Mile High Mamas » Amber Johnson

Eldora Mountain Resort’s Epic Weekend & Deals for Families

Amber Johnson — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:00:35 +0000

With last weekend’s snow storm, Eldora Mountain Resort was THE place to ski.

Unfortunately we weren’t the only ones who figured that out.

I couldn’t fault the hoards of people because in terms of proximity (just 21 miles from Boulder, 45 miles from Denver) and new snow (31 inches in 48 hours) this small, unassuming resort delivered in a big way.

We were relative newbies to Eldora–my husband frequently went night skiing as a youth and I skied there for just a couple of hours a few years ago. But with 680 acres of skiable terrain, it didn’t take us too long to find our bearings.

And they were deeply embedded in a soft blanket of incredible powder.

The Mountain

I was surprised there was a relatively small number of beginner slopes (20%), with the majority of the mountain dedicated to intermediate (50%) and advanced runs (30%). Corona Bowl offers some killer expert terrain and if you’re looking for a gentler, more forgiving mountain, don’t stray too far from the Sundance lift. There are 11 lifts: two quads, two triple, four doubles, one poma, and two conveyor lifts. An adult full-day ticket (ages 16-64) is $72; and junior full day (ages 6-15) $44; child full day (5 & under) $10.

Tip: Discounted lift vouchers ($64 adults, $36 kids) are available at King Soopers, Safeway, Christy Sports and Boulder Ski Deals. Simply redeem at the resort. Or to save on time at the ticket window, stop at Eldora Mountain Sports in Boulder (at the intersection of 28th and Canyon) and they will issue you a discounted lift ticket (as opposed to a voucher you need to redeem at the resort). If you plan to ski a few days at Eldora, Costco is currently offering a 3-pack of tickets for $99 (this deal needs to be purchased by next week and can be used through the end of the ski season).

The Beginner Areas

I have a few qualifications for a great ski/ride school. Of course, an enthusiastic, capable instructor is number one and a close second is good beginner terrain. Third on my list is that this terrain should be in close proximity to the ski school offices.

It is on the third point that Eldora falls short. Prior to my kids’ lesson, we decided to take a few turns with them so headed over to the Little Hawk lift. The problem is the bunny slope is a relatively good haul from the base area that resulted in a lot of walking and whining.

The kids weren’t too well-behaved, either.

Once we arrived at Little Hawk lift and Tenderfoot magic carpet, the learning conditions were ideal. One side of Little Hawk was flat enough for newbies while the other side of the slopes was a bit more challenging so both kids could enjoy it.

Tip: We later learned there is a free shuttle that connects the two base areas. Though be warned: on a busy day, you’ll be battling all the ski school kids and doing a nice detour to the North parking lot before you reach your destination. We called our 15-minute ride back, “the scenic route.”

Addressing The Unenthusiastic Skier

I don’t know if my kid is the only one who has actually regressed with skiing but that’s exactly what has happened to 5-year-old Bode. When he was 3, he was fearless and indomitable on the slopes. Last year, he was much more cautious. But this year, he has turned downright fearful. I resolved to do something about it.

Or rather, I decided to hire someone more skilled and knowledgeable than me to do something about it (a 1-hour private lesson at Eldora is $139).

PSIA Level III Ski Instructor Nate Emerson was, hands down, the best thing that has happened to Bode since he discovered Super Mario Bros. (this is the highest compliment possible). At the end of their lesson, grumpy, fearful Bode was chasing Nate down the mountain, playing imaginary games like catch-the-dinosaur, dodge ball and basketball, all the while unknowingly learning new skills that made him more confident and capable. As it turns out, just telling a kid to point their skis and go down the mountain is not an effective teaching method.

And that, my friends, is why I am not a professional but Nate is.

Group prices: Ski lessons are available for ages 4-12, snowboard lessons are available for ages 7-12. A full day that includes a group lesson, rental equipment, lift ticket, supervised lunch and snacks: $119.

Other Family Tips

Be sure to use the 10-minute parking area located right at the base to unload your family and gear before finding a parking spot.

If you want even less hassle and don’t want to drive up Boulder Canyon, an RTD bus has a route that drops off directly in front of the resort. Go here for the weekly schedule from Boulder. Cost is $5 one way.

If you’re looking for extra seating or simply a place to stash that diaper bag or backpack, families tend to congregate in the west wing of the Timbers Lodge where you’ll also find storage lockers.

Cool Extras

When I was researching Eldora Mountain Resort, I was intrigued to learn about their little-known Nordic Center, which boasts 40 kilometers of cross-country skiing, skate skiing and snowshoeing through serene forests, expansive meadows and past staggering mountain backdrops. Though I consider myself a skilled alpine skier, my cross-country skiing pedigree leaves much to be desired so I was particularly excited to learn about their various packages. A first-timer package (with rentals and two hours of instruction) is $54 and there are various other offerings for beginner and intermediate cross-country skiers, as well as snowshoers.

But it was the Women’s Tuesdays & Wednesdays that had me sold. This popular tradition (one staffer told me close to 200 women attend) includes a continental breakfast, a gourmet lunch and four hours of instruction for women of all ability levels. Prices are $459 for 6 weeks, $359 for 4 weeks.

I’m coming for you, Ladies!

16 Tickets Up for Grabs for the Colorado Garden & Home Show!

Amber Johnson — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:00:15 +0000

Denver may be buried under snow but Spring isn’t too far away and nothing can prepare you better for it than the 53rd Annual Colorado Garden & Home Show February 11 – 19, 2012.

The Colorado Convention Center will have 400,000 square feet dedicated to a virtual marketplace. Learn about innovative gardening and home improvement ideas, products and services in more than 1,400 booths. Attend one of the 50 FREE educational seminars and how-to demonstrations for cutting-edge gardening and home improvement ideas.

Families visiting the show will have plenty to make them smile when they are greeted by a variety of four-foot butterflies flying through the air, and a play land of kids, bugs and creatures made entirely from balloons. This fun and playful characters will come to life in the 5,500-square-foot “Blooms, Balloons & Butterflies” Entry Garden presented by Bellco. Town & Country Landscaping of Lone Tree, Colo., is responsible for the design, construction and installation of this unique garden.

A new component for 2012 show is kid-sized playhouses. The Colorado Garden & Home Show worked with Alpine Lumber and local home builders on the construction of four 8’x10’ custom-built playhouses each valued at $5,000. The playhouses will be displayed in feature gardens and other locations during the show.

Three will be awarded to three of five nonprofits. Show attendees may vote for which nonprofit they want to “win” one of the houses. Participating nonprofits include Excelsior Youth Center, Florence Crittenton Services of Colorado, Rocky Mountain MS Center, Ronald McDonald House and Safehouse Denver. The other playhouse will be awarded to one attendee. Attendees may register to win at the entrance of the show and other areas on the floor.

General admission is $12 and children 12 and under are free. For additional details visit www.gardeningcolorado.com.

Contest
Mile High Mamas is giving away 16 tickets to the Colorado Garden & Home Show! Please go here to enter. Contest deadline is February 8, 2012.

SolVista Basin’s Screaming Deals & Family Activities

Amber Johnson — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:00:09 +0000

SolVista Basin at Granby Ranch has a special place in my heart: it is where my 3-year-old daughter learned to ski.

Or rather, first attempted to ski (see photographic evidence here).

Four years later, my daughter and SolVista Basin are still going strong. Touted as one of Colorado’s most family-friendly resorts, this mountain offers some fantastic terrain, an expanding base area with new facilities and a knowledgeable staff.

You may be asking: Colorado has many world-class ski areas so why bother with a small resort two hours from Denver?

This season, we’ll tell you why these GEM resorts (smaller, inexpensive) are worth a second look. Not only are they more affordable but they’re free of crowds, paid parking and over-the-top prices.

And with SolVista Basin’s top-notch ski school, s’mores roasting, night skiing and tubing, you’ll find it’s very much worth it.

The Mountain

SolVista Basin has 406 skiable acres that cover two interconnected mountains. East Mountain is primarily for beginners and intermediate skiers, while West Mountain offers more advanced terrain (though don’t expect any death-defying chutes). If you want to get your thrill on, the Terrain Park has 6 progression parks. Lift tickets prices: Kids 5 and under ski free, Junior (ages 6-12) are $38 and adults (13-60) $56. Prices vary during Spring Break.

Learning to Ski

If I were to grade many area resorts on their newbie terrain, they would get an “F” because their magic carpet area is often too flat, the bunny slope too steep or the whole area is just difficult to access.

SolVista Basin, on the other hand, gets an A. The Pony Surface Lift (magic carpet) is adjacent to the ski school, the Milestone lift (bunny slope) is just steep enough to provide a challenge for magic carpet graduates but is not overwhelming. All the trails filter into this Snow Play Area so it is easy for parents to monitor their kids’ progress in ski school. Best news of all: kids 5 and under ski FREE!

Ski & Ride School

Ski school. Uttering these two glorious words brings to mind FREEDOM! At SolVista Basin, ski and ride school is affordable: only $99 for a full-day lift ticket, equipment rental, group ski lesson AND lunch. To put this into perspective, many large resorts’ lift tickets are over $100.

The instructors are conscientious as they teach direct-to-parallel skiing using the latest shaped skis. Their unique philosophy: rather than teach new skiers the wedge, they focus on getting children to hold their feet parallel as early as possible.

The enrollment policy is a bit of a Catch-22. They won’t turn anyone away (good), however this sometimes results in larger classes (bad). Holidays and weekends are obviously the busiest so reserve your spot early. Go here for additional information.

Saturday Night Fever

During the week, SolVista Basin is slow-paced and peaceful. Enter: Saturday when an influx of families and activities ignite the resort. From 3-4 p.m., roast free s’mores by the firepit. Vista Vibe is a free après ski concert series from 3-6 p.m. in Seven Trails Grille in the Base Lodge.

SolVista Basin offers Grand County’s only night skiing and snowboarding from 5-8 p.m. Cost is $12 for the flood-lit hill that also includes the three terrain parks.

In an innovative move, a snowcat transforms the beginner slope into a three-lane, lift-serviced tubing hill. Night tubing is $14 for a 45-minute session or pay $20 for both night skiing and tubing. Children must be 6 and older to tube or meet the minimum height requirement.
Tip: Avoid the sold-out tubing sessions. We had long lines and were only able to tube three times before the next session began.

Couple’s Lessons

Though I know some couples who enjoy skiing/riding together, many don’t due to different ability levels, lack of patience or that tempting spa treatment. SolVista Basin is trying to help couples bond on the slopes with their private Couple’s Lessons.

Though my husband and I have comparable ability levels, my form is better and he’s a faster, more aggressive skier. We were paired with Tom McNamara, a retired lobbyist who knocked us back to square one on the bunny slope and rebuilt our skills correctly. Thought humbling (and at times frustrating), it was the best lesson I’ve ever had and I’ve never skied better. Jamie and I jokingly called Tom “The Drill Sergeant.” For obvious reasons.

Sweetheart of a Deal: 2-hour Couple’s Lesson, $180 (regularly $215) in February. Does not include equipment or lift ticket.

The Ultimate Family Event

Saturday, February 4, 2012–Kids’ Totally Insane Winter Blast. Enjoy fun activities like a treasure hunt, Family Quest, hide-and-go seek, a rail jam and live music, followed by night skiing and tubing. Tip: Sign your family up for the Family Quest and be sure to watch out for the Abominable Snowman!

Area Activities

Less than 10 miles away, Snow Mountain Ranch at YMCA of the Rockies offers indoor basketball and roller skating. If you want to stay outdoors, ice skate at Cooper Creek Square in Winter Park; skates can be rented at Viking Ski Shop or Christy Sports. Lake Granby, Grand Lake, Hot Sulphur Springs and Shadow Mountain Reservoir are also nearby in Grand County.

Getting there

SolVista Basin at Granby Ranch is 85 miles from Denver. Take I-70 West to the US-40 W exit. Exit 232 toward Empire/Granby. Merge onto US-40 over Berthoud Pass. Continue 15 miles past Winter Park towards Granby. Turn right onto Village Road, just before City Market. Continue 2 miles to Granby Ranch. For lodging, call 888-850-4615 or reservationcenter@granbyranch.com.

Nissan’s Holiday Quest & What Vehicle Do You Drive?

Amber Johnson — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:00:34 +0000

I am officially in the market for a new vehicle.

Actually, I didn’t even know I was looking until I was asked by Nissan to be a part of their #HolidayQuest campaign to test-drive their 2012 Nissan Quest. As my kids eagerly explored the minivan and I inhaled that glorious new-car smell while fiddling with the iPod connectivity, I knew it was out with the old (my 2003 Honda Pilot) and onto the new (vehicle TBD).

I was originally supposed to test-drive the Quest over the winter break and we planned a road-trip to Utah. But when a house fire caused tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage to my parent’s home in Canada (including destroying their vehicles), we postponed our test-drive until early-January. As a side note, Quest had offered a $500 gift card to a charity of my choice and they generously donated that to my parents to help recover essential items until their home owner’s insurance kicked in.

The first thing I noticed about the Quest is the technology (something my older vehicle is acutely lacking).

Pros:

Nissan Intelligent Key and Push Button Ignition–This admittedly took some getting used but in the end, I loved being able to unlock the doors, open the liftgate and start the engine without taking the key out of my purse. Tip: This can make you lazy. Remember to put the car in park BEFORE turning off the ignition, otherwise you will have a heart attack as your car starts going backwards on the hill.

Blind Spot Warning System– An indicator appears on the outside mirror when another vehicle is in your blind spot. Put your turn signal on and a warning chime alerts you.

RearView Monitor—For those of us who’ve ever backed into anything: This nifty screen lets you see what’s behind you when backing up.

One-touch power sliding doors–I think these should be a must for every mom who has her hands full.

The 7-seat Quest has killer storage space. Not only does the second row fold flat but so does the third. But unlike other minivans, instead of stowing seats, the cargo well behind the third row is a permanent place to put whatever you like.

Great control panel that includes the Nissan Navigation System, iPod connectivity, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System and more.

LATCH–I can’t review a minivan without talking about the carseat situation. The LATCH system lets you easily secure LATCH-compatible child restraints in the second and third row without using a seat belt or a locking clip.

Cons:

The Quest has some very cool amenities but it didn’t go the extra mile with mind-blowing features. It was just a good, basic vehicle.

Quest is available in front-wheel drive only. This was tough for someone coming from an SUV.

The Exterior–I’m not a fan of the look of minivans. Quest overhauled it into a more boxy, less minivan-ish look, which I neither disliked or loved.

Overall, we enjoyed the Quest and went on a few of our favorite local adventures, including hiking up North Table Mountain and skating at Evergreen Lake. Thanks to Quest for inviting me to be part of this campaign.

What do you look for when you buy a new vehicle?

Happy Martin Luther King Day From the Mamas

Amber Johnson — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:00:19 +0000

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction….The chain reaction of evil–hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars–must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength To Love, 1963.

Ideas for Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day With Your Kids

Amber Johnson — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 13:00:15 +0000

Martin Luther King Jr. Day always creeps up on me. After the frenzy of Christmas, this important commemorative holiday goes unnoticed at my house.

I have vowed to make this year different.

Of course, the most obvious way to salute the legacy of Martin Luther King is at the annual MLK Day Marade. The combination march-and-parade starts at City Park, where walkers will assemble on Monday, January 16. Go here for more information.

If you want to stay closer to home, I have compiled a list of easy activities and crafts you can do with your children.

*In honor of the gifts Dr. King gave our nation, try these five creative ways to help children celebrate his vision of hope and sense of humanity. They include creating a multicultural banquet, decorations, “walking the walk” and visiting a different house of worship.

*This is a simple look at how we can look different on the outside, yet be the same on the inside. Designed for preschoolers.

*Being Treated Equally. This is a powerful way to really drive the message of equality home. Designed for kindergartens, but easily adaptable to all ages.

*Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. with this beading rainbow pin. Children will enjoy creating this craft which demonstrates that people of all colors are part of one family. Even more fun than making your pin is wearing it on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

*Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day by learning facts about Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, his life, and his career and accomplishments as a civil rights leader.

*These Martin Luther King Jr. Day crafts can be used to teach children about other colors and cultures, and discuss the principals that Dr Martin Luther King Jr stood for.

*Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Coloring Pages. Get out your interactive crayon and color some of these famous Americans in history, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

*Check out children’s drawings that illustrate the milestone moments in MKLJ’s life.

*Friends come in all colors and sizes! Teach kids about diversity and freedom with these cute little Freedom Friends puppets.

*How much do you know about the young Martin Luther King Jr.? Test your knowledge with this informative quiz.

What are some of your ideas for celebrating the holiday?

A plea for help for a domestic daughter by a non-domestic mother

Amber Johnson — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:00:21 +0000

Already at 7, my daughter Hadley’s domestic prowess is surpassing my own. Her fuel was fired when she returned home from visiting my parents at Christmas with many of my domestic goddess mother’s crafting items in tow.

A glue gun!
Wreaths!
Ribbon!
Glitter!
Fabric paints!
Weird netting stuff I don’t know what to call it!
Rafia!

Those are her exclamation marks, not mine.

Hadley loves to disappear into her room and create for hours on end. I marvel at her imagination and I fully support these endeavors so long as I don’t need to take part in them.

The problem is, now she’s bugging me to show her how to use all these treasures. If you’re just tuning in, though I love to cook, crafting ain’t my cup of tea (as was evidenced by my Super Saturday sufferings.)

Last week, she took my carnage to a new level when she came downstairs and modeled a skirt that she had fashioned out of an old basket liner.

I suppose I should have been excited and proud. I mean, talk about industrious! But if we’re being honest here, my initial thought was “OH CRAP. NOW I’M GOING TO HAVE TO LEARN TO SEW SO I CAN TEACH HER?!”

My New Year’s resolution list is suddenly look very long and dreary.

Do your kids have passions you don’t share? Do you know how to sew or where we can learn? Or more importantly, will you teach my daughter for me?

Family Volunteer Opportunity: Serve Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Dinner!

Amber Johnson — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:00:42 +0000

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said,

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?”

Each year, Americans across the country answer that question by coming together on the King Holiday to serve their neighbors and communities. The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday has been marked as a day to turn community concerns into citizen action. Join Volunteers of America in helping prepare for their 27th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Dinner! This dinner feeds 1,700 homeless men, women and children.

When: Saturday, January 14, 2011; 10 a.m. – noon
Where: Volunteers of America’s Sunset Park Senior Center, 1865 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80202
Who: You and your family…children of all ages are welcome!
What: Preparing for Volunteers of America’s 27th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Dinner. Age-appropriate activities will include decorating placemats, assembling silverware sets, preparing hygiene kits and sorting gently used donated clothing from ARC Thrift Stores.

RSVP: Please RSVP to Rachel Dolgin rdolgin@voacolorado.org. Space for this project is limited. Sign-up is on a first-come first-served basis.

** Please bring at least one hygiene product with you on January 14th. This could be a small bottle of shampoo, some toothpaste, or any unused travel size item you may have. Your donations will be distributed at the MLK Jr. Dinner** Photo credit

Gift Card Winner & American Express Rewards Possibilities!

Amber Johnson — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:30:02 +0000

I am thrilled to announce the winner of our $250 American Express gift card: Michelle Anthony. Congratulations to her!

Her money-saving tip for the holidays:

Well there’s tons of money saving ideas for Christmas but just depends on which ones to go by…For instance *Only draw names with your loved ones or make it a fun game by doing a white elephant party : ) Make sure you let everyone know a budget that your all comfortable with though : ) * Next Get Crafty and Creative, I mean since when did kiddos..us etc… stop making their parents gifts.. nannas and papas ??? The ones from the heart truly are loved more ♥ * Third would be for the stores you love..>Make sure to add yourself to all their email lists > during the holidays tons of great coupons vouches etc.. will come your wayThey really do make a huge difference last but not least ALWAYS make a budget for yourself all the lil things will def. add up if you don’t watch your spending. : ) Hope some of these help and never worry there all always tons more to follow by..: )

As a part of the campaign, I was supposed to be sent 40,000 Membership Reward Points. While that didn’t work out as anticipated, I had a great time cruising through all the Membership Rewards, dreaming of what I would purchase. Options included some of the most well-known names in travel, shopping, dining, and entertainment. I had my eye on the following vendors (I loved how many local options there were):

Old Navy
P.F. Changs
Maggianno’s
The Capital Grille
The Home Depot
Kohl’s
R.E.I.
Banana Republic
Cinemark
Hilton
Best Western

And many, many more!

Special thanks to American Express for teaming up with Mile High Mamas on this contest.

How to declutter your life, one day at a time in 2012

Amber Johnson — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:01:27 +0000

If you’re anything like me, organization is at the top of your goals for 2012 but sometimes it’s overwhelming to know where to start.

My Simpler Life is to the rescue! I found this FREE calendar on Pinterest.com (remember my addiction?) that gives simple, daily helps to get you organized. The best part is you don’t have to beat yourself up if you don’t finish a day. Just start again the next day.

Here are your download instructions:

1) Make sure you have Acrobat eBook Reader OR the regular Acrobat Reader (download for free here).

2) Download your calendar for the month you want (you can keep them all together by downloading each month’s calendar to a folder called declutter calendar) or download the whole calendar at once.

Full 2012 Declutter Calendar

For additional advice, be sure to check out My Simpler Life blog.

P.S. If doing it yourself is not in the cards, I highly recommend professional organizer Meighan Meeker of Simply Put Organizational Solutions in Denver. She whipped my kitchen into shape a few years ago and her services are so worth it!

Happy organizing! (If there is such a thing….:)