Ski Northstar at Lake Tahoe

ROAM, USA By May 9, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , , 2 Comments

I’m waiting for my plane in Reno.  It’s late.  At the bar, a jovial guy introduces himself and acknowledges that he knows Randy Bell, my Ski Northstar Resort instructor.  Cool.  But then the guy went on about how Randy runs cattle farms, how enmeshed in the community he has become, the history of Tahoe, the forest preserve that is so carefully maintained by the resort… The man has been away from Tahoe for a few years and is dying to be back. I completely understand why.

This place is truly magical.

For Families, Northstar, located 45 minutes from Reno, Nevada, boasts an award-winning learn-to-ski program. But more than that. Epic Mix (it’s totally gnarly. You don’t even have to take your pass out of your pocket for the spy-sensors to pick up the radio frequency) allows your teens and tots to track their vertical and ski runs via computer at the end of the day. Epic Mix is available via your computer AND there’s a free phone app for iPhone and Droid, where you can view your photos, trail maps, vertical feet, days skied, digital pins earned….  The passes actually work at all 7 of Vail Resorts’ Mountains. And there are no paper tickets to lose. Not only that – but there are ‘Epic Photo’ photographers with professional cameras waiting in the most beautiful spots all over the hill who will scan your pass and snap a pic. When you log onto the Epic system to celebrate the accomplishments of your day, the photos are miraculously in your photo section. And they are free for you to share via your social networks. (Here’s a resort that not only gets technology, but puts the customer’s experience at the forefront). I loved the live shots, which showed my (bad) skiing at the end of the day and then my (improved after being instructed) skiing at the end.

The terrain is family-friendly, but with glades and black runs to die for. (Beginner – 13% Intermediate – 60% Advanced – 27%) The best? Many more challenging glade runs are adjacent to easier slopes, so everyone can meet (happy) at the lift. I am not usually a glade skiier but you couldn’t get me out of the trees here. Diligent and loving volunteer residents, along with resort employees have trimmed the underbrush and small limbs at the bases of most trees, vastly improving the skiier’s experience and the safety of the glades.

The snow? You know when you pick up a handful of snow and determine what you will use it for? This is not for snowballs. This stuff is like Chanel loose face powder that my Great Aunt wore in the 60’s. Gorgeous. I kept picking it up and blowing it off my mitt, giggling. And if you were in the area at the time – those hollers and whoops were probably me.

What struck me as the gondola attendants carried my skis and the Ritz Carlton valets helped the kids put on their boots, was that Vail Resorts is trying to make skiing/snowboarding a fully enjoyable family activity. I recently visited Disney and the parallels were clear. The customer prevails. Service is key. The business model values the individual and embraces challenges born into every life. And really? If you have a great experience, you’ll return. Skiing is one of those activities you can do for decades, and can help the fabric of a family no matter what the age of the kids – if the resort looks at the needs of everyone from infants to tweens, teenagers and non-skiiers. This place looks at every angle.

The Zephyr Lodge is new last year. Vail Resorts, which owns 6 other properties as well as Northstar, got a leg up on the economic downturn by investing in their properties. When other resorts stopped cutting runs or upgrading lifts, Vail had the forsight to invest 30 MM at Northstar alone into the improvement of the resort experience. The Zephyr, made of reclaimed wood from Montana, offers ‘Rockstar Food’. Why Rockstar? Healthy, incredibly prepared and cutting edge. My choice? The rice and noodle bar. I chose brown rice, lots of veggies, tofu and chicken. There were a selection of sauces – teryaki, curry or X, and a Vietnamese spring roll to top it off. Learn to ski if only for this meal. (Oh, and they doubled the number of womens’ washrooms too!)

For kids the ski school (link to Randy’s video) is incredible and Northstar allows kids to feel ‘big’ even if they are beginners. The learning area starts 6,800 feet above sea level, so after a gondola ride, they walk out to a crisp white wonderland and are shuttled to their own lodge via snowmobile-sleigh. The ‘Bear Hut’ is so named because one summer a bear raided the hot chocolate machine and settled down to hibernate. The next year, he returned and tried to dig his way in. Northstar decided to build a more secure structure in order to ward off future intruders!  The ‘Jib’ parks throughout the mountain offer challenges and fun for kids – there is even one where you can ski over the roof of a house.

I will never forget family apres ski when I was a child. After a full day of challenge and new experiences, you shared a secret almost, with your family. They knew I’d gone down the black diamond on my bum and I saw when my Dad had a yard sale. Apres is about reminiscing, bonding and relaxing. You’d accomplished lots. Northstar is king of apres (and they supply wagons to make schlepping the equipment easier). Adirondak chairs. Sun, happy hour – seriously – coming from Canada you don’t get that often! – and serious tunes. Playing on the loudspeakers of The Lodge at Big Springs were ‘Boogie Fever’, ‘Basket Case’, and ‘Wonderwall’. Thank goodness for Shazam. Stay tuned for the UrbanMommies Apres Ski playlist. People were flopped all over the area, sunning in big glasses and toques, boots undone and refreshment in hand. The apres ‘party’ at the lodge happens daily from 2pm to 4pm, and the brilliant part is that the lodge is at the top of the gondola, so skiing out when you are tired is unnecessary.

Because we were on a guided tour, we got the scoop. For the die-hards? There are Northstar’s guided sidecountry tours and snow cat tours. These will be offered for the first time next season to advanced skiers and riders who want to explore the resort’s new terrain, conditions permitting.  Ask about it. It is supposed to rival heli-skiing. Shh. And don’t you dare take my fresh tracks.

And then there’s the village. Like chocolate? Yeah. This is your place. The Chocolate Bar is all about the specialty. The village is full of amazing activities and shopping. Directly after skiing you must try the dirty snowman (Absolut Vanilla vodka, Baileys, Hazelnut liqueur + hot chocolate). With an ice-skating rink in the middle and devine sofas all around, the town is bustling. And you can shop. Not that any of us need to do more of that. Cute little wagons carry skis and poles so you or the tiny ones don’t have to schlep them and accommodations are plentiful and in my view, quite inexpensive compared with similar resorts in North America.  March happens to have some of the best rates as well as the best snow.  Go figure.

We boarded the gondola (awesome) to zip back to the Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe. After a hottub, we ran to our rooms to grab the ‘s’mores in a bag’. Quite possibly the best invention ever, you can purchase s’more kits that include sticks, graham wafers, blocks of chocolate and large marshmallows. The Ritz has scattered firepits throughout the premises. You know what comes next. Relaxing by the fire, tired and toasty, I would have slept all the next day. Had it not been for the terrain. And the snow. And the technology. And the instruction. Just go.

Stay: The Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe
Eat: Baxter’s Bistro
Drink: A Dirty Snowman or a BNB (That would be Bacon and Bourbon at the Ritz Carlton)
Spot: Shaun White if you’re lucky

Disclosure: UrbanMommies Media was provided with travel, accommodation, lift pass and a stipend for meals while investigating Vail’s Resorts in Lake Tahoe.

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Bacon stirstick with Bourbon

The BNB. A Bacon stirstick with Bourbon. Divine.

EAT, holidays By May 9, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , 2 Comments

I love shocking people.  It happens every time I order a bourbon.  The drink just seems incongruous with my classic look and soft spoken voice.  So while at the Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe, it was a thrill to see the waiter’s face when I ordered the BNB.  (My colleagues were pretty surprised too, as photos of the drink flew around Facebook and Twitter).  Still evaluating the exact moment to eat the bacon, I must practice this one at home a few times before I perfect the methodology.. Or just head back to the Ritz.

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Disney Fantasy - a Perfect Family Cruise

Disney Fantasy – The Perfect Family Cruise

cruises, Disney, ROAM By May 8, 2012 Tags: , , , , , 6 Comments

To see your children happy. Isn’t that every Mother’s goal? I can’t get the vision of the ‘Mickey Pool’ out of my head. We had the great fortune to cruise on the inaugural voyage of the new Disney Fantasy. Modeled after the Disney Dream (the Fantasy is the sister ship to the Dream, and both are about 40% bigger than the Wonder and the Magic) the Fantasy has added a few extra pleasures including the Aquaduck – a see-through pipe waterslide that whisks you around the top of the ship in a raft. I’d be with the little son as the older one and his daddy waved hysterically through the slide’s clear glass. I don’t think I actually stopped giggling during the whole voyage.

As mothers, we feel it is our duty (and sometimes extra-special talent) to create happiness. We can take our children places, but it is ultimately our parenting that allows the kids to thrive in a new environment. The kids clubs on the ship, like the Oceaneer’s Lab and the Oceaneer’s Club, made this very apparent. These two rooms – one with life-sized toys replicating Andy’s Room in Toy Story – featured computer terminals, volcano-making, Tinkerbell leading activities and Disney films. How can a mother possibly compete? I must admit that I was a tad offended when I went to pick up the boys for dinner and they declined to join us. Oh. You’re having too much fun and I am not helping to create it. (And the ample staff taught them both how to use a computer mouse…If you think that’s amazing – my friend’s toddler came off the ship potty-trained!). Hmm. So I guess it’s a date night with my husband, then, without having to hire a babysitter. Right. Where to start?

Not only is there a toddler and child area though – but there are segregated sections for tweens (Edge), infants (It’s a Small World Nursery) and teenagers. The teen space is Vibe. The 14-17 year-olds need a special key card to enter and the chaperones are cool and educated. Teens can insert themselves into zombie movies, crash on the floor pillows or search for ghosts. Many parents I spoke with were confronted with the same shocking realization – Disney was doing a much better job of creating fun than we were.

So my kids are happy. My husband is thrilled. The food is spectacular. The kids are wired with GPS and I have been given a ‘wave phone’ which rings even if they just want to hear my voice (it never rang). So what is left to worry about? Hygene? No. The staff of the Fantasy wiped our hands every time we entered any dining area. The rooms are meticulous. The quality of the surroundings? Nope. Frette has made the linens exclusively for Disney and people are washing down every area all the time. The infant water area – Nemo’s Garden – has fresh water pumped in continuously so that tots in diapers have no chance of imbibing contaminants. So where was I? Safety! Yes. Not only do they have that down, but the actors from the spectacular shows run the drills so they are the most entertaining musters I’ve ever attended. (Actually better than most of the theatre I’ve seen lately). But I can apply the suntan lotion. And I can cut up the food for the kids. Oh wait. No – the waiters in the dining room do that. After they squeeze the ketchup into a Mickey Mouse shape. Oh – and when we arrived to dinner each night (you try each dining room and the staff actually rotates with your family) the kids’ names were clearly present on their cups.

So what struck me the most was my role as a mother, as part of a family. It became more and more clear that I wasn’t responsible to be everything to the kids. My job should include having fun too. And creating memories with my spouse and family. We had lots of time and made a thousand memories as a unit of 4, but I also relaxed as an adult – as a woman. And my husband and I bonded and reconnected. There were so many adult-only areas on the ship, and it was so over-the-top classy that I would return to any Disney cruise even without my kids in tow.

The decor was timeless. Like grand ships of the ’40s, the profile of the Dream and the detailing of the mill work throughout was incredible. Our stateroom had a bathtub – great for infants (and me) and the theatres were opulent. It was kind of like ‘choose your own adventure’. You could catch a film in the movie theatre as a family, take in the fireworks on deck, hit the arcade, chill in the family ‘D Lounge’, or eat (some more). A new addition from the sister ships is also the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. I sent my husband out to purchase suntan lotion and he found himself at the Boutique. He returned ashen-faced and empty-handed. The boutique transforms little girls into Disney Divas or Fairy Tale Princesses. A full-on salon environment, the boutique allows little princesses to choose from packages with hair, nails, makeup and exclusive outfits and crowns. For the tiny princes, as well as girls and grownups (SCORE), there are pirate nights. “Applications of beards and bandanas, swords and scars, earrings and eye patches are all done with the savvy skill of a veteran pirate who shares his own tales of sea-sailing adventures.”

If you prefer an adult escape, you could ditch the kids and go to any of the bars and lounges in Europa, the adult area, like The Tube (a la London), Ohh La La (Paris boudoir), O’Gill’s Pub (Ireland), La Piazza (Italy), or the Skyline. It features full visual skylines of world-famous cities behind the bar and they change over the course of the evening. The Skyline single-handedly convinced my other half that St. Petersburg needs to be our next big trip. Thank you Disney Fantasy. I’ve been working on that jaunt for years.. There are also fun bars on deck, and of course the shows. But you wouldn’t really want the kids to miss those. And in the big scheme of finances – once they’ve seen a live musical on a Disney cruise, you don’t have to break the bank taking them to Broadway, because the performers are THAT good. (I used to do musical theatre). Save the cash for the St. Petersburg trip.

Castaway Cay is Disney’s private Island in the Bahamas. I could yammer on and on about the white sand and the snorkeling, the water sports, the teen beach or the adult-only areas, but I took one huge thing away with me and can’t get it out of my head. Mahi Mahi and fruit. When we arrived, there was a table covered in ready-to-eat fruit. For lunch, amidst burgers, chicken and ribs, was the most perfect Mahi Mahi I have ever experienced. Ditto for the kids. And that’s the thing – my kids ate better during this cruise than they have ever eaten (yeah – my Mom self-esteem is plummeting). I discovered that they LOVE white fish. Papaya. Scalloped potatoes. We tried to make a point of pushing them out of their comfort zones – they were so happy all the time they hardly noticed. (One restaurant – Animator’s Palace – actually encouraged you to draw a figure and then you could see it come to life on screens around the room as you ate!!) So many childrens’ menus do a disservice to our parenting and our children. And the colouring is always interspersed with the offerings of mac and cheese, hotdogs and garbage. At Disney I would have ordered off the kids’ menu. But could someone please cut up my food?

So when you’re not getting photographed with the princesses (there are tons of opportunities), getting the kids styled at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, you can head to the Shipboard Detective Agency on Deck 4. Many parents I knew on the cruise couldn’t get their kids to stop this activity. So you become a detective. You find clues within the art on the ship, and you solve a mystery. There’s even one involving the Muppets. (My kids love the Muppets because we saw a 4-D show in the Magic Kingdom which took me back to childhood. They could see my delight and now every time they see a Muppet commercial on tv the scream their heads off in joy to show me. And I think they are dying. But I digress.)

I’ve taken a few lessons home from Disney. Fun and relaxation instill progress and learning. Adult time is important. Try new things with your kids when you have the opportunity. Focus on your family and it’s unique qualities in determining your activities. Remember that no one person should pressure themselves to teach, entertain and care for the kids all the time. Share the responsibility. And if you still feel like a really crappy mother, hop on a Disney Cruise, dress like a pirate, watch fireworks and focus on the joy in your childrens’ faces. Your parenting has enabled them to feel this true joy, and Disney does a magnificent job in helping them bring it to the surface.

Disney Cruise Lines

Disclosure: Disney Resorts provided accommodation, cruise fare, 1 airline fare for the family to travel to Florida in order to witness the ship and the inaugural sailing of the Fantasy.

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Teaching Kids to Ski at Northstar Resort

ROAM, Seen, USA By April 24, 2012 Tags: , , , , No Comments

Randy Bell, celebrated ski and snowboard instructor in Lake Tahoe’s Northstar Resort in California, shares his tips on teaching small children how to hit the slopes. Northstar is one of Vail Resort’s family-friendly destinations. Between the EpicMix (you can track your vertical and ski runs via computer), EpicMix Photo (free share-able pics by professionals all over the mountain) and the funky snowmobiles that shuttle kids to lifts to aid in the ease of learning – the mountain is an incredible family destination (and we’d highly recommend Randy!).

More on why it’s Epic:

EpicPass – the unlimited, unrestricted seasons pass – just one type of pass, there are number of other season pass options – every pass includes the use of
EpicMix to capture stats, vertical feet and mountains visited.

EpicMix – revolutionary technology for the ski industry, only available at Vail Resorts. Uses Radio Frequency (RF) scanners at the base of every lift, and RF technology built into every pass to capture your stats automatically as soon as you hit the slopes. No sign-up or registration required.

EpicMix photos – EpicMix photo sharing capabilities enable guests to share their on-mountain experiences.

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The Mother's Day Glamour Gift

beauty, GEAR By April 24, 2012 Tags: , , , , No Comments

My Mom is a natural beauty.  She writes poetry.  Plays piano.  She breaks nails while gardening and her navy blue suits and gold hoop earrings give her a classic, Jackie Onassis look.  Mom is pretty savvy, but has not treated herself to the latest, cutting-edge products in a long while.  So here’s my Mother’s Day plan – treat her to some great beauty products that suit her natural style, reduce the signs of aging and make her feel young and hip.  (I may also throw in some lessons on Pinterest and Skype while I’m at it).  I’ll present them to her with a hot chocolate in hand and proceed to teach her how to apply everything as I recreate a spa at home.

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Homemade Granola Bars

EAT, snacks By April 4, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , 1 Comment

Courtesy of @ashley rodriguez

Granola is, in our popular consciousness, the ultimate health food–and it’s hard to deny that this compact, easy-to-eat food is chock-full of good stuff. Sure you can buy it in the stores, but if you have a little time, you can make it at home, without all the preservatives and additives found in the commercial offerings. Here is our basic homemade granola bars recipe, feel free to elaborate!

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Busy Mom Recipes: Best On-the-Go Breakfasts

EAT, family meals By April 4, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , No Comments

Yes, we’ve all heard it: “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” It’s true, though, that kids and adults need a good breakfast to start out, giving the body and brain the fuel it needs to take on the challenges the day brings. Kids who eat breakfast are less likely to develop diabetes or become obese. The list goes on. But if you’re like me (the anti-“Morning Person”) or just don’t have the time to cook a big breakfast, these easy recipes for on-the-go breakfasts will revolutionize your AM. Say goodbye to cereal!

1. Dressed-up Yogurt. All it takes is some yogurt and toppings: cereal, granola, fruit, jam, toasted nuts, honey, whatever. Yogurt (try to make sure it’s not the fatty and ultra-sugary kind, stick to Greek-style yogurt, or unflavored) is great for you, providing calcium and lots of other things. Jazz it up by mixing in other things, especially granola, which lends a satisfying crunch as well as fiber.

2. Breakfast Quesadilla. Who doesn’t love apples and cheese? If you have five minutes, you can make this super-easy, super-tasty dish. All you need are some apple slices, shredded Cheddar cheese, and flour tortillas. Fill the tortillas with the cheese and apples and toast lightly on each side, allowing the cheese to melt and apples to warm up. This recipe is nutritious (tons of calcium, protein, vitamins, and minerals), the cheese provides a satisfying dose of healthy fats, and it’s tasty!

3. Pizza Muffins. All you need are English muffins, some shredded cheese, and tomato sauce (plus any other ingredients you have lying around). Let the kids assemble their own, per their preferences, and pop them into the toaster oven or broiler. Your kids will love them, and they’ll give them plenty of nutrition and energy for the day ahead.

4. Smoothies. If you own a blender, it’s your ticket to great simple breakfasts and snacks. Make sure to keep milk, yogurt, fruit, and other ingredients on hand. It’s amazing how many combinations you can make. Our favorite? The orange dreamsicle smoothie: orange juice, vanilla yogurt, honey, and granola.

5. Pita Pockets. Pita bread is versatile, tasty, and good for you. If you’re crunched on time, grab a couple of pitas and stuff them with whatever you have on hand. My favorite is ham or sliced turkey, Swiss cheese, cucumber, lettuce, tomato, and dijon mustard. Or, if you have time, pile in some scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese, ham, veggies…the possibilities are endless. Pitas fit the hand easily and make a great breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

6. Homemade Toaster Pastries. Yes, we all guiltily love those toaster pastries sold in the stores, but they’re loaded with preservatives, fats, and sugar. Did you know, you can make your own at home? Just take two slices of bread, cut off the crusts, and sandwich your preferred fillings between them. Then, using a fork, press the edges of the slices of bread together, like crimping a pie crust, and pop it into the toaster. Peanut butter and jelly, jam and butter, brown sugar and raisins, the sky’s the limit. Helpful hint: use a toaster with the extra-wide slots, which are usually designated as for bagels.

7. Quiche Muffins. Quiche is basically scrambled eggs and other stuff, in a pie-like form. You can make your own mini-quiches by combining beaten eggs and your choice of ingredients (ham, veggies, spices, cheeses, etc.) in a greased muffin tin until the tops are golden and the centers set.

8. Breakfast Crostini Sandwiches. If you have access to fresh-baked, crusty French bread, then make use of it. A loaf of bread, split lengthwise, becomes a blank palette for culinary experimentation. Butter, jam, cream cheese, shredded cheeses, sliced meats, fruit, honey, whatever you like–it can be layered or smeared, popped into the oven, and become a fantastic, filling, and tasty breakfast.

9. Hot Cereal. Whether you prefer oatmeal, grits, Cream of Wheat, or something else, hot cereal is filling and satisfying. Take your favorite hot cereal and get creative: oatmeal with raisins, brown sugar, and cinnamon is fantastic. Grits with shredded cheese and butter is amazing. Cream of wheat with strawberry jam and granola is awesome. All of these cereals are available in “instant” (meaning, boil water or microwave first) varieties, so add some nutrition and flavor by being inventive.

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Conception Tips: How to Get Pregnant, Faster

FAM, pregnancy By April 4, 2012 Tags: , , , , 25 Comments

 

It’s ironic that women spend so much time and money on avoiding pregnancy–and then, once we want a baby, we want it right now! Unless you or your partner have fertility problems, conception will happen, eventually, but sometimes it seems to take much longer than we’d like. There are all kinds of ways to speed things along that don’t include fertility drugs. Here are some tips on how to get pregnant, faster.

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