To Ski or Not to Ski this March Break

Karen With Her Husband and Sons On A Vacation

The Mid March break usually has me flying down south to enjoy warmer temperatures and sandy beaches. However, this year we decided to hit the slopes with our boys. Our family started skiing two years ago, missed last season and back at it this year. Destination Mont Tremblant, in Quebec.

1

Family photo Mont Tremblant

I am proud to say the seven hour drive from Toronto,ON, ( yes I wrote seven hour drive not a typo) was filled with car games, family debates and not much fuss. To my surprise no DVD movies or iPads were used nor requested.
We pulled up to our Hotel later that night. Mont Tremblant offers various accommodations to choose from and match any budget. It also depends on the time of year you visit. The prices tend to be higher during the Christmas and March Break.

 

 

Heading Out

The Village is very quaint and has a corner store, ski boutiques ( if you wanted to buy anything ski related). The restaurants were fantastic. A great variety to choose from and kid friendly.

We hit the slopes the next day very early. My sons were both enrolled in a ski camp for the entire day. The camp had great instructors and provided lunch for the kids. My youngest hit the slopes for the first time and loved the thrill of speeding down a hill at racing speed. He was Fearless! My eldest loved the independence and quickly improved his level of skiing.

 

 

If you don’t want to travel with your equipment you can rent everything on site.

IMG_4482

We hit the slopes that morning and continued with an instructor later that afternoon. George my instructor was wonderful. He managed to help me pick up my confidence along the way ( it had been splattered all over the slope on a green run the day before)!

Each ski day ended with a visit to “Tire-sur la neigh” (The maple taffy on snow).
Hot maple syrup is poured in a row on shaved ice snow then a stick is placed on it, wait 45 sec then roll! Like magic, maple taffy on a stick! Mmmm so good! Don’t worry about the calories you can burn them off on the slopes.

6

The Maple Taffy Stand

The Anticipation
The Anticipation

The anticipation ….

After a day of skiing the family can toboggan down the slopes on a tire, skate on the outside pond or go snowmobiling.

 

Activities after Skiing

If you are not a skier don’t rule out this beautiful spot during the summer season. There are many scenic trails to hike and many water sports to enjoy. I’m already booking us for next year.

10

17th Annual Suhaag Show

Picture Of The 17th Annual Suhaag Show

Suhaag 3

Presented by Chevrolet in association with Brita, the 17th Annual Suhaag show took place at the Toronto Congress Centre. The show not only had tons for the brides and grooms-to-be but also had a lot for their friends, family, and the general public to see.

Wedding season is quickly approaching and what better way to prepare your dream wedding then at the 17th Annual Suhaag Show. On Sunday, February 16, 2014, I hosted the most amazing one stop wedding show in the city.

With over 150 booths, there was everything you needed to plan your dream wedding with glamorous décor set-ups, various food samplings (because free food is always amazing), and great giveaways that included: all-inclusive grand getaway, courtesy of Aboslutewdsite.com; complimentary hotel suite stays, Brita built-in filter water bottles, and of course a brand new Chevrolet vehicle.

Suhaag 1

There was also two grand fashion shows at 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm with models sashaying up and down the runway in bridal forecast for the upcoming wedding season by eleven of Toronto’s leading fashion boutiques specializing in bridal couture, including Dinesh Ramasy.

Upon arriving, the first 300 brides were awarded surprise gifts from both Brita and Suhaag and everyone had the chance to walk away with a 15th Annual Edition of Suhaag Magazine hot of the press as well as the 2014 Suhaag Wedding Planner. Overall this was a must see event.

The ‘Casablanca Gala’

KAREN JOHNSON at an indian wedding

NBS gala 2

On Friday, February 7, 2014, dressed in my 40’s attire, I attended Canada’s National Ballet School’s (NBS) 2014 Casablanca Gala at The Carlu. The only ballet school in North America that provides professional training, academic instructions, and residential programs all in one campus

I enjoyed a cocktail reception for 500 VIP guests, sampling and drinking the evening’s signature “karma” cocktail, a delectable four-course meal (oh how I love food), $45,000 in raffle prizes, dance showcase-highlighting students from Canada’s National Ballet School, live entertainment, and a Casablanca-style Casino & Lounge after dinner I had the time of my life.

Running for 54 years, the gala, presented by TD Bank of Financial Group, goal was to raise $850,000 for NBS’ student, 72 per cent of who require financial assistance. This magical evening plays a crucial role in securing 30 per cent of the school’s annual goal in a single night.

The evening was over-flowing with Canadian VIPs, and the who’s who of the art world. It was lovely to see Kristen and Charles Barry Kim Johnson as well as the beautiful and elegant Ainsley Kerr, all there to support this great cause.

The gala’s co-chairs, Juanita Montalvo and Stephen Delaney did an outstanding job highlighting North America’s finest ballet school. There is nothing like a gala in support of the arts.

For more information on the Canadian National Ballet School and how you can help, please log on to http://www.nbs-enb.ca.