How the blind led the blonde on the Braille Trail (and a guide to Denver’s mountain parks)

May 17, 2010 By

Snow in May?!!

Let’s face it: very few people welcomed our winter blast last week with the exception of a few hearty souls like me. I am admittedly dysfunctional in that when it snows, all I want to do is ski, hike or run in it.

Either that or I’m just Canadian.

After I bundled up my kids and sent them to school, I headed to the hills on Wednesday. Destination: The Braille Trail. Located in Genesse, this hike is a small cut of paradise in Denver’s largest mountain park. My kids and I have hiked most of the trails along Denver’s front range with the exception of this one. I figured the 1-mile loop through a wooded grove would be perfect for a snowy day.

The Braille Trail’s access is off the Chief Hosa Exit 153 on I-70. My directions then told me to turn right on Stapleton Drive and follow it 1 mile until I found the trailhead for the Braille Trail and Beaver Brook.

I exited, I followed and I found nothing. The road dead-ended at a gate so I looped back around on the slick road and retraced my route several times. Still nothing. After several minutes, I concluded the trailhead just wasn’t there because I’m pretty darn good at reading signs.

Map interpretation? An entirely different matter.

Not to be dissuaded from getting a workout, I parked my car by a log outhouse and hiked down a steep ravine.

When you live my life, you’re all about improvisation.

I tromped through the snow for a few minutes until I ran into a road and saw a sign in the distance.

THE sign.

I raced over to it and sure enough, the Braille Trail’s access was located further down the road behind the gate that was still closed for the season.

I trekked around the loop, following the waist-high guide wire that was designed for blind hikers. There many interpretive signs were buried in snow so I made up my own such as “Pine Tree Ensconced by Snow” and “Irascible black bird whining about the weather.”

I just know I have a future as a naturalist.

The wooded trail was a perfect romp for young children and I vowed to bring mine back when the weather cleared and the gate opened for the season.

And yes, the irony of my inability to find the “Braille Trail” was not lost on me.

==================

Guide to Denver Mountain Parks

Winter Park Resort
Opened for the 1939-40 ski season, Winter Park offers year-round activities on its three interconnected mountain peaks, including
skiing, snowboarding, hiking and mountain biking.
52 miles from downtown Denver / I-70 exit 232

Summit Lake Park
The highest city park in the U.S., Summit Lake provides pristine natural beauty at 13,000 feet, near the peak of Mt. Evans. Arctic
and alpine tundra make up the park’s 160 acres, including a natural lake. Park visitors pay a fee to the U.S. Forest Service at the base of the scenic road, which supports maintenance and improvements at Summit Lake.
52 miles from downtown Denver / I-70 exit 240

Echo Lake Park
Echo Lake Park is nestled in a glacially-formed hanging valley at 10,600 feet in elevation. A shelter house and picnic facilities are near
the lake. The Echo Lake Lodge, open seasonally May – September, was built from native rock and timber. Views of the lake, lodge, and Mt. Evans are truly majestic.
46 miles from downtown Denver / I-70 exit 240

Dedisse Park
Dedisse Park is a beautiful 420-acre park nestled just outside Evergreen. The 35-foot high Evergreen Dam, completed in 1928,
creates the 55-acre Evergreen Lake. In 1925, part of the park became Colorado’s first mountain golf course, Evergreen Golf Course. Eat at historic Keys on the Green.
29 miles from downtown Denver / I-70 exit 252

Newton Park
A craggy peak looms over this special events park near Conifer, available only by reservation. Groups can be accommodated at
three shelters.
37 miles from downtown Denver

Genesse Park
The first and biggest park in the DMP system, Genesee features recreation opportunities like a ropes course, hiking, camping,
volleyball, and bison viewing. Summer public camping is offered at Chief Hosa Campground, and the Chief Hosa Lodge and historic CCC shelter are available for events. Challenging hikers since 1917, the Beaver Brook Trail’s west trailhead is also in north Genesee Park.
20 miles from downtown Denver / I-70 exits 253 (chief hosa camp and lodge) & 254 (park & bison)

Buffalo Bill Grave & Museum
This site hosts the grave of the legendary showman William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody. By his request, Buffalo Bill was buried on Lookout Mountain in 1917, overlooking the Great Plains and the Rockies. Feel the breezes from the high peaks of the Continental Divide, smell the Ponderosa pines, and see the incredible Cody Collection at the museum.

Red Rocks Park & Ampitheatre
Red Rocks Park, along the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, is named for the towering 300-foot sandstone formations within its 804 acres. The park also boasts a 200-mile panoramic view of Denver and the plains. Extensive hiking trails and natural areas surround the geologic formations. The Visitor Center has a restaurant, gift shop, and park interpretation.
15 miles from downtown Denver / I-70 exit 259

Daniels Park
Most of Daniels Park is a bison preserve and natural area where visitors can view the animals in a high-plains habitat. The shelter
house and picnic areas offer a 100-mile panoramic view of the mountains. The historic Martin ranch buildings are a Denver Landmark Historic District.
20 miles from downtown denver / i-25 exit 188

For additional information, go to DenverMountainParks.org.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Colorado, Family travel, hiking, Humor, travel

The Best of Denver (and the worst of it, too)

May 13, 2010 By

I was recently contacted by a reporter for the Westword, a weekly magazine in Denver. Once upon a time, they were great supporters in helping me solicit votes during the Pandering for Vancouver days (otherwise known as the Office Winter Games Contest). I’m sure their interview is what clinched me the win.

That, and the countless wonderful people in my life who voted for me.

Last month, they contacted me again and asked to interview me for their popular “Best of Denver” edition. Note: I am not the “Best of Denver.” I only know about places that are.

I never actually saw the magazine because we were on Spring Break in Park City but found the article online when I was doing a search for another project I had worked on.

Ahhh, gimme a break. Like you never Google your name.

I was excited to be interviewed with some notable Denver characters (the online version is here).

 

Amber JohnsonAmber Johnson is a professional mama, so professional that she makes her living doing it. The 38-year-old Johnson not only founded the Mile High Mamas blog, which she now operates for the Denver Post, but she also runs a home-based social media marketing company that does work for ski areas and promotions for big brands like Nintendo and Frigidaire. And earlier this year, she was picked — and then hired — by Microsoft to blog about the Olympics from Vancouver. Her site, www.crazybloggincannuck.com, is still active, and will be throughout the year while she helps Microsoft promote Office 2010.

Not a bad gig for a Canadian native who loves the outdoor life so much that Denver’s REI flagship store is her favorite place in town.

“It’s my happy place, no lie,” says Johnson, who lives in Arvada with her husband and two toddlers, Hadley and Bode. “They have a play area on the top floor which is near the clearance areas, so the kids will play while I shop.” Afterward, Johnson likes to take the family for walks through Confluence Park, to watch the kayakers, and up the Platte, either via trolley or on foot, to the Denver Children’s Museum.”

Her other favorite walking tour begins at Little Man Ice Cream, continues through the playground across the street, and then goes across the 16th Street Pedestrian Bridge to see Denver’s infamous “National Velvet” sculpture. “There are so many cool walking areas in Denver that we do that as often as we can,” she says.

 

They were overly complimentary and I feel honored to be included. However, there were three blaring missteps that need to be addressed:

1) Calling me a “professional mom.”

2) Refusing to lie about my age like I recommended.

3) Misspelling my blog name. Last I checked, “canuck” only had one “n.”

Just another reason why Canadians are treated like second-class citizens in this country.

Note #2: Ignore the fact that we’re not actually citizens.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Colorado, Favorite Posts, Humor

The Kites of Death at the Arvada Kite Festival

April 12, 2010 By

Saturday was about redemption.

Four years ago, my husband Jamie and I attempted to fly the expensive stunt kites we had requested for Christmas.

And four years ago, our then-baby Hadley repeatedly escaped death as our kites dive-bombed the ground at speeds fast enough to kill, welp, a small child.

It was our first and only attempt at kite-flying.

Last weekend, I decided it was time to resurrect Said Kites of Death at the 8th annual Arvada Kite Festival. There were prizes awarded for the highest, smallest, largest and most visually appealing kites but my ambitions were simple: I wanted to learn how to simply fly one.

For those unfamiliar with stunt kites, they are a complicated species. With two different lines to manoeuvre, figuring out which line to pull at the exact moment the wind takes it is about as easy as passing college physics (hence the reason why I took it three times).

My husband Jamie conveniently had a prior commitment so I recruited my children and four unsuspecting house guests who were visiting from Arizona. When we arrived at Robby Ferrufino Park, hundreds of kite-flying enthusiasts and spectators were gathered to watch the colorful creations soar.

I assigned guests Ray and Val to the stunt kite while I assembled the $10 Target kite for my kids. My strategy was to let my friends figure out the stunt kite and then impart their greater light and knowledge upon me. In the interim, I would blissfully lope across the field with my Kite for Dummies.

Only this dummy couldn’t get it up in the air.

You know: the kite that was supposed to be easy.

All around me, kites were kites were soaring but no matter how much I ran, jumped and prayed, my kite refused to take flight. When I was at the height of my frustration, my string got tangled up. As I was unraveling it, a gust of wind swooped my kite up, rendering my efforts fruitless.

“Stay down,” I barked at my kite.

I stopped. What was I saying? The kite had finally taken flight on its own. I released it higher and higher to the sky, yelping with glee. I was finally giving the nearby 3-year-old and her flimsy Dora the Explorer kite a run for her money.

All $2 that it was worth.

Val and Ray, on the other hand, weren’t having much luck. Even though they had a few successful launches, they were unable to keep the stunt kite airborne for more than 15 seconds before it became a crash pad for some unsuspecting kite enthusiast.

Who, not surprisingly, was never enthusiastic about the crash landing.

Help was needed and it came in the form of Mike Shaw who took pity on us. This prize-winning entrant in the Grand National Kite Festival played a large role in originally bringing the Arvada Kite Festival to fruition.

He patiently explained the strategy behind the stunt kites and shared his own “kiting” journey with us. He has more than 40 kites, many of which he sewed himself.

“So, if there is any wisdom you could impart on me about learning to fly the stunt kite today, what would it be?” I queried.

“Don’t try to learn at a crowded festival. You’ll probably kill someone.”

Touché. Better luck learning next year.

Just not at the 9th annual Arvada Kite Festival.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Colorado, Humor

What Are Your Summertime Travels?

March 31, 2010 By

The kids and I are currently in Utah for Spring Break. Jamie will join us at a later time. After all, one of us needs to stay home to work while the rest of us play.

I’m just glad it’s him.

After that, our whirlwind travels will be officially over until summertime.

Mostly because pumpkin season will take over our lives in April.

I’ll admit it: I’m always thinking about the next trip. Now that my kids are bit older and intrepid travelers, this is going to be a banner summer. Some things in the works:

  • A visit to the grandparents in Utah. Salt Lake City, that is. Sweltering Southern Utah is the last place you’ll find this heat-hating Canuck.
  • Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Shockingly, we have never spent time at Glenwood Springs’ famous hot springs. We’re excited to do that and more by checking out the Glenwood Cavern Adventure Park, replete with a Tram, Laser Tag, Cave Tours, 4D Ride Theatre, Thrill Rides and what I’m sure will be my personal favorite: Demon the Bull.
  • Crested Butte, Colorado. During my family’s Tour de Colorado last summer, Crested Butte was our favorite stop. The Crested Butte Music Festival + The Wildflower Festival + the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory’s Nature Camp + the best views in Colorado = an unparalleled Colorado vacation. A repeat performance is definitely in order.
  • Another attempt at camping. The last couple of experiences have not exactly been memorable (read about my nervous breakdown here).

As for the trip I’m most excited about?

My generous mom rented out a beach house for a week in the Outer Banks. My entire family will be coming from all corners of North America for seven glorious days at the beach. Our house has great amenities such as a private swimming pool, game room, basketball, volleyball and much more.

But 18 people (with seven of them under age 6) living under the same roof for seven days?

During hurricane season.

Except for some great blog fodder.

Do you have any fun plans for summer?!

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Colorado, Family travel, Humor, travel, Utah

Spring Snow Day in Colorado!

March 24, 2010 By

Gotta admit it: Even though Denver’s dump of snow put a crimp in my road-biking plans, we’ve been loving it Chez Canuck. When school was canceled, we invited over some of our neighborhood besties and made cinnamon rolls.


Had a rousing tournament of Super Mario Bros.


Evidently, personal space is not an issue when crowding around the Wii.

And then we played to our heart’s content outside. We built a killer snow fort and obstacle course.


I had my 1,204th attempt at making a snowman. Little known fact about me: even thought I grew up in the Great, White North, I absolutely suck at making giant balls of snow. I often blame it on Denver’s non-pliable powder but when I saw a neighbor’s perfectly rubenesque snowman, my competitive fuel was fired.

And yes, I realize I am pretty pathetic if a mere snowman ignites my competitive drive.

In my defense, my husband’s obsession started with just wanting to grow the biggest pumpkin in the neighborhood.

I started out strong as the snow cooperated. After that, I really have no excuse because in the end, my snowman resembled a cross between the Leaning Tower of Pisa and E.T.

In a desperate, last-ditch attempt to save face I decided props were the answer. Any guesses on who is my celebrity snowman?


Hint #1: He recently got accosted with a golf club.

Hint #2: I christened him with an extra-long Pinocchio nose made out of “wood.”

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Colorado, Hadley, Humor, outdoors

Biking Denver and Why I’ll Stick with Grandpa

March 18, 2010 By

We have a new member of our family: a Specialized Dolce road bike.

The cost of Said New Member of the Family was equivalent to the hospital bill after giving birth. The main difference? This baby doesn’t cry and was able to ride from birth. To say I am thrilled is an understatement. I have wanted a road bike for two years but minor things like unemployment and starting a new business made this an impossibility.

When I won the Microsoft Office Winter Games Contest, I received the cash equivalent of a trip to Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show. Hence the new road bike and dental appointments for the entire family.

Mama’s gotta be practical as well.

I first fell in love with cycling in high school when an ankle injury forced me to forsake my dreams of playing college soccer. I spent hundreds of hours biking on Calgary’s extensive network of bike paths, which my dear dad introduced to me when I was 13 years old.

I bought a mountain bike 10 years ago, thinking it would ignite a flame by combining two of my great loves: cycling and mountains.

It never really did.

Sure, I enjoy mountain biking but doing so is an impossibility with two small children. It’s heavy, clunky and slower than a stream-lined road bike. Add a bike trailer that hauls 80 lbs of kids and you get your butt kicked by Grandpa on the bike paths.

I only wish I was kidding about this.

What finally moved me to action: a small chunk of cash to play with and a persisting knee problem that has temporarily forced me to abandon running and high-impact sports.

Basically, this just means that I am old and my body is starting to fall apart.

I bought my bike from Wheat Ridge Cyclery, a local leader in bikes, clinics and services. I was so excited about connecting with such a great business that I even signed up for their Women’s Only Bike Maintenance Clinic.

Me. The woman who can barely figure out how to pump my tires.

I opted to ride my bike home from the shop and followed the Clear Creek Trail for the duration of my ride. It was there I vowed to kick some serious trail rat butt with my ultra-fast bike.

And then I spotted my first victim. It was all too perfect. Not only was he male but he was also on a mountain bike.

You know. The slow kind.

I kicked my bike into high gear and started pedaling, my prey within reach.

Until he saw a girl trying to pass him and kicked it into even faster gear.

We dualed it out until in the end, I waved the white flag and he left me in his dust.

In my defense, he was probably an Olympic mountain biker or something.

Next time, I’ll just go after Grandpa to save my ego.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: biking, Colorado, Humor, outdoors

The Scoreboard of Marriage

March 16, 2010 By

It’s official: I survived five days as a single parent.

I’d even say I thrived as the children and I played at my happy place (R.E.I.), threw rocks into the Platte River, indulged in Little Man Ice Cream, played at the playground, went on daily bike rides, rolled down the hill at Confluence Park, went to a St. Patrick’s Day Parade, saw Planet 51, attended church, made a cake in our Easy-Bake Oven, roller-bladed and picnicked in Washington Park, ate at Cafe Rio, frolicked at drop-in gymnastics and shopped. A lot.

Evidently, I have an aversion to being home when my husband is gone.

Oh wait. I’m always like that.

And where was the Lord of the Gourds? He was in Niagara at a giant pumpkin-growing convention.

Yes, you heard correctly. His people meet annually to discuss, welp growing giant pumpkins.

And evidently other exciting things such as “watching the youngest grower to ever receive an Orange Jacket take her place in history with her NEW WORLD RECORD Pumpkin.”

This is exciting stuff, people.

I encouraged Jamie to go. Mostly because I knew he’d have a blast and partly because I felt guilty about how much I’ve been traveling. We now have a 12-day break before we head back to Utah to visit family and ski Park City Mountain Resort for Spring Break.

That’s a lot of travel, even for a family travel writer.

This is the first time Jamie and I have had back-to-back trips without each other and it’s been tough. While we generally don’t keep score in our marriage, we kind of did this time around.

“Jamie, I think you owe me after leaving me alone for five days with the kids.”
“Are you kidding me? What about the 10 days you were gone for the Olympics?”"
“Your mom was here for eight of those days. On the others, I arranged play dates.”
“And your trip to Park City last week? You were gone for 3.5 days.”
“The kids were in school for part of it, I coordinated two play dates and your sister Lisa took the kids for most of Saturday.”
“That still leaves a lot of hours. You were gone a total of 13.5 days and I was only out of town for five.”

Bottom line is he is probably right but who’s counting?

Oh wait. Evidently, we are.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Colorado, Jamie, Marriage, pumpkins, travel

Snowmass: Aspen’s Signature Mountain Offers Best Splurge and On-mountain Fun

March 10, 2010 By

Aspen has a couple of things working against it: exorbitant prices and a reputation for misbehaving celebrities such as Charlie Sheen and those on VH1’s controversial Secrets of Aspen.

Fortunately, it has even more going for it.

My family visited Snowmass for the first time last weekend. I was eager to try the largest of Aspen Ski Company’s highly acclaimed four resorts but I was also worried I wouldn’t fit in. I don’t own fur and my nails haven’t seen a manicure since those fake nails I wore to my high school graduation.

Turns out, it didn’t matter. I was, after all, at a world-class ski resort.

I just wore gloves the entire time.

The Mountain

If you have kids, there is nothing greater than Snowmass’ 25,000-square-foot Tree House Kid’s Adventure Center. The $17 million facility stands as the first of its kind in the snowsports industry with a host of themed rooms for ages eight weeks and older as well as a climbing gym, teen activities and kids’ retail.

Snowmass is renowned for its ski school and employs hundreds of instructors. We enrolled 3-year-old Bode in the Bears class and 5-year-old Hadley was a Grizzly ($130 for a full day). With only 6 percent of its 3,132 acres classified as “easiest,” Snowmass is an intermediate/advanced mountain. The beginner areas became a war zone as newbies practically battled it out for their place to face-plant. The upper mountain was gloriously devoid of lines and crowds.

My children still had the time of their lives.

Snowmass has prodigious amounts of terrain and snow. But it’s the little things that really set it apart: free hot cider, sunscreen and granola bars atop Elk Camp Meadows. Trail maps conveniently printed on the chairlifts’ safety bar. Free naturalist-guided tours twice a day.

Jamie and I are pretty equal in our skiing ability with the exception that he likes to hit the terrain park. I recently got hit by a snowboarder at a terrain park as I tried to photograph Jamie.

That is about as much as we have in common as it pertains to terrain parks.

We had only been skiing an hour when Jamie spotted one of Snowmass’ three terrain parks and the coercion began. I resisted until I saw a class of 6-year-olds tackle it. I reluctantly relented.

I guess you could say I gave in to kid pressure.

Snowmass has done it right. Instead of just having suicidal 10-foot jumps and rails, this one was rated “medium,” which, in terrain-park-speak means “Easy Enough-For-a-30-Something-Mom-to-Have-Visions-of-Ski-Cross-Olympic-Grandeur-Without-Killing-Herself.”

On the same note, at the end of his lesson, Bode proclaimed, “I skied FAST like Bode Miller!”

Look for us at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.

ACES (Aspen Center for Environmental Studies)

Our first experience in Aspen defied all the town’s stereotypes. ACES (Aspen Center for Environmental Studies) is a non-profit 25-acre preserve that offers educational programs and activities about nature, ecology, and the environment. Or, as my daughter Hadley summarized,

“There were some dead animals and others were alive.”

We joined in as a local elementary school made animals tracks of plaster and my kids touched a python snake. We went for a walk on the Forest Trail along a natural spring that fills Hallan Lake, which is maintained by a family of beavers. Even under a blanket of snow, the wetlands dazzled in winter. We visited two non-releasable birds of prey: a 27-year-old golden eagle and gray-horned owl.

In winter, ACES offers showshoe tours in Aspen, Snowmass and Ashcroft. Summer is king for kids and classes include the Little Naturalist, which focuses on different animals each session. Week-long classes are also offered including Exploring Around (ages 5-6) and Wild Exploration (ages 7-8). The summer schedule will be posted in mid-March at aspennature.org.

Snowmass’ Glorious Food

Snowmass Base Village
The Sweet Life is Snowmass’ sweetheart of family dining. Located in the base village, this is THE must-eat-at restaurant for kids. The first floor is a candy store and ice cream parlor on steroids. The top floor is a 1950s-style diner that is every child’s fantasy. Don’t miss out on the chicken lollipops, 15 varieties of cupcakes (including root beer float and candied lemonade), fried Oreos, funnel cake fries, and a separate menu of nine different S’mores.

On-Mountain
Skiing and riding works up an appetite and Sam’s Smokehouse satisfies. The new 7,800-square-foot barbecue-style smokehouse has stunning views of Garret’s Peak, Mount Daly and the surrounding backcountry with floor-to-ceiling windows. Try their pulled pork sandwich, smoked chicken, and barbecue glazed citrus shrimp, topped off by organic apple crisp. Just don’t believe your husband when he says “I’ll only have two bites of dessert” because he will invariably polish it off.

His defense? “They were just really big bites.”

Best Splurge
There is something almost surreal about piling into a snowcat (or a “snowkitty” according to my 3-year-old son) and creeping up a steep mountain slope to a cozy cabin encapsulated by winter’s magical snow globe. Elegant Lynn Britt Cabin gives you that kind of experience. Add that to an ever-changing four-course gourmet meal, Rich (a hilarious guitar-strumming, harmonica-playing entertainer) and you have an unforgettable evening.

Best Off-the-Beaten-Path Restaurant
I am remiss we did not have time to go to Woody Creek Tavern because it came highly recommended from multiple sources. Just six miles from Snowmass, this quirky cowboy dive bar/restaurant boasts the best enchiladas and tamales you will ever taste. Though celebrities are regulars, Woody Creek Tavern prides itself as being “anti-establishmentarianism.”

Whatever the heck that means in a celebrity-kissed town that does a stellar job catering to families.

Filed Under: Colorado, Family, Family travel, Hadley, skiing

Snowmass: Inspiring Olympic Aspirations in Families

March 3, 2010 By

Aspen has a couple of things working against it: exorbitant prices and a reputation for misbehaving celebrities such as Charlie Sheen and those on VH1’s controversial Secrets of Aspen.

Fortunately, it has even more going for it.

My family visited Snowmass for the first time last weekend. I was eager to try the largest of Aspen Ski Company’s highly acclaimed four resorts but I was also worried I wouldn’t fit in. I don’t own fur and my nails haven’t seen a manicure since those fake nails I wore to my high school graduation.

Turns out, it didn’t matter. I was, after all, at a world-class ski resort.

I just wore gloves the entire time.

The Mountain

If you have kids, there is nothing greater than Snowmass’ 25,000-square-foot Tree House Kid’s Adventure Center. The $17 million facility stands as the first of its kind in the snowsports industry with a host of themed rooms for ages eight weeks and older as well as a climbing gym, teen activities and kids’ retail.

Snowmass is renowned for its ski school and employs hundreds of instructors. We enrolled 3-year-old Bode in the Bears class and 5-year-old Hadley was a Grizzly ($130 for a full day). With only 6 percent of its 3,132 acres classified as “easiest,” Snowmass is an intermediate/advanced mountain. The beginner areas became a war zone as newbies practically battled it out for their place to face-plant. The upper mountain was gloriously devoid of lines and crowds.

My children still had the time of their lives.

Snowmass has prodigious amounts of terrain and snow. But it’s the little things that really set it apart: free hot cider, sunscreen and granola bars atop Elk Camp Meadows. Trail maps conveniently printed on the chairlifts’ safety bar. Free naturalist-guided tours twice a day.

Jamie and I are pretty equal in our skiing ability with the exception that he likes to hit the terrain park. I recently got hit by a snowboarder at a terrain park as I tried to photograph Jamie.

That is about as much as we have in common as it pertains to terrain parks.

We had only been skiing an hour when Jamie spotted one of Snowmass’ three terrain parks and the coercion began. I resisted until I saw a class of 6-year-olds tackle it. I reluctantly relented.

I guess you could say I gave in to kid pressure.

Snowmass has done it right. Instead of just having suicidal 10-foot jumps and rails, this one was rated “medium,” which, in terrain-park-speak means “Easy Enough-For-a-30-Something-Mom-to-Have-Visions-of-Ski-Cross-Olympic-Grandeur-Without-Killing-Herself.”

On the same note, at the end of his lesson, Bode proclaimed, “I skied FAST like Bode Miller!”

Look for us at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.

ACES (Aspen Center for Environmental Studies)

Our first experience in Aspen defied all the town’s stereotypes. ACES (Aspen Center for Environmental Studies) is a non-profit 25-acre preserve that offers educational programs and activities about nature, ecology, and the environment. Or, as my daughter Hadley summarized,

“There were some dead animals and others were alive.”

We joined in as a local elementary school made animals tracks of plaster and my kids touched a python snake. We went for a walk on the Forest Trail along a natural spring that fills Hallan Lake, which is maintained by a family of beavers. Even under a blanket of snow, the wetlands dazzled in winter. We visited two non-releasable birds of prey: a 27-year-old golden eagle and gray-horned owl.

In winter, ACES offers showshoe tours in Aspen, Snowmass and Ashcroft. Summer is king for kids and classes include the Little Naturalist, which focuses on different animals each session. Week-long classes are also offered including Exploring Around (ages 5-6) and Wild Exploration (ages 7-8). The summer schedule will be posted in mid-March at aspennature.org.

Snowmass’ Glorious Food

Snowmass Base Village
The Sweet Life is Snowmass’ sweetheart of family dining. Located in the base village, this is THE must-eat-at restaurant for kids. The first floor is a candy store and ice cream parlor on steroids. The top floor is a 1950s-style diner that is every child’s fantasy.

Don’t miss out on the chicken lollipops, 15 varieties of cupcakes (including root beer float and candied lemonade), fried Oreos, funnel cake fries, and a separate menu of nine different S’mores.

On-Mountain
Skiing and riding works up an appetite and Sam’s Smokehouse satisfies. The new 7,800-square-foot barbecue-style smokehouse has stunning views of Garret’s Peak, Mount Daly and the surrounding backcountry with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Try their pulled pork sandwich, smoked chicken, and barbecue glazed citrus shrimp, topped off by organic apple crisp. Just don’t believe your husband when he says “I’ll only have two bites of dessert” because he will invariably polish it off.

His defense? “They were just really big bites.”

Best Splurge
There is something almost surreal about piling into a snowcat (or a “snowkitty” according to my 3-year-old son) and creeping up a steep mountain slope to a cozy cabin encapsulated by winter’s magical snow globe. Elegant Lynn Britt Cabin gives you that kind of experience. Add that to an ever-changing four-course gourmet meal, Rich (a hilarious guitar-strumming, harmonica-playing entertainer) and you have an unforgettable evening.

Best Off-the-Beaten-Path Restaurant
I am remiss we did not have time to go to Woody Creek Tavern because it came highly recommended from multiple sources. Just six miles from Snowmass, this quirky cowboy dive bar/restaurant boasts the best enchiladas and tamales you will ever taste. Though some superstars are regulars, Woody Creek Tavern prides itself as being “anti-establishmentarianism.”

Whatever the heck that means in a celebrity-kissed town that does a stellar job catering to families.

I’m giving away four ski passes to Snowmass at Mile High Mamas! Be sure to enter.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Colorado, Family travel, Humor, travel

Why Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort is a Family-favorite (and worth the drive)

February 2, 2010 By

The only bad thing about Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort is the long haul to get there.

That’s also why it is so great.

Make the seven-hour drive from Denver to Durango’s remote enclave in southwestern Colorado and you’ll feel like you’re in the frosty equivalent of Shangri-La. With 1,325 acres of snow-dusted terrain, the San Juan Mountains are arguably Colorado’s most beautiful range.

I skied Purgatory 10 years ago and my only memory is a jarring wipe-out that had me seeing snow.

And a lot of stars.

Much has changed at this premier family-friendly resort since then. If you look at Purgatory’s marketing materials, there is a common theme: new. The new Purgatory Village base facilities include a new village plaza, gorgeous new Purgatory Lodge, new and improved retail shops and a new mountain Activities Center.

In the same vein, my husband Jamie and I were delighted for our newfound freedom as we dropped 3-year-old Bode and 5-year-old Hadley off in ski school. Hadley attended the full-day classes ($75) while second-timer Bode tore up the slopes in a half-day lesson ($55), finishing off his day being spoiled by the doting staff at Snow Monsters child care.

We spent two days on the slopes and both kids’ skills improved exponentially. Bode was a tucking speed demon, expertly weaving in and out of traffic. Pizza-carving Hadley started to get a bit cocky, mocking the incompetent.

“You know those grown-ups learning to ski on the bunny slope with me?”

“Yes.”

(Chuckling) “They fell. A lot.”

Ski Bunny Mommy

While the kids were in ski school, Jamie and I rented some demo skis. Conditions were epic: a bluebird day, 50 inches snow in the past week and a generous dump of it in the last 24 hours.

From the offset, I rocked the terrain. The snow was superb but I quickly attributed my rockstar status tomy demo skis: Nordica Hot Rods. My turns were seamless, my velocity fast. I floated through fresh powder and my miracle skis made me slightly delusional, giving me confidence to conquer terrain beyond my ability level. I concluded that they treated me better than my high school boyfriend.

My imaginary perfect one.

Jamie hadn’t slept well so he ended his ski day after lunch. Undaunted, I skied alone and found a new beau: Chet’s powder playground. I later raved to Jamie about the moves I put on Chet’s bumps, promising to introduce the real love of my life to it the next day.

Until I discovered Chet’s powder perfection had been groomed and ruined.

Best to just stick with the imaginary boyfriend when it comes to ski runs to avoid disappointment.

Accommodations

There are plenty of affordable lodging options in Durango along Main Avenue. But if you don’t want to make the 25-mile drive to Purgatory, be sure to stay slope-side at the Purgatory Lodge. Completed in December 2008, this luxury ski-in/ski-out property is the anchor of the new Purgatory Village with units ranging in size from 2 to 4 bedrooms. All rooms in Purgatory Lodge have unparalleled views of the ski area and Needles Mountains.

What really sets Purgatory Lodge apart is the Durango Mountain Club. Many resorts have an alpine club but very few do such a stellar job catering to the younger set. When my family was not skiing, we were playing Wii or swimming in the pool with spray jets and a water slide. Other offerings include a hot tub, fitness center, fire pit, cabana bar, board games, pool and an adjacent bar and eating area.

Trimble Spa and Natural Hot Springs

One of my favorite ways to unwind after skiing is to soak my weary muscles. Located just outside of Durango, Trimble Spa and Natural Hot Springs has naturally heated mineral pools, saunas and the area’s largest heated outdoor swimming pool. There is nothing fancy about Trimble but the minerals will still work their magic on you. Just be sure not to ingest the water like my 3-year-old son, after which he sputtered, “Dat was DANGEROUS!”

Consider yourselves warned.

Sleigh Bells Ring

New for this season, Buck’s Livery offers horse-drawn sleigh rides that depart from Purgatory’s base area and climb high above the resort. My family’s best photo opportunities took place as we dashed through the snow to an overlook of the Needles Mountains set afire by Alpenglow. Sleighs depart at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. The cost is $30 per adult and $20 per child. For reservations and information, call 970-385-2110.

Glorious Food

Steamworks Brewing Company

This brewpub just off Main Avenue in Durango is zany, fun and family-friendly. Many restaurants offer crayons in an effort to appease children. Steamworks takes it a step further and distributes sidewalk chalk and encourages budding artists to graffiti the floor. You can’t go wrong with anything you order off their extensive menu but I recommend the Cajun Bowl, where quality bar food meets Cajun with ½ pound of crab, ¼ pound of shrimp, ¼ pound of sausage, 3 new potatoes and 2 cobs of corn.

Purgy’s

Conveniently located in the Purgatory Lodge, this hoppin’ hub offers an omelet station and breakfast burritos in the morning. In the afternoon, you will find live music and their famous burgers and pizza. Purgy’s transforms into an upscale restaurant in the evening. Best of all, Purgy’s is connected to the Durango Mountain Club at Purgatory Lodge. As guests, we were able to eat our filet mignon in the game room while our kids stayed entertained. Talk about the best of both worlds.

Creekside Italian Kitchen

The last thing I want to do after a long drive is cook or go out to eat. Conveniently located on the Plaza level, Creekside Italian Kitchen delivers—literally. We pre-ordered their delicious calzone, pizza, spaghetti, cheese bread, Panini and a dessert pizza my children are still raving about. We devoured our meal from the comfort of our condo.

All in the name of carb-loading before our big ski day, of course.

Best Deal

When you book three nights of lodging at Durango Mountain Resort properties and three days of lift tickets, they’ll throw in a fourth day and night for FREE. Add three days of rentals and ski or snowboard lessons, and you’ll receive a fourth day of rentals and/or lessons also free. Call 800-982-6103 to book the “Buy 3, Get the 4th Free” package. Some restrictions apply; based on availability. Minimum four nights stay required. Price based on four-person occupancy at Tamarron Lodge.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Colorado, Family travel, Humor, skiing, travel Tagged With:
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »