Heated

This resort has a taste-tempting trick up its sleeve that Jeff never imagined seeing during a recent trip up the mountains – a McDonald’s with the world’s first and only ski-thru window

A Swedish ski resort has come up with an unexpectedly unique way to top up your tummy while sliding down the slopes – with the unlikely help of a fast food giant.

Everyone who has been lucky enough to give it a go knows skiing is hungry work. And in minus double-digit Scandinavian temperatures, just the shivering burns enough calories to have you scouring the wintry landscape for lunch, a warm snack or hot drink.

Of course, there are all manner of options and temptations in the cosy or cavernous cafeterias and restaurants up and down the mountain. As I found out during a recent Crystal Ski trip, Lindvallen in western Sweden has another taste-tempting trick up its sleeve that I never imagined seeing during a recent trip up the mountains – a McDonald’s with the world’s first and only ski-thru window. Yes, really.

It might not seem a natural combination, and certainly looks odd. If you didn’t know it was there, you could well do a double-take as you ski down Valletorget’s central slope, look past the Experium Express chair lift, to the right of the vast Experiumtorget base building, and spot that unmistakably familiar structure.

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It’s curious enough to see the famous Golden Arches rising incongruously out of the snow, a dark wood-clad, multi-branded, single-story outlet of the worldwide chain, with full wraparound windows and the unusual addition of foot-deep snow covering the whole roof and rows of ski racks out front.

But the real surprise comes when you clock the outside service window. They’ve even given it a special, slightly tongue-in-cheek name – McSki. Opened in the resort in Sälen in western Sweden 30 years ago, even if you’re not a Maccies fan, it’s surely impossible to resist having a go.

The vast area linking several resorts has just got a lot closer after TUI launched flights direct to Scandinavian Mountains Airport, just a 20-minute transfer away. You don’t get the full drive-thru sister experience – no menu board with speaker station to place your order. But the full menu is available, seen through the glass on the left, when you ski or snowboard up to the sliding window, greeted by the familiarly uniformed McD’s employee smile from their significantly warmer surroundings.

Within minutes, you’re away with anything from just a McCafé coffee and pastry to a full Big Mac meal deal. There are outside tables, or if you don’t want to miss any more time on the piste than necessary, you can jump right back onto the heated seated lift a few yards away and enjoy your snack or lunch on your way back to the top for more.

To be honest, it’s not ideal or as attractive an option in February. When it’s minus 12 to minus 15, little is more welcome than a break indoors with your hands around a steaming coffee, tea or mug of hot chocolate.

But I’d wager a stack of McDonald’s Monopoly pieces that it comes into its own in March and April, when the weather is more suited to dining on the go.

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As well as hungry work, skiing is also a pricey pastime (which reminds me, the outlet’s prices roughly match the hike at motorway services in the UK).

So when you want to squeeze every run out of your time on the slopes and not spend ages stripping off multiple layers of garb – or in fact even stepping out of your skis – to satiate your thirst and replenish those calories, a quick stop at McSki might be just the order.

Offered alongside the full normal eat-in experience, McSki certainly brings a whole new meaning to the term fast food – and the Swedes and skiers are clearly lovin’ it.

If a snow-style McDonald’s is not your thing then there are other unique chains around the world. Customers can sit at sophisticated tables by a stunning fireplace while enjoy lobster rolls and McNuggets at this McDonald’s McMansion, in the Maine.

And there is another posh McDonald’s in New York. Fans have been wowed by this old mansion that has been restored and turned into a fancy fast-food eatery with a grand staircase, a glass conservatory, and posh booths to eat in. The historic property was previously home to other restaurants and was also used as a funeral home.

Book it

Crystal Ski Holidays (020 8610 3123) offers a bed and breakfast holiday in Högfjället, Sälen in Sweden, staying at the Sälens Högfjällshotell from £818 per person when booked online. Based on two adults sharing a Superior Twin Room, including flights from London Gatwick to Scandinavian Mountains Airport, transfers and 20kg hold luggage per person.

Now everyone can go to the cottage.

Shane Hollander’s (Hudson Williams) cottage, featured in the season finale of the HBO Max hit “Heated Rivalry,” will be available to rent starting March 3 at 9 a.m. Pacific, according to a statement by Airbnb. The Lake Muskoka listing can be booked for $248.10 CAD (about $180 U.S.) per night, an homage to Shane and Ilya’s (Connor Storrie) jersey numbers, 24 and 81.

The Barlochan cottage will host four early access bookings from May 8-10, May 16-18, May 22-24 and May 29-31, before opening for regular bookings, with the property listed exclusively on Airbnb.

“Every great story deserves the perfect setting. Airbnb is inviting guests to Barlochan cottage — which has captivated screens big and small this winter — allowing fans to book and experience the private haven in real life on the shores of Lake Muskoka,” Airbnb wrote.

In “Heated Rivalry,” Shane and Ilya escape to the cottage during their off-season for a private, romantic getaway as the couple hides its relationship from the public. Ilya agrees to attend after being inspired by a fellow hockey player, Scott (François Arnaud), who publicly came out after winning the hockey championship in Episode 5. As Scott kisses his partner on live television, Ilya calls Shane to tell him he’ll come to the cottage.

“That’s then part of the structure of giving 5 that big rom-com movie star ending to [Arnaud], so that I can have a quiet ending with Shane and Ilya,” series creator Jacob Tierney told Entertainment Weekly in December.

At the cottage, Shane and Ilya confess their love for one another, swim in the lake and watch the Lake Muskoka sunsets. According to the listing, the three-bedroom cottage features nearly 400 feet of private waterways, outdoor activities like kayaks and canoes and an exercise room.

Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov and Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander in the Season 1 finale of “Heated Rivalry.”

(Sabrina Lantos / HBO)

Airbnb also noted that “travelers have been eager to embark on their own private cottage getaway,” with a 40% increase in property searches in Muskoka since the finale aired in late December.

“Heated Rivalry” became a cultural phenomenon this winter despite the project’s small budget. The show, based on the “Game Changers” book series by Rachel Reid, was produced by Bell Media’s Crave in Canada. After the show was licensed by HBO Max, fans flocked to the series, with an average of 10.6 million viewers per episode in the U.S., according to Warner Bros. Discovery.

So while “Heated Rivalry” fans wait for the second season — set to premiere in spring 2027 — they’ll now be able to take their own trip to the cottage.

In a typical election year, the interest in the down-ballot race for California insurance commissioner musters modest interest at best.

That all changed on Jan. 7, 2025, when wildfires swept through L.A. County, damaging or destroying more than 18,000 homes and killing at least 31 people.

The resulting anger directed at the insurance industry over how it has handled claims has helped draw four Democrats into the race, who will be vying this weekend for a critical endorsement at the party’s annual convention in San Francisco ahead of the June 2 primary election.

“We haven’t seen this level of competition and, frankly, choice on the Democratic side since it first became an elected office in 1990,” said Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog, a Los Angeles insurance advocacy group. “They represent wide-ranging views and a broad diversity of candidates.”

Up for endorsement are state Sen. Benjamin Allen (D-Santa Monica), whose district includes the Palisades fire zone; former San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim; former state Sen. Steven Bradford; and San Francisco businessman Patrick Wolff, who has not held elective office.

Three Republicans have declared their candidacies, but that party’s convention isn’t until April. The filing deadline to file for the race is March 6.

The GOP field includes businessman Robert Howell, who lost by 20 points in the 2022 general election to current Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. Also running are insurance agent Stacy Korsgaden from Grover Beach, and attorney Merritt Farren, whose Pacific Palisades home burned down.

Peace and Freedom Party candidate Eduardo Vargas, a Los Angeles school teacher, is on the ballot too.

The race also follows Lara’s two troubled terms in office, during which he has been accused of cozying up to and receiving money from the insurance industry for his first campaign and conferences abroad.

Lara has denied any wrongdoing, and all the Democratic candidates have vowed not to accept insurance industry donations.

“For me and maybe for many survivors, it’s not a position that we ever thought much about, but now with many of our lives devastated by our dealings with insurers I think many survivors will be watching much more closely this time around,” said Joy Chen, executive director of the Eaton Fire Survivors Network, a community group that has accused Lara of being soft on insurers and has called for his resignation.

Allen was perceived by some as the leading candidate for the party’s nomination when he announced his candidacy in September. He has held his seat for more than a decade and is the only sitting legislator in the race. He said he would not be running if not for the wildfire that struck his district.

“The fire certainly was a searing experience, helping hundreds of people get their claims paid right, but it kind of begs the question of why should you have to call your state senator to get treated right,” he said.

Allen’s platform includes a number of ideas to ensure policyholders are treated better, including requiring insurers to clearly explain claim denials. But also key to his campaign is stabilizing an insurance market that over the last several years has seen insurers drop policyholders by the hundreds of thousands, especially in fire-prone neighborhoods.

That forced them onto the California FAIR Plan, the insurer of last resort. It’s rolls grew even more since the January fires and the insurer has been sued by fire victims over its claims practices. Allen wants to build insurer confidence in the market by having insurer requests for rate hikes reviewed in months, rather than the year or more they can drag out now.

He also points to his legislative record, especially his authorship of Proposition 4, which was approved by voters in 2024 and set aside $10 billion in general obligation bonds to fund climate resiliency and environmental protection projects — an important part, he said, of lowering insurance risks.

Allen has drawn a key endorsement from California Sen. Adam Schiff and as of Dec. 31 had about $1 million in the bank, more than any other candidate. But the race was shook up last month when progressive politician Kim declared her candidacy. She boasted an endorsement from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), for whom she worked as his California political director during the 2020 presidential campaign.

She also has drawn attention for a plan to create a state-run disaster insurance policy for Californians.

Residents would continue to buy regular home insurance from the commercial market but would buy coverage for wildfires and other disasters from the state, similar to plans in some other countries.

The idea has come under sharp criticism from Court, who said it will shift the risk of costly disasters to taxpayers while allowing insurers to make profits from more predictable perils such as water and roof damage.

“We have to explore some different models, because the current system is not working. It’s too expensive and a market failure,” said Kim, adding that the plan could evolve.

Bradford, who represented communities in south L.A County and the South Bay in the Legislature, has been endorsed by L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. He said he’s running as a pragmatist and unifier.

“What we’ve been doing for far too long has been a whole lot of finger pointing and doing the blame game,” he said.

Bradford wants insurers to open their pricing books and give homeowners “real, guaranteed” premium discounts for upgrading their property.

He also is proposing a public–private partnership that shares the risk for insurers who write policies in fire-prone neighborhoods.

Wolff, a political newcomer, is a Chartered Financial Analyst, real estate investor and former hedge manager who cites his experience building a home and auto insurance brokerage for financial services firm Capital One.

“I spent the first half of 2025 really deeply studying the commissioner’s role and the history, and the race — the politics of everything. And after really doing that deep dive, I decided to step forward,” said Wolff, who wrote his campaign a $500,000 check and loaned it another $100,000.

He also thinks rate hikes sought by insurers need to be reviewed more quickly but wants the insurance department to publish annual reports on how specific companies handled claims.

“The insurance industry has basically lobbied to keep that data anonymous at the company level, and I think it’s really important to make that information public,” Wolff said.

Under California’s open primary system, the top two candidates will move on to the Nov. 3 general election, which means two Democrats could run up against each other if a Republican isn’t able to consolidate the GOP vote.

Steve Maviglio, a longtime political consultant currently working for State Treasure Fiona Ma, who is seeking the office of lieutenant governor, said that the race is wide open.

“This is a statewide election with millions of people with candidates they’ve never heard of,” he said.

With multiple candidates seeking the endorsement, it may be hard for any single one to reach the 60% threshold of delegate votes needed.

“If no one is endorsed, somebody is going to have to be the breakout candidate, and the way you do that is with money or organization,” Maviglio said. “Until I see that happen, it’s totally up in the air.”

A holiday park offers families affordable February half-term breaks with play area, spa and lake views

February half-term presents a challenge for many families, particularly those still recovering financially from Christmas, whilst eyeing the longer Easter break ahead. British weather during this period is notoriously unpredictable, but that needn’t prevent you from discovering an enjoyable getaway destination that won’t break the bank.

Woodland Lakes holiday park near Thirsk, Yorkshire, boasts numerous attractions for families during the school holidays.

The heated indoor swimming pool proves consistently popular with youngsters eager for a dip, whilst an indoor play area, Pamper Lounge Spa, restaurant and bar complement the tranquil lake vistas and fishing spots, offering ample chances to unwind, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Situated on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors and a brief drive from both the vibrant market town of Thirsk and the historic city of York, it’s described as ‘the perfect retreat for those seeking a break away in a relaxed and picturesque environment’.

Various properties can be booked at the site this February half term, including Cedar lodge.

A four-night stay from February 16 to 20 is priced at £461 for four guests, equating to £28 per person per night through Sykes Holiday Cottages.

South Lakeland Village holds an overall Google rating of 4.3 out of five, with visitors commending the ‘excellent’ pool and ‘good pub food’.

James Shaw, chief commercial officer for Sykes Holiday Cottages, commented: “February half term is the perfect time for a family escape, and with 63% of Brits taking a UK break last year, staying closer to home is more popular than ever.

“Holiday resorts like Woodland Lakes Lodges offer shorter journey times, great value, and onsite activities that keep everyone entertained.”

He went on to say: “We’re also seeing families plan later to secure better deals and work around busy schedules, so there’s still plenty of time to book a last-minute getaway.

“Cedar offers the ideal mix with a heated pool and play area for the kids, spa facilities for parents, and the North Yorkshire Moors right on the doorstep for outdoor adventures.”

To explore further holiday options with Sykes Holiday Cottages, head over to their website. Woodland Lakes holiday park is a Landal site bookable through Sykes, alongside 22 other Landal destinations.

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