Encore, sister casino to Wynn Las Vegas, opened on Monday to the expected throngs of visitors wanting to be among the first to see what many are calling the most opulent and upscale resort developer Steve Wynn has ever built.

That's saying a lot, considering Wynn has overseen the Mirage, Treasure Island, Bellagio and, of course, the Wynn. The $2.3 billion, 2,034-room resort is staffed by 5,000 employees, meticulously chosen from a reported applicant pool of 67,000. And speaking of pools, Encore's is attached to the XS nightclub, which is being positioned to be one of Las Vegas' best.

The restaurants feature some of the world's top chefs, and Danny Gans will become the resident headliner in February. Room rates are running anywhere from $139 on the slowest weekdays in January to $369 on weekends.

SUPER PRIME: For Las Vegas' new best prime-rib deal, head to the coffee shop at the South Point casino. The 24-hour $12.95 dinner is billed as a 10-ouncer, but that's on a bad day. It's cooked to specifications with au jus on the side, choice of soup or salad, potato and rolls if you ask. There's no vegetable, but you don't need it — there's no way you walk away from this meal hungry.

WHITE VEGAS: A freak snowstorm hit Las Vegas on Dec. 17, dumping a record-breaking 3.6 inches on the valley floor. It was the largest snow accumulation in December since the start of official records in 1937, and ranked as the eighth-biggest snowstorm in Las Vegas weather records. It closed the airport, major highways and schools for the day.

For information about Las Vegas shows, buffets, coupons and deals, see www.LasVegasAdvisor.com.