Okay, m'dears, I just got off my fanny and did a lil' follow-up research about hotels and tickets for the various events, based on the info y'all have provided so far!

Tickets:

Tickets for the SLC World Cup will go on sale Sept 1 through http://www.smithstix.com/ and at the Oval. Pricing will be similar to last year but they are planning on including a "hospitality" package which includes reserved seating and food/drinks for approximately $65. 

This seems like a nice compromise between General Admission and VIP seats - I wonder if all our begging and pleading for VIP seats last year had any influence??? LOL!

Tickets for Nationals in December are scheduled to go on sale in Sept as well, but I don't have any specifics.

-----------------------------------------------

For those of you who are really hoping to see Apolo skate, I did hear again that 'as far as we know, he will skate'. But keep in mind that unless he has a bye (and I haven't seen any indication that he does), he can't just 'sign up' for the World Cups - he would have to qualify via AmCup1 in Minneapolis in September. He probaby WILL qualify, but stranger things have happened, and y'all should keep that lil' detail in mind.

-----------------------------------------------

Hotels:

Host hotels (2 of them) for AmCup1 - Minneapolis, Sept 27-28... Thx, Mtnme for letting us know this info is up on USS.org:

Country Inn, Plymouth, MN
Direct phone # (763) 473-3008
The rate is $89 for Thurs, Fri, Sat - central reservations quoted $139 for Sunday night, but the local number offered the $89 rate - rate includes hot breakfast

Radisson, Plymouth, MN
Direct phone # (763) 559-6600
The rate is $99 per night for all nights
This rate does not include breakfast, but you have the option to include breakfast for 2 for $10 more per day

The block for these rates is listed as 'Plymouth Wayzata Speedskating'.

The hotels confirmed that these rates are available to fans.

Host hotel for World Cup 1 in SLC, Oct 17-19:

Red Lion Downtown SLC
Direct phone # (801) 521-7373

I found out that there IS a way to stay there for those who are he**-bent to do so - (rooms ARE available), but I'm waiting for confirmation of that. However, the info I have so far is that the group rate is $192 per night. For your reference, it was $89 last year. The Hilton Garden Inn across the street is $89 this year. ($192 or $89 - your choice - I know what my choice is! )

If you want to stay at the HGI, contact Anthony at anthony.barthell@.... Hey, you can always walk across the street and ride the 'skater-vators' or dine in the restaurant if you want to star-gaze...

Host Hotel for Nationals in St. Louis, Dec 19-21:

Doubletree Hotel, Chesterfield, MO
Direct # (636) 532-5000
The rate is $89 per night for Thurs thru Sat, $109 for Sunday night. The rate includes breakfast for all except Monday morning.

The hotel AND an event coordinator confirmed that these rates are available to fans.

------------------------------------------------

As for Vancouver - I think I know what the host hotel(s) might be, but they have no signed contract yet. The hotels I've talked to say that the venue for the event isn't certain yet, because the Richmond Oval is still under construction.

I did book a room at the Doubletree for Nationals and got the rates mentioned above.

I haven't booked yet for AmCup - still trying to decide between CI and the Radisson!

Just a reminder, for those who have to leave on Sunday (any of the above events), I'd advise taking the latest flight that you can. For those who are carpooling, you should also look into taxi rates from the venue to the airport if there's a chance that you'll have to leave before the event is over.

For anybody who does arrive in time (Thursday for the WC's/Nationals and Friday for AmCup1), we'll probably try to get together for dinner around 7 or 8-'ish'. Last year I changed the time to allow for some people who really wanted to come but couldn't get here 'till later, so if you communicate with me we can be flexible!

When you book rooms, please be clear that you are NOT a skater, coach or trainer. What I'm hearing is that they usually allow extra rooms outside the skater-block for fans, friends and family, and we obviously don't want to take the rooms allotted to the participants.