AvidLifestyle.com
JANUARY 2022
REST AND RESET explore wellness retreats by STRATA at Garden of the Gods Resort and Club
Masters of Design Local architectural firm RUGGLES MABE STUDIO on the importance of beauty in built environments
JANUARY 2022 | $8.95
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HEALTHY HABITS flavorful choices to help you get back to eating better
THE FUSION OF SCIENCE AND ART The Freyer-Newman Center is now open at Denver Botanic Gardens
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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CONTENTS
// january 2022
departments
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12
TAKING IT FROM THE TOP Rejuvenating our spirits for the next spin around the sun. By Hillary Locke Mujica
ON THE AGENDA Rodeos, winterfests, art exhibits, wellness retreats and more.
local flavors
16 20
BOWLS OF GOODNESS Serving up lots of flavor at Grange Hall’s Bubu. By John Lehndorff TIME FOR A CLEANSE Reset healthy eating habits at Nékter Juice Bar. By John Lehndorff
dwelling well
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PHOTO: COURTESY RUGGLES MABE STUDIO ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS
FEATURED
32
LOOKING UP Local interior design experts on the decorative ceiling trend. By Kathryn O’Shea-Evans
ART FENG SHUI Using the healing powers of art to transform spaces with Noyes Art Designs. By Kathryn O’Shea-Evans
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ready to wear
50
WELLNESS 101 Nourish body and soul at STRATA Wellness at Garden of the Gods Resort. By Maren Bartels
CONSTANT COMFORT Luxury loungewear you can wear all day. By Maren Bartels
53
inf luencers
Local architect Don Ruggles is on a crusade to inform the next generation of architects why beauty must play a role in built environments. By Heather Shoning
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MERGING ART AND SCIENCE Denver Botanic Gardens is changing the game with The Freyer-Newman Center. By Heather Shoning
wayfarers
ON THE COVER: A beautifully built envirnoment by Ruggles Mabe Studio. PHOTO: Massey, courtesy Ruggles Mabe Studio Architecture + Interiors
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OH CANANDA Hitting the slopes in the Great White North. By Hillary Locke Mujica
A new year... your new home
grand opening schedule your on-site tour today!
January 2022 // vol. 3 // no. 10 PRESIDENT/GROUP PUBLISHER Allen J. Walters PUBLISHER Chris Phillips art & editorial EDITOR Hillary Locke Mujica
Locally Owned
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jani Duncan Smith CONTRIBUTORS E.J. Carr, Chad Chisholm, Jessica Hughes, Ehren Joseph, John Lehndorff, Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Erroll Perkins, Charile Price, Dionne Roberts, Heather Shoning, Kimberly Lord Stewart, Valerie Ward sales, marketing & advertising VP OF SALES & MARKETING Lori Perry DIRECTOR OF SALES Mike Carver DIGITAL STRATEGIST Katie Macleay BUSINESS/OPERATIONS MANAGER Cindy Palmer EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Jon Rizzi ART DIRECTOR, Colorado AvidGolfer Michelle M. Gutierrez ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: chris@avidlifestyle.com EDITORIAL INQUIRIES AND LETTERS: hillary@avidlifestyle.com
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MAILING ADDRESS: 6143 S. Willow Drive, #406 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 AvidLifestyle (ISSN 2642-0562) is published twelve times a year by Baker-Colorado Publishing, LLC, and printed by Publication Printers Inc. volume three, number ten. 6143 S. Willow Drive, #406, Greenwood Village, CO 80111. Order your personal subscription to AvidLifestyle at avidlifestyle.com or by calling 720.493.1729. Subscriptions are available at the rate of $12 per year. Copyright © 2022 by Baker-Colorado Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Postmaster: Send address changes to AvidLifestyle, 6143 S. Willow Drive, #406, Greenwood Village, CO 80111. The magazine welcomes editorial submissions but assumes no responsibility for the safekeeping or return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, artwork or other material.
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SETTING THE STAGE
// editor’s letter
THE COLORADO
HOME LIFE STYLE Our connection begins with home.
TALK OF THE TOWN
KNOW SOMEONE who should be featured in AvidLifestyle? Tell me about them at hillary@avidlifestyle.com.
TAKING IT FROM THE TOP THE START OF THE NEW YEAR is the quintessential time to refresh, recommit and reboot our minds, bodies and even our homes. And after a holiday season full of celebrations, I for one can’t wait for the start of 2022. Of course, that means being part of the “clean plate club” with clean fresh ingredients like those found in the bountiful bowls from Bubu and the nutritious Nékter Juice Bar offerings. But beyond your bod, January is a good time to reevaluate your mental and emotional well-being. Good thing the team of experts at STRATA Wellness will guide you on a self-love retreat to help you strengthen you mind and body this coming year. Oh, and you’ll definitely want to look the part with luxury loungewear that’s full of cute comfort. We’ve all heard that our home is a reflection of our feelings and the experts at Noyes Art Designs couldn’t agree more. In fact, they take it a step further and look at the healing powers of art feng shui to transform spaces like hospitals, corporate offices and public spaces. And it seems like they’re not the only ones who think built environments can impact our wellbeing. In our cover story, local architect Don Ruggles of Ruggles Mabe Interiors shares his insights on why beauty must play a role in built environments and offers tips to enhance the beauty in your own space.
E X P E R IE NC E D , T R U S T E D ADVI SOR.
Another place we’re seeing art and science intersect is at the newly opened FreyerNewman Center at the Denver Botanic Gardens. This exquisite LEED GOLD building is a marvel in and of itself, but what’s even more impressive are the contents of horticulture, plant conservation and preservation, mycology, art, education and special events united to document human relationships with plants and the larger environment. The start of the year is also a time to look at the design trends for the coming year and one that we’re loving has us keeping our chins and eyes up. In fact, we can’t get enough of the designer-inspired ceilings decked out in wallpaper, paint, moldings, beams and more, proving that the sky’s the limit for sure!
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And if you’re craving more of the natural world and the beauty to behold in winter, you must trek to Canada where the majestic views, pure white snow, local cultures, cuisines and architectures will have you saying “Eh” in no time. A dear friend of mine always says that it’s never too late to take it from the top. And as we take stock of how we’ve come in the last year, the newness that is January will bring the foresight to truly clean house in every sense of the meaning, setting us up for the most successful year yet. With Gratitude,
Hillary Locke Mujica 10
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PHOTO: CHAD CHISHOLM
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ON THE AGENDA
// can’t miss events
JANUARY Jan. 19 Jan. 5 – 10 MUSICFEST AT STEAMBOAT Eighty of the best artists in Texas/Red Dirt music will take over Steamboat Springs for six days and 300 hours of music. It’s basically the “Super Bowl of Texas Music.” STEAMBOAT SPRINGS themusicfest.com
Jan. 8 – Feb. 26
Jan. 13 – 15 DENVER BOAT SHOW Presented by the Colorado Marine Dealers Association, this is the premier boat show of the Rockies with more boats, more fun and more entertainment for the whole family! COLORADO CONVENTION CENTER, Denver denverboatshow.com
CHUCK PARSON SOLO EXHIBIT Denver-based artist, Charles Parson showcases his intimate to large-scale drawings along with his smaller interior sculptures. These recent works will include steel, Plexiglass and stone abstract sculptures, along with the dimensional drawings from the “Landscape’s Scores” series, developed during his recent role as a Resource Artist at Redline Art Center. This exhibit will focus upon his current series” Near/ Far”, based upon sitespecific drawings and narratives done this past year and a half on the Eastern High Plains of Colorado, his major point of inspiration. CURTIS CENTER FOR THE ARTS greenwoodvillage.com
Jan. 14 – 15 DANNY ELFMAN’S MUSIC FROM THE FILMS OF TIM BURTON This beloved symphonic event features Danny Elfman’s famous film scores brought to life on stage by the orchestra and visuals of Tim Burton’s original film sketches, drawings and story boards. BOETTCHER CONCERT HALL, Denver coloradosymphony.org
Jan. 21 JOHN MUELLER’S WINTER DANCE PARTY: A TRIBUTE TO BUDDY HOLLY, RITCHIE VALENS AND THE BIG BOPPER This tribute is an authentic re-creation of the 1959 tour of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. LONE TREE ARTS CENTER, lonetreeartscenter.org
ARTS IN THE AFTERNOON: RENE HEREDIA’S FLAMENCO FESTAS THEATRE Legendary, local, flamenco guitarist René Heredia’s Flamenco Fantasy Dance Theatre brings the heart and soul of Spanish gypsy flamenco to the Main Stage, complete with colorful costumes, castanets, stomping feet, and fiery passion. LONE TREE ARTS CENTER, lonetreeartscenter.org
Jan. 21 – 23 TCHAIKOVSKY SYMPHONY NO. 5 Join guest conductor Peter Oundjian in a revival of Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable Fifth Symphony. As intensely dramatic as any of Tchaikovsky’s other major works, the Fifth belies the composer’s fragile mental state in a work that portrays a triumphant struggle against fate. BOETTCHER CONCERT HALL, Denver coloradosymphony.org
Jan. 22 WINTER BREW FEST A benefit for Big Bones Canine Rescue, the Winter Brew Fest offers seasonal and special release brews, live music and savory foods from local favorites in the indoor and outdoor venue. MILE HIGH STATION, Denver brewfestevents.com
PHOTO: COURTESY NATIONAL WESTERN
TAKE NOTE
Jan. 8 – 23 NATIONAL WESTERN RODEO AND STOCK SHOW Since 1906, The National Western Stock Show has been the premier livestock, rodeo and horse show in the nation, serving agricultural producers and consumer throughout the world. A nationally recognized western heritage and entertainment event, the stock show hosts one of the world’s richest regular season professional rodeos, one of the country’s largest horse shows and Colorado’s largest western trade show. Designed to both educate and entertain, the National Western Wild West Show will take you on a historical trip back to the days of the Old West. NATIONAL WESTERN COMPLEX, Denver nationalwestern.com
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ON THE AGENDA
// can’t miss events PHOTO: KARSTEN WINEGEAR, ON UNSPLASH
Jan. 21 – 23 WINTER X GAMES X Games welcomes back fans to Buttermilk in Aspen, Colorado for the 21st consecutive year with nearly 100 of the world’s top winter athletes taking center stage and competing in the biggest snow sport event of the year. ASPEN MOUNTAIN SKI RESORT, Aspen aspensnowmass.com
Jan. 28
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
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ICELANTIC’S WINTER ON THE ROCKS In a celebration of Colorado’s unbeatable winter lifestyle, outdoor and snow sport enthusiasts will come together and kick off another snow-heavy season at Icelandic’s 10th Annual Winter on the Rocks. A night blanketed in a wintry mix of internationally recognized music talent and other superb entertainment acts to the main stage. RED ROCKS PARK AND AMPHITHEATRE, Morrison redrocksonline.com
Jan. 28 THE SECRET LIFE OF BEARS WITH DR. RAE WYNN-GRANT Rae Wynn-Grant has dedicated her life to ecological research and conservation. As a scientist with National Geographic Society’s Last Wild Places Initiative, she works to protect and restore iconic wildlife populations, including North American black and grizzly bears. But when the wild lands of their habitat are crisscrossed by roads, fences, and ranches, how can bears and humans coexist peacefully? Dr. Wynn-Grant intends to find the answer. LONE TREE ARTS CENTER, lonetreeartscenter.org
Jan. 30 Sophisticated hospitality is always in style. At the Jacquard Hotel & Rooftop, every day is tailored to perfection. Each stay is enhanced with approachable service, a rooftop pool and bar, state of the art fitness center, and the award winning Narrative restaurant. 222 milwaukee street | denver, colorado 80206 | 303.515.2000 | TheJacquard.com 14
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SHEN YUN Shen Yun Performing Arts is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company, establishing in New York in 2006. Through breathtaking music and dance, Shen Yun is reviving this 5,000-year-old divine culture through “the beauty of divine beings dancing.” PIKES PEAK CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, Colorado Springs shenyun.com
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LOCAL FLAVORS
// chef’s table
PHOTO: RACHEL ADAMS, COURTESY TAG RESTAURANT GROUP
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LOCAL FLAVORS
// chef’s table
Bowling for Flavor Troy Guard brings his chef-designed bowls to the new GRANGE HALL By John Lehndorff
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LOCAL FLAVORS
PHOTOS: RACHEL ADAMS, COURTESY TAG RESTAURANT GROUP
// chef’s table
AS FIRST-TIME DINERS check out the lunch possibilities at the recently opened Grange Hall in Greenwood Village, their eyes seem to light up when they see the flavor possibilities at Bubu. For instance, the Aloha Poke Bowl is a substantial pleasure. Steamed rice is crowned with marinated tuna, haricots vert, hearts of palm, edamame, wakame seaweed, zesty kimchi and a balanced soy onion dressing on the side. It’s a vibrant mouthful of different textures, flavors and spices that bounce around the taste buds. With three other Denver-area locations, Bubu is the inspiration of award-winning chef Troy Guard, known for such destination restaurants as Los Chingones, FNG and Guard and Grace. The first Bubu opened in 2013 in Larimer Square. “The name came from bubu arare, these tiny savory Japanese rice crackers I loved growing up in Hawaii,” Guard says. “This was before places like True Food and Flower Child and other fresh concepts had opened. I thought we needed a place where you could get a quick, tasty meal in a bowl that travelled well,” he says. As a chef, Guard says he insisted on the freshest ingredients and scratch-made “everything” as he designed the first three Bubu bowls— the OG Colorado, Thai and Mexican remain customers’ favorite composed bowls on the menu. The OG Colorado includes roasted carrots, quinoa, green chilies, avocado and pumpkin seeds. Flavor-wise, the Thai bowl is powered by green papaya slaw and the Mexican is topped with roasted corn, jicama and black beans.
Bubu’s protein choices range from sushi-grade salmon and tuna to marinated tofu and grilled tiger shrimp, steak and chicken. Many diners clearly prefer building their own starting with a choice of steamed brown or white rice, chilled rice noodles or salad mix. Besides a protein choice, diners add five ingredients from an inspired roster that includes charred broccolini, crispy shallots, jalapeño, radishes and dried apricots. The house-made dressings include sweet carrot mustard, chipotle-spiked Mexican, Thai and chia seed lime.
The menu also features Bubu’s famous glutenfree chocolate chunk cookie with chia and flax. “Bubu isn’t advertised as vegetarian, vegan or gluten free, but 90 percent of the menu can be ordered that way if you like. There’s something here whether you are a carnivore, vegan or a fish lover,” Guard says. The Grange Hall, located in a former C.B. & Potts, is also home to Troy Guard’s other original concepts—Rado Burger and Crazy Love Pizza, plus Uptown & Humboldt, Little Dry Creek Brewery and the breakfast-y Crack Shack. BUBU Grange Hall, Greenwood Village 720.760.8247; bubu-denver.com
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LOCAL FLAVORS
// sweet treat
Get Juiced Start the new year with healthy habits and get a big boost at NÉKTER JUICE BAR By John Lehndorff THIS IS YOUR 2022 wake-up call: It’s time to get back to saner eating habits after six weeks of excess.
“The biggest thing customers tell me is that doing a cleanse improves how they sleep almost immediately,” Cohen says.
(Yes, we know about that plate of glazed snowflake cookies you finished off while watching The Grinch.)
Staying on the plan in the months ahead can be supported with Nékter’s bowls, smoothies, fresh juices and wellness shots including ginger and turmeric.
Getting started on a better nutritional path is always a little challenging. “A juice cleanse can make it a little easier and tastier,” says Trisha Cohen. She owns the Nékter Juice Bar in Denver and Greenwood Village (with other locations along the Front Range). “Many of our customers start out simply with our Celery Detox and replace breakfast with a bottle of fresh celery juice for six days,” Cohen says. Those needing a more intense launch are directed to the Classic Detox Cleanse: celery juice with turmeric, camu camu, prebiotics and probiotics.
At only 470 calories, the Açai Superfood Bowl is a substantial meal. The base of blended açaí, fruit, spinach, kale, berries and cashew milk is “almost like a sorbet,” Cohen says, heaped with hempseed granola, more fresh fruit and a superfood blend. If boosting protein is top of mind, the PB Mocha blends coffee and cashew milk with peanut butter, vanilla protein and cocoa nibs for 40 grams of protein.
Cohen says she plans on walking the health talk in 2022. “My New Year’s resolution is to start the year off with a three-day juice cleanse and try to do one every six weeks throughout the year,” she says. NÉKTER JUICE BAR Greenwood Village, 720.501.2300 Denver, 720.746.9568 nekterjuicebar.com
The Nékter menu is designed to be tweaked. “I’m a modifier. I like being able to build my own smoothie or juice,” Cohen says. Nékter’s list of boosts range from elderberry to green tea.
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PHOTOS: COURTESY NÉKTER JUICE BAR
// design trends
PHOTO: EMILY MINTON REDFEILD, COURTESY COOK DESIGN HOUSE
DWELLING WELL
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DWELLING WELL
// design trends
Things Are Looking Up Designers Never Forget the “FIFTH WALL” By Kathryn O-Shea Evans
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DWELLING WELL
// design trends
PHOTO: DAVID PATTERSON, COURTESY COOK DESIGN HOUSE
PROFESSIONAL DECORATORS often rely on their friends in high places to make a statement. Really high places: the ceiling. For some, leaving what the industry has lovingly deemed “the fifth wall” naked is akin to donning a perfect, Instagram-worthy gala dress without any jewelry. There is something just “off” about it.
Batya Stepelman, a Denver wallpaper consultant and owner of wallpaper boutique WallTawk, is a huge fan of going wild on ceilings, as evidenced by her own eye-candy powder room. “Wallpaper
— Jodi Cook, Cook Design House
is definitely an adventurous leap for some, but if you’re already comfortable with patterns why not add some to the ceiling!” Stepelman says. “It’s just an unexpected pop and a little bit more out-of-the-box.” She advises that abstract patterns—like geometrics and botanicals—often look fabulous on ceilings, but would steer clear of landscapes, which “look great on feature walls because they ‘read’ top to bottom, but do not work well on ceilings.” And for the intrepid, there’s more to do than hang some wallpaper overhead. “A couple of our favorite ways to make a ceiling feel special 24
january 2022 // AvidLifestyle
PHOTO: COURTESY WALLTAWK
“I always think of the ceiling as an opportunity to finish out the room,” says Denver designer Jodi Cook, owner and principal of Cook Design House. “If we’re doing a room with wallpaper and a lot going on, I like the classic approach of a white, simple ceiling with crown molding (or not, if it’s a contemporary home). But if the room doesn’t have a lot of action in terms of pattern or texture or color, the ceiling can be a great way to add interest in an unexpected way.” Case in point: Cook recently added a subtle animal-print wallpaper, Les Touches, to the ceiling of a nursery in Denver with light white walls. “It’s really fun with little ones if they’re in a crib, staring at the ceiling.”
“I always think of the ceiling as an opportunity to finish out the room”
DWELLING WELL
// design trends
“Wallpaper is definitely an adventurous leap for some, but if you’re already comfortable with patterns why not add some to the ceiling!” — Batya Stepelman WallTawk is with lacquered paint, textured, or patterned wallpaper,” says Mary Knape of Knape and Zibell Interior Design. “We often ask our clients what statement they want to make in the space [whether it is] rich and cozy, dark and moody, light and fresh, or bright and dramatic.” One of Knape’s go-to hues? Benjamin Moore’s White Dove. “It’s classic and fresh, and it will work with any wall color. Sherwin-Williams Naval is another favorite for its rich and dramatic appeal. For a softer look we love a color like Farrow and Ball Oval Room Blue. It adds a pop of color without being overly bold.” Cook often likes to play with architectural millwork above, “adding a series of beams to create a nice rhythm to a space,” a tactic that can help visually divide large rooms. “Coffered ceilings are the most classic approach [on that].” To cozy up an office in Cherry Hills Village, Cook ran a plaid-patterned millwork up the walls and onto the ceiling itself. “It enhances the overall experience of being in the room ... The aim was to have this feeling of envelopment and make it more den-like and snug.” So instead of thinking outside the box, look above and see where you can add a little unexpected style to your home. COOK DESIGN HOUSE 720.398.9788; cookdesignhouse.com KNAPE AND ZIBELL INTERIOR DESIGN 303.393.0747; knapeandzibell.com WALLTAWK 720.588.3268; walltawk.com PHOTO: KIMBERLY GAVIN, COURTESY COOK DESIGN HOUSE
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DWELLING WELL
// expert advice
ST. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER
PHOTOS: COURTESY NOYES ART DESIGNS
Saving Spaces How one full-service, COLORADO ART CONSULTING FIRM is transforming residences, hospitals, corporations and more, one piece of art at a time. By Kathryn O’Shea-Evans JUST LIKE MUSIC AND FOOD, the right visual art can practically have medicinal properties. Just ask Nancy Noyes, founder and president of Noyes Art Designs—which has been making art magic since 1978. “We’re a full-service art consulting firm, and we specialize in what we call the ‘constructive healing cycle’ as our
process of design,” she says. “I long ago made up my mind that art has to be more than décor. It has to be part of healing, whether that’s in healthcare, or in the corporate world, or in a residence.” The goal, Noyes says, is “to create the same harmony in your home or your facility that’s found in nature in its most balanced state,” says Noyes. The firm’s recent projects have included everything from residential art curation and placement to creating curated art pieces and even Denver-inspired signage (like imagery of the Denver Botanic Garden) at the new Denver Health Outpatient Medical Center. Some of her favorite Colorado artists? Carol Ann Waugh, who “does beautiful fiber art and it’s just fabulous,” and an encaustic artist named Victoria Eubanks. “She does really wonderful work with wax, and so her work really becomes soft even though it’s very contemporary.” Curating art pieces in therapeutic ways is vital work, and especially important in today’s harried world. But it wasn’t always easy to explain in the pre-self-care era. “I’ve been doing 28
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this for 43 years,” she says. “In the earlier days you really couldn’t mention feng shui to heads of hospitals or corporations, because they’d just glaze over, thinking you’re a total ‘lala.’” How times have changed, for the benefit of all. “Right now, the whole emphasis on biophilic design—which means bringing the outside in for comfort and protection—has really made everything we’ve been doing for years come alive,” Noyes says. “And so when I say we design with intent, that means that there’s all the outside elements of the constructive healing cycle, which is our coined phrase, is water, wood, fire, earth and metal. And so each one of those elements has a meaning, a shape, a color, and a material... If I need a water piece, I could use the color black or blue as the color. The
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DWELLING WELL
// expert advice
shape is sort of wavy, the meaning is flexibility and flow, and the material is glass, water, anything that would emulate the water.” The final effect is inexplicably fabulous. “Nobody has to understand it, actually, but they will feel it,” says Noyes. “Whether you’re going into a corporate setting, or a healthcare setting, or somebody’s home, it really makes a difference to create that harmony.” Noyes’ staff of 10 is equally invested and includes her son (and business partner) and a designer and head of the art division who previously managed a gallery in Sweden. “We do all of our projects from start to finish, from proposal to installation, in-house.” In private homes, Noyes begins by asking clients what it is they want to achieve. If the answer
is ‘a warm home,’ they may retain elements of their existing art collection “and create a flow so that we can create that constructive healing,” she says. “Every piece of art in your home, you should love, in my opinion.” And keeping things within a certain color palette isn’t pertinent when it comes to connecting with your soul. “If you find a piece of art that you absolutely love, we’ll find a way to make that integrate into your design,” she says. “It’s our desire to make people really feel comfortable in their environment and feel a harmony within it.” Only one art bugaboo bothers Noyes: “People generally hang their art too high. They think that if their husband is six foot two, that they need to hang their art high. The ideal midpoint of a piece of art should be 60 inches [from the floor,] and then it works for everybody.” NOYES ART DESIGNS 303.332.8838; noyesartdesigns.com
NANCY NOYES
CUSTOM ARTWORK BY JULIE MAREN
DENVER HEALTH MEDICAL OFFICE PHOTOS: COURTESY NOYES ART DESIGNS
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Visit ScottsdalePrincess.com to book now. See website for complete package details.
PHOTO: COURTESY RUGGLES MABE STUDIO
Beauty is in the Brain
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of the Beholder
Local architect Don Ruggles is on a crusade to inform the next generation of architects why beauty must play a role in built environments. By Heather Shoning
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“IN SCHOOL, I never really hear the word ‘beauty’ thrown around. There was always a cerebral explanation for why something did or didn’t make sense,” says Melissa Mabe, principal architect at Ruggles Mabe Studio Architecture + Interiors in Denver. “So, when I started working with Don, we would get into projects and I’d bring something to his desk for him to review and he’d say, ‘Oh, well, that’s just beautiful.’ And about a year into working for him, he said that, and I looked at him and said, ‘I don’t know what you mean by that.’” Like many other architects fresh out of school, no one taught Mabe how a built environment can be beautiful in the sense that Ruggles was meaning. “Honestly the education system indicates that beauty is seen as a frivolous idea,” Ruggles says. “What you have to realize is: beauty is a pleasure response. And pleasure is one of the two driving components, we’re born with it. It’s part of our DNA. And those two components—pleasure and survival—work against and with each other to create balance in your nervous system. And that balance is known as homeostasis and it’s extremely important.”
PHOTOS: COURTESY RUGGLES MABE STUDIO
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PHOTOS: COURTESY RUGGLES MABE STUDIO
THE SCIENCE BEHIND DESIGN Ruggles has a lifelong interest in science and as an outgrowth of being asked time and time again to design a “timeless” home, he began to ponder what makes a home timeless—that’s to say what about it makes a person content in the space throughout a lifetime. When Mabe volunteered Ruggles speak on the topic at a non-profit fundraiser for Children’s Hospital in Denver in 2009, he delved into serious research. In doing so, he stumbled upon The Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture. “I found there was some fascinating research going on there,” Ruggles says. It’s where he discovered the answer to his question: What is timeless design? And it provided the reasoning behind it which is the idea that beauty is a pleasure response and it’s necessary for human survival. “So, it’s been fascinating to realize that our built environment affects us subliminally, and we need to understand what it is about the built environment that’s good for us, and what’s not,” Ruggles says. “And this is a new field of study called neuroaesthetics.” 36
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PHOTOS: COURTESY RUGGLES MABE STUDIO
So, how does a built environment translate into timeless design—or beauty—that subconsciously affects us in a positive manner? Ruggles says, there are three components. First, your brain recognizes the space, then the brain determines if it is safe and, finally, it determines if there is potential for pleasure. All of this happens without your awareness in mere microseconds. When those three things happen with positive results, your brain will relax. It goes into rest and relaxation mode. And it doesn’t go into stress mode. “Rest and relaxation releases important hormones into your system that result in a feeling of pleasure,” Ruggles says. “And if the feeling of pleasure is strong enough, then it will result in the proclamation, ‘It’s beautiful!’ Therefore, beauty is a physical reaction to patterns that generate a pleasure response.”
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PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF PATTERNS One of the most basic ways this science works in practice is through what’s called the three-by-three pattern. Imagine a tic-tac-toe board. And it’s not something new: The pattern is evident in many of the built spaces that, as a society, we deem “beautiful,” including Notre Dame, St Paul’s Cathedral in London or the U.S. Capitol Building. “These buildings are made of the same pattern,” says Ruggles. “We respond positively to the pattern when we see it. And the reason that we honor and protect these buildings is because they’re pleasure-inducing.” This pattern originates with a facial pattern. “Just take out a loved one’s photograph and put the two eyes in the upper left and upper right corner of a tic tac toe board, and then complete the three squares by three squares arrangement, and you’ll be shocked,” Ruggles says. “When a child is born, they don’t see very well, it’s all quite hazy and fuzzy. But what they can see is three dark spots, and it’s two eyes and a mouth. A child must find that pattern in order to survive. A newborn human cannot survive on its own. DNA instructs the newborn to find that pattern.”
PHOTO: COURTESY RUGGLES MABE STUDIO
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Mabe says it’s one of the easiest organizing principles: “I always explain it like a recipe: If you follow it, things tend to come out just right.” It applies to the architecture, but also to the interior design, which Ruggles Mabe Studio provides for clients as well. The pattern, among others explained in Ruggles’ book, is apparent in the firm’s projects throughout the world and, specifically, in Denver homes. It can be seen in the way a front door is situated on the main floor with windows flanking it on the floor above, in the grid of a coffered ceiling or a fireplace grounded between windows. Mabe says when you have a strong pattern in the architecture, placing furniture becomes easy. She and the firm’s interior design team use furnishings to reinforce the pattern. Ruggles points out another practical application of the pattern. “A fireplace could become the mouth, and then two pieces of art above the fireplace become the eyes. Or in your kitchen arrangement where you have the stove and then cabinets on upper left and upper right.” Using these simple and practical placements creates the pattern, which, in turn, creates the subliminal messaging to the brain that this is a recognized space that is safe and provides pleasure. It is beautiful.
PHOTOS: COURTESY RUGGLES MABE STUDIO
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BRINGING IT FULL CIRCLE This three-by-three pattern is just one small slice of what’s involved in this approach to built spaces. The concept is multi-faceted, all of this is to say, Ruggles is churning out this knowledge to promote new breadth to the art of architecture— one rooted in neuroscience. He first published the book Beauty, Neuroscience & Architecture, where he outlines these principles in detail while demonstrating how certain patterns are recognizable in famous architectural designs. In addition, he explores the effect of beauty and patterns on our well-being.
PHOTOS: COURTESY RUGGLES MABE STUDIO
During promotion for the book, a representative from Rocky Mountain PBS suggested a movie based on the book. Today, the movie has been in circulation at various film festivals with a variety of screenings across the country for more than a year. “The movie has led to a lot more presentations, lectures, question and answer sessions and roundtables, as well as participating in conferences worldwide,” Ruggles says. “And all of this has focused on the notion that beauty is good for our health, and the fact that it’s not talked about very much in architecture or design.”
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Ruggles says that architecture education focuses on creating exciting, unique, “wow moments.” But it’s not the wow moments that create a beautiful space according to the neuroscience definition of beauty. “It’s important that you understand that you’ve got to create pleasure moments as well, otherwise known as rest and relaxation” he says. His message to students and the education system is that architects and designers must pay attention to both. “I had a 17-year-old intern this summer at the office,” Ruggles says. “She came to the office because she read my book. She has an interest in architecture. And she’s doing research on her own for looking into neuroscience, and how this can all make the world a better place. We all want to make a difference—even young people. They aspire to do things that improve our world, and young people are paying attention. And that’s where I’m really trying to focus.”
PHOTOS: MASSEY, COURTESY RUGGLES MABE STUDIO
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PHOTO: MASSEY, COURTESY RUGGLES MABE STUDIO
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RUGGLES MABE STUDIO ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS Ruggles Mabe Studio has designed more than 1,000 residential and commercial projects since 1970 when it opened its doors in Denver. The firm has projects in sixteen states and eight countries. 303.355.2460 rugglesmabe.com < MELISSA MABE
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PHOTO: CHAD CHISHOLM. MODEL: SUSAN ZAGER, DONNA BALDWAIN AGENCY. HAIR AND MAKEUP BE LOVE COSMETICS. LOCATION: GARDEN OF THE GODS RESORT AND CLUB.
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Self-Care, Self-Love and Mountains of Mindfulness Awaken your mind, body and soul at STRATA INTEGRATED WELLNESS SPA By Maren Bartels “EVEN FROM the early beginnings in 1951, the vision was grand and ambitious: to create the ultimate escape where recreation and relaxation reign supreme, and where the distractions of the outside world disappear,” shares long-time Garden of the Gods Resort and Club member turned co-owner Brenda Smith. Built by millionaires Al and Margaret Hill, the club was an exclusive retreat for the Hollywood elite, captains of industry and political and literary luminaries who marveled at the rock formations and views of Pikes Peak. “When Judy (Mackey) and I bought the resort, we wanted to elevate the Hill Family’s original vision and offer a fully holistic approach to complete wellness.” Centuries ago, these sandstone rocks served as a Native American crossroads where numerous nomadic tribes gathered in peace. According to local stories, because the immense stone formations were considered sacred ground, rival tribes laid down their weapons when entering the Garden of the Gods. Today, the same beautiful setting beckons guests to undergo a personalized journey of restoration and renewal with the thoughtful spa treatments and integrative medical practices at STRATA Integrated Wellness and Spa and its newly launched wellness retreats.
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// mind, body + soul
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// mind, body + soul
BOOST YOUR DAILY WELLNESS REGIME PHOTO: CHAD CHISHOLM. MODEL: SUSAN ZAGER, DONNA BALDWAIN AGENCY. HAIR AND MAKEUP BE LOVE COSMETICS. LOCATION: STRATA INTEGRATED WELLNESS SPA
“When we reconnect with what brings us joy, when we’re in touch with our truest selves, we can focus on deep healing, self-discovery and transformation,” according to Grant Jones, Vice President of Wellness, “and that’s what our wellness retreats strive for in an innovative and modern way.” As the name suggests, STRATA’s goal is to restore balance layer by layer, in harmony with the transformative powers of nature and time. And the newly launched wellness retreats blend Eastern and Western practices for an immersive journey of self-exploration and elevated mindbody health. These one-of-a-kind experiential and immersive Colorado wellness retreats allow guests to get back in touch with nature and themselves. “Now more than ever, the world is understanding not only the importance of living life—but also
how to live life well for themselves. While wellness can have different meanings for each person, one statement is universal: We all can benefit from more wellness in our lives,” Jones states, “and these retreats offer fully integrative wellness experiences with local organic foods, yoga, massage, body treatments, meditation, guided workshops, time in nature, community and so much more.” STRATA Integrated Wellness and Spa is open to the public—including locals, guests, visitors and wellness destination patients alike. Their team of experts, consisting of thirty unique providers, across more than forty multidimensional disciplines and service lines with patient-centric proactive healthcare. To get on the wellness wagon, sign up for the appropriately named Self-Care for Self-Love Wellness Retreat coming in February. stratawell.com 52
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Check out these local companies to expand your at-home healthfuliness
Apricō means bright, sunny and serene in Latin. And the team behind this Boulder company is on a mission to bring that sunshine to the masses through nutraceuticals that work. In fact, their products increase absorption by 5-25X. Not to get too science-y but Apricō increases the bioavailability of supplements without the prick of a needle which means the nanoparticle delivery of their vitamins, minerals and supplements increase your health and wellness. We love the Sleep Easy Drops and Immunity Shots and the Detox and Cleanse Drops. APRICŌ, Louisville 888.221.9355; apricō.life Apothecary Tinctura has been Denver’s go-to herb shop for over 22 years. These medicine makers, herbalists and natural health practitioners have a deep passion for plant medicine and lucky for us, their products, workshops and events are all designed to help nourish our minds, bodies and souls. Try their Tranquil Tea to quiet your mind and find some inner peace, Free Movement Willow-Turmeric Tincture to reduce joint inflammation and Cedar Atlas Essential Oil to feel more grounded, more connected to the earth. APOTHECARY TINCTURA, Denver 303.399.1175; apothecarytinctura.com MoonDance Botanicals specializes in handcrafted products as well as spa parties and classes such as, Customized Potions, Artistic Alchemy and Natural Living. Try the Chamomile Rose Facial Steam, a botanically lush blend of organic herbs that moisturizes and restores the skin. It’s packed full of rosebuds to protect the skin and help build collagen, lavender which smooths out oily and dry skin while balancing the pH, Chamomile which has anti-inflammatory properties and Calendula which is a deeply hydrating and healing emollient. If your dogs are barking, try the Sole Revival Stimulating Foot Scrub, this scrub is doused in peppermint oil to leave you feeling chilled out and rejuvenated. For the guys, Bay Rum Toner will close the pores while gently moisturizing the skin for a spicy and uplifting effect. MOONDANCE BOTANICALS, Denver 303.263.727; moondancebotanicals.com
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CILLINE WOOL-BEND COLORBLOCK CARDIGAN This luxe cozy cardigan by BAUM UND PFERDGARTEN is enhanced with a color block design, balloon sleeves and ribbed detailing at the cuffs and hem. It’s your go-to with quilted sweats, your favorite jeans or even with a long-pleated skirt.
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A-Line Boutique 303.773.8200; aline-online.com
CORBET JOGGER There’s nothing more comforting than your favorite sweatpants, and these lavender cuties from Marine Layer offer two layers of absurdly soft fabric, filled and quilted into perfection for warmth sans the bulk. It’s like being wrapped in your duvet cover all day long while looking stylish to boot.
PHOTO: CHAD CHISHOLM. MODEL: SNATALIE VICKERS, DONNA BALDWAIN AGENCY. HAIR AND MAKEUP BE LOVE COSMETICS. LOCATION: GARDEN OF THE GODS RESORT AND CLUB.
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Lavishly, Luxurious Loungewear By Maren Bartels LUXURY LOUNGEWEAR can be worn with jeans, sneakers and other complementary casual pieces, yet they’re fashionable enough to make you look put together and even polished with the right accessories. These are the pieces designed to take you from the comfort of your bed to coffee, yoga class, shopping and even cocktails. Sounds amazing right? So bid adieu to those pandemic pjs and welcome a fresh approach to versatile style in 2022!
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PHOTO: CHAD CHISHOLM. MODEL: SUSAN ZAGER, DONNA BALDWAIN AGENCY. HAIR AND MAKEUP BE LOVE COSMETICS. LOCATION: GARDEN OF THE GODS RESORT AND CLUB.
SOMAWKND SATIN TANK & SATIN JOGGER PANTS When it’s time to shine, this SomaWKND Satin Tank is the perfect starting point. Gorgeous on its own or as a sleek base layer, it’s just right anytime you want to look and feel fabulous. And the matching satin jogger pants offer head-totoe easy elegance for sleeping to sun salutations to sipping on Sancerre.
Soma, Park Meadows Retail Resort 303.790.0332; soma.com
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SILK KOMONO ROBE IN ROCOCO FLOURISH GRAND AND CAMISOLE Some things are timeless, and this 100% pure silk robe is one of them. Beautifully designed to add class and comfort to your pajama party. We love it with a matching vivacious pink satin camisole trimmed with luxe lace.
PHOTO: CHAD CHISHOLM. MODEL: SNATALIE VICKERS, DONNA BALDWAIN AGENCY. HAIR AND MAKEUP BE LOVE COSMETICS. LOCATION: GARDEN OF THE GODS RESORT AND CLUB.
Soma, Park Meadows Retail Resort 303.790.0332; soma.com
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CRUSHED VELOUR IVY SHORT SLEEVE SHIRT AND ALLISON PANT A classic shirt with a festive twist. This top is made with crushed velour fabric, an easyto-wear champagne color, and features a relaxed fit. Wear it with the Allison Pant and you are partyready no matter the occasion. With a slight sheen on the front and absurdly soft jersey on the inside and a hint of stretch, this fabric will be one you want to live in. Marine Layer 720.708.4911; marinelayer.com
PHOTO: CHAD CHISHOLM. MODEL: SNATALIE VICKERS, DONNA BALDWAIN AGENCY. HAIR AND MAKEUP BE LOVE COSMETICS. LOCATION: GARDEN OF THE GODS RESORT AND CLUB.
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PHOTO: CHAD CHISHOLM. MODEL: SUSAN ZAGER, DONNA BALDWAIN AGENCY. HAIR AND MAKEUP BE LOVE COSMETICS. LOCATION: GARDEN OF THE GODS RESORT AND CLUB.
READY TO WEAR
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PRINTED SILK TWILL ROBE DRESS This full-length multicolor silk robe by Casablanca is the crème de la crème of luxury! The La Course Ideale pattern features an all-over graphic printed wrap design robe dress with a classic collar and long cuffed sleeves. It’s the type of clothing that inspires trips to Lake Como, The Maldives or Versailles. Pair it with feathered house shoes or lavish Louboutins. A-Line Boutique 303.773.8200; aline-online.com
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INFLUENCERS
// the game changer
A Place to Grow THE DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS merged the art and science of plants into one learning hub By Heather Shoning
PHOTOS: SCOTT DRESSEL-MARTIN, COURTESY OF DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS
ALTHOUGH the Freyer-Newman Center opened with fits and starts thanks to the pandemic, this $40 million manifestation of dedication to the fusion of art and science is a game changer for Denver Botanic Gardens, says CEO Brian Vogt. “It’s been a giant leap for us because of the three areas we focus on— science, art, education. Very few institutions like ours have the capacity to grow like we are.” The space is unique because it brings under one roof horticulture, plant conservation and preservation, mycology and art in a way that it highlights human relationships with these elements. And it’s done in a way designed specifically to make it more accessible to the public. Take, for example, the Copper Door Coffee Roasters. It’s a coffee shop in the building that’s purpose is to entice people to linger. “It’s a gathering place,” says Vogt. “There are pop-up exhibits and classes. It’s where the community comes together to share information and interpretations—all in this space.” In addition, the 100,000-square-foot center features the Helen Fowler Library, the Sturm Family Auditorium, three climate-controlled art galleries, an herbaria, six classrooms, science labs and the School of Botanical Art & Illustration. 58
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Denver Botanic Gardens is setting a new precedent with its library. “It’s exciting because we’re going against trends in the cultural world,” Vogt says. “Many gardens have given up on libraries, but we tripled the size of ours.” Much of the work is happening in the science labs that allow for expanded ecology, genetic and tissue culture work. “Hardcore research has been lifted up dramatically,” says Vogt, who adds that there is much research happening around endangered and threatened species in Colorado. One of the more significant areas of study is tracking bloom time of plants, which is extremely important in the face of climate change. “We’re looking at alpine plants over, say, a 25-year period,” Vogt says. “We can see if there is a change in bloom time—and there has been a change. There are plants that could be endangered because pollinators might not be pollinating when bloom time changes.” This information can have a significant impact
INFLUENCERS
// the game changer
PHOTOS: SCOTT DRESSEL-MARTIN, COURTESY OF DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS
on how we solve for the problem. The information is digitized and feeds into an international database. The Gardens is looking at the problem of climate change from all angles, including the conservation perspective. The LEED GOLDcertified building was a must for this project. “We’re doing our very best to walk the most sustainable walk we can,” Vogt says. The building features a solar array on the roof with expectations of producing 93,000 kWh per year. There are plans to add additional solar on other buildings on the grounds with the idea of getting as close to net-zero as possible. It’s a mission for the Gardens to use this as a tool. “We’re over a million visitors this year, putting us in the top two or three gardens in North America,” Vogt says. “We use our waterways, gardens and buildings as vehicles for communicating and educating.”
Films is in production with two films: One about human-tree relationships and the other about the Amache Japanese Internment Camp in Granada, Colorado, where the interned people developed Japanese-style gardens to seek comfort during a horrible time. Watch for these new films to hit the Denver Botanic Gardens’ big screen in late 2022. DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS 720.865.3500; botanicgardens.org
Not an organization to rest on its laurels, even this barely completed venture is launching the Gardens into new territory. The Denver Film Festival held screenings of Belfast and other films in late 2021 in the Freyer-Newman Center’s Sturm Family Auditorium. The 272-seat space with 7.1 Dolby Surround Sound and 4K laser projection system rivals most movie theaters, and impressed festival goers. The positive response supported an idea already underway: to not only showcase the variety of licensed documentaries on the docket, but also to create their own. As such, Denver Botanic 60
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WAYFARERS
// traveler’s choice
Oh Canada THE “POWDER HIGHWAY” The Kootenay Rockies is home to iconic resorts boasting pristine views, authentic ski towns,
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PHOTO: MIKE CRANE, COURTESY TOURISM WHISTLER
IF YOU’RE A POWDER SEEKER on the hunt for more fun than you can wave a ski pole at, head up north for a trip of a lifetime. Between British Columbia’s famed “Powder Highway” resorts to the massive expanse that is Whistler Blackcomb and the quaint, family-friendly resorts in the Okanagan region to Banff and Lake Louise’s pristine beauty and Quebec’s charming Mont Tremblant, Canada has a ski vacation to suit every type of skier or snowboarder. So head “oot and aboot” with your knapsack and tuque, grab a beavertail and mapleback for breakie and you’re well on your way to enjoying the Canuck culture this season.
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PHOTO: VINCE EMOND, COURTESY TOURISM WHISTLER
PHOTO: VINCE EMOND, COURTESY TOURISM WHISTLER
WAYFARERS
WHISTLER BLACKCOMB and the quaint, family-friendly resorts in the Okanagan region Blackcomb is stunningly large, with the most skiable terrain (8,171 acres) and highest vertical rise (5,280 feet) on the continent, each of its two interconnected mountains are bigger than other top-tier destination resorts. The result is virtually every snow condition, level of challenge and type of terrain you could imagine. Whistler Blackcomb claims 8,171 acres of designated in-bounds skiing, including more than 200 marked trails, plus expansive bowl and glade zones, with even more available to
PHOTO: DENIS PEPIN, SHUTTERSTOCK
friendly locals and deep pow as a far as the eye can see, it’s no wonder it’s on top of most skier and snowboarder’s bucket list. With eight alpine ski resorts, over 20 backcountry lodges and numerous heli- and cat-ski operators, it’s a powder playground for all snowbirds. Not to mention the little towns sprinkled throughout, each with unique local cultures are gems waiting to be discovered. It doesn’t matter where you start your journey—maybe in Revelstoke where people have been skiing for 100 years, or Nelson where snow buries charming heritage houses, or Golden where mountains scratch crystal blue skies. Or perhaps your journey begins down in Rossland, up at Panorama or over in Fernie, where steep trees, ‘cold smoke’ and storybook villages have captured the hearts of enthusiasts. For the ultimate powder playground, travel to Revelstoke in the northeast corner of the Powder Highway to Kicking Horse. Then, head south on Route 95 to Panorama ski resort for impressive vertical skiing travel on to Kimberley Ski Resort for a quick run or two. Next, take a quick detour via Cranbrook to Fernie Ski Resort, followed by Highway 3 to Highway 6 to Whitewater Ski Resort. The famed “tour de powder” finally ends at Red Mountain in Rossland where Big Red Cats provide access to 18,900 acres of untouched cat-skiing terrain. powderhighway.com
the Lake Louise Ski Resort offers 4,200 acres of skiing spread across four mountain faces in the heart of the magnificent Canadian Rockies. Their unique layout with beginner, intermediate and expert runs from every chair allows families to explore each area together. And with chutes, glades and gullies, gentle slopes, cruising runs, remote bowls, it’s home to some of the most challenging terrain in the Rockies. If you’re looking for fancy boutiques, overpriced restaurants or “mega resorts” this is not it! Just pure, awesome skiing and pristine beauty that is as much a part of the landscape as the culture. With events such as FIS Alpine World Cup Skiing, Big Mountain Challenge, live bands, Shake the Lake and Torchlight Parades, you’ll want to extend your stay and immerse yourself in the unspoiled wilderness experience that runs through the first week of May—that’s six months of snow-filled bliss! skilouise.com
experts hiking its ridges (it is also one of the few resorts that operates on-site heli-skiing, with access to another 430,000-plus acres). This terrain is served by a vast network of three dozen lifts, including three new ones for the coming season. The highlight is a 10-passenger gondola that replaces two chairs previously required to get from the bottom of Blackcomb to the top, now a much faster single-ride ascent—for 4,000 skiers per hour, the greatest capacity of any lift in the U.S. or Canada. whistlerblackcomb.com LAKE LOUISE AND BANFF It’s human nature is to crave a sense of the wild, to seek out the feeling of discovery and reinvigoration that comes from finding personal space. It’s the purity and power of the alluring mountain peaks and vast valleys that create Lake Louise and Banff and enable visitors to quickly feel at home (and that’s before you settle down for some much-deserved fireside après). Known as the friendly giant of Canadian skiing, 64
january 2022 // AvidLifestyle
MONT TREMBLANT Skiers have flocked to Quebec’s Mont Tremblant since its first chairlift and lodge opened in 1939. Positioned at the at the foot of the highest mountain of the Laurentians, this storybook village is complete with cobblestone streets lined with European style buildings that mimic Montreal’s Old City with vibrant red, teal and marigold facades and roofs. And with abundant snowfalls, skiers and snowboards can swoosh down some of the best slopes in eastern North America and ride 18 acres of ramps, rails, jumps and its Olympic caliber superpipe. Add impeccable hotels, charming boutiques, divine dining, lively entertainment, curated events and historic charm and you have a unique village that’s full of joie de vivre. From extreme adventures to rejuvenating spas to cultural activities, Mont Tremblant is a must all year long. And local Québécois are so welcoming with warm smiles and sophisticated elegance, it exudes ambience like nowhere else! tremblant.ca
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