Planning your ski vacation

It is no secret that I love this city. I must admit, however, as it gears-up for the Olympics the city has lost some of its charm. Expansive construction has gone on in Park City and its outskirts, and it has all the comforts of home, including its very own Wal-Mart. This year's ski season is all but over, but we boarded a flight in March and thought we'd try our hand at a little spring skiing.

When should I book my ski vacation? If you want the best rates and the first pick of your accommodations and great flight times, start making reservations in November or December.

Park City is a great choice if you only have a short amount of time. For one thing, once your plane lands in Salt Lake City you are only 30 to 45 minutes from numerous ski areas as opposed, for example, to flying into Denver, which is followed by a two-hour drive up the mountain.

I always take my kids to ski and I consider 30 minutes on snow-paved roads versus 2 1/2 hours a much safer option. Plus, let's be honest -- traveling with children can either be a joy or a nightmare.

There are non-stop flights that can get you to Salt Lake in less than three hours. (Almost shorter in time than you can drive from Denver to most of their ski lodges.)

As we got off the airplane to pick up the car my heart dropped as I saw the curse of the skier -- rain. Driving up the mountain I looked at my son in the back seat and did what most parents often do -- pray! We broke into a "think snow" chant up the mountain and watched the temperature gauge and cheered every degree it dropped as we made our trek up the mountain. By the time we hit town the rain had turned into liquid gold.

Skiing is an awesome sport and it is never too late to learn. Skiing however is not for the weak of heart nor weak of wallet. A day pass up the mountain runs about $60 per person. Ski, boot and pool rental starts at $20 and goes up to about $45 depending on how modern of equipment you want. I have always sworn I can ski on anything, so the $20 rental boards are okay for me, and luckily I'm past the "I'm going to a mountain fashion show" phase.

I had even considered taking a lovely set of Carharts to ski in, but I was sure everyone in my party would pretend they didn't know me. One great improvement in skiing is you no longer have to stand in line and yell "single!" if you needed a riding partner. Geeze, that was torture in my youth! Many of the speed chairs hold up to six or eight skiers. Now the modern contraption is a race horse-looking gate. You file into a numbered slot with a padded stopping gate at your knees, as the chair swings around the gates open and the race for your seat in on.

It also amazes me how different people ski. I like to ski semi-fast but with a frail attempt at proper form. My son however flies past me looking for every little bump that might give him 1 inch more of air and lift. What is faster than a speeding bullet? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's snowplow demons. These are those little tater tots who have not enough sense to know they are not immortal and just enough skill to fly down the mountain at warp speed in the snowplow position.

As was the case with our vacation, I followed my son praying under my breath, "Keep him safe, ooh Lord keep him safe," as he whipped past me at 90 mph, his little stick legs wobbling with the speed.

Which brings me to safety. I noticed one new fashion trend. Ski helmets, you can rent one for $5 per day. I was surprised that there were just as many with helmets on as without. Because of years of skiing I have a few basic hints to ensure you get a good value for your ski vacation.

Affording to take the family

This is where the great news comes in. If you call your travel agent in November or December they can watch for the "Kids Fly and Ski Free Program." It has hit every year for the last eight years. In short, children up to 12 years old fly free, ski free and often eat free. Finally there is a vacation that doesn't cost you to bring your kids.

What about snow boarding?

Well here is a touchy subject. As with most die-hard skiers, snowboarders are looked upon with disdain for those who are not interested in the sport. But in Park City there are so many runs that the skiers and boarders seem to be able to co-exist with little or no interruption. But if you are determined not to share the mountain, deer valley is only 10 short minutes away. It is a beautiful upscale resort for the skier who is looking for service and snow without snowboarding distractions.

Carolyn Kempf is president of Elite Travel in Cape Girardeau. (334-1234 or carolyn@elitetravelinc.com)