Okay, so Monument Valley isn’t the typical kind of monument we feature in this series. You can’t argue it’s awesomeness, so we’ll just chalk its inclusion up to semantics and enjoy the moment.
Take your time.
This post is part of the UpTake Monday Museums, Monuments and Memorials Series.
Photo: snowpeak via Flickr
‘Tis the season!
No, I’m not talking about turkey – or even tinsel or mistletoe. It’s the season for embracing the cold and strapping on your skis (or snowboard, if you prefer) to hit the slopes. Grab the kids and head to one of these winter wonderlands.
Known as a slightly less glamorous (but just as powdery) version of Aspen, Keystone might provide a better bargain for family travelers.
Where to Ski: Keystone Ski Resort
Located within the White River National Forest, this ski haven has 3 peaks, 135 trails, and 20 lifts to transport snow bunnies of every age and ability.
Where to Stay: Inn at Keystone
This hotel provides a great value for families and easy access to the slopes for skiiers.
Get the views and the weather synonymous with New England winters in this idyllic Vermont town.
Where to Ski: Stowe Mountain Resort
There’s nearly 40 miles of snow-covered trails to be conquered between Spruce Peak and Mount Mansfield, including the 3.7 mile long Toll Road.
Where to Stay: Stowe Mountain Lodge
When you’re not becoming master of the elements, relax at the spa or warm up in a Jacuzzi tub. This is the perfect place for those who like a little luxury with their adrenaline.
Where to Ski: Deer Valley Resort
This resort limits the number of lift tickets sold daily and provides ski classes for kids and adults, making it ideal for families still building their confidence on the slopes.
Where to Stay: Arrowleaf at Empire Pass
Reserve two or three bedroom suites with ski-in/ski-out access to the mountains. You won’t find a full-service spa on site, but you can have a raging fire in your own condo.
Four Corners Monument
For some reason, lots of folks find the concept of standing in four states at once to be intriguing. They drive for miles and miles to the Four Corners Monument, through Utah or Arizona or New Mexico or Colorado, to get to the point on the map where these four states converge. They wait for other patrons to clear out before they take their turn standing on the marker – which isn’t even geographically correct, come to find out (depending on whose story you believe, it’s either offset by about 1800 feet, or by more than two and a half miles). They strike their “look ma!” poses and take their obligatory pictures. Then they just kind of stand there, do a three-sixty turn to take in the view… and that’s it. Fifteen minutes, tops, and they’re on their way again.
Majestic Lake Powell in Page, Arizona
With nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline, Lake Powell stretches into both Utah and Arizona. On a houseboat you can explore the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Lake Powell area. The rock canyons and towers are one of the most beautiful sites in the world. If you don’t want to stay on the water or guide your own boat, there are tours available as well as hotels RV parks, and campgrounds. All together it makes a complete family vacation package in a place with a rich history of being a backdrop for numerous movies such as Planet of the Apes and Maverick.
Family oriented activities include golf, guided fishing excursions, boat rentals with GPS, powerboat with water toy rentals and a complimentary Lake Powell Explorer pack aimed at younger kids and their parents. The pack includes a parent’s guide, hiking maps, word puzzles and a field trip to the Glen Canyon Dam Visitor Center.
Glen Canyon near Lake Powell, Page, Arizona
Book a package with days between November 5th to 8th and you can be a part of the Balloon Street Fair and watch the Hot Air Balloon Regatta fly overhead.
Photo credits both go to Wolfgang Staudt.
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