Roaming Gnome Skis Utah

Two things I love about Park City: Olympic gold medalist Ted Ligety lives there, and the Roaming Gnome occasionally makes a cameo, too. (Apparently, he loves skiing as much as the next lawn ornament.) Turns out, the 2-foot-tall celebrity had just passed through Park City a few weeks before my ski trip in mid-February. Since I missed him in Utah, I decided to interview him for his take on the “Greatest Snow on Earth.”

What adventures did you encounter in Utah?

Utah was full of adventures. I skied at Deer Valley and Snowbird, rode the halfpipe at Park City Mountain Resort, and did some bobsledding at Utah Olympic Park. I took in a Jazz game, tried my hand at curling, and went to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Also, it must be said, I rather enjoyed the après-ski scene, particularly at the High West Distillery and Saloon and Squatters Pub Brewery.

I hear you got married last year. Who is the lucky lady?

Ah, my beautiful bride! Shall I compare her to a summer’s day? Her name is Holly Madison, and you may remember her from “The Girls Next Door,” when she lived in the Playboy Mansion. My favorite thing about her is her enormous…….ambition.

Do you have any travel tips for our readers?

My word, yes! There’s nothing I like talking about more. Well, maybe sandwiches. Nope, wait, I’m wrong: it’s definitely travel tips.

First of all, be as flexible as a yoga instructor when you’re planning your vacation—you’ll find the best airfare deals when you select “Flexible Dates” on Travelocity. Second of all, look for hotels that offer value adds – like a free night or a complimentary crumpet for breakfast. And third of all, remember to book your flight and hotel together if you can – you’ll save a whopping amount of dosh this way, up to $525! I mean, goodness: think of all the sandwiches you could buy for $525.

It seems you create quite the stir wherever you travel these days. How are you dealing with all the attention?

Large sunglasses.

Since you’re a small garden statue with all appendages cemented to your sides, how exactly do you ski?

Ah, a gentleman never reveals his secrets. Let’s just say “with panache” and leave it at that.

One might call your snowboarding style crashtastic. How would you describe it?

I would call it crashtastic as well. No use hiding from the truth.

Where to next?

Well, I’m always on the move! I’m sort of like a ceramic James Bond. I can tell you that I’m looking at some smashing green hotels at the moment, for a little getaway over Earth Day. There are also some super deals to all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Dominican Republic right now, and Hawaii is also a surprisingly terrific value. I can’t tell you where I’ll definitely turn up next, but keep your eyes peeled. And say hello! I’ll be the chap in the pointy red hat. You can’t miss me.

For another interview with the wandering spokesgnome, check out this video. The link at the end of the interview is old, so if you want to know what little gnome is up to, visit www.facebook.com/travelocity or follow his gnomely tweets @roaminggnome.

One more thing. If you’ve been dying to purchase your very own gnome, dressed in snorkel gear or a hula skirt, click here.