Time Magazine has published that Salt Lake City got the green light to bid for the Winter Olympics — most likely for 2030 — in an attempt to bring the Games back to the city that hosted in 2002 and provided the backdrop for the U.S. winter team’s ascendance into an international powerhouse.

The U.S. Olympic Committee said Friday it was selecting Utah’s capital, which stood out as a predictable, slam-dunk pick in a process that also included Denver and Reno, Nevada.

With venues still in place — some of them upgraded — from the 2002 Games, Salt Lake claims it can host again at a lower cost than other candidates, which aligns with the International Olympic Committee’s new blueprint for the Games.

It’s almost a certain bet the bid will be for 2030, though the USOC left open the possibility of other dates. There are only two bidders for 2026: from Sweden and Italy, after voters in Calgary, Alberta, rejected a proposed bid.

The Ski Jumping FIS Cup starts today, December 18, at the Utah Olympic Park 3419 Olympic Pkwy and goes through December 20, 2018. Price: $10 at the gate or online at USAnordic.org - Come watch as athletes from the United States and around the world compete for the FIS Cup at Utah Olympic Park December 18-20. WEBSITE

Park City is in the top 10 again for USA Today's Readers Choice 2018 10 Best Ski Towns. Park City offers the feel of a historic Wild West mining town with the amenities of a world class ski resort. Main Street is lined with top-notch bars and restaurants, while the Sundance Film Festival each January is one of the hottest tickets in town. The U.S. Ski Team trains at Park City Mountain Resort, so you know the skiing is good.

Forbes released its annual listof the best states for business. Utah finished in second place, which is one spot higher than in 2017, according to Forbes.

• The Qualtrics-SAP deal announced in November was one reason why Utah received such a bump, according to Forbes.
• Utah businesses experience energy costs that are 15 percent lower than the national average.
• The state has the highest employment growth over the last five years. Job gains are expected to rise 2.2 percent through 2022, according to the report.

We will wrap up this week's blog with a great article, Why Heber Valley is the perfect winter staycation destination. Heber Valley is only 45 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City and offers great family entertainment options:

• Ice Castles - more than two acres in size with towering walls made with 2 million gallons of water.
• Heber Valley Railroad - Utah's only historic railroad with on board entertainment and a beautiful scenic ride.
• Outdoor Ice Skating - Utah's largest outdoor rink all while you enjoy the lights of Midway.
• Tubing at Soldier Hollow - Longest tubing lanes and only tubing destination in northern Utah.
• Soaking in a Geotherman Crater - enjoy 95 degree mineral water that comes from two miles below the earth's surface.
• Snowmobiling - Wasatch County is Utah's snowmobiling capital, with more than 700 miles of trails (200 miles of groomed trails).

There are also comfortable and cozy accommodations with Best Western Plus, Daniels Summit Lodge, Homestead Resort and Zermatt Resort.

You can enjoy the local flavors at more than 30 restaurants including two new restaurants: Old Goat and Corner Restaurant.