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!

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.

Never skiied Idaho?  Here’s what you’re missing:

• Fresh Powder.  Oh, the powder.  The mountain boasts over 300 inches of the fluffy white stuff annually.
• Terrain.  Offering great terrain for beginners and experts alike, Brundage offers thousands of acres served by a combination of 46 lifts and back country SnoCats.
• Great Prices.  Brundage offers some of the best lift ticket deals in Idaho.
• Fun Events.  Hosting a variety of fun events throughout the year, Brundage is sure to have something going on no matter what time of year you choose to visit!
• Awesome Staff.  From the ski school  instructors to the lift operators, everyone that works on the mountain is friendly and knowledgable. 
• Mountain Culture.  The aforementioned awesome staff, friendly locals, and overall personality of the mountain combine to create a mountain culture second to none.  One visit to Brundage, and you’ll be checking their job listings!
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We could go on, but we’re sure you get the point.  Planning a ski vacation this year?  Be sure to check out Brundage Mountain Resort, and help them celebrate 50 years of the Best Snow in Idaho!

Images Courtesy Brundage Mountain Resort

Do the people in your party have such diverse taste in what they do to have fun, that it’s hard to please everyone all the time? 

If you answered yes to either question, then you might want to start your vacation planning with  Deep Creek Lake rentals and prepare for a delightful Maryland vacation experience full of giggles and stories to share that is sure to please everyone in your family or group.

Deep Creek Lake in Maryland seems to have every kind of vacation activity you could imagine no matter what time of year! 

Adventure and outdoor enthusiasts can select from activities that exhilarate the senses such as water or snow skiing, wakeboarding and river rafting or experience the mountain coaster all year round. 

If your senses are looking for a calmer, more tranquil feel, then visitors can choose to enjoy the peacefulness of snow-shoeing or cross country skiing, fly fishing or simply bobbing or floating on the lake.

 Festivals more your thing?  Then , don’t miss out on the Art & Wine and Highland Festivals.  Visitors of all ages will find events to delight by visiting the local chamber for their calendar of events.

 I can’t imagine a family or group that wouldn’t be able to find something to interest everyone in and around the Deep Creek Lake area.  What’s even better is the close proximity to Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.  With the hassles of flying, how nice is it that so many people can visit by driving from nearby? 

Moving to Colorado after living in the Midwest farmland for many years has made me realize that you can have a vacation nearly every weekend when places are within easy driving distance.  It seems like the same would be true for people in and around the Deep Creek Lake area.  Iowa Farmlands?  Not so much.  I used to have to drive at least 40, if not 90 miles, just to reach the nearest interstate that would then take me another sizeable distance to some place you actually wanted to visit! 

 So, whether you travelling from near or far, your group is large or small, you’re looking for exhilaration or tranquility, a vacation in and around the Deep Creek Lake area of Maryland seems like a sure bet.  It’s certainly going to be on my ‘list of places to see.’

My husband and I were both raised in the very deep south and had limited exposure to snow, and literally no experience with snow deep enough to ski in. One day, several years ago, our close friends decided they wanted to go skiing and invited us along for the trip. They have been skiing most of their lives, as they both grew up in Colorado and had only been in our area for a handful of years. Even those of us way down south know there is skiing in Colorado, but they wanted to ski in Idaho.

My husband and I made quite a few jokes about skiing on hills of mashed potatoes, not realizing there were ski areas in Idaho. We have now taken many Idaho ski trips together and I can confidently say there are numerous ski resorts, none of which makes their snow out of mashed potatoes.

The Brundage Mountain Resort has become one of our absolute favorite ski areas in Idaho. One of the great things, especially as our families have expanded, is the amazing room rates that are so close by. The town of McCall has several nationally recognized hotel chains that have very reasonable prices. Compared to many ski towns we have visited, the rates are unbelievable. The great rates have been one reason we have been able to continue our skiing traditions even in a less than perfect economy. Not only are the rooms affordable, but Brundage also has several ways to save on skiing as well. We can definitely afford this Idaho ski resort.

The important parts for those who are interested in Idaho ski resorts, however, are the mountain specifics of Brundage. After all what good are deals if it isn’t fun to ski in Idaho, right? The base elevation is about 5,800 feet and the summit elevation is just over 7,600 feet. There is a vertical drop of 1,800 feet and more than 40 trails and about 1,500 acres just perfect for skiing. There is plenty of room at Brundage for the entire family to have a great time.

As we have collectively moved from beginner status to skiers who are pretty good we have taken advantage of several of the ski classes the resort has to offer. Of course, at first, my husband and I took the very basic getting to know snow classes but later we moved on to some of the more advanced lessons for the more difficult runs and have even consulted with professional skiers for personalized tips. As our children have grown, we have used the daycare center available at the resort, and our son just recently decided he wanted to take a few snowboarding lessons. The husband and I are still trying to decide if that is something we should tackle for ourselves, but it is definitely an opportunity I’m happy our son wants to take advantage of.

We are certainly looking forward to another great annual Idaho family ski vacation!

Playing in the snow makes me happy, and if you like it just a little bit, then this may be the ideal place for your next winter vacation.  Yes, some people really do plan vacations to be where there is snow and sun at the same time.  Not only is Oregon beautiful country, but there you’ll find snowshoeing, snowmobiling, skiing and snowboarding including cross country trials and all the shopping, restaurants and activities to fill the time in between.

Just so happens that just a short drive from Sunriver is one of North America’s largest ski resorts.  Mt. Bachelor Resort is home to some 3700 acres of boarding and skiing fun.  For a reasonable value snow nuts will enjoy some varied terrain that is sure to please all levels of competence.  There are 71 groomed trails and 13 lift facilities with current plans to expand both lift operations and trails in the near future.  Fifteen percent of the terrain is graded as Novice, 25% Intermediate and the other 60% is Advanced or Expert terrain.  What a great place to bring the whole family for sun and ski!  And did I happen to mention that on average the snow base is some 150-200 inches and that there’s 3,365 feet of vertical drop?

Feel like a totally new experience?  How about a dog sled ride?  Just imagine, riding in an Iditarod Dog Sled taking in the breathtaking views of the local mountain scenery. You could even plan for an overnight expedition.  Sledding and snowtubing sound like fun too?  Take some slides down the 800 foot ride in the Snowblast Tubing Park on the Mountain.

After all the fun, there are plenty of options for shopping or just hanging out.  But dining in the area leaves nothing to be desired.  There are many restaurants to choose from and something to satisfy the most discerning of palates.  Or if you want to stay in the privacy of your vacation rental in Sunriver Oregon, you can find groceries and goodies in town.

Not only is the area good for winter fun, sounds like it may be just as amazing in the summer.  Everything from biking, canoeing, horseback riding, fishing, golfing and so much more in the high desert of Oregon.   Sounds like a great place for the next family vacation whether it’s summer or winter.

Cabo San Lucas is the most popular Baja getaway for tourists from the United States. As a result, it is very Americanized and commercialized. Depending on what you are looking for in a Mexican vacation, that may be either a good thing or a bad one.

The best thing about Cabo is the frequent, direct – and often cheap – airline service from several major hubs in the Western states, like Denver and LA. So getting there can be quick and easy, making it perfect for a long weekend or last minute sanity break.

Golf? Cabo has plenty of it, although the greens plopped down in the desert landscape often seem surreal or even arrogant.

Fishing? This is the place! Perched on the tip of Baja, Cabo is perfectly situated to take advantage of the superb sportfishing offered by both the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. This is where the big boys go for the big fish.

Beaches? Aaaaah, the beaches. That’s what most of want from a Baja vacation, isn’t it? Sun, sand, surf, rest and relaxation. Beaches are where Cabo shines and luckily they are only a short stroll from wherever you happen to be when you’re in Cabo San Lucas.

Step back in time a bit and consider taking the train to your next ski vacation. RMA Tours is offering great deals from Minneapolis or Chicago to ski destinations in Colorado and Montana – other departure cities are available, just give them a call or visit their website for details.

Enjoy a change of pace with RMA Tours’ Throw Momma on the Train mid-Season Amtrak ski train vacation special to Whitefish, Montana, home of Big Mountain Ski Resort. Starting at $669 per person (based on double occupancy) you will receive round trip coach rail fare to Whitefish, MT from Minneapolis or Chicago, transfers; 5 nights lodging, a 4 day lift ticket taxes ARE included in this price. Rates are good through March 25, 2007.

If you’ve always dreamed of taking a train trip but haven’t known how to approach booking one, let RMA Tours help you. Call them at 800-841-9800 or contact your travel agent.

While it’s at first startling to see cactus forests growing along the beach, you soon get used to the unsual flora and fauna of the Baja peninsula. The best beaches boast fine white sand perfect for barefoot beachcombing. Others consist of shell shards and rocks and require foot protection. However, even on beaches where shoes are a must, the privacy and scenery are well worth it.

Some of the best beaches are not on the tourists’ radar and can only be reached by boat. Camping is permitted in most places and requires toting along an approved portapotty.Whichever you choose, be certain, when wading in the water, to wear water sandals and to shuffle your feet along the bottom to prevent painful encounters with lurking sting rays. This Baja Shuffle will soon become a habit.

Info about La Paz, Baja’s largest city.

This national network of ezines is geared to specific geographic areas. I find our local edition, which covers the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado, gives interesting, accurate, up-to-date information about things to do with children in our area.

If you ‘re visiting Aspen, Glenwood Springs or any place in between, be sure to take advantage of the “local knowledge” they offer at Mountain Parent

The Wentworth Hotel Mid Week Ski Packages:
Our midweek package includes accommodations for two guests, a full country breakfast for two guests and two lift passes for one of the following mountains, Attitash, Wildcat, Bretton Woods, Cranmore, King Pine, Black and Shawnee Peak. Nordic skiing includes a trail pass at Bretton Woods, Great Glen, Jackson Ski Touring, MWV Skiing and King Pine and includes rentals and a group lesson. Rates from $97.50 per person per night double occupancy. Not available holiday weeks.

This Laurentian Mountain resort is one of those rare places where all four seasons allow visitors to realize their vacation dreams. In the winter, it offers not just alpine skiing, but ice skating, sledding, ski touring, snowshowing and comaraderie around blazing bonfires – all in the fairytale setting of a winter wonderland.

While the other three seasons can surprise you with just about any kind of weather, you will not be at a loss for things to do. Hiking, mountain biking, fishing and golf are some of the most popular activities in the Spring and Fall.

Summertime brings out the swimmers, windsurfers and boaters, as well as those seeking to enjoy a huge variety of wildflowers, birds, butterflies and mushrooms.

Canada may seem like a world away, but Mont Tremblant can be reached by direct flights from several major US cities and the area is just a 1-2 hour drive from Quebec and Montreal.

Where to stay:
Options are endless, if you’re interested in a vacation rental on Anna Maria Island you should try out Island Real Estate, the choices and selection are unmatched. If you’re an on the beach and pampered kind of traveler, a bed and breakfast might be just your speed.

Dining choices abound, as a local where their favorite place is, you’ll get a variety of answers, but you’ll always enjoy yourself. Because Tampa and Sarasota are so close, you can cruise across the bridge and visit Busch Gardens or the Florida Aquarium.

Overall a trip to Anna Maria Island is a way to escape the everyday and relax in the sedate island pace.

When planning a family vacation getaway, the choices can be overwhelming. What should you do? Where should you go? To make life easier, these questions should be answered before you start planning. Let’s take a few minutes and help you answer these questions before you get started with the planning.

What Should You Do?
How does skiing fresh powder of Vail’s Blue Sky Basin, or relaxing in the white sand of Hawaii’s beaches and hitting a hole in one at one of Hilton Head’s many golf courses sound to you? Ski, beach and golf vacations are great choices for families. Keep in mind, no matter what type of vacation you choose – there are many Vail Resort Lodging and Hilton Head Island Golf packages to choose from.

Now that you have a little history of the town, let’s take a look at what there is to do during the winter months. Skiing and snowboarding is by far the most popular, but there are many other winter activities to be enjoyed.

Which ever activity or activities you choose to participate in while you are in Park City, you are sure not to be disappointed. We have only begun to scratch the surface with the activities listed above. The best advice is to do a little planning and research before you visit, so you can make the most of your next winter adventure to Park City.

Looking for Lodging in Park City?  The choices are varied in luxury and price. Whatever you budget, you can enjoy a vacation in one of America’s premier ski resort destinations!