Let’s Play in the Snow!

We are now in the month of December and you know what that means! Snow, Snow, and more Snow! Maybe not here in the Valley at least but up north there is plenty of snow! A couple of my friends and I were debating whether to go have an overnight “snow play day” up in Flagstaff but thanks to azcentral.com once again I found a couple of good snow play recommendations for sledding, skiing, and snowboarding, so it looks like we’re definitely going now! Here are just a few places suggested by azcentral.com for some fun in the snow

Sledding/Snow Play Areas

1. Oak Hill Snow Play Area
Features: Only soft flexible materials may be used here - no metal, wood or hard plastic sleds are allowed. Inner tubes are best. Toilets, designated parking area.
Status: Open.
Where: From Williams, take Interstate 40 east to the Pitman Valley Exit (No. 171). Turn north, then proceed east on Historic Route 66 for about two miles.
Admission: None.
Details: 800-863-0546

2. Crowley Pit Snow Play Area
Features: No restrictions on snow play materials. Toilets on site.
Status: Open.
Where: From Flagstaff, take U.S. 180 north. About a mile north of the Flagstaff Nordic Center, look for the parking sign near Mile Marker 233.
Admission: None.
Details: 928-526-0866, www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/peaks/winter-rec-opportunities.shtml.

3. Wing Mountain Snow Play Area
Features: Only soft snow play materials are permitted on the trails - no metal, wood or hard plastic. Toilets, concessions.
Status: Open.
Where: From Flagstaff, drive about 10 miles north on U.S. 180. Near Mile Marker 226, turn west on Forest Road 222B and proceed about a mile to the parking area.
Admission: $10 per vehicle.
Details: 928-226-0493, snowplayaz.com.

Skiing and Snowboarding

1. Arizona Snowbowl
Features: Four lifts, 32 trails. Open to skiers and snowboarders. Lessons and rentals available.
Status: Open.
Where: From Flagstaff, take U.S. 180 north about seven miles. Turn right on Snowbowl Road and continue seven miles to the ski area.
Lift tickets: $26-$53.
Details: 928-779-1951, arizonasnowbowl.com.

2. Sunrise Park Resort
Features: Eight lifts, three peaks, each with several trails.
Status: Opens Dec. 23.
Where: From Show Low, drive about 30 miles southeast on Arizona 260. Turn south on Arizona 273 and proceed about seven miles to the ski area.
Lift tickets: $16-$57.
Details: 928-735-7669, sunriseskipark.com.

3. Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley
Features: Two lifts, 21 trails. Lessons and rentals available.
Status: Awaiting more snow.
Where: From Tucson, take the Catalina Highway off Tanque Verde Road. Drive 4.2 miles to the Coronado National Forest boundary and continue 26 miles to the Ski Valley turnoff. Turn right and drive one mile to the ski area.
Lift tickets: $15-$37.
Details: 520-576-1321, skithelemmon.com.

4. Elk Ridge Ski and Outdoor Recreation
Features: Tow rope, 9 trails. Tubing, lessons and rentals available. A snowmobile can take experienced skiers higher on the mountain, at no extra charge.
Status: Opened Dec. 12.
Where: From Williams, drive south a couple of miles on Fourth Street (which becomes Perkinsville Road). Turn right onto Ski Run Road (also posted as Forest Road 106) and proceed about 1.5 miles.
Lift tickets: $15-$30.
Details: 928-814-5038, elkridgeski.com.

Cross-Country Skiing

1. Flagstaff Nordic Center
Features: 25 miles of groomed trails. Lessons and rentals available.
Status: Opened Dec. 10.
Trail passes: $10-$18 (skiing); $5-$10 (snowshoeing).
Where: From Flagstaff, take U.S. 180 about 15 miles north. The center's parking area is near Mile Marker 232.
Details: 928-220-0550, flagstaffnordiccenter.com.

2. Hannagan Meadow Lodge
Features: 16 miles of groomed and/or marked trails. Ski and snowshoes rentals available.
Status: Call for details.
Trail passes: Free.
Where: From Alpine, drive 22 miles southwest on U.S. 191.
Details: 928-339-4370, hannaganmeadow.com.

3. Mormon Lake Lodge
Features: 17 miles of trails. Ski rentals available.
Status: Call for details.
Trail passes: $8 per day.
Where: From Flagstaff, drive about 20 miles southeast on Lake Mary Road (Forest Road 3). Between mile markers 324 and 323, turn west on Lake Mary Loop Road (Forest Road 90) and proceed about seven miles to the lodge.
Details: 928-774-0462, ext. 10, mormonlakelodge.com.

These are just a few of the awesome places you can visit and do various snow activities in. I really recommend heading up north to check out some of the snow we have here in Arizona. The drive to Flagstaff is only about 3 hours from Phoenix so a short little day trip can easily be done. Hopefully this weekend I’ll be up there with my plastic sled hitting the slopes! For more information call or visit the websites of the areas. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and have a Great Day!!!



Lonni Summers

Another Semester Completed

Bubbling in the last answer on my scantron sheet, I stop, review the entire Geography final I just finished, check my answers one more time, grab my things, turn in my test, and I walk out of my last lab science class I ever have to take. “Thank God! I’m DONE!!!! Oh My Gosh that test was flipping Hard!”. This is the exact thought that passes through my brain. At first I could not have been happier. I mean, I’m done with the semester, got pretty good grades, and now I get a month to catch up on all the sleep I didn’t get this semester. I should be happy, right? Then it hits me, school is almost over for me and graduation is literally around the corner and a small sense of sadness washes over me. My college life is moving so fast and it feels like I just got here. I can still remember my freshman year, walking around campus, feeling like I was beginning something new and exciting. I never dreamed it would go by this fast, but I guess it has.

Looking back at my college career, there have of course been many ups and downs, good times and bad times, laughter and tears, but despite it all, I would not change one single thing. It’s kind of crazy to think that this will all be over in about a year. That seriously just boggles my mind! Where did the time go?! In some way it is a little weird thinking that I will really have to enter the real world and be a real responsible adult, not just a college student. I will admit that I am very excited about my future in the Tourism industry and looking forward to really immersing myself in it but at the same time it is a little bit scary. Exciting, but just a little bit scary.

With another semester completed, I come closer to graduation but until that day comes, I am going to enjoy the rest of my time here at Arizona State University because before I know it, I’ll be in a maroon cap and gown walking out with that special piece of paper in my hand. For all new and current ASU students, my advice to you is to really get all you can out of your time here and love the good times you have while at ASU because it will fly by faster than you could ever imagine. I hope everyone is having a great break so far and catch up on as much rest as you possibly can! Have a Fantastic Day!!!



Lonni Summers

It’s About that Time!

Winter break, for many of us, is almost within our grasp, and for others, you might already be enjoying the leisure and laziness that happily comes with winter break. For those of us that still have finals (like myself, I’m not done till Wednesday!) keep pushing on! We are almost done! Now before we enjoy the awesomeness of our well deserved break here are a few tips/suggestions I have picked up over the past couple semesters that I believe will help many of us college students.

1. First and foremost, Study For Finals!!! Even if you think the class is easy as pie, STUDY! You never know what curve balls professors might throw in.
   
2. Sell back your textbooks. You can do this through the bookstore where they will give you cash upfront for your books, and usually you get a coupon for 20% off clothing and gifts which is great for buying more ASU gear! I have also heard from other students that you can sell your books online through eBay, Amazon, and various other websites.
   
3. Save the Holiday shopping for the end of finals or at least till the last week of finals. I found that I got way too distracted from studying and it just got too complicated trying to figure out what family and friends wanted and still study and retain information for my tests. So if you can, try to save the shopping for the end of finals.
   
4. Stay focused and motivated. I know with me, towards the end of the semester procrastination really starts to kick in. Don’t give in to it! Keep pushing through those tough projects and test. Trust me; it’ll pay off in the end.
   
5. Last but not least, take small breaks when you need them. We all need time to eat and rest, so don’t overdo it on the studying. As one professor once told me, “Study smart, not hard”. If you try to cram too much information into your brain at once, you’ll get information overload, so take it easy. Study your material, but try not to cram it all in your head all at once.
   

These are just a few tips and I’m sure there are plenty more but do what is best for you and your finals. Good Luck with the rest of your finals and have a Great Day!!!



Lonni Summers

Sweet Hotel Deals!

Thanks to azcentral.com Deal of the Week, I found some great specials going on at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix. This is an amazing hotel and if you get the chance this winter break I highly suggest doing one of these specials. Here is a list of just a few of the specials offered at the JW Marriot.

• Cloud Club Elite Package for Two
• An Unlimited Golf Experience for Two
• Girlfriend's Spa Getaway for Two
• Revive Spa Romance for Two
• Stay Two Nights, Get the Third Night Free!

These are just only a few of the deals offered and there are plenty more on the JW Marriott website. Be sure to check out some of the awesome perks that come with these packages as well. With school almost over, I think we all deserve a little R & R and a reward for all our hard efforts this semester. I hope this fall semester has treated you all well and good luck with finals!!! Have a Fantastic Day!!!



Lonni Summers