This year, Tucson's JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort will transform itself into a winter wonderland for the December holiday season. This holiday extravaganza will feature a 30-foot fully decorated Christmas tree, carolers, carriage rides, and Santa arriving by helicopter. In addition, winter will truly come to this desert resort when the hotel rolls out its featured event - sledding on a sled run constructed with over 50 tons of ice. This is one holiday celebration your family won't want to miss!

Starting on December 6, 2008, the JW Marriott Starr Pass will be transformed into a magical winter palace using approximately $250,000 worth of holiday decorations and finery. The decoration collection includes Santa and seasonal scenes in the hotel lobby, decorations throughout the public spaces of the hotel, a 30-foot lighted outdoor Christmas tree, and Christmas colors projected in light onto the surrounding Tucson Mountains. In addition, the entire exterior of the resort will be covered in thousands of Christmas lights.

The resort's big Winter Wonderland celebration will take place on Friday, December 19 through Sunday, December 21, 2008. Santa and his elves will arrive at the JW Marriott Starr Pass by helicopter on Friday night, December 19. Santa will be available for photos with adults and children staying at the resort on December 19 and 20.

On Saturday, December 20, the resort will feature traditional holiday sledding - Starr Pass style. The resort will be constructing a sled run down Starr Circle Hill at the resort's main entrance using over 50 tons of ice. Children and adults can take exhilarating sled runs down the hill and revel in the winter holiday scenery. Chances to go sledding in the desert don't come along too often, so make sure to have those cameras ready to capture all the fun.

Other holiday activities include complimentary hot chocolate on weekends throughout December; performances by carolers from local school choirs on December 19 in the resort's public areas and restaurants; and chestnut roasting on December 19, 20 and 21, 2008.

Special packages are being offered for the weekend of Friday, December 19 through Sunday, December 21, 2008. These include:

• The Winter Wonderland Gondola Package - providing guests with a one-night stay for $179 per night. This package includes a deluxe room for two, a 5x7 photo with Santa on Friday night, a carriage ride, unlimited sledding activities for each family member all day Saturday, and unlimited use of the Starr Canyon River & Monsoon Falls Water Slide. To make reservations, use booking code WSPQ on www.marriott.com or call Marriott Reservations at 888-527-8989.
• The Winter Wonderland Snowflake Package - offering guests a two-night minimum stay for $179 per night. This package includes a deluxe room for two, a 5x7 photo with Santa on Friday night, a carriage ride, breakfast for two on both mornings, unlimited sledding activities for each family member all day Saturday, and unlimited use of the Starr Canyon River & Monsoon Falls Water Slide. To make reservations for this package, use booking code WSPR on www.marriott.com or call Marriott Reservations at 888-527-8989.
• The Winter Wonderland Blizzard Package - which includes a deluxe room for two, a 5x7 photo with Santa on Friday night, a carriage ride, a three-course dinner for two in either Primo, the Signature Grill or Catalina Steakhouse, breakfast for two, unlimited sledding activities for each family member all day Saturday, and unlimited use of the Starr Canyon River & Monsoon Falls Water Slide. The package is available for $269 per night with a one-night minimum stay required. To make reservations for this package, use booking code WSPP on www.marriott.com or call Marriott Reservations at 888-527-8989.

As the only resort in Southern Arizona to be named to the Travel + Leisure 2008 World's Best Hotels Top 500 List, the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort is a delightful destination for families. The resort features 575 guestrooms, five restaurants, a 20,000 square foot world-class spa, four separate pools, a lazy river and water slide, and a championship Arnold Palmer Signature golf course. The resort has direct, easy access to the nature trails of neighboring Tucson Mountain Park and has donated over 250 acres of land to be preserved as part of this spectacular desert parkland. For more information about the JW Marriott Star Pass Resort, visit the resort's website at www.jwmarriottstarrpass.com.