Who needs Santa when we've got Shaun White! For all of you Shaun White fans (my daughter is self-elected queen of the club) be sure to head up to Northstar California to celebrate the resort's 40th birthday bash this weekend. Shaun will be there as part of the festivities. The fun begins Saturday, with activities for the whole family throughout the day, including a Burton Snowboard Academy Kids Clinic with Shaun, live music both on the mountain and in the Village at Northstar, a sparkling toast and s'mores in the village, 70s costume contest and après party at Tavern 6330'. Early risers can sign up for the $80 "First Tracks & Breakfast," which starts at 7:30 a.m., for special access to the mile-long advanced trails on the Backside and breakfast at Zephyr Lodge. northstarcalifornia.com/tickets

 

For those heading to the great white north -- or The Opus Hotel in Vancouver to be precise -- there is no "roaming charge" excuse to not call home (and everyone else in the states). The Opus Hotel, is placing iPhones in every room. It is the first hotel in the world to blend standard hotel phone functionality with the convenience and usability of an iPhone. All incoming and local calls are complimentary, saving international roaming fees for U.S. and international travelers. Just turn off your regular cell phone and forward all calls to the Opus iPhone. Another benefit: Each iPhone is preprogrammed with one touch contact to all hotel departments, while also fully functioning as a personal mobile phone with Internet capabilities. So, for example, if you want dinner waiting for you when you return from the day's adventure, hit the room service button from the aquarium, the space center or even the slopes, and order away.

 

For the foodies who need a bit of pampering, check out these experiences offered by two properties with Michelin-star rated restaurants. Meadowood in Napa Valley and Farmhouse Inn in Russian River Valley, Sonoma are offering four-night getaways. The "Wintering in Wine Country" package includes two nights' lodging for one couple at each property, a luxuriously romantic guest room with a cozy fireplace, breakfast each morning, a welcome bottle of local wine, two restorative spa treatments and customized wine tasting itineraries. The $3,000 package runs through April 30 with a few blackout dates. Meadowood 707.963.3646; Farmhouse Inn 707.887.3300.

Aston Waikiki Beach Tower: Waikiki's most luxurious condominium resort.