Slope Side
December / January, 2012
Holiday Happenings in the High Country
No matter which resort you visit during the holidays, each one will be aglow with lights and festive decor, guaranteeing a sparkly and white Christmas. Santa sightings, fireworks displays and torchlight parades down the mountain (that you can ski or ride in) have been annual holiday events for years. Besides these and other special activities going on in December, here are some you may not know about. Visit websites for lodging deals.
By Claudia Carbone
Aspen/Snowmass
Among many holiday-themed events, the renowned Aspen Santa Fe Ballet performs The Nutcracker on the 17th and 18th at the Aspen District Theatre in Aspen. Over at Snowmass, you can drop last minute letters to Santa in his personal mailbox on the Snowmass Village Mall Dec. 6-24. 800-679-3147; aspensnowmass.com
Beaver Creek
A new tradition starts this season with Beaver Creek Loves Kids Winterfest on the 18th through Jan. 1. Interactive family activities and events will include a kids Winter Wonder Parade, disco skate nights, figure skating performances, and Animals of Winter Ice Menagerie. 800-953-0844; Beavercreek.com
Breckenridge
If you have a Santa suit and can run, join other jolly old fellows in a race down Main Street to benefit Adopt an Angel prior to the Lighting of Breckenridge that kicks off the town's Victorian Christmas on Dec. 3.
If making snow forts is your forte, you should enter The Snowflake Challenge--a holiday snow sculpting competition for amateurs. Not to be confused with the Snow Sculpture Championships held at the end of January, this one runs from Dec. 9-16, with the snow art decorating downtown through Christmas. 800-251-2417; gobreck.com
Keystone
Every year Keystone's Pastry Chef Ned Archibald adds a new feature to his Chocolate Village, the resort's most popular holiday tradition at the Keystone Lodge & Spa. The amazing alpine village includes a moving gondola, a waterfall and a six-foot tall Christmas tree with presents-all made from 2,500 pounds of chocolate! It will be displayed from the 15th through Jan. 3. 877-204-7889; keystoneresort.com
The Summit Community Orchestra and Summit School of Dance will present The Nutcracker at the new Warren Station at River Run on the 9th and 10th. 800-328-1323; keystoneresort.com
Steamboat
Downtown's main street closes down between 5 and 8 p.m. on the 10th to make strolling easy for The Joyous Jaunt, a tour of stores' open houses and sampling of seasonal libations at pubs and restaurants. A light parade with entertainment, including a Fruit Cake toss, kicks off holiday cheer. 800-922-2722; steamboat.com
Vail
Family Holidaze returns after a successful debut last season. From the 18th through Christmas Day, carolers and concerts will entertain, plus look for holiday giveaways, Santa's workshop and lots more. On the 21st, 22nd and 23rd, champion skaters like two-time world silver medalist Patrick Chan will perform in Winter Solstice on Ice at Solaris Ice Rink outdoors in the heart of Vail Village. 800-805-2457; vail.com
Winter Park
Ski with Santa and make a memory your kids will never forget. The jolly old man will be around to take a run with kids every day during the week before Christmas. On Christmas Eve he'll hand out presents to the little ones after skiing down in the torchlight parade. 303-316-1564; winterparkresort.com
Get out there!
January is LEARN TO SKI & SNOWBOARD MONTH across the country. Great deals on learning and improving for both kids and adults are on skiandsnowboardmonth.org.
Just announced:
Aspen/Snowmass, Steamboat and Winter Park are jointly offering the COLORADO TRIPLE PLAY, a new season pass that allows passholders to ski and ride each of the resorts two times this season. Buy it at Christy Sports or online at ColoradoTriplePlay.com for $299/adults; $249/children 12 and younger. You must buy it seven days before the first day of use. The only blackout period is Dec. 27-31. Visit the website or call 800-588-9297 for more info
Gift Ideas for Skiers
SKI CLOTHES that transition from mountain to martini bar continue to be popular. Winter white, faux fur and bold colors lead fashion trends this season. The ultralight women's down "sweater" by PATAGONIA ($200) can be worn under a parka for skiing or alone for winter walks in the city. COLUMBIA'S Omni-Heat system makes jackets super warm, and you can remove the liner when you don't need the extra heat. Columbia.com SNOWANGEL makes long underwear as silky and soft as a baby's skin, and the tops and leggings are pretty enough to wear for après ski at the lodge. Snow-angel.com.
Ski & Boards
Rocker technology is the newest advancement in skis and snowboards. The reverse camber gives great floating in powder and easy maneuvering on groomed. The Gypsy ($739) is made right here in Denver by ICELANTIC BOARDS. Check out the gorgeous graphics! Icelanticboards.com Accessories With the increased use of HELMETS, they now are becoming over-the-top stylish (Ice Couture, $200-$2000) and can sport features like audio and cell phone capabilities (Giro, $200).
Claudia Carbone is editor of Out of Denver and an award-winning journalist, blogger and author. Reach her at Claudia@outofdenver.com.
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