by Diana Andrews

Bing Crosby isn’t the only one who dreams of a white Christmas. If you live in the upper Northeast dreams are coming true early with plenty of snow falling thanks to Hurricane Sandy and the beginning of the winter season. This is great news for those outdoor enthusiasts who look forward to the natural escape of hitting the slopes early and skiing late into spring.

Luckily, for those of us who have nightmares about falling down a black diamond run as we disembark the chair lift, Wisp Resort has plenty of fun-in-the-snow activities that keep us from having to have long planks strapped to our feet subsequently confining our feet to a very rigid form of footwear.

If you just can’t resist strapping odd-shaped devices or long planks to your feet’s underside, then you can, by all means, snow shoe or take a turn at the Nordic Center where terrain isn’t as steep.

If, however, you prefer to stay a little more ‘grounded’ then there is a fantastic snow tubing hill for your enjoyment. PLUS, you don’t have to carry your tube back up the hill with a jaunty hike OR hover high above the hillside on a swaying-in-the-wind chairlift! Simply step onto a Conveyor Carpet and up you go.

Find all the joys of childhood sledding without the effort to take a second run. This new and fast growing winter sport is suitable for all age groups and doesn’t require expensive equipment. Do remember to dress warmly and remember to pocket a kerchief to wipe the tears from your eyes after a cold, exhilarating whoosh down 750 feet of groomed tubing lanes.

Deep Creek Lake Maryland has so many things to do and places to go that you won’t have a chance to be succumbed by cabin fever. Of course, if that’s your intent and you want to volunteer to keep the fire blazing warm and the cocoa steaming hot on the stove, then you’ll delight in the vacation rentals located close to the resort.

No matter what your pleasure once winter has won the seasonal battle of wills, Deep Creek Lake is where you’ll find warmth, friendly people and plenty of ways to burn off those extra holiday calories.

by Diana Andrews

One of the reasons I yearned to move West from the cold hinterlands of Iowa was so that I could get out and enjoy the great outdoors all year round! Although I don’t ski, winter magic abounds in mountainous regions giving chairlift chickens such as myself plenty of outdoor options. This year, for instance, the annual Winter Carnival in McCall, Idaho will be held from Jan 25 – Feb 3, 2013.

Who doesn’t wish they could find a festival that offers such family fun as

  fireworks

  live music

  snow sculpting contests

  children’s torchlight parade

  a Mardi Gras parade (brrrrr)

  and family BINGO?! 

There’s plenty of fun and revelry for the over 21 crowd, too!  

Bust a gut at Comedy Night. Hit it big at either the Party BINGO or Monte Carlo Casino Nights.

Your kids ask that you to put them to bed before becoming a contestant in the Beard, Hairy & Sexy Leg Competition.

And, please, preserve their cool factor by not posting any photos on your Facebook page!

You can learn all about the annual event, find lodging and preview sculpture and venue maps to make the best of your visit. But don’t forget to pack the skis. Although the town proper of McCall will be all a quiver with participants, Brundage Mountain remains relatively crowd-free for your powder pleasure.

Could this be you?

Why, yes,

Yes, it could.

But you better hurry and make your reservations soon!

by Diana Andrews

Orlando, Florida

• 2010 – 79^th largest city in the US
• 26^th largest metro area in the US
• 6^th largest metro area in the Southeastern US
• 3^rd largest metro area in Florida
• 5^th largest city in Florida
• The Orlando International Airport is the 13^th busiest in the US, 29^th in the world
• Nicknamed “The City Beautiful” or “The Theme Park Capital of the World”
• Symbol – Fountain at Lake Eola
• Orlando means “famous land” in German and Italian; “famous” in Spanish; “bright sun” in Latin
• Most Visited American City in 2009 attracting over 51 million tourists a year

With a bio like this, one would expect to face crowds, lack of lodging and long lines, and this may put off some potential visitors. But wait! There’s a way around these potential barriers to a great Orlando vacation.

First, imagine the looks on your children’s faces when you tell them you’re NOT taking them to Disney to see Cinderella and Mickey Mouse.

Second, consider vacation rental homes, condos and townhomes. You can give your family their own private pool in addition to an ample amount of room to stretch out and relax.  Leave the small, over-chlorinated pools found in most hotels to business and less savvy travelers.

Third, skip the crowded malls and losing your car in the parking lot and give the gift of an Orlando Christmas. You’d be surprised at how much shorter and faster moving the lines are at major theme parks this time of year.

Plus, it’s an enchanting walk around the neighborhoods viewing palm trees decorated like their cousins to the north, seeing snowmen where there’s not likely to ever be snow, hearing carolers as they pass by in Hawaiian print shirts, cargo shorts and flip flops. And who wouldn’t want to unwrap themselves enough to warm their skin under the golden sun and sink their toes into the white sand of nearby beaches?

Fourth, warm temps mean fewer clothes to pack which, in turn, translates to cost savings when checking bags with most airlines and quicker exits from the airport.

Natural beauty, friendly and excited visitors, the warmth of the sun, the beauty of having less luggage to cart through crowded airports and feelings of escapism are all reasons to make your vacation plans to Orlando sooner than later. You’ll regret it if you don’t, and your kids will never let you live it down.

Where O Where Has All the Snow Gone?

Here we are in the new year of 2012 and Old Man Winter

  has been hiding the snow from most of the ski resorts in the nation. Many skiers, snowboarders and outdoor winter enthusiasts are wondering where o where has all the snow gone!

So what is a person to do if they are looking to strap on that new Christmas gear and hit some slopes knowing that most of the nation is experiencing record warm temperatures and low snowfall? Perhaps consider more than just snow amounts.

For instance Deer Valley Resort boasts the ability to backup natural snowfall with state-of-the-art snowmaking equipment and:

5 years in a row voted #1 ski resort in North America by the readers of SKI Magazine

First class service reminiscent of a five star hotel including

• Gourmet dining
• Customized lodging
• Lift ticket, lessons and rental packages
• Award winning ski school
• Luxurious amenities such as ski valets, on-site childcare and 3 elegant day lodges

A great resource to check before you go is On the Snow with

• Current snow and surface conditions
• Live webcams
• Trail maps
• Guest reviews

With recreation, dining options, equipment rentals and lessons all taken care of, it’s time to think about where to settle down to share your adventures with friends after a great day on the slopes. Customize your Deer Valley Resort rentals with options to accommodate

• Private Condos/Townhomes
• Private Home
• Drive, walk or shuttle to lifts
• 2-6 Bedrooms
• Economy to Deluxe pricepoints

 Now that everything is planned, you’ll just need to focus on getting old man Winter to give up his stash of snow!

It’s that time again to start dreaming of fluffy, bottomless powder that abounds at this Idaho ski resort. Brundage Mountain Resort, in McCall, Idaho, serves the locals and visitors alike with great on-mountain skiing/riding as well as off-piste adventures that include guided snow cat tours in the back country of the Payette National Forest. Last year, Brundage Mountain Resort celebrated their 50^th year of having the best snow in Idaho.

The 2011/2012 season is expected to be as good as or better than the last season with La Nina expecting to get stronger as the winter season approaches especially in the Pacific Northwest region. The snow-line will be pretty low on average meaning a great amount of snow in the higher elevations. If places like Seattle are getting snow then you know what that means for the mountains of Central Idaho.

What you should expect in a Central Idaho ski vacation:

Great ski school and private lessons for the whole family

Private as well as group lessons are available for all abilities and there is of course a kids’ program from ages 4-11.

Cool Freestyle Terrain Park

There is freestyle terrain that is subject to the weather as well as man-made features that will challenge the most daring rider or skier.

Convenient Ski Rental & Repair Shop

Enjoy a one-stop-shop when renting skis or a snowboard and get a multi-day discount when renting equipment for 2 or more consecutive days.

McCall Idaho Lodging Close By

There are several lodges, hotels, motels and even vacation rental condos and cabins available just minutes from skiing and snowboarding.

Very affordable Lift Ticket Prices (Adult Pricing)

For around $55 a day one can ski or ride 1,500 acres of lift served terrain. When compared to other Idaho ski resorts, Brundage hold its’ own with being affordable, family friendly and not overly crowded.

Check out Central Idaho this winter for a ski and snowboard vacation of a lifetime!

All photos courtesy of Brundage Mountain Resort.