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Colorado Ski Resorts Subsidize Airline Costs

Colorado ski resorts are paying more to airlines for consistent flights into regional mountain airports.

Airlines say they need the subsidies because of rising fuel prices and financially strapped vacationers.

The Telluride Tourism Board is helping Crested Butte Mountain Resort with a $650,000 revenue-guarantee deal with Allegiant Air to bring twice-weekly flights from Oakland and Phoenix to Montrose all winter.

According to the Denver Post, Steamboat, Crested Butte and Vail are also paying more to airlines for consistent flights.

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In Aspen History, Breckenridge History, Crested Butte History, Steamboat Springs History, Telluride History, resources, Vail and Beaver Creek, Vail and Beaver Creek History

A Milestone for Water Diversions in Colorado

If 1962 was a big year for skiing, with the opening of Vail, in Colorado it was also notable for benchmarks in diversion of water. One project was completed and another was started, the two of them substantially enlarging the unnatural flow of water from the Colorado River Basin to the Front Range of Colorado.

Colorado is an unbalanced state. Nearly 80 per cent of precipitation in the state falls west of the Continental Divide, where nearly all of Colorado’s ski areas are located, mostly in the form of snow. But 80 per cent of its population and an even higher percentage of its farms and ranches live on the eastern side.

Diversions across the Continental Divide began in 1911 and accelerated in 1936 when dewatering of creeks around Winter Park began. But 1962 was a huge year for this export of water. That year, Denver finished a new tunnel that is three metres in diameter and 37.5 kilometres long. The tunnel diverts water from Dillon Reservoir into the South Platte River, upstream from Denver.

Also in 1962, President John F. Kennedy gave a speech kicking off construction of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project. The project diverts water from the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork Rivers, both located in the Aspen area, to cantaloupe and other farms in the Arkansas River Valley. Some of that water has now found its way to metropolitan Denver.

Now, Colorado faces a new issue. Instead of figuring out how to develop its water, the key question is how much water it has left to develop — if any. The Colorado River Compact of 1922 apportions water among the seven states from Wyoming to California. It also requires Colorado and other upper-basin states to deliver 7.5 million acre-feet of water to the lower-basin states on a rolling 10-year average.

During the last 30 years, Colorado and other upper-basin states have delivered an average of 10.8 million acre-feet. But that average has been exceeded only three times out of the last 12, reports John McClow of Gunnison, writing in the Grand Junction Free Press. 2012 was particularly bad: just a little over 2 million acre-feet of water flowed into Lake Powell from April through July, the prime runoff months, reports Jim Pokrandt of the Colorado River Water Conservation District.

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Pot Votes in CO Raise Specter of Weed Tourism

Hit the slopes — and then a bong?

Marijuana legalization votes this week in Colorado and Washington state don’t just set up an epic state-federal showdown on drug laws for residents. The measures also open the door for marijuana tourism.

Both marijuana measures make marijuana possession in small amounts OK for all adults over 21 — not just state residents but visitors, too. Tourists may not be able to pack their bowls along with their bags, but as long as out-of-state tourists purchase and use the drug while in Colorado or Washington, they wouldn’t violate the marijuana measures.

Of course, that’s assuming the recreational marijuana measures take effect at all. That was very much in doubt Friday as the states awaited word on possible lawsuits from the U.S. Department of Justice asserting federal supremacy over drug law.

So the future of marijuana tourism in Colorado and Washington is hazy. But that hasn’t stopped rampant speculation, especially in Colorado, where tourism is the No. 2 industry thanks to the Rocky Mountains and a vibrant ski industry.

The day after Colorado approved recreational marijuana by a wide margin, the headline in the Aspen Times asked, “Aspendam?” referring to Amsterdam’s marijuana cafes.

Colorado’s tourism director, Al White, tried to downplay the prospect of a new marijuana tourism boom. “It won’t be as big a deal as either side hopes or fears,” White said. Maybe not. But many are asking about marijuana tourism.

Ski resorts are “certainly watching it closely,” said Jennifer Rudolph of Colorado Ski Country USA, a trade association that represents 21 Colorado resorts.

The Colorado counties where big ski resorts are located seem to have made up their minds. The marijuana measure passed by overwhelming margins, with more support than in less visited areas.

The home county of Aspen approved the marijuana measure more than 3-to-1. More than two-thirds approved marijuana in the home county of Colorado’s largest ski resort, Vail. The home county of Telluride ski resort gave marijuana legalization its most lopsided victory, nearly 8 in 10 favoring the measure.

“Some folks might come to Colorado to enjoy some marijuana as will be their right. So what?” said Betty Aldworth, advocacy director for the Colorado marijuana campaign.

Marijuana backers downplayed the impact on tourism. Aldworth pointed out that pot-smoking tourists wouldn’t exactly be new. Colorado ski slopes already are dotted with “smoke shacks,” old mining cabins that have been illicitly repurposed as places to smoke pot out of the cold. And the ski resort town of Breckenridge dropped criminal penalties for marijuana use two years ago.

 

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Ski Country Tries to Regulate Gas Drilling

Natural gas drilling and some potential for oil continues to be in the news at many ski towns in Colorado. The drilling potential is not in any of the ski towns proper, but rather in outlying areas, including some favorite forested playgrounds.

Such drilling has been happening for decades south of Durango. But the rigs are relatively new near Steamboat. Local officials want to be ready, to ensure impacts are limited.

Some landowners would just as soon government keeps its nose out of such affairs. Writing in Steamboat Today, Vonnie Frentress says some land and mineral owners see the oil and gas industry as business partners. “Diversified revenue sources can increase the financial strength of area agricultural operations.”

From Aspen and its suburbs in the Roaring Fork Valley comes a different tune. There, the dominant worry has been of impacts to treasured spots from drilling.

The Forest Service owns much of the land west of Carbondale, including the site of the Sunlight Mountain ski area. For whatever reason, the Forest Service plans had allowed drilling rigs on the ski slopes. That oversight has been corrected.

Now, the Forest Service is proposing to reduce the acreages where leasing by oil companies would be allowed by 33 per cent. The Aspen Times reports that the oil and gas industry is none too happy. But neither are environmental and conservation groups. Peter Hart, spokesman for the Wilderness Workshop, said his group favors removing all lands not now leased from future leasing.

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In Breckenridge, Breckenridge Ski Resorts, Steamboat Springs, Steamboat Springs Ski Resorts, resources, Vail and Beaver Creek, Vail and Beaver Creek Ski Resorts

Switzerland is Now Epic: Vail + Verbier Join Forces

Vail Resorts announced today an unprecedented partnership with Verbier, Switzerland, that will enhance the already incredible value of Vail Resorts’ Epic Season Pass, providing three days of free access to the Verbier ski resort, including Les 4 Vallees, the largest ski area in Switzerland, for new and renewing 2012-2013 Epic Season Pass holders. In addition to unlimited, unrestricted skiing and riding at eight world-class mountain resorts in the United States, Epic Pass holders will now have the opportunity to extend their winter to Europe and experience four additional premier mountain resorts including the illustrious Verbier resort, as well as Nendaz, Veysonnaz and Thyon, Switzerland. The “Four Valleys” ski area boasts breathtaking views of the Rhone Valley and the infamous Matterhorn, and extend to the Valais and Bernese Alps, culminating in the largest ski area in Switzerland.

“Vail Resorts Epic Season Pass holders already receive an incredible experience with unlimited, unrestricted access to Vail Resorts’ seven world-class resorts including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone,  Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood, as well as Arapahoe Basin, but we wanted to give them even more benefits by offering Epic Season Pass holders three free days of skiing at the legendary Verbier ski resort, including Les 4 Vallees  in Switzerland,” said Kirsten Lynch, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Vail Resorts.

Click here to read the entire article. 

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In Aspen, Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Jackson Hole, Park City, Steamboat Springs, Telluride, resources, Vail and Beaver Creek

Ski Resorts Are For Non-skiers, Too

Ski resorts are for non-skiers, too.

If you mention the word ‘vacation’ to most people, the chances are they will immediately think of sun-soaked resorts in various parts of the globe. They will conjure up images of long, unspoilt beaches, crystal clear oceans, luxurious hotels and a variety of exciting restaurants offering the very best examples of local and international cuisine.

However, not every holiday has to be about swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling. Although most people look to spend their annual vacation doing nothing more strenuous than topping up their tans, it should be borne in mind that there are plenty of alternatives which don’t involve burning to a crisp on a lounger.

All over the world, from the iconic beauty of the Swiss Alps to the millionaire’s playground of Aspen in Colorado, there are hundreds of ski resorts which are just waiting to be enjoyed. One of the sad things about them, however, is that they remain undiscovered by people who have no intention of taking up skiing.

Click here to read the entire article.

 

 

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Tipping Our Caps to Steamboat’s School District’s Great Distinction

The Steamboat Springs School District and the overall performance of its students continues to impress, as demonstrated by this week’s news that for the third consecutive year the school system achieved the highest rating given by the state of Colorado.

Say what you will about standardized tests — and we’re on record as pushing the district to better use the data from those test results — but there can be no doubt that Steamboat boasts one of the best school districts in the state. Being rated as “accredited with distinction” puts Steamboat in the top 10 percent of the 178 districts across Colorado. The ratings are based on student academic growth and how well districts prepare students for a career or postsecondary education after high school, measures that are determined by student scores on the Transitional Colorado Student Assessment Program and the ACT.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

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In Aspen Ski Resort, Breckenridge Ski Resorts, Crested Butte Ski Resorts, Steamboat Springs Ski Resorts, Telluride Ski Resort, resources, Vail and Beaver Creek Ski Resorts

Colorado Ski Areas Likely to Start Making Snow This Week

In what sounds like good news for ski resorts eager to start making snow, the National Weather Service is forecasting a strong cold front to drop out of Canada mid-week, with overnight lows dropping into the teens and 20s starting Wednesday night.

That’s plenty cold to fire up the snow guns, which have already been moved into position at Arapahoe Basin and Loveland, the two resorts that traditionally compete for opening day honors. Starting Wednesday, nighttime lows should stay well below freezing, especially at the higher elevations.

A similar weather pattern prevailed last year, with a significant snowfall dusting the higher terrain around the Continental Divide Oct. 8. Arapahoe Basin opened a few days later, on Oct. 12.

Tuesday looks to be the nicest day of the week if you like sunny and warm weather, with highs climbing into to 60s. By Wednesday, highs will only reach the mid 50s as cooler air rushes down from central Canada. At this point, there looks to be just enough moisture with the system to trigger a few showers that could change over to snow down to valley levels Wednesday night and into Thursday.

Click here to read the entire article.

 

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In Steamboat Springs, Steamboat Springs Recreation, resources

Ice Castle Plans to Open at Steamboat Ski Area Base by New Year’s Eve

Of course kids will love the ice castle growing in Ski Time Square. What about grown-ups?

But when you’re standing next to a 50-foot icicle, you feel pretty small,” Cory Livingood said about the adults who will be dwarfed by the growing art piece at the base of Steamboat Ski Area.

And the ice castle is a living art piece of sorts.  When it opens to the public on New Year’s Eve, what visitors see will be unique to them because the castle continues to grow and change as winter progresses.

The castle should reach its peak during February, Livingood said, but work doesn’t stop till weather forces the issue and the ice returns to Burgess Creek.

Livingood said he expects the outside walls of the castle to reach 10 to 20 feet, and the inside towers possibly could hit 30 to 50 feet.

There’s a timelapse camera in a tree next to the castle, and Steamboat residents or return visitors will be able to witness the changes in the castle themselves during successive tours.

Click here to read the entire article.

 

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In Aspen, Aspen Recreation, Breckenridge, Breckenridge Recreation, Steamboat Springs, Steamboat Springs Recreation, resources, Vail and Beaver Creek, Vail and Beaver Creek Recreation

USA Pro Cycling Comes to Aspen, Breck, Steamboat, Vail in 2013

USA Pro Challenge officials unveiled the 2013 host cities. After a year off, Steamboat Springs will host the Stage 3 finish August 21 and the Stage 4 start August 22. Steamboat the finish of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge host in 2011.  USA Pro Cycling Challenge attracts some of the best cyclist in the world and it definitely puts Colorado on the map for pro cycling.

The 2013 host cities and stages are:

Aug. 19 — Stage 1: Aspen/Snowmass Circuit
Aug. 20 — Stage 2: Aspen/Snowmass to Breckenridge
Aug. 21 — Stage 3: Breckenridge to Steamboat Springs
Aug. 22 — Stage 4: Steamboat Springs to Beaver Creek
Aug. 23 — Stage 5: Vail Time Trial
Aug. 24 — Stage 6: Loveland to Fort Collins
Aug. 25 — Stage 7: Denver Circuit

When this caravan of cycling excitement came through in 2011, the city was electric and the races were quite a spectacle. Click here for more info on the USA Pro Challenge.