SneakPEAK - January 9, 2014 by Sneak Peak Vail Newspaper

FREE, WEEKLY, LOCAL... Only the good stuff!

sneakpeakvail.com

Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

The

Winter Wellness Issue

When skiing and riding arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough, turn to indoor triathlons, simple strength workouts and homemade flu remedies to stay fit through the heart of winter

Metalachi por todos

Big fish, small pond

Powder, powder, everywhere

Heavy metal gets the acoustic mariachi treatment at Agave this weekend

Sato embraces its sushi-bar roots with a new, more intimate space in Edwards

A photographic retelling of post-holiday powder, from deep glades to sledding hills

Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

sneakpeak

Artful Sol 2014 Get into the Scene of...

There is no other gallery in Vail like it! Located Slopeside to the International Bridge in the heart of Vail Village 970.476.1339

Welcome Big Beers, Belgians & Barley Wines

Devoted To The Craft

Check out www.vailalehouse.com for all upcoming events including a guide to Big Beers, Belgian’s and Barley Wines events at the Ale House.

Thursday Night: Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Kickoff Party w/ Bonfire Brewing Company! Announcing the Debut of Four New Bonfire Beers. “Second St. Imperial Stout”, “Second Street Strong Scotch Sour”, “Second Street Pomegranate Sour” and “Second Street Strong Scotch Ale”. 6pm. Followed by live music w/ Jake Wolf & Friends. Friday Night: Great Divide Brewing YETI Night! 3 Yetis on Tap, “Bourbon Barrel Aged Yeti”, “Expresso Oak Aged Yeti” and “Oak Aged Yeti”. 6pm, Meet the Brewers. Saturday Night: California Night featuring Lagunitas Brewing Company “Aged Something Ale”, Green Flash Brewing Company “La Friek” and Firestone Walker Brewing Comapany “Merkin”. Saturday Night Live Music w/ Dead Phish Orchestra 10pm Sunday Night Industry Night: 1/2 OFF Your Entire Tab after 10pm and FREE POOL

Check out www.VailAleHouse.com for upcoming evnets 2161 N.Frontage Rd. West Vail • 970-476-4314 2

sneakpeak

Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

FREE, WEEKLY, LOCAL... Only the good stuff!

COVER STORIES

When the quality of service matters...

cover, uncut Athletes: Josiah Middaugh (left) and John O’Neill (right) Photo: Charles Townsend Bessent inside 4 | Metalachi at Agave

P12 |

The Westin Athletic Club in Avon welcomes vets and beginners to a new winter tri series

P18 | hot spot P6 | Sushi Sato finds a new

Eye candy from the recent round of powder-heavy storms

22 | SneakSPORTS 24 | Calendar of events 22 | Dining (down-valley) SneakPEAK Vail is a locally owned arts, entertainment and lifestyle magazine, published weekly throughout the year for the Colorado mountain communities of Eagle County.

home in Edwards

{ the boss }

{ the words }

{ the glue }

{ the look }

Erinn Hoban publisher

phil lindeman editor

Shana larsen office manager

kristina johnson marketing & design

YOUR LOCAL SOURCE FOR AT&T EDWARDS CORNER 56 Edwards Village Blvd. #127 Mon-Sat 9-6 | Sun 11-5 970.926.3811 www.visitactive.com

EAGLE 332 Grand Ave on Hwy 6 & Washington Mon-Fri 9-6 | Sat 9-5 970.328.9200

Douglas Landin, Realtor® 2011 Past Chair, Vail Board of Realtors® 2014 CO Association of Realtors® Vice President Mountain District 25 years Real Estate excellence www.LandinVail.com

Let’s face it there are many Realtors® in the Vail Valley. Choosing the right one DOES make a difference. Choose a Realtor® that listens and understands your particular needs and knows the market. One who provides uniquely customized services, whether buying or selling, based on each clients needs. 970.479.0242 - dir | 970.376.1299 - cell dlandin@slifer.net www.LandinVail.com

© 2013 AT&T Intellectual Property. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

sneakpeak

East L.A.’s Metalachi at Agave 1.11.2014

TUNES Heavy metal hombres

East L.A.’s Metalachi gives the grinding riffs of Pantera, Metallica and Black Sabbath the mariachi treatment at Agave. Interview by Phil Lindeman.

Want more? To read an extended version of the interview with Vega de la Rockha, go to SneakPeakVail.com.

lar no matter where the band tours? VR: I think so. It’s very strange for people to see us, but we’ve really never had bad feedback from people who take the plunge and see us. Like, I never thought that Boise, Ida. would be into us, and that was an amazing response. Of course we do covers, but people like that when we put our own little spin on those songs they know.

Vega de la Rockha looks damn good in a sombrero and studded leather.

Metalachi, the self-proclaimed first (and only) heavy metal mariachi group. Photo: Colin Young-Wolff.

As the frontman for Metalachi, rightly described as the only heavy metal mariachi act in the world, he has no choice. And it’s not as though de la Rockha’s four bandmates are pushovers. On any given night, he and his fellow bandmates/brothers/metalheads put an unorthodox spin on personas created by rockers like Gene Simmons and Alice Cooper, donning stage names, patch-covered ponchos and traditional mariachi instruments to fill a niche Metalachi essentially created. The group takes iconic songs from the masters of metal – think everything from Black Sabbath to Van Halen to Pantera – and re-imagines the blistering riffs with an unlikely blend of trumpet, violin and acoustic guitar. This mish-mash of the traditional and anarchic isn’t as bizarre as it could be. Despite working without a drummer, songs like Sabbath’s “Crazy Train” and Pantera’s “Cemetery Gates” stay true to the noholds-barred world of metal. It’s a testament to the men behind the death masks: De la Rockha and his brothers (yes, the entire band is actually related) all play in metal or mariachi groups on the side. The musicians pull from a shared childhood in East L.A., where albums by Slayer and Metallica mixed freely with those by Vicente Fernández and Antonio Aguilar. Although Metalachi is far from a serious addition to the metal canon – guitarist Ramon Holiday’s online bio claims he “lost his virginity to a carne asada burrito at the age of 11” – the band is more than a clever novelty act: The group tours the country and holds a residency at the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas. Before Metalachi makes its first appearance on the tiny, tequilasoaked stage at Agave in Avon, SneakPEAK spoke with de la Rockha about aliases, the band’s Metallica medley and combining two of the most polarizing genres in music.

SP: What’s the trick to making the whole thing work? VR: Live? It’s just having fun ourselves. I’ve noticed that if we believe in what we’re doing and just put ourselves out there, we suddenly become one. It sounds weird to say, but you know what I mean? I’m into that sort of stuff, especially when it comes to music. Off the stage we’re all the same people, just fun and energetic. SP: Did the Metalachi concept gain traction right away? I’m just trying to imagine an audience’s reaction the first time someone plays “One” on guitarron. VR: (Laughs) Well, we started in North Hollywood. We played a small bar up there and never really thought it would work, but then again, if you don’t risk anything you never know if it’ll work. We had that first show at Skinny’s Lounge, and people were singing along with us from the beginning. It was incredible. We’ve even had (Pantera drummer) Vinnie Paul come to our shows – that was amazing. SP: No s***. Did he like what he heard? VR: Oh, yeah. He found me after the show and said, “Dude, that was incredible!” We do (Pantera’s) “Cemetery Gates,” and of course that’s his. He loved it. It’s fun seeing metalheads and mariachi people come together, and when you have someone like Vinnie Paul like what you do, you’re on the right track. SP: Aside from ‘Breaking the Law,” what other songs are on every touring playlist? VR: “Hot for Teacher” from Van Halen – that’s so fun – and then of course there are the Metallica songs. We do a trio actually: “Master of Puppets,” mixed with “Nothing Else Matters” and “Enter Sandman.”

SP: We have to talk about the Metallica trio. Who first suggested combining those songs? VR: We wanted to do a potpourri kind of deal, something that was no more than four songs mixed together. Before, we’d mixed a few of those (Metallica songs) with “Wings of Change” and “Imagine” from John Lennon, but it started evolving and we just decided to stick with the Metallica trio. It starts with one of the craziest solos that (violinist) SneakPEAK: I don’t know much about mariachi music, but like Dirty Sanchez plays – it’s just fun. you, I’ve been a metalhead since I was young. Why do the two pair well together? Vega de la Rockha: That’s a good question – I always get asked that and it’s difficult to answer. I’d say music is music, and if you’re What: Metalachi, self-described as the only heavyable to combine it in the right way, it works. Everything is an evolumetal mariachi act in the world When: Saturday, Jan. 11 at 9:30 p.m. tion of what came before it. We try to do that metal music with the Where: Agave, Avon traditional instruments – you see it with groups like AC/DShe and Cost: $10 they do an incredible job. It just came time to try our hand at the same.

IF YOU GO

SP: The local music scene isn’t quite friendly to metal – Metalachi might be the first hard-hitting band to play around here in years. Live mariachi acts are also pretty rare. Is the metal/mariachi concept popu-

sneakpeak

Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

Entry to the show is 21 years old and older, with tickets available online or at the door. To purchase tickets or view Agave’s full winter lineup, see agaveavon.com.

Perspectives on personal balance and welleness

VERVE

The New Year’s list Goal making is a slightly addictive habit, one I fall into just about every day.

Richelle Caya With a typical “come for the winter, stay for…” story, Richelle Caya now combines her passion for anything yoga with a new-found love of the mountains. She teaches vinyasa flow and kid’s yoga at a variety of studios around the Vail Valley. Contact Richelle through info@sneakpeakvail.com

I have these big, almost impossible objectives for my life – small, reachable aims for this season, and even a slight agenda for the next hour. I keep track of all these goals in the form of lists, not all of which make it to any viewable place of importance. Some are taped neatly into my journal, but more are probably floating around on scraps of paper shoved into my back pocket. Despite the uncertain fate of most lists I create, I still believe – and any self-help book will back me up here – that the writing helps me to keep organized. The real reason I jot them down is so that I can have the experience of checking them off later. In fact, sometimes I write down something I have already accomplished just so I can have the satisfaction of crossing it out. Even if they don’t get written down, goals are important. They let me prioritize what needs to be done now, and give me something to look forward to in the future. This helps me be productive, question myself constantly and strive to be better. All good things. Naturally, as the New Year begins, I am considering what I want to accomplish over the next twelve months. Let’s say I start training for a marathon. I train really hard all winter, competing with the gym rats for indoor cardio machines and engaging in outdoor events for the slightly insane (i.e. snowshoe racing). I keep running throughout the spring and early summer, working up to a peak mid-season when I run the race. I finish and feel euphoric; it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I do it and that makes me feel incredibly proud. Then what? Maybe I’ll be happy catching up on the past season of Game of Thrones and eating popcorn for the rest of the summer, but I doubt it. The high of accomplishment is ephemeral and only lasts until the longing to experience that feeling sets in again. The problem with viewing goals as climaxes is that it tends to lead to the delusion that happiness hides behind the next corner, after the next promotion, or with the last pound lost. Happiness might elude us some days, but it isn’t hanging out in any of those places either. I like my lists. If nothing else, they are a great procrastination tool. But they are a little bit of a black hole. Just think about it, to-do list never really end and running around after all these little projects is an ongoing task. It’s no wonder people don’t fulfill goals — they understand that once they fin-

ish they’ll just end up back where they started. The whole process is exhausting. It doesn’t have to be. Let’s take a break for one truth: You and I are already as good as we need to be and that is probably much better than either of us think. We are not a self-improvement project. We don’t need to strain towards anything. We are perfect, already. So relax a little. That being said, some effort is a good thing. If I run too slowly, I get bored and I miss out on all those endorphin highs. If I run too fast, focusing too much on the next hill or the next race, I risk injury and miss out on the vital experience each step can bring. There is a sweet spot in between where I become the best runner I can be, a person who just enjoys running. Goals can direct us toward that sweet spot. We just have to look at our intentions and we have to stop limiting ourselves with small challenges. Think life goals, rather than “around the corner” goals. If it’s something that can be bullet pointed, crossed off and forgotten, it’s not a life goal. If it’s something that has to be constantly reevaluated, changed and is capable of evolving with you, then it’s probably closer to what I’m talking about. If I decide to run this marathon, I have to remember to keep it in context. Does this small goal add to my greater life aim? When I start training, I keep the marathon in sight, work towards that challenge, but I also understand that the race is just one part of my real goal, which is to be healthy and active. The finish line is not the end—it’s just a tool on the way, and race day isn’t any more important than those I spend lazily floating down the river with my friends. Life is not about what’s around the corner. Life is about right now. This year, ask yourself: Where do I want to be right now? More importantly, who do I want to be? Don’t think in terms of how many pounds do I want to lose, how many miles do I want to run nor how many dollars do I want in the bank. Deep down we all know it’s not really about that. What we want is not to accomplish certain things, but to be a certain kind of person—one who stares out at the world with attention, who scrambles up mountains before breakfast and who is remarkable even through the daily trudge of life. Set goals that make you that person all the time. Don’t wait until next week, or next year. Start now.

Learn more. 970-477-7184

bla l Ha año Esp

“We Help Injured People” Auto & Motorcycle Accidents • Ski & Snowboard Accidents "VUP .PUPSDZDMF "DDJEFOUT t 4MJQ 'BMM Slip & Falls • Workers’ Comp • Other Serious Injuries 0UIFS 4FSJPVT *OKVSJFT t 4LJ 4OPXCPBSE "DDJEFOUT Free Consult • Percentage Fee

'SFF $POTVMU t 1FSDFOUBHF 'FF

VailJustice.com - Riverwalk at Edwards Edwards/Denver Offices -Emerald Building Suite G-1 970.926.1700 Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

sneakpeak

A new Sato Following a move and remodel, the popular Edwards sushi joint is as bustling as ever. By Laura Lieff and Phil Lindeman. When Sato moved, the crowds came with it.

On a mild Friday evening before a raging, End of Days-type storm, the Edwards sushi joint was bustling with late-holiday traffic. It’s only open from 5 - 10 p.m., but even before service officially began, a handful of early diners jockeyed for seats in the small, low-lit dining room. Nearby, one or two couples sat at the remodeled sushi bar and along the wide-open lounge bar near the front door. For fans of the 15-year-old restaurant, the new digs are a welcome change of pace. Owner Pete Mueller and general manager Kim Risi bucked the status quo and moved the longtime local’s hotspot into a smaller, more confined space. It’s now directly across from Café 163: a similarly popular breakfast/lunch/what-have-you diner co-owned by Mueller and Risi. Although both restaurants are a bit hard to find in the maze-like Edwards Village complex, the Sato move made sense. Come summer, the two joints will share a large, street-level patio described by Risi as a “beer garden,” with room for bands and other shared events. The bar at Sato also touts a rolling garage door for easy indoor/outdoor service. The shared patio concept won’t debut until the weather warms for good, but Sato already feels at home in its new locale. Sure, it’s busy and bustling

Wine of the Week Scarpetta Pinot Grigio

Beer of the Month Lefthand Brewing $ 99

Nitro Stout

$ 49

1999

Moutain Mixer

Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

49 1412 pack

Atmosphere Phil: As someone who’d never visited the old Sato – Risi could hardly believe it – I’ll leave then-and-now comparisons to Laura. As someone who just enjoys sushi, though, I can safely say I’d return to Sato in a heartbeat. The decor is inviting and attractive, with dark walls and light wood accents on the chairs, sushi bar and low-slung tables. One of my favorite touches is the layout: The main bar is found just inside the front door (a group waiting for a table was able to grab drinks without issue), while the dining room and sushi bar are nestled between mirrors and floor-to-ceiling windows. Risi says the interior was built from scratch, including kitchen hoods and the bar-side garage door, and I believe it. The lighting was a bit dim, but that’s an easy fix.

Open nightly 5pm - close Breakfast: Saturday, Sunday & Holidays 8 - 11am

Good Food Affordable Prices

Odell In-Store Tasting Friday 4-6pm

Located inside City Market in West Vail • 970.479.8116 Home of Mickey “The Wine Wizard” Like us on facebook sneakpeak

9 6 pack

regularly

Starts Friday save $3.00

7 6 pack

Sawtooth Ale

– there was already a wait by 6:30 p.m. – but that’s the atmosphere Risi and Mueller wanted to nurture. In the restaurant biz, demand is the highest compliment. To get a feel for the revamped Sato – which adds and removes menu items based on the season, including Colorado bass and Japanese ravioli this winter – SneakPEAK writer Laura Lieff and editor Phil Lindeman visited just as the dinner rush began.

476-3113 Vail Racquet Club in east Vail

OPPOSITE PAGE Left: The spicy tuna sashimi salad. Right: Colorado bass sashimi. THIS PAGE Top: The new sushi bar at Sato, a longtime Edwards favorite now located in a smaller, more intimate space across from Cafe 163. Bottom: Signature drinks (from left) the raspberry sake mojito, the cucumber martini and the lychee ginger martini. Photos: Kent Pettit.

Laura: I visited the former Sato location several times, and although the space was pretty, it was too big for a sushi restaurant. Unlike the current location, the bar was set way in the back and it felt too spread out. Now, the bar area is more accessible and inviting, the space as a whole is more intimate, and patrons have clearly found their way to the new address. As Phil mentioned, the interior is a little dark but the modern, more industrial décor gives Sato an urban look that sets it apart from most places in the valley. As for the outside, I think the joint patio with Café 163 will be a very popular place when the weather gets warm. The area gets lots of sunshine and if they add live music to the mix Sato could have a very busy summer. Drinks Phil: The specialty cocktail list isn’t very deep, but four of the six house drinks feature sake. Even though cold sake doesn’t allow for heavier, winter-friendly cocktails – only the Espresso Martini ($10) with Stoli, Kahlua and espresso would hit the spot after braving sub-zero temps. I enjoyed the Cucumber Martini ($10). It’s a light, crisp, dangerously drinkable concoction of sake, Square One Cucumber Vodka and mulled cucumber. Some may disagree, but I liked the unexpected crunch from cucumber bits in an otherwise light and straightforward cocktail. I also liked seeing Kirin Ichiban behind the bar – like their American counterparts, Japanese pilsners tend to taste better on tap. Laura: I’m not a big sake or martini drinker, but my Lychee Ginger Martini ($10) was delicious. Like Phil’s martini, my libation was dangerously drinkable and beautifully presented. The drink also complimented our food nicely and featured a skewer of tasty fruit, which I always appreciate. It will be interesting to see how the specialty cocktail list changes throughout the seasons and what they decide to do come summertime.

SneakPICKS at Sato Spicy tuna sashimi salad – The term salad is used loosely for this starter – you won’t find any lettuce or sprouts – but it’s a near-perfect dish for sharing, dinner salad-style. An earthy, complex mix of spicy tuna, macadamia nuts and chives sits on a bed of sliced cucumber and slow-burning chili oil. The whole thing is topped with a gorgeous avocado flower. ($23.95) Colorado bass sashimi – Although it’s simpler than the sashimi salad, the bass sashimi is satisfying in different ways. Lean bass is lightly seared with black sesame oil and placed over pickled wasabi leaves. It’s served in eight traditional pieces (sans rice) for small groups or a date. ($17.95) Oxtail and shitake ravioli – One of Sato’s newest dishes features two housemade raviolis filled with oxtail brined in duck stock and finished with garlic and shallots, all laid on a bed of Japanese sweet pumpkin preserve. Chef Erick Snover purposely went with an Italian-style pasta as opposed to sticky, chewy Asian wontons. ($12.95)

Menu Phil: Like most sushi joints, Sato has an impressive sashimi and sushi roll menu, filled with usual suspects like unagi, California rolls and tempura shrimp. If the roll menu is Sushi 101, then the starter list is executive chef Erick Snover’s after-school playground: It ranges from mini buffalo tacos ($7.95) with pickled jalapenos and Japanese barbecue sauce to the spicy tuna sashimi salad ($23.95): a wildly popular (and gorgeous) combo of tuna tartare, macadamia nuts, chives, avocado and chili oil. The salad was earthy and irresistible, but I like my sushi a bit simpler. I’d return for the Colorado bass sashimi: a crisp and lightly seared cut of Colorado-raised bass over sliced wasabi leaves. The meat is lean and light, with none of the overt fishiness found in some fresh-water species. (Even the wasabi is invitingly mild.) It’s a good dish for folks who aren’t sure about sushi. Laura: Although I think going to a sushi restaurant means you’re in the mood for an adventurous meal, I found the Sato menu to be very approachable. Every dish we tasted was beautifully presented and tasted as good as it looked. I would also return for the Colorado bass sashimi and am looking forward to trying the Wasabi Pea & Corn Crusted Halibut during my next visit. Clearly Risi and Mueller haven’t lost their touch, and the new location definitely suits the Sato name.

Enjoy Your Winter at Experience fine Tuscan dining, listening to Micky, Vail’s Piano Man nightly, Monday through Saturday

Open to the public, for reservations please call 970.926.2111 676 Sawatch Drive, Edwards, Colorado | vista-arrowhead.com

Hiding from your smile? The Top 10 Reasons to Choose Invisalign for Your Smile Makeover: 1. Removable aligners straighten your teeth 2. Invisible (nobody will know you’re wearing them!) 3. Customized to fit and move your teeth with no discomfort 4. Easy to maintain brushing and flossing 5. Freedom to eat and drink whatever you want 6. Smooth alignment will not scrape or cut your lips and cheeks 7. Non-damaging to teeth and enamel 8. Timesaving system requires fewer office visits 9. Price is the same as braces (really!) 10. Most modern & effective way to achieve a healthy, beautiful smile at any age!

Call today for your complementary Invisalign consultation & get your smile back! (970) 949-3331 | vailvalleydentist.com Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

sneakpeak

The Total Sausage Party at Bol Vail 1.10.2014

HAPPENINGS Bol, brats and beer

The bar area at Bol Vail, an upscale bowling alley in Solaris Plaza and host to this weekend’s Total Sausage Party. Photo special to SneakPEAK.

Bol and Dogfish Head Brewery team up for a flavorful night to remember. By Elizabeth Escobar.

Sometimes, just the fact that your friends are in town is reason enough to throw a party. And that’s exactly what the crew at Bol Vail decided to do when they found out that Dogfish Head Brewery was headed to Colorado. Returning to Vail for the annual Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines Festival at the Vail Cascade, the Delaware-based brewery is among dozens from across the country that will take part in what is one of the largest craft-brew festivals in the state. From tastings to homebrew competitions to cleverly titled seminars, the weekend event offers three days of beer-infused fun, along with education. As per tradition, Dogfish founder and president, Sam Calagione, will co-host the Calibration Dinner on Thursday night, along with Adam Avery of Boulder’s Avery Brewing Company. Together, they’ll get the whole weekend moving. But away from the festival confines, anything goes. Dogfish’s focus continues to be on brewing what the company describes as exotic beers in line with its motto: “Off-centered ales for off-centered people.” The slogan helps explain Calagione’s desire to switch things up a little this year in Vail. On the second night of the Big Beers Festival, the people from Dogfish usually host a private party at a local home for visiting reps and everyone involved with the brewery. But this year, they started thinking they might like to do something different – something a little off-centered. And since they were already in talks with Bol Vail for a future collaboration, they figured why not host a party at the funky, upscale bowling alley, a venue that already supports the brewery and its craft? “The reason we call it the Total Sausage Party is because it’s usually a lot of men,” laughs Bol Vail’s Caitlin Pauls. She says the decision to host the party at Bol required no mulling over. “I think it’s great that the party is here. We’re just happy to be involved in some way.” And although there will still be a lot of men at this year’s party, the most important reason for the get-together’s tongue-in-cheek name is Dogfish’s brand-new line of food products. Partygoers will find the classic pairing of beer and brats, featuring sausages instilled with Dogfish beers. It’s the first time Calagione’s commercial brewery has branched into the gourmet sausage world since it opened in 1995. Over the years, it has added a restaurant and distillery, all while distribution has grown to include 27 states. The Heirloom Italian Brat is based on a recipe from Calagione’s great-grandmother, a blending of Italian flavors with the brewery’s sweet and dry Midas Touch ale. The brewery’s Chicory Stout (think espresso, chocolate and cumin, all in one) is used in the Spicy Espresso Brat for meat with a kick.

Save yourself the frustration of

LUGGING YOUR SKIS THROUGH A BUSY AIRPORT

Ship to your door with The UPS Store.

Samples of these and other brats will be What: Total Sausage Party, catered by Dogavailable at the fish Head Brewery and Vail Bol party on Friday, When: Friday, Jan. 10 at 8 p.m. along with the Where: Bol Vail, Solaris Plaza in Vail Village equally tasty beerCost: Open to the public with the purflavored Hardchase of one beer Tack Chowder To find out more about Dogfish Head and Hop-Pickles. Brewery, see dogfish.com. Complimenting all of the food will be three of Dogfish’s beers, in addition to seven other draft beers from around the country. If the platters of bite-size appetizers don’t suffice (and they won’t once you start sampling), you’ll be able to purchase a full plate (or two) of the brewery’s food, along with dishes from Bol Vail’s regular menu. What’s more, Calagione and other Dogfish employees will wander the party all evening, anxious to chat with guests and answer questions about the new line of sausages. Though Dogfish is a veteran at the Big Beers Festival, Bol Vail is new to the gathering this year. While there will obviously be plenty of good food and beer to be had at the party, Bol is still a bowling alley and will host a bowling tournament at the same time. Pauls says guests can expect to compete for glassware prizes, along with cool Dogfish swag. The party – which is completely open to the public – has the sole agenda of getting people in the door to enjoy something new and have some fun during a weekend dedicated to simple pleasures. SneakPEAK writer Elizabeth Escobar can be reached at info@sneakpeakvail.com

IF YOU GO

SERVING THE VALLEY'S BEST SUSHI

NOW OPEN IN NEW LOCATION! Across from Cafe 163

Edwards

0056 Edwards Village Blvd. Edwards, Colorado 81632 970.926.5981

Avon

Vail

2121 N Frontage Road W Vail, Colorado 81657 970.476.3292

150 E Beaver Creek Blvd. Avon, Colorado 81620 970.949.0615

Dillon

265 Dillon Ridge Rd. Dillon, Colorado 80435 970.468.2800

While vacationing in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, The UPS Store is your office away from home! Computer Rental ∙ Internet ∙ Faxing ∙ Scanning ∙ Copying ∙ Printing & Finishing

Open 5- close | EVERY NIGHT 105 Edwards Village Blvd, E 101 • 970.926.7684

sneakpeak

Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

Big Beer, Belgians and Barleywines fest 1.9-1.11.2014

HAPPENINGS Meet, drink, be merry

Knock back experimental brews with the best in the business at the Big Beers Festival in Vail By Michael Suleiman. Eight months perfecting a beer may seem excessive, but only to those who haven’t tasted the final result. This weekend, the Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival will bring in 104 different breweries from across the country to the Vail Cascade Resort. The breweries that creatively concoct masterpieces are only part of the festival. The event itself blends beer tastings with brewing techniques. The latter is the events focal point and the reason for its inception. Event founders Bill and Laura Lodge started the festival as an educational venue. “The reason Big Beers was created was to educate the public and the buyers of the Vail Valley about the unique and specialty beers that were available. My brother Bill had a portfolio with his distribution company, which is called High Point Brewing. His portfolio had a lot of esoteric beers that were from Europe and nobody really understood what they were. The public at that point didn’t really understand that those beers were well worth paying a little more for,” says Lodge. Instead of calling it quits, they made it a point to educate the community. Initially the festival was more of a trade show where the public was invited. The number of participants has grown every year in the festival’s 14 years, as have the festival events. Brewmasters’ dinners have been added to the festivities throughout the years and tickets always go fast. The homebrew competition is one of the biggest highlights for the festival drawing basement brewers to brewmasters. Last year Charlie Gottenkieny took the homebrew title with his flavorful saison. After coming back from Belgium and discovering his brother was a closet

lineup. Every year there is a new topic. This year, Steven Powell from Boulevard will be anchoring the seminar to discuss saisons. While Big Beers Festival includes all the trappings of your average beer tasting event and is very festive, it appeals to those who are also interested in the process. “I love Big Beers Festival because it is intimate. If you go somewhere like great American Beer Festival you might see the brewer on one of the nights but at Big Beers they are there pouring the beer for you. You will see Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head, Adam Avery from Avery and Tomme Arthur from The Lost Abbey. It is a real brewers conference,” says Gottenkieny. Brewers from across the country attend. All of the commercial beers at the event must either be of a Belgian style or have an ABV (Alcohol By Volume) level of 7 percent or above. For a local company, this event is particularly special. Volunteers pouring one of the beers for “The Evolution of a Barrel” experimental brewing seminar attendees. Photo: David Foxhoven.

Local flavor Crazy Mountain Brewery got their start in 2010. The first time they ever poured beer for the public was at the Big Beers Festival that year. “This festival is quite different from other beer festivals because it has the clout to attract brewery owners and brewmasters instead of the regional sales reps that normally man the booths. Kevin and I [See BIG BEERS, page 23]

brewer, Gottenkieny decided he could do better. After his big win last year, the Solstice Saison was brewed by Dry Dock brewing and was featured at the Great American Beer Festival. Gottenkieny has 25 years of brewing experience and still learns something new at the seminars. “If you go to the seminars at Big Beers a lot of it is geared toward professional brewers and yet homebrewers and enthusiasts can What: Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines festival When: Thursday, Jan. 9 to Saturday, Jan. 11 get a lot out of it. The seminars are Where: Vail Cascade Resort, Vail outstanding,” says Gottenkieny. Cost: Varies (most individual events are sold out) The experimental brewing seminar, titled Brewers Gone Wild, is For more information, see bigbeersfestival.com. always one of the favorites of the

IF YOU GO

Rootz S A L O N

Join our team! Rootz Hair Salon is looking for a driven, outgoing, energetic stylist! Looking to build your clientele and take overflow. Work with a strong talented group of ladies! Please call 970-748-6788 ask for Jamie or drop off resume to Rootz Salon 970.748.6788 | rootzhairsalon.com | 142 Beaver Creek Pl., Avon

You, Only Better

H A I R

Awarded Best Doctor in America 13 Years Running Board Certiﬁed by the American Board of Facial Plastic Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology

56 Edwards Village Blvd Suite 226 Edwards CO 81632 (970) 766-3223 (FACE) • Mangatplasticsurgery.com Private In Oﬃce Facility Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

sneakpeak

WELLNESS | 2014

Chilly early-morning laps at the Westin Riverfront Resortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outdoor pool in Avon. Photo: Charles Townsend Bessent.

sneakpeak

Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

Fight the cold and flu with homemade teas and remedies

Beware of the bug

As the nation enters one of the worst flu seasons in years, high-alpine locals and visitors need weapons to fight back. By Phil Lindeman. The flu is back with a dangerous vengeance. Despite a worse-than-average winter last year, this flu season is shaping up to be even worse. Eagle County Public Health has already reported five cases of hospitalization due to extreme cases of the seasonal virus, along with one death. Across the nation, the Centers for Disease Control warn that H1N1 – the flu strain known for causing scares across the world in 2009 – is this year’s most potent and common culprit. It claimed the life of 40-year-old Edwards resident Veronica Moreno Castillo, a mother of three who was in good health before being taken to the Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs shortly after Christmas. She died after contracting the H1N1 Type A strain. Although the flu can be life-threatening, it’s far from unavoidable. A recent notice from county public health director Jennifer Ludwig urges all residents to get the flu vaccine, particularly at-risk groups like children and seniors. That said, H1N1 is an oddity: The strain tends to affect young and middle-aged adults with more voracity than other varieties. Along with local pharmacies like Walgreens and City Market, flu vaccines are available at county-run public health offices in Avon, Eagle and El Jebel. Most health insurance plans (including the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare) cover flu shots. Each year, the CDC identifies the most common strains for the newest round of flu vaccines, known as trivalent vaccines. But shots aren’t for everyone. Some folks have allergic reactions or don’t take well to vaccines in general, while others just have a plain-old fear of needles. Deborah Wiancek, a naturopathic physician and owner of Riverwalk Natural Health Clinic in Edwards, has a potential solution for those select few. Her clinic carries Influenzinum 200c, a popular homeopathic al-

An aromatic tea of herbs and spices readily found in your pantry can ward off the worst of flu symptoms. Photo: Kent Pettit.

ternative to flu vaccines that carries no live or inactive virus strains. It’s also a good option for locals and visitors in the Vail area, where travelers from every corner of the world come and go at will – along with their sicknesses. “One thing about the flu, especially in our county, is there are many different strains of the virus,” says Wiancek. “We get so many people from around the globe bringing so many different strains to the area. That can make it very hard to track down exactly what strains are here.” As with any homeopathic remedy, Influenzinum isn’t approved by the Federal Drug Administration, but experts like Wiancek say it’s a good supplement to everyday preventative musts like washing hands, cleaning home surfaces and taking a multivitamin. Every tube of Influenzinum costs about $12 and contains 80 small pellets. The average dose is three to four pellets and can [See FLU SEASON, page 23]

Homemade flu tea

An aromatic tea of herbs and spices can help relieve congestion and clear your sinuses. Try this quick remedy based on easy-to-find household ingredients. If it doesn’t taste great, forgo the garlic. Ingredients 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, diced Juice from one small lemon 1-2 drops licorice extract 1 garlic clove, diced (optional) Pre-packaged tea of choice (Echinacea is a good choice) Method In a small saucepan, add garlic, ginger, lemon juice and licorice extract to eight ounces of water. Bring to a slow boil. Pour mixture over tea sachet and let steep.

GYPSUM

ANIMAL HOSPITAL

January is puppy APRIL IS NATIONAL and kitten vaccination month HEARTWORM MONTH No experience necessary! 2013 - 2014 Nordic Town Series Dates at Maloit Park: January 15 • January 29 February 19 • March 12 (Minturn Town Championships)

Register the day of the event Lower/Middle School - 4:15pm start • Adults/High School - 5:15pm start Entry Fee: $10 age Adults/High School, $5 Lower/Middle School Info: townseries@skiclubvail.org • 970.790.5133

-10%%off 20 off puppy

HEARTWORM and kitten TESTING

vaccinations

% 20 off ALL packages PREVENTATIVES

CALL NOW TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT! STEPHEN SHELDON, DVM GYPSUM ANIMAL HOSPITAL 970-524-3647 www.gypsumah.com

Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

sneakpeak

WELLNESS | 2014

Calling experts

& amateurs

The Westin Après Indoor Triathlon Series kicks off Jan. 12 as both an introduction to the tri world and a competition for snowbound athletes. By John O’Neill. Swim, bike, run – it will be multisport madness at the Westin Athletic Club when a new “après” indoor triathlon series debuts this winter. Winter? Yes, winter. The triathlon series takes place in the Westin’s 25-yard outdoor pool, a computrainer biker room and on treadmill machines. The format of the event is unique: While most triathlons take participants over distance course, the indoor series will be a race for distance against time and other participants. There will be a 10-minute swim, What: Swim, bike and run in winter at the hotel’s prepped club 20-minute bike and 15-minute run, with racers trying to Where: Westin Athletic Club record the farthest distance for each discipline in the alWhen: Jan. 12, Feb. 23, Mar. 16 at 4 p.m. lotted time. Cost: $25/event or $65/series for members, For the competitive, the indoor series will offer a dif$30/event or $80/series for non-members ferent and exciting type of competition. It promises to break up the monotony of training in winter for a sumTo register or find our more, call organizer mer sport. I know I’ll be racing. For the less experienced, Jennifer Razee at 970.790.3003. the indoor series also offers the unusual opportunity to attempt a new sport in a low-stress environment. Even though the mix of veterans and beginners could be intimidating, remember: Everyone is new to something at some point. I wasn’t always a triathlete – I grew up a runner, beginning under Rob Parish as a freshman at Battle Mountain High School. We did well as a team and I went on to run at Colorado State University. Looking back, it was just after graduation that I realized how valuable and fun the triathlon lifestyle can be. Going into college, I had wide eyes for success at the D1 level. At times, I ran fast and things looked promising. But just as I was coming into great form, I found myself injured – without fail, every time. I was running about 80 miles a week. It was incredibly frustrating knowing exactly what needed to be done to be successful at that level, only to have my body struggle to handle the required workload. When I left CSU, I was a mess. My running résumé was filled with stress fractures, Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis and other disappointing injuries. I got into triathlon as a way to still be competitive with less wear and tear on my body. This mentality translates to less-competitive athletes as well. I often hear from people who say they can’t run because of aching

Westin Indoor Après Triathlon Series

“Even for non-runners, triathlon gives you an all-around fitness routine that leaves you healthy, fit and looking fantastic without a shirt on.”

sneakpeak

Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

The Westin in Avon introduces a winter triathlon series OPPOSITE PAGE Poolside at the Westin in winter. THIS PAGE Left: Swimming through the storm. Below: Local triathletes Josiah Middaugh (left) and John O’Neill (right) before starting a brisk mid-winter workout at the Westin Riverfront Resort in Avon. Photos: Charles Townsend Bessent.

and went on to represent the United States at races in Europe, South America and the Caribbean all last season. Still, the indoor series is enticing. I think it will be a great way to stay in touch with multisport fitness and get a taste of competition. The winter can get dreary and it is easy to get complacent about training. Nothing snaps that lull like the starting gun.

knees, a bad back, sore shins. The same goes for biking – sore knees or, worse, saddle sores. For swimmers, it is always a shoulder problem. It is no secret that a single sport can be hard on your body. I eased into the triathlon world, swimming every now and again. I bought a road bike. I found that the other sports were a new challenge, but also that they helped my legs stay healthy for running. It wasn’t long before I was logging three workouts per day, seeking the same success I did with my running, only this time unhampered by pain and injury. My personality is an addictive one – I couldn’t help but launch into full-time training. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Recreational triathlon has grown significantly across the nation and in the Vail Valley. USA Triathlon, the governing body in the sport, recorded just north of 100,000 members in 2000. They now have close to 600,000 registered and racing triathletes. The story is much the same locally. The XTERRA Beaver Creek off-road triathlon race, held every summer on the mountain, has grown into one of the biggest races we see in the valley all year. On the road, races like the LG Triathlon and BecTri have seen record numbers of participation. I think that people like a challenge. If you have never swum before, triathlon is a good reason to start. The same goes for road biking. Even for non-runners, triathlon gives you an all-around fitness routine that leaves you healthy, fit and looking fantastic without a shirt on. The indoor triathlon series is one reason to get started. It features manageable times for the three disciplines, with a small break between each session to get ready for the next. “I think this is a great introduction to triathlon,” says Jennifer Razee, the avid Ironman and XTERRA triathlete who is organizing the event. “It will be pretty low stress – no clocks ticking through transition – (and) people can just concentrate on the three disciplines.” While I am new in triathlon – this will be second season – I have seen much success. I lived and trained at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for eight months, turned professional,

For the love of fitness Many times, Josiah Middaugh, myself and others in the local Masters swim group are commended on our bravery. Guests at the Westin can’t believe we’d take on the wind, snow and freezing temperatures for a morning swim workout. Maybe Middaugh put it best when he said, “It isn’t so much bravery as it is routine.” Both he and I are competitive triathletes. We have both raced internationally and dedicate a ludicrous amount of time to keeping fit. In 52 weeks, 50 of them are spent training. Living in Vail, you have to make due. Vail is, I believe, the best place in the country to train during the summer: endless miles of running trails, rural roads, huge hills, cold, clean open-water swimming areas and a very supportive community. During the winter, you’re confined to fewer roads for running, along with indoor biking and pool swimming. It isn’t a bad way to train, and gyms like the Westin and Dogma will have you fitter than most outdoor roads by the time the snow melts. Sure, there is less variety in your day, but as the saying goes, variety is for the weak minded. Almost every morning we are out in the pool. Snow, wind or sunshine, we’ll be training along with a dedicated bunch of swimmers. SneakPEAK writer John O’Neill can be reached at info@sneakpeakvail.com

Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

sneakpeak

WELLNESS | 2014

The

resolution workout Turn your fitness goals into a lifestyle this year with two quick and easy workouts from Ski and Snowboard Club Vail. By Phil Lindeman.

It’s barely a week after New Year’s Day and the world is your big, beautiful, hard-bodied oyster. At this early stage, your resolution to shed holiday poundage doesn’t only seem manageable – it’s nothing short of a given, just like last year. The gym still seems like some kind of new and exciting Mecca, while stationary bikes and treadmills haven’t yet lost their luster. Even that new paleo diet is working how. Who knew cavemen were so smart? Then February hits and life rears its ugly head. Kids need rides at odd hours, your trainer ups his introductory fee and you miss the silky comfort of an everything bagel with cream cheese. Suddenly, you’ve fallen off the fitness wagon, just like last year. But February doesn’t have to be a downer. Trainers and gym rats everywhere know fitness has to be a consistent, daily routine, just like brushing your teeth and trimming your nails (both of which most adults can get behind). Like those everyday activities, a workout doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Ski and Snowboard Club Vail trainer Jake Wurth knows this full well. His athletes balance school, on-snow training and indoor workouts, all while trying to be functioning teens. He knows how to structure workouts that are simple and effective, without the time or monetary demands of a full-on gym regimen. He champions body-weight exercises for just about anyone, from SSCV athletes to stay-at-home moms. “You can do these workouts with zero equipment,” Wurth says. “But you can make it harder with dumbbells, med balls – any of those things. It can be challenging, but it’s also geared to someone who’s looking to get back into fitness and stay with it.” SneakPEAK worked with Wurth to develop two distinct fitness plans, one for power and the other for strength. They can be used separately or together, but both take less than 20 minutes and are custom-made for your living room (read: no gym membership required). They can also be easily modified to stave off boredom. “This specific routine, with exercises in this order, is something I haven’t given my athletes before,” Wurth says. “I wanted to focus on a total-body workout, as opposed to one part of the body. Building strength will not only help you on the hill, but it will make you stronger for snowhoeing or biking or any other sport.” Before beginning a workout, be sure to move through a series of dynamic warm-ups like lateral lunges, slow glute stretches and resistance bands. A dynamic warm-up takes your joints through full ranges of motion while increasing your muscles’ internal temperature. These two workouts are a good place to start, but Wurth also recommends pairing them with a clear-cut diet plan and plenty of sleep.

sneakpeak

Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

The strength routine Start the routine with one set, once a week. Begin with 10 repetitions per exercise. For more intensity, try: 1) increasing the number of sets, 2) increasing the number of repetitions, 3) adding weight, or 4) adding a second session per week. You can also try any combination of the four. 1. Eccentric squats Start position: Stand in a neutral position, with eyes forward and hands at sides. Slowly squat with a six count, keeping core tight and Finish position: Drop as low as possible so knees bend past 90 degrees. Rise up with a two count, keeping eyes forward and core tight. Variation: Add weight. A gallon jug of water or backpack of books work in a pinch. 2. Push-ups Start position: Pretty self-explanatory, but be sure to keep spine straight and core tight. Drop slowly with a four count. Finish position: Push through arms and chest to the starting position, keeping hands on ground and core tight. Variation: For an easier exercise, drop to your knees rather than feet. You can also change hand placement to hit different muscles in the arms, chest and shoulders. 3. Bent-over back flys Start position: Without locking knees, bend at the waist until the body is at a 45 degree angle from ground. Hold arms out from body, with elbows bent

An easy routinet to stay on top of New Year’s fitness goals at 90 degrees and hands facing the ground. Tighten core and slowly pull elbows toward ceiling. Finish position: Slowly drop arms to start position. Variation: Add weight. 4. Single-leg Romanian dead lift Start position: Stand in a neutral position, with eyes forward and hands at sides. Slowly bend at the waist while lifting right leg behind body. Reach fingertips to floor and bend left knee slightly. Keep spine straight. Finish position: Stop once torso and right leg are parallel to floor. Slowly return to neutral position while pulling through glutes. Repeat with opposite leg. Variation: Add weight. 5. Triceps dips Start position: With back to a stable, low dining chair, place palms on chair seat so fingertips point away from body. Keep arms straight and place heels on ground, keeping legs straight. Finish position: Slowly bend elbows to dip body. When elbows are slightly past 90 degrees, push back up through palms. Variation: Add weight (place books on lap). 6. Shoulder circuit Start position: From neutral position with eyes forward, slowly lift both arms straight in front of body. Stop at 90 degrees and hold for one count. Finish position: Slowly drop arms to sides. Be sure to activate shoulders throughout, without bending back or forward. Repeat with lateral and reverse lifts. Variation: Add weight. 7. Walking lunge Start position: Find a hallway or other long space with no objects. With eyes forward and hands on hips, step forward with right foot. Drop left knee until it hovers slightly above the ground, keeping spine straight and core tight. Finish position: Push up through glutes and return to neutral position. Repeat with left leg. Variation: Add weight or abdominal twist at the bottom of the lunge. 8. Planks Start position: Begin in a push-up position, using either hands or elbows to hold body up. Keep spine straight and core tight. Don’t drop head or hips. Variation: Add single leg and arm lifts, or alternate opposite hand/leg lifted.

The power routine Start the routine with one set, once a week. Begin with six repetitions each. 1. Burpees Start position: Start in a push-up position with eyes forward and spine straight. Bring knees to chest so feet land just behind hands. With all fours on ground and eyes forward, explode upward and reach fingertips to sky. Let feet come off ground. Finish position: After landing, retrace movements until back at push-up position. Keep movements deliberate (don’t jerk). Variation: Add push-up at bottom of burpee. 2. Explosive push-ups Start position: Begin in push-up position. Slowly drop until elbows are at 90 degrees. Finish position: Explode through palms so hands lift slightly off ground. Catch body with slight bend in elbows. Variation: Move hands closer or further to activate different muscles. 3. Russian twist Start position: Sit on ground and pull knees to form 45-degree angle. Lean back until heels come off ground. With hands together over chest, twist torso and head to right while knees twist in opposite direction. Finish position: Slowly twist back to start position. Twist to opposite side, keeping core tight and spine straight throughout. Variation: Add weight. 4. Lateral power skips Start position: Find hallway or other area with no objects. Begin in a running position facing wall, with left leg slightly forward, right leg slightly back and both knees slightly bend. Push off right leg to end on left leg. Finish position: Continue with skipping motion to move body down hallway. Keep spine straight and eyes forward. 5. Diagonal lift and chop Start position: From neutral position with glutes and core tight, place right hand over left hip. Pull arm across body to end over head on right side, keeping elbow slightly bent. Activate shoulder muscle throughout. Finish position: Slowly drop right arm to left hip. Repeat with opposite arm. Variation: Add weight. 6. Split squat jumps Start position: Begin in squat position, keeping eyes forward and right leg forward with left leg back. Hover left knee above ground and hold right leg at 90 degrees. Explode up to lift legs off ground. While in air, switch position of legs. Finish position: Catch body gently to rest slightly above squat. Return to squat, hold for two count and repeat.

Cafe Milano EDWARDS | 970-926-4455 | CAFEMILANOCO.COM

CREATE A TEAM! 2014 Series on Vail Mountain 1:00 pm race/ 5 pm Aprés Free drinks, free food & great prizes at aprés parties. Open to skiers, snowboarders & telemarkers! No experience necessary and no speed suit needed.

2013 - 2014 Dates Jan 16 • Jan 30 • Feb 6 • Feb 13 • Feb 27 • March 13 Register online at www.skiclubvail.org or on the day of the event Info: townseries@skiclubvail.org • 970.790.5133

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP SINCE MAY 1!

Join us for Happy Hour, Mon. - Sat. 3-6pm

$3 Well Drinks - $3 Draft Beers - $5 Glasses of Selected Wines

Featuring nightly entrée specials. Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

sneakpeak

Vail Rec District debuts low-cost, after-ski programs

FEATURES Après for all

With a new space in Lionshead, the Vail Recreation District offers a little something for everyone. By Phil Lindeman.

men’s hair cuts the barber’s den

edwards plaza bldg. 926-8091

After the lifts at Vail stop spinning, the fun is just beginning. Found just steps from the Eagle Bahn Gondola, the season-old Lionshead Welcome Center is the ground floor for just about everything. The building’s exterior is immediately striking, covered in a realistic glass mural of the mountain’s front side and towering windows that peer out across the village below. And the gorgeous space isn’t just pretty window dressing for the parking structure to the north. It’s also a hot spot for after-ski diversions, the sort that hardly cost more than a round of après beers. This season, the Vail Recreation District introduced a new batch of afternoon activities hosted at the welcome center. With everything from child-friendly arts and crafts to one of the only aikido classes in the area, it’s a welcome reprieve from chilly outdoor sports for a wide range of tired – or just plain bored – visitors and locals. “This new space definitely gave us an opportunity to be creative with programming,” says Chad Young, the community programming director for VRD. “We were looking to serve seniors and adults while we still served children, and this space allows us to serve all those groups.” As Young and his staff were scheduling programs during the offseason, cost was a major factor. Look at the après yoga class: The hourlong session is taught by a rotating group of local instructors, the sort who charge upwards of $25 per student at studios across the valley. “Affordability is something that was very important to highlight from the beginning,” Young says. “As a group, we didn’t want to place a burden on people who are already spending lots of money here. That was important to us.” The roundup For the VRD, one of the biggest benefits of the new space is flexibility. Young had access to another in-town space before, but it was only good for children and couldn’t handle multiple activities at once. Sara Allan, the youth recreation leader in charge of Friday night’s Date Night and open art studio programs, is new to the staff this year and had no experience with the old, confined space. Still, she says having [See VAIL REC, page 25]

COLORADO’S LONGEST

ALPINE COASTER!

Cave Tours • Scenic Tram 4D Theater • Laser Tag

TE WIN

all gete iltow price!

for on

For hours: 800-530-1635 x 0 or GlenwoodCaverns.com 16

sneakpeak

Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

OFF THE SLOPES The Vail Recreation District offers a slew of free (or relatively affordable) classes for the après and after-ski crowds. All are held at the Lionshead Welcome Center. For more info on daytime and weekend activities, see vailrec.com. Aikido Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This defensive-minded martial art is also a good cardio and core workout. Classes are led by longtime instructor Todd Fessenden. All abilities are welcome, but students must be 15 years old or older. Free. Après ski yoga Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Unwind from a day on the slopes with a slow, relaxing, gentle yoga class taught by a rotating corps of local instructors. All ages and abilities are welcome. The center has a few mats, but bring your own just in case. Free. Date Night Fridays, 5:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. While mom and dad enjoy a night on the town, youngsters have full access to clay, paints, pottery and other goodies at Vail’s Imagination Station. The program costs $15 per child (including all supplies) and is open to children 3 years old or older. Open art studio Fridays, 5:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. Held at the same time as Date Night, the open studio is an adult-friendly version of the kids’ crafts nearby. The open studio format includes an introduction to basic skills followed by solo or joint projects. Reservations are required for the clay wheel. Cost is $5, plus the price of materials.

Living History at the Vail Library 1.15.2014

HAPPENINGS

Colorado’s unsung engineer Living history presentation at Vail Library tells the story of railroad pioneer Otto Mears. By Laura Lieff. Retired sixth grade teacher Steve Lee as Otto Mears, a Colorado politician and railroader. Photo special to SneakPEAK.

Storytelling is an art form – just ask former sixth grade teacher Steve Lee. Throughout his teaching tenure, Lee often used stories to help his students learn and now uses the same method at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, where he provides educational programs. “My wife would tell you that I’ve always been a storyteller,” says Lee. “After all, who would weave a tall tale about his wife being an alligator into a spelling test for sixth graders? Upon retirement, I honed my storytelling presentation style with classes taught by a true master of the craft, Susan Marie Frontczak. I’ve been able to travel around the great state of Colorado sharing my stories with schools, clubs, libraries and museums.” Clearly out of retirement, Lee will portray Russian immigrant Otto Mears (1840-1931), who was one of the most influential men in the pioneering era of Colorado. The presentation is part of the Evenings of Engagement program at the Town of Vail Public Library. Each month, the library hosts living history presentations that feature performers known as Chautauquans who bring important historical figures back to life.

cal characteristics and ethnicity and both have an interest in railroads and what they have meant to Colorado and the West, this portrayal seemed like an ideal fit. “I’ve always been a fan of steam-powered railways – can’t explain it, really,” says Lee. “The sight of a steam engine, especially narrow gauge equipment, simply grabs my attention. And as for Mr. Mears, yes, he was very fond of his railroads, but he was first and foremost a business man.” Orphaned at age three and living on his own from the age of 11, Mears came to the Colorado Territory in 1865. He built toll roads and railroads where none existed in the steepest parts of the Rocky Mountains, thus opening up the vast riches of Colorado’s high country to exploration and development. He was a witness at the trial of the infamous cannibal Alfred Packer, helped design the Colorado State Capitol building and was a power to contend with in Colorado politics for 50 years. His place in Colorado’s history is immortalized in stained glass in the state senate chambers. “Otto Mears was an ‘overcomer of adversity,’” says Lee. “He simply didn’t quit – obstacles were to be conquered, one way or another. He was orphaned at age three, and basically raised himself. Built 450 miles of toll roads in the San Juan Mountains, owned four railroads and built three of them. Town builder and legislator. Never went to any sort of school, yet he was the first Presidential elector from the new state of Colorado! Can’t help but admire him.”

of the Rio Golden Railroad at Heritage Square and engineer for the Denver Zoo Railroad. “When the opportunity to work at the Colorado Railroad Museum came, I jumped at the chance,” he says. “It’s a living history museum--we operate trains every Saturday. I work in the gift shop and I provide educational outreach programs to local schools. I also get to interact with our guests and answer questions about railroads.” Lee did his undergraduate work (B.A.) at Metropolitan State College in Denver and his postgraduate (M.A.) at the University of Colorado, Denver Center. During his career with Jefferson County Public Schools, he was nominated for several awards and received the Jefferson Foundation’s Distinguished Teacher Award in 1994. In addition to classroom teaching, Steve developed curriculum for the Outdoor Education Laboratory Schools at Mt. Evans and Windy Peak. He is still active in the Gifted and Talented Astronomy program. SneakPEAK writer Laura Lieff can be reached at info@sneakpeakvail.com

About Steve Lee When he’s not portraying Colorado legends like Mears at the Town of Vail Public Library, Lee works for the Colorado Railroad Museum in GoldParallel interests Because Lee and Mears share similar physi- en. His previous jobs included operations manager

- Available for private parties and group functions -

Open for Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner Breakfast served ALL DAY! Lunch 11am - 3pm Dinner 5pm - close Mon - Sat

Monday: Happy Hour all Night | 20% off all Appetizers Wednesday: Gyro Night | $5.95 Gyro & Fries Thursday: All Night Happy Hour | Watch Thursday Night Football Across from the Post Office in Edwards | 970.926.1163

“

IF YOU GO What: Living History presentation featuring “Otto Mears” Where: Vail Public Library (across from Dobson Arena outside of Lionshead Village) When: Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 5:30 p.m. Cost: Free and open to the public For more information, call the library at 970.479.2187

With the right coverage and fair prices I was able to get this fancy new dress! Thanks to the Michael Neff Agency.

”

Call Michael Neff Insurance 970.949.5633 Located in the Slifer, Smith & Frampton Building, Avon | www.michaelneffagency.com Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

sneakpeak

A snowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s-eye view of Beaver Creek on Sunday, Jan. 5 in the final hours of a welcome weekend storm that dumped 10 inches in 24 hours. Photo: Beaver Creek Resort.

What we live for... Just as the holiday crowds returned from whence they came, the skies opened up and gifted Eagle County with nearly two feet of crisp, dry, champagne powder. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what local photographers found in the first few hours after the storms subsided. Enjoy.

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE Powderhounds Drew Rouse (front) and Austin Tafoya (back) hiking through the Beaver Creek sidecountry. Photo: Daniel Milchev. Austin Tafoya finding the good stuff just outside of Beaver Creek. Photo: Daniel Milchev. Kyle Nienhouse with a gap to frontside lipslide around town. Photo: Daniel Milchev.

sneakpeak

Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Local skiers Chris Anthony (left) and Palmer Hoyt (right) charge through powder at Beaver Creek. Photo: Zach Mahone, Beaver Creek Resort. Even the trees were skiing incredibly after Vail Mountain emerged from the storm. Skier Drew Rouse floating through a few of the best. Photo: Daniel Milchev, Vail Resorts. Loving life is an understatement for Mackenzie Hanna. Deep, deep turns at Beaver Creek. Photo: Zach Mahone, Beaver Creek Resort. EagleVail 8-year-old Carson Dunn puts his ski-bound peers to shame with stylish air on the sledding hill near his home. Photo: Sherri Innes.

Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

sneakpeak

The annual Vail Town Series kicks off with Gold Peak GS

ATHLETICS Unwinding the Vail way

Vail’s Town Series of ski races is back and ready to have some fun. By Nicholas Van Dyke. Everyone who lives in the Vail Valley knows that we locals love our traditions –especially when those traditions involve spending time on the mountain. As skiers and riders, we love coming together once a year to dress ourselves outlandishly for Gaper Day and finish out our snow season with the Four at Four party. What some people don’t know is that perhaps Vail’s oldest tradition is the Town Series of ski races put on by Ski and Snowboard Club Vail each year – and this year will be no exception. Kicking off on Jan. 9, the Vail Summit Orthopedics Town Series of ski races will run every Thursday through March 13. Participation is open to anyone older than 21 that wants to put together a team or simply just wants to get out and compete in the gates. If you’ve been nostalgically missing those days of high-school ski team but don’t exactly have what it takes to make it to Sochi this year, here’s your chance to get back out on the course. Teams for the race series are allowed up to eight people with six participants competing in each race. The series will include eight races total all running between Gold Peak and Black Forest courses. All teams must stay consistent throughout the series, which means no trying to pull a fast one and alternate your team’s members. All teams have two categories–Pro (only alpine races) and Motley Crew (any combination of disciplines of races). The races will be judged on the best five of seven racing results and a victory team will be crowned at the end of the series. The racing series has been taking place annually for over 40 years now and is an important part of Vail’s history. Local businesses such as The George, Jensen Farms, Pazzos and many others all enjoy putting together teams and racing each year. Jim Gledining, owner of The George and participant in the series since 1994, says he keeps coming back to the series for one reason. “I simply love ski racing,” says Gledining. “It’s great camaraderie and it’s great fun. There’s a little bit of excitement, a little bit of danger and just a

Is your furnace winter-ready?

REAL 24 HOUR SERVICE

479-2981

www.mmphservice.com

sneakpeak

See Our Ad In

Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

The adrenaline rush and nerves come back and it’s a great feeling.” Whether you’re looking to just have a good time or trying to get back into competition shape the race series has something to offer you. Even telemarkers and snowboarders are allowed in on the fun. Unwind the traditional Vail style on Thursdays this winter. How can you say no to friendly competition and free beer? SneakPEAK writer Nicholas Van Dyke can be reached at info@sneakpeakvail.com

Vail Town Series schedule and après locations

A snowboarder passes an out-of-place Beaver Creek flag during a Vail Town Series race in 2011. Photo special to SneakPEAK.

good crew of people having a good time on a Thursday afternoon.” The fun doesn’t stop when the racing does, however, an après party held between The George, Pazzo’s, Manor Vail and The Red Lion follows up each race. “We make sure that everything’s free for everybody who was in the race,” says Gledining. “You can get some grub, hang out and get a few free beers in Vail. You can’t beat that for a deal really.” According to Euginnia Manseau–the event manager for Ski and Snowboard Club Vail–the series is an important thing to SSCV because it gives the club a different dimension and allows the community to become a part of all of the great things that SSCV has to offer. “The race series is important to me because as much as we all love those powder days, nothing feels as good as getting back into the gates,” says Manseau. “I’m a competitor at heart so I love to race down the hill. There is no feeling like standing in the starting gate and looking down at the racetrack.

Jan. 9 – Gold Peak GS, The George Jan. 16 – Gold Peak GS, The Fitz at Manor Vail Jan. 23 – Gold Peak GS, Pazzo’s Vail Jan. 30 – Gold Peak GS, The Red Lion Feb. 6 – Black Forest Pro Slalom, Pazzo’s Vail Feb. 13 – Afterthought GS, The Fitz at Manor Vail Feb. 27 – Black Forest Pro Slalom, The Red Lion March 13 – Gold Peak GS and Super George, The George Registration info Individual fees – $10.00/race or $50.00/series (all eight race days) Team fees – $250.00/team for the series – teams may include a maximum of eight people on the roster and six racers at each race Lift tickets – $70/day or $80/day for lift ticket plus one race entry All town series participants must be 21 years old or older. Teams and individuals can sign up by going to skiclubvail.org.

New year, new you! New Year’s Special! $39 Air Brush Tan Cocktail Bags Jewelry Festive, Fancy Attire

926.7995 • Edwards Riverwalk • 10-6 Mon-Sat

52 Weeks

of theVail

Valley CAPTION Ski and Snowboard Club Vail athletes Liv Moritz (center), Kjersti Moritz (right) and Ava Surridge (left) placed first, second and third in the girl’s 9 and under division at the USASA Freeski Slopestyle competition on Jan. 4. From a snowstorm at Golden Peak to the floodlights at the Olympics and X Games, this is how it all begins for aspiring young athletes. PHOTO SSCV. Have an eye for indelible images? Email your photos (with a short caption) to philip@sneakpeakvail.com

vail.com Eagle Location Applied Leadership Series Now Open Get all four classes for $150! Otherwise, $50 per class

Strengths- Based Leadership 1/21 - $50

442 McIntire St. at Grand Ave (Hwy 6) , Eagle l 970-328-1702 l Open Daily 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Building a Culture of Trust 2/26 - $50

Minturn Location Now delivering to Avon/Vail

Leading Meetings that Get Results 3/26 - $50

151 Main St., Minturn l 970-827-5616 l Open Daily 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Boosting Your Productivity 4/23 - $50

Call Now to Register 970-569-2900

Healthy • Delicious • Hearty • Gourmet NickysQuickie.com

Mountain Life, Mountain Learning...

in the heart of the Vail Valley www.coloradomtn.edu/professionaldevelopment Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

sneakpeak

Delving into sports predictions with guru Patrick Whitehurst

SNEAKSPORTS Time will tell Countless pieces need to fall perfectly into sin) over Arizona. place in order to consistently win.

Patrick Whitehurst Minturn-based sports lover Patrick Whitehurst writes for Fanrag.com. Tune in weekly for his musings on the wild and complicated love affair between American fans and their most cherished pastimes. He can be contacted through Fanrag.com.

NFL head coaches and defensive coordinators can devise elaborate game plans and ball-hawking schemes, but the players need to make plays on the field. Basketball coaches can draw up the perfect inbounds play for the game-winning shot, but when the execution or timing is slightly off, the open shooter is covered and the screener with a mason’s touch becomes the best option. Fans will cheer while analysts break down hours of game tape, but until the final whistle blows or the last out is made, anything can happen in the realm of sports. My predictions rarely come to fruition, but that never stops me from making them. My heart is right less often than my head, and with that in mind, here’s what I am hoping will happen this year in sports, followed by what is more likely to occur. NFL Since Green Bay couldn’t make enough plays to beat San Francisco, my rooting interests now fall with the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC and the Carolina Panthers in the NFC. If Andrew Luck is able to accomplish in his second year something Peyton Manning never could (beat the Patriots in Foxborough during the playoffs), Luck’s status as a clutch performer will be cemented. If he then comes into Mile High and knocks off Peyton, Jim Irsay’s head and the Twitter universe may just explode. Cam Newton gets the headlines, but Carolina’s swarming defense led by All-Pros Luke Kuechly and Greg Hardy will be the key to a Super Bowl run. I’m not a real Panthers fan, but I don’t want to see an NFC West team or the Saints make the big game. Actual Prediction: The hype machine gets rolling when the Patriots visit Denver for the AFC Championship, while the NFC side features 49ers vs. Seahawks, Part III. When the smoke clears, the Broncos and 49ers will book trips to snowy New Jersey for the Super Bowl.

NBA The Eastern Conference is a two-team race. The time is right for the Indiana Pacers to knock off the two-time defending champs. Frank Vogel’s team is hungry and determined; the Pacers possess the talent to run with LeBron and the depth to beat the Heat. Once Russell Westbrook returns, the Thunder and Kevin Durant should roll in the West. If the Thunder falters, I hope the Golden State Warriors or Portland Trail Blazers emerges, not a team from Texas. Actual Prediction: Paul George dethrones LeBron as MVP. Fans will turn the channel when the Spurs and Heat meet in a Finals rematch that seems more like a mismatch, leading to Heat in five. World Cup The United States has a tough draw, but if Jurgen’s crew can advance to the knockout stage, the team’s confidence will be at an all-time high. Actual Prediction: Spain, Germany, Brazil and Italy are the last four standing. No mas Tiki-Taka, the Germans win the Cup. MLB It’s time for some new blood in baseball. The Red Sox were a great story in 2013, but the curse is long over. Wouldn’t it be great if teams like the Mariners, Blue Jays, Twins, Brewers, Nationals and Padres rose up and competed for divisional titles? I would love to see Walt Weiss and the Colorado Rockies play meaningful games in September, while big spenders like the Yankees and Dodgers fall apart shortly after the All-Star Break. Actual Prediction: Reluctantly, I’m not going to pick a Nationals-Angels World Series, hoping that the third time’s a charm. Instead, the Braves will beat the Tigers in seven.

Am I right or am I wrong? You be the judge. Be seen, be heard, Winter Olympics be a fan! I will proudly wear red, white and blue during Russia’s Olympic experience. I hope our Olympians perform to the best of their abilities, while the Sochi Games as a whole go off without a hitch. Since Lindsey Vonn announced she will not be participating, our local hopes for ski racing lie with Mikaela Shiffrin. Bode Miller brings an exciting energy to the men’s alpine field and the hockey tournament will no doubt be must-see TV. Actual Prediction: The U.S. will dominate slalom events, with Ted Ligety and Shiffrin winning gold. The 18-year-old Vail phenom will become a household name, Bode will crash and Team Canada will win Olympic Gold in hockey. College hoops Fabulous freshman have dominated the season until now, but when March Madness begins, take the coaches (Krzyzewski, Izzo, Pitino, Boeheim) and programs (Kentucky, Florida) that are in the hunt every season. Sprinkle in an upstart mid-major and your bracket might just be a winner. Actual Prediction: I’m due to win every bracket challenge I enter. As always, one of my picks will be Duke over Kansas, then I’ll take a Big Ten school (Michigan State, Ohio State or Wiscon-

like us on facebook and follow @fanragsports on twitter

Do you STILL have To SIgn up for obamacare? IT’S exTenDeD To march 31, 2014 If so, I can help!

be seen, be heard, be a fan with fanrag.com 22

sneakpeak

Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

lori fennessey

LFInsuranceGroup.com 970.390.3706

BIG BEERS [owners of Crazy Mountain] always make it a point to attend this festival,” says Crazy Mountain co-owner Marisa Selvy. “We are excited to pour our anniversary beer that we brew every January, “Lawyers, Guns & Money Barleywine”. This beer is a dry-hopped 10 percent ABV glass of joy. It is one of our most popular beers each year when we release it.” It wouldn’t be a true beer event without a cause. It seems that almost all organizations in the craft brew industry have their priorities straight with philanthropy. The Big Beers Festival is no exception and raises money for the Vail Valley Charitable fund. “Education and our charitable component are the biggest motivators for us. About five years into the festival the craft beer industry was so excited to come out here to ski and participate in this event. They have really grown the festival on their own. That celebration of coming together and tasting some of the incredible beers that everybody makes has been a huge motivator as well,” says Lodge. “It is really to the brewers’ credit that they have grown this event to the point where we are celebrating our fourteenth anniversary. It is the brewers that talk it up and say ‘hey we will see you in Vail.” SneakPEAK writer Michael Suleiman can be reached at info@sneakpeakvail.com

[From page 9]

SELECTED BIG BEERS SCHEDULE

Friday, Jan. 10 8:30 a.m. to Noon - An opportunity to bone up on your knowledge of everything about beer & brewing with the Cicerone team (including program creator Ray Daniels) will be here to lead this morning workshop. Session is free. 1:30 p.m. – The American Homebrewers Association-sanctioned Belgians, Barleywines and Strong Ales Homebrew Competition. Saturday, Jan. 11 10 – 11 a.m. – The Yoga of Brewing: Discover yogic wisdom and practices to enhance your skill as both a brewer and a consumer of amazing beer. 1:15 – 2:05 p.m. – A sensory workshop about Hops with John Holl of All About Beer Magazine. 2:30 – 6 p.m. – The Commercial Tasting portion of the Big Beers Festival begins at 2:30 p.m. and continues through until 6 p.m.

FLU SEASON

[From page 11]

be taken before, during and after the flu rears it’s ugly, sniffly head. It doesn’t inter- help, but it’s also available in pill form. She suggests consulting a physician or other fere with any commercial flu vaccine. health professional before taking a supplement. “Keeping your immune system up with a good multivitamin and vitamin D is Beyond the basics important,” Wiancek says. “It’s always good to have your vitamin levels checked Vaccines and remedies are vital, but Wiancek also believes the best solution is before you start a vitamin D regimen because it can actually be toxic in overly high to know exactly why – and how – the virus affects high-alpine locals. First off, of levels.” it’s caused by a virus, not bacteria, so the antibiotics used to treat infections like strep throat won’t offer much relief. Instead, most naturopaths recommend antiviral herbs like Echinacea, licorice and osha, the latter of which is native to the Rocky Mountains. All are sold as extracts online, in the natural health section at City Market in Avon or in tincture form at Wiancek’s clinic. Most cost no more than $10 per bottle and tend to last several months with constant use. Over the past five years, elderberry has made ways as an incredibly effective immune booster. Several studies cited by the University of Maryland Medical Center show that Sambucol, a syrup made with elderberry and Vitamin C, cut flu symptoms by three days. Other lab studies have found that elderberry alone can kill the H1N1 strain in just 24 hours, but those studies looked only at cultures, not live strains in humans. Along with herbs, Wiancek says vitamins are an oft-overlooked way to ward off the flu. Vitamin D is especially important because, unfortunately, most people are woefully deficient. The vitamin is built up through regular exposure to the sun, yet Wiancek says 75 percent of her clients tend to be lacking, even outdoorsy types like ski instructors and patrollers. Just a few extra hours of direct sunlight each day can

Join us for Aprés 3-6pm

Wine & Beer Specials • Meat & Cheese Plates, Bruschetta Breakfast served all day starting at 8am

New Year, Great Teeth,

ONE PAYMENT! Pay $250/Year 2 Cleanings 4 Bitewing X-rays 1 Panoramic X-Ray 2 Exams for one low cost “28 Years of Service”

Open Daily 8am-6pm 970-300-1349 Top of Bridge St.• Vail Village

Vail Food Tours A WALKING TOUR SPICED WITH HISTORY & DELICIOUS LOCAL CUISINE LUNCHTIME TOUR BEGINS AT 1PM

(RESERVATIONS REQUIRED)

An adventure for your palette

Todd H. Shainholtz, D.D.S. (970) 328 - 6347 DentalArtsofEagle.com

BOOK ONLINE AT VAILVALLEYFOODTOURS.COM OR CALL 800.979.3370

“We care about people... not just teeth.”

$5 off the ticket price by entering Sneakpeak through Jan. 15 Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

sneakpeak

Grammy Award-winning singer and producer Paula Coles brings her intimate, poetic tunes to the Vilar Center for a one-night stand on Jan. 15. Photo: Fabrizio Ferri.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Have an event for the SneakPEAK calendar? Email hunt. Every Friday during ski season, the resort releasyour blurb to info@sneakpeakvail.com es a handful of clues at 8 a.m. Guests have until 4 p.m. to find, frame and capture objects in the clues, from bronze statues in the village to trail signs across the Thursday, Jan. 9 Climb to Glory film showing at Vilar Center mountain. Post your photos to Facebook, Instagram or The Vail area is intricately tied to the history of the Twitter with the #FotoFriday hashtag to win goodies fabled 10th Mountain Division. Known as the Army’s each Wednesday. You can also stop by the photo booth “ski troopers,” the division trained just south of what at Beaver Creek Sports from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. to print became Vail Mountain at Camp Hale and produced your best photos for free and earn prizes on the spot. several of resort’s founders, including Pete Seibert. There aren’t many rules, but participants must snap at He even named the iconic Riva Ridge run after the key least five photos from the scavenger hunt list to win location of his fellow ski trooper’s most famous en- prizes. For this week’s clues, see beavercreek.com and gagement in the European Alps. For Vail’s 50th anni- search for #FotoFriday under the events and activities versary last season, the Colorado Ski and Snowboard tab. Now go and get your hunt on.

playground is one of the resort’s most reward yet intimidating areas, filled with trees, cliff drops and access to out-of-bounds terrain. If you’ve never been to Blue Sky, Monday is your chance to make the trek with an in-the-know guide. The tour begins at 11:00 a.m. from Henry’s Hut, found across from Patrol Headquarters (PHQ) at the top of Chair 4. Please arrive at the hut by 10:45 a.m. to sign a release form. Since you’ll tackle all Blue Sky has to offer (plus the wax-testing cat tracks to Chair 37), the tour is recommended for skiers and riders in the upper-intermediate range. For more info, see vail.com.

Colorado musicians. It’s a rollicking start to an early weekend or just the best end to an average day. Either Sunday, Jan. 12 way, it’s still free. For more info, see vailalehouse. BC Behind the Scenes tour at Beaver Creek Sometimes, tired kids (and even bone-sore adults) com. need a vacation from their ski vacation. Join Beaver Creek for a regular tour of the resort, one of several Friday, Jan. 10 free and low-intensity activities hosted throughout Town Council ski day at Vail Mountain Politics isn’t for everyone, but when town hall is the winter. The BC Behind the Scenes tour on Sunday within walking distance of a world-class mountain, lo- runs from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and gives visitors a groundcal officials have stellar alternate chambers. Members level glance at the inner workings of a ski resort. Tour of the Vail Town Council and Eagle County Commis- the backstage area at Vilar Center, learn how a snowsioners invite skiers and riders from across the county cat operates, meet the folks who make skiing possible to join them for runs at Vail Mountain. Interested ski- and more, all for free. Registration isn’t required – just ers will meet at the base of Gondola One in Vail Vil- arrive in the front lobby of the Vilar Center a few minlage at 10 a.m. Lunch and lift tickets aren’t provided, utes before the tour is set to begin. The Vilar Center is but expect plenty of powder turns and informal chit- found on the lower level of Beaver Creek village, just chat with officials. Reservations aren’t required. For down the escalator from the ice rink. For more info on this and other recurring events, see beavercreek.com. more info, see eaglecounty.us.

Tuesday, Jan. 14

Museum debuted “Climb to Glory: Legacy of the 10th Mountain Ski Troopers,” an in-depth documen- Saturday, Jan. 11 tary featuring interviews and archive footage from the Après with Dave Tucker at Pepi’s Restaurant Head to historic Hotel Gastof-Gramshammer – one division. The film returns to the Vilar Center at 7:30 of Vail Village’s original lodges – for après entertainp.m. for an encore showing. The cost is $20. Tickets ment by local acoustic musician Dave Tucker. From are available through vilarpac.org. 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tucker plays a set of pop hits and crowd requests from the small stage at Pepi’s RestauThursday, Jan. 9 rant, named for Austrian ski legend and hotel nameJake Wolf and Friends at Vail Ale House Local drummer Jake Wolf has the sort of friends sake Pepi Gramshammer. Keep an eye out for specials you want to know. Head to Vail Ale House in West on European drafts and finger food. The restaurant Vail around 10 p.m. every Thursday for free live mu- hosts après music throughout the holidays. For more sic from Wolf, plus a rotating selection of local and info, see pepis.com.

Friday, Jan. 10

Monday, Jan. 13

#FotoFriday scavenger hunt at Beaver Creek Guided Blue Sky Basin tours at Vail There’s a beast on the south end of Vail, and that Put that brand-new, hi-def smartphone camera to beast has a name: Blue Sky Basin. The backcountry good use with Beaver Creek’s #FotoFriday scavenger

sneakpeak

Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

Monday, Jan. 13

Open gym at the Vail Gymnastics Center In search of a foam pit but don’t want to make the trek to Copper? The Vail Gymnastics Center is home to one of just two public foam pits in the valley, perfect for practicing the tricky triple corks and double underflips. Along with the pit, open gym time every Monday at 8 p.m. offers athletes of all levels (ages 13 years and older) an opportunity to practice on all equipment, including a trampoline, tumbling mat and more. Drop-in rate is $10 per session. The gymnastics center is located along the North Frontage Road next to the Vail post office. For more info, see vailrec.com. Johnny Mogambo at Garfinkel’s Après with local favorites Johnny Mogambo at another local favorite, Garfinkel’s in Lionshead Village. The restaurant/bar/sundeck hosts live music by the rock ‘n’ roll cover specialists throughout the week, but drop by on Tuesdays for smaller crowds and better seats. Music is free and begins at 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 15

Paula Cole at Vilar Center Acclaimed ‘90s songstress Paula Cole brings her powerhouse pipes to the Vilar Center for a mid-week performance. With a Grammy win, seven Grammy nominations and more than three million albums sold, Cole is one of the most acclaimed singers of her generation. Unlike many big-name pop stars (they know who they are), she writes her own lyrics and music with a touching, almost poetic slant. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $35. To buy tickets or find out more, see vilarpac.org.

Tricia’s Top 8

multiple areas is a blessing, particularly for the restless elementary schoolers who frequent the Date Night program. “I think our space is great because it’s made to be multipurpose,” Allan says. “The Imagination Station is also a great spot. If a kid gets bored of painting, they can run next door to play with the light-up wall.” The Imagination Station is easily one of the welcome center’s most sought-after areas. It’s home to a slew of kid-friendly distractions, from that touch-sensitive lightup wall to hands-on puzzles and a magnetic marble wall. Along with coveted kids’ activities, the après lineup also includes aikido, a martial art much different than overtly aggressive karate and jiu-jitsu. Taught by longtime Eaglebased instructor Todd Fessenden, the class is open to all abilities, including folks just looking for a workout. “You really don’t have to have a martial arts background for this,” Fessenden says. “Aikido is good for beginners – the kicking and punching you see in martial arts isn’t as important. It’s good for people of all fitness levels.”

Held every Monday and Wednesday, the classes were a godsend for Fessenden and his small group of loyal students. They were homeless after Inyodo in Eagle shut its doors, so the VRD invited aikido to join its après schedule. It was a win-win: Most students lived up-valley anyway, and Fessenden now attracts occasional newcomers. For most students, aikido is appealing because it’s more about defensive moves than attacks. Even so, the Lionshead space is equipped with pads and more for those just dabbling in the sport. “One of the main things the founder of aikido wanted to do was minimize the ego,” Fessenden says. “He stripped away all those things – you don’t have to defeat someone in order to move forward. You hear a lot about using the opponent’s energy against them. One of my teachers said, ‘You aren’t learning to defend yourself, you’re simply learning more about yourself.’” As the VRD activity roster continues to expend, look for more self-discovery just steps from the hill.

Serving the vail valley’s favorite pizza, pastas, calzones, subs, salads and more since 1990! Daily Happy Hour • All Locations avon Vail eagle 476-9026 949-9900 337-9900 Village Center Mall Across from Solaris open 11a.m. daily

benchmark shopping ctr. across from christie lodge open 11a.m. daily

eagle crossing shopping ctr. above the bowling alley open 11a.m. daily

www.Pazzospizza.com

LET IT SNOW

[From page 16]

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FOR LUNCH & DINNER

APRES SPECIAL

25% OFF

3-5PM SUSHI MENU & ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

EARLY BIRD HIBACHI DINNER

LET IT SNOW

VAIL REC

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

LET IT SNOW

Tricia Swenson

1. Let Chris Anthony take you back in time in “Climb to Glory: Legacy of the 10th Mountain Ski Troopers,” a film by Warren Miller Entertainment. Held at the Vilar Center at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 9, this event benefits the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum and the Chris Anthony Youth Initiative Project. 2. The Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines Festival returns from Jan. 9 to 11 with over 130 breweries, plus beer-pairing dinners, seminars and a grand tasting at the Vail Cascade. 3. Send the kids out in nature! The Environmental Adventure Club, brought to you by Walking Mountains Science Center, is held the second Saturday of each month. This kid’s-only event allows children to explore learn, make a difference and, most importantly, have fun! Cost is $25 per child for grades one to five. 4. The newest attraction at Adventure Ridge takes you to brand-new heights! Zipline at 10,000 feet above sea level and see the views like never before! Tours run Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday to Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 5. Want to see what makes Beaver Creek tick? Go “Behind the Scenes” with the resort’s weekly tours, offered on Sundays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tour backstage at the Vilar, learn how a snowcat operates and meet the folks who make skiing possible. Reservations aren’t for this free tour. 6. Do you feel the need for speed? Is it time to release your inner racer? Join the 2014 GoPro Championship Race Series at Beaver Creek, held Mondays through Feb. 24th. There are team and individual fields, plus great post-race parties and plenty of prizes! 7. Paula Cole takes to the stage at the Vilar on Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m. This Grammy winner will perform such favorites as “I Don’t Want to Wait” and “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?” Tickets are just $35. 8. If you head to the Paula Cole show, make a night of it and drop by Hooked at 5:30 p.m. Chef Riley has created a six-course seafood and wine pairing just for concert-goers, so you can please your palate and still make it to the show on time! Cost is $75 with wine, $55 without.

25% OFF

MUST BE SEATED BEFORE 4:45 LIMITED SEATS, RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED, 18% GRATUITY ADDED BEFORE DISCOUNT

970-476-1588

Thank You! West of Solaris • Vail Village

Portoﬁno Jewelry 240 Chapel Place, Avon 970-949-1404

Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

sneakpeak

DINING GUIDE EAGLE / GYPSUM

4 Eagle Ranch 4091 Highway #131, Wolcott 970.926.3372 Ranch Western Atmosphere L|D|$

Creekside 530 Cotton Ranch Dr. Gypsum 970.524.5160 American Fare B|L|D|$

Grand Avenue Grill 678 Grand Ave. Eagle 970.328.4043 Casual American L | D | $$

MagPies Bakery & Cafe 0065 Market Street #3 Eagle 970.331.4632 Pies & Desserts L|$

Adam’s Mountain Country Club 1094 Frost Creek Dr. Eagle 970.328.2326 Eclectic American & Sunday Brunch B | L | $$

Dusty Boot Steakhouse & Saloon 1099 Capitol St. Eagle 970.328.7002 Steakhouse / American Cuisine L | D | $$

Gypsum Grill Steakhouse 530 Cotton Ranch Dr. Gypsum 970.524.7365 Steakhouse L | D|$

Nicky’s Quickie 0422 McIntire Street Eagle 970.376.7307 Greek L|$

Baboune’s 0131 Chambers Ave. Eagle 970.328.2425 Omelettes, burritos & more B|L|$

Eagle Diner 112 Chambers Ave. Eagle 970.328.1919 Traditional American Diner B|L|D|$

HP’s Provisions 1160 Capitol Street Eagle 970.328.5280 Cafe/Grocery B|L|D|$

Old Kentucky Tavern 225 Broadway St Eagle (970) 328-5259 Funky Southern Food L | D | $$

Taco Bell 0774 Chambers Ave. Eagle 970.328.6877 Fast food, Mexican L|D|$

Bonﬁre Brewing 0127 W. 2nd St. Eagle 970.422.6258 Rustic Home Brew Pub/Muisc/Patio | $

El Pariente 0050 Chambers Ave. #E Eagle 970.328.4433 Mexican B|L|$

Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli 150 Cooley Mesa Rd. Eagle 970.777.3663 Soups & Sandwiches B|L|D|$

Paradigms Corner of 4th and Capital St. Eagle 970.328.7990 Creative American

Wendy’s 0101 Loren Lane Eagle 970.328.5062 Fast food, hamburgers L|D|$

Bowlmor Café 50 Chambers Ave. Eagle 970.328.BOWL American Cuisine/ Bowling L | D | $$

Fiesta Jalisco 0701 Chambers Ave. Eagle 970.328.9300 Mexican B|L|$

Luigi’s Pasta House 1143 Capitol St. Eagle 970.328.5400 Pasta & Pizza L | D | $$

Yeti|s Grind 330 Broadway Ave. Eagle 970.328.9384 Coffee & Sandwiches L|D|$

Brush Creek Saloon 241 Broadway Eagle 970.328.5279 TexMex L|D|$

Fusion Cafe 422 McIntire St. Eagle 970.328.1234 American B|L|D|$

Loncheria La Primavera 0348 Grand Ave. Eagle 970.328.0454 Mexican B|L|D|$

Pastatively Italian Cuisine & Deli 0094 Market Street Eagle 970.328.7324 Italian L | D $$ Pazzo’s Pizzeria 50 Chambers Ave. Eagle 970.337.9900 Italian & pizza L|D|$

Burger King 0093 Eby Creek Rd. Eagle 970.328.4406 American B|L|D|$

Gourmet China 0212 Chambers Ave. Eagle 970.328.0866 Chinese L|D|$

Moe’s Original BBQ 630 Grand Ave. Eagle 970.476.4314 BBQ B|L|D|$

Pizza One 0094 Market Street Eagle 970.328.5200 Pizza L|$

Red Canyon Cafe 128 Broadway Ave Eagle 970.328.2232 Breakfast & lunch sandwiches B|L|D|$

Starbucks in City Market 0103 Market Street Eagle 970.328.1302 Coffee B|L|$

Yummy Cafe 0313 Chambers Ave. #G Eagle 970.328.6060 American Cafe B|L| $

$ = $10-$20 $$ = $20-$40 $$$ = $40+ B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner

For more dining options, including restaurants in Avon, Minturn & EagleVail check next week’s issue, November 21

sneakpeak

Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

HAVE YOU EVER FELT RUG LOVE? Come to Ruggs Benedict & fall in love with a rug.

Check out rugs like library books - Come to our store and choose some rugs you like. If needed we will deliver them to your home in the Vail Valley for free. See how they look in your home, then keep the ones you love. 1000 beautiful area rugs in stock - Our selection of imported, hand made rugs is unmatched. Over the past 25 years, we have built relationships with the best rug makers around the world. We buy direct and sell directly to you at wholesale prices. 200 choices under $200 - We have area rugs to fit any room and any budget. Stop by and check them out!

“The right rug can make the room.” Mandy & Roger Benedict

Serving the Vail Valley since 1972 Ruggs Benedict - Voted 2009 Business of the Year

810 Nottingham Road, Avon • 970-949-5390 • www.ruggsbenedict.com

vail.com Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014

sneakpeak

pp Su

o r t L o c al B u

sin es s

OVAN E LLE 1 20

ip Valle y Partnersh

Photo Courtesy Brooke Heather Photographer

Va il

THIS MONTH AT VAIL VALLEY PARTNERSHIP!

VAIL VALLEY PARTNERSHIP

UPCOMING

EVENTS

Throughout the year, Vail Valley Partnership coordinates a number of events for the local and regional business community. Each event has its own unique purpose, but all events have the common goal of providing partner businesses with resources to help their business succeed.

JANUARY Wednesday, January 15

After-Hours Business Mixer, 5-7 pm. Larkspur Restaurant.

Thursday, January 16

Wednesday, January 22

Vail Leadership Institute: Leading through a Transition, 8:30-10:30 am. Manor Vail Lodge. Nonprofit Seminar, 1-4 pm. Miller Ranch Community Center.

Friday, January 31

11th Annual Success Awards, 6 pm-12 am. Vilar Performing Arts Center & The Metropolitan.

VailValleyPartnership.com | 970.476.1000 28

sneakpeak

Thursday, January 9 - January 15, 2014