SneakPEAK - January 2, 2014

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

sneakpeakvail.com

Thursday, January 2 - January 8, 2014

Unbound in the backcountry

From East Vail chutes to the Beaver Creek side country, a local’s introduction to off-piste travel in Eagle County

Making the uke cool

The BC sessions

A new kind of school

Danielle Ate the Sandwich brings fresh and funky ukelele tunes to Vilar

Beaver Creek’s annual rail jam series kicks off with jibs galore for vets and newbies

After an off-season overhaul, the Vail Ski and Snowboard School welcomes the future

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

COVER STORIES

When the quality of service matters...

cover, uncut Athlete: Rebecca Selig Location: Gore Range Photo: Björn Bauer inside 4 | Danielle Ate the Sandwich

P8 |

For the first entry in a new winter sports series, we trek deep into the local backcountry

5 | Sweet Tooth 6 | BC rail jam series 14 | Toscanini remodel 15 | Justin and Kyle in Eagle 16 | Twelfth Night bonfire 17 | Get Outfitted rental site 18 | SneakSPORTS 19 | 52 Weeks 20 | Calendar of events

P10 | Blue P12 | XSkyGames, and more:

How Vail Ski and Snowboard School is rethinking ski instruction

22 | Dining (Edwards)

SneakPEAK Vail is a locally owned arts, entertainment and lifestyle magazine, published weekly throughout the year for the Colorado mountain communities of Eagle County.

3 itineraries for January

{ the boss }

{ the words }

{ the glue }

{ the look }

Erinn Hoban publisher

phil lindeman editor

Shana larsen office manager

kristina johnson marketing & design

THE CREW Contributors Writers John O’Neill | Laura Lieff | Michael Suleiman | Patrick Whitehurst Felicia Kalaluhi | Andy Jessen | Chris McDonnell | Elizabeth Escobar Photographers Kent Pettit | Anthony Thornton | Katie Fiedler-Anderson | Ryan McCombs Charles Townsend Bessent | Björn Bauer

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© 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 2 - January 8, 2014

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Danille Ate the Sandwich at Vilar 1.8.2014

TUNES Burgeoning Talent Fort Collins-based Danielle Ate the Sandwich comes to the Vilar Center Jan. 8

By Elizabeth Escobar.

“I wanted a name that was interesting and kind of funny. Weird, but approachable,” says Danielle Anderson of her stage name Danielle Ate the Sandwich.

The name, like the singer herself, embodies all of these things. It’s no doubt a part of why so many people have been charmed into her fan base since she broke onto the music scene six years ago. Beyond the name, Anderson has made a brand for herself with an endearing quirkiness and ability to work the ukulele better than most. But Danielle Ate the Sandwich is more than that. Each of her songs is comprised of clever lyrics that are in-your-face funny and profound all at the same time, delivered with a voice that is powerfully earnest.

In 2008, Danielle had just graduated from Colorado State University, and was working at a desk job that she describes as really nice but just nine-

Colorado’s own Danielle Ate the Sandwich brings her ukulele and goofball good humor to the Vilar Center on Jan. 8.

Photo: Todd Roeth.

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to-five-ish enough for her to be unsettled. Conveniently, that’s about the time that her videos on YouTube started to get noticed in a big way. Her song “Conversations with Dead People,” got featured on the homepage of the video sharing website in December of that year, bringing her a heap of sudden attention, including getting booked for a show in New York City. Though it wasn’t Madison Square Garden, or even a paid gig, it was just what Anderson needed to realize that other people – outside her family and friends – wanted to hear her songs.

“All of these little doors – or maybe the curtains of certain windows – started to blow open as if they were saying: ‘Danielle, you should come over here and check this out.’” And so she did.

Deciding to commit to her music on a full-time basis, Danielle was soon making as much money selling CDs and playing shows as she had been making at her desk job. “It was really an accident,” says Anderson. She credits much of her success to the fact that she’s stayed true to who she is from the very beginning. “Without knowing it, a lot of the choices I made when I was just starting have paid off big time.” One of these choices was the decision not to hide her goofy personality. Anderson admits that people might mistakenly assume that she is putting on an act of sorts when they see her videos or go to one of her shows, but she emphasizes that in reality it’s much harder for her to try to be serious.

She views her goofy energy as a blessing, as she does the draw she had to the ukulele. “I just kind of liked it and started plucking around without really realizing that the ukulele itself was becoming a really hot instrument. So that alone has been such a good element of what I do.” The ukulele is an integral part of Anderson’s songs, and in combination with her unique presence and stage name, it’s a wonder that the singer-songwriter is able to stay fairly low-key.

Part of this is because Anderson herself is modest. She found success in Fort Collins – an unpretentious place that shaped her musical career as well as her person. Anderson is quick to gush not about herself, but about the hard working people and

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music scene that inspired her in the college town.

“Fort Collins is dope. Just the fact that the music scene exists there – that it’s alive and well, and very inviting – was very important for me. If there hadn’t have been opportunity and faith behind me, I would’ve given up.”

Though her rise to success is a story that potentially could have happened anywhere, Anderson contends that her particular good fortune is linked to the essence of Fort Collins and Colorado as a whole, where she says she really met herself for the first time. “The encouragement here made me.”

Humble as she may be, Danielle Ate the Sandwich is recognized by more than just supportive fans as being a burgeoning talent. In 2010 she was asked to perform on a taping of the NPR show E Town, as an opener for Mumford and Sons. Anderson credits the performance with spreading a greater awareness of her music and leading to other career-boosting opportunities. Most recently, she’s been sought out to create the soundtrack for a new documentary based in L.A. And though she is busy writing songs for a new CD, along with balancing all of the roles involved with being an independent musician, she wouldn’t change a thing about where she is right now. “I love how I’ll have these experiences where I’m like, ‘how did I find myself here?’” she laughs. And it’s a question she’s likely to ask herself a few more times as her music and down-toearth nature bring her to more of those larger-thanlife experiences.

SneakPEAK writer Elizabeth Escobar can be reached at info@sneakpeakvail.com

IF YOU GO

Who: Singer-songwriter Danielle Ate the Sandwich When: Jan. 8, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Vilar Center, Beaver Creek Cost: $22 For tickets, visit vilarpac.org. Enjoy free music before the show at danielleatethesandwich.net.

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The allure of dark chocolate truffles

The ultimate cheat treat Handcrafted truffles made with dark chocolate ganache are a perfect way to indulge your sweet tooth and still make good on your New Year’s diet plan.

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The beginning of a new year often ushers in a wave of commitments to get in shape, loose weight, or live a healthier, more active lifestyle. But these resolutions don’t come to fruition without being able to cut back on sugar.

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For those of us with an imbedded sweet tooth, quitting desserts entirely is easier said then done. Cold turkey quitters can find themselves regularly dancing on the edge of a sweet temptation. Depriving oneself can often lead to frustration and cyclical bingeing.

If you plan to hop on the diet bandwagon after ringing in the New Year and the thought of relinquishing your favorite treats seems daunting, try a less dramatic approach to reducing your dessert intake. Bite-sized desserts are a great solution for staying true top any diet while still allowing for small indulgences.

The key is to maintain or reduce the standard portion size for your desserts.

Miniature desserts – those served in a shot glass or easily consumed in one or two bites – can offer a taste of guiltfree satisfaction when cravings creep in. Again, it’s important to maintain an appropriate portion size: You’ll want to avoid the common misconception that miniature justifies more.

Stick to two to three miniature desserts for petite sampling.

One of my favorite miniature desserts is a chocolate truffle. Theses simple, bite-sized nuggets are packed with goodness to satisfy your sweet tooth and New Year’s resolutions.

Chocolate’s richness makes it one of the most truly satisfying sweets, all while harboring a variety of other additional health benefits.

Dark chocolate is naturally rich in antioxidants and helps stimulate endorphin production, which makes it a true “feel-good� food. And who doesn’t love the very essence of silky smooth chocolate melting in one’s mouth?

Chocolate truffles are usually made with a ganache filing, which is an emulsion of chocolate, heavy cream and other flavorings. The fat in the heavy cream is what generates that unmistakably silky mouth-feel when a ganache-filled truffle hits your lips and tongue, but this added fat is what also minimizes the health benefits for each truffle portion.

Luckily, European-style truffles are smaller and more approachable for the portion-conscious consumer. A healthier choice is to enjoy a small amount of solid dark chocolate. Small, two-bite pieces of dark chocolate are not only the perfect after-dinner treat, but also a smart choice when it comes to dessert selection. (Chocolate also pairs well with wine, but keep in mind both should also be consumed in moderate amounts.)

The benefits of dark chocolate exceed those of milk and white chocolate thanks to the absence of added milk solids. In their place are more cocoa solids, the all-natural good stuff from the fruit or pods of the cocoa tree.

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HAPPENINGS Jam Time

The winter-long Ski, Ride and Slide Rail Jam series kicks off this weekend at Beaver Creek.

By Laura Lieff.

Tawnya Godinez at last year’s Ski, Ride and Slide series.

Photo: Mikie Farias.

“We wanted to create a family-friendly event at Beaver Creek that caters to all types of freestyle enthusiasts,” says Beaver Creek Terrain Park Manager Kevin Rowe. “This event is competitive but it includes all ages, genders and disciplines so there is something for everyone whether they are just learning freestyle or are a semi-pro rider.”

Something for everyone Because Beaver Creek specializes in beginner and intermediate terrain parks, this event exemplifies what Rowe and his Park Crew try to accomplish year after year.

“We are trying to hone peoples’ skills in terrain parks, especially kids who are trying to learn, and events like this provide a positive, competitive influ-

Ski, Ride and Slide series Here’s everything you need to know about the Ski, Ride and Slide Rail Jam Series. See beavercreek.com to register online.

Whether you ski or snowboard, are male or female or are a novice or sponsored, anyone between the ages of 8 and 40 are welcome to compete in the Ski, Ride and Slide Rail Jam Series.

Hosted by Beaver Creek, the three-part series begins Jan. 4 and features eight divisions of skiing and snowboarding, including “Expert/Open” for men and women skiers and snowboarders and “13 and Under” for boys and girls skiing and snowboarding. All proceeds go to Vail Breast Cancer Awareness Group, which strives to ease the financial and emotional burdens endured by women in Eagle County who are battling breast cancer.

Fun, approachable and for a good cause, Ski, Ride & Slide invites everyone to compete for freestyle dominance while sliding over rails and boxes set up in different configurations at each event. The format will be 20 to 30 minute jam sessions for each class, which will be narrowed down to top competitors for a 20 minute final. The rail jam will consist of two lines – expert and beginner – with two features in each line. The competitors compete for first, second and third place prizes and “best trick” at the end of the event for both skiers and snowboarders.

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Where: The Rail Jam will be located in the Hay Meadow next to the Tubing Hill. Spectators will be able to ride the gondola for free to watch the event. The course will start at the top and end at the bottom of the Magic Carpet.

When: Saturdays, Jan. 4, Feb. 8 and March 22. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. and the event begins at 12:30 a.m. The Awards Ceremony is at 3:10 p.m. at The Ranch, which is located at the top of the course. Food and drinks specials will be available.

Cost: $10 online, $15 day of the event.

Competition schedule 9:30 a.m. to noon – Registration Noon to 12:30 p.m. – Riders and judges meeting 12:30 to 12:50 p.m. – Men’s ski/snowboard open qualifiers maintenance 1 to 1:20 p.m. – Boys and girls 13 and under ski/snowboard final maintenance 1:30 to 1:50 p.m. – Women’s ski/snowboard open final maintenance 2 to 2:20 p.m. – Men’s ski/snowboard open final maintenance 2:30 - 2:50 p.m. – Best trick 3:10 p.m. – Awards ceremony at The Ranch

Ski, Ride and Slide Rail Jam at Beaver Creek 1.4.2014 Left: Rich Staats.

Below: Finn Eisenman.

Photos: Mikie Farias.

ence for those kids,” says Rowe. “When it comes to terrain parks, Beaver Creek’s main focus is the smaller and medium-sized features which provide excellent exposure for novice and intermediate riders.”

By inviting anyone and everyone to compete in the rail jam, Beaver Creek gives both destination guests and locals a chance to develop their skills. Additionally, Rowe and the park crew have an opportunity to incorporate novice and pro aspects into the event.

How it works A freestyle format rail jam, the event does not include any jumping. Instead, competitors are encouraged to get as creative as possible on the features. Scoring is based on the performance on each feature and competitors are judged per run. There is one judge assigned to each feature and after the 20 to 30 minute timespan is over, everyone is scored on the best three runs they complete. Contestants are encouraged to do as many runs as possible – a task made easier by the Magic Carpet, which takes laborious hiking out of the equation. After each division completes their runs, the finale of the event is “best trick,” which takes place on a separate feature and is sponsored by GoPro. The winner of “best trick” will receive an entire GoPro setup including attachments, battery packs and memory cards.

“Anyone can enter the ‘best trick’ category and that’s where the action happens,” says Rowe. “It’s the ‘wow factor’ of the event and is where the kids who competed in their division watch and realize they want to be able to do that.”

Up for grabs at all three Ski, Ride and Slide event is $8,000 worth of prizes thanks to sponsors. Title sponsor K2 is giving away a pair of skis for the first place winner of every ski division, along with goggles and helmets.

Presenting sponsor Never Summer is awarding snowboards for every first place winner and supporting sponsors. The Stash/Transition Sports and One Track Mind are providing swag such as headphones, goggles and other hard and soft goods.

what sets Beaver Creek’s Ski, Ride and Slide event apart from the others is the talented crew behind it. Rowe, who has been the Terrain Park Manager for the better part of a decade, is in charge of the design, construction and maintenance of all three terrain parks on the mountain. Designed to accommodate all levels, 101, Zoom Room and Rodeo and are for beginners, intermediates and advanced skiers and riders, respectively.

“We design and build all of our own features, such as rails and boxes, and we also incorporate organic features such as log slides,” says Rowe. “We do events year-round and are the best in the business when it comes to helping Beaver Creek guests get to the next level because by building better terrain parks we are making better skiers and riders.”

“I’ve been with Beaver Creek for 14 years and have spent a lot of time developing the program with my incredible crew without whom none of this would be possible,” he says. “One of the best things we do when it comes to design is focus on the flow of park and how one feature feeds into the next. We spend an enormous amount of time making sure that each feature compliments the next and I think it’s one of our strongest points.”

In addition to designing terrain parks that are fun, challenging and can be enjoyed by all, safety is extremely important to the park crew.

“We host events that cater to all levels because we want to offer a safe and competitive atmosphere for those who want to learn and advance their skills,” says Rowe. “Terrain parks are meant to be fun and we are in the business to create a fun environment.”

SneakPEAK writer Laura Lieff can be reached at info@sneakpeakvail.com

Unique event Although rail jams take place all over Colorado during the winter months,

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unbound

Braving the bad for the sake of the good, skiers seek snow and adrenaline in local side country and backcountry terrain.

By John O’Neill.

Editor’s note: This is the first article in a recurring series on the slightly insane (and rarely seen) side of winter sports. Until Eagle County thaws, reporter John O’Neill and photographer Bjorn Bauer will introduce newbies and veterans alike to off-kilter diversions like winter kayaking, winter camping and ice climbing. Sports are not the sole focus – the two will also cover the gamut, from new gear and local athletes to chairlift conversation etiquette.

what you are about to face. It tells you that there is no help. That you are going into a known dangerous area. That you must be an expert. Once you cross that line, in many ways, you become free.

“You reach a point in your skiing where the resort isn’t as good,” says Swanson. “You go into the backcountry and every run feels like the best run you’ve ever had.”

On a powder day, Swanson says the mountain becomes chaotic. Most skiers would agree. The lines at Vail’s Chair 5 can be as disgusting as the attitude of people chasing fresh tracks.

Powder is the reason. Floating down steep “It’s like a frenzy,” says Swanson. “People trying to get first chair. slopes, snow untracked and bottomless – topPeople pushing each other around. There is a lot of pressure to rush, rush, ping your dream’s dream of a great run. It feels rush. And then the mountain is skied off by 10:30.” more like heaven and clouds than snow and In the backcountry, there is none of that. It is more challenging, yes. gravity.

More so, it is an escape from the on-mountain rush. A breath of fresh mountain air.

It sounds nice. But so did the apple in the Garden of Eden.

“Out there (the backcountry), you can’t hear anything apart from your There is no help beyond your fellow skiers. No ski patrol and no liabil- buddies talking, the snow falling and the birds chirping.” ity. You make your own bed in the backThere is also no chairlift, obviously country – nothing is tested or bureauposing a severe cut to your daily vercratically preapproved. Avalanches, tical. This deters the lazy and baits the broken knees, burials and often death. motivated. It keeps the side and backLow and behold, people brave it. country terrain lightly used.

Simply, it is a risk vs. reward situaSwansons says simply, “It’s quality tion. over quantity.”

Skiing sidecountry - understood outof-bounds terrain accessible by the lifts The risk - or backcountry: hikeable terrain unasSounds nice, doesn’t it? The deep sociated with the mountain whatsoever snow can be as glorious as it is treacherous.

- give the brave, and the prepared, their best turns in the midst of an unstable “The adrenaline of skiing super deep environment. and awesome snow over great terrain take people back there,” says Swanson.

“It’s like stepping into another “All you have is your friends and yourworld,” says Hunter Swanson, a loself. Being scared is as much a part of it cal backcountry enthusiast. “There is as being excited and making sure you’re a peacefulness to it. There is no chaos. totally ready for what’s to come.”

There is also an edginess to going back there. It takes away your comfort and Relying on your buddies is a point puts you in the present moment.” highlighted by Swanson. He says he While powder is the reason, and quite only skis with a crew that he is conhonestly the reward, adrenaline is the fident with in the backcountry - nine supplement. The relaxation of nature, out of 10 times, it is the same group of people. euphoria of smooth snow, gripping Beyond warm gloves and thick socks, danger of avalanches or crashes drive backcountry and sidecountry travel reskiers off the lifts and into the back or quires a key understanding of avalanche sidecountry. beacons, shovels and probes, as well as The reward the terrain to be faced.

Just before you cross into the side“Going it alone is one of the stupidcountry, there is a sign that tells you est things a person could do,” says Ryan

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OPPOSITE PAGE Top: Alexis Flower hikes Y Chutes the day after Christmas this year.

Bottom: Mike Seemann on the way to Y Chutes.

THIS PAGE Right: James Currey up to his waist in fresh snow at Mushroom Bowl last February.

Bottom right: Now is when all that powder comes in handy. James Currey dropping cliffs at Mushroom Bowl.

Photos: Björn Bauer.

Clark, a trusted member of Swanson’s crew. “Each person has the other person’s life in their hands.

They have to be capable of what they are getting into. They have to know the equipment perfectly.”

Backcountry attracts a capable crew, typically. It is the sidecountry that hangs the unprepared. Being accessible by a chairlift often lowers the guard of sidecountry skiers. Places like East Vail are riddled with stories The Reward of slides, injury -Deep, fresh snow and death. It is -Steep terrain also choking with -No crowd the ill-prepared.

-Ultimate freedom Clark hasn’t been on a trip where things have gone wrong, he said while knocking wood, but he’s come across someone else’s group that was in over their head. A member of the “other” group had a torn ACL. It took them four hours to get the injured out. No toboggans. No hot chocolate.

While it might take some time to build the rapport of a backcountry group, everyone has a first time. Clark lost his virginity to Mushroom Bowl in East Vail five years ago. His guide had him set about buying and practicing all of his equipment

before he would show him the way.

Preparation is the first step, execution is the next.

Skiing local terrain like East Vail, the Y-Chutes or Vail Pass requires excellent skimenship. Deciding on lines, the order of skiers, the size of the drop are critical decisions.

“There are the hazards, even with a good crew with lots of experience,” Swanson said.

“You have to know that if you cross this The Risk line or hit that pillow -Avalanches that something could -Injuries go wrong. It is defi-No outside help nitely kind of scary.”

-No hot chocolate To the glorious runs, with respect to the ever-present danger, the local backcountry and sidecountry terrain is something to be treasured and respected.

“People say ‘Be careful,’ and you are,” says Swanson. “Anything could happen. We understand that. But we also appreciate the quality of all that is to be had.”

SneakPEAK writer John O’Neill can be reached at info@sneakpeakvail.com

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Vail’s new school Following an off-season overhaul, the nation’s largest ski school opens the next chapter in its storied – and everchanging – history.

By Phil Lindeman.

On any given day during the ski season, the great Bobby Murphy proud. Since taking over as Vail Ski and Snowboard School room at Golden Peak Lodge in Vail feels like study Director four seasons back, the 26-year veteran of ski schools across the nation has championed a student-centered approach to teaching. It’s the same hall at the sort of school only found in movies.

approach adopted by most resorts, but at Vail, where the ski school is nearly 50 years old and by far the largest in the country, Murphy and his team set The teachers are easy enough to spot: The 1,200-some-odd instructors with standards for the rest of the industry. the Vail Ski and Snowboard School are dressed from head to toe in royal “Vail Mountain in particular has a long legacy of preofessionalism and a blue Helly Hansen gear, along with the occasional stickered helmet or clip-on high level of expectations for the staff,” Murphy said while observing a class bunny ears. from the base of the Gopher Hill lift. “This is a legacy resort. Early on, ski The students, on the other hand, are a bit harder to pin down. Gaggles of school was much more instructor-centered. Now, it’s not just about saying, young, heavily bundled kids are easy to spot as they excitedly chatter about ‘Here’s my lesson plan.’ It’s about finding out why someone wants to be on taking laps on the magic carpet lift at the nearby Gopher Hill beginner slope. the mountain in the first place. That’s where learning really happens.”

Other students are veterans thirsty for an in-depth tour of the mountain, while This past summer, Murphy and his team built on that legacy of constant still others are adaptive skiers learning the basics of monoskis. Like the in- evolution with major administrative overhaul, the sort most casual students structors, they come from Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada – just will hardly notice – at least on the surface. In the past, the ski school operated about anywhere in the world – to test the corduroy. with five individual directors for each of the five mountain locations (children About a week before Christmas Day, the snow-bound study hall was a bit and adult programs at Golden Peak and Lionshead, along with a Vail Village busier than usual. Ski and Snowboard Club Vail was hosting the FIS Alpine office). The directors all reported to Murphy, but there was occasionally a disNorAm Cup at the club’s nearby trainconnect between teaching styles and ing course, turning the lodge into home from location to loca“As instructors, our mission is to inspire passion in our students. You get philosophies base for nearly 100 promising young tion. With 1,200 instructors and thouski racers. This commingling of old and that anywhere, at any school, but here you really sense it.” sands of students spread across 5,289 new blood could’ve been intimidating acres – classes can go anywhere and - Bobby Murphy, director of Vail Ski and Snowboard School for young skiers – after all, the sooneverywhere in-bounds, depending on to-be Olympic hopefuls had graducomfort level – consistency is a must. ated from ski school years before – but “This is a big school with a lot of thanks to the instructors, it had the same leisurely, laid-back vibe the resort’s instructors, so it’s important to create that consistent experience,” Murphy school has always cultivated. It just happened to be a bit more crowded. said. “For us, it’s all about the relationships. People feel like they belong Yet the teaching didn’t stop for a second. On a small, quiet bench just past when they take a lesson once, then they return year after year. Our instructors the information desk, a snowboard instructor and his student were chatting almost become part of those families.” about the day. They’d taken a quick break to warm up, grab a drink and talk Now, all instructors and their 45 supervisors report to two general managabout the plan for the afternoon. ers. Although the ski school family itself looks a bit different, it’s in good “What do you want to do now?” asked the instructor, a 20something decked hands. Murphy is still overarching director in the new system, with longtime out with a solid black helmet and matching neckwarmer. He sipped from a ski school vet Lance Wellbaum in charge of the adult program and former metal water bottle with the Vail logo printed along the side.

Beaver Creek ski school general manager Greg Willis taking charge of chil“Ollies!” said the student, referring to a basic snowboard jump. “Can we dren’s activities. do more ollies?”

“Those general managers are able to work with their teams to create that “We can do ollies,” the instructor said. “You were getting really good at consistency we need,” Murphy said, noting the ski school also employs 45 them earlier.” supervisors in addition to the instructors. “It’s all about making sure the eleThe student, a kid no older than 12, took a quick sip from the drinking ments we need are in place.” fountain and started gearing up to head back into the alternately sunny/overBeyond consistency, the adult/child split makes sense. For years, Vail’s ski cast day. The two weaved through the crowd of ski racers, après loungers and school has hired instructors based on age-specific skills. Instructors for the other students before grabbing their boards to practice ollies. youngest groups are culled from early childhood education programs, while adult-friendly instructors are chosen for coaching experience and technical A new approach know-how.

Without knowing it, the snowboard instructor and his young student made “The true passion our instructors have for what they do shows,” Murphy

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OPPOSITE PAGE An instructor rides Chair 12 at Golden Peak with two of the ski school’s youngest students.

THIS PAGE Left: A snowboard instructor gives direction to adult ski school clients at Golden Peak.

Below: Bobby Murphy, director of the Vail Ski and Snowboard School Photos: Charles Townsend Bessent.

said. “I joke that if you love what you do you never work a day in your life, but it’s true. As instructors, our mission is to inspire passion in our students. You get that anywhere, at any school, but here you really sense it.”

Ever-changing projects Along with behind-the-scenes changes, this season brings a handful of new programs to the ski school slate. For Wellbaum, the most exciting offering isn’t quite new, but after two seasons, it has begun to gain traction. Dubbed Max 3, it’s the equivalent of a semi-private group lesson tailored to intermediate and advanced skiers or riders. Groups of three leave from Mid-Vail with one instructor, then take the rest of the day to explore the mountain and work on a slew of skills, from bumps and steeps to tree runs. This season marks the first time Max 3 has been offered for an entire day.

“You may have the greater goal of reaching the Back Bowls, but having the right group to get there can make the difference,” Wellbaum said.

“Watching people change and have that ‘a-ha’ moment – the first time they can tackle Ricky’s

Ridge or new terrain – that’s what this is all about.”

This season, Max 3 is also joined by Epic Mix Academy, an online report card system linked to every student’s ski pass. Throughout the day, instructors can track accomplishments – say, whether or not a snowboarder learned to ollie – and link it back to an Epic Mix account. Students then share what they did with parents, Facebook friends and the like.

Despite the changes, Murphy is humbled by the history of his ski school. One thing has remained unflaggingly consistent: Even for the instructors, learning never ends.

“I don’t know if easy is the right word, but when you work at the most incredible, beautiful mountain in the United States, you can get complacent,” Murphy said. “Mixing things up is important. It keeps us moving forward and constantly thinking about how to do things better.

You can’t rest on your laurels.”

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3 ITINERARIES January

Enjoy the mid-winter lull with a laid-back cabin trip, the world’s finest riders at X Games and adrenaline-fueled romance at Blue Sky.

By Phil Lindeman.

Here’s the great secret of the ski industry: Between Christmas and President’s Day weekend, resorts across Colorado enjoy several weeks of mid-winter dead season.

Skier and snowboarders don’t avoid the slopes altogether – outof-state visitors wait for the warmer, snowier month of March, while Front Rangers tend to forget skiing is just a few hours away. Sure, January is historically dry and cold, with few of the massive dumps common in December and even late February. But thanks to generous snowfall throughout the holidays, the mountains are cloaked in snowy goodness.

And that wintery vibe isn’t monopolized by the ski resorts. Snowshoers, Nordic skiers and brave hunters have free reign of the entire county, with dozens of options for afternoon jaunts and extended weekends.

Despite the laid-back atmosphere, planning ahead is still a must.

SneakPEAK built three itineraries to inject life into the unexpected dead season – as if it needed more verve.

Sylvan Lake in late fall, just as the surrounding hills and trails began to be coated in snow.

Photo: Mallory Carnuccio.

Sylvan Lake winter weekend Just for: Small families, hikers, casual snowshoers The gist: Found just 20 minutes south of Eagle, Sylvan Lake State Park is a favorite summer getaway for young families and leisurely campers.

Come winter, though, things don’t go into hibernation – far from it, actually. The park is home to 10 year-round cabins, including one large cabin with three bedrooms and a full kitchen. All are close to more

than 100 miles of trails, and although there aren’t many places to ski, beginning snowshoers and skinners can enjoy the backcountry without straying too far from a warm fire. This is roughing it without exactly roughing it.

Local’s tip: Cabins aren’t exactly a hot commodity – the 10th Mountain Division hut system attracts the majority of adrenalinepumped skiers and riders – but it’s still best to reserve one at least two or three weeks before your trip. Two of the small, one-room cabins are pet friendly, and all come with heat, beds, water, outhouses and outdoor fire rings. Bring your own bedding, food and flashlights – every cabin has heat, but there’s no electricity beyond dim solarpowered lights.

Refuel: With the exception of the large cabin, none of the winter-ready abodes come equipped with stoves or fridges. Be sure to pack the Coleman stove with plenty of gas. We recommend making batches of soup or chili to reheat, with easy sides like bread and bagels. Plenty of snow means free refrigeration, but don’t leave your food out overnight – after all, this is still bear country.

Get there: From Exit 147 off Interstate 70, turn south and follow the signs to Brush Creek Road. Follow the road for roughly 10 miles until it turns to dirt just past the visitor center. At the fork, turn right for the lake and campground. To reserve a cabin, see the state park website or call 303-470-1144.

X Games in Aspen Just for: Adrenaline junkies, pipe riders, 20somethings The gist: For (possibly) the final time in nearly 10 years, the world’s marquee winter sports showcase makes its annual stop at Buttermilk in Aspen before moving to one of three wintery Meccas (Aspen is still in the running, along with Lake Tahoe and Quebec City in Canada). Whether the three day event returns or not, Jan. 2326 this year promises to be crazier than usual. X Games comes just two short weeks before the Sochi Olympics, and with the addition of ski halfpipe and slopestyle to the Olympic roster, athletes will be in their prime. Watch for Vail-based hopefuls like freeskier Taylor Seaton (who’s been on the X Games roster several times) and ski halfpipe specialist Aaron Blunck of Ski and Snowboard Club Vail.

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U.S. snowboarder Louie Vito during the men’s elimination round for snowboard halfpipe at last year’s X Games in Aspen.

Photo: Tom Zuccareno.

Even if snowboarding or skiing isn’t your thing – under the spotlights, how can they not be? – the weekend hosts plenty of other diversions, including snowmobiling, adaptive skier cross and a ticketed concert by DJ phenom Tiesto.

Local’s tip: Making your way around Aspen during X Games can be a mess.

If you want to save money, look now for hotels in neighboring towns like Carbondale, Snowmass Village and even Glenwood Springs. The Roaring Fork Transportation authority runs a Glenwood to Aspen route for a small fee, while a free bus makes regular rounds from the Brush Creek Intercept Lot on U.S. Highway 82 to downtown Aspen and the X Games venue. You can’t avoid the crowds completely, but knowing how to navigate the fray will make life much easier.

Refuel: Downtown Aspen is chockfull of restaurants, from basement bars to high-end eateries. New York Pizza is the sort of greasy, raucous, fun-loving place you wouldn’t expect in a town known for celebrity sightings, with pizza by the slice and plenty of flatscreens to catch the action if you don’t want to freeze at the venue.

Get there: Drive west along Interstate 70 to Glenwood Springs. Turn south on Highway 82 for about 40 miles until you reach Aspen. The parking lots and various small towns are spread along the highway. For more info, see xgames.espn. go.com.

Blue Sky Basin lunch date Just for: Adventurous couples, soon-to-be-newlyweds The gist: Thanks to copious amounts of snow throughout December, Blue Sky Basin opened earlier than it has since the 2011 season. The snow isn’t mind-blowing quite yet, but on a warm and sunny bluebird day, the hour-long trek to the deck at Belle’s Camp is more than worth it. Found at the top of Chair 37, the deck boasts several charcoal or gas grills, plenty of seating and the sort of views that turn first dates into second (and third) dates. It also boasts easy access to heart-pumping runs

like Steep and Deep, The Divide and, appropriately enough, Lover’s Leap.

Local’s tip: It goes without saying that weekends at Blue Sky are packed, so try for a mid-week trek if you’re the quiet romantic type. No matter what, leave plenty of time to make the trip. We recommend hoping on Sleepytime Road from the top of Chair 4 no later than 10 a.m., and be sure to get a fresh coat of wax the night before. Fresh snow is good for the trees, but it can be frustrating for snowboarders. Don’t kill the mood before the day begins.

Refuel: Luckily, the deck-side grills are gas and not charcoal, so the only thing you’ll need is a backpack of barbecue-friendly grub. We suggest kebabs, made the night before and wrapped in foil for mess-free eating. Belle’s Camp also offers grab-and-go items, including coffee and hot cocoa if the weather turns south.

Beer and wine are allowed on the deck.

Get there: There are several routes to Blue Sky, but the easiest begins at the top of Chair 4 (near Patrol Headquarters). Follow Sleepytime Road as it winds across the top of Sun Up Bowl until it curves beneath Tea Cup Bowl and China Bowl. The road crosses a bridge before ending at the bottom of Chair 37. It’s a long, leg-burning trek, but more than worth the wait.

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The view of Belle’s Camp at Blue Sky Basin, easily the most secluded deck at Vail.

Photo: Jack Affleck.

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Toscanini in Beaver Creek reopens with new space and menu

APPETITE Toscanini, Version 2.0

The Beaver Creek Italian favorite revamps its digs1 and menus in time for the heart of the ski season.

By Laura Lieff.

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a fine dining restaurant that served high-quality food and had a laid-back atmosphere? It already exists and it’s located in the heart of Beaver Creek Village.

A longtime favorite of both locals and tourists, Toscanini features authentic Italian cuisine that is both stylish and contemporary, along with an award-winning, 100 percent Italian wine list.

Although Toscanini has been a Beaver Creek staple for many years, the restaurant recently underwent a major remodel that has upped the ante for competitors.

“We’ve created more of an entryway that is open and inviting and has given us better visibility,” says general manager Lana Gordon. “We’ve also created a bar and lounge area that has added a casual aspect to the restaurant as it includes high top tables and more bar seating.”

Adding an extra 40 seats to the restaurant, the bar and lounge area offers a more causal setting and two brand new menus. The small plates menu includes options such as portabella fries, a Pizza Margherita and homemade meatball sliders. There is also a cheese & charcuterie plate that allows patrons to choose from a variety of meats and cheeses and mix and match four of the options.

Also in the bar and lounge area is an après/happy hour menu that is available daily from 3-6 p.m. It includes a Pizza Margherita and draft beer or house wine for $11, Peroni drafts and house wine for $5 or carafes of house wine for $20.

Additionally, every day at 4 p.m., guests can enjoy complimentary antipasti selections while they last. Guests seated in the lounge and bar area may order from the full restaurant menu as well.

Left: A portion of the revamped bar and lounge area at Toscanini in Beaver Creek.

Bottom: The prosciutto, sausage and arugula pie at Toscanini, straight from the stone hearth.

Photos: Kent Pettit.

In addition to raving about the food and wine, any local will confirm that the Limoncello at Toscanini is known as the most delicious and the most lethal. In fact their Limoncello has garnered so much popularity over the years that a house-made ‘cello flight option has been added to their menu. The flight includes three flavors: blood orange, blackberry cardamom and the Limoncello straight up.

Family-friendly fine dining In addition to these new menu options, what sets Toscanini apart from other fine dining establishments is that they are very family-friendly, have a great location and have a lot of long-term staff members who live in the valley fulltime.

“People can come in after skiing with kids or come in dressed up and have a fine dining experience,” says assistant general manager Dana Gerimonte. “Italian food is comforting after a long day on the cold slopes and kids can eat something they like while their parents enjoy a nice bottle of wine.”

Gordon also pointed out that Toscanini has the best people-watching because it is located in the heart of Beaver Creek and has the best view of the ice rink.

“Parents can keep an eye on their kids while enjoying a glass of wine or Prosecco,” she says. “These families come back year after year to see our staff because they know our menu very well and can offer recommendations on what’s going on in the Valley.”

Lunch, dinner and occasionally late night While Toscanini is best known as a dinner spot, the restaurant is also open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch.

Featuring starters, salads, pizzas, sandwiches, pastas and a section for kids, the lunch menu presents more casual options that are just as delicious as the dinner menu. Highlights include the lemon pepper wings, calzone options and the baked penne.

For those visiting Toscanini for dinner, the dinner menu includes antipasti options, salads, pizzas, pastas, main courses and side dishes. Delectable favorites include the beet salad, the beef cheek ravioli and the elk filet.

Wine and Limoncello Depending on the crowd, GorGordon, who has been the general mandon and Gerimonte said Toscager for six years, also writes the wine list nini sometimes stays open a bit which means she has helped Toscanini later after Vilar Center shows.

Pricing on these tapas-style items are available in the lounge and bar earn the Wine Spectator Award of ExcelFor those looking for a post-show area only. lence for their 100 percent Italian wine snack, the small plates menu is Portabella fries: Tempura battered with parmesan, chili flake, list. usually available at that time. chive and spicy aioli, this is a great snack to dive into after a day When asked why having a strictly Ital“We are thrilled to have this on the mountain. ($11) ian wine list is such a big deal, Gordon exbeautiful new bar and lounge Margherita pizza: Simple yet delicious, this pizza is made plained that it’s partially because very few space,” says Gordon. “It’s exwith roseli fresh mozzarella, basil and tomato sauce. ($8) restaurants do it. citing to see our guests coming Meatball sliders: Featuring three homemade sliders, mari“Some restaurants will put internationstraight off the mountain after a nara sauce, parmesan and fennel slaw, this small plate brings al and domestic wines on their list but I great day of skiing and enjoying big flavors. ($12) love that we are unique and make people our new small plates menu and step out of their comfort zones,” she says. taking advantage of our great “When you have a specialty like that you tend to meet more wine makers when happy hour deals. It allows our guests to enjoy a more casual side of Toscanini they come to town which allows for more relationships with winemakers and and what we have to offer. The space has also allowed us to expand our provineyards.” gramming and branch out into small format wine and appetizer pairings, late Added Gerimonte, “We get a lot of praise from Italian winemakers who come night offerings after the Vilar show and help create a more lively nightlife in in, which is great. The wine list also allows the servers to have more interaction Beaver Creek Village.” with the guests because they usually have questions. When they tell us the type SneakPEAK writer Laura Lieff can be reached at info@sneakpeakvail.com of wine they drink we’ll find something equivalent on our menu that they will enjoy and have never tried.”

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Thursday, January 2 - January 8, 2014

Justin and Kyle at Bonfire in Eagle 1.3.2014

HAPPENINGS A crafty celebration of life

Bonfire Brewery hosts the celebration of life for Dr. Niles Thomason featuring local band Justin and Kyle.

By Nicholas Van Dyke.

Craft beer and rock ‘n’ roll.

What else could you ask for? To make this situation even better, they’re both local.

On Friday, Jan. 3, Bonfire Brewing will host a night of music featuring local band Justin and Kyle. Not only will there be free music to enjoy – but of course, there will be plenty of locally brewed craft beer to indulge in.

Whether you’re a fan of a fruity raspberry ale, a nice hoppy IPA or a full-bodied vanilla porter, Bonfire Brewing has you covered.

To improve things even more, local rock ‘n’ roll band Justin and Kyle will fill the taproom with their music starting at 8 p.m.

Perhaps the night’s most important aspect is the celebration of the life of Dr. Niles Thomason, who tragically and unexpectedly passed away on Christmas day at the age of 31. Dr. Thomason was a local and regular at Bonfire Brewing and has a wife and three year old son that still reside in Eagle. Dr. Thomason was not only a friend of the brewery’s but also a veterinarian at Castle Peak Veterinary.

“The Bonfire family was extremely fond of Niles, often talking over the trials and tribulations experienced by our various pets while we shared a beer with him at the tap room. We and all of our animals – Andre, Biggie, Del, Pugnax, Sugar and Wilson – will miss him a great deal,” says Bonfire Brewing co-founder Andy Jessen. “His family would like to celebrate his life with everyone that had the pleasure of knowing Niles in his time here in Eagle.”

The Bonfire Brewing staff (being the stand-up people that they are) will be donating $1 from every beer sold from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to be placed into a trust fund for Dr. Thomason’s son, Carter.

People can also donate $5 directly in exchange for a ticket that will get them a free beer.

SneakPEAK had a chance to chat with band member Justin Lottman to see just what his band’s music is all about.

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IF YOU GO What: Celebration of life for Dr. Niles Thomason and performance from band Justin and Kyle, not to mention some great beer When: Friday, Jan. 3 beginning at 6 p.m.

Where: Bonfire Brewing taproom, Eagle Cost: Free

SP: Who were your inspirations coming up?

JL: Well, a lot of Sublime, Neil Young Tom Petty.

I don’t know, I have a lot of country influences myself – also a lot of Pepper and Slightly Stoopid, that kind of stuff.

SP: Awesome. Do you guys have any sort of website or album? Some way your fans might be able to get to your music?

SneakPEAK: So I guess let’s start from the beJL: (Laughs) That’s another one of our problems ginning, can you tell me a little about your band? right now; we don’t have any recordings or anything Justin Lottman: Well, we play a little bit of ev- yet. erything really. We don’t really hold back, as long as it sounds good we play it for the most part.

SP: Have you been to and played Bonfire Brewing before?

SP: Do you have any specific genre?

JL: Yeah, definitely. I’ve played there quite a bit.

JL: Mostly rock ‘n’ roll really, for the most part.

SP: Do you by chance have a favorite beer?

SP: How many members are in the group?

JL: Yeah, I really like the Tent Pole, their vanilla JL: It varies right now (laughs). We’ve been hav- porter. ing a few issues with the band so it’s kind of all over SneakPEAK writer Nicholas Van Dyke can be the place right now. Right now we’re pretty much reached at info@sneakpeakvail.com just two guitars and two singers for the most part.

For more info, see bonfirebrewing.com.

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Annual Twelfth Night Bonfire in Eagle 1.6.2014

HAPPENINGS

End the holidays with a blaze The Eagle Valley Lions Club hosts its annual Twelfth Night Tree Bonfire in Eagle.

By Michael Suleiman.

We all know that Colorado is prone to forest fires. cause the ashes tend to float around,” says Nelson.

Christmas trees make the perfect With this event, fire safety is of the utmost impor“It kind of depends on the weather for how long incendiary bombs.

As your tree begins to look more and more devoid of life, now is the time to set it on fire. Before you stop reading and succumb to your inner-pyromaniac reaching for the nearest lighter in sight, don’t be quick to make a decision you may later regret.

The annual Twelfth Night Tree Bonfire is coming to Eagle and Gypsum Jan. 6, also known as Epiphany.

This is when the Wise Men arrived to see the Christ child. Grab that old, dried-up tree and bring it down to the Town Park at 6th and Wall streets to have one last holiday celebration.

Hundreds of people will come out to light their trees as a symbol of the end of Christmas. The Eagle Valley Lions Club started the event and it has been running in the same way for quite some time now.

“This event has been going since 1953. This will be our 61st year doing this,” says Eagle Valley Lions Club Membership Chairman Wayne Nelson. “It serves as a time for the community to get together and enjoy the holidays. Typically there are over 200 people who attend the event.”

Free hot chocolate and ice-skating are added incentives to come out to the festivities. “I think it is a way for the community to celebrate together. We also do the event in Gypsum. We have the support of the fire department so they can monitor the burning of the trees. They don’t start everything at once.

They feed the fire throughout the night,” says club President Judy Clock. “We are not a large club but we do host a lot of events for the community. We do a lot of public service activities and we are always looking for more members and people to help out.

We meet every first and third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Gypsum town hall. The best place to see more information about what it is we do is to go to (the Lions Club website).”

tance. “We have to get a fire permit through the fire department and they basically handle the fire. The flames will reach probably 50 or 60 feet in the air.

The fire department will continue to feed it until all the trees are gone. Don’t wear your nicest outfit be-

we burn. I know the fire department will stick around until the fire is out. Depending on the number of participants who bring trees the event could last a few hours. Some people like to be there from the beginning because that is when it is the most exciting to watch. People who are looking to get rid of their Christmas trees but can’t attend the event, can lay their trees out by the curb and we will drive around to pick them up. Please don’t put them in the actual street though, just on the curb. They can lay them out from now until the sixth,” says Clock.

This is a safe way to burn your tree. Pine burns incredibly hot and adds to creosote buildup in your chimney. It is also a fun option for those who don’t have fireplaces. Don’t bother to bring your marshmallows unless you have a long stick. The firefighters will have a border a safe distance from the fire that can’t be crossed.

Come dance around the bonfire and have some hot chocolate. Grab your skates and your trees and come celebrate 12th Night by the light of the fire.

SneakPEAK writer Michael Suleiman can be reached at info@sneakpeakvail.com

IF YOU GO Who: The Eagle Valley Lions Club Twelfth Night Tree Bonfire When: Monday, Jan. 6 Where: Eagle Town Park Cost: Free

Just outside of festive downtown Eagle, the local Lions Club makes good use of discarded Christmas trees for the Twelfth Night bonfire.

Photo: Jon Stavney

Bring your Christmas tree and participate in the annual bonfire.

For more information on the bonfire, see townofeagle.org.

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Get Outfitted debuts with online gear rentals

PROGRESS Rent the (slopeside) runway

New Colorado-based website Get Outfitted introduces casual skiers to the fashionable world of name-brand gear rentals.

By Phil Lindeman.

It all began with a designer dress.

The immediately recognizable packages from Get Outfitted, a Colorado-based online gear rental outlet.

Photos special to SneakPEAK.

A little more than a year ago, Julian Flores clicked into entrepreneur mode when his wife ordered a high-end outfit for a party in their adopted hometown of Colorado Springs. The dress would’ve been wildly expensive had she bought it outright, so rather than pay several hundred dollars for a one-time wardrobe, she rented it for the weekend through an online boutique. The dress arrived in attractive packaging – just what someone would expect for designer clothing – and cost just a fraction of the retail price, even with shipping. When the weekend was finished, his wife mailed the dress back for the next occasional reveler to enjoy.

“That was such a great way to experience luxury without buying luxury,” Flores says. “I thought it was genius – a great solution for a lot of people’s problems.”

That small, otherwise unheralded moment of thriftiness was all it took to light The Get Outfitted concept is elegantly simple. the proverbial spark. Flores soon turned Like an online store, gear is separated into his sights on an equally intimidating and Online to on-snow men’s, women’s, junior’s and children’s catcostly industry: snow sports. This DecemEnter Kristi Anderson, a longtime Avon local and egories, along with accessories for just about ber, he launched Get Outfitted, an onlineformer business development and e-commerce mananyone. To make sure there’s plenty of time only rental shop for sought-after outerager for Drift Innovations, a GoPro competitor with for gear to arrive, order two or three weeks wear and accessory brands like Patagonia, offices in Eagle County. Anderson joined Flores as before your trip. Shipping is free for rentals Obermeyer, GoPro and Optic Nerve. The co-founder and vice president of marketing at Get and returns through the company website at gear is ordered through the company Outfitted – the sort of company she would’ve loved getoutfitted.com. website, packaged in Flores’ garage and to see as an up-and-coming skier.

One of the site’s biggest selling points is a massive selection of brand-new, name-brand sent directly to homes or hotel rooms just “The barrier to entry with skiing is so high,” gear. Here’s a quick glimpse at the inventory: about anywhere snow can be found in the Anderson says. “Sometimes people go to Walmart - Patagonia shells, pants and mid-layers U.S. to save money, but they’ll be cold and miserable.

- Obermeyer shells, pants and mid-layers “Like many entrepreneurs, I started this Those are the people we really think we can help.”

- Dakine shells and pants company to solve one of my own probAt the moment, those once-per-year warriors are - The North Face gloves lems,” says Flores, who moved to ColoraGet Outfitted’s main audience. Anderson has done a - Optic Nerve goggles do from California about eight years back. bit of work with local concierge desks, but the ma- GoPro cameras, cases and mounts “Since I’ve been here, I haven’t taken jority of customers come from web traffic. The comadvantage of the great outdoor resources pany has outfitted about 60 people, most of whom nearly as much as I should’ve. One of the stumbled upon the site after searching for ski gear big issues is how intimidating the sports can be – skiing and snowboarding are and ski resorts like Breckenridge online. Those visitors range from vacationers hard activities to just dabble in.” in California to families from Puerto Rico.

“We really blew up in about three weeks,” says Flores, who spent most of the Winter for the masses summer tweaking the website and courting brands with help from Anderson.

Colloquial wisdom says skiing and snowboarding are almost prohibitively ex- “What we found early on is people wait until the last minute to plan their trips, pensive – the term ski bum has more than earned its grungy, grimy reputation especially when it comes to gear.”

– and the sports are only becoming pricier. During the 2011-2012 ski season, A handful of brick-and-mortar rental shops take advantage of this last-minute online travel provider TripAdvisor calculated the average cost of a single day at mentality, but according to Anderson, their stock is often old, abused or both.

20 North American resorts and found that Colorado-based mountains are by far Again, she and Flores hope Get Outfitted will thrive on brand recognition and the most expensive. Vail and Aspen top the list, clocking in at nearly $750 per effortless cool. The average rental costs $100 per person, and each package arperson for lodging, ski rental, lunch on the hill and a one-day lift ticket. rives in simple brown paper with twine, stickers, chapstick and hand warmers.

For Flores, data like the TripAdvisor survey is enough to prove the Get Out“One of the coolest things about this is we don’t just throw everything in a fitted concept has an audience: No matter how expensive the resort-bound get- box,” Anderson says. “This is so much more than a rental shop. We wanted a away, millions of people each year still cough up the dough, only to need gear ‘rent the runway’ sort of experience with this business. I like that we’re lowering once they arrive or chance the elements in hand-me-down apparel. As a fellow the entry point without sacrificing the experience.”

Colorado transplant, Flores scoured materials from Snowsports Industries AmerFor Flores, that attention to detail also sets Get Outfitted apart from its sole ica and informally interviewed skiers at Arapahoe Basin to find out how people competitor, the Golden-based website Mountain Threads. The two companies bought – and searched – for gear. feature a handful of the same brands, but the door-to-door experience is much Flores played off the high-end dress concept and immediately knew he needed different. He hopes more brands will hop on-board after the ski season, and he’s the best gear from the best brands. Not only is it more appealing to fashion- also confident the entire Get Outfitted concept will only improve over time. The forward skiers, it also boosts the value: When the $479 Patagonia Powder Bowl start-up cost was incredibly lean – gear ate up the majority of the initial $125,000 shell runs for just $45 per day through Get Outfitted, renting becomes a no- investment – and the online-only angle allows for plenty of growth. In the next brainer. Suddenly, casual skiers have access to the kind of gear even folks with few years, he’d like to add a summer component with camping, cycling and golf100-plus days dream about. ing gear. Until then, he and Anderson will continue revising the business.

Thanks to Flores’ connections in the Colorado Springs start-up community – “I’m really excited to see where this goes,” Flores says. “The nice thing is that his previous venture was a much-needed charter school in the area – he and a most of our major risky assumptions have been proven right. It has been busy – handful of angel investors fronted $125,000 for the website, marketing and first lots of late nights and long hours – but it’s incredibly rewarding.” round of gear. All he needed was someone with intimate connections to a wintersports industry he was just beginning to understand.

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Thoughts on the New Year from sports guru Patrick Whitehurst

SNEAKSPORTS

A few new year’s wishes A new year brings fresh hope and challenges.

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.

In the sports world, a new year is synonymous with a new season. Every team begins with a clean slate, every batter is back at zero and every fan base has hopes that this will be the year that everything comes together. In 2013, it happened for the Red Sox, Ravens, Blackhawks and Heat. In 2014, it’s possible those teams change and clubs like the Nationals, Panthers, Sharks and Thunder overcome obstacles, embrace challenges and elevate their games to championship levels.

The playoffs – the NFL’s “second season” – begin this week as 12 teams take the next step in the quest to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

For the remaining 20 teams that failed to qualify for the postseason, the offseason (which is the beginning of building for next season) began earlier than they wanted. Management and ownership evaluate the season, while the coaching staff makes resolutions (fancy word for firing coaches or offering contract extensions) in order to improve the team and prepare for the NFL draft and free agency.

I love the intense action and unpredictability that accompanies sports. I enjoy the stats, the big moments and the passion that players, coaches and fans wear on their sleeves. My fanhood was declared a long time ago and is unwavering. Even if Aaron Rodgers had never connected with Randall Cobb on that beautiful, divisionwinning touchdown toss on 4th-and-8 in Week 17, my love for the Green and Gold would never change.

Whether it means altering a long-held philosophy, cheering for teams solely because of a single player, or looking at things in a different light, change is a good thing.

We all have ideas for change in our daily lives. We make resolutions aimed at improving our health, relationships and happiness.

Sometimes those resolutions are unrealistic or difficult to stick to, while other times they are completely achievable. One of my favorite U2 songs has always been “New Year’s Day” because of the simple yet profound lyrics, “Nothing changes on New Year’s Day.” While this is certainly true at times, in the sports world almost everything changes.

Here are the changes that I would like to see in 2014:

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NFL Instant replay review was instituted as a change that would benefit the game, with the ultimate goal of getting the call right. While most reviewable calls are now corrected when needed, there is still room for improvement. Pass interference and stoppage of forward progress are not reviewable, but they should be. Secondly, an independent official not at the game (and unaware of the call on the field) should be the deciding factor when reviewing calls – that way, judgment isn’t affected by what’s already happened.

Get rid of the “chain gangs!” If our smartphones can hold 10 million different songs, maps and apps, then a laser can be directed at the precise point of the necessary line to gain.

Implement a full overtime period. The league changed the sudden-death rule a few years ago in the postseason, then did so for the regular season last year. In basketball, overtime is set at five minutes – the win isn’t given to the first team that gets to 10. The NFL should simply play another quarter and let the players on the field make the game-winning plays.

NBA I’m not going to be crazy here and say the basket should be raised to 12 feet or that the league has to find a way to speed up play at the end of games (losing arguments anyway you look at it). Instead, I’m going to focus on the festivities surrounding the All-Star Game. The Slam Dunk Contest lacks suspense and ingenuity while, participants in the Skills Challenge seem less than enthused. I would love to see a one-on-one or two-on-two tournament take the place of these played-out events. Set up a few rules for the tournament (10-second shot clock, two or three dribbles per player, per possession) and go at it. Imagine the intensity and competition! We would all watch and enjoy the action – LeBron and Durant against Dwight and Kyrie would be great!

NHL Back to overtime: Too often, teams play for a tie and the point that comes with going to a shootout. I would love to see three-on-three during all overtimes in the regular season.

MLB Everything except balls and strikes is reviewable.

It’s close, but details need to ironed out.

College Football A four-team playoff is progress, but eight teams would make it a real playoff.

Some things will never change in the world of sports.

Bears and Packers fans will stick it to each other for as long as they live, spectators will always think referees blow calls and armchair quarterbacks everywhere will be in the wrong profession. Have a FANtastic New Year!

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The Grammy Award-winning Takács Quartet comes to the Vilar Center on Jan. 7 for a one-night performance of compositions by Mozart and Dvorak.

Photo: Ellen Appel.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Have an event for the SneakPEAK calendar? Email Shakedown Bar in Vail Village. After more than 25 your blurb to info@sneakpeakvail.com years entertaining locals and visitors alike, Long has put together an impressive set-list that ranges from Thursday, Jan. 2 Bob Dylan and The Beatles to Journey and The White Jake Wolf and Friends at Vail Ale Stripes. Even when the music isn’t playing, Long is known for quick wit and plenty of banter with the House Local drummer Jake Wolf has the sort of friends crowd. Shows often require reservations beforehand you want to know. Head to Vail Ale House in West by calling a reservation hotline at 303.415.0160. Give Vail around 10 p.m. every Thursday for free live mu- the dates you’d like to attend and your spot will be sic from Wolf, plus a rotating selection of local and saved. Music begins at 5 p.m. most afternoons and Colorado musicians. It’s a rollicking start to an early runs until 9 p.m. For more info or an online reservaweekend or just the best end to an average day. Either tion form, see shakedownbarvail.com. way, it’s still free. For more info, see vailalehouse.

Friday, Jan. 3 com.

4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tucker plays a set of pop hits and crowd requests from the small stage at Pepi’s Restaurant, named for Austrian ski legend and hotel namesake Pepi Gramshammer. Keep an eye out for specials on European drafts and finger food. The restaurant hosts après music throughout the holidays. For more info, see pepis.com.

Saturday, Jan. 4 Nappy Roots at Agave

Underground hip-hop gods Nappy Roots come to Agave for the first show in a long line of stellar concerts this winter at the small, surprisingly kinetic restaurant in Avon. The group recently left longtime laAprès with Dave Tucker at Pepi’s Res- bel Atlantic Records to release music directly to fans, staying true to the four MCs typically offbeat mentalThursday, Jan. 2 taurant Head to historic Hotel Gastof-Gramshammer – one ity. They bring a huge setlist, with songs culled from Phil Long après at Shakedown Bar Join Phil Long, one of Vail’s most iconic après of Vail Village’s original lodges – for après entertain- a decade of yearly album releases. Chances are you’ll musicians, for an afternoon set at his new home of ment by local acoustic musician Dave Tucker. From never see them for this cheap again – better hop on it now. Tickets are $14 pre-sale and $16 at the door.

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Music begins at 9:30 p.m. and, unfortunately, is only open to music lovers 21 years old and older. Sorry, younguns. To purchase tickets, see agaveavon.com.

Tricia’s Top 8

Sunday, Jan. 5 BC Behind the Scenes tour at Beaver Creek

Sometimes, tired kids (and even bone-sore adults) need a vacation from their ski vacation. Join Beaver Creek for a regular tour of the resort, one of several free and low-intensity activities hosted throughout the winter. The BC Behind the Scenes tour on Sunday runs from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and gives visitors a groundlevel glance at the inner workings of a ski resort. Tour the backstage area at Vilar Center, learn how a snowcat operates, meet the folks who make skiing possible and more, all for free. Registration isn’t required – just arrive in the front lobby of the Vilar Center a few minutes before the tour is set to begin. The Vilar Center is found on the lower level of Beaver Creek village, just down the escalator from the ice rink. For more info on this and other recurring events, see beavercreek.com.

Monday, Jan. 6 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.

Tricia Swenson

1. Congratulations – you made it through 2013! Best wishes for a healthy, happy New Year!

2. The holiday spirit continues in Beaver Creek with Winterfest! Hear Drums of the Mountains on Friday, Jan. 3 at 3 p.m., see the Nature’s Educators Raptor Exhibit on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 3:30 p.m. and catch the Kids’ Wonder Parade at 4 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. The full schedule can be found at beavercreek.com/winterfest.

3. The musical line-up gets even better at the Vilar. For those of you who have “Always” loved Patsy Cline, you’ll go “Crazy” if you don’t get to this show! Kelley Zinge and her four-piece band will take you back to the sounds of this legendary country music star on Thursday, Jan. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

4. The next night, U2 tribute band Under a Blood Red Sky takes to the Vilar stage to give you a true concert experience. If you missed them at Red Rocks last year, you’ll want to catch them on Friday, Jan. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

5. Start the New Year out right by making the most of your time on the hill and hopping in a lesson. Even the pros have a coach, and the instructors at Vail or Beaver Creek can help you improve your technique to step up a level. Try the Max Three Lesson: three students, one instructor – the perfect size to chat about new skills on the chairlift.

6. Stop by the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum for a first-hand account of life at Camp Hale by 10th Mountain Division veteran Sandy Treat, held every Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the museum below the Vail Village Transportation Center.

7. Sunday, Jan. 5 kicks off the Beaver Creek Mountain Running Series – Snowshoe Edition! This is a fun way to jump-start your winter fitness. Sign up for the whole series by Jan. 4 and save $15. Register through beavercreekrunningseries.com 8. If you still need something for the kids to do before they head back to school, get them off the electronics and in front of the easel at the Alpine Arts Center in Edwards.

Call 970.926.2732 for specific classes and times.

Tuesday, Jan. 7 The Undertones in Beaver Creek

Leonard Bernstein and Dame Janet Baker. The ensemble also won the 2011 Award for Chamber Music and Song presented by the Royal Philharmonic Society in London. The evening’s program begins at 6:30 p.m. and includes three diverse quartets to showcase their brilliant musicianship and versatility, with pieces from Mozart, Dvorak and Bartok. Tickets are $45. To purchase, see vilarpac.org.

College a capella is notoriously competitive – haven’t you ever seen Pitch Perfect? – and Notre Dame’s traveling all-male group The Undertones is one of the finest. Back by popular demand, the group will perform a wide variety of high-energy numbers at several concerts in the Vail Valley in early January. The first concert comes on Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. and is Wednesday, Jan. 8 slated for the Beaver Creek Chapel. Their second is Prohibition Wednesday at Vail Ale scheduled for the same time on Jan. 9 at the Vail In- House terfaith Chapel. The Undertones’ performances appeal Nothing says prohibition like drink specials, but Tuesday, Jan. 7 to audiences of all ages, so don’t be afraid to bring who gives a damn? Head to Vail Ale House in West Turkuaz at Agave the whole family. Tickets are available at the door or Vail every Wednesday for the restaurant’s regular Few things go better with the Avon restaurant’s beforehand by calling Michael at 970.376.0066. hump-day party, complete with $3 PBR or Miller weekly $1.50 taco night than free music by the some High Life tallboys, plus select $3 well drinks. DJ Pof the most electric local acts in Colorado. This week Tuesday, Jan. 7 Rock spins dance tunes throughout the night and, as is brings Turkuaz, an odd name for an even odder group expected, entry is 21 and older only.

Takács Quartet at Vilar Center of funk rebels. A blurb from the group’s press kit: Beaver Creek’s Vilar Center is known for attract“Credible bios are supposed to be objective and not ing the nation’s most respected string ensembles, and full of superlatives and hyperbole, but it’s hard to this week’s performance by the famed Takács Quaravoid gushing when the subject is a funk army of tet is an early highlights. Recognized as one of the multi-instrumentals and singers that is part freight world’s great ensembles, the Takács Quartet plays train and part tyrannosaurus rex, who—even on an off with a unique blend of drama, warmth and humor, night—can blow away a room on the basis of sheer combining four distinct musical personalities to bring physics alone.” Yep. Cheap hard-shell tacos are availfresh insights to the string quartet repertoire. In 2012, able throughout the day until 9 p.m. when the music Gramophone announced that the Takács was the only starts. Watch for draft specials once the music starts, string quartet to be inducted into its first Hall of Fame, when entry is 21 and older only. For more info, see along with such legendary artists as Jascha Heifetz, agaveavon.com.

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DINING GUIDE EDWARDS Balata 1265 Berry Creek Rd. 970.477.5353 American cuisine L | D | $$

Crazy Mountain Brewery 439 Edwards Access Rd. 970.926.3009 Brewery, gourmet food truck L|D|$

Gobi Mongolian BBQ 69 Edwards Access Rd. 970.926.6628 Chinese, Asian fusion L|D|$

Main St. Grill 97 Main St. 970.926.2729 American grill L | D | $$

Subway Edwards 439 Edwards Access Rd. 970.926.7010 Sandwiches B|L|D|$

Bonjour Bakery 97 Main St. 970.926.5539 Homemade bakery, soups B|L|$

Dish!

56 Edwards Village Blvd.

970.926.3433 High-end tapas D | $$

Gore Range Brewery 105 Edwards Village Blvd.

970.926.2739 Rustic pub L | D | $$

Marko’s Pizzeria 57 Edwards Access Rd. 970.926.7003 Pizza and pasta L|D|$

Vista at Arrowhead 676 Sawatch Dr. 970.926.2111 Tuscan grill D | $$

Bookworm 295 Main St. 970.926.7323 Coffee and crepes B|L|$

E-Town 295 Main St. 970.926.4080 Contemporary American L|D|$

Grouse on the Green 100 Kensington Dr. 970.926.5788 Pub, American D | $$

Mirador 2205 Cordillera Way 970.926.2200 Regional and seasonal fare B | L | D | $$

Wendy’s 436 Access Rd. 970.926.5850 Fast food B|L|D|$

Belmont Deli 105 Edwards Village Blvd.

970.926.1796 Sandwiches, East Coast deli B|L|$

Eat! Drink!

56 Edwards Village Blvd.

970.926.1393 Tasting/wine bar, paninis L|D|$

Henry’s Chinese Café 175 Main St. 970.926.3050 Chinese, Asian L|D|$

Old Forge Pizza Co. 56 Edwards Village Blvd.

970.926.2220 Pizza, paninis and salads L|D|$

Woody’s Bar and Grill 27 Main St. 970.926.2756 Bar, American L|D|$

Café 163 105 Edwards Village Blvd.

970.926.1163 Casual American B|L|D|$

Fiesta’s Cantina 57 Edwards Access Rd. 970.926.2121 Mexican B|L|D|$

Juniper Restaurant 97 Main St. 970.926.7001 Contemporary American D | $$$

Sato 105 Edwards Village Blvd.

970.926.7684 Sushi and Japanese cuisine L | D | $$

Zino Ristorante 27 Main St. 970.926.0777 Contemporary Italian D | $$

Café Milano 429 Edwards Access Rd. 970.926.4455 Contemporary Italian B | L | D | $$

The Gashouse 34185 US Highway #6 970.926.2896 Colorado wild game, steaks L | D | $$

Local Joe’s Pizza 280 Main St. 970.926.4444 Pizza L|D|$

Smiling Moose Deli 1170 Edwards Village Blvd.

970.926.2400 Deli B|L|D|$

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

To view a complete guide for dining in the Vail Valley, see SneakPeakVail.com

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

Thursday Night: FREE Live Music w/ Jake Wolf & Friends 10pm. $3 Colorado Native drafts and $3 Fireside Whiskey Friday Night: FREE Live Music w/ The Renegade Sons. roots rock, alt-country and classic-rock.

NFL WildCard Weekend Saturday & Sunday: Open at 10am serving brunch. $2.50 Bud & Bud Light drafts, $4 mimosas and $5 Kettle One Bloody Marys Saturday Night: Live Music w/ The Altitones. playing an array of soul rocking, body shaking, mind blowing tunes, best described as “Weaponized Pimping!”

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