Steamboat Holiday Guide 2015

STEAMBOAT

Holiday guIdE Give the gift of gear PAGE 13

Winning 2015 Bake-off Recipes PAGE 11

TOP 10 HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

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2015 Steamboat Holiday

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From the editor:

Christmas and skiing go hand-in-hand for the Schlichtman family. Ever since I married into the “Ski Family Schlichtman” as a novice skier back in 1985, almost every one of my Christmas holidays have been spent on the slopes.

And each year, I discovered that my enjoyment of the holiday increased along with my skiing prowess, until eventually, we found ourselves continuing the tradition with our own sons long after my husband’s family stopped making the annual trips to Colorado.

For us, there’s nothing we love more then gathering around the tree on Christmas morning in our pajamas to read the Christmas story from the book of Luke and then opening presents one by one, with my husband, Mike, acting as Santa.

After a breakfast of Swedish pancakes, we bundle up, grab our gear and head to the mountain to spend the rest of the day on the slopes. It’s always fun to see the different versions of Santa on skis, and we make it a mellow day with frequent stops to soak in the views and enjoy cups of hot chocolate.

It’s a tradition that nurtured our love for Colorado and eventually led to our move to Steamboat Springs two and a half years ago.

Skiing on Christmas is our family tradition, and inside the pages of our inaugural Holiday Guide, you’ll read about how other local families celebrate the holidays. You will be introduced to another Northwest Colorado tradition that involves trekking out into the snow-covered wilderness to season’s top activities and events.

The Holiday Guide also features the winners of the 2015 Holiday Bake-Off, an event sponsored by the Steamboat Today that has become a holiday tradition for many in the community, as well as the contest’s winning recipes.

There’s a two-page gift guide featuring gear manufactured by Steamboatbased outdoor companies, including Point6, Hala, Talon Grips and Big Agnes, compiled by magazine editor Eugene Buchanan, and we also offer tips on environmentally friendly gifting.

And when it comes to Christmas giving, we encourage our readers to shop local. I start the season of giving by taking the “I Shop Local” pledge and buying the majority of my Christmas gifts from local businesses. Steamboat stores offer a large and unique selection of inventory to choose from, and I love walking down Lincoln Avenue, going from good about my purchases, knowing that the money I spend locally stays here to support our parks, our roads, our downtown and, most importantly, our small business owners.

Since moving here, I have often told friends and family that celebrating the holidays in Steamboat Springs is like walking into a snow globe Christmas carols seem to come to life.

I hope you enjoy our Holiday Guide as much as we enjoyed putting it all together, and best wishes for a holiday season that’s merry and bright.

— Lisa Schlichtman

STEAMBOAT

Holiday guIdE

Steamboat

oliday H Guide

On the cover: Lily Wingard, one of theWinnin 2015 Dessert Bake-off g ff 2015 Bake-o winners.

Photo

by John F. Russell Recipes es

Top HolIday acTIvITI

de: Steamboat Holiday Guide is published by theInsI Steamboat Pilot & Today.

Steamboat Holiday Guide magazines are free.

For advertising information, call 970-871-4235.

To get a copy mailed to your home, call 970-871-4232.

2015 Steamboat Holiday

Suzanne Schlicht | Publisher Lisa Schlichtman | Editor in chief Eugene Buchanan | Magazines editor Laura Tamucci | Multimedia sales manager Lindsay Porter | Creative services manager Saxonie Boyd | Circulation manager Advertising sales Jenni DeFouw and Molly Reust

Guide

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Photographers Ben Ingersoll, Joel Reichenberger, John F. Russell and Matt Stensland Advertising design Veronika Khanisenko, Mack Maschmeier, Chris McGaw and Jessica Wagner Annie Martin | Editorial intern

2015 Steamboat Holiday

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Visit our Magic Factory located on 2475 W Lincoln Avenue, Monday – Friday, 9 – 5 pm or call us at (970) 879-6711 to learn more about our holiday offerings. Visit us online at www.littlemoonessentials.com or find us on Amazon!

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2015 Steamboat Holiday

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Sugar+Spice

Winning recipes on page 11

Photos by John F. Russell

Cookies, cakes and candy were the centerpiece of the 2015 Holiday BakeOff, sponsored by Steamboat Today and hosted by Casey’s Pond. The annual holiday event featured 35 unique sweet treats, which attracted a crowd of 200 who lined up to taste all the entries. And this year’s winners were:

BeSt miScellaneouS deSSert

Catherine Kurtz Before Catherine Kurtz attempted to create Gabe’s Fave Mini Dulce de Leche Pumpkin Cheesecake, the word — dulce de leche — was a foreign term in her cooking repertoire.

But, after discovering the recipe in a close friend’s blog, “My Front Burner,” Kurtz turned this mystery of cheesecake richness into the Best Miscellaneous Dessert at the 2015 Holiday Bake-Off. “I was shocked that I won,” Kurtz says. like this. I’m not a chef or anything. I just wanted to try it, and I like to bake.”

The name for the recipe was inspired by her friend’s son, Gabe, and Kurtz says she often consults the blog as a source of inspiration. Her friend in Boston who writes the blog formerly worked for America’s

Test Kitchen and has a variety of recipes and new ideas to try.

A key ingredient in the winning recipe was the caramel-like dulce de leche Kurtz found at the local City Market.

With the holidays quickly approaching, Kurtz says sharing recipes is something that goes along with the season’s spirit of giving.

“I think people like to try something different sometimes and maybe go off their diets,” she says. ”It’s fun to try something new and just share this with others.”

— Audrey Dwyer 2015 Steamboat Holiday

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BeSt cake

Sue Alexander Bake-off, Sue Alexander came out swinging, winning top honors for her Dutch Almond Cake.

“I’ve watched the contest every year I’ve been here,” she says. “Every time I make it and share it with people, they want the

BeSt pie

Steven Spalty

There’s something special about the taste of a homemade pie derived from a traditional family recipe.

It’s what Steven Spalty attributes his success to after winning the Best Pie category in this year’s Holiday BakeOff for his Dutch Apple Pie. “I grew up with this recipe,” says Spalty, who also has a background at the New Hampshire Balsam’s culinary apprenticeship program. “I always remember helping my mom make it when I was growing up for special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was always known as the best apple pie anyone has ever had.”

Made from scratch with simple ingredients, the recipe is one handed down to Spalty by his grandfather from Holland. a few of the keys to making this winning “I always liked more simple food that you don’t have to overcomplicate because that Even though Spalty only started making the pie again six months ago when he was visiting family with his wife, it didn’t take him long to recall childhood memories of making the pie with his loved ones.

“It feels incredible to win this because it’s really nice to know the things that I’ve been loving my whole life, everyone else loves just as much as I do,” Spalty says.

— Audrey Dwyer

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2015 Steamboat Holiday

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this year.”

That “every time” is far more than a baker’s dozen. Alexander, who moved to Steamboat Springs from Denver in 2003, has been making her winning concoction for more than 20 years, for family and as gifts for friends at Christmas. She estimates she’s made hundreds of them so far, including 30 this year alone as gifts.

“I learned to make it back home in Michigan,” she says. “The Dutch there are very big on it.”

Its homespun proliferation in the Yampa Valley owes itself to a starter she makes from lemon, almond and vanilla extract, as well as almond paste, bread crumbs, sugar and eggs. She keeps the mix in her fridge for up to six months, allowing her to make the cake anytime she pleases, which might be more now that she recently retired from her position as head of women’s ministries at the Steamboat Christian Center.

“I’ll certainly have more time to bake now,” she says, adding that a key to making it is lining your cake pan with parchment paper so it doesn’t stick. “It’s kind of my signature recipe — it’s a bit unusual and is different from your typical brownie or other cake.”

This year’s wowed-over judges are quick to agree.

“It wasn’t your traditional cake,” says judge Marilyn Jardon. “It a blend of sweet and tart. It was close between that and the Tall Chocolate entry.”

While reluctant to part with her secret, now that it’s out, Alexander is more than happy with the result.

“For a long time I didn’t want to give the recipe away,” she says, adding that her winning Dutch Almond Cake doubles as a great there.”

— Eugene Buchanan

BeSt cookie

Delaney Parker Delaney Parker’s winning cookie recipe was a throwback. She recreated one of the recipes in her great-great grandmother’s cookbook, “Freida’s Favorite Recipes.”

The toffee bars that Delaney entered in the 2015 Holiday Bake-Off won Best Cookie and have become a Christmas tradition for the 11-year-old baker.

For the bake-off, Delaney top of the bars instead of walnuts. and I had to make them again.”

According to Delaney’s dad, Scott, his oldest daughter is a very creative baker.

“She adds secret ingredients and makes us guess what they are,” Scott says. “When she was 6 and we were living in New York, she made blueberry, lemon zest buttermilk pancakes.”

Scott also remembers a birthday cake Delaney baked for her grandmother’s 88th birthday when Delaney was only 7. It was a spice cake made in the shape of bear.

Delaney explains that she covered the cake in chocolate frosting and then used Oreo cookies for the bear’s eyes and bubble gum tape to create a pink bow tie under the bear’s chin.

“I’m pretty messy, and I like doing my own thing,” Delaney says.

Delaney, who loves to cook with her mom, Shannon, says her favorite recipe to bake are butter horns those for the bake-off next year.

“We won’t enter that because we don’t want to the recipe to be shared,” Scott says.

“It’s a family secret,” Delaney adds.

Delaney said she is already making plans to enter All she’ll divulge is that next year her ingredients will include peanut butter and jelly, and she’ll be using a recipe from her dad’s side of the family.

When Delaney isn’t in the kitchen, she’s probably practicing dance or the cello. She is also a yellow belt in karate and recently performed in the “Best Christmas Pageant Ever” at the Chief Theater, where her dad serves as executive director.

— Lisa Schlichtman

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2015 Steamboat Holiday

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BeSt preSentation

Lily Wingard

You’d better plan to join Manic Training if you live in the Wingard household. You’ll need some way to burn off the calories concocted by 6-year-old cake-maker Lily Wingard, who, for the second year in a row, stole the Best Presentation award at this year’s Holiday Bake-off.

One look at her Chocolate Candy Cane Cake shows why. Its top is adorned with an ornamented, edible Christmas tree, surrounded by multi-colored, ribboned presents made of edible and moldable fondant. Even brighter presents — fondant rolled out with a rolling pin and cut into shape with a knife — are plastered onto the cake’s base, making the creation as Christmasy as the households in Whoville.

In all, young Lily spent two and a half hours on the decoration, says mother Leneh Wingard.

The creation is as edible as it is eye-pleasing — a chocolate cake with vanilla butter cream frosting with crushed-up candy canes.

“She likes to search Pinterest for ideas and keeps a running tally of all the cakes she loves,” Leneh says. “Then she adds her own touches; she came up with the candy cane idea herself.”

All this earned her instant, mouth-watering accolades from this year’s judges.

“For a 6-year-old, it was awesome,” says judge Marilyn Jardon.

“She’s very artsy and pretty much ran away with it. It was an overthe-top presentation.”

Leneh adds that Lily’s been helping her bake since Lily was just 2 own.

“She just loves it, especially cake decorating,” Leneh says. “And she looks forward to the Holiday Bake-off all year. Some kids look forward to their birthdays, but Lily looks forward to the cake contest.”

Lily makes about one cake per month, usually centered around such design themes as the Superbowl, St. Patrick’s Day and Thanksgiving. All this cake could affect the Wingards’ waistlines, but they’re wary.

“We try to only let her bake when there’s a way to get rid of it afterward, like taking it to a party,” Leneh says. “We just can’t have that much cake laying around the house all the time.”

Alas, they’re soon to get even more, and Lily is soon to get some friendly family competition. At age 3, Lily’s little sister, Emma, is now also helping mom bake, with plans to enter next year’s contest as well.

— Eugene Buchanan

Letters to Santa STEAMBOAT SPRINGS

Give the Gift of Cinema with a

Hey kids! You can send a letter to Santa this year.

Just fill in the letter below and drop it off at one of the businesses listed at the bottom. Make sure you drop off your letter by Monday, Dec. 21. Your letter will be published in the Steamboat Today newspaper on Dec. 25.

Dear Santa Claus, My name is ___________________________________

RELOADABLE GIFT CARDS STARTING AT JUST $10 Birthdays irthdays | Holidays | Stocking Stuffers | Bonuses for Employees mployees Gift Cards are always available at the Wildhorse Box Office & Online

You Can $ave Every Week At The Wildhorse!

'Like Us' Metropolitan Theatres | Print At Home Discount Admission

Mt. Werner Road & US Hwy 40 | 870.8222 | www.metrotheatres.com

_______________________________________________ I am ____________________ years old.

My Christmas wishes are _____________________ _______________________________________________ Tell Mrs. Claus and your elves ________________

I promise to leave you ________________________

SKI TOWN SHENANIGANS

______________________________________________

Looking for a unique gift?

SKI TOWN shenanigans

______________________________________________ on Christmas Eve.

Love,

______________________________ Drop off your letter at the Santa House at 6th & Lincoln or at the Steamboat Pilot at 1901 Curve Plaza.

(Letters will be published in the Steamboat Today newspaper on Christmas Day.)

2015 Steamboat Holiday

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Great for gifts and stocking stuffers. Gift cards also available for everyone on your list!

Come experience for yourself.

Try before you buy!

Open 10-5 Mon - Sat Open 11-4 Sun 24 5th Street | 970.848.7944 | www.ranch-organics.com 10

2015 Steamboat Holiday

Guide

Dutch Apple pie

Dutch AlmonD cAke

Ingredients: Crust:

Ingredients: 3/4 cup sugar 1 egg 1 stick butter, softened

By Steven Spalty

200 grams softened butter 175 grams sugar Little salt (or salted butter instead) 2/3 of beaten egg, set the rest aside Slaps of lemon juice Filling: 4 apples, not too big 100 grams sugar 3 teaspoon cinnamon 50 grams raisins optional 50 grams peeled almonds optional Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Use extra butter to grease springform pie pan. egg and splash of lemon juice and mix. Add butter, cut into small cubes and knead.

Thinly slice the apples and cut into small triangles. Add cinnamon and sugar and optional ingredients. Mix. Save 1/3 dough for top. Flatten the rest and put in bottom of pan. Push it up to the sides so the bottom is even and poke some holes in the bottom and leave a good pocket around the sides in the sides well and make a nice little mound.

Break up remaining dough into about three sec-

but you don’t want the middle too thick. Use the last one to make a big long one to go all the way down the top Bake about 75 minutes.

Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

toFFee bArs

By Delaney Parker

Ingredients: 1 cup dark brown sugar 1 egg 1 cup butter 1 teaspoon vanilla Pinch salt 12 ounce chocolate Chopped nuts Instructions: Cream butter and sugar, add egg and vanilla. pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

After baking, spread chocolate on top. Sprinkle with nuts, and after cooling, cut into bars.

By Sue Alexander

1 heaping tablespoon starter (below) 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 cup sliced almonds 1 teaspoon lemon extract 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 eggs 1/4 cup plain bread crumbs 2/3 cup sugar 14 ounces almond paste Instructions: Mix ingredients well and store tightly covered in refrigerator for up to six months.

Mix all ingredients for the cake. The batter will be thick so wet a spoon to spread it evenly in an 8-inch round cake pan lined with parchment paper. Spread the almonds on top with the wet spoon. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from pan when cool. Do NOT heat in the microwave as the cake will burn easily. It is best served slightly warmed.

(This doubles nicely as a breakfast coffee cake!)

chocolAte cAnDy cAne cAke

By Lily Wingard

Ingredients: Mix well: 3 eggs 1 3/4 cups sugar 2 tablespoons butter 1 1/3 cups vegetable oil 1 teaspoon vanilla 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 cup sour cream In another bowl sift: 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt

GAbe’s FAve mini Dulce De leche pumpkin cheesecAke

By Catherine Kurtz

Ingredients: 12 ginger snap cookies 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 (13.5-ounce) can dulce de leche 2 large eggs, room temperature 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves 1/8 teaspoon allspice 1/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup pumpkin puree Optional: Chopped, spiced candied pecans Instructions: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat cupcake liners. Place cookies in cupcake liners.

With electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat Gradually beat in 1/2 cup dulce de leche, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary until incorporated. Add eggs one at a time and beat until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Add spices and pumpkin puree.

Continue to mix until thoroughly combined.

Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners on top of ginger cookies. Bake until set, about 20 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes. Refrigerate until set, about one hour or overnight.

Before serving, warm remaining dulce de leche in microwave until thinned slightly, about 15 seconds. Spread a couple of teaspoons over the tops of cheesecakes. If desired, top with chopped spiced pecans. Serve.

DelectAbAlls

By Cathy Johnson and Chris Johnson Ingredients: Filling: 1-3/4 cups mashed pretzels 1/2 cup melted butter 3 cups powdered sugar 3/4 cup peanut butter Coating: 16 ounce chocolate chips

Instructions: Pour the wet mix into the dry one and mix well.

Then fold in 1 cup boiling water.

White chocolate chips

Bake at 350 degrees until knife comes out clean.

helpful) until all sugar and pretzels are combined.

Roll into balls. Make the balls smaller than you think; they’re very rich and will get bigger once you dip them. Chill for a few hours. If mixture is

Frosting: Beat 1 cup unsalted butter until soft and light.

Add 1 teaspoon vanilla, add 2 tablespoons milk and then slowly add powdered sugar until frosting is the correct consistency (about 3.5 cups).

Crush up candy canes and fold into the frosting and frost cake.

More 2015 Holiday Bake-off recipes available at ExploreSteamboat.com

Instructions:

Melt wax thoroughly in double boiler (very thoroughly — do not add chocolate until wax is completely liquid), then add chocolate, melt and stir. Drop balls two to three at a time and place on wax paper. Chill. Melt white chocolate chips, drizzle over balls to decorate. Chill and eat!

2015 Steamboat Holiday

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SPONSORED CONTENT

ExtrEmE PowEr SPortS Thanks to rolling terrain, vast public lands and world-class snowfall, Steamboat offers some of the best snowmobiling in the country. And when the area’s riders need new gear or repairs, they head to Extreme Power Sports, a small shop on River Road which has been serving Routt County’s snowmobile needs for more than two decades.

For owner Gary Eubank, the third generation in Routt County and second generation in the snowmobile business, it’s a true family affair. After his father ran a snowmobile shop out of the same location in the 1960s and ‘70s, Eubank started Extreme Power Sports with his brother, Terry, in 1994. They’ve been a full line Arctic Cat dealer ever since, with their primary business snowmobile sales, service and repair.

“We’ve seen some dramatic changes in snowmobile technology over the years, from reliability to suspension and horsepower,” he says.

Carrying such products as Arctic Cat

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2015 Steamboat Holiday

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snowmobiles; ATVs; side-by-sides; Beta, AJP and Husaberg dirt bikes; Genuine Scooter and more, he prides himself on carrying everything area snowmobilers need. “We know and use all the brands we sell and stand behind them with complete service and support,” he says. “Our goal is to have every customer riding every weekend.”

The store carries all major factory replacement parts as well as aftermarket performance parts and accessories, and a full line of apparel from most major brands, including MotorFist, FXR and Arcticwear, and a full line of helmets, accessories and more. Can’t visit in person? Check out its online store for a smorgasbord of snowmobile gear.

An active member of Routt Powder Riders, a local snowmobile club that recently expanded three snowmobile parking lots on Rabbit Ears Pass, Eubank is also more than happy to share his knowledge on snowmobiles and everything from local conditions to the best places to ride.

300 River Road, (970) 879-9175 www.extremepowersports.net

Gear

outdoor 11 perfect gifts that keep Christmas giving local

By Eugene Buchanan

Hala gEar HoSS BT

For an uber-friendly family SUP for the Yampa or local lakes, it doesn’t get much better than the Hoss BT. Its 11-foot length, 35-inch width and six-inch thickness offer stability and agility wherever your strokes take you. One of Hala’s most versatile, all-around boards, it’s great for lakes, rivers, light white-

riders (including your dog) and more. Built with the industry’s toughest drop-stitch technology, it comes with a full-length traction pad, raised stomp pad, nine D-rings for rigging, removable, $1,399, halagear.com

Talon grIpS grIpSTEr coaSTEr If it works for guns, it’ll work for coffee cups.

That’s the theory behind Talon Grips’ new Gripster, a mixture of a patented Talon grip and coaster 20- and 30-ounce YETI Ramblers. $4.99 (twopack), talongrips.com

pHonE puffy

Keep your phone warm and extend its battery life with the new Phone Puffy, made right here in the insulated, polyester phone purse keeps batteries operating all day, prolonging everything from tunes to skiing apps while you’re out on the slopes. $19.99, phonepuffy.com

poInT6 coolrado Sock

For skiers and riders, Point6‘s Coolrado Sky High is an ultra light sock with a minimalist design all boots. Made from 67 percent wool, 28 percent nylon and 5 percent spandex, it comes with achilles and arch braces to secure it in place and temperature-regulating merino keeps your feet dry. Bonus: graphics inspired by Colorado’s mountain culture and a lifetime guarantee. $20.95, point6.com

SpIffy dog cHrISTMaS collar

Like its other awardwinning Air Collars, this Christmas version is made of lightweight, breathable mesh that dries quickly, breathes, reduces odor and is washable. $15.99, spiffydog.com

continued on page 14 2015 Steamboat Holiday

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Gear

outdoor

WalTon’S THuMB MulTI-Tool

Invented in the early ‘70s

by Hank Roberts and now resurrected by Steamboat’s Creek Company, it features 10 functions: four lever-operated, including pincer, cutter, crimper and split shot remover; and six folding, including knife, screwdriver, split ring remover, scissors, hook eye cleaner/knot pick and lanyard ring. Made of stainless steel, it can hang from a vest or be stored in a pocket. $39.99, creekcompany.com

MooTS rouTT 45

Designed for rough roads and two track, the Routt 45 handles mixed terrain with pedaling aplomb, accommodating 23mm skinny tires up to 45mm knobbies. It’s hand built in Steamboat with 3/2.5 Pi Tech titanium tubing with 45cm chain stays for clearance; a lowerthreaded bracket for road feel; 44mm head tube for tapered fork; top tube cable routing; disc brakes; and more.

It’s available in custom and seven stock sizes (50 to 60 cm), with options including S&S couplers, internal electronic cable routing, fender eyelets, third water bottle mount, rack eyelets, pump pegs and slider dropouts. $8,979 (with porcelain rocket bags), moots.com

HElInoX caMp cHaIr

Want to win the camp chair envy game? Get your loved one the Helinox, a lightweight buttpiece offering back and neck support. Light enough at just 1.9 pounds to bring hiking, backpackits single, shock-corded pole design makes set-up a snap. $139, bigagnes.com

DON’T FORGET YOUR FLUFFY, FURRY FAMILY & FRIENDS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

F in d u s on F ace book!

+ + www.pawsnclawssteamboat.com 14

2015 Steamboat Holiday

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cogMa BIkEWEar lEaH cyclIng Top

Designed and tested on Steamboat’s trails, Cogma’s clothing is designed for riding and relaxing. Made from high-performance, eco-friendly compressive bodice fabric from Italy, the women’s Leah comes with a zipper front, back pocket for to ride hard “while showing their girly side.� $85, cogmabikewear.com

SMarTWool propulSIon JackET

BIg agnES farnSWorTH HoodEd JackET

Available in men’s and women’s versions, the Propulsion is great for the slopes and perfect for Slopeside afterward. Built for function and fashion, it carries Smartloft wool up front for warmth and equal parts knitted merino and polypro joining 8 percent Elastane on the sleeves and back

Designed for when Old Man Winter blows into the Yampa Valley, the Farnsworth is a lightweight, synthetic hoodie insulated with Pinneco Core™, a

ish keeps breezes at bay while a plush 56-percent merino lining provides apres-like coziness. $200, smartwool.com

slanted-quilt design to decrease bulk and allow for layering underneath. $199.95, bigagnes.com

Thank you, Steamboat Springs, for supporting your local independent bookstore & coffeehouse VISIT OFF THE BEATEN PATH FOR: Hand-selected inventory of adult and children’s books Puzzles and games Unique gifts Gently used books Bakery with gluten-free options Coffee drinks made with Colorado-roasted coffeeÂ

970-879-6830

www.steamboatbooks.com

2015 Steamboat Holiday

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2015 Steamboat Holiday

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Tþadi tions Holiday

“our family tradition is to go to rabbit ears and sneak up on a christmas tree. you have to be vewy, vewy quiet. We try to improve the gene pool by hunting

— kris hammond, steamboat springs

“We always make eggs benedict on christmas morning then everyone opens their stockings. in the late morning, we have a snowy adventure (snowshoeing or crosscountry skiing) and open presents when we get back in the evening. this year, we have a brandnew baby, and we’re looking forward to creating new traditions with him.”

— beth and Will melton, hayden

“my favorite holiday tradition is really just getting together with friends, enjoying a good meal, playing games and laughing. A lot of people in steamboat have to work through the holidays or don’t have family near by, so it’s fun to make new traditions, celebrating the holidays with friends.”

“each year we create a little snowman village that we make in our living room. it even has trains that we set up around the village and house. over the years we’ve just collected lots of little buildings and snowmen at craft fairs and make little towns out of it. We’ve been doing it for a long time, and i guess it comes from our childhood. We both had trains around the christmas tree when we were growing up. We’ve also been inspired by things like displays in department stores and some stores here in steamboat even. but we also like to do a lot of cooking at christmas and get together with friends, have great meals, drink wine and sing.”

— Arty smith, steamboat springs

“As soon as we wake up, the kids can open all of santa’s gifts. they can play with their stuff while we eat breakfast and get ready for skiing. We ski most of the day then return home and have a big dinner with any family that’s in town. After dinner is over and cleaned up (phew!), we open the gifts from family and each other.”

— Gretchen van De carr, steamboat springs

“the lukens family christmas always involves plenty of food, family and fun. Decorating christmas cookies is a favorite family activity. they aren’t pretty but they taste good to us. the christmas eve service at the united methodist church kicks off the evening. being in radio, our family likes to contribute by reading the christmas bible passages at the 5 p.m. service. We enjoy dinner with friends and then go home to see what animals are in our yard. one year, it was a family of bears in the crabapple tree. Another year, a trio of moose were peeking in our windows christmas morning. before going to bed christmas eve, the kids take jumping pictures in front of the tree, to see who can jump the highest and make the craziest faces. no one is quite sure how this tradition started. We spend christmas morning together opening presents and then getting ready for skiing. We’re out the door and headed to the mountain no earlier than noon, where we typically see other large families in town, just getting to the gondola at about the same time. christmas dinner is a delicious swiss raclette with the family.”

— shannon lukens, steamboat springs 2015 Steamboat Holiday

Guide

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merry+bþight making tHe HolidayS

December

19 vISIT WITH SanTa

Kids of all ages have a chance to visit Santa each Saturday in December leading up to Christmas. Don’t forget to snap a photo to capture that special moment in time to send to relatives. This year, the Santa Hut has moved from the lawn of the Routt County Courthouse to a new location across Lincoln Avenue.

11 A.m. to 2 p.m., sAturDAy, Dec. 19 in betWeen kAli’s boutique AnD bAnk oF the West.

December

20 STEaMBoaT HolIday fESTIval

Come to Gondola Square and celebrate the holiday season Steamboat style. See Santa ride down the slopes on horseback and meet him at his workshop along with some of his favorite reindeer friends. Participate in the stocking scramble and collect free holiday treats at surrounding stores and restaurants.

Additional festivities include cookie decorating and a special holiday concert. The party continues after dark with a torch light parade

10 Top pIckS for HolIday acTIvITIES Compiled by Audrey Dwyer

December

22 Strings Music Festival presents Tomáseen Foley’s “A Celtic Christmas.” The concert features Foley, a native Irish storyteller, who has been called the “Irish equivalent of Garrison Keillor.” Foley will be joined by his ensemble of world-class Celtic musicians, traditional Irish dancers and singers.

7 p.m., tuesDAy, Dec. 22 At strinGs music pAvilion, 900 strinGs roAD. tickets stArt At $40.

2 p.m., sunDAy, Dec. 20 At GonDolA bAse.

December

23 a HolIday claSSIc

Take a break from the slopes to catch a showing of the holiday classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the Chief Theater just a few perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.

8 p.m., WeDnesDAy, Dec. 23 At chieF theAter, 813 lincoln Ave. Free.

kiDs cAn visit With sAntA every sAturDAy throuGh christmAs At his sAntA house Across From the routt county courthouse on lincoln Avenue.

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continued on page 20

Spirited downhill runs on the mountain.

A quiet glide through snow filled meadows on cross country skis.

Family and friends on snowshoes and all the neighborhood dogs romping together as twilight fills the valley.

Sleigh bells softly ringing in the distance...

Enjoy time with the family. Moments are precious.

Fill your days with them.

Remember old friends and make new friends, too.

Good friends are the best gift you can give yourself.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & Happy New Year from our family to yours.

879.0385 t 0QFO &WFSZ %BZ t )JHIXBZ BOE 1JOF (SPWF 3PBE t XXX TLJIBVTTUFBNCPBU DPN

Arctic Liquors, located just west of town next to Ace Hardware, is your hometown liquor store. Come to Arctic Liquors for friendly service and a great selection of beer, wine and spirits.

Owners Mark and Mimi want to remind you of the Arctic Rebate Program.

5% back on all purchases - No Restrictions!

FEEL HE AR IC IN UR HUGE N

' , #& -*. $ 2 0, ,' 3 -& 1 & + 1 3 "-*+ 1 ,-* 1 #*+, $#)-'* +,'* '& 1'-* *#!", + 1'- *#. *'% ," #*('*, ,' ,'/& 3 ( & -&,#$ % '& -& 1+ 2015 Steamboat Holiday

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merry+bþight making tHe HolidayS

throuGhout

December Gift bazaars are a Steamboat Springs the character of those who live and work in the Yampa Valley. A special boutique-style exhibit “Gift” is on display at the Depot Art Center and it features ornaments, note cards, scarves, paintings and other handmade gifts.

5 to 8 p.m., throuGhout December At Depot Art center, 1001 13th st.

December

31 rIng In THE nEW yEar

Fireworks and torchlight parades are a signature event for Steamboat Ski Area.

Instructors with the Steamboat Ski and Snowboard School provide a snow parade carrying torches down Mount Werner with an shortly after.

5:20 p.m., thursDAy, Dec. 31 in GonDolA squAre.

FebruAry

3-7 Mark your calEndar

Steamboat’s Winter Carnival is celebrating

worth attending. This annual winter tradition features street events, a parade, ski jooring, times vAry With events, Feb. 3 to 7, vArious locAtions in steAmboAt sprinGs.

All winter TuBIng

boat Springs Winter Sports Club. Ride up the Magic Carpet and tube to your heart’s content near the base of the Nordic jumps, before retiring to the Howelsen lodge for hot chocolate and warm cookies.

You can also careen down Saddleback Ranch’s Yee-Haw Tubing Hill 15 minutes out of town, complete with its own tow lift. Warm up in the Longhorn Warming Lodge after your outdoor adventure. hoWelsen: reservAtions requireD For hour-lonG sessions: 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. (closeD monDAys) sADDlebAck rAnch: 1.5-hour-lonG sessions, shuttle pick-ups At mount Werner trAnsit center: 10 A.m., 1:15 p.m. AnD 4:30 p.m. closeD tuesDAys eXcept For Dec. 29. some holiDAy closures. inFo: steAmboAt.com/Winter/Winter-Activities

SlEIgH rIdE

Dash through the snow on a winter sleigh ride with friends and family. At the resort, ride a sleigh behind a snowcat from the top of and holidays); or take a horse-drawn sleigh ride before or after dinner at Haymaker Golf Course. Elsewhere: 8,000-acre Saddleback Ranch offers a 40-minute dinner ride to the Double Dollar Lodge (a shorter ride circles the ranch’s Longhorn Lodge); Elk River Guest Ranch offers a horse-drawn sleigh ride to a candlelit teepee dinner, with a shuttle to and from town; and Hahn’s Peak Roadhouse offers a sleigh ride to and from their lodge on Routt County Road 129, beneath snowcapped Farwell Mountain and Hahn’s Peak. inFo: steAmboAt.com/Winter/Winter-Activities 20

2015 Steamboat Holiday

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kiDs oF All AGes love to tube on hoWelsen hill. photo by Joel reichenberGer

IcE SkaTE

Fun for the whole family, Howelsen Hill Ice Arena features an Olympic-size sheet of ice where you can unleash your inner Apolo Ohno, Dorothy Hamill or even Wayne Gretzky. Unsure of yourself? Sharpen your skills with a lesson. For the kids, it also offers bumper cars on ice and its Rock On Ice program, where kids can skate to music under a disco ball. If you’re lucky, your visit might also coincide with a local game.

285 hoWelsen pArkWAy. (DoWntoWn steAmboAt sprinGs); cAll 970-871-7033 For public skAtinG, Drop-in hockey AnD bumper cAr times.

TAKE THE PLEDGE AT: www.iShopSteamboat.com Then pick up your “I Shop Steamboat” button at any participating business or organization.

2015 Steamboat Holiday

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suZy AnD henry mAGill use A sleD to move the FAmily christmAs tree From Where it WAs cut on Gore pAss to the FAmily cAr, Which WAs pArkeD neArby. photo by John F. russell

In search of the perfect tree cHrISTMaS TrEE-cuTTIng TradITIonS THrougH gEnEraTIonS Even at 19 degrees, wearing down jackets atop two layers of long johns and trudging through deep snow near Rabbit Ears Pass, 9-year-old Alena Rossi and her younger sister, 7-year-old Shea, were excited to be outside on a family Christmas The fun part of the recent fall day was playing in the snow with two dogs and nine extended family members across three generations.

“We were playing maniac crash people in the snow. It was cold but pretty,” said Shea, sure to add that her “grandmom” didn’t roll in the snow but that they did see baby bunny tracks.

Mom Liza Rossi, a wildlife biologist with Colorado Parks & Wildlife, said there was probably too much family laughter to see any animals larger than birds – her conservation focus. The family traveled on snow22

2015 Steamboat Holiday

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shoes, cross-country skis or in heavy boots, and the trees were pulled out on sleds.

“It’s always really fun,” said Liza, who has been cutting a family Christmas tree locally for 14 years. “It is something noncommercial about the holiday. You go out to have an adventure in the woods for kind of a treasure hunt because you never know For many local families, buying a $10 Christmas tree cutting permit from the local U.S. Forest Service ranger district and heading to the woods for a holiday evergreen is an annual tradition and a non-negotiable time for the family to be together.

Parents often continue the custom their parents started with them decades earlier.

Steamboat Springs restaurant owners Lynne Romeo and her husband, Massimo Erspamer, started cutting a Christmas tree as a family outing when their two sons were

in elementary school. The family has memories of teasing, laughing, sledding and trying to push mom in the snow. They have discovered gargantuan aspen trees and a bear’s den with paw prints leading out.

“It’s one of the best days together,” Romeo said. “It’s just a really special day for us to go up as a family especially as they (our sons) get older.”

The family recently repeated their 14year tradition in the woods north of Hahn’s Peak. The tables are turned now as the strapping college-age boys break trail for their parents.

Local families have cut trees in heavy snowfall and winds or at zero degrees.

Romeo said last year their outing took place during a huge storm with thigh deep power, so they did not trudge too far into the forest.

The Forest Service provides a lengthy

steAmboAt sprinGs FAmily lynne romeo, mAssimo erspAmer AnD sons mirko, 22, Front leFt, AnD GAbri erspAmer, 20, hAve been cuttinG A christmAs tree As A Fun FAmily outinG For 14 yeArs. courtesy photo list of safety suggestions with each permit, and information is available online at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/mbr/christmastrees. Some of the rules include: choose a tree growing with other trees in a cluster and leave the “perfect” trees to grow; check maps to make sure cutting is on national forest land; avoid beetle-killed tree areas on high wind days; do not cut trees greater than 20 feet tall; and do not cut within 100 feet of any road or trail or within 200 feet of any developed areas such as overlooks or campgrounds.

This year, Romeo said, her family went out on a “beautiful, blue sky day.”

“It was Monday, so nobody was up there. So we feel like we had the forest to ourselves,” said Romeo, who remembers her mom bundling up the kids and packing a big box lunch with lots of hot chocolate and marshmallows for tree-cutting

outings when Romeo was a teen.

Although state and federal agencies are part of the local ReTree effort to plant new trees in targeted, sparse areas, the Christmas tree-cutting permits are issued for areas where tree thinning is needed.

“It actually can be a good thing to thin some of the trees to make the other trees healthier in the long term by reducing the competition for nutrients, water and sunlight,” biologist Rossi explained.

“High in the National Forest trees grow naturally with sunlight, snowfall and rain, and nutrients provided by the ecosystem.

These trees are sustainably produced as opposed to some trees grown on tree farms that often take a bunch of added water and nutrients, and then are driven long distances to be sold.”

Mirko Erspamer, 22, said the tree cutting and decorating day is a good way for

They look for a six-foot evergreen with sturdy branches to hold ornaments. They bring home any surplus boughs to make wreathes. Erspamer said he enjoys the mountain scenery and hiking around for a Back safely at home, the families have the key task of keeping the cut tree stable in a holder. Then they begin the annual tradition of remembering past Christmas times by going through years of collected ornaments.

An important note, some areas of the forest, including Wilderness areas on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, are off limits to tree cutting. Make sure to gather complete information from the boat Springs, Yampa or Walden.

— Suzie Romig 2015 Steamboat Holiday

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23

Santa Claus

IS coMIng To ToWn

aT doak WalkEr

curTIS canfIEld and rydEn THoMaS

aT HoWElSEn HIll

Brady rEck

dElanEy and vEronIka parkEr

aT gondola SquarE MarcI, cHrISTI, ZacH and ToM valIcEnTI

HEIdI, HunTEr and HEvEn SnoW

alIvIa and Taylor nunHaM

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2015 Steamboat Holiday

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aT THE coMMunITy cHrISTMaS dInnEr

carolInE and gavIn WITTlIngEr

fISHIng and STandup paddlEBoardIng

SIlaS MorrISon

SanTa SkI By Mark BarounoS

SanTa SkIIng

aT doak WalkEr

paT and HugH nEIlSon

SHarE your

Photos

caSEy BucHanan

EugEnE BucHanan cHEckS SanTa

Share your photos with Santa for possible inclusion in the 2016 Holiday Guide. Email your photos, with names of those pictured, to editor@SteamboatToday.com.

2015 Steamboat Holiday

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Gift giving WITH lESS STuff +MorE

giftS tHat keep on giving When it comes to environmentally-sensitive holiday gift giving, Council believe in staying local and creating memories.

YVSC program director Andy Kennedy said she and her nieces had a great time together last Christmas spending their aunt’s YVSC employee Larisa Woycio, a graduate of the sustainability program at Colorado Mountain College, suggests buying a some memorable winter exploration. She is also partial to the snow tubing hill at Saddleback Ranch, which also provides the environmentally sound transportation option of a shuttle bus from Steamboat Springs.

a night of babysitting or a night out at a local music event is thoughtful too.

Anne Mudgett, Yampatika development director, suggests gifts that keep on giving and help loved ones reduce their resource consumption all year long such as a reusable water bottle or coffee mug, bike tune-up or compost bin

Don’t forget to wrap those re-gifted, sustainable or memorycreating gifts in recyclable comics or a reusable grocery shopping bag. re-gifting tHe rigHt way Is re-gifting a past, unused present okay?

“Of course it is,” nationally syndicated his website. “You might not believe it, but that’s one of the most often-asked Christmas giving questions we receive. You’re trying to save money and pay down debt, and you have this unopened vase from last Christmas sitting around your house collecting dust.”

Ramsey offers 10 rules of re-gifting at his website www.daveramsey.com/blog/10rules-of-regifting including “don’t re-gift gifts from meaningful people.”

“The gift should make sense. While regifting is a great way to save money and declutter, don’t re-gift something for the sake of re-gifting it,” according to Ramsey.

The ultimate in re-gifting locally can practical and desirable items that already have been gifted to local thrift stores.

Recently, a school teacher checked out with an armful of like-new Ty Beanie Babies for 75 cents each from the LiftUp Community Thrift Store. She knew her young students would love them, and she could avoid giving out too much candy as holiday treats.

Last, don’t forget to wrap those re-gifted, sustainable or memory-creating gifts in recyclable comics or a reusable grocery shopping bag.

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2015 Steamboat Holiday

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and talents ranging from calligraphy to cooking and snow shoveling to computer help.

Also a fan of giving of her talents, YVSC Executive Director Sarah Jones plans to make time in her packed volunteer schedule to unwind by baking some homemade goodies to put inside reusable glass or tin containers that can be used to pack lunches later.

fund tHe Social environment The three pillars of sustainability are environmental, social and economic so donating to a worthwhile social and economic development cause is a good choice.

Yampa Valley Recycles advisor Catherine Carson said she through micro-loans to help alleviate poverty. Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world for those without access to traditional banking.

“It really is the gift that keeps on giving,” Carson said. “My able to loan to two more Kiva individuals. The cool thing is when these two loans are repaid, he can continue to invest and loan to other Kiva participants. He researched the Kiva opportunities and made the loan decisions by himself.”

Animal-lover Carson also recommends getting a group together to be a kennel sponsor to help care for animals at the Routt County Humane Society. The third-grade class from South Routt Elementary chose that a few years ago.

Gifting to the hunger and poverty charity Heifer International is a favorite Christmas present for Laurie Edwards, the pastoral associate and eco-ministry team helper at United Methodist Church of Steamboat Springs. Heifer International provides the opportunity to give live animals raised in the same region to impoverished families around the world.

“We routinely donate to Heifer International in lieu of gift exchange with several family members,” Edwards said. “We also opt more toward gifts of an experience rather than an item.”

Many locals like to support the environmentally positive local Agricultural Alliance Market ( www.caamarket.org), which includes everything from Elkstone Farm Ginger Zest Tea to fresh eggs from free-range ducks to red wiggler worms to use in a worm factory or compost pile.

YVSC staffer Cameron Hawkins said she believes donating to a community-based organization makes an impact. Hawkins recently spent 14 months in Jamkhed, India, working on a demonstration farm with the Comprehensive Rural Health Project.

— Suzie Romig

the 12 Days OF ChristMas 1

12/13

2

3

12/14

12/15

4

5

12/16

12/17

6

12/18

10% OFF

20% OFF

15% OFF

20% OFF

30% OFF

20% OFF

One Mattress & Free Bed in a Bag

two Lamps

any Mirror

any Pillow or Bedding item

any Jewelry

anything with an animal on it

7

12/19

8

9

12/20

12/21

10

11

12/22

12/23

10% OFF

20% OFF

20% OFF

20% OFF

40% OFF

any Upholstery item

artwork

anything you can Drink out of

any tchotchke

any Ornament

12

12/24

any one Deal from above list

4IJFME %SJWF CFIJOE UIF 1JMPU BOE 5PEBZ .PO 4BU 4VO t TUFBNCPBUNPYJF DPN t

THE PLACE FOR LOCALLY MADE GIFTS & GOURMET ITEMS

&$ & %! # ) 0 & &# * ) 0 ( %&# 0 & ) 0 & )* +*) 0 % $ () $ ##&-)

0 , !%* ( ) +**!% & ( ) 0 % (*!% ) )! % + (!% 0 - *-&& **# &$' %/ 0 * $ & * & 0 ! ( !.!% ) 0 + % & * &- &#! &*!&% () 0 $' ## / + &$' %/ 0 #")*&% ($ ) $) ##! ) & ( *) % & &+() *& (&+% &+* /&+( %* (* !%!% Cheeses from our cheese case, Lucero Balsamic Vinegar & Infused Olive Oils, Fresh Baked Bread from Smell That Bread Bakery, Fondue Pots filled with Cheese cut off the wheel, shelves of gourmet condiments, teas and goodies.

S

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Dec. 20th

CONCORDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH 755 Concordia Lane

(970) 879-0175 (Above High School off of Amethyst Dr.) www.steamboatlutheran.org Find us on Facebook: Concordia Lutheran Church-Steamboat Springs

CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SCHEDULE Christmas Eve Candlelight Services 3:30pm (Great for families/over before dark)

5:00 pm — Lessons and Carols; childcare available for up to 5 years old. Older children are welcome to join their family.

Dec. 24th

three services 5:00 pm — Holy Communion, choir, and childcare as above.

8:00 pm — Holy Communion, choir, and childcare as above.

11:00 pm — Holy Communion, music and carols, children are welcome to join in the service.

Dec. 25th

10:00 am — Holy Communion and Carols in the Old Stone Church

5:30pm, 7:30pm & 9:30pm (Holy Communion at 9:30pm) Christmas Day 9:00am Service with Holy Communion New Year’s Eve 7:00pm Special Service in Remembrance of Loved Ones St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

9TH & OAK STREETS, DOWNTOWN

879-0925

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2015 Steamboat Holiday

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www.steamboatstpauls.org

Let’s celebrate Christmas together in Steamboat

Christmas Eve Masses

Holy Name Catholic Church 524 Oak Street 970-879-0671 www.catholicsteamboat.org

4:00 pm at Holy Name Church 6:00 pm at Holy Name Church 6:00 pm at the Sheraton Hotel Ballroom at the Mt. Werner Ski Area 8:30 pm at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church – 400 S. Sharp Ave. in Oak Creek 10:30 pm at Holy Name Church

Christmas Day Masses 8:30 am at Holy Name Church 10:30 am at Holy Name Church

A complete listing of Christmas services will be provided in the Steamboat Today during the week of Dec. 21 and online at SteamboatToday.com ANCHOR WAY CHURCH 40650 Anchor Way, 970-879-7062. anchorway.com CHRIST COVENANT REFORMED CHURCH St. Paul Episcopal Church small chapel.

CHURCH OF CHRIST 1698 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-6670.

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 1155 Central Park Dr., 970-879-0220; 970-879-0224.

CONCORDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH 755 Concordia Lane, 970-879-0175. steamboatlutheran.org Christmas Eve: 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and with Holy Communion at 9:30 p.m.

Christmas Day: 9 a.m.

EUZOA BIBLE CHURCH 32305 R.C.R. 38 in Strawberry Park, 970-879-0123. euzoa.com

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH One mile north of U.S. Highway 40 on Elk River Road west of Steamboat, 970-879-1446 or 970-870-9583.

SK8 CHURCH 2851 Riverside Plaza No. 260, 970-846-0635. steamboatsk8church.com

SURROUNDING AREA

HOLY NAME CATHOLIC CHURCH 524 Oak St., 970-879-0671.

Christmas Eve: 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 10:30 p.m.

Christmas Day: 8:30 a.m.,10:30 a.m.

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Ninth and Oak streets, 970-879-0925.

HAYDEN CHURCH OF CHRIST 301 E. Jefferson, 970-276-7268.

STEAMBOAT BIBLE CHURCH Meets at Christian Heritage School in Heritage Park, 970-875-4444. steamboatfreechurch.com Christmas Eve: 6 p.m. at Olympian Hall.

MISSION OF GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH - Hayden Harvest Dr. and Cactus Street. 970-276-3111.

HAR MISHPACHA (970) 457-4270, www.harmishpacha.org NORTH ROUTT COMMUNITY CHURCH Meets at the North Routt Charter School, 630-346-8041.

ROMAN CATHOLIC AT THE SHERATON 2200 Village Inn Ct. Christmas Eve: 6 p.m.

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH 347 12th St., 970-871-4927.

STEAMBOAT CHRISTIAN CENTER The Log Church across from the Fairfield Inn on Hwy 40, 970-879-0063. www.steamboatchristian.com.

Christmas Eve: 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m. 7 p.m.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Eighth and Oak streets, 970-879-1290.

Christmas Eve: 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m.

VENUE CHURCH Meets at Chief Theater, 720-432-1590. venuechurch.

HAYDEN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH - UCC 202 E. Jefferson Ave., Hayden, 970-276-3510.

GRACE EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH WISCONSIN SYNOD 970-736-2491 or 970-638-4647.

SOUTH ROUTT BIBLE CHURCH - Oak Creek Highway 131, Oak Creek, 970-736-8422.

ST. MARTIN OF TOURS CATHOLIC CHURCH - Oak Creek Sharp and Williams, Oak Creek, 970-879-0671.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH - Yampa Yampa, 970-638-4622.

YAMPA BIBLE CHURCH 2015 Steamboat 970-638-4411.

Holiday Guide

29

SteamBoat’S

Yule log tradition

Glenn liGht FounD the yule loG DurinG his reGulAr JoG on his lunch breAk From his Job At moots. liGht neeDeD Just three clues to spot the treAsure in 2013. photo by ben inGersoll

S

Some people roast chestnuts. Some Christmas carol. Some take a sleigh ride.

But perhaps the most unusual holiday tradition for a smattering of sleuthing Steamboat Springs locals is hunting for a buried log.

This year marks the 36th annual Yule Log Hunt, sponsored by the Tread of Pioneers Museum and the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association.

With 10 clues published each weekday in the Steamboat Today newspaper and announced on local radio stations, the community scavenger hunt sends participants searching for a 25-pound yule log, carefully hidden somewhere inside city limits.

As well as bragging rights, the winner receive a $150 Steamboat Chamber gift um’s historical photo collection.

“It’s a great tradition for the community,” says local Laura Sankey, who found the of the hunt last year near the stagecoach display at the Steamboat Springs Chamber community treasure hunt is awesome, and it’s a great way to learn about our community and Steamboat’s history.”

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The clues are provided by the Tread of Pioneers Museum and are released each weekday, bringing participants closer to the location of the three-foot log. Participants are encouraged to decipher each clue rather than scour the city at random.

“While individual clues may reveal doesn’t mean that’s where the log is,” says Candice Bannister, executive director of the Tread of Pioneers Museum. “Each clue takes you on a journey toward the log’s ultimate hiding place. We want people to participate in the town’s history trivia.”

The hiding spot and clues are created by museum staff, with this year’s hunt beginning at the site of last year’s hiding place at the Steamboat Springs Chamber.

At least a portion of the yule log will be visible, and it will not be located on private property, inside a building or somewhere that charges a fee to enter. This year’s clues will run weekdays from Dec. 7 to Dec. 18.

“It’s a great event, and it’s gotten really popular,” says Bannister. “We get a lot of calls about it, from grade-school classes to families who have searched for it for the contest’s entire 36-year history.”

— Eugene Buchanan

in 2009, sue petrillo AnD her DAuGhter AnGie FounD the yule loG in the pArkinG lot oF the routt county Justice center. photo by mAtt stenslAnD

2015 Steamboat Holiday

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Make Your Holiday Shopping Easy STEAMBOAT

HARDWARE Gifts for the kitchen, bedroom and bath Christmas Lights and Trees Toys, Puzzles and sleds Coffee makers and Candles Wreathes and Holiday Decor Grills Power tools & more 32

2155Holiday CurveGuide Plaza | Steamboat Springs, CO | 970.879.8014 | Mon - Fri 7:00 - 8 :00 | Sat 8 :00 - 5:30 | Sun 9:00 - 5:00 | 2015 Steamboat