5:25 pm, Jan 24, 2013
Since moving to Colorado nearly three years ago, I've made it my business (really) to visit as much of this state as possible. This means, of course, that I have a ridiculously long must-see list. On top of that list: the International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge. This year, this art lover and outdoor enthusiast couldn't wait...
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2:30 pm, Jan 22, 2013
When President Obama mentioned the need for increased action on climate change during his inaugural address on Monday, most people probably weren't thinking about skiing. Hurricanes such as Sandy and Katrina, Midwestern tornadoes, and Plains states droughts are the weather catastrophes most often associated with this issue.Although Colorado isn't...
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1:52 pm, Jan 17, 2013
The Dillon Pinnacles, sitting on the Blue Mesa Reservoir just east of Gunnison, cast a warm glow at sunset.
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3:01 pm, Jan 16, 2013
Not into snow sports? That’s a dirty little secret in Denver, where it sometimes seems as if the entire population is into skiing or snowboarding (I-70 traffic to and from the resorts only confirms this suspicion). But fun new introductory classes offered at REI's downtown location help beginners get slope-savvy—and the lessons start before...
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1:15 pm, Jan 8, 2013
As of a week ago, we were still scraping rocks on our runs. Not cool. The good news: Snow is headed our way this weekend. We double-checked local meteorologist-slash-powder-junky Joel Gratz’s latest Colorado Daily Snow report on Open Snow, and it looks like the high country could wake up to as much as six to eight inches on Saturday morning. Maybe...
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11:46 am, Jan 4, 2013
Geese bask in the late afternoon sun at Sloan's Lake.
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11:00 am, Jan 2, 2013
Why we love it: Whether it be hiking, running, mountain biking, or riding your horse or dirt bike, Spruce Mountain's trails have a workout for everyone.When to go: Anytime. Located south of Castle Rock near Larkspur, this park never really gets crowded, and the abundance of trails of varying difficulty means none of them are overused....
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9:14 am, Dec 18, 2012
Why we love it: Evergreen has plenty of great trails, but this park is special. It's easily accessible, and they don't call it Elk Meadow Park for nothing: The town's resident herd uses this as a home base. They often cross the highway in this area, so drive with caution.When to go: Right after a snowstorm.***When I lived in Evergreen, this open...
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2:08 pm, Dec 13, 2012
It's almost abnormal not to see skiers and boarders zooming through the trees while their favorite tunes blast from their helmet sound systems or earbuds. Recently, Colorado-based ski company Icelantic teamed up with John Denver's estate to make that audio experience more visual: Powderhounds can now bring the music legend along for...
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10:16 am, Dec 13, 2012
It takes at least two people to help lift and strap Cheryl Wilson into her mono-ski (also called a sit-ski), which resembles a Star Wars pod racer with its angled chair mounted on top of a single ski. Once off the lift—a feat in and of itself—Wilson uses her two ski poles (or outriggers) to propel herself down the steepest of runs. A veteran...
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2:35 pm, Dec 11, 2012
Early-season ski conditions have been lackluster thus far, striking fear in the hearts of powderhounds that this season will be on par with last year’s dismal snowfall totals. But the past week or so has given us a glimmer of hope, with nearly two feet falling in Vail and Beaver Creek, a foot-and-a-half in Breckenridge, and a foot at Keystone,...
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12:05 pm, Dec 11, 2012
Donny Roth's life revolves around winter. When the professional skier (pictured, right) isn't searching for the best backcountry spots around the world, he's guiding fellow powder-hounds down breathtaking runs in Chile. It's all part of what Roth calls "sharing the human-powered ski experience." It's an adventurous day job, but Roth is also aware...
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5:00 pm, Dec 6, 2012
Sunset over Daniels Park in Douglas.
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1:50 pm, Dec 6, 2012
In our December issue, I got the scoop on the origins of some of Vail's 193 trail names. It seemed like an appropriate time to look back: The mountain is celebrating 50 years this season. What started as a modest ski spot with one gondola, two chairlifts, and just eight runs has since transformed into a vast and prestigious resort with far-...
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9:14 am, Dec 4, 2012
Why we love it: It's the Red Rocks of the southern suburbs. These magnificent sandstone formations are part of the Lyons and Fountain systems, which run all the way from Morrison to Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. When to go: Early morning. That's when some of the more elusive animals (bobcats, bears, and mountain lions) head back to...
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