If you haven’t heard that January is National Learn-To-Ski-Month then you obviously need to learn to ski (or snowboard). Just about every resort in the country is participating on some level in this coordinated effort to get people out sliding on sticks. Ski and snowboard areas will offer free and reasonably priced turnkey lesson programs throughout January as part of this initiative. Utah’s “Lucky 13” program is no exception; yet at the same time it’s an exceptional endeavor. In a nutshell, Utah’s resorts will be doing a $13 lift ticket, $13 rental and $13 lesson; or some variation thereof.

Park City Mountain Resort’s StartNOW program is in its fourth season and is probably one of the most brilliant plans a Utah resort has come up with to encourage new riders. Never evers pay $200 for five daysof lift tickets, afternoon lessons and gear rentals. The program is open to anyone with a Utah I.D., six years old and up. StartNow goes throughout the season (with blackout dates) but you must register online.

CANYONS RESORT

Canyons Resort’s Learn to Ski or Ride program is open to Utah residents throughout January. Ages 4 and up can get a beginner lift ticket, equipment rental and an all-day lesson for just $39. Advance reservations are required and are based on availability. 877-472-6306. (Offer not valid January 19 – 21, 2013 and limited to first 50 registrants per day.) Non-Utahns and procrastinators have an option as well. Canyons has a $99 deal all season. Never evers get a full-day lesson, gear and beginner lift ticket.

Beginners have only one day to take advantage of Deer Valley Resort’s world famous ski school.  The Utah “Learn to Ski” Program is for locals only on January 26. The three-hour, morning clinic starts at 8:30 a.m. and you must be 13 or older. Only 55 participates will be accepted at the $39 lift ticket, lesson and ski rental price. You must make your reservations by January 25 by calling Deer Valley Resort at 888-754-8477 or 435-645-6648 and mention “Ski Utah Learn to Ski Program.”

Alta Ski Area gets that you can’t just do one day and be hooked. So their program lets you pick any four days throughout the season to go and play with an instructor.  The Learn to Ski Package for first-time Utah skiers is open to children and adults. The package includes four, two-hour lessons, four beginner lift tickets and four days of rental gear- all for $199. Enrollment is limited and reservations are required.

Most students will be able to comfortably ski “green” easier slopes after those four lessons. 801-799-2271.

SNOWBIRD SKI AND SUMMER RESORT

Skiers and riders can embrace Chickadee all month with an afternoon lesson, lift ticket and rentals for $45 at Snowbird. You must be at least 7 years old and a first time skier or rider to participate. You’ll get a “Learner’s Permit Pass” with a photo once you finish the day that will entitle you to five more group lessons for $65 each instead of $105 and five half-price lift tickets.

New to Snowbird this year – The Learner’s Permit 4-Week Program for $280 has already started but put it on the radar for friends and family next season. People 13 and up get four afternoon lessons, four lift tickets, and four weeks of rentals. After the four weeks, the ‘learner’ can get five additional discounted adult group lessons for $65 and five half-price lift tickets.

BRIGHTON

Brighton Ski Resort is also has a $45 intro package. Newbies get a two-hour morning or afternoon lesson, an all-day ski or snowboard rental and a full-day learner lift ticket. The promotion ends January 31. Just go to brightonresort.com and print out the “THIS IS THE MONTH TO LEARN” voucher and redeem it at any Brighton ticket window. This offer is for ages 13 and up. Lesson times are at 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. daily.  Group lessons are also available on Thursdays evenings at 6 p.m.

Most Friday, Saturday and Sunday in January at Solitude first timers can get three half-day afternoon lessons, rentals, and beginner lift tickets for $165. After completing the three lessons, and filling out a survey, guests will receive a free all-day/all-mountain lift ticket. 801-536-5730.

Learn to Ski or Snowboard at Sundance for $75 (an average savings of $20). This doesn’t sound like a huge bargain compared to the other resorts but it’s open to all abilities (not just beginners) and includes a half-day lesson, all-day lift ticket and full-day rentals. The deal is good Sunday-Thursday for ages 6 and up. The package must be booked online.

You don’t really need more than a gentle ‘bunny’ slope to learn to ski so why not try a small ‘local’ hill like Beaver? Learn to ski or snowboard for only $39 here. Your package includes lift ticket, lesson and equipment rental. The deal is only valid until January 18, 2013, so act fast. Mention Ski Utah Learn to Ski and Snowboard Package to claim this offer.

Southern Utah’s Brian Head Resort has two weekends for a learn-to-ski deal; January 12- 13 and 26 – 27. Pick a day and $45 gets you a two-hour lesson, rentals and a lift ticket for Chairs 4 and 6. After that, you’ll get a “bounce back” coupon for two more $45 “get better” lessons. If you complete both get better lessons, you will be eligible for a half price ‘12/13 season pass, 50 percent off rentals and a free lift ticket for a friend. Participant must be at least 13 years old. Online reservations are required. Visit BrianHead.com.

Eagle Point joins the fold with their January specials for beginners- Adults can get an all-day lesson, gear rental and learner lift ticket for $59. Kids are $64. Half day for either is $39.

Registration is now closed for Powder Mountain’s Saturday program. Put it on your calendar for next season if you really want to learn at this Ogden resort or perhaps you can call and get waitlisted for this season. Get five weeks of Saturday morning lessons for ages 8 and up for $95. The deal doesn’t include equipment or lift tickets so comb Craigslist for deals. Session Dates: January 5, 12, 19, 26 and February 2, 2013. Powder Mountain Snow Sports School at 801-745-3772 ext. 127 or 12. If all else fails, Powder does a learn-to package throughout the season for $120 that includes lift ticket, gear and half-day lesson.

Snowbasin’s Lucky 13 program (through January 13) sticks with the program- $39 for a Little Cat Lift ticket, 2-hour morning group lesson and rentals. Lessons are available daily at 10 am and 1 pm. For those who know they want to keep skiing this season, consider the Basin’s Learn-to-Earn program. Pay $295 up front for a five-lesson package that includes three Little Cat/Becker lift tickets then two all-mountain tickets, half-day lessons and gear rentals. This is a smoking deal when you consider lift tickets alone would cost you $82/day. Did we mention that you get a Snowbasin season pass upon completion of the five lessons? For more information please contact the Snowsports Learning Center at 801-620-1015.

Learn to ski or snowboard Wolf for $39 during the month of January. The price includes lift ticket, lesson and rental.

There must be something to this whole get-your-friends-together-in-the-dark, hold out nasty smelling flares and snake all the way to the base in one long conga line thing. Why else would so many resorts offer a torchlight parade for participating or viewing?

Deer Valley Resort’s torchlight goes down December 30 at 6 p.m. on Big Stick ski run on Bald Eagle Mountain. Those friendly DV hosts will be handing out complimentary hot cider and cookies on the Snow Park Plaza.

Wolf Mountain in Ogden Valley hosts a family New Year’s Eve event that includes horse-drawn sleigh rides and the torch parade. The night starts at 4 p.m. with night skiing for $22 until 9 p.m. For an extra $15 add dinner and a sleigh ride before the torchlight. The parade and fireworks start around 9 p.m.

Gather on the Plaza Deck at dusk for bonfires and Snowbird‘s New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks. The newly remodeled Aerie Restaurant in the Cliff Lodge will have a special fixed menu and scheduled seatings.

Finally, head over to Alta Ski Area if you want charity attached to your torchlight experience. The parade follows the main cattrack to the Wildcat Base. They will have a “free-flowing” start time to minimize standing around in the cold. Families can participate then be at the base to watch the fireworks. Sorry, Folks, but no hot cocoa before the parade start. Instead, the money saved will go to the Utah Food Bank on behalf of all Alta skiers. Load the Collins lift at 5:15 p.m. and get off at the angle station. Children need to be accompanied by an adult and have their own headlamps or flashlights. Adults carry the torch. All participants need to be intermediate level or stronger. Open containers are not allowed so fill the Camelbak with Schnapps (and your own hot cocoa).

Happy New Year!

It’s been a long time since Club Suede’s owners left the country, leaving the Junction’s only nightclub and live music venue shuttered amid rumors of controversy and fines. Though the upstairs bar, lounge and concert venue at Kimball Junction is still on the seller’s block, a new hotspot is finally emerging. Molly Blooms, Irish Pub and Burger Bar, will be rocking the northside of Park City with dueling pianos. The idea sprang from long-time local singer/songwriter Rich Wyman and buddy Michael Rogers. The two play Dec. 29 (next Saturday night) then hand off the podium to guest pianists every Saturday night during the winter.

Molly Blooms owner Gregg Davison told The Park Record, “I was thoroughly impressed by the quality, the entertainment value and the interaction with the crowd [at the Tavernacle Dueling Piano Bar in Salt Lake City]. I knew I just needed to get that show in Molly Blooms.”

Jamming at the Tavernacle

If you’ve never witnessed a dueling piano event, hold onto your seats. The vibe is electric. It’s essentially karaoke with the whole room singing to live piano music and no autotuner.

Bar goers fill out request forms, donate some green and sit back and wait to hear their song. The more you pay, the sooner the tune. Guests can even pay to make the song stop. A bidding war could potentially start between those who want the song to continue and those who don’t.

“It’s not a scripted show, but we do have a couple of songs in our back pockets to keep the show rolling or to interject some energy,” Wyman told the Record. “We also have laptops with us, so we can call up the chords of songs we’re not quite familiar with.”

The main room is designed around two baby grand pianos with concerts beginning at 9 p.m. Molly Blooms is open to all ages until 10 p.m. because the spot between Park City Coffee Roasters and the Kimball Post Office is also a restaurant. That makes for a great way to end the evening with the family. Burger and blues coming up!

Reservations are suggested. (435) 645-0844.

Other after-hours venues in Kimball Junction:

Jupiter Bowl, 435.658.BOWL (2695).

Maxwell’s, 435.645.7468