Guest Post by Snowmama Mary Palmer

What could be cuter than the sight of little kids zipping down the slopes on their itty-bitty skis and boards? I could hardly wait to get my daughters on the mountain for the first time, and my husband and I wanted their skiing debut to be absolutely perfect. Preparing for the big day went something like this:

•     Book ski school reservation – Check

•     Eat a healthy breakfast and drink plenty of water – Check

•     Apply sunscreen and zip up snazzy ski suit – Check

•     Click into tiny skis and fasten pink helmet – Check

•     Observe, memorize, and adhere to the seven-point “Your Responsibility” Skier Safety Code – Um...What?

 
My kids get an earful of rules from me on a daily basis. Wash your hands, buckle your car seat, eat your vegetables...but on the slopes I wanted to be a fun ski mom, not a safety warden! Besides, teaching the Skier Safety Code is the instructor’s job, not mine – right? Wrong. It is up to us as parents to make sure that our children are following the same rules and etiquette of the mountain as everybody else.
 
The Skier Safety Code was established by the National Ski Areas Association in 1966 as a code of ethics for skiers. Skiing is actually a safe sport as long as everyone is adhering to the same rules of the mountain. Most skiers and snowboarders know The Code intuitively because it’s posted at every resort in North America. But children represent a sizeable chunk of the skiing and boarding population, so what about the little guys and gals who are too young to read or comprehend the meaning of words like “yield,” “obstruction,” or “right of way”? How, exactly, does a parent explain important skier safety concepts to an amped-up toddler who just wants to get out there on the snow and have a good time?
 
These questions are what inspired the creation of Safely Ski from A to Z, a picture book for little skiers. The book simplifies safety guidelines by incorporating them into the alphabet. For example, “S is for the SIGNS that we always must obey. T is for the TRAILS we ski – never block the way!” The book’s playful illustrations and rhyme present The Code in a lighthearted format in order to resonate with youngsters and their parents.
 
Caution and courtesy are taught in ski school, but it’s always a good idea to reinforce those messages in a less distracting setting.  Whether it’s reading Safely Ski from A to Z, drawing pictures of mountain scenarios, having a quiz contest at the dinner table, or making up silly songs, Mom and Dad are encouraged to try to find a relatable way to talk to kids about The Code. The plane ride, the car trip to the mountain, or bedtime the night before hitting the slopes are all excellent opportunities for a refresher.
 
So have a blast skiing with your family this season, and remember...
 
“U is for looking UP for others before we ski across a run, and V is for our ski VACATION...when we’re safe we have more fun!”

About Guest Blogger Mary Palmer

Mary is a public relations specialist, a seasonal ski resort employee, and the author of Safely Ski from A to Z -  a children's picture book emphasizing safety protocol on ski mountains.  Mary loves to hit the slopes with her husband and daughters in their hometown of Park City, UT.   She hopes that Safely Ski from A to Z will introduce other families to the unsurpassed joy that can come from a safe and positive skiing experience.

Her book can be purchased locally in Park City or on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Safely-Ski-Mary-Stubbs-Palmer.  More information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/SafelySki. Mary blogs at http://thebunnyslope.com.

Prescription Medications: 

We all learn from past experiences and I can tell you I will never forget my prescription medications again.  You see, I forgot to pack my birth control pills for my honeymoon.  The genius OB/Gyn (in my defense I was a 4^th year med student at the time) forgot the fundamentally basic ingredient for a successful honeymoon for us.  Luckily, I discovered the mistake before our flight to Jamaica and thanks to a really great groomsman and his wife we sped through the streets of Houston (ala “The French Connection”) and saved our honeymoon and my career from an unplanned 3^rd member of our family.  If you do forget an essential medication on your trip, it is possible with a few phone calls to get enough medication for the remainder of your trip.   Have a local pharmacy number available prior to calling your prescribing physician back home.  In addition to medications, we also pack a couple of extra contact lenses in case of a lost or torn lens.

Bandages:

I usually pack an array of different sized bandages as well as specialty ones for hands or feet.  I am the mother of boys and it is a rare trip if someone doesn’t use a bandage so I like to keep them handy in a small, snack sized storage bag.  For a ski trip I also pack bandages for a larger surface area because we commonly have someone fall while boarding or skiing and get more of a raspberry type scrape.

Antibiotic ointment: 

I am a huge fan of using antibiotic ointment on cuts and scrapes to prevent infection.  It might surprise you, as it did me, that a lot of people are allergic to Neosporin and its generic equivalents.  If you use Neosporin and the area appears to become redder, stop using the ointment immediately and depending on the severity of the redness, consider consulting a medical professional.

Sunscreen:

Snow reflects the UV rays from the sun so the need for sunscreen is greater up on the slopes.  Don’t forget, even if it is overcast, some UV rays pass through cloud cover. Obviously, the majority of the time you only need to apply to the face, but there are some spring skiing days where more skin is exposed and these areas need sunscreen too!

Lip care: 

Between the UV rays and the dry air on the slopes, everyone in your party needs to carry some type of protection for the lips.  It is best if it has sunscreen in it as well as a moisturizer.

Pain and Fever Relievers:

These items are essential to any good first aid kit and especially one complied for a ski trip.  Please remember, no aspirin for children under 18 due to a rare complication called Reye’s syndrome.  Acetominophen, ibuprofen and naproxen are excellent for sore muscles.

Topical Pain Relievers:

An earlier Snowmamas discussion advocated the use of foot warmers applied to the gluteal regions for a warming sensation – especially enjoyed on a ski lift.  Since my gluteal region contains more surface area than a measly foot warmer, I like to use a Thermacare heat wrap.   I enjoy the lower back warmer to keep my back loosened up throughout the day, and then I can usually maneuver it south to warm my derrière on the lift.  Products like Icy Hot or Ben Gay are also options for topical pain relief for sore muscles but I find the frequency of reapplication to be inconvenient on the slopes.

Knee or elbow wrap:

Finally, an ace wrap, as they are commonly called, can be a lifesaver on a ski trip.  For large surface area injuries, you can apply gauze directly to the scrape, and then cover with the wrap.  No need to worry with multiple bandages and this can speed healing.  Another common use in my family is for placebo effect (shhh – don’t tell my kids).  Sore knees or elbows are common consequences of a ski trip.  If you are certain there is no severe injury, validate your child’s complaint by wrapping with an ace wrap.  Magically, things seem better and as other family member show concern, the child focuses more on telling the story of the injury than the injury itself.   

Park City Mountain Resort has made it so simple for you to have a fun filled day by using the "My Mountain Planner" tool. This tool is available both on the website and the new Park City Mountain Resort App for iPhone and Android! My Mountain Planner will allow you the chance to explore the 7 mountain zones to the fullest extent, based on your ability level, as you choose your options based on your personal selections. It's full of tips, stats, vertical, mileage, where to stop for hot chocolate breaks and lunch. The best thing is that you can download/print the file to bring on your trip and email it to your friends to brag on your accomplishments!

The tour types offered are for all abilities and are broken out into 6 main tour types with multiple sub categories offering energetic, or relaxed options, ranging from 14 miles to 25 miles in length. Each tour has a Tour intro section breaking your tour out by lifts and runs, Tour Summary section outlining your tour, Mountain Zone Overview Tour and the Tour Stats (your bragging rights!) section. So the possibilities are there for anyone, of any ability, to have FUN!!

Six main tour types with sub categories

• Green Tours - Groomed- Energetic or Relaxed
• Blue Tours - Bumps, Groomed, Steeps, Groomed/Bumps, Groomed/Steeps, Bumps/Steeps and Groomed/Bumps/Steeps
• Black Tours - Groomed Signature Runs, Bumps, Groomed Signature Runs/Bumps, Groomed Signature Runs/Bowls-Trees-Powder, Bumps/Bowls-Trees-Powder and Groomed Signature Runs/Bumps/Bowls-Trees-Powder
• Tours featuring Terrain Parks- Groomed Signature Runs, Bumps, Groomed Signature Runs/Bumps, Groomed Signature Runs/Bowls-Trees-Powder, Bumps/Bowls-Trees-Powder and Groomed Signature Runs/Bumps/Bowls-Trees-Powder
• Historic Tours - Highlighting Historic markers at the resort
• Family Tours- Green and Blue, Blue and Black and Green/Blue/Black

 I took the Blue-Energetic tour and it was a blast! At the end of the day I was able to look back and say "WOW" at what I had accomplished in mileage and vertical!

So, what are you waiting for! Get out there and use the My Mountain Planner for a fun filled day!

Snowpapa Jeff

Flying to a ski vacation may seem overwhelming, but fear not. You can do it!  For sixteen years, our family of six has traveled from the Northeast in search of uncrowded slopes, perfect conditions, and a destination that has it all. Our favorite? Park City, Utah! 

Wednesday

10:00 am - Arrival

A 7:00 am direct flight from the East will land you at the Salt Lake City International Airport late morning.  Don't forget to pre-register for the QuickSTART program to get a free lift ticket with your same day boarding pass!

Noon - Check In & Hop on the Lift

After a quick 35 minute drive from the airport, check into the Marriott Summit Watch (one to two bedroom condos) on Park City's Main Street and change into ski gear.  This perfect location not only allows you to practically ski-in, ski out at Park City Mountain Resort, but also has tons of dining and shopping right out your door.  Pre-arrange for rentals at Destination Sports next to the hotel, and head to the Town Lift across the street.  Grab lunch at The Bridge Cafe, get your lift tickets, and hit the slopes.

5:00 pm - Dinner at your Doorstep

After several runs at Park City Mountain Resort, ski back to your hotel on the Quit N' Time run. Check your skis at the valet, head back to change, and walk to Butcher's Chop House for steak, or Cisero's for pizza and pasta.  Casual and family friendly is the setting on Main Street, so feel free to wear your jeans and bring the kids.

8:00 pm - Swimming Under the Stars

Head back to the hotel for a swim under the night sky. The Marriott Summit Watch pool and hot tubs have old mine tresses above it reminiscent of the days before Park City became a resort destination. 

Thursday

8:00 am - Eat and Go!

Order grocery delivery before your trip from The Grocery Girls (make sure you also order marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers - read on for details!).  Eat breakfast in your room, or grab a bite at the Main Street Deli.  In a hurry? Hop the lift and ski to the base of PCMR for coffee and muffins at Kristi's in the Legacy Lodge.

9:00 am - Ski School Check-In

Make reservations in advance for the Signature 3 or Signature 5 Ski and Snowboard Programs at PCMR.  Class size is limited to 3:1 for 3 1/2 - 5 year olds, 5:1 for kids 6 and up. Small groups = excellent instruction!

Noon - Lunch with a View

Head up to the top of the mountain for breathtaking views at the Summit House. Check out the new soup selection made in house. Gluten free and vegetarian dining are also available at all mountain eateries. 

3:00 pm - Zip Line, Anyone?

After you've hit quite a few of the 114 runs on over 3,300 acres at PCMR, pick up your kids and hit the Alpine Coaster and Flying Eagle Zipline. It is sure to be the highlight of their trip! 

5:00 pm - Dinner and SSS (Swimming, Shopping and S'mores)

Call for takeout from the Mountain Express Guide - tons of options can be delivered to your door so you don't spend valuable pool and hot tub time cooking. For dessert, break out the marshmallows to make s'mores by the gas fire pits in the courtyard. Walk off dinner with a stroll through the shops and galleries along Main Street. 

Friday 

9:00 am - Off Hill Happenings

After a great breakfast at Morning Ray Cafe or The Eating Establishment, plan to head to one of these fun places nearby:

• Utah Olympic Park - Free museum with interactive exhibits. Call ahead for special events or to see if athletes are training.

• Gorgoza Tubing Park - Lift serviced fun for all ages, day and night.  Check out the snowmobiles for kids ages 5-12. 

• Tanger Outlets - Great selection for the shoppers in your family. 

• Redstone - Dining, shopping, movies, and fun!  A highlight is Jupiter Bowl, the perfect place to eat and play. 

5:00 pm - Date Night

Reserve Guardian Angel Babysitters in advance to come to your room. Grab a cozy dinner at East Street or Mustang, both located adjacent to the hotel.   Stroll up and down Main Street to hit all the shops and galleries you missed the other night!

Saturday 

8:00 am - Ski Where?

Head back over to Park City Mountain Resort, or try something different.  Two other ski resorts flank Park City Mountain Resort - Deer Valley and Canyons.  If you are feeling adventurous, Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, Brighton and Snowbasin are all under an hour away by car. 

7:00 pm - We All Scream for Ice Cream 

Grab dinner at Bistro 412 - favorites include the Steak Frites and Beef Bourguignon. Head up Main Street for a "must have" ice cream and coffee at Java Cow.  Our kids love to have their picture taken with the giant cow year after year.  If your ski legs are worn out,  hail the Park City Trolley for a free ride down the hill. 

Sunday 

9:00 am - Cobra Style

Gear up for another great day at Park City Mountain Resort.  Hit Cobra Dogs for lunch over by the terrain park.  Order the Cheddaconda, Cobra Style.  Trust me on this one!

6:00 pm - It's Lovely Weather for a Sleigh Ride Together With You!

Head over to the base of PCMR for dinner at the Snowed Inn Sleigh Company.  Make reservations in advance, and your horse drawn sleigh will be waiting to take you up the mountain for a delicious buffet dinner.  Cowboys included. 

Monday 

You'll leave Park City wanting to come back, so hop on that flight and start planning your trip for next year!  It's our family tradition...why not make it yours? 

Hopefully by now you have decided to head to the slopes with your family this winter and are just about to make reservations.  But should you stay in a hotel or a condo?  

Here are some pros and cons to consider before you book:

Hotels: Who doesn't love room service? 

 Pros:

• "Brand" hotels you are familiar with can offer reliability. 

• Easy to search for online reviews.

• If you collect "points" from a particular chain, you might be able to redeem for free nights.

• Daily housekeeping.  No one wants to clean on vacation!

• Lots of amenities - pools, spas, restaurants, room service, and shuttles or ski valet. 

• Sometimes breakfast is included with your stay.

Cons: 

• The more amenities, the higher the price.

• Not much room for larger families, meaning more than 4 will require two rooms.

• If there is on site laundry, it will be down the hall or on another floor.

• No full kitchen.

Condos: Gotta love extra space! 

Pros:

• Lots of room for larger families - more bedrooms, bathrooms, and TV's!

• Come in all sizes and price ranges.

• Many have amenities of a hotel. Get the details!

• Full kitchens = not having to eat out 3 meals a day.  Cooking may be on the "Not to Do" list,  but bringing a pile of kids out to every meal is not only expensive, it's not always fun. 

• Washer and dryer.  A HUGE bonus! You can pack less and save on baggage fees.  And who has several days worth of ski socks, long underwear, and neck gaiters?  I know we don't! No one can never truly escape laundry duty, so why not go home with everything clean and ready to unpack?

Cons:

• Possibly less amenities

• Can be older, and not recently refurbished. 

• Not knowing exactly what you are getting.

This last point can be alleviated by asking lots of questions, checking photos of the unit, and having the features listed in your rental contract. Many ski resorts also have timeshare or condo hotels, where the condo and hotel room blend together into one to offer everything you could need. You can even find "hotel brand" condos that will accept your points towards a free stay!

Even before kids, my husband and I always preferred the extra space of a condo with the flexibility that comes with having a kitchen and washer/dryer.  With the addition of four kids, we don't vacation any other way.

Still not sure? If you are headed to Park City Mountain Resort, why not contact their lodging specialists to get the scoop.  They will have all the inside details and possibly even a great package to offer you! 

There's definitely a lot to remember when you're packing for a ski or snowboard trip. Although most items are replaceable in Park City, it sure is nice to avoid that hassle or added expense.  I have a swiss-cheeese memory, so for me a detailed packing list is a must.  My family just returned from an amazing trip to Park City, here's a copy of our packing list - hopefully it will help save you some time.  Specific amounts of each item aren't included, so adjust quantities of items depending the length of your stay or whether or not your accommodations have a washer and dryer.  You can download the detailed packing list at the end of this article; I print out a copy for each family member, cross out what's not applicable to that individual and start packing.  Here's an overview:

Travel documents

I like to have everything for our travel arrangements in one place that's easy to find, so I use a plastic tabbed portfolio to organize our family trips as I'm making our arrangements, then bring it with me in my carry on. I'm such a nerd.

On the plane

When you fly there is always that chance that something might happen to your checked bags, so make sure that anything irreplaceable is in your carry on.  Once you've gotten your family to the airport, through security and on the plane with snacks and entertainment, then you can sit back and enjoy the ride. 

On the slopes

Packing each person’s ski or snowboard items together makes hitting the slopes first thing in the morning a lot easier.  For us that means everyone has his or her own backpack, board bag or boot bag containing their ski/snowboard clothes and gear.  In the morning everyone grabs their own bag to get dressed and go - less stressing out looking for this or that.  You may choose to rent or carry on your ski or snowboard gear, or ship it ahead so that it is all there when you get there.  We rented our boards this last visit and it was so nice to not have to lug them around and fit them in the back of the rental SUV.  Park City Mountain Rentals had a range of boards and bindings to select from so even my picky husband was happy.

Around town

You can't ski ALL the time, so bring some warm and comfortable clothes for shopping and going out to dinner. I tend to overpack, I'm working on this, I find that I really only need a couple of options for apres-ski.  Added bonus: Packing a little less here means more room in my bags for shopping on Main Street.

At the condo or hotel

Most accommodations already have some games and movies, all you may need to bring is some comfy jammies and hot cocoa. Call ahead to see what is available to avoid packing unnecessary items.

Miscellaneous

A hair dryer, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body lotion are most likely already at your hotel or condo, so I did not include them on the list.  Add them in if you have a specific brand you like.  You won't regret having a mini first aid kit, just having a pain reliever on hand after a hard day of skiing will be worth it.

Download the SKI TRIP PACKING LIST here.

Here's wishing you and your family a wonderful, relaxing, fun-filled vacation!

Don't be Turned off by the line. It's a sign of a good thing.

Are you a dog lover? I’m not talking about man’s best friend, I’m talking about the kind you put mustard and relish on. If you’re a hot dog lover, then you’ll be excited about the newest addition to the restaurant scene at Park City Mountain Resort.

The Perfect Dog

Being from Chicago, I know a thing or two about hot dogs. The basic Chicago-style dog starts with a steamed, all beef frank topped with mustard, onion, relish, a pickle spear and tomatoes. Many Chicago hot dog joints also add celery salt, peppers, even lettuce and cucumber. Everything in the garden can go on a Chicago dog, what some call a “Chicago salad”. There’s just one rule— no ketchup. A Chicago-style hot dog NEVER comes with ketchup!

Cool Dog

I heard the Cobra Dogs food cart had quite a following among the snowboarder crowd. Having built up a great reputation after several summers catering to the snowboarders in Mt. Hood, Oregon, owner Cory Grove decided to make Park City Mountain Resort the winter home of the popular food cart.

Dog Days

Cobra Dogs opened up at the base of the 3 Kings Terrain Park and Eagle Superpipe in December 2010. I got to enjoy this season’s grand opening. There was a flurry of excitement at the signature red cart on December 4th, 2011, with a live DJ turning up the volume on the excitement. If you’re traveling with teenagers, this is the place they will want to eat.

Set up like your typical hot dog joint, there are tables where you can stand around and eat, but they’ve also set up a couple gondolas, should you want to sit down and enjoy your dog. Fine dining it’s not, but it is a fun, fast, inexpensive way to have a lunch break, before getting back on the slopes.

Dog Gone Good

There’s a full selection of franks. You can choose from brats, all beef franks or veggie dogs. Being from Chicago, you know I didn’t order a veggie dog! I went with the brat with mustard and sauerkraut— a satisfying lunch.

The chili con carne dogs looked good too, as did the dogs covered in the famous spicy cobra sauce, owner Cory Grove’s own secret recipe.

You can also order your dog “Cobra style” — with sauerkraut, cobra sauce and cream cheese. WAIT A MINUTE— I just used cream cheese and hot dog in the same sentence! While this may be the winning wiener for some, I did not relish the thought of a hot dog smothered in cream cheese. I don’t want to get myself in a pickle though, so I’ll just say I’m glad they’ve laid plenty of hot dog options out on the table for their customers. Keep in mind though that to eat here, you must love dogs, because there’s nothing else on the menu.

Cobra Dogs will be making your own hot dog dreams come true throughout the winter at Park City Mountain Resort. Hot diggity dog!

Is it better to rent gear at the resort or bring from home?

It is much better to rent from the resort, especially for children. If there are any fitting issues, or malfunction occurs, we can replace the skis, boots or snowboard t immediately. We don’t have to bother parents because we have their signature on the release from our rental shop.

It also saves on travel costs. Unless families drive or fly Southwest (where they can check two bags for free) they will have to pay to get their gear to the mountains. Plus we valet the children’s gear overnight for free, and they don’t have to carry it back to where they are staying. And if they want to demo some different skis or boards, they can exchange models at the  Summit Demo Center, ski in and ski out trying several different ones.

Mondays with Mary is a weekly column where our Kids Mountain School Manager answers your most common questions.

Something magical happens on our winter vacation.  I don’t really remember when it started, but now it is just our thing.  It’s hard to believe, but my teenaged boys actually turn off their video games, put away their iPods and iPads and they play games with us.  These are typically “old fashioned” games but we all have a blast bonding together over the competition and team work.  The boys look forward to the evening time and fight over which games we will play.  Here are a few of our favorites – I hope you can enjoy them as much as we do.

• Uno: This card game may very well have been invented for the ski condo.  This game says ages 7+ but there is no reading required so if you have an especially ambitious 4 -6 year old who wants to be “in the mix” this game is perfect.  It seems easy enough to match the color or the numbered cards, but watch out for the specialty cards like draw 4 wild, draw 2, skip and reverse.
• Puzzles: Most condos or time shares have puzzles available to check out from an activity area or buy one as a souvenir.   We usually keep a puzzle going on an accessory table (not the kitchen table) at all times.  You can leave it for days and return to it when you want to work on it.
• Dominoes: With baggage fees these days, you would think that my family could leave behind our set of dominoes weighing in at 4 pounds 6 ounces.  But for us, games in our ski condo wouldn’t be complete unless we play Mexican Train.  To start, everyone pulls 15 dominoes for 4 or fewer players and 12 dominoes for 5-8 players.   The person with the highest double domino starts by placing that domino in the center of the grid and they play another matching domino at an angle out from the center.  Play rotates around the table with each player who can matching dominoes on their own “train.”  If a player is unable to play on their train, they draw a domino, place the plastic train piece on their string of dominoes and now their train is “open” to other players who can now choose to match their dominoes on their own train or their opponents.  A player can also start the “Mexican train” which is open to all players who have a matching domino.  The first player to match all their dominoes wins.
• Standard card games: There are a lot of games that can be played with a standard deck of cards.  No big surprise, we Texans love to play Texas Hold ‘em Poker.  We also enjoy Black Jack (AKA 21), Spades, Hearts and even War if we get desperate.   Another game that we play with a standard deck of cards is called “99.”  This game is fun and fast and even sneaks in a little math in a stealth-like manner.   Each player is dealt 3 cards and should keep 3 cards in their hand at all times by drawing from the pile after playing a card.  Each player takes turns discarding cards into the pile with the object to add cards to achieve 99 on the discard pile without going over.  As each card is played, the player calls out the current count.  (Heckles and jeers are sure to start the longer it takes the player to do the math.) The special wild cards in this game are invaluable.  They are: Ace=1; 3=99; 4=reverse (just like in Uno the playing rotation reverses); 9=zero; 10=minus 10; and Face cards=10.  The first player to go over the count of 99 loses.  We usually play with 3 quarters in front of each player and every time someone loses a round, they must put a quarter in the center.   The winner is the last player with a quarter.
• Left-Center-Right:  The game is very compact in a travel container and can be purchased at your favorite local “Stuff-mart” ie Target.   This is a game that uses 3 specialty dice marked with “left”, “right”, 3 circles and a star. Each player starts with 3 quarters (the game provides chips as playing pieces, but we prefer the “high stakes” of quarters) and the roll of the dice tells the player which way to pass each quarter.   The circle indicates to keep a quarter and the star indicates to pass a quarter to the center.   For example if the 3 dice are rolled: left, right and circle, the player passes one quarter to the player on the  left, one quarter to the player on the right and they keep one quarter.  For a star, the quarter goes into the center.  The player only rolls as many dice as they have quarters.   Since quarters do not return from the center, eventually all the quarters will go into the “kitty” and the last player with a quarter wins "the kitty.”

In 10 years, my boys will be 25, 23, and 19 years old and I know by then our family vacations will at least be different if not completely over.   I’d love to think that we will still all be together with girlfriends and <shutter> wives but if we are it will be a different dynamic for sure.   Whatever happens, I know I will cherish these great memories of games in our condo on the ski trip.

Flying Eagle Zip Line

Yes, you came to ski or snowboard. But did you know that there is so much to do in Park City, it really is the ultimate winter vacation destination?  Add a few of these activities to your itinerary and your kids will be begging to come back every year!

• Tubing at Gorgoza Park  

About a 10 minute drive from the heart of Park City is an unbelievably fun, lift serviced tubing park.  Have little ones with you? Fort Frosty has a snow tube carousel gentle enough for the smallest tyke.  Mini snowmobiles for kids ages 5-12 will leave any adult a little jealous that they can't go on! Insider tip: Crowds are low and lanes are FAST between 6-8 pm.  For dinner, pick up a pizza on the way at the Park City Pizza Company and enjoy in the Warming Yurt at the park upon arrival. 

• Alpine Coaster and Flying Eagle Zipline 

Located at Park City Mountain Resort.  Open daily from noon to 4pm, the coaster and zip line are fun rides for almost any age (*height restrictions apply). For the best value, buy the combo ticket available for purchase before 3 pm, which gives you one ride on each. 

• Jupiter Bowl

There's a new Jupiter Bowl in town, and you can't ski this one. Located in the Redstone shopping area, it's a short drive from the resort and on the free bus route.  It's the nicest bowling alley our family has ever seen.  Fabulous food, great decor, and comfy seating makes for luxury bowling.

• Utah Olympic Park 

You can't miss the sight of the ski jumps when you enter Park City.  The host for many events in the 2002 Winter Olympics, admission is free for the guided tour and interactive museum.  Many days you can watch athletes train on the jumps and bobsled runs.  You can even sign up for a bobsled ride, although this is not for kids or the faint of heart!

• Ice Skating 

On a nice day, hit the Resort Center Ice Rink at the base of Park City Mountain Resort.  If the temperatures drop or the weather is not ideal, head over to the large indoor Park City Ice Arena for a fun filled day!

These are just my top 5, but the list of other activities is endless. Try cross country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, or hot air ballooning.  There are movie theaters and even an indoor play place, Monkey Mountain. Not to mention endless shopping and eating!  If your lodging has a pool or hot tub, it's quite possible your kids won't want to go anywhere else.  But it's great to have options, and Park City has something for everyone!

Need lunch?

This Snowmama lives Park City and often gets caught in the middle of the day with a hungry belly and cranky kids.  I know a few perfect places you shouldn't miss.  If you want great food away from the crowds and tourist prices try these three lunch spots on your next trip to Park City.

• Fairweather Natural Foods :1270 Iron Horse Dr 435-649-4561

About 10 years ago I stumbled upon this great little Natural Food Store located not far from Main Street.  I even worked there part time, so I can tell you first hand that it is fantastic!  If you are looking for a healthy, wholesome lunch in a friendly atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle, Fairweather Cafe is the place.  It is both a store and a cafe where you will find tasty soups (usually three made fresh daily), salads, sandwiches, muffins, and custom fresh juices.  I'm not vegan but I often swing by to get my Vegan "chicken" Salad sandwich fix.  It is a delicious combination of cubed tempeh, vegenaise, onion, parsley and cucumbers.  They add fresh red bell peppers, shredded carrots, tomatoes, lettuce and avocado to these sandwiches making it an easy way to get your veggie servings for the day.  There is also a Turkey Swiss, Tuna, Egg (or tofu eggless) salad, and Hummus Sandwich.  

The soups are my son's favorite.  You can follow Fairweather on Twitter @FairWeatherFood to get their daily soups. Today, as I write this, I am getting hungry seeing that their Mushroom Wild Rice, Tomato Cannelini and Asian Detox Soups are simmering.  My son enjoyed the Potato Corn KALE chowder the last time we stopped in. Yes, he ate the KALE and asked me to make it for him at home (but I was told mine was not as good).  

Maggie, my daughter always wants the Amy's Mac and Cheese from the freezer and I just microwave it in the cafe. Both kids top their lunch off with their own smoothie concoctions of strawberries, blueberries and yogurt (you can add bee pollen, ginseng, acai or other boosters).  I like to get a little extra immunity boost with a fresh juice of kale, cucumber, lemon, ginger, garlic and apple.  Yum.

Before we leave I grab a Miracle muffin for the next morning and pick up a few grocery staples I need so I can skip the crowds and parking lot of Whole Foods at Newpark.  Shop local, it's good for you. 

• Atticus Coffee, Books & Teahouse  738 Main St. 435-214-7241

They call it a funky, relaxed, literary atmosphere.  I must agree.  Best of all is that you can get some darn good eats at the same time you check out (or in) at this favorite hangout.  Most often I visit Atticus with my little ones.  They love the mini kids forest where their imaginations come alive and they can entertain themselves while I catch up with a friend, a magazine or their free WiFi.  I always choose coffee when I visit a cafe, but here I like to try something new.  With over 50 healthy, all natural teas, chai and mate I'll never run out of something new.  If you do choose coffee they have some of the best, and a full espresso bar. 

Atticus has a great breakfast menu, Green Eggs and Ham (it's spinach), Buddha Bowl Oatmeal, Morning Sundae of vanilla yogurt, granola and fruit are just a few.  Lunch time brings wraps, sandwiches, soups, salads and plenty of fresh baked goodies.  Kids love the Stella (my daughter thinks it's "pretty").  The Stella is a open faced bagel with cream cheese, fresh strawberries and drizzled with honey.  The Hammy is another kids favorite, a melted ham and cheddar on whole wheat bread.  There is even Nutella in house, get it smeared on a bagel.  The salad I choose is The Other Salad, mixed greens, crumbled white cheddar, honey roasted walnuts, cukes and tomatoes.  

And, for those who prefer milk substitutes, yesterday the woman in front of me asked for one with her latte.  She was able to choose from soy, rice, or almond milk! I love it, something for everyone.

• Uptown Fare: 227 Main Street 435-615-1998

Tucked away at the top of Main Street is Uptown Fare. You need to plan a little as it is closed on Saturday and Sunday and only open from 11:00 - 3:30. The locals know that Uptown Fare is the place to go when you crave "home cooked like momma makes" food.  The interior gives no thrills, no fluff but it is eclectic and unique for sure.  You won't find a fresher turkey sandwich in town, they roast a turkey everyday.  

The soups are exactly what you need to get you recharged and warmed up during your walk on Main Street.  It is known that Rachel Ray has asked for the Cream of Tomato with Cheese Tortilini soup recipe three times.  The women of Uptown Fare have not given it up!  Whatever you choose you can't go wrong.  The last time I stopped in they were serving Black Bean & Sweet Potato, Green Chili Corn and Potato and the Cream of Tomato.

As for the salads, portions are big, ingredients are fresh.  The Mandarin Chicken is my favorite, you may also choose from such yummies as Beets and Blue Cheese, Roasted Veggies over Greens, Chicken Ceasar or Field Greens with Feta.  

When it comes to dessert, save room or plan on taking a sweet treat to go.  It's all baked in house and you will find Rice Crispie Treats, Cookies, Brownies or a beautiful cake.  Beth makes a Carrot Cake which rivals any fine pastry shop and Suzie's Chocolate Espresso Cake is divine.  You'll have earned it after a day on the slopes.  

Take note, unless you are with a local, or dressed in your ski/board gear do not bother trying to eat here during Sundance. A password will be necessary to enter.  It really is a true locals spot.  If you visit the Snowmamas facebook page I might just share the word with you!

When in Park City don't get stuck visiting the big name establishments right in front of you.  Turn a corner, ask a local, and you might just find a new favorite place!

Trust me when I say "We get it."

You've planned the perfect family ski vacation. & Even though you're super excited to spend every-single-waking-moment with your ENTIRE family, you're also dreading it - just a wee bit.

Again, trust me when I say "We get it."

Sometimes, family-time-all-the-time, doesn't make for the perfect family ski vacations. That's why I have a list of Park City Childcare & Babysitting Options always on hand.

I first started using Park City Childcare & Babysitting Options when my infant was too young to join us on the slopes, & it's been a lifesaver more times than I can count.

So, I thought I'd share the wealth - you never know when you need to find childcare & babysitting options while your vacationing in Park City.

Park City Childcare Options

• The Kids Cabin (Drop-off Childcare)
• Kids Clubhouse (Drop-off Childcare)
• Monkey Mountain (Drop-off Childcare)

Park City Babysitting Options

• Guardian Angels (In-Room Babysitting)
• Park City Sitters (In-Room Babysitting)
• Sunshine Sitters (In-Room Babysitting & "Actiity" sitting)

Now that you've got a little free time on your hands... spend some time on the mountain without the little ones, or go out for dinner at a restaurant you wouldn't dare take the kids too (we generally do date night at Wahso or Ruth's Chris).

What is the benefit of the small class sizes offered in the Kids Signature 5 Program at Park City Mountain Resort?

By limiting class sizes to five students or fewer in the Kids Signature 5 Program (ages 6–14), we offer your child more personal attention—and more opportunity to learn. In our Signature 5 classes, participants can get to know  4 other kids, along with their coach, much quicker and easier than when the group size doubles or is larger.  At holiday times when children are out of school, class size at most resorts soar, and can easily reach 12-15 or upward. Every day of the season we guarantee no more than 5 participants per class.

Guest post by Snowmama Shannon Dempsey

We had the pleasure of going dog sledding on Saturday, December 31st, with PawSatch Snow Dogs, and I have to tell you - I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a REAL dog sledding experience!

Seeing that we’d be here the week after Christmas, I booked our trip early, actually in mid-October, and according to Neal Bowlen, Owner, we were lucky to get a spot as they were pretty much booked up for the week already!  So note to self - book early!  Trips are limited to two a day because they are completely private!  It’s just you and your group... you won’t be sledding with a bunch of strangers, just those in your party!  So it was just the three of us booked for 10:30 am on December 31st!

It was easy to do - book via email or give them a call.  They have a website - http://pawsatch.com and you can find them on Facebook.  I sent a request via email at first and Neal called me within 24 hours to confirm the date and time.  He does require payment at the time of booking - but after talking to him I had no reservations about doing so - he’s the kind of person you want to hug through the phone.

Fast forward two+ months and I receive a reminder email from Neal about our date and specifics about location to meet.  Due to the limited snow the area had received thus far, he assured me he had a “secret snowy spot” and that we’d definitely be sledding on snow for our trip and gave us detailed directions to Weber Canyon which took us about 40 min to get to from Park City.  (*if you do not have your own transportation, they will make arrangements for you - just ask!)  

In this email, Neal included specifics of what to wear (dress for winter and something you don’t mind getting a little hairy or dirty as you will get LOTS of loving from the dogs), a reminder that he provides snacks, coffee, hot chocolate, water and if you’d like he’ll even provide lunch - anything from simple to gourmet!

It’s finally our morning to go dog sledding and we arrived at our meet up spot promptly at 10:30 am and Neal was there waiting for us with all of his gorgeous dogs and his crew, our guide and Neal’s photographer.  Yes, included in your price you get a TON of photos taken throughout the day as you meet each dog and then he rides on the back of Neal’s snowmobile to document the entire day.  Did I mention that’s included in your booking fee?!?!?

I’ve only emailed with Neal and actually talked to him once and I felt the need to give him a hug upon our meeting as if we were old pals.  He just gives off that vibe.  And you can totally tell he loves his job - no wait - he loves his lifestyle!  

Hubby, son and I get to meet each of the dogs, learn their names, ages and preferred places in line and then get a brief lesson on the sled, how to lean around corners and what to expect as the dogs are lined up (the dogs get VERY excited when they are lining up, barking, playing, nipping each other - they love to run & to pull!).  

Neal also has a trailer at the site so there is a potty - a must before you take off for your trip, especially if you have kiddos with you, because the trip could last anywhere from 30 min to an hour depending on the weather as well as a spot to warm up.

Our son is set in the front seat of the sled and with the temps hovering around 20* and even though we’re dressed in ski gear, he is wrapped in a nice comfy sleeping bag good to -60* temps.  Fabulous!!  I take the second seat, also with a sleeping bag (hey, we ARE from Florida!) and hubby takes up the rear with our guide and is given a lesson on helping her break and turn when needed (which by the way he is SUPER exited about!).  We were all completely comfortable!

Away we go - off for a gorgeous ride as the snow flurries begin to fly (seriously, could it get ANY more awesome?!) and Neal and his photographer buzz along side on their snowmobile taking pictures of our faces in a perma-grin state!  It was so much fun!  Tom was helping “drive” as we rode for a good 45 min, down into the Wasatch National Park and onto the frozen reservoir, making fresh tracks in the newly fallen 2-3” of snow!  

It was the right amount of time - the dogs needed a few breaks, we got to take in the amazing scenery and the entire trip was captured on film (you are more than welcome to bring your phone/camera but honestly, you don’t need to!).

Upon our arrival back to “camp” lunch was waiting for us in our trailer.  Prior to the trip, I emailed with Neal regarding lunch and I went for a simple order of PB&J for Ian and turkey sandwiches for Tom and I.  We were met with enough food to feed an army - I think Ian downed 3 PB&J’s dripping with goodness and there was turkey, ham and roast beef sandwiches for us along with chips, fruit and three different kinds of soups!  Neal also made us hot chocolate and had water bottles for us. Now let’s be real - the trailer is a trailer - and it carts all his supplies to and from the site, but was completely appropriate and welcomed us warmly after our trip with the dogs and allowed us to get out of the cold and have a delicious lunch!  He even had a movie playing of the Iditarod Race in Alaska - which was spot on as one of his dogs has finished the race not once, but twice!

As we ate we were able to pick Neal’s brain about the dogs, his love for the sport as well as the love of the lifestyle he has running his business and providing for his family of five.  Like I said earlier - you just want to hug the guy and he’s so easy to chat with.

Our outing lasted just over 2 hours - Neal tells you to plan on 2-3 hours depending on the weather.  It was the right amount of time for us.  We never felt rushed nor did we feel like it was too much nor were we too cold.  I hate to use the word perfect, but really, it was for us!

After lunch, we got to hug, pet & snuggle with the dogs one last time before we left.  Took a few more pictures and then headed out.  Did we tip them you ask, you bet ch’ya!

What a way to spend the last morning of 2011! 

Cooking for my boys is one of my love languages and I’m always looking for some new recipes to prove my love. In addition to my husband, I have 4 perpetually hungry teen and pre-teen boys to feed and they love hearty meals – especially after a day on the slopes.  When we come on a ski vacation, we prefer to grocery shop and prepare most of our evening meals in our condo and I need supper ideas to fill up those empty stomachs and hollow legs.  

Our time-share condo kitchen is equipped in the most basic fashion: no slow cooker, and (I know – it’s almost like camping) no food processor.  To make it to prime time in our condo, a recipe needs to be easy, delicious, and hearty to satisfy my crowd of boys.  In addition, I don’t like to have a lot of waste at the end of our ski week so I won’t buy items that I won’t completely finish during our week.  For example, my family won’t eat Dijon mustard.  If a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon Dijon, I have to pass it up because I don’t want to have an entire jar of Dijon go to waste.  So with that in mind, I plunged into The Ski House Cookbook by Tina Anderson and Sarah Pinneo to find some new recipes that would work for us in our “Ski House".

The cookbook is divided into sections featuring breakfast, lunch, soups, après-ski snacks, pastas, fast food entrees, slow food entrees, salads and sides, desserts and beverages.   Each recipe is graded in the familiar ski slope method of green – easy, blue – moderate, and black –difficult.

"Each recipe is graded in the familiar ski slope method of green – easy, blue – moderate, and black –difficult."

The first recipe that caught my eye was “Chunky Beef Stew” which is rated blue - moderate.  The description proudly proclaims, “This recipe uses the oven as the slow cooker.”  Lightbulb!  I love cooking with a slow cooker and really miss having one when we are away from home.  The unique thing about this recipe is that it keeps the veggies and stew separate until the last minute when they are served together in bowls.  The veggies roast in the oven alongside the stew, and since they aren’t in the sauce, they stay firm and keep their texture rather than turning into mush.  This recipe is relatively easy and the only comment from my boys was, “Next time make more!”  The chunky beef stew could be easily accomplished in the limited rented condo kitchen and I predict will become one of my family’s favorites.

Another delicious recipe we tried was “Roasted Pork Loin with Cherry Balsamic Pan Sauce.”  This recipe was rated green and listed in the fast food entrees.   From start to finish this took me 1.5 hours to make without assistance but this included 30-40 minutes of downtime while the roast is in the oven.   Coincidentally, this is just enough time to give those sore ski muscles a good soak in the hot tub. This recipe could also be done in the ski condo kitchen but I would pack a meat thermometer to ensure proper cooking temperature in an unfamiliar oven. The cherry balsamic pan sauce was such a delicious accompaniment to the sweet pork loin, but the next time I make this recipe, I will try substituting red wine for the balsamic vinegar in the reduction.  Rather than wasting a bottle of the balsamic, substituting red wine would be a win-win because there won’t be any leftover ingredients and I get a dose of heart healthy anti-oxidants in my glass of red wine. 

I tried several other recipes from this cookbook and my family enjoyed them all.   Some met my criteria for the condo cooking and some did not but were excellent here at home in Austin.  Honorable mentions to “Herbed Turkey Burgers,” “‘Twas The Night Before French Toast,” “Maple Glazed Bacon,” “Roasted Red Pepper, Feta and White Bean Dip” (yes my picky boys ate this) and “Winter Romaine Salad.”

Now, dear reader, as a reward to you for reading through this article, I must share with you arguably the best recipe in this book and perhaps the best I’ve tried in a long while.  “Fabulously Fudgy Cocoa Brownies” is touted as a highly guarded secret family recipe that friends have begged the authors to share for years.   This recipe is as simple as a boxed brownie mix but the end result is highly superior.  These brownies are moist, chocolaty and impossible to resist.   They are made in an 8” by 8” pan and in my house were gone in a flash.   I will undoubtedly make these brownies again and again.

If you enjoy exploring new recipes and are looking for hearty meals this winter check out The Ski House Cookbook.  If your ski condo has a food processor – invite me over – I’ll make some of these dishes for you!

You and your kids have done the mountain... a few times... now what? No longer is winter on the slopes just about skiing or snowboarding. Since some families have at least one person who doesn't want to spend the whole day skiing, ski resorts are coming up with new activities to keep everyone entertained. One of the fastest growing trends?— let's just say ski resorts are finding new ways to add some zip to their mountains.

Zippity-Doo-Da

Zip lines were originally built to transport people and equipment across canyons, rivers and other hard to reach areas. Some of the first tourist zip lines were built in Costa Rica's tropical forests in the 1970s, but they're no longer just an eco-tourist adventure. 

These fast-paced cable rides are springing up in many ski resorts as warm-weather attractions, but Park City Mountain Resort has built one that's open all year round.

Weeeee!

I recently checked out Park City Mountain Resort's newest attraction and give it high marks for fun. The Flying Eagle Zip Line starts and ends from the same location at the base of the mountain. It's high flying fun for the whole family, allowing two riders (42” or taller) to ride side-by-side as a 750-foot line pulls them up to the top for a speedy ride back to the base area.

For anyone nervous about the idea of a zipline, not to worry. The Flying Eagle doesn't involve jumping off a platform and flinging yourself hundreds of feet into the air. Believe me, I'm no daredevil! This is a zip line that the whole family can enjoy, even grandma.  You're not dangling from a rope, but sitting in a secured seat. There are no helmets and harnesses involved. Just sit back and enjoy the ride— and the spectacular view as you soar over the slopes.

ZipRider

Zip lines may be the newest thing at lots of ski resorts across the country, but Park City Mountain Resort has been thrilling adventure seekers with zip lines since 2002, when it built the ZipRider. At the time it was the longest zipline in the world. However, unlike the Flying Eagle, the ZipRider is only open in the summer.

Alpine Coaster

If you're an adrenaline junkie I'd advise taking a ride on Park City Mountain Resort's Alpine Coaster, the only one in Utah. When your jaw isn't dropping from the hair-pin turns, it's the stunning mountain scenery that leaves you breathless. Keep in mind you have to be over 54 inches tall to enjoy this thrill. 

Park City Mountain Resort has plenty of ways to keep everyone in the family having fun on the mountain. Maybe one of these rides will be the high point of your vacation!

No reservations required. Just stop by and enjoy the ride!

You know it’s been a special trip when your teenager is looking at homes for sale in the area.  We just got back from Park City and are still basking in the afterglow of a fantastic vacation.  The best part was having my whole family on the mountain together for the first time. I have two daughters; Syd, a 15-year old snowboarder and Veronica, a 12-year old first timer.  Veronica has special needs and one of our family goals has been to find activities that we can enjoy together, but we’ve never been able to snowboard as a family. Park City Mountain Resort (PCMR) partners with the National Ability Center (NAC) to provide ski opportunities for all abilities, and like everything else I’ve experienced at PCMR, the NAC is world-class. I now have great memories watching my husband and kids, cruising down a groomed snowy run under sunny blue skies. It doesn't get much better than that.

Here are some of our trip highlights:

Snowboarding:
I was excited, but also a little apprehensive as to how the adaptive ski program would work for my daughter.  She’s a speed-loving daredevil, so I knew she would enjoy the motion, but I was wondered how the equipment would fit her, how she would get on the lift, and if she would get too cold.  It turns out the National Ability Center at Park City Mountain Resort has done this a few times before.  They had a bi-ski ready when we got there and talked to her about what to expect.  She sat inside and they practiced leaning with her, which brought a huge smile to her face.  We bundled up and headed outside to the bunny slope, which is where I thought we’d stay.  But by the end of the session Veronica was going down double blues with us and she actually got a little air off of some small terrain bumps.  She had two more sessions, in which our family conquered a black diamond run and ran the NASTAR race course.

"The best part was having my whole family on the mountain together for the first time."

Snowboard Workshop:
My husband, 15-year old and I took a 3 hour Snowboard Workshop with Jamie Hill. We told her that we wanted to try the terrain park, which I'm sure must have amused her.  We took a few runs together to work on some basics, then we made our way to The Ridge mini park.  Jamie explained how the park was arranged, and had us ride through together to see both sides of the features. Then it was time to put our instruction to the test.  We took some jumps and a couple of box slides – I don't think the kids in the park were impressed, but I thought we were pretty cool.  Besides, I was the only mom up there so that has to count for something, right?

While we were in our clinic, Veronica was hanging out with Rachel from Guardian Angel Babysitting. Snowmama Kristen told me about Guardian Angel, she has been using their services for years.  I went on her advice, and she was right.  Rachel was great with Veronica, comfortable from the beginning and was prepared with some books to read with her. When I asked my daughter about her afternoon with Rachel, she gave me a big smile – that said it all.

Dog Sledding:
I thought our family would really enjoy dog sledding, Pawsatch Snow Dogs came highly recommended. They were already booked when I called, but Neil, the owner, invited us to come and see the dogs and equipment. We met some of the team that runs their sledding adventures, learned about the program and saw the dogs up close and personal.  We will definitely set up a tour with them next time we’re in Park City, it looks like so much fun!

Equestrian Lessons:
The NAC Ranch has many activities, including an equestrian program for all abilities. Both of my daughters took an equestrian lesson, which started with brushing the horses and helping with the saddles. My youngest was a little stressed to begin with, but the team working with her knew exactly how to make it a great experience for her.  The lessons ended after the girls helped remove the saddles, brushed their horses and gave them a treat.

Rock Wall Climbing:
I’ll be honest, I really couldn’t see how rock wall climbing would work for Veronica, I thought I was going more to find out how it worked for other people.  I guess I should have known better.  Kim met us at the 32-foot climbing wall, and got Veronica in a harness, then a sling that hung from the ceiling. As Veronica reached her hands up to the next rock, and her feet looked for a rock to step on, her sister would pull the rope so that she would move up a little higher to climb the wall. Kim was awesome, so knowledgeable and knew just how to help Veronica reach her potential in that session. She explained that blind people often have a better perception about the climbing wall and I could see how the weightlessness and things to feel and reach for allowed for an experience that pushed my child to do more. We left with Veronica laughing and my husband figuring out how we can set up our own climbing wall. It might just end up in my living room…
 
Cross Country Skiing:
I’ve thought about ways to get our family to cross country ski, but wasn’t sure how to make it happen. What would Veronica ride in? And there’s this other little thing: my family snowboards.

We met Evan from the NAC at their Nordic ski yurt, he had a sled for Veronica and skis for us. Evan gave us some quick lessons on the basics of Nordic skiing, then we got moving: he pulled Veronica in her sled while we got our ski legs.  They have miles of trails to access; we took a fairly flat, short loop, then it was my turn to pull Veronica’s sled. I’m definitely not a pro and will stay on flat trails for now, but Nordic skiing is another great family activity that we will do again. 

Shopping on Main Street:
We were in Park City during Sundance and on the watch for celebrity sightings.  The closest we got to seeing anyone was a rumor that Kim Kardashian was at Java Cow Creamery when we were on Main Street.  We enjoyed shopping, meeting store owners, and people-watching.  Snowmama Kim-Marie told me about Burns Cowboy Shop, they have walls of gorgeous Lucchese cowboy boots in every design and color, as well as beautiful leather goods and accessories. I picked out several of my favorite boots and started trying them on. I found the perfect pair - it was love at first sight and a part of Park City that I got to take home with me.

Alpine Coaster:
The Alpine Coaster is across from the PayDay lift.  It’s a 10 minute ride on a track with individual cars that climb up the mountain, then twist and wind back down through the trees at high speeds with you in control of the brakes.  You can ride alone or tandem. I thought Todd and Veronica would take it slow, but they went full speed in the car behind Syd and I, loving every minute of it. We all got off the ride laughing, talking about our favorite parts of the ride.

Now we’re home, but still talking about tour trip and making plans to go back – soon!  

Guest post by Snowpapa Tim Sattelmeier

I started learning to teach children to ski almost two and a half decades ago. I have always felt that they are our most honest clients. Returning a screaming bundle of tears to their parents is an undeniable defeat. But a smile on a three year old’s face is the most reliable indicator of success ever invented.

Last season my oldest son started skiing at two and a half. He is a little young, I know, but he sees me and his mom go skiing and asks to go. He even started wearing his big clumsy boots around the house. Early in the season, we only managed to take him out a few days scattered through the weeks but in April and with the extra week, he finally had a regular opportunity to ski and from one week to the next you could see the improvement. I re-learned how important it was to have a sandwich in my pocket for sudden picnics half way down Turtle Trail. And I am reminded just how much different the hill looks to a little boy when he describes his run as a ride on the swings then over a jump and past a snow gun with no mention of a hill or turns.

I’ll admit to a certain sense of joy riding First Time and taking half an hour to slide back down with my son. I have to be careful that I do not push him to ski but rather try to cultivate his self-motivation. Skiing and snowboarding are passion sports and if I dare to hope he will be great on the hill, the drive must come from him.

You can find this self motivation in people of all ages on the hill. Remember what drives you to slide around on the snow every day and then connect to that feeling in your guests. Your client will become a partner in your love of the mountain and the simplest victory will draw you on to greater success.

In the end, the most rewarding moment for me as a father last season was not on the hill at all but early on several mornings when he woke me up asking “Daaad, can we go skiing today?”

My youngest daughter Veronica has special needs; she's blind, in a wheelchair and non-verbal, but what she appears to lack in ability she more than makes up for in personality and sparkle.  One of my challenges as a mom is to find activities that my family can enjoy together.  Last month I toured the 26-acre Bronfman Family Recreational Center & Ranch of the National Ability Center (NAC), located just a few miles from Main Street in Park City.  Here everyone from kids with special needs to competitive para-athletes can participate in a wide range of athletic classes, programs and camps designed to meet the requirements of the individual participant.  The NAC's goal is to provide opportunities that enhance self-esteem, confidence and physical development, inspiring more activity and participation in all aspects of life.

The NAC contains a 20,000 square foot lodge with private rooms, a common area and a cafeteria.  Don't let the word cafeteria fool you - I met the chef and sampled some cookies and carrot cake – amazing!  The chef, just like everyone I’ve met through the NAC, all take great pride in what they do there.  Families, athletes and companies on retreats can stay at the Ranch for very reasonable rates.  The rooms are nice and of course accessibility is not an issue.  

The Ranch also includes a large outdoor space with a Universal Challenge Course, adaptive playground, large fire pit, indoor and outdoor horse arena and stables. The Program Service Building contains office space and conference facilities, and is where you’ll find the 32-foot indoor climbing wall.  The surrounding property has trails for a variety of sports, including Nordic skiing during the winter.

Several NAC programs take place near the Ranch, but not on the property like Alpine skiing and snowboarding, sled hockey, aquatics, and cycling.  NAC’s Alpine skiing and snowboarding program operates at Park City Mountain Resort with specially trained instructors and a wide range of adaptive equipment.  When I visited, I was curious how my child would be able to ski with us.  I asked a lot of questions and watched lessons with a child who was autistic and physically able to ski independently, but needed a different approach and understanding to his lessons.   The instructor was amazing in his care and commitment, and the student was having a great time.  Every question that I asked during this tour was answered easily, even though my child’s needs are unique and very challenging.  I can’t wait for Veronica to snowboard with us!

To participate in the NAC you just need to be a member (individual annual membership fee is $20, $50 for a family) and sign up for the programs you are interested in.  Program fees vary, are at cost, and financial aid is available.

My family is scheduled for adaptive ski/snowboard lessons, and sessions at the climbing wall, horse therapy and sled hockey.  I will be writing about all our experiences in hopes to provide other families good information and inspiration to try it for themselves. 

Read other Snowmamas' NAC experiences: 

• NAC's Summer Camp Opportunites
• National Ability Center
• NAC: Learn to Ski and More
• Progression to Snowmama: How Adaptive Skiing Changed Our Family
• Inclusive Winter Vacation, Does This Really Exist?

How do you know what level lesson your child should go in?

First of all you should definitely speak with an instructor at your child's check-in area. They will know the questions to ask to help determine placement to start the day. Also if you do have a progress report card, or skills card from somewhere else your student may have previously participated, you should bring that along to morning check in as well. This information is valuable, and we encourage our participants to bring their skills cards back each day they participate. We like to add to those cards, and it sure makes it easier each morning at check-in when we have them to review.
 
We start out with some of the basic questions below:
 
"Has your participant ever skied or snowboarded?"
"Can the participant stop unassisted?"
"Can the participant turn in both directions?"
"How does the participant turn, big turns/little turns, and can they control their speed with turn shape?"
"If skiers, do they keep their skis parrallel throughout the turn, or sometime still make a wedge shape?"
Typically from here we go to "what terrain does your participant typically ride? Green, blue, black?"
Often we will inquire as to "how long since your partipant has last been skiing or riding?" This can make a difference too if it is their first day out for the season.
 
The one thing I would like all parents/guardians of our participants to consider is what we are trying to accomplish with our participants each day. "Safety, Fun and Learning" That is our motto.

"We are skills based in philosophy not terrain based."

Keeping our participants safe, teaching them how to be responsible for themselves while out on the hill is of utmost importance for all. Be that how to stop, how to turn, how to ride the lift, turn, where to and not to stop, and yes to become defensive for their own protection. We challenge our students with tasks not terrain.
 
Having FUN, yes it's not all about imporving their technical skills on the snow. We want our participants to laugh, meet new friends, try new runs, experience our mountain, meet our snowbugs, as well as learn a few new skills.
 
Improving skills is part of every day too. We are skills based in philosophy not terrain based. Skiers and snowboarders progress differently, and all individuals do progress differently. Depending upon what level a participant starts in, some will move fast and accomplish much in a single day, and the more advanced a participant is, on average, means their steps in improvement could be smaller and take longer to progress.
 
At day's end, ask the participant's instructor "where is a good place for the participant to go skiing or riding with me now?" Listen to their advice, the most damage done is when good intentioned parents or friends take our participant onto more challenging terrain than neccessary. Everyone can get defensive or downright scared when not comfortable on chosen terrain. Balance goes out the door immediately, and skill that was developed throughout the day. Sometimes, those skills along with the confidence and trust that was built over the course of a day can disappear quickly.
 
Don't push your participants, enjoy them and make sure they are safe and having fun - encourage them. This way they will grow to love snowsports like you do, or maybe even more! It may not be long before you are challenged to keep up with them.