Jetsettersblog

AARP Services Inc. and Grandtravel have announced a new relationship that will provide AARP members with vacations, discounts and experiences that enrich the special bond between grandparents and their grandchildren. Grandtravel is a premier provider of luxury vacations for grandparents and grandchildren and is committed to enriching multigenerational bonds through hands-on adventures.

Under the agreement, AARP members will receive a $200 per person discount off Grandtravel ’s escorted tour vacations, which, in 2009, include trips to Alaska, Italy, London/Paris, New Zealand and Washington, D.C./Williamsburg. Grandtravel offers smaller, intimate group travel experiences. Activity directors, who are certified teachers, accompany each group, enhancing the educational component for children.

For more information, call 800-247-7651 or visit www.grandtrvl.com/aarp

Spring Creek Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyo., is offering a Ski Free package from late November 2008 through April 1, 2009.

Nightly room rates start at $295 with a four-night minimum and include lift tickets to Grand Targhee Resort or Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (up to two per day), daily breakfast for two at The Granary restaurant, and shuttle service to town and to the ski areas. The 1,000-acre Spring Creek Ranch is a secluded mountain retreat with accommodations that feature stone fireplaces and handmade lodge pole pine furniture in suites, studios with full kitchens, two- and three-bedroom luxury condominiums and executive homes.

For more information, call 800-443-6139 or visit www.springcreekranch.com

Choice Hotels International, Inc. has announced a new, permanent U.S. Armed Services program as part of its Choice Privileges rewards program. Effective immediately, active duty or reserve military members, retired military, National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, and eligible spouses and dependents can join the Choice Privileges rewards program at the Elite Gold level, a level that normally requires stays totaling 10 hotel nights per year. As part of the new program, members receive a 10 percent point bonus on qualifying stays at more than 5,000 locations across the 10 Choice Hotels brands, Elite customer service and reservations phone numbers, and Elite member offers.

For more information, visit www.choiceprivileges.com/armedservices

JACKSON, Wyo.—Warm up this winter with a cozy stay at The Bentwood Inn and dine on gourmet food while enjoying the ambiance of a luxurious log cabin. The Bentwood Inn, long touted for sumptuous breakfast offerings is pleased to announce their latest culinary venture- The Bentwood Bistro.

  Offering unparalleled dining experience, with a professional Chef-in-Residence, and featuring fresh, organic and locally raised ingredients in season. Each week on Tuesday and Saturday guests are invited to partake in a fresh, seasonal dinners. Menus will feature three to four courses and will be served family style. Winter offerings will begin with a light appetizer, followed by hearty soups, stews and pasta dishes served with fresh greens and vegetables in season, artisan bread and dessert.

www.bentwoodinn.com

Jackson, WY— The Grand Tetons are a stunning backdrop to the warm and charming Wort Hotel, a historic icon of Jackson and the Old West that offers a perfect holiday getaway. Jackson Hole literally turns into a winter fantasyland as snow blankets the terrain and paves the way for winter sports enthusiasts, and the Wort puts travelers in the middle of it all. The hotel, an elegant nod to America’s rich Western history, is only minutes away from the Jackson Hole Airport, Jackson Hole Ski Resort, and Grand Teton National park, which easily affords guests access to outdoor winter sport activities.

 Providing a mixture of the charm and intimacy of a world class country inn and the exceptional, individualized service of a grand hotel, the Wort offers comforting and luxurious lodging to guests after exhilarating days on the slopes. Best of all, guests can be shuttled back and forth from the Jackson Hole Ski Resort so they can take advantage of the world-class skiing while staying away from the masses.

The hotels’ 59 guest rooms are impeccably and tastefully decorated with leather, wood, and stone materials to reflect the hotel’s connection to the Old West. Inside the hotel, guests will find a virtual western art gallery—an original collection of sculptures, paintings, and artistry that rotates on a regular basis.

The Wort offers the very best in guest lodging, beautiful and welcoming common areas, and the kind of friendly, relaxed, polished, and individualized service that will make winter travelers want to pull up a chair and take a permanent seat next to the grand roaring fireplace while gazing at the lovely holiday lights.

A visit to the infamous Silver Dollar Bar (the bar is lined with real silver dollars and is a favorite with both locals and tourists) for live music, locally brewed beer, or a hot toddy, tops off the winter experience. Winter packages available.

www.worthotel.com

Viking Horns, Frying Pans and Loads of Snow

Breckenridge Resort Chamber
CONTACT: Carly Grimes
TEL: 970-453-5064
E-MAIL: cgrimes@gobreck.com
WEB: http://www.gobreck.com

Celebrate almost 50 years of Ullr Fest and 150 years of Breckenridge

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo.—Since 1963, the town of Breckenridge has credited its epic winter conditions to the powers of Ullr, the Norse god of snow. Each year, snow-worshipers dust off their Viking horns and line the streets of Breckenridge to pay homage to Ullr - and every year he rewards the 150-year-old town and the nation’s most popular ski resort with nearly 300 inches of powder.

Ullr Fest is an annual wacky winter festival like no other, and it is taking place January 4-9, 2009. During Ullr Fest in Breckenridge, don’t be surprised to see horned Viking hats adorning the heads of skiers and snowboarders, Ullympic competitors flinging frying pans for prizes, more than 12,000 Ullr enthusiasts filling the streets for the Ullr Parade and crazy float participants skiing off jumps on Main Street or gliding along town in a hot tub.

This year’s Ullr Fest will be bigger and better than ever as it coincides with the celebration of Breckenridge’s 150th anniversary. Ullr festivities include:

The Bud Light Ullr Fest Bar Series – January 4-9

Budweiser presents Breckenridge’s largest bar series with fabulous specials at bars and restaurants around town during Ullr Week.

Ullr Skating Party – Sunday, January 4

Skate with Ullr himself at the Stephen C. West Ice Arena. This is a family favorite even among Ullr enthusiasts and includes food, fun and the man about town – Ullr!

Ullr Fest Nordic Event and Bonfire – Monday, January 5

The Ullr party is complete with the crowning of the King and Queen of Ullr, socializing, food and beverages. The evening commences with a short cross-country ski or snowshoe out to the Ullr Fest Bonfire.

Ullr Dating Game – Tuesday, January 6

Calling all Ullr bachelors and bachelorettes! Join local radio station KSMT The Mountain and all the great singles in town for Breckenridge’s version of the Dating Game. Even Ullr himself will be on hand looking for love. Great times, great prizes and a great chance to meet your soul mate!

The Ullympics – Wednesday, January 7

Watch as co-ed teams of four compete in zany events such as the frying pan toss and group ski racing. Prizes will be awarded and a party will follow the event.

Ullr Fest Parade down Main Street - Thursday, January 8

Join the Breckenridge locals as they show off their fabulous floats in unofficially, the world’s craziest parade, honoring the Norse God of Snow – Ullr! Get ready for everything from hot tubs cruising down Main Street to skiers riding off jumps.

Ullr Comedy Night – Friday, January 9

Enjoy an evening of comedy. Laugh the night away and participate in a silent auction, all in the name of raising money for local child care. Appetizers and cash bar available.

The 46th Annual Ullr Fest is produced by the Breckenridge Resort Chamber. Call 877-593-5260 or visit www.gobreck.com for the latest event details and lodging information.

Breckenridge Resort Chamber
CONTACT: Carly Grimes
TEL: 970-453-5064
E-MAIL: cgrimes@gobreck.com
WEB: http://www.gobreck.com

Celebrate winter during the 19th Annual Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo.—Experience the visual grace of the creation and exhibition of fleeting art. The Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships return to Breckenridge for the 19th year from January 20-25, 2009 at the Riverwalk Center, located in the heart of Breckenridge between Main Street and Park Avenue.

For the 2009 event, 16 teams from around the globe have been invited to compete from nine countries including Bulgaria, Canada, China, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the USA. Snow Sculpting is attended annually by more than 30,000 people of all ages from across America and the world and has been named by USA Today as “one of the top 10 ways to celebrate winter.”

Each year, four-person teams are assigned 12-foot-tall, 20-ton blocks of machine-made snow. These teams work within a five-day period to create sensational sculptures. From these blocks of snow, the teams often create enormous pieces of whimsy, although some deliver powerful political or social commentary. Some sculptures are even interactive and allow spectators to experience the tactile as well as visual grace of the fleeting exhibit.

The finished pieces are achieved after a total of 65 intense hours of work without the use of power tools, internal support structures or colorants – just the ingenuity of man and a medium that lends itself, if only temporarily, to the persuasion of chisels, saws, chicken wire and even carrot scrapers.

When the sculptures are finished, a panel of well-known artists and patrons of the arts serve as judges and present awards to the first, second and third place sculptures. Awards are also given for People’s Choice, Kids’ Choice and Artists’ Choice. There are no cash prizes; the artists instead revel in the reward of hard work, forged friendships, freedom of artistic expression and the satisfaction of long hours of preparation that lead to the event.

Those coming to Breckenridge during Snow Sculpture week should be sure to check-out Breckenridge’s world-class ski resort. Book three nights of lodging and three days of adult lift tickets and receive FREE an additional night of lodging and an additional day of adult skiing. Participation may vary. Package valid January 11 through March 14, 2009.

Call Breckenridge Central Reservations at 877-593-5260 or visit www.gobreck.com for more information on the Budweiser Select International Snow Sculpture Championships and January lodging packages. Editor’s Note:

Southwest Ed-Ventures
CONTACT: Janet Ross
TEL: 800-525-4456
jross@fourcornersschool.org
www.sw-adventures.org

MONTICELLO, Utah—Join Utah-based Southwest Ed-Ventures on a six day, five night solstice learning adventure with “Archaeoastronomy—Winter Solstice on Cedar Mesa” December 15th-20th, 2008. Beginning and ending in Cortez, Co, participants will learn about Archaeoastronomy; techniques developed by prehistoric cultures to determine the summer and winter solstices and equinoxes.

Experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see prehistoric solstice sites in action. Participants will learn through hands on exploration and outdoor classroom activities to better understand how the ancient Puebloan people determined the significant dates of the solstices. Enjoy hikes to seldom seen ruins and real solstice sites. Go behind the scenes at Edge of the Cedars Museum to view collections and a replica of a solstice site. Learn about and observe some unusual shadow and sunlight interactions that prehistoric farmers relied on for ceremonies. Let our experts guide you through this unique and unforgettable winter solstice experience.

This program requires good health and fitness adequate for hikes up to three miles round trip. Daily activities require willingness to hike in cold weather; temperatures vary from 15 to 45 degrees farenheight. Cost is $837 per person ($812 for members of Four Corners School of Outdoor Education) with a single supplement fee of $120. If you request a roommate every effort will be made to find you one. If none are available you will be charged the single supplement fee. Price includes all meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 6, transportation to/from Cortez, Co, five night lodging in Blanding, Ut, expert staff and guides, and entrance fees. Airfare and personal items are not included. This trip is co-sponsored by Elderhostel and Edge of the Cedars State Park.

Southwest Ed-Ventures is the earned income program of Four Corners School of Outdoor Education (FCS) and helps fund its conservation education activities. It is this non-profit’s purpose to create lifelong learning experiences on the Colorado Plateau (consisting of Southern Utah, Southwest Colorado, Northwest New Mexico, and Northern Arizona) through education, service, conservation, and adventure programs.

 The vision of FCS is to build a diverse community of people committed to conserving the natural and cultural treasures of this bioregion.

To learn more about Southwest Ed-Ventures visit them on the web at www.sw-adventures.org

Baobab Expeditions
CONTACT: Richard Pfaeffli
TEL: 303 260 6489
: enquiries@baobabexpeditions.com
www.baobabexpeditions.com

DENVER, Colo.—Skiing season is approaching and Baobab Expeditions, a company that specializes in taking modern-day explorers on expeditions around the world, offers customized skiing and snowboarding vacations for winter sport enthusiasts of all skill levels. In addition to offering hassle-free trip planning with seamless high-end service, Baobab offers private multi-country winter sport journeys that can include private air transportation and luxury accommodation in destinations throughout Europe, Canada, and the US.

These ski expeditions take visitors to some of the most renowned winter sport destinations in Europe, Canada, and the US such as St. Anton, Lech Zürs, Kitzbühel, Chamonix, Megève, Alta Badia, Bormio, Cortina, Grindelwald, St. Moritz, Zermatt, Banff, Tremblant, Whistler, Aspen, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Telluride, and Vail. Visitors can choose from a selection of notable luxury hotels while enjoying the distinctive après-ski cultures. Ideal snow, lots of sunshine, and an extensive selection of terrain make these vacations ideal for both beginners and expert skiers alike. People can also choose from a wide range of activities including ski-tours, parapenting, ski-doos, cross-country skiing, heliskiing, and sky diving. Baobab offers several different types of expeditions: Traditional, Multi-Resort, Guided, Specialist, and Eco-Camp.

Traditional

Seasoned skiers and snowboarders are always on the lookout for new and undiscovered terrain, and the traditional trips give them the opportunity to discover everything from extreme vertical powder, or gentle rolling slopes. Whatever the ability level, there is a traditional ski holiday available.

Multi-Resort

Baobab’s expert guides escort skiers from resort to resort by plane, helicopter, train, or 4×4 people carriers. This option is ideal for vacationers who crave the diversity of visiting several world-renowned ski destinations in a period of a week or two. Baobab ensures that transfers are as comfortable and as speedy as possible, so that visitors can spend more time on the slopes.

Guided

This option insures that an expert guide goes along for the ride to make skiers as comfortable as possible. Not only are the experts on the snow with specific knowledge about skiing in the destinations, but they can tell travelers where to go, eat, sleep, sightsee, and they will even help with equipment rentals.

Specialist

More travelers are looking to fulfill dreams and experience the remoteness and beauty of the mountains; coupled with the thrill of carving out original tracks across fresh, virgin expanses of mountainside. Baobab offers exhilarating heliskiing, freeride/backcountry, ski touring, or snowshoeing expeditions. There is nothing more exciting than pushing past personal boundaries.

Eco-Camp

Winner of the 2005 Responsible Tourism Awards for Innovation, the eco-camp Whitepod is not just another hotel, but an unforgettable mountain experience. These distinctive pods are pitched around a central chalet, offering all of the services of a hotel in an unprecedented atmosphere. Far from the crowds and boasting the highest standard of style, comfort, and service, Whitepod offers a truly unique accommodation experience. Inspired by the desire to create a haven of beauty and tranquillity, Whitepod is ideal for those seeking to restore tired bodies and jaded spirits. Dine on delicious, yet traditional foods carefully prepared by the resident chef; playfully engage in the myriad activities on offer with the experienced guides; luxuriate to a deep tissue massage at the on-site Spa; and rejuvenate with a peaceful night’s sleep in your very own white pod.

For more information about Baobab Expeditions ski vacations, visit the website at www.baobabexpeditions,com  or contact Richard Pfaeffli at 303 260 6489.

The Indiana DNR and Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center are pleased to offer a Holiday Hunt for firearm hunters on Dec. 27 and 28.

Participation in this hunt will be through a draw conducted in a manner similar to the military/refuge hunts during the fall. Interested hunters can apply on the DNR’s Web site www.wildlife.in.gov  by clicking on the special hunt registration icon between Sept. 29 and Oct. 17. Applicants will need a previous hunting license to apply, and, if drawn for the hunt, will need to have a lifetime, youth, or military/refuge firearm license in order to participate in this hunt.

Any questions should be directed to the Deer Hotline at (812) 334-3795.