In This Issue Ski SeasonLet It Snow...A series of big snowstorms have dumped on Utah ski resorts during the past week. Resorts from north to south now report excellent conditions. Snowbird leads the list with a 52-inche base. The latest weather report predicts new snow almost every day during the next week. That's what we were waiting for. The storms have kicked our ski season into high gear. Utah resorts tallied new records during each of the past four years, with skiers enjoying amazing snow and long seasons. It looks like we will see more of the same this winter. We jumped off to a fast start. Snowbird opened on Nov 7 - the second earliest start in that resort's 38-year history. But then the weather became dry and mild; some of us even broke out our golf clubs. Well, the mild weather is now history and Old Man Winter has arrived in style. Skiing is always great at Utah resorts during the holiday season. It's a sure thing, can't miss. Storms will roll in every few days, bringing the dry powder that makes Utah famous. We're ready. Because of the lousy economy and our dry fall, Utah companies are offering ski deals galore. This season will bring some of the best skiing ever, along with perhaps the best specials ever. For example, Park City Lodging is offering this deal: Park City Lodging 25th Anniversary Special: We will now give 25% off any NEW booking of 4 nights or longer during the remainder of the season, that is booked by Dec. 25, 2008. (The only blackout dates are Jan. 15-20, 2009. Some restrictions apply.) Visit their website.
Check out the utah.com ski packages for other options. Holiday HappeningsSanta will be on the slopes at Utah resorts during the weeks before Christmas. The jolly old fat guy is really pretty good on skis. Mrs Clause and some of the elves will also make appearances.A multitude of Christmas pageants and musical events will be performed in various communities around Utah. View information about Utah events. Sundance Film FestivalThe Sundance Film Festival runs Jan 15-25, 2009, at various locations around Park City and Salt Lake City.Top names will participate at this year's festival. Some screenings sell out fast but there is always plenty of opportunity to get involved and have a Sundance experience. Explore the Four Corners
(Watch our Four Corners area videos) Winter is a great time to explore the dry, desert country in the Four Corners and Monument Valley region. Summer is the most popular time for people to travel here, but daytime temperatures can be unbearably hot during that season. Spring and fall are ideal as far as weather goes, but the scenery is best on clear, crisp winter days. You must be prepared when traveling at this time of year. Days are often sunny and mild, but storms can bring cold conditions. Winter nights can be bitterly cold. If it snows, get out your camera. Some of the most stunning photos of this area are taken when the red rock monuments are set against a blanket of white. But don't procrastinate because the snow never lasts long. Four Corners MonumentA bronze and granite monument marks the spot where Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado touch. It is the only spot in America where 4 state corners meet.Students learn about the Four Corners in geography class and many families make vacation pilgrimages to the spot. It's fun to watch them arrive at the monument, rushing up anxious to stand it four states at the same time. The Four Corners is located in the middle of some of the most scenic country in America's southwestern, and so it is easy to combine a visit to the monument with a trip to national parks and cultural sites. Below we list nearby attractions: Navajo ExperienceFour Corners is Navajo country and many people want to learn more about this Native American culture.There is some opportunity to do that right at the Four Corners Monument, where there is a Demonstration Center featuring Native American artisans. Vendors sell handmade jewelry, crafts and traditional foods nearby. Nearby, Monument Valley is one of the center spots for Navajo culture and there is plenty of opportunity to experience it in that area. The Visitor Center at Monument Valley offers information and displays, and vendors sell wares nearby. At the visitor center you can hire Navajo guides to take you on excursions through the valley and into the surrounding area. Let a Native American guide take you on a horseback trail ride in Monument Valley and you'll get realistic insights into the Navajo culture, land and way of life. Near Monument Valley, Gouldings Lodge (which includes a trading post and restaurant), also provides an opportunity to interact with Native Americans and learn about their culture. Gouldlings can help you book Navajo guides for excursions into the countryside, where you will find great opportunities to hike, bike, ride horseback, boat and enjoy other adventures. Roadside AnasaziAncestral Puebloans (also known as the Anasazi culture) thrived in the Four Corners region. A large number of people lived in the area from about AD 500 to AD 1300. They are well known for their rock art, stone masonry buildings, ornate pottery and woven baskets.
Mesa Verde National Park is one of the great places to see cliff dwellings and artifacts left by this fascinating culture. Other sites are not as famous but also offer opportunities to learn about these ancient people. Sites that are staffed so you can see exhibits and ask questions include: There are also backcountry sites where you can see ruins and rock art. Many people enjoy searching them out. Some are located along roadways where they are easy to find. An example is the Mule Canyon Ruin. Some Anasazi sites are located in remote canyons and can only be seen by people interested in adventure hikes. For example, Grand Gulch shelters many sites and is a popular hiking area. See my recent blog about hunting for rock art. (The photo at right shows some of the images I found on a recent trip.) The Four Corners is an inviting destination. Come down and enjoy its wonders. - Dave Webb |
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