Activities

Mount Snow opens its ski season in Dover, Vermont
December 13, 2011

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The temperatures have finally dropped below freezing at Mount Snow.

“It’s been frustrating, that’s for certain,” said David Meeker, director of communications, of the weather conditions.   “There were a lot of nights this past month that were forecasted for good snow-making conditions but they weren’t ever cold enough” he said in the Battleboro Reformer.

Typically, mountains near the Appalachian Trail open either just before or after the American Thanksgiving holiday.  The recent warm spell in and around Dover, however, have made it difficult to make snow without it melting.

Large areas of the east coast were damaged by Tropical Storm Irene in August.  The storm has put extra pressure on the region’s resorts to help maintain the local economy, Meeker told The Reformer, but his resort would not open with a poor product.

On Wednesday, a cold front covered the valley, dumping snow and keeping the temperatures cold enough for the crew at Mount Snow to start making snow, he said.

Thousands of skiers and snowboarders eager for their first run of the season showed up at the opening of Mount Snow’s Blue Bird Express on Saturday.

Even with the setback of not being able to open when they wanted, the staff at Mount Snow is positive this will be one of their best years ever.

If you’re heading south to hit the slopes, be sure to pick up some duty free goods at the border to warm you up in the chalet.

Take part in the world’s largest Amish community in Ohio
November 21, 2011

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amish roadtrip ohio berlin scenery scenic drive usa

What better way to compliment your Duty Free wines than with some homemade, all-natural cheese?

Make your taste buds dance with delight when you sink your teeth into cheeses made on the Amish Country Byway. As you drive the eastern half of the byway through the rolling hills and past the peaceful farms of central Ohio, stop a few miles northeast of Berlin to explore Heini’s Cheese Chalet.  A vibrant mural depicting the “history of cheese making” welcomes you, depicting everything from the cheese-making of nomads in Switzerland hundreds of years ago to present-day techniques. The Chalet’s attractions also include a gift shop, a fudge factory, and a retail outlet where you can sample many of their cheeses before you buy them. Stroll through the 100-foot-long viewing area and watch experts making the all-natural cheeses.  All of Heini’s cheeses are made with milk or yogurt locally produced on the farms of Ohio’s Amish Country.  Enjoy a delightful assortment of tastes from over 70 varieties of cheese, including peppercorn & chive, cayenne cilantro, garden vegetable, and more.

For more cheesy fun, travel a few miles southwest of Berlin and visit the Guggisberg Cheese Factory. Owned and operated by a Swiss family, the factory is home to the original “Baby Swiss” cheese. They sell a variety of other cheeses as well as Swiss chocolates, and even cuckoo clocks. Delight in the smells of enticing herbs and spices as you watch cheese being made right before your eyes. Or stop by the nearby Chalet in the Valley restaurant to enjoy Amish and Swiss home-cooked meals.

For more cheesy delights in Ohio’s Amish Country, check out some more of Ohio’s cheese makers. You can also find other delicious food-related tours and suggested itineraries for further multicultural adventures featured at the Ohio Division of Tourism website, Discover Ohio.

Follow Discover Ohio on Twitter or Like them on Facebook!

Black Friday shopping in Michigan? Visit the Duty Free first!
November 14, 2011

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Black Friday is coming up, and that means it’s time to make hay for Canadian shoppers.  For some, the trip is just a swing over the border for a few hours.  For others, it’s a weekend filled with shopping and tourism.

If you’re planning on spending any amount of time over the border, be sure to check in at the Duty Free before you cross.  You’ll save the tax on already discounted goods, and can take advantage your personal exemption.  You’re allowed to exceed your limit for a relatively small state tax.
So long as you consume the balance of the amount your exceeded your exemption by, you won’t have to pay tax when coming back to Canada.

Outlet stores do not always follow outlet mall hours, so it’s a good idea to call any stores you are particularly interested in to make sure they will be open.

Michican has historically been a focal point of the holiday shopping season.  Suburban living exploded in the motor city because of the importance of the automobile to its economy.  There was vast investment in the state’s roadways, and in turn suburban communities sprung up alongside them, along with some of the nation’s first shopping centers.

  • Macomb Mall – Roseville, Michigan
    Gratiot & Masonic (13 ½ Mile)
    32233 Gratiot Avenue
    Roseville, MI 48066
    (586) 293-7800

Special Holiday Hours at Macomb Mall (.pdf)

See also: Southwest Ontario Region Specials –    Prairie Specials

  • Northland Center - Southfield, Michigan
    21500 Northwestern
    Hwy Suite 1212
    Southfield, Michigan
    48075-5018

See also: Southwest Ontario Region Specials –    Prairie Region Specials

northland center holiday hours

  • Oakland Mall - Troy, Michigan
    412 W. 14 Mile Road
    Troy, Michigan 48083
    (248) 585-6000

Located  between I-75 and John R Road,  just east of the I-75 junction.

See also: Southwest Ontario Region Specials –    Prairie Region Specials

  • Southland Shopping Center – Taylor, Michigan
    23000 Eureka Road
    Taylor, Michigan 48180-5254
    (734) 374-2800

November 24th – Closed
November 25th – 6:00 AM-10:00 PM

Macy’s - 12:00 AM – 10:00 PM
JCPenney - 4:00 AM – 11:00 PM
The Children’s Place - 12:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Charlotte Russe - 12:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Aéropostale - 12:00 AM – 10:00 PM

November 26th – 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
November 27th – 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
November 28th-30th – 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Shoppers who spend $100 on the morning of Friday, November 25th will receive a $10 Shop Etc. Gift Card when they present their valid receipts at the Merrier Shopping Redemption Zone located in Center Court.*

*Offer valid while supplies last. Redemption Zone opens 1 hour after mall opens & remains open for 6 hours. Eligible receipts must be from this center & dated November 25, 2011. Must be 17 or older & present I.D. See complete terms at Redemption Zone.

See also: Southwest Ontario Region Specials –    Prairie Region Specials

The Ultimate Round Trip – United States segment
October 20, 2011

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Two South Africans have gone on an extended vacation around the world to take in and share their experience in an online blog. This follows the trend of staying connected with friends and family by way of the internet during long-distance journeys.

Tristan had just finished studies in Town Planning at university. Likewise, Dominique finished postsecondary studies and wanted more. Tristan said, “I feel like there’s so much more fun stuff to do rather than sitting behind a desk all day. So that’s where this trip, and subsequently this blog, come into the frame.”

To say this is a small undertaking would be a gross understatement. “I’m absolutely petrified about traveling around the world,” he said.

However, Tristan says he feels a “true sense of excitement and adventure” and that he will try his best to keep the stories (and photos) coming.

Their most recent updates are updating the Southern US portion of their travels. When you visit their site, you can browse through their tour of Daytona, Orlando, New Orleans, Austin, San Diego and more.

Their trip has amassed

    156 days travelling

    66 271 kilometres travelled

    14 flights

    14 bus trips

    4 4X4 trips

    11 train rides

    5 ferry rides

    3 self-driven car rides

    1 self-driven RV road trip

    40 places visited

    12 countries visited

Visit their website at www.theultimateroundtrip.com for many great pictures and videos describing their travels mapped out below! And you can follow them on Twitter @theURTblog
View Larger Map

Kristen stocks up and visits the State of Independence!
October 18, 2011

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