Author Archives: Diana

About Diana

Canadian-Vermonter, Texas transplant. Cowboy boot wearing, maple syrup connoisseur, music lovin', wine and micro-brew drinkin', two-steppin' traveler who loves finding all the hidden gems the world has to offer. Come join me on the ride!

Jay Peak Revamped!

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Jay Peak is the closest ski resort to where I grew up. I’ll be honest, as a kid it never interested me as I didn’t learn how to snowboard until college (and I became addicted). I was more into snowmobiling with my dad. Once my new addiction kicked in and especially after I moved to Texas, I try to make it a point to go back and hit the mountain during the holiday visit home. Yes, I’m the one who is still nervous as all hell getting off the lifts.
In recent years, Jay has begun to revamp itself so while I was home, I had to go up and see “what’s new”. That’s what we do when we live in the country folks!
A couple years ago, Jay first introduced a new golf course, which I hear is fantastic (although a little pricey). Maybe I will have to try out my swinging skills in the future, maybe when there’s no snow.
Next, came the ice arena where you can go curling (I’ve heard), ice skating and play hockey.
While we were visiting, the NAHA (North American Hockey Academy) were playing. Jay Peak is now their home. The NAHA is an elite hockey academy which attracts talent from around the country. Oh, if only I could be a hockey player! The facility was really nice!
The last time I went to Jay was probably December 2010, to ride. It was awesome as usual and I got to check out the new lodge which is pretty fantastic in itself. I really love the bar atmosphere. It’s rustic, full of history and just good Northern Vermont comfort.
This (above) is the “old” lodge. Although the old hotel is gone, I”m glad they kept this building. If the walls could talk…
This is leading up to the new building – the Tram House Lodge. This building houses lodging, a spa, Aroma Cafe, Annie’s Table, Tower Bar and more so, it is a place to come in and grab some food to warm up or take a break.  
I think the best part about this building is that they tried to keep everything local. Luke Hardy from Montgomery built the furniture and if you are there and look close enough they used sap spouts on one of the coat hangers. The hallway shows the history and the thought process used when planning this building. It’s really nice to see it all come together.
I love the furniture that can be found in here. If anyone wants to make me some of this for Christmas, my birthday or just because it’s Tuesday (or Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday even)… I’ll gladly accept!
This is the bar in the middle of the… bar. They have the sheave wheels from an old chairlift. It’s awesome!
When I went home last week to visit, I went up to check out the new hotel and the Pumphouse (pool). To be honest, I’m not really sure what I expected but it sure wasn’t the Jay that I remember. The old hotel, was, well, old. I never went in there, never had a reason to. The new hotel is gorgeous. It reminds me of the bigger resorts out west. Now Jay is like a little hidden gem in the Northern Vermont. The hotel wasn’t open yet but I’m sure that once they are complete, it is just a matter of time until they are filled.
Now let’s talk about the most exciting part – the Pumphouse!
Doesn’t it look like fun?!
Wheeeeee!
There is actually a waterpark at Jay Peak. I need to say it again because I almost don’t believe it – there’s a waterpark at Jay Peak! It’s gorgeous and it looks like a ton of fun! I checked this place out on a Tuesday. Obviously, there wasn’t a lot of people there considering mid-week and the fact that there wasn’t a lot of snow at the time. I’m going to predict that this time next year, packed.
Now, I’m going to say, a lift ticket at Jay Peak is a little expensive. $75 for a day pass for out-of-staters and $50 for a Vermonter pass. Maybe I should’ve just said $75 for Flatlanders and $50 for Vermonters. I think I paid $75+ for a day lift in Lake Tahoe and the mountain was much bigger. Anywho – it’s a little steep if you plan on coming for more than one day or plan on coming with a family. It all adds up quickly. Hopefully, it doesn’t get too expensive that the locals can’t come play in their own back yard or even take a mini vacation if they wish.
The best part about all these changes are the number of jobs that Jay has brought to the area. There’s a limited amount of jobs to begin with but this expansion is bringing over a hundred new jobs and the new owner is receiving a ton of credit. Well deserved.
If you check out Jay, let me know how you like it!

Vermont – December 2011

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This year I went home for an early Christmas, two weeks early to be exact! Yes, I’m very blessed! Santa makes a special trip just for me! haha. Once I got there, it was relaxation central! I barely left the house thus my recap will not be very extensive. So I’ll catch you up on just the key bits of information.
Taken while driving about in Enosburg Falls. Jay Peak off in the distance.
One of our annual traditions, heck maybe it’s our only tradition, is my mom and I make sugar cookies every year and yes I still leave a couple out for Santa with a note. He writes back, so why not keep doing it!
They’re so pretty! They were also delicious, in case you were wondering!
My parents Christmas tree. For years now, it’s been kind of a running thing that my mom gets a tree that isn’t really as full as you may typically find. I think in high school I hated them, now it’s kind of nice and if it wasn’t there I would probably be a little disappointed. Check it out.
She’s a little bare in some spots. Branches thin and far apart. The ornaments vary, there’s some newer ones and some that are a little older. There’s a lot of history on this tree! Check out the string of popcorn. I’m not sure if you’ve ever strung popcorn but what a pain the in a$$! My brother actually cut this tree down. Apparently he had to climb eight feet up the tree to cut the top down. Vermonters I tell ya!
My brother and his new wife also needed a tree for their apartment. I guess she is a little more particular about what tree she would like so we went out to a tree farm in Bakersfield. Last year this tree farm provided free trees to families with a member in the National Guard who were in the Middle East. Very nice of them, so she wanted to go back. It took us a while to find the right tree, but we did it!

Sawing a tree by hand is a lot harder than you think! I think loading it in the truck was the easiest part! Apparently I had a couple of guys watching me saw the tree down. Now it makes a little sense why some guy said “You did it!” to me when we were leaving!
I went into the town next door to find an ugly Christmas sweater for a party and they were doing visits with Santa and “sleigh” rides (there wasn’t any snow!) across the street – cute!
A HUGE pastime in our house is the game Tuc. My brother and I have been battling this game for as long as I can remember. It all began at our Memere and Pepere’s house and it lives on every time I come home. It’s a card / board game similar to Aggravation. I am proud to say that I am the reigning champion! YAY!
I was also able to visit with a few long time friends and I even got to meet one of their new babies! One and a half month old Alexa! So darn cute. She’s got the chubbiest (cutest) little cheeks. It’s kind of fun to go home and see everyone and being from such a small town you can always point out “what’s new” in a split second.
I guess the other big thing that my mom, Memere and I did was check out the new Jay Peak ski resort. I’ll post more on that in another post. I’ve got lots of pictures to come with it. Stay tuned!

ICE! At the Gaylord Texan Resort

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Every holiday season, the Gaylord Texan Resort holds ICE!, a themed ice sculpting display. Artists travel from China to Texas to spend at least a month preparing the two million pounds of ice for the holiday themed exhibit. You will want to make sure you bring your camera for this event!

The Gaylord Texan is a massive resort situated on Lake Grapevine. The hotel/conference center is expansive, I would probably get lost in the building if I trekked there alone. When you first enter the hotel, you will see the atmosphere is purely Western style. Stone fireplaces, oversized leather couches and chairs and the laid back atmosphere welcome you and remind you of what is it we all love about the Southwest.

Soon you will walk into the atrium. I’ve never stayed at the hotel but the decor is incredible. Wow! Each year this room is decorated differently, but one thing remains the same – the giant train station set. It’s like a whole new little world! A village, buildings, cars and trucks, little people. It’s like it’s alive.

The area that ICE! is held is actually in a tent outside the conference center area. The tent is held at a constant temperature of between 8-12 degrees Fahrenheit. On the day we went this year, it was actually three degrees, due to the cold weather outside. Who knew it could be cold in Texas (and when I say cold I mean in the 20’s in the evening). The ice exhibit contains rooms with different scene’s for each year’s “theme’s”.

(Check out the links for pictures from each year.)
ICE! 2009 – How The Grinch Stole Christmas
ICE! 2010 – A Charlie Brown Christmas
ICE! 2011 – Shrek The Halls

Now I’m sure you are thinking, “It’s so cold, do you really expect me to go in there?!”. Have no fear! The Gaylord Texan equips you with these huge blue cargo coats that are more along the lines of a sleeping bag jacket. You will stay warm and they come in all sizes. If you are really nervous, you can even bring your own mittens / gloves and hat if you would like. (See below.)

At the beginning of the tour, they will show you a video that shows and tells of how the artists come and carve / create the ice sculptures. If I tell you about it, the video will be boring when you see it. Some of the ice is even sculpted so you can take pictures within! Feel like getting inside Snoopy’s dog house?!

The ice exhibits are AMAZING! Life size, bright, brilliant colors and they bring to life the characters and scenes from the shows they depict. It brings the kid out in you and you come to love every second!

Within the exhibit, these is also an ice slide! I only knew of an ice luge in college, this is human size and not used to cool down your beverages. It’s a lot of fun! Although with the huge jacket, I had a little bit of a hard time getting going but once I did, “Wheeeee!”. Please note: if you wear heels or boots, you will not be able to go down the slide.

At the end of the exhibit, there is always a clear ice manger scene which tells the story of Christmas. It’s a nice way to end the tour.


ICE! has other activities available other than just the ice exhibit.

  • In 2010, ICE! added a snow tube hill. Now if you are from the north like I am, this is nothing compared to some of the hills we’ve gone down but it does the trick for an indoor hill (and the kids seem to love it).
  • 3D movie. I’ve seen things about this but I’m not really sure what it entails so if you check it out – let me know!
  • Be sure to check out their website as they offer different family activities every year!

Tips:

  • I’ve always gone on a weeknight and I would definitely recommend that you do the same. There isn’t a wait and if there is, there isn’t much of one. I can only imagine the weekends are busiest and a little more hectic to try to take pictures of the ice exhibits or try to get a picture with one.
  • Parking – They will give you a voucher for parking. Just be sure to ask for one when you give your ticket to go into the exhibit. (Be sure to get one, it will save you $12.)
  • If you plan on going with a family, doing all the activities will start to add up and it can become a little expensive however the Gaylord does try to accommodate for the family vacation. Try to plan ahead with the budget.