Escaping the Everyday

Despite missing our families, this Thanksgiving was truly memorable! The journey began with a bit of a challenge as we encountered an unexpected snowstorm while driving through the canyon from Bozeman to Salt Lake City. Fortunately, the snowstorm was not severe, but it required us to slow down. I must admit, driving in the snow terrifies me – quite the irony considering I’ve moved to a state known for its frequent winter snowfalls!

Anyways, we made it safely to Salt Lake City and it seems like every time we visit SLC, the more we just fall in love with it.

Brighton Resort

If you happened to read my blog last week, you would have seen the part about the mountain we visited for skiing. If you haven’t, be sure to check it out!

This resort is probably one of the smaller ones near SLC. Brighton has 1,875 vertical feet of amazing Utah skiing, whereas Loon Mountain in Lincoln, NH offers a vertical drop of 2,190 feet. Thus, if you’re use to skiing in the east, you’ll notice the heights are nearly comparable.

Brighton exudes a homey, local ski resort vibe. It features a base lodge with multiple lifts that take you to various parts of the mountain. This mountain is a favorite for both Jake and me, out of all the places we’ve skied. The conditions are outstanding, and the runs are impressively long.

We took an ungroomed trail covered entirely in powder. To our surprise, there was about two feet of fresh powder. Many people were falling down this trail, yet it was incredibly fun! At one point, I fell and as I tried to stand and reattach my ski, my leg plunged through the snow, well past my knee. It was quite the experience, absolutely incredible.

What made this mountain truly unique was the sheer number of snowboarders; it was wild, as I’ve never encountered so many while skiing. On several occasions, as we were on the lift, I noticed I was the only skier around them. Such an experience is quite uncommon.

Brighton is an enjoyable mountain due to the fantastic conditions, and it’s generally considered an easier mountain for skiing compared to Snowbird. Having a good time can be tough when even the beginner trails are more challenging.

All in all, I would give this mountain a 10 out of 10 and we plan to go back!

Snowbird Resort

Snowbird offered an enjoyable skiing experience, though it’s definitely geared towards more advanced skiers. Some of the green runs seemed comparable to blue runs, and sections of the blue runs were particularly steep.

Snowbird has a vertical drop of 3,240 feet for skiing, which is nearly twice that of Brighton, resulting in naturally steeper trails. For beginner skiers, it might be wise to gain experience on less steep slopes before tackling Snowbird’s challenging terrain.

I’ve heard that people really enjoy Snowbird, but I don’t believe it’s suitable for beginners. The experience was also hindered by the limited number of open trails, resulting in repeating the same paths. I found myself doing the same two runs because they were the only blue and green trails available. There’s a ton of black trails, and one peak requires a tram lift that carries around 30 people. Jake is eager to try those trails someday, but not by himself, and I’m definitely not ready for that section either. Perhaps, one day for him.

The food at Snowbird was exceptionally tasty, likely ranking as some of the best we’ve enjoyed at a ski resort.

Wiseguy Comedy Club

On Friday, we saw Bryan Callen, an actor, comedian, and podcaster. He is known for his role as “Coach Mellor” on ABC’s “Schooled” and “The Goldbergs,” and as one of the original cast members of “MadTV.” Bryan has also featured in various TV shows and films, including “Kingdom,” “The Hangover” parts 1 and 2, “Ride Along,” “Sex and the City,” “Old School,” “Entourage,” “Californication,” among others.

The show featured an opening act who was quite funny! Openers are typically just okay, but I would definitely watch him if he were the main act. Plus, he’s a local comedian from Salt Lake City.

The comedy club is quite impressive; upon entering, you’re greeted by an elegant, old-fashioned bar room where people can socialize until the showroom opens. Off the bar room is a well-proportioned showroom featuring a stage. Additionally, the club has a kitchen and staff, allowing guests to order food and beverages.

Seven Brothers Burgers

In search of a quick meal before the comedy show, we discovered Seven Brothers Burgers, which also offers gluten-free options. The burgers were fantastic, and they served the best gluten-free buns I’ve ever had. Often, I’m let down by places claiming to have gluten-free buns that end up being crumbly store-bought Udi’s buns. However, their buns were outstanding; you couldn’t even tell they were gluten-free. While those not on a gluten-free diet might notice a difference, I found them quite impressive.

Dave and Busters

Every time Jake and I visit Salt Lake City, we make a stop at Dave and Busters. A little competitive spirit comes out as we track who wins the most games. At the moment, our score is tied at 1-1. This time, Jake beat me in more games, but during our last visit, I was the victor! It seems we’ll have to return to settle the score.

If you’re unfamiliar with Dave and Buster’s, it’s essentially an arcade filled with various games such as skee ball, basketball, Dance Dance Revolution, and many others. While it may seem primarily designed for children, adults can have a great time as well.

One side of the venue was dedicated to games, while the other housed the restaurant, complete with numerous TVs to view various games. I’m not sure if I’ve dined at Dave and Buster’s before, but I ordered a BBQ chicken flatbread pizza on a cauliflower crust, and it was outstanding! I was thoroughly impressed. Jake also chose the BBQ chicken pizza, but on a traditional crust.

We’ve consistently had a wonderful time there, so if you ever find yourself in the Salt Lake City area, be sure to check it out, regardless of your age!

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream

Naturally, Jake and I couldn’t resist getting some ice cream during our mini vacation. In the summer of 1945, Alice Handel established Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream in Youngstown, Ohio. She used fresh fruit from her garden and her unique recipes, which soon made her ice cream a local favorite.

To this day, they continue to make each batch of ice cream fresh daily, adhering to the original methods and recipes. The ice cream is exceptionally creamy and delightful, offering a variety of flavors, ranging from classic to unique.

Exciting News

Additionally, I’ve started an Instagram account to document our adventures with videos and photos. If you’re on Instagram, consider following us! I aim to use this platform to expand the audience for my blog.

Another cool development is that I have been accepted into the Amazon Associate Program, which allows me to offer affiliate links to our favorite products on Amazon.

Jake and I shared a laugh when he reminded me, “Wasn’t that the program you were initially rejected from?” Indeed, it was, but now with increased traffic, I’m excited to start offering products we love!

Exciting developments are unfolding at Escaping the Everyday, and it’s wonderful to have you with us on this journey.