Hot Deals in Jackson Hole, WY

Snow King Resort – Buy 1 night get 1 night free Sunday through Thursday * 15% off all ski packages.

Trapper Inn & Suites – 30% discount on all room types *Book by November 27, 2009 *Stay before November 27, 2009 *Includes continental breakfast.

Jackson Hole Resort Lodging – White Christmas, Guaranteed – Buy four nights in any of Jackson Hole Resort Lodging’s condos, town homes, or vacation homes and receive two nights FREE. Packages begin at $299/night plus tax for six nights lodging and five days skiing, based on double occupancy * Lodging special valid 12/19/09-1/4/10, discounted lift tickets valid 12/19/09-12/25/09. Certain restrictions apply.

Sun Valley Resort Extends Early Season Lift Ticket Promotion

EARLY SEASON LIFT TICKET PROMOTION EXTENDED through November 8.

Sun Valley, ID – November 2, 2009 – Due to the high demand for early season lift ticket sales, the promotion will be extended through Sunday, November 8, 2009.

All passes will continue to carry the discounts including the Sun+ Pass which offers a savings of $300. Passes may be purchased online – www.sunvalley.com, at the River Run Ticket Sales office, (208) 622-6136 and at the Sun Valley Resort Recreation Center, (208) 622-2135.

DriveAway Vacations adds Jackson Hole Mountain Resort to its list of Destinations

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort joins the growing list of world class resorts available at www.driveawayvacations.com.

KSL Studio 5 – Fall Drives

Bob Grove, from Drive Away Vacations, reveals his top 10 drives for enjoying fall colors around the area.

Click here to see video

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1. Ogden Valley/Pineview
2. Alpine Loop (American Fork Canyon, Sundance, Provo Canyon)
3. Highway 143 (Brian Head, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Panguitch Lake)
4. Little Cottonwood Canyon
5. Mirror Lake Highway (Kamas to Evanston)
6. Wood River Valley, ID
7. Jackson Hole / Grand Teton National Park /Yellowstone National Park
8. Park City / Heber Valley / Cascade Falls
9. Big Cottonwood Canyon
10. Sardine Canyon / Logan Canyon / Bear Lake

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For more information on these drives, visit http://www.drivewawayvacations.com .

Jackson Hole, Mountain Man Country

We recently took a trip to Jackson Hole to attend the annual Fall Arts Festival and to meet with a hotels we would like add to DriveAway Vacations. I used to travel to Jackson Hole frequently until 2003 but since then have only been there a couple of times. This was Susan’s first trip to this frontier land and it couldn’t have been at a better time. The weather was ideal, smaller crowds and the fall colors were a mid-way through their season.

The first two nights we stayed at the Alpenhof Lodge in Teton Village, which is a Bavarian style Inn located next to the tram at the base of Rendezvous Mountain. The Inn is one of the older properties in Teton Village, which is now surrounded by expensive luxury hotels and lodges. The accommodations were very comfortable and with friendly mom and pop service not often found today. The last two nights of our stay were at the Trapper Inn located within a short walk of town square in Jackson. The Trapper Inn is a new property to me since it was built since the last time I’ve been to Jackson Hole. I really liked the location, very convenient to restaurants and shopping in the square.

While in town we checked out some of the galleries where local and national artists were displaying their work during the art festival. This was art mecca for Susan since she herself is an artist and muralist. Saturday morning we attended the quick draw art auction where artists have one hour to complete a painting or sculpture that is auctioned to the highest bidder later that morning. It was nothing short of amazing to see what these skilled artist can do in such a short time.

Saturday afternoon we decided to check out the new tram in the village. The tram car is larger and the ride is much faster than the previous tram; the 4,139 ft. ride to the top took only 11 minutes.  The views at the top were spectacular, we could see the entire length of the valley below on a day when the views were quite clear. The wind was blowing as it normally does at 10,000 ft and the temperature was quite brisk. When visiting these mountain resorts we’ve made it a tradition to always hike back down when taking these tram and chairlift rides. The hike to the bottom in this case was 7.2 miles, which for Susan and I was ideal for getting in a little exercise while away from home. I had just participated in a 50 mile ultra-endurance race the previous week at Grand Targhee Resort  so my feet were still a little sore from having blistered so badly in the event.

The fall colors on the mountain were well on their way and in another week would most likely be in full attire. I really need a new camera! This has been my complaint the last few road trips and one I think Susan is getting tired of hearing. My camera should be in a museum as far as digital technology goes but it’s served me well but I think this will be it’s last road trip. About half way down we came across a moose lounging in a marshy area just off the trail. We came across it so suddenly that I’m surprised we didn’t startle it; I know it startled us!

After our hike we went back to town and enjoyed a great meal at Bubba’s BBQ.  I love a good barbecue joint and this is one I recommend. If you’re looking for a good burger I recommend Billy’s Burgers next to the Cadillac Grill in Town Square. Jackson’s loaded with great restaurants as are most resort towns. I make it a point to go where the locals go and recommend.

For more information on Jackson Hole visit www.jacksonholechamber.com and www.jacksonhole.com.

Relax! A great Spa Vacation is just a short drive away

I was on KSL Television’s Studio 5 today to share a few suggestions for relaxing spa vacations around the region. This is just a short list, there are so many others, too many to list them all here so go to my website to see them all.

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Homestead Resort 
In 2001 the Homestead Resort converted the Historic Virginia house into the Homestead Spa. The spa set in a beautiful and tranquil setting is perfect for nurturing your mind and body. Relax as licensed therapists pamper you in one of the historic treatment rooms. Choose from a full menu of spa body treatments, including body wraps, sports massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures. A private locker, robe, sandals, and towels are also provided for your privacy and convenience. Fully committed to your comfort, the services will leave you completely restored and renewed. The spa is designated as an Aveda Concept Spa featuring Aveda products and services. For more information call 800-327-7220 or visitwww.homesteadresort.com. 

Sundance Resort 
The Spa at Sundance – This Native American-inspired spa centers on the Sioux concept of Hocoka – a sacred environment where the restorative powers of nature are summoned for healing the body and restoring the spirit. The Spa at Sundance is a peaceful sanctuary, where ancient Native American traditions are blended with the healing power of human touch to bring the mind, body and spirit into perfect balance. Call 801-223-4270 to schedule an appointment. www.sundanceresort.com.

Cedar Breaks Lodge 
The Spa at Cedar Breaks Lodge located at Brian Head Resort in scenic southern Utah, offers a variety of services ranging from traditional bodywork, cutting edge hot stone therapies to luxurious spa treatments, aromatherapy baths, and facials. Whether you choose a traditional sports massage to ease sore muscles or a Pearl Skin Polish to enliven the senses and give you a super-healthy glow, the Spa’s goal is to enrich your Brian Head experience. Visit www.cedarbreakslodge.com or call 435-677-4225. Book any 50 minute massage 24 hours in advance and receive a FREE aroma therapy bath. Call for details.

Teton Springs Lodge & Spa 
Set in the heart of the spectacular Teton Valley, in eastern Idaho, Teton Springs Lodge & Spa is surrounded by majestic mountain ranges and sparkling streams and lakes. The Spa menu includes an imaginative choice of massage therapies, body treatments facials and skin care but you can also choose from a variety of “signature” treatments such as the detoxifying or moisturizing custom mud treatment. Many of the unique treatments are inspired by the majesty of the glaciers, the beauty of our natural surrounding, and the pure, clean mountain air. Teton Spring Lodge & Spa is located an hour from Idaho Falls, ID and only 25 minutes from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. For more information call 877-787-8757 or visit www.tetonspringslodge.com.

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For information about these spas and resorts or for suggestions on places to go, things to do, and sights to see within a half-day drive of the Wasatch Front call visit www.driveawayvacations.com.

KSL Stay & Play in Ogden, UT

I spent the afternoon in Ogden, UT with Brooke Walker of KSL Television and her photographer Todd to help out with a stay & play segment of a series they are doing on the morning news this summer. The segment will air this Friday morning between 5:45 and 6:45. Brooke will be going live from the Ogden Valley Balloon Festival and running video from the work done earlier in the week.

For this segment we visited Roosters Brewing Co on historic 25th street, The Grill at The Union Station and The Ogden Nature Center on 12th street.  The two restaurants we visited are both very popular eateries frequented by locals and out-of-towners. The FrontRunner, UTA’s new rail that runs from SLC to Ogden, is nearby making it easy to get to this historic part of town without having to drive.  The Nature Center house many different species of bird, reptiles and other critters that kids and families can see up close and personal. We got close to several namely a Great Horned Owl, Tarantula and Gopher Snake. It was great! I used to drag home creepy crawley things of all sorts when I was young. My mom was a great sport. I took advantage of the opportunity to hold the Tarantula, which was a first for me and something I’ve wanted to do. I’ve held a wild scorpion but never a big harry spider. I also held the Gopher snake, which wasn’t as big a deal since I caught one and kept it as a pet when I was in Jr. high. We talked Brooke in to holding both as well, she was reluctant but eventually gave in to the “nature girl” inside.

The idea behind the stay and play segment KSL is doing is to spotlight eateries, attractions and activites along the Wasatch Front. I learned a lot about Ogden, it’s not a place I’ve promoted much and found that it offers so many choices of things to. Ogden coupled with it’s upper mountain valley, located east of the front range, is one of Utah true hot spots of things to do. Located within a short distance of Utah major population along the Wasatch Front, this is an area defintitely worth checking out. For more information please visit the following websites:

www.ogden.travel
www.solomoncenter.com
www.wolfcreekutah.com
www.roostersbrewingco.com
www.theunionstation.org
www.ogdennaturecenter.org
www.driveawayvacations.com

Rockin R’ Ranch: One Tank Trip of the Week

Is rounding up the dogies, punching cattle or roping calves on your bucket list?  I have just the place for you. The Rockin R’ Ranch located in scenic southern Utah in the sleepy town of Antimony, population 168. Antimony is located just 38 miles north of Bryce Canyon National Park on state highway 22 near the popular fishing hot spot of Otter Creek  Reservoir. You can probably picture how purdy this country must be. I’m here to tell you it’s probably more beautiful than you imagine. When God created the earth he dropped his pallet in southern Utah. There must be more color per square mile here than anywhere else on earth.

Susan and I recently visited the ranch, which was my second time in all but it’s been 12 years since my last trip. Nothing had really changed much from the last visit, which I think is one of the appealing traits regular visitors like. I’m sure there are a few horses still there from before.

This is a real working ranch, the accommodations are simple but comfortable. The main lodge is where the action is, namely three generous meals a day. Remember, this is a ranch, expect lots of meat and taters. Susan and I like the change from our normal diet and dug right in.  Eating on the road is our guilty pleasure. We run and hike a lot between trips to make room for more food! There’s no television so most of the entertainment is provided by what you can conjur up yourself or provided in the main lodge with occasional country western bands performing. To Susan’s dismay and my delight Wifi was available throughout the lodge so I was able to stay connected. My laptop is connected at the hip; someday I’ll throw it in a lake!

We had a great time at the ranch riding horses; we were given our own private guide and were able to run the horses instead of the usual nose-to-tail trail ride. Susan and I are both experienced riders so this was a real treat. This fall the ranch is offering two dates for cattle drives. This is an opportunity for cowboys and city slickers alike to move the herd to the winter rangeland.  For more information about the Rockin R’ Ranch visit www.rockinrranch.com

A great place for work and play

I live in a pretty amazing part of the world. I can point the car in any direction, drive a few minutes from my home in Salt Lake City and be at scenic landmarks, recreation wonderlands or at world class resorts like I was today. Here’s a photo montage of places I visited on business today. It’s a dirty job but somebody’s got to do it!

 

One tank vacationing in Ogden Valley – ABC 4.com – Salt Lake City, Utah News

One tank vacationing in Ogden Valley – ABC 4.com – Salt Lake City, Utah News

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