While hiking the backcountry near Cameron Pass on Sunday, three Fort Collins' men encountered a life-threatening avalanche.
According to the Coloradoan, two of the men escaped unhurt, while the third remains in a coma at Medical Center of the Rockies.
Despite being experienced backcountry skiers equipped with the right gear, the group encountered the slide while trying to traverse a slope and reach a safer place to descend 'Hotdog Bowl', a well-known spot near Zimmerman Lake. Luke Mason, the only member of the group that wished to be identified, spoke out Tuesday about the horrific experience.
"I knew it was dangerous where we were, but going in the trees was very difficult because the snow was so deep," Mason told the Coloradoan.
The avalanche barely missed Mason and the second group member and hit the third dead on, engulfing him in 2 1/2 feet of snow. Mason and his surviving friend were able to locate their friend using their beacons and performed CPR until he regained a pulse and began breathing.
Bill Cotton, a seasoned rescuer who arrived to rescue the group, noted that this was the only rescue he'd encountered where the buried person survived. Cotton credited the man's rescue to his friends' knowledge and skill with their equipment.
The Colorado Avalanche Center is predicting more of these incidents throughout the season due to the way the snowpack is forming. So if you were considering heading into the backcountry without proper training, you may want to reconsider.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
Films for every fancy
There are so many great snowboard films out this season, I decided to use this entry to highlight some of the best in a few different categories.
If you favor street riding:
If you favor street riding:
- We're People Too - this film by MDPeople features riders like Austin Smith, Nima Jalali, Jon Kooley and Brian Fox on heavy street rails, ledges and wall rides
- Optimistic - this movie is all about fresh powder, crazy antics and seasoned veterans showing their talents. Featuring riders like Mark Frank Montoya, Danny Davis and Nicolas Muller, Absinthe Films really delivered this time.
If you like to see the ladies shred:
- La la Land - this flick is all about the ladies. Laura Hadar, Leane Pelosi, Anne Flore-Marxer, Hana Beaman and Tara Dakides, along with many others, shred the park, street and powder in this project by Runway Films.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Old Town offers festive fun
Christmas shopping is always a somewhat chaotic experience.
The masses of people, checkout lines and the pressure to find "the perfect gift" at a price you can afford tend to diminish the cheer and festivity of the holiday season.
Malls, outlet centers and superstores like Target and Walmart may be appealing for their large selection and sometimes lower prices, but to me they always epitomize the chaos of the season.
That's why I prefer to shop in Old Town.
During the day the area is bustling with patrons, but the spread out pedestrian mall and ability to wander the decorated streets and "window shop" offers a bit more ambiance than the average shopping center.
The tree-lined streets are also quite a sight to behold at night when the lights sparkle amongst their bare branches.
Aside from the quaint gift shops and relaxed holiday atmosphere there are several festive activities being offered by the Downtown Business Association that shouldn't be overlooked:
- Old Town Skating Rink: Open weeknights and weekends, the rink is great affordable holiday entertainment. Skating costs $2 and skate rentals are only $1.
- Horse and Carriage Rides: Starting this weekend horse drawn carriages will roam the downtown streets available to hire for romantic after dinner rides or scenic tours Wednesdays thru Sundays and the Tuesday of New Years Eve.
- Santa Claus & his workshop: Wednesdays thru Sundays from now until the 24th Santa and his helpers can be found in his hut in Old Town Square. Special events like storytime and skating with Santa will be offered throughout the week and a professional photographer will always be on hand to take pictures.
The masses of people, checkout lines and the pressure to find "the perfect gift" at a price you can afford tend to diminish the cheer and festivity of the holiday season.
Malls, outlet centers and superstores like Target and Walmart may be appealing for their large selection and sometimes lower prices, but to me they always epitomize the chaos of the season.
That's why I prefer to shop in Old Town.
During the day the area is bustling with patrons, but the spread out pedestrian mall and ability to wander the decorated streets and "window shop" offers a bit more ambiance than the average shopping center.
The tree-lined streets are also quite a sight to behold at night when the lights sparkle amongst their bare branches.
Aside from the quaint gift shops and relaxed holiday atmosphere there are several festive activities being offered by the Downtown Business Association that shouldn't be overlooked:
- Old Town Skating Rink: Open weeknights and weekends, the rink is great affordable holiday entertainment. Skating costs $2 and skate rentals are only $1.
- Horse and Carriage Rides: Starting this weekend horse drawn carriages will roam the downtown streets available to hire for romantic after dinner rides or scenic tours Wednesdays thru Sundays and the Tuesday of New Years Eve.
- Santa Claus & his workshop: Wednesdays thru Sundays from now until the 24th Santa and his helpers can be found in his hut in Old Town Square. Special events like storytime and skating with Santa will be offered throughout the week and a professional photographer will always be on hand to take pictures.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Tools, skill essential for backcountry safety
This season I plan to venture into the backcountry to experience a different type of snowboarding that the resorts can't quite offer. But before I do I know I will need to learn a lot about how to navigate possibly unstable snow.
If you're like me and also thinking of exploring this season, taking an avalanche course is the best way to educate yourself. But to give you an idea of where to start, I've compiled some basic information.
Mountainzone.com stresses the importance of understanding the fundamentals. Avalanche conditions form as a result of the interaction of terrain, weather, and snowpack. All of the information needed to predict snow stability can be obtained from these three.
Storms are the source of most of the world's avalanches. The combination of new snowfall and wind creates the unstable layering that result in slab avalanches because the rate at which stress is added to the snowpack exceeds the rate at which these new layers can gain strength.
Also, a prolonged period of cold and clear weather can substantially weaken the snowpack and create a hair trigger situation.
Of course, there is a lot of other knowledge that is essential to backcountry safety. Testing your knowledge and skills in controlled practice sessions is important, but also requires some essential tools:
• Avalanche Beacon - A portable transceiver that reflects a signal from an aboveground transceiver, making known the exact location of the device in case the carrier is buried in an avalanche.
• Snow Shovel- A small, portable shovel with a detachable handle that can be easily carried in a pack while in the backcountry.
• Probe - long skinny pole used to measure horizons in snow layering and locate avalanche victims
• Survival Blanket - waterproof, lightweight blanket that retains a maximum amount of body height to keep you warm
All of this equipment can be purchased at backcountry.com and discount sites like steep and cheap.
If you're like me and also thinking of exploring this season, taking an avalanche course is the best way to educate yourself. But to give you an idea of where to start, I've compiled some basic information.
Mountainzone.com stresses the importance of understanding the fundamentals. Avalanche conditions form as a result of the interaction of terrain, weather, and snowpack. All of the information needed to predict snow stability can be obtained from these three.
Storms are the source of most of the world's avalanches. The combination of new snowfall and wind creates the unstable layering that result in slab avalanches because the rate at which stress is added to the snowpack exceeds the rate at which these new layers can gain strength.
Also, a prolonged period of cold and clear weather can substantially weaken the snowpack and create a hair trigger situation.
Of course, there is a lot of other knowledge that is essential to backcountry safety. Testing your knowledge and skills in controlled practice sessions is important, but also requires some essential tools:
• Avalanche Beacon - A portable transceiver that reflects a signal from an aboveground transceiver, making known the exact location of the device in case the carrier is buried in an avalanche.
• Snow Shovel- A small, portable shovel with a detachable handle that can be easily carried in a pack while in the backcountry.
• Probe - long skinny pole used to measure horizons in snow layering and locate avalanche victims
• Survival Blanket - waterproof, lightweight blanket that retains a maximum amount of body height to keep you warm
All of this equipment can be purchased at backcountry.com and discount sites like steep and cheap.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Optimistic?
Last night I attended an event that left me feeling pumped and inspired.
At 8 p.m. CSU hosted Sphere of Influence, Absinthe Film company and pro rider Mark Frank Montoya and his crew to show their new film, Optimistic?. The film not only showcased the impressive talent of the pro riders, but also focused on raising awareness of global warming.
The group's Sphere of Influence tour is making its way across the country, stopping only at small art house theaters where the atmosphere is very personal and admission is only $5. Absinthe Films has partnered with the Energy Action Coalition and stopglobalwarming.org among other environmentally conscious groups, and the tour uses only environmentally safe products.
After Mark Frank Montoya and Nicolas Mueller signed posters and handed out information on global warming the film kicked off with one of MFM's crew presenting an original rhyme about the state of our environment.
By the time the film was over I was not only pumped for the season and inspired to ride better than I ever have before, but also to get involved with protecting the environment.
Even if you miss the event, I challenge you to take the initiative and find out what you could be doing to reduce your negative impact on our world.
At 8 p.m. CSU hosted Sphere of Influence, Absinthe Film company and pro rider Mark Frank Montoya and his crew to show their new film, Optimistic?. The film not only showcased the impressive talent of the pro riders, but also focused on raising awareness of global warming.
The group's Sphere of Influence tour is making its way across the country, stopping only at small art house theaters where the atmosphere is very personal and admission is only $5. Absinthe Films has partnered with the Energy Action Coalition and stopglobalwarming.org among other environmentally conscious groups, and the tour uses only environmentally safe products.
After Mark Frank Montoya and Nicolas Mueller signed posters and handed out information on global warming the film kicked off with one of MFM's crew presenting an original rhyme about the state of our environment.
By the time the film was over I was not only pumped for the season and inspired to ride better than I ever have before, but also to get involved with protecting the environment.
Even if you miss the event, I challenge you to take the initiative and find out what you could be doing to reduce your negative impact on our world.
Monday, November 12, 2007
This season I'm doin the 'splits'
After seasons and seasons of resort riding I've decided to get serious about backcountry boarding this season. While doing some research (aka google searching) on the best backcountry spots in Colorado and what tools you need to be safe and do it right, I came across a great invention: the split board.
As Backcountry magazine puts it, "Today's split boards bridge the schism between Polynesian surfers and Scandinavian skiers by combining the natural ease of skinning up a mountain with the fluid rush of surfing down the crystalline waves."
Their description may be a little dramatic, but the split board really is the best of two worlds. Basically it is a snowboard with a split down the middle fit with movable bindings that allow the rider to separate the pieces and ski or lock them together and snowboard.
The first models of split boards were released by Viole for the 1995-1996 season. Since then many modifications have been made to improve the binding system, and companies like Burton and Never Summer have joined Viole in the production of the boards.
The improved binding system on today's models help the split board's riding performance fall only steps behind traditional snowboards. High performance combined with the convenience of being able to leave your snow shoes at home and not having to carry your board on your back make split boards the tool of choice for backcountry enthusiasts.
As Backcountry magazine puts it, "Today's split boards bridge the schism between Polynesian surfers and Scandinavian skiers by combining the natural ease of skinning up a mountain with the fluid rush of surfing down the crystalline waves."
Their description may be a little dramatic, but the split board really is the best of two worlds. Basically it is a snowboard with a split down the middle fit with movable bindings that allow the rider to separate the pieces and ski or lock them together and snowboard.
The first models of split boards were released by Viole for the 1995-1996 season. Since then many modifications have been made to improve the binding system, and companies like Burton and Never Summer have joined Viole in the production of the boards.
The improved binding system on today's models help the split board's riding performance fall only steps behind traditional snowboards. High performance combined with the convenience of being able to leave your snow shoes at home and not having to carry your board on your back make split boards the tool of choice for backcountry enthusiasts.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Icer Air beats the heat in San Francisco
This past weekend an unlikely city hosted the season's first big-air ski and snowboard competition.
33,000 fans packed into San Francisco's AT&T Park (the baseball stadium) to watch as some of the greatest pros stomp amazing tricks on the only big-air stadium jump in the U.S. The 110 foot jump was covered with over 200 tons of snow to make sure it withstood the unseasonably warm temperatures.
Among the competitors were several Olympic and X Games champions, as well as some local talent. Pro Jon Olsson won the ski title with a double kangaroo flip, and Travis Rice took the snowboard title for the second year in a row with a double cork 1080.
The event was a huge success, impressing both sports and traditional media. Transworld Snowboarding loved how many pros showed up and stuck crazy new tricks, like Chas Guldemond's 1260. CNN, on the other hand, praised the event's coordinators and sponsors for a well-organized, entertaining show.
33,000 fans packed into San Francisco's AT&T Park (the baseball stadium) to watch as some of the greatest pros stomp amazing tricks on the only big-air stadium jump in the U.S. The 110 foot jump was covered with over 200 tons of snow to make sure it withstood the unseasonably warm temperatures.
Among the competitors were several Olympic and X Games champions, as well as some local talent. Pro Jon Olsson won the ski title with a double kangaroo flip, and Travis Rice took the snowboard title for the second year in a row with a double cork 1080.
The event was a huge success, impressing both sports and traditional media. Transworld Snowboarding loved how many pros showed up and stuck crazy new tricks, like Chas Guldemond's 1260. CNN, on the other hand, praised the event's coordinators and sponsors for a well-organized, entertaining show.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Fort Collins lights up downtown
Now that Halloween has passed it's inevitable that the entire consumer world will begin gearing up for the next important holiday: Christmas!
Poor Thanksgiving may get a few turkey-related knick-knacks on the shelves in its honor, but we all know the overplayed music, countless shows and thick toy catalogs won't be celebrating the Pilgrims.
If you haven't noticed any local holiday cheer yet, you will tomorrow when the Downtown Business Association hosts the annual "Lighting of Downtown". At 7 p.m. Council Member Kelly Ohlson will flip the switch to the thousands of lights that line Oak Street Plaza and all of College Avenue between Laporte Avenue and Olive Street.
The ceremony will begin at Oak Street Plaza and is free to all. After the lights are on, live music will begin while hot cider and cookies will be offered to everyone. The new lights will create a great ambiance for the First Friday Gallery Walk that will begin shortly after the ceremony.
While the extreme consumerism of the Christmas holiday may irritate me, holiday lights are one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. Come downtown tomorrow night and let the lights amaze you, the cider warm you and the Gallery Walk inspire you.
Poor Thanksgiving may get a few turkey-related knick-knacks on the shelves in its honor, but we all know the overplayed music, countless shows and thick toy catalogs won't be celebrating the Pilgrims.
If you haven't noticed any local holiday cheer yet, you will tomorrow when the Downtown Business Association hosts the annual "Lighting of Downtown". At 7 p.m. Council Member Kelly Ohlson will flip the switch to the thousands of lights that line Oak Street Plaza and all of College Avenue between Laporte Avenue and Olive Street.
The ceremony will begin at Oak Street Plaza and is free to all. After the lights are on, live music will begin while hot cider and cookies will be offered to everyone. The new lights will create a great ambiance for the First Friday Gallery Walk that will begin shortly after the ceremony.
While the extreme consumerism of the Christmas holiday may irritate me, holiday lights are one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. Come downtown tomorrow night and let the lights amaze you, the cider warm you and the Gallery Walk inspire you.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Many sites offer up-to-date ski and snowboard news
This winter you don't have to rely on TV news to get your weather and snow conditions before heading out to the slopes. Several sites are dedicated to keeping up to date information on conditions and events at resorts across the country and even around the world. Below I've compiled a list of those I consider to be the most helpful:
- On the Snow - this site offers stats on mountains all across the US, Canada, Europe and the Southern Hemisphere. It also has a constantly updating list of where the freshest snow can be found.
- Real Conditions - this site keeps tabs on resorts all over the world including mountains in the U.S., Canada, Europe, South America, New Zealand and Japan.
- Transworld - this magazine is one of the best the snowboarding industry has. The website offers tons of sweet videos, resort guides and a rundown of all the upcoming events among its multitude of features.
- Colorado Ski - this site focuses on all the resorts in Colorado and lets you know about conditions, upcoming events, details about passes and all other local snowboarding news.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Alternative viewing for the World Series
With the World Series now underway and the games at Coors field completely sold out, restaurants, theaters and groups all over town are hosting viewing parties to house the masses of Rockies fans.
For all of you that weren't lucky enough to score tickets, here is a run down of some of your viewing options.
- Game #3 – Saturday, October 26th (Home)
- Game#4 – Sunday, October 27th (Home)
- Game#5- Monday, October 28th (Home) if necessary
- Game#6 – Wednesday, October 31 if necessary
- Game#7 - Thursday, November 1st if necessary
For all of you that weren't lucky enough to score tickets, here is a run down of some of your viewing options.
- The Stonehouse Grille
Throughout the World Series they will be hosting ROCKTOBER parties with drink and food specials. They will have 10 HD Plasma/LCD TVs along with a 100” HD projection. They boast that it is "quite possibly the largest Old Town viewing of the 2007 World Series!" - Lyric Cinema Cafe
This small, homey theater located on mountain avenue in Old Town will be showing all of the games on their 12' by 6' screen. The cinema sells beer, wine and an assortment of snacks and other beverages that can be brought into the theater. The theaters also feature old reclining movie seats and various comfortable couches and chairs in place of formal stadium seating. Lyric cinema urges Rockies fans to come ready to "get tastefully excited about the home team." - The Downtown Business Association
The 3rd game of the World Series will be aired in Old Town Square, free of charge! Pre-game coverage will begin airing at 5 p.m. and the game begins at 6 p.m. The association encourages fans to wear “Rockies” colors and experience the stadium feeling from Old Town Square with bleachers, hotdogs, and the game on a 12 foot screen.
Whether you decide to stay home and watch from the comfort of your living room or come out to one of these or other viewing events, be sure to support the Rockies this weekend. The schedule for the remaining games is as follows:
- Game #2 – Thursday, October 25th- Game #3 – Saturday, October 26th (Home)
- Game#4 – Sunday, October 27th (Home)
- Game#5- Monday, October 28th (Home) if necessary
- Game#6 – Wednesday, October 31 if necessary
- Game#7 - Thursday, November 1st if necessary
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Corn Maize frightens all
The last weekend before Halloween is approaching.
With midterms over there is not only plenty of time to work on your killer costume, but also to take a break and check out one of fall's best attractions - The Corn Maize.
For 7 years now the Fritzler Corn Maize has been designing impressive maizes that cover 15 acres of ground and provide over 2 miles of pathways!
You may be thinking, "I haven't been to a corn maize since I was 10 years old," but I assure you, this maize is not just for the kiddies. After dusk the maize becomes especially challenging, and the costumed ghouls harder to anticipate.
This year the Dark Acres portion of the site is also offering a Pitch Black haunted experience inside an inflatable warehouse, and a creepy tour through the insides of an inflatable giant.
Starting tomorrow the maize will be open almost every day until Halloween. Tomorrow and Thursday you can stop by between 5 - 9 p.m., Friday 5 - 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sunday 12 - 8 p.m. and Tuesday and Wednesday 5 - 9 p.m.
The combo admission that gives you access to the corn maize and all of the Dark Acres attractions is $18 for adults.
If you head over this weekend be sure to go early and enjoy the outdoors by bringing a picnic dinner and even your favorite pooch along. Pick up a last minute pumpkin to carve before you try the maize, and don't forget to warm up at the campfire before you leave.
With midterms over there is not only plenty of time to work on your killer costume, but also to take a break and check out one of fall's best attractions - The Corn Maize.
For 7 years now the Fritzler Corn Maize has been designing impressive maizes that cover 15 acres of ground and provide over 2 miles of pathways!
You may be thinking, "I haven't been to a corn maize since I was 10 years old," but I assure you, this maize is not just for the kiddies. After dusk the maize becomes especially challenging, and the costumed ghouls harder to anticipate.
This year the Dark Acres portion of the site is also offering a Pitch Black haunted experience inside an inflatable warehouse, and a creepy tour through the insides of an inflatable giant.
Starting tomorrow the maize will be open almost every day until Halloween. Tomorrow and Thursday you can stop by between 5 - 9 p.m., Friday 5 - 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sunday 12 - 8 p.m. and Tuesday and Wednesday 5 - 9 p.m.
The combo admission that gives you access to the corn maize and all of the Dark Acres attractions is $18 for adults.
If you head over this weekend be sure to go early and enjoy the outdoors by bringing a picnic dinner and even your favorite pooch along. Pick up a last minute pumpkin to carve before you try the maize, and don't forget to warm up at the campfire before you leave.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
World Series here we come!
If it's possible that anyone in Colorado DIDN'T watch the Rockies game last night, here's your news update: WE WON!
Last night the Rockies propelled themselves into the World Series by sweeping the Arizona Diamondbacks and winning the National League Championship four games to none!
The American League series is still going on, with the Indians leading the Red Socks two games to one. They play game four today at 8 p.m. in Cleveland.
Since you're probably wondering "How do I get World Series tickets?!," I've recapped all the important details listed on The Official Site of the Colorado Rockies below.
- Tickets go on sale on Monday, October 22, 2007, 10 a.m. MDT.
- World Series games at Coors Field scheduled for October 27, 28 & 29 (if needed)
- Tickets will go on sale at the following locations:
*Online at www.coloradorockies.com
*In Person at:
Coors Field
Rockies Dugout Stores
- Telephone orders will not be accepted.
- Line lotteries will be used at Coors Field and Rockies Dugout Stores.
- Overnight camping is not permitted at Coors Field; Lot A will open at 7:30 a.m. where the lottery will take place prior to 10 a.m.
- There is a limit of 4 tickets per person per game at all sales locations.
- Single game ticket prices range from: $65 for Rockpile Tickets (401-403) to $250 for the Club Level (214-247) and Infield Box (119-142).
Although normally I might be a little upset that baseball was cutting into the fall season of hiking, beautiful drives and early skiing and riding, this year I'm making an exception.
Because really, this is a historic event we're watching unfold! And what better epitomizes fall than World Series baseball?!
LETS GO ROCKIES!!
Last night the Rockies propelled themselves into the World Series by sweeping the Arizona Diamondbacks and winning the National League Championship four games to none!
The American League series is still going on, with the Indians leading the Red Socks two games to one. They play game four today at 8 p.m. in Cleveland.
Since you're probably wondering "How do I get World Series tickets?!," I've recapped all the important details listed on The Official Site of the Colorado Rockies below.
- Tickets go on sale on Monday, October 22, 2007, 10 a.m. MDT.
- World Series games at Coors Field scheduled for October 27, 28 & 29 (if needed)
- Tickets will go on sale at the following locations:
*Online at www.coloradorockies.com
*In Person at:
Coors Field
Rockies Dugout Stores
- Telephone orders will not be accepted.
- Line lotteries will be used at Coors Field and Rockies Dugout Stores.
- Overnight camping is not permitted at Coors Field; Lot A will open at 7:30 a.m. where the lottery will take place prior to 10 a.m.
- There is a limit of 4 tickets per person per game at all sales locations.
- Single game ticket prices range from: $65 for Rockpile Tickets (401-403) to $250 for the Club Level (214-247) and Infield Box (119-142).
Although normally I might be a little upset that baseball was cutting into the fall season of hiking, beautiful drives and early skiing and riding, this year I'm making an exception.
Because really, this is a historic event we're watching unfold! And what better epitomizes fall than World Series baseball?!
LETS GO ROCKIES!!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
The season begins!
Yesterday morning at approximately 9 a.m. Arapahoe Basin officially opened for the 07/08 season!
If it seems a little surprising that it's October 11 and the skiing and riding has already begun for the season, that's because it is. This marks the earliest A-Basin opening in its 61 years of operation! Once again they were the first to open across the nation!
Skiers and riders can look forward to an 18-inch base on the intermediate High Noon run, and access to the High Divided terrain park.
The Montezuma Bowl, the new addition that increased A-Basin's terrain by 80 percent, is expected to open in late December. The new bowl offers 36 new runs that are a mix of blues, blacks and double blacks. Terrain varies from groomed runs to wide-open bowl skiing.
If you're looking to sharpen your skills before the first big snow you should definitely take advantage of early season ticket prices. Until 12/14, tickets will be $45 for adults, $39 for youth 15-19, and $22 for children 6-14. Children under 5 are free and seniors over 70 are $10.
If it seems a little surprising that it's October 11 and the skiing and riding has already begun for the season, that's because it is. This marks the earliest A-Basin opening in its 61 years of operation! Once again they were the first to open across the nation!
Skiers and riders can look forward to an 18-inch base on the intermediate High Noon run, and access to the High Divided terrain park.
The Montezuma Bowl, the new addition that increased A-Basin's terrain by 80 percent, is expected to open in late December. The new bowl offers 36 new runs that are a mix of blues, blacks and double blacks. Terrain varies from groomed runs to wide-open bowl skiing.
If you're looking to sharpen your skills before the first big snow you should definitely take advantage of early season ticket prices. Until 12/14, tickets will be $45 for adults, $39 for youth 15-19, and $22 for children 6-14. Children under 5 are free and seniors over 70 are $10.
Monday, October 8, 2007
'Swap' coming soon
More opportunities for those lacking funds to pick up some nice new gear are coming up this month.
If you didn't find what you were looking for at SNIAGRAB or other pre-season sales around town, the upcoming gear swaps will give you another chance.
Steamboat, Winter Park and Vail resorts are all hosting gear swap events this month that will give skiers and riders the chance to get rid of their gently used gear and pick up last season's overstock at deep discounts.
Winter Park will be hosting their 23rd annual ski swap this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Because the best deals will go fast, getting into Friday's swap will cost $2/individual, $5/family (proceeds will help fund the Winter Park Competition Center and scholarship fund). The swap will go from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. on Friday.
The next swap will be hosted by Steamboat on Friday, Oct. 19, and Saturday, Oct. 20. Doors open at 8 p.m. on Friday, and the swap will continue on Saturday from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. No admission charge was listed on their website, but those wishing to sell their gear will need to pick up gear tags at the Howelsen Hill Lodge before 5 p.m. on the 19th.
Vail's 38th annual ski swap, which claims to be the largest of its kind in Colorado, will kick off at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. Early birds shopping from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. will cost $15/person. To shop from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. on Friday or from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Saturday will cost $5/person. Shopping from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday is free.
The Vail swap brags that over 35 local vendors will be at the show, alongside individual sellers, to provide buyers with a great selection of new and used gear.
Seeing as the recent weather has epitomized fall, and breath-taking views of the mountains can be found all along the front range and I-70, the next three weekends would be a perfect time to make the trek to any of these fine mountains. A beautiful drive with the added bonus of sweet deals and new gear? I sure won't miss it.
If you didn't find what you were looking for at SNIAGRAB or other pre-season sales around town, the upcoming gear swaps will give you another chance.
Steamboat, Winter Park and Vail resorts are all hosting gear swap events this month that will give skiers and riders the chance to get rid of their gently used gear and pick up last season's overstock at deep discounts.
Winter Park will be hosting their 23rd annual ski swap this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Because the best deals will go fast, getting into Friday's swap will cost $2/individual, $5/family (proceeds will help fund the Winter Park Competition Center and scholarship fund). The swap will go from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. on Friday.
The next swap will be hosted by Steamboat on Friday, Oct. 19, and Saturday, Oct. 20. Doors open at 8 p.m. on Friday, and the swap will continue on Saturday from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. No admission charge was listed on their website, but those wishing to sell their gear will need to pick up gear tags at the Howelsen Hill Lodge before 5 p.m. on the 19th.
Vail's 38th annual ski swap, which claims to be the largest of its kind in Colorado, will kick off at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. Early birds shopping from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. will cost $15/person. To shop from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. on Friday or from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Saturday will cost $5/person. Shopping from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday is free.
The Vail swap brags that over 35 local vendors will be at the show, alongside individual sellers, to provide buyers with a great selection of new and used gear.
Seeing as the recent weather has epitomized fall, and breath-taking views of the mountains can be found all along the front range and I-70, the next three weekends would be a perfect time to make the trek to any of these fine mountains. A beautiful drive with the added bonus of sweet deals and new gear? I sure won't miss it.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Burton gets technical
Burton, arguably one of the most successful and popular snowboarding brands, has come out with new designs and models of their boots, bindings, boards and outerwear every year for as long as I have been snowboarding(about 9 years!).
This year, they have truly outdone themselves.
In particular, there are three new products that I think deserve to be highlighted.
The new EST technology, which is a brand new way of attaching you binding to your board, not only offers unlimited easy adjustments of stance, but also offers more cushioning under your feet than any other binding out there.
Although there are only a few boards currently available made with the Infinite Channel system that works with this binding, Burton describes the two used together as letting you "experience the closest, most comfortable connection to ever see snow."
The Speed Zone technology that has already made it easier than ever to lace up and tighten your boots, has now made its way to bindings as well. The new Speed Zone strap technology allows you to loosely clip in the strap and then pull a cord to tighten it down.
What does this mean? No more ratcheting with freezing cold fingers! And as Burton puts it, "Even the drummer from Def Leppard can do it!"
If you were worried that your board was going to pale in comparison to your cool new bindings, you haven't yet heard of the Andy Warhol collection. This new line of boards, bindings and outerwear is bringing some of Warhol's most iconic prints to snow. The gear just became available in August, and will only be available for a limited time.
So there's your breakdown on the newest and coolest gear offered for the snow this year. If you're worried about the money you'll inevitably spend, don't.
Consider it your duty as a veteran shredder to test out the technology for all the newbies. You'll still spend the money, but at least you'll feel better about it.
This year, they have truly outdone themselves.
In particular, there are three new products that I think deserve to be highlighted.
The new EST technology, which is a brand new way of attaching you binding to your board, not only offers unlimited easy adjustments of stance, but also offers more cushioning under your feet than any other binding out there.
Although there are only a few boards currently available made with the Infinite Channel system that works with this binding, Burton describes the two used together as letting you "experience the closest, most comfortable connection to ever see snow."
The Speed Zone technology that has already made it easier than ever to lace up and tighten your boots, has now made its way to bindings as well. The new Speed Zone strap technology allows you to loosely clip in the strap and then pull a cord to tighten it down.
What does this mean? No more ratcheting with freezing cold fingers! And as Burton puts it, "Even the drummer from Def Leppard can do it!"
If you were worried that your board was going to pale in comparison to your cool new bindings, you haven't yet heard of the Andy Warhol collection. This new line of boards, bindings and outerwear is bringing some of Warhol's most iconic prints to snow. The gear just became available in August, and will only be available for a limited time.
So there's your breakdown on the newest and coolest gear offered for the snow this year. If you're worried about the money you'll inevitably spend, don't.
Consider it your duty as a veteran shredder to test out the technology for all the newbies. You'll still spend the money, but at least you'll feel better about it.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
"Live to Ride"
One of the most popular student organizations on campus, Snowriders, is kicking into high gear this week. The weather is getting colder, its already snowed in the mountains, and with the opening day for A-Basin only 2 weeks away, its definitely not too early to be getting excited for the season.
Snowriders mission as listed on their website is:
"To be the Number one resource for all information about skiing and snowboarding at C.S.U. To extend our knowledge about snow riding to any and all persons interested, and to create an atmosphere that is welcoming and fun for everyone involved."
Their motto: "Live to Ride.."
If that sounds like something you'd love to be a part of don't worry because you're not too late to still join this semester. The club is having their second meeting of the semester today at 7 p.m. in the Lory Student Center room 203-5. To become a member you can drop by their office, located in the bottom of the LSC right next to student media, anytime. Just bring $25 to get your member card, which gives you tons of discounts at local retailers, and your t-shirt.
Once you've signed up, be sure not to miss two great movies showing at the Aggie this month. Matchstick film Seven Sunny Days is playing this Thursday at 7 p.m. and tickets are $10, and on the 14th, Snowriders is hosting the TGR film Lost and Found. Lost and Found also begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are $12.
As always, each Snowriders meeting and event promises to give away free gear and get you pumped for snow riding. Sign up soon so you can get in on all the great events and trips they're planning for the season.
Snowriders mission as listed on their website is:
"To be the Number one resource for all information about skiing and snowboarding at C.S.U. To extend our knowledge about snow riding to any and all persons interested, and to create an atmosphere that is welcoming and fun for everyone involved."
Their motto: "Live to Ride.."
If that sounds like something you'd love to be a part of don't worry because you're not too late to still join this semester. The club is having their second meeting of the semester today at 7 p.m. in the Lory Student Center room 203-5. To become a member you can drop by their office, located in the bottom of the LSC right next to student media, anytime. Just bring $25 to get your member card, which gives you tons of discounts at local retailers, and your t-shirt.
Once you've signed up, be sure not to miss two great movies showing at the Aggie this month. Matchstick film Seven Sunny Days is playing this Thursday at 7 p.m. and tickets are $10, and on the 14th, Snowriders is hosting the TGR film Lost and Found. Lost and Found also begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are $12.
As always, each Snowriders meeting and event promises to give away free gear and get you pumped for snow riding. Sign up soon so you can get in on all the great events and trips they're planning for the season.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Horsetooth Hang
Horsetooth Reservoir is definitely one of Fort Collins' most popular attractions. Visitors from all over the state and the region come each summer to boat, camp, bike, hike and climb in the park. While the weather may already be too cold to get out on the water again this year, climbing enthusiasts are hoping it stays sunny this Saturday for the 17th annual Horsetooth Hang.
The climbing festival, hosted by Neptune Mountaineering, will kick off Saturday at 8 a.m at Rotary Park. Climbers of all abilities are encouraged to participate as climbing is offered all day for any who register. A formal climbing competition will also be held for those wanting to test their skills, and a reward will even be offered for conquering a particularly difficult route.
For those looking to brush up on their safety skills, a great clinic will be offered by AMGA certified Craig Luebben. The half-day class will teach you how to self rescue should something render you partner incapable of doing so. The class will be $55 and is recommended for anyone who ever ties into a rope.
If you're not sure you want to get out on the rock yourself, come anyway just to spectate. Vendor booths, gear demos, prize raffles and art displays will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. And when the climbing stops at 4 p.m., the party continues at Hodi's Half Note. Dinner from Uncle's Pizzeria and beer from New Belgium along with awards, a slideshow from Paul Robinson and live music will keep the party pumping past midnight.
Full day registration for climbers will be $30 on site, but you can save $5 by pre-registering online.
The climbing festival, hosted by Neptune Mountaineering, will kick off Saturday at 8 a.m at Rotary Park. Climbers of all abilities are encouraged to participate as climbing is offered all day for any who register. A formal climbing competition will also be held for those wanting to test their skills, and a reward will even be offered for conquering a particularly difficult route.
For those looking to brush up on their safety skills, a great clinic will be offered by AMGA certified Craig Luebben. The half-day class will teach you how to self rescue should something render you partner incapable of doing so. The class will be $55 and is recommended for anyone who ever ties into a rope.
If you're not sure you want to get out on the rock yourself, come anyway just to spectate. Vendor booths, gear demos, prize raffles and art displays will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. And when the climbing stops at 4 p.m., the party continues at Hodi's Half Note. Dinner from Uncle's Pizzeria and beer from New Belgium along with awards, a slideshow from Paul Robinson and live music will keep the party pumping past midnight.
Full day registration for climbers will be $30 on site, but you can save $5 by pre-registering online.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Deep Deals
If you haven't noticed, the days are getting shorter and the weather's getting colder. Both are signs that winter is approaching. For those of you that enjoy winter sports like skiing, snowboarding or mountaineering, it's time to take a look at your gear and make sure you have what you need for the coming season.
If you're like me and happen to be strapped for cash, don't fret.
Several discount websites have been formed by online retailers to sell their overstocked items. For those interested in outdoor gear, Steep and Cheap and Whiskey Militia offer a great selection of the best deals around.
Each site works a little differently, but both sell one item at a time at a drastically reduced rate until it sells out. And when I say drastically reduced, I don't mean your typical 20%- 30% off. To give you a better idea of the savings, currently on Whiskey Militia is a pair of Spy Lebaron Sunglasses normally sold for $104.90, on sale for $28.89!
Another site, Gear Engine, offers deals on merchandise that has been returned to stores or listed by other users as in "good as new" or "gently used" condition. This site commonly offers more than 70% off, but buyers must act quickly because each item "expires" after only a few minutes.
So whether you've been hunting for a good deal on a certain item for months, or are just looking for a place to spend some extra cash, these websites will make sure you get double your money's worth.
If you're like me and happen to be strapped for cash, don't fret.
Several discount websites have been formed by online retailers to sell their overstocked items. For those interested in outdoor gear, Steep and Cheap and Whiskey Militia offer a great selection of the best deals around.
Each site works a little differently, but both sell one item at a time at a drastically reduced rate until it sells out. And when I say drastically reduced, I don't mean your typical 20%- 30% off. To give you a better idea of the savings, currently on Whiskey Militia is a pair of Spy Lebaron Sunglasses normally sold for $104.90, on sale for $28.89!
Another site, Gear Engine, offers deals on merchandise that has been returned to stores or listed by other users as in "good as new" or "gently used" condition. This site commonly offers more than 70% off, but buyers must act quickly because each item "expires" after only a few minutes.
So whether you've been hunting for a good deal on a certain item for months, or are just looking for a place to spend some extra cash, these websites will make sure you get double your money's worth.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Bike Parade
New Belgium brewery's seventh annual Tour de Fat will be parading through Fort Collins this weekend and its an event you won't want to miss.
The festivities begin this Saturday at 11 a.m. with the famous costume bike parade. Participants traditionally come dressed in their craziest attire, from mismatched outfits to full Halloween-style costumes. Bikers often display unusual bike designs as well, and attach buggies and sidecars to their rides.
After the parade of bikes, riders will head to the Mothership where the festival kicks off. Starting at noon the kegs will be tapped and several bands and performers will entertain the crowd until 6 p.m.
Of course, aside from providing circus-style entertainment, the event does have a purpose. Tour de Fat challenges concerned citizens to become less dependent on cars and fossil fuels by committing to riding their bikes as an alternative. Admission to the festival is free, but all profits from beer sales will go to Diamond Peaks Mountain Bike Patrol and Bike Fort Collins.
Whether you've been working on your costume since last year or just want to laugh at the crazy people in costumes, Tour de Fat is a must-see this weekend.
The festivities begin this Saturday at 11 a.m. with the famous costume bike parade. Participants traditionally come dressed in their craziest attire, from mismatched outfits to full Halloween-style costumes. Bikers often display unusual bike designs as well, and attach buggies and sidecars to their rides.
After the parade of bikes, riders will head to the Mothership where the festival kicks off. Starting at noon the kegs will be tapped and several bands and performers will entertain the crowd until 6 p.m.
Of course, aside from providing circus-style entertainment, the event does have a purpose. Tour de Fat challenges concerned citizens to become less dependent on cars and fossil fuels by committing to riding their bikes as an alternative. Admission to the festival is free, but all profits from beer sales will go to Diamond Peaks Mountain Bike Patrol and Bike Fort Collins.
Whether you've been working on your costume since last year or just want to laugh at the crazy people in costumes, Tour de Fat is a must-see this weekend.
Monday, September 17, 2007
The Best In The West
This post is dedicated to filling you in on the best deals in skiing and snowboarding this year.
As far as mountains go, everyone has his or her own preference, or loyalty as some may consider it. In Colorado, the options for season passes have made skiers and riders choose between the Vail resorts, also known as Keystone, Breckenridge, Arapahoe Basin, Vail and Beaver Creek, and the IntraWest resorts, which include Copper Mountain, Winter Park and Steamboat(new this year).
Loyalties aside, as a college student I have always made my decision based on cost. The mountains that offer me the best deal win my loyalty.
The two passes I'm primarily comparing are the Colorado Pass and the Super Pass. The Colorado Pass offers unlimited days at Keystone, Breckenridge and Arapahoe Basin, while the Super Pass offers unlimited days at Copper and Winter Park. In recent years, there has been a significant difference in cost between the two, but this year their adult passes are both offered for $399.
This would have caused me quite a problem if I didn't already know about the best deal in the west.
For years Wells Fargo Bank has offered 2-for-1 Super Pass vouchers when you open a College Combo Account. Although this offer is meant to bring in new customers, those of you that already have a Wells Fargo account, and somehow haven't heard of the voucher deal, need not fret.
You can obtain a voucher by adding a savings account, credit card, or by signing up for online banking. The only requirement is that you make use of four banking products.
To use the voucher, you must purchase your pass between Sept. 1 and Nov. 18. Passes can be purchased at Christy Sports anytime between those dates, or at the Passwagon, which will be making its way to Fort Collins this weekend.
This Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Passwagon will be parked outside of Outpost Sunsport. You will need your Wells Fargo voucher and student ID to get your season pass.
Happy pass-buying!
And just to get you pumped up, here's a sweet video from last season.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Live Green
This weekend New Belgium Brewery is hosting an event that may not get your adrenaline pumping, but will definitely kick your conservation efforts into high gear! The 8th annual Rocky Mountain Sustainable Living Fair is happening Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Each day the fair will feature several keynote speakers, exhibits from many local and national companies, hands-on workshops, an organic food market, entertainment and more. The entire event is family friendly and designed to educate all ages.
The Rocky Mountain Sustainable Living Association describes the fair saying that it aims to provide "enlightening solutions that sustain our lifestyles while sustaining our environment." Topics will include sustainable living practices, renewable energy, green building, alternative vehicles and more.
This fair should be a top priority for anyone with an interest in outdoor adventure sports. If we want to keep our environment beautiful, we need to stop ignoring environmental issues and work hard to reverse the damage that has already been done.
Each day the fair will feature several keynote speakers, exhibits from many local and national companies, hands-on workshops, an organic food market, entertainment and more. The entire event is family friendly and designed to educate all ages.
The Rocky Mountain Sustainable Living Association describes the fair saying that it aims to provide "enlightening solutions that sustain our lifestyles while sustaining our environment." Topics will include sustainable living practices, renewable energy, green building, alternative vehicles and more.
This fair should be a top priority for anyone with an interest in outdoor adventure sports. If we want to keep our environment beautiful, we need to stop ignoring environmental issues and work hard to reverse the damage that has already been done.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Climb Your Heart Out
Everyone knows Colorado is home to the Rocky Mountains. In fact, I suspect that if I interviewed 10 random Americans and asked them to say the first three things that came to mind when they thought of Colorado, at least seven of them would mention the mountains. In my mind, there is no better way to experience the mountains than to go rock climbing.
I have to admit that I am certainly no rock climbing expert. To be honest, aside from the occasional bouldering while on a hike, I have never climbed outdoors. Even so, my passion for climbing has been ignited over the past two weeks as my husband and I have begun climbing indoors at Miramont gym.
I have always been interested in climbing, but the price tags on most of the gear and the costly gym memberships have always put it out of reach. Those misconceptions ended last week when I discovered REI's membership discounts, and Miramont's student membership special.
For a one time fee of $15, you can buy a lifetime REI membership that scores you coupons for 15% or more, and lets you participate in member garage sales where you can purchase gently used gear at deep discounts. I also got a sweet deal on climbing shoes that were on sale. (They might still be available if you hurry!) The bottom line is you need about $150 to $200 to get your gear, which is significantly less than I was expecting.
The Miramont membership was also a pleasant surprise. Although their climbing wall membership is normally $40 a month, they are currently running a student gym membership special that gets you access to the entire facility, including group classes, for $35 a month. They do require a nine-month commitment, but you can "freeze" your membership as many times as you want and instead of paying for January when you might be away on break, extend it to June.
Just to give you an idea of how sweet this deal is, I compared Miramont's rates to its rival, Inner Strength's. Inner Strength offers a six-month membership for $45 a month, and thats just for the climbing wall.
I guess what I'm trying to say is if you've ever considered getting into climbing, now is the time. Getting started this fall will be the perfect way to stay in shape during the winter, and by the time spring hits, you'll be a pro out on the real stuff.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Abra Cadabra
This weekend, Fort Collins is hosting an event that anyone with a sense of curiosity won't want to miss. The 14th annual Magic in the Rockies convention is coming to town, and it promises to entertain all ages.
Even if you have become a skeptic, you can probably remember a time during your childhood when magic fascinated you. Personally, my fondest magic memory is of watching in awe as a man from my church pulled silver dollars from my ear during coffee hour when I was 10. Looking back, magic in church was probably quite contoversial, and now that I think about it I don't remember seeing him around once I hit middle school.
Whether magic has a special place in your heart or has yet to amaze you, it wouldn't hurt to head down to Old Town and stop by the free magic show before you work some magic of your own at the bars. The excitement starts Wednesday night at 5 p.m. in Old Town Square, and the main act, Sir Mark Logsdon, will be recreating Houdini's "Milk Can Escape" at 6 p.m.
If you happen to miss it, be sure to check out the main performance on Saturday, at 7:30p.m. at the Lincoln Center. According to the Collegian, five internationally acclaimed magicians will be performing alongside mimes and martial arts experts. Sweet. Tickets start at $10 a seat and the show is expected to sell out.
Would you go if I told you Harry Potter will be there?
Even if you have become a skeptic, you can probably remember a time during your childhood when magic fascinated you. Personally, my fondest magic memory is of watching in awe as a man from my church pulled silver dollars from my ear during coffee hour when I was 10. Looking back, magic in church was probably quite contoversial, and now that I think about it I don't remember seeing him around once I hit middle school.
Whether magic has a special place in your heart or has yet to amaze you, it wouldn't hurt to head down to Old Town and stop by the free magic show before you work some magic of your own at the bars. The excitement starts Wednesday night at 5 p.m. in Old Town Square, and the main act, Sir Mark Logsdon, will be recreating Houdini's "Milk Can Escape" at 6 p.m.
If you happen to miss it, be sure to check out the main performance on Saturday, at 7:30p.m. at the Lincoln Center. According to the Collegian, five internationally acclaimed magicians will be performing alongside mimes and martial arts experts. Sweet. Tickets start at $10 a seat and the show is expected to sell out.
Would you go if I told you Harry Potter will be there?
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
About Me
My name is Laura Waldchen and I am a junior studying Computer Mediated Communication at CSU. My interest in journalism lies specifically in creating photo layouts, websites and the like. I currently have moderate experience working with Photoshop and Dreamweaver, but plan on further developing my skills. I am a transplant to Colorado, originally from the small town of New Providence, N.J.. Upon moving to Fort Collins over two years ago, I immediately fell in love with the state. After getting married to my husband, Steve, this summer, I have essentially made Colorado my new home. Although I find myself missing my frequent trips into New York City and to the Jersey Shore, I've decided that the occasional vacation back to the east coast satisfies my longings. I try to take advantage of all Colorado has to offer by snowboarding, hiking, and boating as regularly as I can. I also enjoy attending a concert or two, and I'm probably a little too attached to my boxer mix Melvin. When I have time to waste surfing the web I usally frequent Ebay to find some good deals, YouTube for a good laugh, and Flickr to satisfy my artistic side.
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