Hotel at a Glance: Fernie Slopeside Lodge

The Canadian Rockies of western British Columbia cut a skyline that is at once imposing and picturesque—these mountains are more jagged and rugged than their American counterparts. Tucked away in the Lizard Range of these mountains, right at the base of the Fernie Alpine Resort, is Fernie Slopeside Lodge. In the colder months, the resort is a winter-sports hot spot with ski-in/ski-out access to some of British Columbia’s best slopes. Come summer, the mountain transforms into a destination for mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, and whitewater rafting.

• Take a scenic chairlift ride or bike along the trails (bring your own bike or rent one from the resort).
• Recommended excursion: Go on a guided alpine hike with Bob, an expert who’s been with the resort for 11 years.
• Varied onsite dining: Enjoy casual grill grub at Kelsey’s, fine dining at Lizard Creek Lodge, and deli eats at Slopeside Coffee & Deli.
• Comfy accommodations feature flat-screen TVs, microwaves, and mini refrigerators.
• Most scenic spot to enjoy a meal: Lost Boys Café, located at the top of the Timber Express Chairlift, offers panoramic views of Elk Valley.
• Take a dip in the two indoor hot tubs.

Fernie, British Columbia: Stellar Outdoor Recreation in Historical Mountain Town

Fernie began as a coal-mining boomtown in the 1870s and reinvented itself in the 1960s with its namesake ski resort. The town’s western-facing location in the Canadian Rockies’ Lizard Range makes it a popular spot for skiing—the slopes are blanketed with more than 30 feet of snowfall annually. National Geographic named Fernie 1 of the World’s 25 Best Ski Towns, noting it has “more consistent powder than Whistler and warmer temperatures than Banff.”

Even in the warmer months, the chairlift is up and running at Fernie Alpine Resort. After the snow melts, you can go mountain biking and hiking amid alpine meadows. The fishing is also superb in this region; cast a line at the Elk, St. Mary, or Kootenay River.

You can get a good idea of what life was like in Fernie at the turn of the century in the downtown area, which has a number of historical buildings. For more context, pop into the Fernie Museum to see ski artifacts and photos of the city through the years.

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• $9 for one personalized softcover children’s book ($24.99 value)
• $14 for one personalized hardcover children’s book ($39.99 value)

The book is personalized with a child’s name, allowing them to have a starring role in the story.

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• $16 for movie admission for two ($20 value) with one medium popcorn ($4 value; $24 total value)
• $32 for movie admission for four ($40 value) with two medium popcorns ($8 value; $48 total value)
• Click to see the theater’s Facebook and upcoming schedule.

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Hotel at a Glance: Windtower Lodge & Suites

With its cedar-and-stone façade set against the snow-capped Canadian Rockies, it’s easy to mistake Windtower Lodge & Suites for a Swiss chalet. The lodge makes its home in Canmore, a town famed for its abundance of winter recreation and its proximity to the popular Banff National Park.

• Organic meats are used in The Wandering Elk’s mountain-inspired cuisine; your stay includes a $15 dining credit. Step out to the patio for nice views of the surrounding mountains.
• Hot buffet breakfast: Fuel up for a day exploring Canmore’s breathtaking landscape with a complimentary morning meal.
• Home away from home: All guest rooms and suites offer flat-screen TVs; suites also have fireplaces and balconies.
• Warm up: The outdoor hot tub stays open till 10 p.m., so you can relax beneath starry skies.
• Take a helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies (extra fees apply).

Canmore, Alberta: Outdoor Adventure near Banff National Park

Near the southern edge of Banff National Park, Canmore’s captivating natural setting in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies has served as a backdrop for such movies as Brokeback Mountain and Legends of the Fall. When you’re not exploring the scenery, venture to Canmore Nordic Centre, where you can go ice skating and cross-country skiing in winter or mountain biking in spring, summer, and fall. Downtown Canmore is a great place to unwind afterward—Main Street is lined with quirky boutiques and art galleries.

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Summer camp provides kids with lasting memories, adventures in the great outdoors, and the hard-earned ability to take instruction from an adult wearing shorts. Redefine authority with this Groupon.

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• $159 for summer camp for one child ($299 value)
• $259 for summer camp for two children ($498 value)

Camps run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Before- and after-hours care (8 a.m.–9 a.m. and 4 p.m.–5:30 p.m., respectively) is available for an additional $50/week for each child.

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• $99 for 5 Eurowave inch-loss sessions ($250 value)
• $189 for 10 Eurowave inch-loss sessions ($399 value)

Sweet Physique’s technicians place Eurowave electro muscle stimulation machines on bodies anywhere below the neck. The machine signals muscles to contract and relax, simulating the effect of sit-ups and other calisthenics. Though results may vary with individuals, measurable inch loss may be achieved after one 18-minute session.

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• $83.94 for a six-month subscription with Saturday print delivery and daily digital access ($114 value)
• $79.96 for a four-month subscription with Monday–Saturday print delivery and daily digital access ($128 value)

For this Groupon, Digital All-Access encompasses the e-edition of the paper, the website, and the smartphone and iPad apps.

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The Deal

• $20 for a voucher good for two admissions to a standup-comedy show (up to $39.90 value)
• When: any show of your choice through September 4, excluding special events
• Where: Yuk Yuk’s Calgary
• General admission
• Full offer value includes ticketing fees
• Click here to view the schedule of upcoming acts

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• $89 for a 30-minute Jetpack experience for one ($180 value)
• $122 for a 60-minute Jetpack experience for one ($250 value)
• $145 for a 60-minute Jetpack experience for two ($300 value)

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• $70 for 18 holes of golf for 2 with cart ($160 value)
• $135 for 18 holes of golf for 4 with 2 carts ($320 value)

Crushing by Compression: When Golf Ball and Club Collide

While instructors may advocate different methods of swinging a golf club, the ideal outcome is always the same. Read on to learn about the physics of the collision between the club and ball.

It’s said that golf can take a lifetime to master, but just about every shot takes only milliseconds. In fact, the actual collision between club and ball lasts only around 450 millionths of a second, and it’s here where the biggest action of a golf swing takes place. In a desirable outcome, two things happen as the center of the clubface strikes the ball: first, the club’s momentum transfers to the ball; second, the impact causes the flexible ball to compress, adding extra velocity as the ball springs back into shape. The more compression, the farther the ball will travel. With lofted clubs such as the 6-iron, the clubface strikes the ball on a downward trajectory, scooping out a divot of turf in the meantime. This creates even more compression by pushing the ball into the dirt before it leaves the ground. Before launching skyward, the ball scoots up the lofted plane of the clubface, rubbing against the grooves to create backspin that will help it maintain its trajectory and fight through any wind resistance or asteroid fields. If the club is angled at impact, i.e., not facing square to the target, it will cut across the ball, creating sidespin and resulting in either a hook or a slice. 

When it comes to the golf swing, there are many different styles and schools of thought—each with its own variation on setup, grip, backswing, and follow-through—but there are some universal techniques that help create an effective and explosive impact. For instance, at the top of the backswing, golfers should have their wrists cocked at a 90-degree angle. To generate optimal clubhead speed, they wait until their hands drop to their waist until they release their wrists, effectively whipping the clubhead through contact and adding punch to an otherwise smooth, steady swing.

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The Deal

• $19 for an Animal Psychology certification course ($415.99 value)

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The Deal

• $55 for one G-Pass to Mötley Crüe – The Final Tour with special guest Alice Cooper (up to $94.50 value)
• When: Sunday, December 13, at 7 p.m.
• Where: Scotiabank Saddledome
• Seating: section 215, 216, 222, or 223
• Door time: 6 p.m.
• Full offer value includes ticketing fees
• Click here to view the seating chart

How G-Pass Works: Your G-Pass will be ready to print 48 hours after the deal ends. Print the G-Pass and use it to enter the venue directly; you won’t need to redeem at will call. Due to security restrictions, G-Passes cannot be redeemed through the Groupon mobile app. Discount reflects the merchant’s current ticket prices - price may differ on day of event.

Mötley Crüe – The Final Tour

• Number of albums sold over their three decade career: over 100 million
• The classic lineup: vocalist Vince Neil, guitarist Mick Mars, bassist Nikki Sixx, and drummer Tommy Lee
• What kind of show you can expect: an innovative live production with all of their chart-topping hits. Nikki Sixx explains, “When it comes to putting together a new show we always push the envelope and that’s part of Mötley Crüe’s legacy.”
• Mötley Crüe songs that will live on centuries after the band is gone: “Girls, Girls, Girls,” “Dr. Feelgood,” “Shout at the Devil,” “Kickstart My Heart”

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