The Eden resort is making major changes this winter, including changing its name to Wolf Mountain and adding a new snow-making system, which will allow the ski area to produce enough snow to keep it open from mid-December through early April in normal years.
"We'll add 24 snow guns in addition to the three we already had," said Jeff Summers, the resort's mountain operations manager. "This will allow us to cover 50 acres of terrain from mid-mountain to the base."
Other changes include new paint, carpet, renovated restrooms and services in The Barn.
What will not change are the resort's low-cost lift tickets, easily the least expensive in Utah. A student season pass goes for $99, a family season pass for four members is $400 and daily ticket prices sell for $20 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. The resort also has an excellent night skiing hill. Prices are $15 for adults and $10 for children. A Monday night family special is $8 per person and $20 for four family members.
For information, log onto http://www.wolfmountain
eden.com.
Nevada rock art
Rock art enthusiasts visiting southern Nevada might want to join the Nevada Rock Art Foundation for winter tours of the cultural and archaeological treasures in Valley of Fire State Park. The tours begin Nov. 12 and will be held the second Saturday of each month through May.
The park, north of Las Vegas and south of Mesquite, has more than 100 panels of ancient petroglyphs. To register for the tours, which are free, call 702-804-6723. Reservations are required for all tours.
"These particular images are probably between 800 and 2,000 years old, but some could be much older," said Alanah Woody, executive director of the Nevada Rock Art Foundation. For information, visit http://www.nevadarockart.org.
FESTIVALS
Spanish art show
Madrid will host Feriarte, the 29th annual International Art and Antiques Fair, on Nov. 19 to 27. More than 200 exhibitors will showcase some 17,000 rare and unusual works. These include antiques, ancient artifacts, century-old Asian and African art, rare furniture, porcelain and silver, old masters and modern paintings, sculpture, jewelry and watches. Running concurrently with the fair will be a rare show of original drawings and engravings inspired by "Don Quioxte Through the Ages" at the Galer'a de Arte Alfama. More than 130 works will be on display.
Florida boat parade
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade is Dec. 17 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The theme is "Jewel of the Nile," coinciding with the arrival of a highly anticipated ancient Egypt exhibition at the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art. The exhibit opens Dec. 15. Giant showboats, mega-yachts and private vessels make up the more than 100 parade entries, all festively adorned. For information, contact the Winterfest office at 954-767-0686 or visit http://www.winterfest
parade.com.
THE ARTS
Paintings in Flagstaff
American artist Joella Jean Mahoney's large-scale paintings will be featured in a one-woman show, "Passionate Vision," at the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff through Dec. 31. The 33 paintings, each accompanied by a personal story by the artist, allow patrons to see the Colorado Plateau through the artwork of a contemporary master. For information, log onto http://www.musnaz.org.
ON THE WEB
London site
Visit London launched a new Web site designed to inspire young travelers to visit the city by offering cost-cutting tips on what to do and where to go. The site - http://www.visitlondon.com/city guide/young/ - covers topics such as "London on a Shoestring," "Finding a Place to Stay," "Setting Up," "Great Days Out" and "Things to Do This Week."
BOOKS
Western guide books
The Hidden guidebook series from Ulysses Press has issued four new editions featuring New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming and Arizona. The paperbacks, which sell for $15.95, offer information on walking tours, scenic drives, parks, weekend getaways and other details. They provide excellent detail for Utahns who visit states that share borders with the Beehive State.
GEAR
New alarm clock
If you have difficulty hearing your alarm clock go off or do not want to wake others in the room, you might want to check out the Shake Awake alarm. The clock, which retails for $24.95, is designed to wake you up by shaking rather than sound, though it does have an optional audio alarm setting. It is designed to put under your pillow or in a pocket. For information or to order, log onto http://www.shakeawake.com.
BARGAIN
St. Lucia, Jamaica
Sandals all-inclusive resort properties on St. Lucia and Jamaica are offering up to 50 percent savings on the two resorts. All-inclusive rates begin at $167.50 per adult per night and require a three-night minimum stay. Travel must be done by Dec. 26. For information, log onto http://www.sandals.com or call 800-726-3257.
TOP TEN: SPA EXPERIENCES
Ten "absolute must try" spa experiences from primarily luxurious destinations around the world, according to Absolute Asia, a travel club:
1. Island Massage (Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji): Guests are whisked away to their own private island where a soothing full-body massage blends a variety of bodywork styles with the healing spirit of the Fijian culture.
2. Aquum Spa (Huvafen Fushi, Maldives): The world's first underwater spa, Aquum Spa, was designed with the concept that water is the equilibrium and the elixir of life, restorative, calming and balancing. The underwater treatment rooms are surrounded by sea life and hues of blue.
3. Bush Spa (Royal Malewane, South Africa): A surreal encounter for nature enthusiasts, this outdoor spa is surrounded by South African wildlife and scenery. It is ideal for a couple's treatments that pamper and awaken the senses.
4. Herbal Hot Stone Treatment (Uma Paro, Bhutan): This spa offers a traditional Bhutanese treatment. While the guest soaks, hot stones are broken into a bath basin to release the healing properties of therapeutic minerals.
5. Mughal Mystique Treatment (Oberoi Rajvilas, India): This spa in a restored mansion overlooks exotic gardens. Pampering begins with cleansing exfoliation and continues for 2 1/2 hours with massage, aromatherapy, private yoga session and calming flower bath.
6. Dead Sea Therapy (Gora Kadan, Japan): Using water, salt and mud from the mineral filled Dead Sea, this spa treatment replenishes vital minerals while soothing and moisturizing the skin's surface. It is ended with a plunge into the natural hot springs on the
premises.
7. Paillasson Pure Indulgence (Oberoi Mauritius, Mauritius): Oberoi Mauritius draws on coconut oil, used for centuries as a vital source of health and well-being. The indigenous coconut treatment involves a coconut husk full-body scrub, a healing coconut peel that leaves skin soft and silky, and a natural coconut oil massage.
8. Elemis Spa (Four Seasons Chiang Mai, Thailand): Designed in the style of northern Thai temples, this spa is situated in a three-story villa. Treatments are performed using ancient Thai ingredients that stimulate and nourish the skin and muscles. Settings for the services include private herbal aromatherapy steam rooms, individual deep-soaking tubs on open-air terraces and double tropical rain shower massage beds.
9. Yacht Massage (Bora Bora Cruises, Tahiti): Onboard a cruising yacht, the vessel intensifies a true interlagoon experience in the French Polynesia islands. Luxurious treatments happen on the outside deck of the ship overlooking crystal blue waters and echoed by the sounds of the ocean.
10. Local Reflexology (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam): Local therapists in Saigon offer this treatment, a true bargain at $5, that promotes good health in a relaxing setting. Reflexology was developed from the belief that applying pressure to specific points on the feet and hands can affect organs and body systems.
"When one realizes that his life is worthless he either commits suicide or travels."
- Edward Dahlberg
Reasons of the Heart "On Futility"
