LYRA MAG.

There's something magical about the big blue skies of Colorado...and fluffy powder snow.  Good to know-the Rocky Mountain snowfall has been plentiful ...and now through January-multiple resorts offer up winter get away sporty fun...for mountain enthusiasts. via GIPHY Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Arapahoe Basin will host a variety of family-friendly holiday activities, beginning with a visit from Santa and an elf on Monday, Dec. 24. Santa will bring candy and holiday cheer, and the Summit County Choral Society will be caroling in the base area from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. A-Basin will also host New Year’s Eve in the Mountains, a special lift-served Moonlight Dinner at Black Mountain Lodge. This event will offer guests the opportunity to ring in 2020 with a gourmet dinner including oysters, filet mignon and other delicious offerings. A-Basin will celebrate New Year's Eve with New York at 10 p.m. with live music, a glass of champagne, party favors and a balloon drop. For more in...

Late year holidays might be for large gatherings...but early year weeks are for escaping  to travel destinations without the vacationing crowds. Telluride PART One:  Winter Wonderland : COLORADO  Now it's easier than ever to arrive hassle free- to some of the best snowy terrains-blessed with great powdery fluff, abundant sunshine,  no chairlift lines AND  Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) member resorts   DISCOUNTS :-) .  BONUS-In season flights to Colorado's big name-and smaller mountain resort towns abound-all shuttle connected (and an express train connecting Denver-Winter Park) - so no car rental - driving needed either.   Planning ahead?  T he  Gems Card , which provides either two buy-one-get-one or two 30 percent off adult lift tickets at 11 ski areas in Colorado for just $25, provides families a great chance to visit multiple ski areas across the state. New to winter's vertical challenges...no worries!...

No time LIKE NOW to plan short, snowy jaunts-away from home, the big vacay crowds of recent holidays, and to take advantage of longer daylight hours, the best conditions of the season,  AND meaningful resort values. L.L Bean pillow Be an Olympian ... or act like one . Lake Placid N.Y, in the scenic Adirondacks -offers top notch, powder loaded- on the mountain fun via Whiteface -site of the 1984 Olympics...but even better ( maybe )...unique off the 'hill activities-that will make one feel like a champion. THINK luge/bobsled lessons -rides for true speed demons, skating on the rink where the the USA's hockey Dream Team-clinched gold, cross country trails galore plus lessons for acing biathlons, opportunities to figure out just what is curling (ha ha), and good old fashion tubing opps with meaningful verticals from top to bottom. INFO:  http://www.lakeplacid.com    https://www.whiteface.com BRING a friend ...all ages of snow bunnies/moguls, welcome! Ski V...

The Nov-Dec holiday travels are typically for family gatherings-the rest of the winter months though- yay - it's all about fun-and/or relaxing getaways-aka ME times...with or without a chosen a few... Close by domestic USA destinations abound...that don't break the budget..and are easy enough to get to and fro, no passport needed. Part One: In Colorado: via GIPHY source vimeo.com "Days of MyYouth"/ Red Bull Media House and MSP Films The majestic Rocky Mountains beckon outdoors' types -and this year the snow is REALLY deep. In beautiful Colorado...lucky travelers or luckier locals- can partake of freebies courtesy of Colorado Ski Country's 22 members' resorts.** Wolf Creek Ski Area Free Horseshoe Bowl Snowcat to Reach Expert Terrain To help guests take advantage of powder that can usually only be reached by hiking, Wolf Creek offers a  Snowcat shuttle. The Horseshoe Bowl Snowcat Shuttle picks up skiers and riders at the Dog Chutes a...

The gift of experience---is priceless---and the most appreciated ---imo. Whether last minute. or planned way ahead of departure---a trip anywhere- active or relaxing-is a wonderful. After all, there is probably no one who ever regrets (or regretted) traveling for vacation fun- too much. Ever. To get outdoors and experience nature combined with sporty endeavors,-the website of non-profit Ski and Snow Board Month is an easy way to plan and save plenty during the month of January-with an easy to use interactive planner----that helps one learn and save. Two web portals that combine the latest deals/travel savings and tips for planning snow adventures- SkiVermont  -and ColoradoSki with the latest snow conditions and travel/stay packages in beautiful Vermont and Colorado respectively-from resorts embracing -challenging- beginners-to-experts  that will please families+sophisticates, spa loving goers, rustic outdoors persons ready to ride straight outta a helicopter, and/or gourma...