OPENING

A six-story Ferris wheel, multilevel go-cart track, carousel and laser tag are all part of a $20 million, 110,000-square-foot addition at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. The Indoor Theme Park expansion comes as Kalahari says it is experiencing an uptick in regional travel. The new addition also has 24 lanes of bowling, an 18-hole miniature golf course, climbing walls, private party rooms and a sports bar. Admission for the indoor park is $19.95 for resort guests and $29.95 for others. Details at www.kalahariresorts.com/wi/.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

TREND SPOTTING

"One Vacation Can Be Worse Than Commuting for a Year." So reads one troubling headline in a study released by the Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit organization that has been researching modes of vacation transport to find out which are the most environmentally friendly. The full report, "Getting There Greener: The Guide to Your Lower-Carbon Vacation," is available at the group's website (www.ucsusa.org). The mode of transport with the smallest carbon footprint? According to the study it's the "motor coach," better known as the bus. Says the study: "A couple traveling on a motor coach will generate nearly 50 percent less global warming pollution than they would driving a fuel-efficient hybrid car," not to mention 55 to 75 percent less than they would by flying.

WASHINGTON POST

REAL DEAL

To allow visitors to experience Yellowstone in winter, the park keeps Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel open through March 8 and Old Faithful Snow Lodge open through March 15. Single or double, winter room rates at Mammoth start at $85 without private bath and $115 with one, while at the Snow Lodge they start at $94 for a Frontier Cabin with private bath. In addition, "Winter Getaway Packages" start next Sunday at both facilities, with the popular "Trail of the Wolf" offering three nights' lodging, daily breakfast, a guided snowmobile tour and a Lamar Valley wildlife excursion, for rates starting at $389 per person, plus tax. (1-866-439-7375; www.travelyellowstone.com, click on Packages/ Specials.)

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

WEB WATCH

Birders rejoice. www.BirdPost.com is a new website that unites birders worldwide. Keep track of birds you've spotted and view Google satellite maps to discover what types of birds you might see on your next trip. You can upload or click on bird photos and names to create a "lifelist" of bird sightings and search for birds by regions or characteristics to find out which birds you can expect to see at your destination. You also can set up a rare-bird alert that sends you coordinates of the winged friends you want to see.

LOS ANGELES TIMES

BOOK BRIEF

For "Sacred Places of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Most Peaceful and Powerful Destinations" (National Geographic, $40), the staff of National Geographic chose to highlight "those places that channel the wisdom of the ages, of far-flung cultures, and unique perspectives." The book visits stone circles, pilgrimage sites, ceremonies and more. The editors also include their 10-best lists: 10 sacred mountains, 10 mosaic interiors and 10 sacred gardens.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

SIDEROADS

Grab the family and head to Bayfront Festival Park for Duluth's annual "Warmer by the Lake" celebration from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday. There will be plenty of activities for everyone including sledding, ice-skating, snowshoeing, storytelling, live music, a bonfire and fireworks (1-218-590-1634). You also can stop by Spirit Mountain to check out U.S. Ski and Snowboarding Association alpine races (Saturday and Sunday), or for free skiing and snowboarding lessons (reservations required) Sunday only (1-218-624-8516; www.spiritmt.com).

COLLEEN A. COLES