utah by booking your lodging – home, condo, villa, chalet – now . . . and keep on dancing!

Great Storms in the end of February continued in early March 2010.  High up on Jupiter Peak, the powder was deep.  Spring Break vacation dreams are definately being fulfilled this month.  I hope all those Texans, Floridians, Chicagoans and other visitors still contemplating a quick trip to Utah take a look at the goods featured in this movie clip:

The anticipation was palpable among the 125 lucky skiers willing to brave early morning lines.  At 8:15 I was somewhat near the back of the line.  I condemned myself to the fearful fate of missing first tram. 

Tram line 40 minutes before Snowbird Ski Resort opened on Novemeber 7, 2008

 But it was not to be!!!!  I made it in the golden carriage, otherwise known as “blue tram”.  Me and 124 other lucky skiers and snowboarders won the right to enjoy nearly five feet of the greatest snow on earth.

After uloading, I turn to see the blue tram at Snowbird Ski Resort traveling back down to get skiers 252 to 376 waiting below.

It’s difficult at this point to believe how beautiful the mountains look.  My last tram departure was on June 14th, 2008.  Yep, Snowbird was still open with fantastic coverage even in summer! 

Little Cloud Bowl - every true skier or boarder has been tested here.

I didn’t come to sight see, so I turned my eyes down to Regulator Johnson below.  Was it worth it? 

Regulator Johnson waits below with armfuls of Utah powder.