Front Range Riffraff

All things Colorado snow+gravity.

Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Ski deals, like the snow, keep coming

Posted by frontrangeriffraff on December 16, 2008

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So it’s been snowing like crazy in the Colorado mountains for the past couple of weeks. That’s great news.

And, as the economy slows and resort bookings lag, many ski areas are launching all sorts of news sites and promotions. That’s good news for those without a season pass, or season pass holders who want to get some at another area.

So here’s a few new Colorado resort deals for your low-cost enjoyment, in order of importance to Front Range riffraff:

PowPowPlatter.com: Intrawest throws down a trifecta of tickets to Copper Mountain, Winter Park and Steamboat for $99. No blackout dates, either. Nice. But, 48 hour advance purchase required, and non-transferable. Available while supplies last or until January 31st. You know you wanna road trip to Steamboat.

KeystoneTonight.com: Keystone launched this new site to sell last minute deals on lodging, activities, dining and more. It offers hotel rooms or studios for $99 a night throughout the season, and Sunday night stays at the Inn at Keystone (rooftop hot tub, whoot) for $79. Deals vary depending on the week.

VailAllTheLove.com: Vail deals on lodging, on-mountain food and activities, Vail Snowsports School, town dining/drinking, shopping and rentals, spa visits and other activities. Sample deal: 1 free Happy Hour Beer at Westside Cafe from 4 pm-7 pm. (If you’re a current or former Vail Resorts season pass holder you probably got a Vail All The Love discount card mailed to you.)

Know of any more deals? Comment away…

Posted in News, Resort Events | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Vail withdraws plan for groomed catwalk to Earl’s Bowl

Posted by frontrangeriffraff on December 15, 2008

Good news for those who enjoy the uncrowded terrain in Earl’s Bowl at Vail. The Vail Daily has reported that Vail Resorts has given up on plans to build a groomed catwalk to Earl’s Bowl. Meaning that users will still have to work a little to access the sidecountry west of Blue Sky Basin. Meaning that more people will not be venturing out the gate and into your stash. Meaning more fresh snow for those that don’t mind a small hike, like these powder junkies:

Heading west on the trail to Earl's Bowl during opening day of Blue Sky Basin at Vail on Saturday, December 13, 2008.

Heading west on the trail to Earl's Bowl during opening day of Blue Sky Basin at Vail on Saturday, December 13, 2008.

 

Meaning more untouched runs like this:

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Blue Sky Basin at Vail as viewed from atop Earl's Bowl on Saturday, December 13, 2008.

 Also, it’s been snowing like gangbusters this December. A small avalanche slid down Lover’s Leap in Blue Sky Basin on Sunday. Be safe out there you powder freaks.

Posted in News, Resort Events, Sidecountry | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Tanner Hall steps up in Boulder

Posted by frontrangeriffraff on December 12, 2008

According to the Daily Camera, Seven-time Winter X Games gold medalist Tanner Hall was ticketed Thursday for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana during a sesh at New Vista High School in Boulder. From the story:

A packed high school parking lot at the early-morning hour tipped police off to something suspicious, (police spokeswoman Sarah Huntley) said. While talking to the men, she said, officers smelled an odor of marijuana. They asked who had the pot, she said.

“And Tanner Hall stepped up and said he had it,” Huntley said.

Hall was cited, and his crew was asked to disperse.

According to Hall’s mother Darla:

“He has a lifestyle that’s not everyone’s lifestyle, but I back Tanner 199 percent,” Darla Hall said. “He’s not the only athlete out there that smokes marijuana. … They all do it.”

One could imagine that a member of the posse would be expected to take the rap for having the pot. Apparently not so with Tanner Hall. Keeping it real. Endorsement deals – smorshment deals. Image – smidadge.

Kudos for Hall and his moms for being open and upfront about smoking a little ganja. I can’t imagine many other elite-level pro athletes doing the same.

Coincidentally, on the same day ESPN announced  the first wave of  X’rs invited to Winter X Games 13. Hall, the defending Winter X skiing superpipe champion, made the cut. Let’s hope he goes big again this January.

Enjoy this replay of his gold medal run last January while I go to Taco Bell for some delicious tacos. For some strange reason I really want some Taco Bell tacos. Mmmmn, tacos.

Posted in News | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Inexpensive parking space for sale in Vail

Posted by frontrangeriffraff on November 25, 2008

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Yeah, you read that right. $500,000 for a parking space in Vail.

So drive (don’t walk) to Vail ASAP and put in your cash offer. I heard from a Realtor® that it’s a good time to buy.

Posted in News | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Breckenridge asks skiers to keep their dog poo off the slopes

Posted by frontrangeriffraff on November 25, 2008

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This cute n fuzzy doggie reminds you to always pick up his poo.

Robert Allen at the Summit Daily News has a nice story on Breck’s efforts to accommodate skinners, a practice that is gaining popularity. It’s a well-sourced, well-written article that neatly explains the issue:

Breckenridge Ski Resort officials asked for cooperation from a rugged, growing breed of skiers who prefer hiking to riding ski lifts, as the resort undergoes base-area construction and balances business operations with after-hours access.

But the best part of the story “comes out” at the end:

Dogs and their droppings made for another conversation topic Thursday, as the resort has been dealing increasingly with fecal specimen left on the freshly groomed slopes.

I always wondered how dog poo ends up on ski trails. Now I know. So remember kids, don’t eat the yellow, or brown, snow.

My advice? Only eat fresh snow resting on tree branches. And make sure the branch is higher than, um, “waste” level.

Posted in Cute n fuzzy, News | Tagged: , , , | 1 Comment »

Yellowstone Club files for bankruptcy

Posted by frontrangeriffraff on November 11, 2008

Oh nooo! The Yellowstone Club in Montana, billed as “the world’s only private ski and golf community,” has filed for bankruptcy. From the Reuters story:

“Exclusive ski and golf community Yellowstone Club, in Montana, has filed for bankruptcy protection, a sign that the financial crisis roiling the real estate and leisure industries is not limited to the low end of the market.

The club, in the pristine mountain area around Big Sky, Montana, not far from Yellowstone National Park, is part resort and part residential community for the super-rich.”

I’m sure all you Front Range riffraff are crying in your oatmeal right now. I do feel bad for any legit contractors or workers who might get hosed from this. But I don’t feel too bad for the exclusive super-rich homeowners. These folks might be bummed, though.

Check the anger directed at the Yellowstone Club owners on the TGR forum.

Posted in News | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

 
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