Jodi Saeland
Jodi Saeland is a part-time KSL Meteorologist and full-time Mom of a seven-year-old daughter and five-year-old son. Follow Jodi as she explores the trials and triumps of skiing with your kids. Gain practical real-world advice on how to pack, dress, communicate and ski with your kids on Utah's famous slopes. How to be a skier while having an avid, excited budding snowboarder!
With her experience as a meteorologist, Jodi shares a bit of knowledge about Utah’s weather forecasts and The Greatest Snow on Earth®
Articles
Skis and snowboards made right here in Park City!
Posted by Jodi Saeland on May 29, 2013Most skis and boards are made overseas. But what better place to open a factory than Park City where the boards can be tested right out the front door by the folks making them! RAMP is an environmentally friendly company that has started production and getting rave reviews!
Skiing and April...Mother Nature is not done yet!
Posted by Jodi Saeland on April 9, 2013At this time of the year, most people hang up their skis and grab their bikes. Not so fast, 18" just fell at the Park City resorts and an active pattern continues.
Brian Head....Utah's best kept southern gem!
Posted by Jodi Saeland on March 27, 2013Imagine a ski resort where there are no lift lines, blue skis, good snow, affordable lift tickets and a relaxed atmosphere....that is Brian Head in southern Utah! We spent a weekend there exploring and enjoying the laid back resort.
Weekend staycation at Canyons!
Posted by Jodi Saeland on March 15, 2013Living in Salt Lake, you normally stay at home and drive to the mountains. Instead, we enjoyed a 2-day staycation at Canyons Resort's Grand Summit.
Ski school, competition teams, full day, 1/2 day...advice from a Brighton instructor.
Posted by Jodi Saeland on February 26, 2013Whether your kids are just starting to ski, have had lessons or not. . . parents always have to ask the question, "am I doing the right thing?" I had a chat with Dain Craig from Brighton to sort it all out.
Just for Women! Lessons learned from a female instructor at Deer Valley!
Posted by Jodi Saeland on February 16, 2013Women ski differently than men. We ski for the enjoyment, not for the competition (most of us) and we're just built a little different. After a 5 week women's clinic taught by a female instructor, I became a better skier. At Deer Valley, not only good skiing, but of course, good food and great conditions.
Snowshoeing in Utah and ice skating Solitude..fun for the kids!
Posted by Jodi Saeland on February 4, 2013If you have a down day on a ski vacation, a great way to still get the kids out and get some excercise is to snowshoe! Solitude has great trails and also an ice skating rink for their overnight visitors.
It's about the pants. . .snowboarding lessons at Brighton!
Posted by Jodi Saeland on January 29, 2013Lessons pay off. Plain and simple, don't try to teach your kids to ski or snowboard...too stressful on them and you. We've had a little snowboarding break, but we're back to boarding and Brighton and learning...it's about the pants.
Helmets are a MUST...finding the right fit for you and your kids
Posted by Jodi Saeland on January 17, 2013These days everyone has a helmet. If you don't, you should. In fact, most ski resorts will not give lessons for kids without helmets. You don't always have to buy one, you can rent as well. But how do you now which one is "good" and how should they fit?
Sundance...not just for the adults... the Art Shack is awesome for kids!
Posted by Jodi Saeland on January 9, 2013Sundance is beautiful! And quiet/quaint and kid friendly! The backdrop of Mt Timpanogos is like no other. It is a place you can ski, do art and have a spa treatment...all WITH the kids...in one day! There are so many options for families.
Lessons at Snowbasin...does Mom need to ski as fast?
Posted by Jodi Saeland on January 3, 2013Snowbasin is such a great "secret". Not really anymore. It is only 35 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City-all fast driving and some of the best skiing in Utah. The kids did a lesson, Mom and Dad skied, and I've been informed..."I'm too slow" to get any good video.
Jodi's favorite things...Skiing Alta on Christmas Eve in the POWDER!
Posted by Jodi Saeland on December 26, 2012Christmas is all about traditions...our family tradition is going to Alta on Christmas Eve. This year..we got BIG SNOW and according to Brennan..."it was awesome"! And the snow keeps coming to Utah!
Jodi's favorite things: December deals and Kids skiing free!
Posted by Jodi Saeland on December 10, 2012With fresh snow on the ground and the holidays around the corner, it's a great time to think of a ski vacation. The great thing is, many resorts run great family deals this time of the year and if you have young kids, chances are...they ski FREE!
Jodi's favorite things-outfitting the kids head to toe!
Posted by Jodi Saeland on November 27, 2012Dressing the kids properly can be challenging. What jackets, gloves, hats and helmets are best? It is expensive, let's be honest. I cut corners in some areas and not in others. Here are my suggestions on how to get kids to the slopes warm and hopefully, affordable!
Opening day at Brighton
Posted by Jodi Saeland on November 16, 2012In the next 2 weeks, most of the Utah Resorts will start their chairs for the opening of the season. With one of the best openings in years, we headed to Brighton which was the first resort to open. After all, Brennan has been wearing his boardy boots for most of the summer already; time to get them snowy!
First significant storm moving in!
Posted by Jodi Saeland on November 7, 2012Meteorology is a science and predicting the weather is a bit of an art. Looking to the northwest for our storms in Utah is what we do. Friday through the weekend looks like a great storm to set the stage for the resorts!
First turns of the season at Brighton!
Posted by Jodi Saeland on October 26, 2012The first big winter storm hit Utah this week dumping as much as 42" of snow at Powder Mountain! For Brennan, he woke up and said "Yes, I can get on my snowboard"!
Alta Lodge brunch and here comes the snow!
Posted by Jodi Saeland on October 22, 2012Alta Lodge is one of those lodges with the old school feel. Brunch is very popular through the summer and winter gears up for yummy dinners and great skiing. As we speak...the first winter storm is on the doorstep.
Winter Weather Glimpse
Posted by Jodi Saeland on October 8, 2012After a hot summer, the weather is turning cold quickly. The burning question is what does winter hold? High pressure has held strong, but the pattern is breaking down ... a good sign.
Fall at Snowbird as winter knocks on the door...
Posted by Jodi Saeland on September 27, 2012Utah ski resorts are awesome in the "off" months. From hiking to biking to enjoying the leaves, it's a great place to the be while waiting for the snow. We stayed the night at the Cliff Lodge, enjoyed Oktoberfest and let the kids explore.
Skiing and boarding in one day to end the season and season ticket deals!
Posted by Jodi Saeland on April 23, 2012With another late season storm, Brennan hits Brighton one more time to ski and snowboard in one day. And, tries his hand at the terrain park. But, is it recommended? And Park City has awesome deals for next years season!
Snowboarding lessons learned this season for 4 year olds
Posted by Jodi Saeland on April 2, 2012Brennan started the season off with a brand new tiny Burton LTR snowboard and high hopes. He ended the season as a little champ and as his instructor said "one of the best 4 year olds I've ever seen on a snowboard."
Snowboard birthday boy turns 5; powder day at Brighton!
Posted by Jodi Saeland on March 19, 2012Brennan's excitement about his snowboarding continues. He turns 5 with a snowboard cake, hits the slopes with his birthday hat and has a great day in Brighton powder. Emily...gives the terrain park a try. Well, sort of.
Fireside dining and a sleigh ride at Deer Valley
Posted by Jodi Saeland on March 13, 2012Ski by day, sleigh ride by night. Empire Lodge at Deer Valley has a fireside dining option that is delicious and family friendly. And you can do a sleigh ride right outside the lodge which the kids will love!
Brighton snowboarding lessons at 4 years old!
Posted by Jodi Saeland on February 29, 2012Consecutive weekly lessons are such a great way to get kids started skiing. But boarding at 4 years old? Brighton is the only resort that offers this and after weeks of counting, Brennan started his lesson!
Cliff lodge, babysitting and Em skis off the Tram at Snowbird!
Posted by Jodi Saeland on February 22, 2012The Aerie Restaurant recently reopened with a great menu and we got a chance to spend the night at the Cliff Lodge at Snowbird. Babysitting services are also available, right to your room! And get this, Emily skied from the top of the tram down her first black diamond slope!
Avalanche Awareness Week: Avalanche dogs in action
Posted by Jodi Saeland on February 17, 2012Meet Zak, Brighton's avalanche rescue dog. The dog days of winter is not all play as these rescue dogs undergo rigorous training to be job ready in the case of an avalanche.
Avalanche Awareness Week: backcountry advice from Forrest and Caroline
Posted by Jodi Saeland on February 16, 2012The week of February 13th was declared Backcountry Awareness Week in the State of Utah. Educating adults and children about the dangers of the backcountry is very important. Forrest Shearer and Caroline Gleich gave advice to Brennan and Emily about the backcountry.
A couples massage..the Sundance way!
Posted by Jodi Saeland on February 1, 2012If you are the type of person who loves solitude, beauty and everything done low key, Sundance is the place. My husband and I checked out the Sundance Spa for a couples massage...still trying to wake up!
Ski with a ranger and snow good enough to eat!
Posted by Jodi Saeland on January 30, 2012The Cottonwood Canyons have a great free program to learn about wildlife, the watershed and the environment. It's called Ski with a ranger. And with all the great FEET of snow we've received...Emily thinks it's good enough to eat!
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