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Thursday, December 30, 2010

Amazing Ski Deals for January - Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month!



Believe it or not I have never been skiing or snowboarding. Crazy, I know! But I am planning a trip in February to finally learn. I am heading out to Utah and I am so excited!

If you're ready to learn too, you might want to check out some of these deals that resorts are offering in January for National Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month.

See you on the slopes!! 


• Alta Ski Area is offering First Time Skiers Learn to Ski Package all season long in the spirit of January’s Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. For a total package price of $179, first time skiers will receive four two-hour class lessons, four beginner lift tickets and four days of equipment rental. To make reservations for all four days, contact the Alf Engen Ski School at Alta at 801.359.1078 ext. 271.

• Brighton Ski Resort is offering a complete ski package for $39 which includes morning or afternoon lessons, all-day rental and a day-learner lift pass. Available dates for this offer are valid through January 1- February 2, 2011. More information available at BrightonResort.com.

• Canyons is offering a $39 package for children ages 4 -14 through the month of January. The package includes a lift pass, lesson and rental for $13 each. More information can be found at TheCanyons.com.

• Deer Valley Resort is hosting a Ski Utah Learn to Ski Program Jan. 29, 2011, for never-ever skiers and Utah locals, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. The clinic cost is $39 and includes rentals, lift pass and a three hour ski lesson. Make reservations by calling 435.645.6648 and mention “Ski Utah Learn to Ski Program.”

• Utah’s newest resort Eagle Point is offering several different packages to fit your family. For $36 enjoy an adult or child afternoon group beginner lesson, half-day lift ticket and rental. For adults, an all-day lift ticket, group lesson and rental is only $49. Another perfect option for the kids, is an all-day child lift ticket, group lesson, rental and lunch for $59. Pre-register by calling 435.554.8777.

• Park City Mountain Resort’s popular StarNOW program is back this year and a great offer for beginner skiers and snowboarders. StartNOW offers a pay-as-you-go program, for up to five times, for $25 each day. The package includes lift access, afternoon ski or snowboard lesson, and equipment rental. Lessons filled up quickly last year so reserve your spot now at StartNow.pcmr.com.

• Snowbasin is offering incentive for learning to ski or snowboarding this January. Through their offer, children seven and older, and adults, who complete three beginner lessons, which include rentals and beginner lift pass, and a Snowsport Recreational Program are eligible to receive a free season pass. For information, pricing and reservations call 801.620.1015.

• Starting January 7, 2011, Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort will be offering a $39 inclusive package for Adult beginners 16 and older. Package includes beginner lift ticket, morning or afternoon ski or snowboard lesson and equipment rental. Also, return during January and receive $30 off a regular workshop price. Log onto Snowbird.com for more information.

• Solitude Mountain Resort is offering a Learn to Ski package on select days in January at a 58 percent discount to celebrate January’s Learn to Ski and Snowboard month. First time skiers or snowboarders receive three half-day beginner lessons, rentals and a lift ticket for $165 plus a free lift ticket. To make reservations now call 801.536.5730 or emailschool@skisolitude.com.

• Sundance is offering a $75 half-day lesson and a $50 nighttime lesson Sunday-Thursday all season long. Skiers must be six or older and snowboarders seven or older. The package can be purchased at www.sundanceresort.com/explore/wnt_events_discounts.html.

• Wolf Mountain is offering a $39 package for beginner skiers and boarders over the age of 8. The package includes lift pass, group lesson and rental and is valid any weekday up until January 31, 2011.

A complete list of resort deals and discounts can be found at www.skiutah.com/winter/locals/lssm/.

Nationwide alpine ski, snowboard, cross-country and snowshoe packages can be found at www.skiandsnowboardmonth.org.




Monday, December 13, 2010

And do we need these too?

So, she asked for the game in the previous post. Are these required to play it?

Has anyone played this?




The kiddo is hankering for this for Xmas and I wondered if anyone has tried it out?

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Want to Run Away this Holiday??

A friend of mine alerted me to these last minute holiday deals at 5-star properties in Costa Rica. So, I thought I'd pass them along. 

Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort and Costa Rica Marriott Hotel are both offering discounts on Christmas/New Year's stays when you book before December 17, 2010.  

Heat Up Your Holiday!

Costa Rica Marriott Hotel:    
December 8 - 31, 2010:  Rates start at $175/night

Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort
December 8 - 19, 2010:   Rates start at $159/night
December 20 - 25, 2010:  Rates start at $219/night

Use promotional code ER5
Must book before December 17, 2010

Not too shabby!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Wii Draw

The kiddo has this on her Holiday List. Has anyone played this yet? Wondering if it's worth a go!

DTC's A Christmas Carol & The Grinch at AT&T - Holiday Must-Sees!

The two shows are strangely similar. Happy townspeople preparing for and celebrating the holidays. Bad guy who hates Christmas because his heart was broken or is too small. I took my eleven-year-old in tow to see both and she and I enjoyed both immensely. Although the first is perhaps more for adults and the second more for kids, both shows were perfect for nearly all ages!

DTC's production of A Christmas Carol stars Chamblee Ferguson as Scrooge and he is nothing short of stupendous. He's horrible and hilarious and you can't help but feel sorry for the poor guy despite his very poor behavior. The entire cast is terrific, as is the music and the set. Now, I didn't mind Liz Mikel as Jacob Marley. She was stellar, as always. I just would have liked a teeny explanation. I am as open-minded as the next girl. But when a black woman plays a dead white guy, I need at least a humorous aside as way of explanation. 

How the Grinch Stole Christmas, now playing at the Winspear/AT&T, is adorable.The show looks and sounds just like the book. For the most part any way. In this version, Max, the Grinch's dog narrates, which is a cute twist. The Grinch played by Stefan Karl was amazing. His make-up took a little getting used to. Although much else looked almost exactly like the Seuss drawings, he seemed a little strange. That aside he was funny and scary and physically very Grinchy. The show stealer however was Brooke Boyd as Cindy-Lou Who. If she was any cuter, she would have imploded. All I can say is that girl's got a career and a half ahead of her!

Both of these shows are a great way to get in the holiday spirit. So, get ye to the box office. And don't forget your Kleenex when you go to the theater...

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Black Swan Shocks, Disturbs, Thrills, and Excites - My Kind of Film

I don't know what I expected. I saw the trailer. I know the story of the Swan Lake. I love Natalie Portman. And I want Mila Kunis. Still I would never have expected to be so enthralled and so utterly disturbed by Black Swan.

If you think this film is about ballet, you are missing the point. Black Swan is about a young woman who knows what she wants but doesn't know herself at all.

The plot is simple. Nina, played by Portman, dances in the NYC Ballet and longs to be the Swan Queen. She lands the role and is perfect as the innocent White Swan. But she must find a way to dance the role of the sinister, sultry Black Swan as well. 

Nina's mother treats her like a little girl, the company director comes on to her, and a new company member seems set on stealing the role. But, in the end, the only one standing in Nina's way is Nina.

The film is terrifying and sometimes bloody. It is so scary because it's not bogey men in the night who threaten Nina, it is her own mind, blurring true and false and leading her to frightening behavior, which is sometimes real and sometimes not. That's the really freaky part. The audience is never quite sure when they are in the real world and when they are in "Nina's world."

This is not a film for dummies. I sat next to two women whose brains were not, let's say, mature enough, to handle the movie. They giggled at some of the most crucial moments, mistaking metaphor for actuality. The director doesn't really want the audience to believe Nina's literally becoming a swan. It's figurative. You have to be on somewhat of a higher plane to get it. But if you do get, man, it is one trip you do not want to miss.

See this film. The music is stunning. The costumes are worth the cost of admission alone and Portman's performance, let alone those of the other cast members, will leave you astounded.

Oh, and, Black Swan has the hottest girl on girl non-porn sex scene ever. Ever.  I only have one thing to say. Yes, please.