The Canyons Ski Resort Gets Heated Chair Lift, Other Major Improvements

Suddenly Utah ski resorts are in the news, as we move into fall.

The Canadian Press has this article about refinements and expansion at The Canyons Resort, which is getting North America's first heated ski lift, complete with a “bubble shield that swings over passengers like a pair of orange goggles.“ Below are excerpts.

The changes at The Canyons, one of Park City's three ski resorts, highlight some of the biggest development projects or plans at Utah ski areas since the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics drove major expansions.

The resorts are moving despite the down economy and saving on construction costs because of it. Ultimately they hope to steal market share from Colorado, which draws three times as much skier traffic. Utah's resorts, with advantages like double Colorado's snowfall and a short drive from Salt Lake City's airport, aren't shy about making investments.

"This is the future," Mike Goar, managing director of The Canyons, said at the base of the 1,600-hectare resort as bulldozers reshaped land for new lift terminals and outdoor patios. "The experience will be so different — it will be like a new resort. The big story is the faith we have in the potential of The Canyons."

Now, Talisker (the resort owner) is on a tight schedule to remake Utah's largest ski resort by December. It is opening an eighth peak for skiing and adding or realigning several lifts, while redesigning the village base.

The Canyons is also offering a “dream job to one lucky blogger.” The blogger will get a $40K salary for four months work, will be put up for free in a suite at the Waldorf Astoria and receive full VIP treatment including heli-skiing, avalanche training, spa treatments and full gear. Details.

Discounted season ski passes are now being offered to locals, according to this Deseret News article.

Get Discounts When You Stay An Extra Day

The Utah Department of Transportation is encouraging travelers to “stay an extra day” to avoid Labor Day Weekend traffic. The department has partnered with many Utah lodging properties, guides and outfitters and other businesses to provide discounts or special deals for people who take advantage of the promotion.

The text below is from the department's webbsite. See this list of participating businesses.

Don't Let Our Work Delay Your Play
"Stay an Extra Day"

UDOT has partnered with travel venues and attractions across the state to offer discounts and incentives to travelers to extend their summer weekend vacations. Each offer is based exclusively on the Thursday or Tuesday surrounding the Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Pioneer Day and Labor Day holidays and/or on a Thursday or Monday for any other weekend this summer.

The "Stay an Extra Day" promotion will help reduce the number of vehicles traveling during peak travel times, as well as bolster in-state tourism by encouraging extended stays. Travelers can take advantage of these great offers by viewing the details below and then contacting the destination directly.

Misuse Of Technology Creates Problems For Backcountry Rescuers

Electronic devices, used properly, can make backcountry travel safer and more enjoyable. GPS systems, cell phones, satellite phones and other devices can help people stay out of trouble, and can facilitate rescue in emergency situations.

But the devices sometimes give people a false sense of security that can lead to trouble, according to this interesting NY Times article. Technology also sometimes allows people to call for help for ridiculous reasons, tying up resources and wasting time and money. Below are excerpts from the article.

People with cellphones call rangers from mountaintops to request refreshments or a guide; in Jackson Hole, Wyo., one lost hiker even asked for hot chocolate.

A French teenager was injured after plunging 75 feet this month from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon when he backed up while taking pictures. And last fall, a group of hikers in the canyon called in rescue helicopters three times by pressing the emergency button on their satellite location device. When rangers arrived the second time, the hikers explained that their water supply “tasted salty.”

“Because of having that electronic device, people have an expectation that they can do something stupid and be rescued,” said Jackie Skaggs, spokeswoman for Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.

In an extreme instance in April, two young men from Las Vegas were killed in Zion National Park in Utah while trying to float a hand-built log raft down the Virgin River. A park investigation found that the men “did not have whitewater rafting experience, and had limited camping experience, little food and no overnight gear.”

“They told their father that they intended to record their entire trip on video camera as an entry into the ‘Man vs. Wild’ competition” on television, investigators wrote.

Far more common but no less perilous, park workers say, are visitors who arrive with cellphones or GPS devices and little else — sometimes not even water — and find themselves in trouble. Such visitors often acknowledge that they have pushed themselves too far because they believe that in a bind, the technology can save them.

One of the most frustrating new technologies for the parks to deal with, rangers say, are the personal satellite messaging devices that can send out an emergency signal but are not capable of two-way communication. (Globalstar Inc., the manufacturer of SPOT brand devices, says new models allow owners to send a message with the help request.)

In some cases, said Keith Lober, the ranger in charge of search and rescue at Yosemite National Park in California, the calls “come from people who don’t need the 911 service, but they take the SPOT and at the first sign of trouble, they hit the panic button.”

But without two-way communication, the rangers cannot evaluate the seriousness of the call, so they respond as if it were an emergency.

Read the entire article.

Enjoy The Antelope Island Stampede Over Labor Day Weekend!

Looking for some family entertainment over Labor Day 2010? Come to the Davis County area of northern Utah for kite flying, hot air balloons, live music and fun. With over 21,000 attendees in 2009, the Antelope Island Stampede has grown and evolved into a premier regional event. Professional balloonists and kite fliers, nearly non-stop local entertainment on the stage, outstanding food, family activities, and the island mystique.

The event begins at 5pm on Friday and continues through Sunday,

The info below is from a festival news release.

The festival will be bigger and better than ever with local bands stacked up on the main stage all weekend long with non-stop entertainment such as, Red Shot Pony, d. Scott Williams, Crossfire and Shades of Grey to name a few.

Balloons will launch early each morning and put on a spectacular glow in the evenings (weather permitting). Scenic backdrops provide stunning vistas for guests to the island not to mention spectacular sunsets.

The professional kite demonstrations were a big hit last year and new performers such as I Quads, are sure to amaze the crowds. Kiters have also been incorporated into the educational component at the Davis County elementary schools for the first time and promise a fantastic show for the students.

Food, Art and Craft vendors have been expanded with more variety and Really Good Eats! Other activities include Horseback riding, Large Inflatables / Kids Area, Go Fly a Kite Area and more.

Last year the festival drew approximately 22,000 people. Aside from the event there is so much to do and discover about Antelope Island. It is a captivating place with 36 miles of hiking and biking trails, the beach where you can swim and float in the Great Salt Lake, Buffalo Island Grille, The Visitors Center or Historic Fielding Garr Ranch. You11 never run out of things to discover on the island and the sunsets, spectacular!

Bring your family and friends out for a great time Labor Day Week-end event and see why folks come back time after time to discover or rediscover Antelope Island.

For additional information and updates on the entire festival.
- Visit us at www.antelopeballoons.com
- Or Contact: Kathi Dysert at 801-774-8200

Utah State Fair Runs Sept 9-19

The Utah State Fair will open on Sept 9 and run through Sept 19, at the Fairpark, 155 North 1000 West, in Salt Lake City.

The traditional-style fair features entertainment, food, demonstrations, craft items, agricultural displays and more. See the fair website for detailed information.

Grandstand entertainment:
- IMAGINE - BEATLES TRIBUTE BAND
- BOYS II MEN
- MITCHEL MUSSO
- RAY PRICE
- COLGATE COUNTRY SHOWDOWN - UTAH STATE FINAL - with special guest ELI YOUNG BAND
- WISEGUY'S COMEDY NIGHT
- AMERICA - 40th ANNIVERSARY TOUR
- BRENN HILL
- MERCYME
- FIESTA MEXICANA

Here is a tidbit from the fair's website:

The Ham Bone Express Racing Pig Show is included with your gate admission. And so are Sea Lion Splash, Rock-It the Robot, Amazing Rainforest Experience, Farmer Bob and Johnny the World's Funniest Tractor, George of the Juggle, and SO MUCH MORE!

Red Rocks Ring the Greens in St. George Utah

The St Louis Post Dispatch has this interesting article about the great golf available in the St George, Utah, area. Below are excerpts.

When Mormon leader Brigham Young passed through a small settlement in 1861 in what is now the southwest corner of Utah, he looked at the desolate landscape and made a prophecy.

"There will yet be built between those volcanic ridges a city with spires, towers … and homes with many inhabitants."

If Young had been able to see further into the future, he might have added "and some really fine golf courses."

As the population grew, so did the number, and quality, of the golf courses. The St. George area boasts 11 public courses in an idyllic setting between the ridges, buttes, mesas and mountains that once caught Brigham Young's eye. While St. George previously attracted primarily snow birds, it now also lures golfers, who are drawn by the scenic beauty, favorable weather and reasonable greens fees.

"It's turned into a little golf mecca," said Colby Cowan, head professional at Sand Hollow Resort, whose 18-hole championship course is a stunning layout that opened in August 2008. Sand Hollow was No. 7 on Golf Digest's list of the nation's best new public courses for 2009. Golfweek lists Sand Hollow as No. 1 among Utah public courses. Coral Canyon, another St. George-area course, is No. 3.

I played four of the area's courses on a visit last month — Sky Mountain, Sand Hollow, Sunbrook and The Ledges — and Sand Hollow stood out. (I thought Sky Mountain and The Ledges tied for second, with Sunbrook fourth.)

Nine of the area's courses comprise the Red Rock Golf Trail, in association with 14 lodging properties within 15 minutes of St. George. Stay-and-play packages can be arranged online at redrockgolftrail.com or by phone at 1-888-345-2550.

Park City Resort Offers Customizable Ski Passes

Park City Mountain Resort ski passes passes are now on sale for the 2010-2011 season. New this year is a "My Pass My Way" option where people can customize the pass to get just the features they want.

Firsttracksonline.com has this article about the new option. Here are excerpts.

“With the extension of our night operations we felt that this was a perfect time to unbundle our season passes,” said Jenni Smith, president and general manager of Park City Mountain Resort. “Our new pass products allow the guest to choose the options that are important to them at the price point that is right for them. If you only want access to our lifts your Adult season pass costs $699, but if you want all of the options (Fast Tracks, underground parking and night access) you will pay $1299.”

All season passes include unrestricted “Mountain Access” to Park City Mountain Resort’s 16 lifts. Users can choose one, two or three customizable options that include Fast Tracks (access to the express lanes at the resort’s five busiest lifts), night skiing and riding (extended this season until 9 p.m.) and/or slopeside underground parking. The customizable season passes are now on sale.

See the Park City Mountain Resort website for details or to purchase the pass. Comments about the pass on the resort website are mostly positive. Here's a sample:

I love the custom pass option! Bought my pass today and instead of having to pay $1299, only had to pay $899 for the options I wanted. So kudos to PCMR for taking an innovative approach to season passes. That $400 I saved will pay for a lot of apres' : )

Posted by: Rob S