I think my Aunt Gina's affinity for all things punny has rubbed off on me from the weekend we spent in Utah. I consider this my first "real" ski experience - not to take anything away from my weekends shredding pow in good old Wisconsin. My skiing record is actually pretty awesome...ly...unfortunate. One of my greatest hits was at Villa Olivia where I found myself unintentionally going off a jump = yard sale. Concussion. Good times. But as the saying goes, you get right back on that horse. And off to Park City to tackle the big mountains I went.
My Aunt Gina and Brett have a house right outside of Salt Lake City - they take full advantage of this location with monthly trips, year round. They were amazing hosts to Struan and me during our long weekend there. Serving as expert tour guides, they took us downtown Salt Lake City (which we couldn't help but pronounce a-salt-a-lake-a-city thanks to Book of Mormon), snowmobiling, skiing, and out to downtown Park City for some Sundance people watching.
I loved the overall vibe of a ski-town, everyone is in a good mood and enjoying life. I look forward to going back again and again!
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| Day one at Snowbird for snowmobiling. |
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| Snowbird - elevation 11,000 feet. |
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| Just don't look down. |
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| Avalanche beacon - I think this is supposed to make me feel safe. |
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| All smiles...for now |
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| I took the wheel...at least we went off into the woods instead of off a cliff. There were a lot of those pesky cliffs around. |
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| Babes on bikes. The two trouble-makers of the snowmobiling gang. |
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| Day two at Deer Valley - beautiful ski slopes with lots of narrow and scenic runs...did I mention they are NARROW. After a long day of heart palpitations, it was time for me to go to my safe place. The St. Regis at Deer Valley. |
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| View from the St. Regis at Deer Valley. Coming from a hellish Chicago winter, being able to sit outside in the sun, without a coat, drinking champagne...it's everything. |
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| Everything. |
We also skied at Solitude and went downtown Park City during Sundance for dinner and drinks. I loved being so active while still enjoying great food and drinks - such a difference from Chicago hibernation.
