Reindeer, ropers and revelry too

Vancouver, Canada

Nov. 25-Dec. 24: Grouse Mountain resort has its usual pleasures: snow play and sitting by the big fireplace in your ski togs with a mug of something warm. But during the Peak of Christmas, the price of admission gets you some cool extras: an 8,000-square-foot outdoor ice-skating pond, Santa and real-McCoy reindeer, sleigh rides, carolers and Christmas cartoons at the Theatre in the Sky.

9 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. $29.95, ages 13-18 $16.95, ages 5-12 $10.95, 4 and younger free. Grouse Mountain, 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver; (604) 980-9311, www.grousemountain.com.

Las Vegas

Nov. 29-Dec. 9: It’s that time of year in Las Vegas, when jingle, jangle, jingle means spurs and not just quarters for the slot machines. The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo rides into town for its 22nd year, accompanied by related Stetson-and-boots events. Top wranglers and riders compete at bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding for prize money totaling more than $5 million. Meantime, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show will offer an array of Western goods. Plus, marquees all over town will display the names of country music stars. On Nov. 29, the 20th annual Downtown Hoedown, a free country music concert, kicks things off at the Fremont Street Experience.

Rodeo events at Thomas & Mack Center, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas. Event prices vary; www.nfrexperience.com.

Lahaina, Hawaii

Dec. 2-3: That lot full of 6-foot Christmas pines pales compared with Lahaina’s holiday tree in Maui. The massive Indian banyan tree in Courthouse Square has 16 major trunks, reaches 60 feet and is about a quarter of a mile in circumference. The tree, planted in 1873, is illuminated with thousands of lights on Dec. 2 during a very Hawaiian holiday celebration. Hula dancers will accompany choirs singing carols. A cookie-decorating workshop will be held in Old Lahaina Courthouse, adorned with tropical flowers for the occasion. Local arts and crafts will be on sale to the accompaniment of Hawaiian tunes.

11 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 2; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 3 (craft fair and music only) in Banyan Tree Park, downtown Lahaina off Front Street. Free. (808) 667-9193, www.visitlahaina.com.

-- Amy Hubbard