Leadville, at nearly 2 miles above sea level, is one of Colorado’s loftiest living mineral towns. The community of 2,800 sits at an elevation of more than 10,000 feet and lies near the headwaters of the Arkansas River. Opulent Aspen rises 29 Learjet miles to the west. Trendy Breckenridge sits even closer toward the northeast. … Read more
Most people traveling the nine or so miles between Breckenridge and Frisco make use of Colorado Highway 9 or the bike path that parallels it. But when powered by foot, mountain bike or ski, the Peaks Trail is by far the more scenic answer. With a trailhead in Frisco, near Miner’s Creek Road, and … Read more
Every time Nick Miller, manager at Krabloonik Kennels, starts to hitch up his team, they go crazy. “They love it,” Miller says. “As soon as they realize they’re going out, they get excited, even if they’ve already been out that day.” Dog-sledding has become increasingly popular in many Colorado mountain towns and ski areas as … Read more
Remember sleep-away camp? Roasting marshmallows by the fire, bunking in log cabins, crafting leather belts, laughing in the dining hall with new-found friends… Picture your adult self at camp with your kids. Now add snow. That’s the scene at the YMCA of the Rockies’ Snow Mountain Ranch, just outside Winter Park. At this high-altitude hideout, … Read more
Leadville, Colorado, celebrates winter during the annual Crystal Carnival March 1-3, 2013, highlighted by the town’s time-honored tradition of ski joring, a unique winter sport combining horses and skiing. Since 1949, Leadville’s streets have been converted to winter racetracks for the annual ski joring competition. Horses and their riders pull skiers along the snow-packed roadways … Read more
Over the Super Bowl’s 47-year history, I’ve viewed the game from all the usual TV venues. I’ve watched it from bars, dorms, homes, motels, hotels, airports and cruise ships. I’ve seen it at a church with fans cheering the team bearing the Christian-most quarterback. I’ve endured parties where women cackled during plays and men wolf-whistled … Read more
A shotgun start on Jan. 22, 2013, will signal the start of the annual International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge, Colorado. Sixteen snow-carving teams from around the world will create works of art from frozen blocks of snow, to be on display from Jan. 27 through Feb. 3, weather permitting. The teams of four hail … Read more
The ranch compound lies about a half-mile below. It would take two minutes to drive, but right now no vehicles are allowed on the roadway. This route to the ranch is reserved for us sledders. I center my Flexible Flyer on its snow-packed crown. A ranch hand’s foot chocks the sled while I drop on … Read more
Deck the halls… and the city buildings, and the light posts, and every tree near an outlet. Denver goes all out for the holidays, so it’s easy to find a pretty display as you wander through town. However, there are a few that are definitely worth seeking out. The City and County Building, downtown at … Read more
With its small-town charm, Golden, Colorado, celebrates the quintessential Christmas with festive events during December. From lighting the town to providing a convivial shopping atmosphere, the Olde Golden Christmas offers a variety of opportunities to join in the holiday cheer. One of the highlights is the annual Candlelight Walk along Washington Avenue (Nov. 30 at … Read more