Jetsettersblog

AT CHATEAU NIGHTCLUB & GARDENS

Las Vegas- Platinum-selling rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars will help Chateau Nightclub & Gardens kick off Labor Day Weekend at the Chateau Gardens underneath the gorgeous Eiffel Tower with a live performance on Saturday, September 3.

Best known for songs such as “The Kill,” “Kings and Queens,” “Closer to the Edge,” “This Is War” and “From Yesterday,” the award-winning rock band is sure to put on an impressive show for Chateau partiers. Tickets for the Labor Day Weekend live show are general admission only, $35 and can be purchased at www.chateaunightclublv.com.

Chateau Gardens underneath the Paris Las Vegas Eiffel Tower will bring forth an unparalleled outdoor nightlife experience. Featuring a lavish rooftop garden, blossoming greenery and lush cabanas, the picturesque nightspot will offer a full nightclub experience under the stars with an exciting rooftop dance floor, high-energy lighting, renowned DJs, VIP bottle service and panoramic views from high above the Vegas skyline.

Chateau Nightclub & Gardens is located at Paris Las Vegas at 3655 Las Vegas Boulevard South, directly above Sugar Factory American Brasserie restaurant and retail store. Spanning more than 45,000-square-feet and sprawled across two-stories, Chateau features three separate nightlife experiences including a high-energy nightclub, magnificent Strip-side Chateau Terrace and blossoming Chateau Gardens.

The nightclub is open Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 10 p.m. to close. Chateau’s industry night, Chateau Tuesdays, will offer complimentary admission to locals with ID on Tuesday nights. Local ladies are always free, while general admission is $20 for women and $30 for men, excluding special events. Dress code is strictly enforced.

For table reservations and VIP bottle service, call 702.776.7777 or email reservations@chateaunightclublv.com  For general information and updates, call 702.776.7770, become a fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/chateaulv

About Paris Las Vegas

Paris Las Vegas brings the romance and excitement of the European City of Lights to the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. The passion and sophistication of Paris Las Vegas transports guests to Europe’s most romantic city. From its dramatic 50-story replica of the Eiffel Tower to authentic architectural reproductions, Paris Las Vegas is a romantic, relaxing destination for anyone looking to get away. The resort features elegant décor, European-inspired boutiques and a distinctive array of fine cuisine. Singer-songwriter and entertainment icon Barry Manilow performs in the Paris Théâtre as the resort’s headliner. The property boasts 181,000 square-feet of convention space, 2,900 hotel rooms/suites, and an 85,000-square-foot casino. For more information visit www.parislasvegas.com. Find Paris Las Vegas on Facebook www.facebook.com/parisvegas  and follow on Twitter www.twitter.com/parisvegas

General Admission: $30 cover charge for men; $20 cover charge for women. All guests must bring the credit card used for purchasing the ticket, as well as a correct, current and valid photo ID. Tickets available for pick up at VIP Table Reservations Podium, located Outside Chateau’s Main Entrance inside Paris Hotel and Casino. Tickets will be available on the day of the event. An even male/female ratio is required, but subject to door discretion. Lost or stolen tickets will not be replaced or refunded and Chateau Nightclub & Gardens is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets. Appropriate dress code required. Men must dress upscale casual (collared shirt, no shorts or shredded jeans and dress shoes). Must be 21 and over. Chateau Nightclub & Gardens reserves all rights. ALL SALES ARE FINAL.

Chateau Nightclub & Gardens does not admit minors. All patrons must be 21 and over. Guests must bring the credit card used for purchase, a correct, current and valid photo ID, and a printed copy of the email confirmation of purchase / receipt. Tickets may be picked up at VIP Table Reservations Podium, located at (outside Chateau inside Paris Hotel and Casino), on the day of the event. Proper dress code is required. Men must dress upscale casual (collared shirt, no shorts or shredded jeans, and dress shoes). Chateau Nightclub & Gardens reserves all rights and may deny entry to any guest for any reason, including failure to follow dress code or capacity issues during the event. All guests are requested to arrive early for admittance. Entrance is up to Chateau Nightclub & Gardens’ sole discretion. Visibly intoxicated guests will not be admitted. Chateau Nightclub & Gardens may refuse entry to anyone at any time and for any legal reason.

Want a chance at a dream hunt and help wildlife conservation at the same time? Just buy a ticket for the Arizona Big Game Super Raffle. A collaboration of nonprofit conservation groups partner together to raffle off one each of the 10 special big game tags issued by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. The raffle raises funds for wildlife conservation projects that directly benefit those species (and many others indirectly) in Arizona. For more information, see the article in this newsletter or visit www.arizonabiggamesuperraffle.com

At Sabah, Malaysia

Mumbai, May 17th, 2011 – Kota Kinabalu Jazz Festival is an annual fund raising jazz extravaganza organized by the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu (RCKK) with the support of the Society of Performing Arts Kota Kinabalu Sabah (SPArKS). Staged in the picturesque Nature Resort City of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, the jazz festival brings together a musical melting pot of talents from around the world. KKJF 2011 will be held on the 17th & 18th of June 2011 (Friday & Saturday)

KKJF recorded a crowd of over 2,000 people during the 2 night performance in year 2010. The fifth installation of this musical festival promises to be another ground breaking experience with a great line up of local and international artistes. This fund raising event will support various community projects in Sabah.

Money raised from the Kota Kinabalu Jazz Festival is used to fund deserving community projects by the Rotary Club Kota Kinabalu – The Clean Water Projects. Some of the rural communities benefited from such initiative includes Kg Sonition, Kg Timbou & Kg Bimbolon, all in interior Sabah.

Thistle Hotels Crown Social restaurant at The Parc by Thistle has been awarded two AA rosettes.

LONDON, ENGLAND, May 22, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ — Thistle Hotels has announced that just two months from its opening, the Crown Social restaurant at The Parc by Thistle in Cardiff has been awarded two prestigious AA rosettes by the association’s independent restaurant inspectors.

The contemporary, restaurant in Cardiff; a joint venture between Thistle Hotels and Crown Hotels & Restaurants, is headed up by former Michelin-accredited celebrity chef Martin Blunos. Both Martin and his team, including sous chef Lance Keirle, were praised by the AA inspector for their ‘fine cooking’ and were awarded a standout score of 92% for their dishes.

The inspector particularly enjoyed Crown Social’s unique ‘sharing’ concept; whereby diners are encouraged to sample different tasting plates together. The Cardiff hotel restaurant uses fresh and local produce throughout the menu and a contemporary take on traditional Welsh dishes which was also highly praised.

The Parc by Thistle was also awarded an impressive AA merit score of 85% and retained its 4 star rating. In particular, the staff scored highly in the service category, achieving an overall service score of 90% and attaining the maximum 5 star qualifier rating.

Johnny Davies, director of the Monmouthshire-based Crown Hotels & Restaurants, said: “The two AA rosettes are very well deserved recognition for Martin Blunos and his entire Crown Social team who have all worked extremely hard first to create the Crown Social and then deliver this superb dining experience. Crown Social now stands even more proudly alongside our existing fine dining restaurants; our Michelin star Crown at Whitebrook, near Monmouth and our three AA rosette Crown at Celtic Manor.”

The Parc by Thistle’s general manager, Richard O’Riordan added: “The whole team and I are thrilled to have been awarded such a high honour so soon after the Crown Social’s opening. Since our launch night, the people of Cardiff have shown a real interest in what the restaurant has to offer as a different dining concept – now that we’ve been awarded these two rosettes, we hope to entice even more people through our doors and bring further success to the Parc by Thistle.”

About Thistle:
Thistle Hotels is part of Guoman Hotel Management (UK) Limited which operates hotels throughout the UK. Thistle has 33 hotels across the country, many in city centre locations, including eleven in central London. With a selection of restaurants and a choice of health and leisure facilities, Thistle has something to offer everyone.

Thistle Hotels is the first hotel group to achieve Hospitality Assured accreditation, across its entire UK portfolio. Created by the Institute of Hospitality, the Hospitality Assured standard measures the quality within customer facing businesses across the hospitality, tourism and leisure industry.

Website: http://www.thistle.com

Investors in a new company called Great American Steamboat Company secured a $9 million federal loan through the Memphis City Council to help them acquire the American Queen. According to a story on the Memphis Commercial Appeal, the new company is buying the American Queen — which formerly operated for the now-defunct Delta Queen Steamboat Company and Majestic America Line — from the U.S. Maritime Administration. About $22 million in funding would come from the company and its investors, the article said.

Great American Steamboat Company has a website, but little information is posted. Travel Pulse sent in an email inquiry and left a phone message but didn’t hear back by press time.

According to the newspaper, the boat would dock at Beale Street Landing and would winter in Memphis, which would also be the location for company headquarters. City officials estimated the project would have an annual economic impact of $89.5 million. It was unclear from the article what kind of cruises the American Queen would operate or when it would start sailing. The article also said the company is buying the Mississippi Queen.

For more information, visit www.greatamericansteamboatcompany.com

Mountainside Luxury Lodge Receives Top Honor in the 2011 Condé Nast Traveler Golf Poll

Stowe, Vt. — Stowe Mountain Lodge, located in the heart of Stowe Mountain Resort, was recently named “#1 Golf Resort in the North” by prestigious Condé Nast Traveler magazine. Condé Nast Traveler is one of the most venerated and respected travel publications in the country—and its annual “World’s Best” lists are considered the ultimate nod in travel recognitions. This award considers eight important features and amenities of the golf resort including course design and access, golf staff and service, rooms, food and dining, location, activities and facilities. Stowe Mountain Lodge scored the #1 placement on the list of the top ten golf resorts in the Northern US.

Stowe Mountain Golf Course is an exclusive golfing experience located at the base of Spruce Peak, steps from Stowe Mountain Lodge. The wilderness course, imagined by legendary golf course designer Bob Cupp, was carved into the side of the mountain with minimal impact to the environment. Stowe Mountain Golf Course boasts magnificent fairways and sweeping mountain vistas, with holes reaching heights of over 1,800 feet. The challenging 18-hole, par 72 course is available for play exclusively by leisure and group guests of Stowe Mountain Lodge.

Developed with the strictest eco-conscience standards, Stowe Mountain Golf Course is committed to preserving the natural environment and creating a minimal footprint on the earth. The course boasts a 111-million gallon environmentally conscience fresh-water lake used to irrigate the course in the summer and recycle water for snow making in the winter. Audubon International awarded Stowe Mountain Golf Course the coveted Audubon Signature Sanctuary certification, the first golf course in Vermont to receive this distinction and one of only 63 in the world.

Ron Philo, a seasoned golf professional with over 20 years of experience, leads the operations at Stowe Mountain Golf Course. With eight major PGA National Championship appearances and countless instructional accolades already under his belt, Philo was recently named “2011 Teacher of the Year” by the New England Professional Golf Association. Philo offers his world-class teaching services at Stowe Mountain Golf Course through private lessons and personalized golf assessments.

The Stowe Mountain Golf Course is slated to open for the 2011 season on May 23 and operates through mid-October. The rack rate golf course greens fees for Stowe Mountain Lodge guests is $185/round and includes use of golf cart, access to Stowe Mountain Golf Course’s 6,500 square-foot practice green, locker room facilities and golf club storage and cleaning.

As Stowe Mountain Lodge prepares for the approaching 2011 golf season, the luxury lodge is offering a variety of specials and packages so guests may take advantage of the award-winning course. A sampling of these offers is found below and a complete list of specials and packages can be found on our leisure golf packages page.

Condé Nast Golf Celebration Package

• Two nights in studio accommodations

• Two rounds of golf at Stowe Mountain Golf Course

• $100 lodge credit

• Celebratory bottle of champagne upon arrival

Tee It Up at Stowe Mountain Golf Course

• Two nights in studio accommodations

• Two rounds of golf at Stowe Mountain Golf Course per day

• Breakfast for two each morning

He Said She Said

• Two nights in studio accommodations

• One round of golf at Stowe Mountain Golf Course

• One 50-minute massage at the Spa and Wellness Center at Stowe Mountain Lodge

• $50 lodge dining credit

About Stowe Mountain Lodge

Stowe Mountain Lodge is the centerpiece of Spruce Peak at Stowe, a $400 million alpine village that has been in planning and development stages for the past 16 years. As part of this new community, guests of Stowe Mountain Lodge will enjoy world-class service, 312 guest rooms, a 21,000-square-foot spa and wellness center, ski-in/ski-out access to over 100 legendary trails, exclusive access to Stowe Mountain Golf Course, an 18-hole mountain golf course designed by Bob Cupp, and a heated outdoor pool. Stowe Mountain Resort offers over 56,000 square feet of event space, as well as high-end boutiques, restaurants and limitless on-mountain recreational options. The lodge offers farm-to-table cuisine in Solstice restaurant and Hourglass bar. In addition, 34 fractionally-owned condominium units are available for vacation home ownership in the Lodge’s Front Four Private Residences. Rooms reservations, with special lodging offers and packages, are available by calling (802) 253-3560 or (888) 4-STOWE-VT or by visiting www.stowemountainlodge.com

For real estate inquiries, please call (888) 403-7739 or (802) 253-0320.

The Disney Fantasy, the new Disney Cruise Line ship set to debut next spring, will duplicate many of the innovative features on the recently launched Disney Dream, including AquaDuck — the world’s first shipboard water coaster. But new design elements and guest experiences also will the Fantasy an identity all its own.

The Disney Fantasy is the second of two newly designed Disney Cruise Line ships focused on the family cruise experience. Sister ship to the Disney Dream, which entered service in January 2011, the 4,000-passenger Disney Fantasy will sail week-long Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, Fla., with its maiden voyage scheduled for March 31, 2012.

Animator’s Palate on the Disney Fantasy brings the magic of Disney animation into the dining room with a new show called “Animation Magic.” The dinner show celebrates the magic of Disney animation and allows families to create and participate in a whole new way. Like Animator’s Palate on the Disney Dream, which has a “Finding Nemo” theme, the venue is inspired by a classic animation studio. Throughout the restaurant, pillars are fashioned like huge pencils and brushes. Character sketches, maquettes (three-dimensional character models), film strips and other tools of the animation trade adorn the room. As a special nod to Mickey Mouse, the dining room chairs feature red and yellow colors and a trademark design — Mickey Mouse pants with two bright yellow buttons.

Upon entering Animator’s Palate, guests will be surrounded by artwork featuring their favorite Disney characters. Guests get a sneak peek into the origins of these beloved characters through concept art, storyboards and character studies. As guests are seated at their tables, they are invited to draw a character of their own using a simple template on their placemat. Then, just before dinner, house lights dim and a sprinkling of pixie dust illuminates the room. Imagery is revealed on several large monitors showing animated, black and white drawings of Mickey Mouse. Mickey then places the Sorcerer’s hat upon his head which transforms him, as well as all of the other pencil drawings shown throughout the room, from black and white to color.

Mickey then invites guests to sit back, relax and enjoy a taste of animation as a montage of memorable food-themed moments from Disney and Pixar films set to “Be Our Guest” begins to delight guests. After the “Be Our Guest” number is complete, animated curtains are drawn on the monitors for a brief intermission. During this time, guests are encouraged to complete their own drawings, if they have not already done so, so they may be whisked off to Mickey Mouse who is conjuring a magical final act. While guests enjoy dinner, the restaurant’s walls fill with classic Disney and Pixar characters gathering food, eating and drinking together, and celebrating over meals.

After dinner, the animated curtains are opened on the screens and Sorcerer Mickey returns for the exciting finale. With a flourish and musical crescendo, Mickey conjures the guests’ drawings — now fully animated and brought to life — into the onscreen action. A parade starts as Mickey leads the guests’ drawings in a march across the screens around the dining room. The animation of the drawings becomes increasingly more elaborate, and then the drawings step into scenes from beloved Disney movies and skip, skate and dance side-by-side with characters such as Mickey Mouse, Jiminy Cricket, Cinderella and Snow White.

At the conclusion of the show, Mickey returns to say “so long” to the guests and, as he does, credits roll on screen showing each guest’s name listed as a guest animator. To commemorate the experience, each guest will have their character drawing returned to them, with an added touch — a golden seal proclaiming them an Official Disney Animator.

On the Disney Fantasy, adult guests can enjoy Europa — a nighttime entertainment district exclusively for guests 18 and older that features sophisticated bars and trendy lounges inspired by the very best in European travel (on Disney Dream the area is known as The District). La Piazza is a lounge that draws inspiration from Italian cities and their decorative outdoor plazas. The bar is modeled after a colorful vintage carousel. Venetian masks, romantic couples’ booths and a classic Vespa with a sidecar add Italian flair.

Skyline is a chic bar, similar to the one on Disney Dream, which provides ever-changing bird’s-eye views of stunning European city skylines that transform from day to night. Skyline’s “windows to the world” give guests a glimpse of spectacular locales in panorama such as Paris, London, Barcelona, Athens and St. Petersburg. O’Gill’s Pub is an Irish bar with modern-day twists (on Dream, the pub is called 687).

Dark woods, brass accents and a selection of Irish beers create the perfect pub atmosphere where guests can sip a pint while watching live sporting events on one of several high-definition televisions.

Ooh La La is inspired by an elegant French boudoir adorned with velvet tufted walls, Victorian furniture and Louis XIV-style chaise lounges. A sensuous color palette is accented with ornate framed mirrors, gold details and a “jewel box” feature bar backed with sparkling diamond-like facets (Dream features Pink, a champagne bar).

The Tube transports guests to a vibrant metropolitan club via the London Underground. Guests “mind the gap” as they walk across a Tube route map, lounge among mod furniture, pose by a red English phone booth, dance atop an illuminated Union Jack dance floor and enjoy cocktails at a bar inspired by Big Ben and London’s many train stations (on Dream, the dance club is called Evolution).

Disney Fantasy also will feature a new production show in the Walt Disney Theatre. “Disney’s Aladdin — A Musical Spectacular” is a Broadway-style production where guests can laugh along with the wise-cracking Genie and the cast from the classic animated Disney film, “Aladdin.” In this fast-paced musical comedy, Aladdin is back as the “street rat” of Agrabah meeting up with a Genie who grants him three wishes, battling the evil Jafar, and falling in love with Princess Jasmine.

Many of the classic scenes and songs from the movie are re-created on stage and some of the action even spills out into the aisles, like Prince Ali’s jubilant arrival in Agrabah on the back of a stallion. Magic lamps, wise-cracking genies, princesses and evil wizards are all part of this musical production. A magic flying carpet scene, which combines mechanical wizardry with state-of-the-art projections, allows Jasmine and Aladdin to soar as they perform a heartfelt duet of “Whole New World.”

Many of the songs from the movie are featured in the 45-minute musical production, including “Friend Like Me,” which is performed as a lively, Las Vegas-style production number featuring special effects, illusions and more than a dozen dancing genies. Composer Alan Menken, who created the original soundtrack with songwriters Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, composed an original song for the stage production entitled “To Be Free.”

In addition, at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on the Disney Fantasy, aspiring young princesses and pirates receive the full fairy tale treatment with pixie-dusted and piratical makeovers at this very special salon. When young princesses-to-be make their royal entrance at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, they are greeted by their very own Fairy Godmother-in-training who transform them with magical makeovers such as the Disney Diva, the Pop Princess or the Fairy Tale Princess. A variety of royal treatment packages include combinations of hairstyle, shimmering makeup and nails. Princess costumes, complete with crown, wand and shoes also are available.

Exclusive to Disney Cruise Line, Captain Mickey Mouse, Princess Minnie Mouse and First Mate Minnie Mouse makeovers plus special Under the Sea packages will be offered. On pirate party nights aboard the Disney Fantasy, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique transforms into the Pirate’s League, where swashbuckling boys, girls and grownups can get ready for the pirate life.

Each guest checking in at the plunder-filled pirate’s lair gets an official pirate name. Then it’s off to Muster Station for applications of beards and bandanas, swords and scars, earrings and eye patches — all done with the savvy skill of a pirate master who shares his own tales of sea-sailing adventures. After the new buccaneers recite a sacred pirate oath, they are officially part of Captain Jack’s motley crew, leaving their old identities behind. The shipmates and scoundrels are then turned loose on their pirate vessel. Guests can choose from two pirate packages — First Mate (includes bandana, facial scars tattoos, fake teeth, earring, eye patch, sword and sheath) or Empress (includes bandana, shimmering makeup, face gem, tattoos, nail polish, earring, eye patch, sword and sheath).

Disney Fantasy’s three-deck atrium lobby is reminiscent of grand ocean liners of the Golden Age. Art Nouveau-inspired details and patterns in hues of vibrant blue, green, pink and gold lend to the sophistication. Glamorous and graceful design elements include a sweeping grand staircase, towering fluted columns, grand piano and an exquisite marble and stone inlay floor. A focal point is a cascading chandelier of stained glass and crystal beads. The atrium lobby statue will be Mademoiselle Minnie Mouse (it’s Admiral Donald Duck on Disney Dream). Inspired by travel of the 1920s and 1930s, Minnie, cast in bronze and dressed in vintage fashion with a parasol and steamer luggage at her side, serves to welcome all guests who board the ship.

At Royal Court restaurant, guests are immersed in the lavish surroundings of an elegant dining room fit for a grand palace. Royal Court takes design inspiration from the classic Disney films “Cinderella,” “Snow White,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Sleeping Beauty.” Décor features ornate details and custom furnishings and fixtures that incorporate iconic symbols from the films — glass slippers, apples, roses and tiaras.

An Austrian glass chandelier is a focal point, while eight custom brass and glass lighting fixtures modeled after Cinderella’s coach adorn the room. Hand-crafted mosaic tile murals of the princesses — Cinderella, Snow White, Belle, Jasmine, Ariel and Sleeping Beauty (Aurora) — and their princes grace the walls. Inspired by the mosaic tile murals in Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom, the Disney Fantasy mosaics are being meticulously created by skilled Italian craftspeople using more than 200,000 individual tiles, with 23 mosaic panels depicting six different vignettes.

With careful attention to detail, many of the restaurant’s features are modeled precisely from the inspirational films. The Royal Court’s chandeliers, chair backs and columns with marble bases and fluted tops are fashioned after those seen in “Beauty and the Beast.” Wall sconces, decorative patterns, throne-style chairs and the circular floor plan are recreated from “Cinderella.”

The Disney Fantasy will depart on her maiden voyage March 31, 2012, and will sail out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean itineraries — alternating eastern (St. Maarten and St. Thomas) and western (Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel). Special Eastern Caribbean sailings in November and December 2012 stop at St. Thomas and San Juan, Puerto Rico. All Disney Fantasy itineraries include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Rates for the seven-night Caribbean cruise itineraries on the Disney Fantasy start at $959 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. All pricing reflects a category 11C standard inside stateroom, Government taxes and fees not included.

Cunard’s 2011 trans-Atlantic season by the Queen Mary 2 will feature musicians from New York’s Juilliard School and London’s National Symphony Orchestra.

As part of Cunard’s ongoing partnership with Juilliard, jazz musicians from the institution will perform on crossings departing June 10, July 20, Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Sept. 5, Oct. 23, Nov. 10 and Dec. 12.

The National Symphony Orchestra and Conductor Anthony Inglis will perform on the Oct. 7 eastbound trans-Atlantic crossing. Guests will be invited to sing with the NSO on the stage of the Royal Court Theatre.

Additionally, guests can attend rehearsals with Inglis. A Grammy-nominated conductor, Inglis has been featured more times at London’s Royal Albert Hall than anyone else.

For more information, call 800-7-CUNARD or visit www.cunard.com

Far and Away Adventures is offering a new menu of three- and four-day luxury American Safari rafting vacations on Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon River. “We’re falling into step with client requests — and an overall trend — for shorter trips,” said Steve Lentz, founder and owner.

“We can now accommodate guests who want the variety of experiences of both a river experience and the activities provided in and around Sun Valley Resort. They can do all of this in a six- or seven-day stretch.”

Lentz also emphasizes that the region is easily accessed by car and that rising airfares mean travelers may opt to drive to their vacations this summer. Each of the following quick escape rafting adventures covers 50 river miles.

A three-day/two-night trip is $1,680 per person inclusive of a backcountry flight into the wilderness. The four-day/three-night trip is also $1,680 per person inclusive of a backcountry flight from the wilderness back to Sun Valley. Rates for children are available.

The scenic flight is over the River of No Return Wilderness that Lentz says is “quite spectacular and an added perk.”

Three-day trips depart June 18 and 27 and July 5 and 13. Four-day trips depart June 15 and 24 and July 2 and 10. Guests may also opt to do the entire 100-mile trip in six days and five nights for $2,590 per person (ages 5 to 17 $2,300). Private charter trips are a specialty and can also be arranged.

On the river, tented camps that could be straight out of a luxury African safari embrace guests after a day on the river.

A chef prepares moveable organic feasts with local microbrews and wines to be sipped from crystal stemware. Solar lanterns, hot water for showers and state-of-art tents with elevated beds, flannel linens, carpets and nightstands ensure sweet dreams.

Health for the environment and for the guest come together daily, with morning yoga and a trained massage therapist on call on every trip. This level of sophistication, comfort and concierge attention attracts A-Listers including Tom Ford, Kate Capshaw, Mariel Hemingway and the Nordstroms, to name a few.

Far and Away Adventures’ Personal Concierge Service can arrange transportation, lodging, shopping for clothing for the wilderness adventure, secure a rental car, arrange babysitting and make activity recommendations and reservations.

Far and Away Adventures has been offering paddling adventures since 1980. For more information, call 800-232-8588 or visit www.far-away.com

CMH Heli-Skiing , the company that invented heli-skiing almost 50 years ago, launched Powder U @ CMH for the 2011-12 ski season. Led by “Dean” Roko Koell, UIAGM and Professor of Powder, the curriculum at Powder U will offer skiing courses. Powder 101 — The Intro (formerly known as Powder Intro) teaches skiers everything they need to know to advance from their home ski areas into a comfortable powder and wilderness skier.

Each Powder 101 trip will include 10 skiers and two guides to allow skiers to maximize instruction time and quickly advance into the type of deep snow skier that makes for a returning CMH guest. The only pre-requisite is that participants should be strong intermediate skiers on hard-pack snow.

Powder 505 — The Steeps is designed for skiers and snowboarders looking for a challenge on seriously steep terrain, The Powder 505 trip will run in late April 2012 in the Cariboos, when snow conditions are most stable and days are longer, offering better access to challenging terrain.

Seeking the most challenging terrain available on any given day, CMH offers expert coaching, finding lines that allow skiers to develop their skills without compromising safety.

The prerequisite is that participants must be strong, confident skiers or riders — comfortable on double black diamond runs at resorts like Whistler and Jackson Hole and able to cope with tighter terrain (i.e. couloirs). The Powder 505 — The Steeps weeks are limited to nine skiers/riders (which will be split into two groups), with three guides and a Bell 407 helicopter.

Powder 707 — The Masters has been designed under the direction of Roko Koell to keep guests on the slopes for as long as the spirit is willing.

While the passion for heli-skiing never fades, veteran skiers’ knees, backs and other bio-mechanical hot-spots do show signs of wear.

Powder 707 — The Masters emphasizes quality over quantity of skiing. Two guides and a maximum of 10 guests per group ensure a high level of personal attention. Powder 707 weeks will be offered throughout the season. The prerequisite is a willing mind, even if the body is less so.

For those who have already been granted their M.D. or D.D.S., CMH’s Med School is open to all health-care providers and other professionals with an interest in health-related issues. CMH will offer seven first-class medical symposia throughout the 2011-12 season.

Offering heli-adventures since 1965, CMH is the world’s oldest and largest heli-skiing and heli-hiking operator.

From its head office in Banff, Alberta, CMH operates mountain experiences at 11 lodges located in the Bugaboo, Purcell, Selkirk, Kootenay, Monashee and Cariboo ranges of British Columbia, Canada. Heli-skiing takes place each year from December through April, and CMH Summer Adventures take place from July into early September.

To learn more about Powder U @ CMH, visit www.cmhski.com/powder-U