Happy New Year! This week's blog has a little bit about skiing and a lot about home trends for 2021 - enjoy.

The Park Record shares their Winter Adventure Guide: A world-class experience at Deer Valley Resort. Over the years, the ski area has won countless accolades, including being named North America’s No. 1 resort a record eight times by Ski Magazine and several World Ski Awards selections as the top resort in the U.S. It’s fair to say that when you’re skiing at Deer Valley, you’re skiing at one of the best resorts in the world. Deer Valley’s slopes cover 2,026 skiable acres, which include 21 lifts and 103 runs.

COVID-19 protocols - the resort will require guests to wear face masks any time they are near other people, such as when waiting in lift lines or interacting with staff members.Chairlifts will be limited to: people from the same party; two willing people from different parties on a three- or four-person lift; or single riders. The resort is also further capping the number of skiers on the mountain each day based on conditions and local health regulations.

Ski school is still available and range of group sessions, such as clinics for women, an “afternoon teen escape” and a session aimed at children.

Passes - Deer Valley offers a range of pass options to get you on the mountain. Check out the Deer Valley season pass, which provides unlimited access to the mountain, and daily or multi-day lift tickets are also available.

Freestyle World Cup - The International Ski Federation (FIS) announced in October that it is still planning to hold this winter’s World Cup Feb. 4-6 despite the coronavirus pandemic. Spectators will not be allowed on the mountain this year, so make sure to tune in on your TV.

Realtor Magazine shares 5 Timely Home Design Trends for 2021. As a result of 2020 and homeowners seeking privacy for work and school within their homes, home offices are growing in demand in buyers' home search. Real estate and design experts recently shared with realtor.com® some of the biggest home design trends likely in the new year, including:

Separated spaces - Open floor plans are getting divided up. Homeowners are looking to create nooks or pockets for Zoom calls, lounging, exercising, and e-learning, design experts say.

Biophilic design - Homeowners are craving nature in the pandemic and are bringing in more houseplants and indoor gardens.

Wood-grain elements in the kitchen - Wood-grain kitchen cabinets and counters are trending, offering a touch of organic and natural materials. Instead of all-white kitchens or painted cabinets, more homeowners are adding in wood-grain cabinets and wood countertops on to their kitchen islands, designers say.

Outdoor solitude - Fireplaces, fire pits, patios and decks, screened-in porches, and outdoor kitchens have all gained popularity during the pandemic. The outdoor kitchen is particularly trending, as homeowners add outdoor refrigerators and dining areas in their backyards or create a more elaborate space that includes a fully equipped kitchen outside with a stovetop and appliances.

Bathrooms get smarter - Touchless appliances, including motion sensors for lighting, and smart temperature control for bathroom floors will be more popular in the next year.

We wrap up this week's blog with The 8 Kitchen Trends Everyone Will be Obsessed with in 2021 from PureWow. 2021 is all about creating your most comfortable space to cook, eat and entertain. So, if you love white on white, go for it. You’ll still find these ideas helpful for breathing new life into your space.

Hidden Charging Stations - People are looking up recipes, hanging out and working from their kitchen islands, so it’s more important to make sure you have enough outlets—not just for your appliances but your phones and tablets too.

Dark Green Cabinets - Deep blues and greens are growing in popularity for every room of the house, and the kitchen is no exception. If you’re intrigued by the trend but not ready to commit to a full makeover, you could always incorporate a few dark green accents into your kitchen.

Touchless Tech - People are adding touchless tech into their homes, like trashcans that open and close with the wave of your hand, or Alexa-enabled faucets that can pour exactly a teaspoon or two cups of water (no measuring cups needed), all based on your command.

Sustainable Cleaning Supplies - Cleaning products we use, evidenced in the rise of eco-friendly dish soaps and detergent that comes in reusable containers. Some companies are even offering cleaning concentrates, hand and dish soaps, soap dispensers and spray bottles—all plant-based and plastic-free.

Multi-purpose cookware - Instead of buying a ton of different products, we’re seeing readers invest in multi-use tools that keep their kitchens clutter-free. The Always Pan and the Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer are some of the most popular.

Colored Quartzite Counters - Quartzite has been steadily rising in interest, since it tends to be more durable and affordable. Most recently, more dramatic colors—think blues, greens and other ocean-inspired hues—have been replacing the traditional white and cream quartzites, since they add more dimension to the room.

Swing-Arm Sconces -Their sculptural shape can liven up kitchen walls better than any Live, Laugh, Love sign. Plus, swing-arm styles are particularly helpful for adding task lighting around a sink or range.

Walnut - Wood tones immediately warm up a kitchen, preventing it from looking too one-note. One of the most popular materials right now is walnut, the only downside is that walnut can be pricey, but walnut-grained laminates look just like the real deal, only they’re much more affordable.