OUT & ABOUT

One thing most residents love about living in the Four Corners is the endless array of activities and events to enjoy yearround. While you are out and about this winter, consider sampling the local ski scene, then upgrading your cabin or chateau with high-quality home furnishings. Before you shred slopes at Hesperus Ski Hill, enjoy a delicious entree from Kennebec Cafe and browse a variety of high-quality home goods at Durango Ski & Patio.

eat :

Kennebec Cafe

Cafe owners Barbara Helmer and Miguel Carrillo curated an eclectic European-inspired eatery. Kennebec Cafe offers patrons an elegant dining experience just west of Durango, nearby Hesperus Ski Hill. The menu includes a wide range of options for hungry guests, including fresh meat and seafood, highquality, savory side dishes and homemade desserts. The menu also features small plates for light appetites, sharable samplers and seasonal specialties. Stop in for a casual meal or schedule a reservation for a romantic dinner.

explore :

Durango Ski & Patio

Spruce up your space with a quick stop by Durango Ski & Patio, formerly Ultimate Mountain Living. The store carries stylish game tables, comfortable indoor and outdoor seating and other accessories that allow homeowners to create an outdoor oasis, perfect for entertaining guests. In addition to the inventory of game tables, the shop sells pool, foosball, shuffleboard and air hockey tables as well as retro arcades. Not only can residents enjoy browsing the finest selection of high-quality furniture and world-class brands, the unique store also offers gear rentals for skiing and snowboarding.

enjoy :

Hesperus Ski Hill

Purchase a lift ticket for a day of skiing just over 10 miles west of Durango at Hesperus Ski Hill. The local ski area includes 60 acres of ski terrain with 26 trails, located at 9848 Highway 160. The chair lift takes riders to the summit at around 8,800 feet for beautiful views of the La Plata mountains in the distance.

Hesperus Ski Hill is open Thursday, Friday and Monday from 4-9 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Ticket prices range from $25-$45, depending on age. Equipment is available for rent on-site. Helmets start at $8, while skis, boots and poles cost about $30 to rent.

There are some exclusive perks for first-time skiers at Hesperus Ski Hill. Customers that purchase a full-price ticket receive three private lessons. Each lesson is one hour long and must be completed on different days. Call (970) 385-2199 to book lessons at least 72 hours in advance.

feb . 3 - M arch 1

Transformative Light Exhibit by Julie Anne Ward

Swing by the college to see work by artist Julie Anne Ward at the “Transformative Light” Exhibit before March. The Art Gallery at Fort Lewis College is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The gallery is also open on Saturday, Feb. 26.

feb . 12-22

Paws for Celebration

Support Parker’s Animal Rescue foster and find permanent homes for abandoned animals in La Plata County and the rural Four Corners. Paws for Celebration is an annual fundraiser for Parker’s Animal Rescue. This year’s auction is hosted online. For more information go to www.parkersanimalrescue.com.

feb . 19

Wild Simple Syrups

Join a plant-based restaurant, Basecamp, for a crash-course in using wild plants and mushrooms to make simple syrups for a natural twist on classic cocktails and mocktails. Participants will learn how to handle roots and mushrooms versus flowers and leaves. Each person will take home two syrups. Cost for class and materials is $43.45. Register online at www.osadha.com/ wild-simple-syrups-infusinglocal-plants-and-mushroomsfor-out-of-this-world-cocktailsmocktails.

feb . 23

Cooking Matters presents “The Family Kitchen”

Brigid Hunt of nonprofit Cooking Matters and Katie Maloney of San Juan Basin Public Health present ways to get the whole family involved in meal time preparation, even the youngest chefs. Learn how to assign safe, age-appropriate tasks to children to get them engaged in healthy cooking habits. Sign up using the QR code or Zoom link on Cooking Matters Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ CookingMattersSWColorado.

feb . 26

Apres Ski Science & Social

Join San Juan Mountains Association, Mountain Studies Institute, local experts and winter athletes for a day of winter education and recreation. Guests will learn about forest health, watersheds, climate change and the future of the snowpack in the San Juans. Hosts will start the two-hour hike at 2 p.m. SJMA staff will be on-site at 1:30 p.m. to provide snowshoes to participants that need a pair. For more information, please visit www.sjma.org/events.

feb . 27

Intro to Silversmithing and Statement Ring

Four Corners Gem and Mineral Club invites novice jewelry artists to learn how to handle different types of tools, the basic principles of soldering as well as how to bezel and set a stone and finish a completed piece of jewelry at this introductory workshop. For more information, visit www. fronterasilver.com/pages/classes.

M arch 2-4

Durango Independent Film Festival

The 17th Independent Film Festival features five days of film screenings, panels with professionals and much more. The festival kicks off with a free movie night at The Gaslight and Animas City Theatre. Ska Brewing Company also brews a special beer each year for the Durango Film Festival. You don’t want to miss it. Purchase your film festival tickets online at www.durangofilm.org.