Colorado Review

Every Memorial Day Weekend, thousands of outdoor enthusiasts, conservationists and filmmakers descend upon Telluride to enjoy four days of thought-provoking movies that revolve around a certain theme; in 2008 the focus will be on water and the growing global fresh-water crisis. The mission of Mountainfilm in Telluride is “ to educate and inspire audiences about issues that matter, cultures worth exploring, environments worth preserving and conversations worth sustaining.”

But you don’t have to wait until May to view some amazing Mountainfilm in Telluride films. The Mountainfilm on Tour program brings a combination of classics and 2007 films to locations across the United States, including the ski resort town of Breckenridge

Mountainfilm on Tour will show at Breckenridge’s Speakeasy Movie Theatre on the first Monday of the month through March; January 7, February 4 and March 3 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for kids under 12. Tickets are on sale the first night of the show, starting at 5 p.m. Each evening will feature a unique playlist of award-winning films, so you can attend all three events without any repeats.

What’s super cool is that 80 percent of all show proceeds will benefit Mountain to Mountain (a Breckenridge-based nonprofit), in support of the dZi Foundation’s “Revitalize a Village” project in Nepal. In 2008, Mountain to Mountain is raising funds and awareness for the village of Gudel, one of the poorest villages in the world, located in eastern Nepal. Funds will support the village in community-driven projects such as building schools, teacher training and providing sanitary drinking water for the entire community.

My friend Lisa Raleigh of Redstone, went on one of the dZi Foundation’s volunteer trips to India and Nepal last year. She helped out with some kids’ vision and dental clinics, and she says the experience was life changing in so many ways. In fact, she’s leaving her corporate job to join the dZi Foundation staff and she’s leading a volunteer trip to India this spring! Read about her amazing philanthropic trip here.

One thing’s guaranteed during Christmas week in Aspen: celebrities are on the slopes, around the shops and in the restaurants. Last week’s local paper ran a story about how the paparazzi (NOT locals) tend to get in the way when celebs come to town. Most storekeepers ban photographers from their shops, but it doesn’t stop the paparazzi from loitering while famous people shop inside boutiques like Gucci, Chanel, Prada and the new Burberry store. Case in point, photogs stalking Heidi Klum while she tried to pick up some decorative items (last minute Christmas gifts?) at Amen Wardy, an upscale home-decor store.

But even though I’ve seen William H. Macy, Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson, Kevin Costner and Jack Nicholson around town in the 13 or so years I’ve lived in the area, spotting celebs never fails to entertain me. Yesterday’s sighting was especially cool, because my mom, who’s in town from California (I know, celeb central) actually recognized these folks while she was hanging out in Bumps restaurant, at the base of Buttermilk Mountain (one of Aspen’s four ski areas):

Yep, that’s Kyle McLaughlin (currently of Desperate Housewives fame) and Seal, Mr. Heidi Klum (and kick-butt singer).

The funny thing was that Seal’s “Kiss of a Rose” started blasting on the restaurant’s stereo WHILE he was sitting their eating (a salad, I think). He didn’t even flinch. He also appeared to act graciously while a fan came up to shake his hand. No one else bothered the pair (sitting with a local real estate broker). Of course, many of us (yes, me included) tried to be cool as we snapped digital photos of them (”Hey, mom! Let me take a picture of you sitting in the ski lodge. Yeah, that’s it. Okay, move your head.”) I’m sure they knew full well what we were doing!

Anyone have ANY idea how Seal and Kyle might know each other? Do the celebs who vacation in Aspen over the holidays together just naturally hang out? Did the meet up for the first time on the slopes? I’m fascinated… if you’ve got a clue what their six degrees of separation are, lemme know in the comments section!

Happy holidays from my winter wonderland in Colorado (we got at least 5 inches of snow at my house today)!

Well, maybe some clever person can find a link among these COOL prizes and my home state. Just wanted to help these lovely ladies promote their generous giveaway! Click on the icon below to learn how to enter to win some super-fun items.

About 18 months ago, I decided what I wanted to be when I grew up: a travel writer.

Not such a crazy goal, considering that I’d worked in the editorial world in some form or another for more than 15 years. Since graduating from college (I’m showing my age), I’d been a magazine editor, newspaper reporter, corporate copywriter and press-release writer–always earning a living with words in some way.

Once I finished having babies, and my youngest was set to head off to kindergarten (5 full days a week!) I realized that this was my opportunity to start reaching *my dreams.*

So I went for it. And had some fun successes along the way.

My travel articles have been published in the Dallas Morning News‘ Sunday travel section, 5280 (Denver’s city magazine), various regional parenting magazines, and, my biggest coup, a one-page piece in Every Day with Rachael Ray.

I learned how to write for the Internet (totally foreign to me back in late 2005), with stories published on GoColorado.com, GiftedTravel.com and Grandparents.com, among other sites (shout-outs to Amy at write-from-home.com and Angela at writersweekly.com).

And I started blogging about Colorado Travel. Who’da thunk 18 months ago I’d be a blogger? (Did I even know what the term meant way back then?)

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Flash forward to December 2007. I’ve met a ton of my professional goals this year (I sent out 120+ queries to local, regional and national publications, as well as online sites — go me!). But what’s next on the horizon?

Here are my totally reachable freelance writing/blogging goals for 2008:

1. Blog at least twice weekly here at ColoradoReview.net with fun, informative posts about what to see and do in my fabulous home state.

2. Write at least 30 more articles for Suite101.com, where I am a Contributing Writer (or land a Feature Writer position in the travel channel).

3. Land a travel-related assignment from at least one of my dream pubs, which are written in big letters on the giant white board in my office. They range from Sunset and Sherman’s Travel to in-flight magazines like Hemispheres and American Way. That means researching and writing at least three intriguing, intelligent queries each month–and following up on them!

I’m a firm believer in the Law of Attraction. Believe it, and it will happen. (Okay, with a dash of diligent effort thrown in.)

2008, here I come!

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This post is my entry for Week 5 of the Project Blog Challenge. Here are the other entrants’ posts:

1. Winnie, Watching the View: “I can almost picture it now…”
2. Kate, Babylune: “Here’s to a Slower 2008″
3. Sally, Style Fix: “Hunger Pains Drive My Goals for 2008″
4. Jodie, “Big (Dinner) Plans for 2008″
5. Mark, Get Incensed: “The One Habit of a Moderately Successful Person”

Click here to vote for me!

As much fun as it is to spend hours schussing down ski slopes, an important part of any ski vacation is also what you do after a day on the mountain. That is, hanging out with your ski buddies around cozy fire with a hot drink in hand.

The Mountain Vacation Specialists at Ski.com have visited each of the 80+ ski resorts whose vacation packages they book in Western U.S. and Canada. They’ve got the inside scoop on what makes each resort–including many in Colorado–extra special.

These ski-vacation experts recently named the top fireplaces and fire pits at the resorts they sell. Two Colorado resorts came in the top five: Park Hyatt Beaver Creek and the Sky Hotel in Aspen.

1. Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, Beaver Creek, Colorado
This fire pit is situated on a huge patio overlooking the slopes. Enjoy bar service, live music and complimentary s’mores made with homemade, gourmet marshmallows. (See picture at left for the decadent display of goodies!)

5. 39 Degrees in the Sky Hotel, Aspen, Colorado
In the late afternoon, once the skiers have taken their last runs, this fireplace is the place to see and be seen. Only the hippest hipsters gather here to sip on fun drinks like the “Ski Bunny Martini.”

Ski.com is headquartered in Aspen, and I know some of the “vacation specialists” there. The company has actually been around for 35 years (formerly Aspen Ski Tours) and is known for giving personalized service. It really does give travelers “one-stop shopping” for everything you could need at more than 80 of the most popular resorts and 1,400 properties in the United States, Canada, Europe and South America.

If you’re planning a ski trip in the coming months, log onto Ski.com to check out its offerings!

Thanks for all the folks who voted for me in last week’s Project Blog competition. Winnie who blogs over at Watching the View came away as the winner, but I *really* appreciate your support in the voting poll. I was feeling the e-love.

And I’m still in the running to be crowned “Top Blogger,” which is cool. So feel free to keep voting for me, in an effort to keep me in the contest!

This week we’re competing for an astrology reading from Beth over at the 451 Press blog Astrology Explored. This is one cool prize. Although I’m not an astrology follower, nor do I check my daily horoscope, I’m always game to learn something new about myself–you know, gaining some insight along the way?

Many thanks to Beth for donating her time to do two mini-readings. Because remember, not only will a Project Blogger win a reading, you can, too! Just post a comment here about one thing you’ve learned from visiting Beth’s AstrologyExplored.com site, and your name may be chosen in a random drawing next week.

Want two more chances to win?

Blog about Project Blog on your own site and email the link to Allison Boyer of Reality on Bravo (who is doing a fabulous job administering Project Blog) at allison.boyer-at-yahoo-dot-com.

Vote for your favorite (oooh, pick me!) in this week’s Project Blog competition, and leave a comment showing support! You can vote once per day for your favorite (and please do), and you can comment once on this post (link will go live on Thursday).

Again, thanks for your support!

I’ve been remiss in reporting on our weather here in Colorado lately. Here’s the view from my front porch:

The skiing and boarding fanatics are going nuts with all the white stuff that has landed at the state’s ski resorts. In fact, the women’s World Cup races were canceled in Aspen last Friday because there was too much snow! (Is there ever such a thing? Really!)

Here’s the scoop on how much snow has fallen and what’s happening at some Colorado ski resorts:

Purgatory More than 4 feet of snow fell on Purgatory’s slopes in the first week of December, making for a killer opening day, December 8. According to the media folks there, “conditions are epic” and all the snow made for one of the best openings in the resort’s history. Twenty-two inches of fresh snow have fallen in the last 72 hours. The entire mountain is expected to be open this Saturday.

Aspen/Snowmass All four mountains that make up the Aspen/Snowmass area (Aspen, Snowmass, Highlands and Buttermilk) are open for business, with stellar conditions. Aspen Highlands has received 50 inches of snow in the past seven days!

Winter Park It’s a powder day at Winter Park; nearly 9 inches of snow has fallen in the last 24 hours. If you want to be one of the first folks on the mountain this Saturday, consider the “Fresh Tracks Breakfast”: The mountain allows the first 100 guests up the chairlift before it officially opens. It costs $29.99 for adults and $19.99 for kids. After you take your early morning runs, you get a hearty breakfast at Sunspot. Call 800.729.7907 for more details and to register.

Wolf Creek This ski area in the southern mountains of Colorado boasts that it’s the snowiest location in the state. It’s already received a whopping 171 inches of snow this year! (Crazy!) The summit (at nearly 12,000 feet) has received 14 inches in the last 24 hours. And the beauty of skiing at Wolf Creek is that the Pagosa Springs hot springs (The Springs Resort) is just down the hill. A lovely place to rest quivering thighs after a day on the slopes.

All of the competitors in Project Blog have their entries up for the week. Please go here and vote for me!

The blogtestants:

1. Cynthia, TV of the Absurd: “Ode to the Writer’s Strike”
2. Kara, Colorado Review: “More Details on What to Do at DIA
3. Winnie, Watching the View: “The State of The View Revisited: Some Solutions”
4. Kate, Babylune: “Let Me Just Annotate That”
5. Jodie, Gossip on Sports: “The Supermodel Effect Under Investigation”
6. Sally, Style Fix: “Revealed: My New Year’s Eve Dress”
7. Mark, Get Incensed: “More on my Favorite Subject”

I just received a list from Public Relations Director extraordinaire Allison Johnson about the goings-on in Snowmass for the month of December. And I kept scrolling and scrolling and scrolling down my screen! Lots happening here in the next few weeks.

If you’re spending time in Snowmass (or next-door Aspen) for the holidays, check out these fun family events!

Dec. 8: The Snowmass Cross Country Center Opens
Come check out the free groomed trails and spectacular views from the Snowmass Cross Country Center.
Time: Open daily 9:30am to 4:30pm for rentals, lessons, tours, retail sales and cross country ski tuning.
Cost: Trail access is free
Contact: (970) 923-5700

Dec. 11: Roaring Fork Hospice Loving Tree Lighting
This tree lighting celebration is held in the Silvertree lobby. Buy an ornament and benefit Hospice of the Roaring Fork Valley. Complementary beverages and light fare are served.
Time: 4:30-5:30pm:
Cost: Free
Contact: (970) 923-8254 or www.silvertreehotel.com

Dec. 12: Holiday Open House at Anderson Ranch Arts Center
Featuring an exhibition of artwork by Ranch residents, a candlelit walk between studios with 300 luminaries and festive goodies, this holiday open house in December is the perfect chance to meet resident artists and purchase original artwork for that special someone.
Time: 5:00-7:00pm
Cost: Free
Contact: (970) 923-3181 or www.andersonranch.org

Dec. 15: Grand Opening of the Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center
Join the Aspen Skiing Company to celebrate the grand opening of this spectacular new 25,000-square foot facility from 3:30-7pm. Enjoy hot drinks, kids’ activities, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours of the facilities, and fireworks at 6:30pm.
Cost: Free. Free shuttles run from the Rodeo parking lot until 7pm.
Contact: (970) 925-1220

Dec. 18: Silvertree Hotel’s 40th Anniversary Celebration & Open House
Join the staff of the Silvertree Hotel for its annual open house in the Silvertree Main Lobby, featuring our giant traditional Christmas tree and help celebrate 40 years in Snowmass! Complimentary beverages and light fare will be served.
Time: 4:30-6:30pm
Cost: Free
Contact: (970) 923-8254 or www.silvertreehotel.com

Dec. 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27: Holiday Kids Krafts
Colorful, creative and fun holiday arts & crafts await children looking for something to do off the slopes. During this supervised hour, Kids Krafts will send children home with a special handmade holiday souvenir of their Snowmass vacation.
Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
Where: Meet in the Treehouse Kids Adventure Center
Cost: FREE!
Contact: 1.800.SNOWMASS

Dec, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, 31 Storytelling and Sing-A-Longs
Stop by the new base village plaza for special après-ski storytelling & sing-along hours for the whole family. Complimentary hot chocolate & s’mores await!
Time: 4-5pm Mondays (Sing-a-long) and Wednesdays (Storytelling)
Cost: FREE!
Where: The Base Village Plaza at the bottom of Fanny Hill. The Skittles lift runs up to the mall until 5pm.
Contact: 1.800.SNOWMASS

Dec. 20-24: Santa at the Silvertree Hotel
Santa will be nestled in the Silvertree Hotel lobby, ready for visits from little ones who need to get in those last minute requests. His elf will be on hand to take complimentary photos of the kids; if they’ve been good all year, they’ll receive an early surprise from his big red bag! Complimentary hot cocoa & cookies.
Time: 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Location: The Silvertree Hotel, Elbert Lane, Snowmass Village
Cost: Free
Contact: (970) 923-8254 or www.silvertreehotel.com

Dec. 21-24 Santa’s Village & Carolers-a-Caroling
The North Pole comes to the Snowmass Village Mall when Santa’s magical village opens to hear the last minute requests of good girls and boys. Photos with Santa are offered daily throughout the week. Each afternoon carolers stroll through the Snowmass Mall singing favorite Christmas carols, while local musicians serenade guests in The Silvertree Hotel lobby with mountain favorites and seasonal songs.
Time: 2:30-4:30pm
Location: The Snowmass Village Mall
Cost: Free!
Contact: 1-800-SNOWMASS

Dec. 21 & 28: Free Kidz Flix presented by Aspen Film
The Silvertree Hotel offers free Weston Woods short holiday movies for children, including The Elves & the Shoemaker, Max’s Christmas, Morris’ Disappearing Bag, and The Night Before Christmas.
Time: 11-11:30am & 3:30-4:30 pm
Contact: (970) 923-8254 or www.silvertreehotel.com

Dec. 21 & 28 Gingerbread Decorating!
Come decorate Gingerbread cookies at the Silvertree Hotel’s Eldorado AB Room.
Time: 5:30-7:30pm
Cost: Free
Contact: 923-8254

Dec. 26: Storytelling with Jill Sheeley
Join Jill Sheeley, local author of “Frasier the Yellow Dog” for music, stories, and a visit from the real live Frasier! Santa will be on hand right after storytelling to take requests from little ones.
Dates: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Location: The Silvertree Hotel Lobby, Elbert Lane, Snowmass Village
Cost: Free
Contact: (970) 923-8254 or www.silvertreehotel.com

Dec. 22: 36th Annual Silverboom, Snowmass Cross Country Center
Six and 12 km freestyle race at 10am at the Snowmass Cross Country Center. A Kiddieboom 1K is at noon for skiers 10 and under. Awards, prize drawings, and refreshments after the race.
Contact: Snowmass XC Center (970) 923-5700.

Dec. 22 & 29: Storytelling with author Johnny Boyd
Join Snowmass local author Johnny Boyd for a reading of his children’s book, First Tracks, about a little girl who travels to a ski resort, meets the locals, and learns to ski. Santa will be on hand right after storytelling to take requests from little ones.
Time: 4:30-6:30 pm
Location: The Silvertree Hotel Lobby, Elbert Lane, Snowmass Village
Cost: Free
Contact: (970) 923-8254 or www.silvertreehotel.com

Dec. 23: Full Moon Tour, Snowmass Cross Country Center
Snowshoe or cross country ski with a guide under the light of a full moon.
Time: 7pm
Cost: Free, rentals $10
Contact: Snowmass XC Center 923-5700.

Dec. 23: Torchlight Parade
Whether viewer or participant, the annual torchlight parade down Snowmass’ slopes looks magnificently luminous! Moms, Dads and Kids ages 8 and older are invited to be part of the trail of light down the mountain.
Location: Fanny Hill
Cost to participate: Free!
Contact: For more information, stop by the Information Desk in the Ticket Pavilion or call (970) 923.0560

Dec. 24: Storytelling at The Silvertree Hotel
‘Tis the night before Christmas and Santa will be reading holiday tales before a roaring fireplace in The Silvertree Hotel Lobby. Come in your Jammies!
Time: 4:30-6:30 pm
Location: The Silvertree Hotel, Elbert Lane, Snowmass Village
Cost: Free
Contact: (970) 923-8254 or www.silvertreehotel.com

Dec. 24: Services at the Snowmass Chapel
Christmas eve services at 4 p.m. (Catholic Mass), 7 p.m. & 9 p.m. (Candlelight Service), and 11p.m (Christmas Eve Worship).
Location: The Snowmass Chapel
Contact: (970) 923-6192 or www.snowmasschapel.org

Dec. 31: Snowmass New Years Celebrations
Snowmass rings in the New Years with celebrations ranging from intimate gourmet prix-fixed dinners in local restaurants such as Sage Restaurant and The Artisan to the Silvertree Hotel’s 18th annual New Year’s Eve gala to parties in local hot spots such as the Mountain Dragon and Zane’s Tavern.
Location: Snowmass Village
Cost: Prices vary per event
Contact: 1-800-SNOWMASS or www.snowmassvillage.com

Dec. 31 New Years Eve Gala at the Silvertree Hotel
The Silvertree Hotel’s 18th annual New Year’s Eve gala parties into the wee hours with a reception with pianist and hors d’oeuvres, dinner buffet, and dancing. This event annually sells out.
Time: 8pm-1am
Location: The Silvertree Hotel Cabaret Room
Cost: $125/ticket
Contact: (970) 923-8220

For more information, visit www.snowmassvillage.com. Photo above by Biege Jones, courtesy Snowmass Village.

I’m thrilled that this week’s Project Blog challenge is to expand on that puny post I put up last week.

Indeed, I do tend to write succinctly, but 50 words to describe how to kill time at Denver International Airport…. well, it just doesn’t do the airport justice.

DIA, which is today the country’s largest international airport (by land size) and voted the best airport in North America by Business Traveler readers, actually had an inauspicious start.

It was besieged by major problems with its automated baggage system and other construction delays. Originally set to replace the old Stapleton Airport in the fall of 1993, DIA actually officially debuted in February 1995.

Since, then, however, the kinks have certainly been worked out. I find it an incredibly easy airport to navigate, and I’ve never had baggage problems when flying in and out (or via) DIA. (And I’ve find myself in the airport at least twice a year for the past 10 years.)

When I drive to this international airport in the Mile-High City from my home in the mountains, I can’t help but grin when I get my first view of its white “circus tent” roof. The 34 peaks, reminiscent of the mountain range surrounding the airport, are actually made of fiberglass coated with Teflon, though they resemble fabric.

Photo courtesy Denver International Airport

And I really do have a routine that I carry out in the B concourse if I have an hour or more to spend at DIA before my flight. (Especially if I’m traveling alone, sans young kids, and can be indulgent with my time!)

I head immediately to A Massage on the Mezzanine level. This is a no-frills, “storefront” massage center (i.e. you’re on display to passersby if you choose a chair massage). Treatments range from a 10-minute, neck/shoulders/back chair massage ($15) to a 90-minute table massage ($117) — yes, table massages are behind a private curtain. I’ve never been disappointed with the rubdowns I’ve received here. I’m typically tense from carrying bags and this seems to put me in a good frame of mind before boarding a plane.

Then, if it’s mealtime (or even if it’s not — since you don’t get freebie meals on domestic flights anymore; better fuel up), I scoot over to Que Bueno! near gate 50 also in Concourse B. Here, for about $7 you can get a Grande Burrito–and it is indeed grande. I always opt for the grilled veggie, which comes with white rice, beans, lettuce, cheese and salsa (sour cream and guac are extra). It’s a tiny restaurant and often hard to find a seat. Get yours to go and eat it near your gate, where you have more elbow room. (Don’t forget a fork and extra napkins.)

Another nifty feature of the airport is its Public Art Program and Art Exhibition Program. There is permanent art displayed throughout the main (Jeppesen) terminal and the concourses, as well as the concourses. A main rotating exhibit gallery is on the connecting bridge between Jeppesen Terminal, Level 6 and the security checkpoints leading to Concourse A.

Basically, this art program consists of 26 site-specific and permanent works of art, ranging from whimsical installations (Kinetic Air Light Curtain, a.k.a. the cool propellers in the underground-train tunnels) to controversial murals (In Peace and Harmony with Nature, which shows children in caskets). One piece is “auditory art”: listen for the tribal chanting and Native American music and as you arrive at an international gate and make your way across the pedestrian bridge to Customs & Immigration.

Pick up a self-guided art tour brochure at the Ambassadors’ booth in the main terminal (ask any helpful Ambassador sporting a white cowboy hat).

If your travels do bring you to DIA, I highly recommend you check out www.flydenver.com to find out what other restaurants (many bars for sampling Colorado microbrews!), services and shops (think last-minute holiday gifts this time of year, or the omnipresent Crocs made here in Colorado) there are at DIA. Or you can always email me for advice!

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Did you like the information found in this post? If so, vote for me in this week’s Project Blog challenge. Links to other contestants are found here. But you can just skip on down to my button below, click on it and “Vote”!