Even bigger and better than ever before, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa will celebrate the holiday season with a host of family activities including the return of its popular nightly PaintScaping light show and the unveiling of the new Kierland SnoPro ski simulator, where for the first time ever, guests can learn to ski and snowboard right in Scottsdale.
Introducing the Kierland SnoPro
The new Kierland SnoPro ski simulator gives beginner skiers and snowboarders a fast-track to learning the techniques they’ll need on the mountain in a convenient location without getting cold and wet in snow. Using a fun and challenging system of snow-free skiing with instructors to guide them, new ski and snowboarding enthusiasts will learn the basics of moving across a slope and stopping. Longtime skiers and snowboarders will enjoy a great workout that can help them prepare for the first run of the season and perfect the skills for the snow.
Half-hour sessions on the Kierland SnoPro ski simulator will be available from 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and by reservation only on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from Nov. 28 to Dec. 20, 2014. Kierland SnoPro sessions, which include use of boots, skis and snowboards, are priced at $25 per person. Group sessions for two or more riders are priced at $25 for the first rider plus $5 for each additional rider. Groups are limited to four riders. As Kierland SnoPro sessions are limited, advance reservations are recommended. For information, visit www.kierlandresort.com or call the Kierland Mining Company at 480-624-1268.
Skiers and snowboarders can take the skills they learned from the simulator to the snow in Flagstaff! In partnership with Arizona Snowbowl, those who book a session on the Kierland SnoPro also can enjoy a $20 discount off a one-day lift ticket.
3-D Holiday PaintScaping Lightshow Returns
The Resort will once again transform into a winter wonderland as the walls of The Westin Kierland come alive with PaintScaping, themed 3-D images and animations festively set to holiday music. This year’s newly enhanced and longer 3-D show includes brand new characters, animations and music. The art of “PaintScaping,” derived from ‘painting the landscape,’ merges a virtual world with the existing world by projecting 3-dimensional digital mapping onto buildings that act as the canvas for characters, colors, and objects as living and moving parts of the façade. Founded by an award-winning computer animator, PaintScaping uses The Westin Kierland Resort as a canvas, integrating the features of the 11-story main building and adding emotion and context with computer-generated holiday characters, snow, and cheer.
PaintScaping shows will be at 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. nightly from Nov. 28 to Dec. 31. Admission to PaintScaping is free and open to the public.
Westin’s Holiday Family FunFest
In addition to its popular PaintScaping, the Resort will host an array of holiday-themed activities for families as it unveils the new Westin’s Holiday Family FunFest on Friday and Saturday evenings. Designed for kids ages 3 and older, outdoor activities will include selfies with Santa, holiday craft-making, cookie decorating, “reindeer” games, face-painting, a holiday train ride, magic shows, and holiday character appearances and live entertainment. Plus, guests will enjoy hot cocoa and the Resort’s famous All-You-can Eat S’mores. Activities will be led by the Resort’s FUN Department with special assistance from Santa’s own elves. Admission is $10 per person for ages 3 and older, and tickets can be purchased at the Resort. The Resort’s all-you-can eat S’mores also will be available separately for $5 per person.
For those who would like to enjoy dinner as a part of the holiday experience, the Resort’s talented culinary team will be offering a build-your-own gourmet chili bar featuring Elk Tomatillo Chili, Turkey Chili and Vegetarian Chili along with more than a dozen toppings. Cocktail lovers will appreciate a selection of holiday-themed signature cocktails featuring Belvedere Vodka, Vueve Clicquot Champagne and Bailey’s Salted Caramel liqueur. Food and drinks can be purchased separately.
Westin’s Holiday Family FunFest will be open to the public from 5 to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays from Nov. 28 to Dec. 20. For information, visit www.kierlandresort.com or call the Kierland Mining Company at 480-624-1268.
