Read 5280’s entire 2017 guide to Colorado gift giving.


Above: Colorado Springs–based Borealis engineered the fat bike that was used in 2013 to complete the first unassisted trip from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole—so, yeah, we think the company’s newest, most tricked-out model (with SRAM 12-speed pro-class components and double-walled carbon rims) will get the job done on the Front Range’s snow-covered trails.

SPLURGES YOU CAN EAT

Paul Miller
Photography by Paul Miller

Cutting Board: Up the hostess gift ante with an eye-catching cutting board, like this responsibly sourced cherry, walnut, mahogany, and maple beauty ($50) made by Denver’s Hidden Gnome Wood Working. Carbon Knife Co., 3264 Larimer St., 720-292-4277, carbonknifeco.com

(Clockwise from far left): 
Fortuna Chocolate chocolate mint slab (made with mint grown at the Denver Botanic Gardens), $13, the Shop at the Gardens, 1007 York St., 720-865-3500, botanicgardens.org
Estate Olive Koroneiki extra-virgin olive oil, $27, Cheese & Provisions, 2432 W. 44th Ave., 303-455-2221, cheeseandprovisions.com
Propolis honey, $19, Björn’s Colorado Honey, bjornscoloradohoney.com
The Original Chicharron Salt, $10, Savory Spice, multiple locations, savoryspiceshop.com
Haystack Mountain Funkmeister double cream washed rind cow’s milk cheese, $7.50 per quarter pound, often available at Cheese & Provisions

SPLURGES YOU CAN SIP

A SPLURGE YOU CAN EXPERIENCE 

What could be a more sure-to-please present than high-quality booze? How about a five-year, $5,000 membership to Breckenridge Distillery’s new Dark Arts Society? The exclusive club—23 of the 40 slots had been claimed as of press time—starts with one bottle of the extra-smooth, $449 Dark Arts Malt Whiskey. Your recipient can enjoy it in the distillery’s private lounge, where a framed portrait of Anchorman’s Ron Burgundy presides over leather sofas and individual liquor lockers perfect for storing the monthly spirits that come with the membership. Other perks include extravagant pairing events (cigars, chocolate, caviar) and bites from the on-site restaurant. There’s also a $25,000 membership, but the first rule of Dark Arts Society $25K is: You do not talk about Dark Arts Society $25K (although the gossip mill has it that several of the invites sent to Hollywood and culinary celebrities have already been accepted). —Laurel Miller

Photo courtesy of Meredith Austin / Breckenridge Distillery

SPLURGES YOU CAN PLAY WITH

Paul Miller
Photography by Paul Miller

(Clockwise from far left): 
The Super Casanova guitar, $1,800 before customization, Texas Toast Guitars, 720-638-7065, texastoastguitars.com
Reclaimed wood cornhole game, $385, Colorado Joe’s, coloradojoes.com
LulzBot Mini 3-D printer, $1,250, Aleph Objects, 970-377-1111, lulzbot.com
Hero edition Healer fidget spinner, $40, Freedom Fidgets: Developed by Arvada resident Nate Craner (with help from his two young sons) after a rollover car accident left him dealing with debilitating headaches and panic attacks, Freedom Fidgets elevated take on this year’s hottest gas-station toy is designed to reduce stress and anxiety. The intricate texture, white noise, and mesmerizing motion help Craner’s fidget spinners serve as meditative focal points. Find more tips for using them as therapeutic tool—such as adding calming essential oils to the four pinholes—at freedomfidgets.com.

SPLURGES YOU CAN USE OUTDOORS

A SPLURGE YOU CAN EXPERIENCE 

She’s a snowsports fanatic, but he’s just in it for the après: We all know that couple. Luckily, the Hotel Telluride’s new Sled & Soak, Ski & Sip package ($3,999 for two, starting November 23) is the perfect compromise. The three-night getaway includes one full day of backcountry snowmobiling—but the destination is the restored ghost town of Dunton, where a gourmet lunch and natural hot springs await. It also comes with a lift ticket for two to shred Telluride Ski Resort’s legendary terrain—but it’s followed up by a Champagne pairing dinner back at the chalet-style hotel. And thanks to nonstop flights from DIA to Telluride, an offering Great Lakes Airlines launched just shy of a year ago, there won’t even be arguments about who’s driving. 199 N. Cornet St., Telluride, 970-369-1188, thehoteltelluride.com 

Telluride
Photo courtesy of Telluride Outside

SPLURGES YOU CAN LOOK AT 

Paul Miller
Photography by Paul Miller

(Clockwise from right):
The Imagination Collection (10 classics, such as The Secret Garden, published by Everyman’s Library and curated by Juniper Books), $175, Juniper Books, juniperbooks.com
Tercet stool with multicore plywood top and walnut legs, $319, Housefish, 720-295-5068, housefish.com
Cedar Rhumba rocking chair, $750, And Collaborative, Backyard on Blake, 3070 Blake St., 303-748-0750, andcollaborative.com
“A Fond Memory” textile print (56 by 56 inches), $230, Strange Dirt, strangedirt.com
Pure alpaca fleece throw (35 by 50 inches) with tassels in ivory, $375, Broadwick Fibers, etsy.com
Speckled buff stoneware hanging air plant cradles, $38 (large) and $28 (small),Mudpuppy, mudpuppyceramicstudio.com

SPLURGES YOU CAN WEAR 

A SPLURGE YOU CAN EXPERIENCE 

We know you can’t buy someone happiness, but if you could, it would look a lot like the Four Seasons Hotel Denver’s LXX spa membership. The cost of supreme bliss is steep—$70,000 for the year—but it is truly all-inclusive, as far as self-care goes. Limitless haircuts, color services, and styling. As many pedicures and manicures as your digits can handle. Infinite personal training sessions and fitness center access. Unrestricted entrée to the luxurious rooftop pool and hot tub. It’s possible, though, that your giftee will never take advantage of those aforementioned benefits, because, well, unlimited massages are also included. For those of us who don’t hit the lottery this year, the Four Seasons is offering scaled-down (but still insanely indulgent) holiday specials: the $5,000 LXX Limited package, good for all of the above for the month of January, and the $250 Taste of LXX, which offers January access to the spa facilities (no services). 1111 14th St., 303-389-3000, fourseasons.com/denver/spa 

Photo courtesy of Don Riddle

Read 5280‘s entire 2017 guide to Colorado gift giving here.