Elevation Outdoors November 2017

DEL NORTE TRAILS | RICKEY GATES’ AMAZING RUN | ADVENTURE KIDS NOVEMBER 2017

FREE!

GO OUTSIDE & PLAY

THE COLORADO

ISSUE How to live and play like you belong here

ELEVATIONOUTDOORS.COM

Readers’ Top Adventure Towns:

Winter Park, Eagle, Fruita

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CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2017 LDEN N AVE , GO .COM O T G IN H S TE 1313 WA 82 | BENTGA (303) 271 93

DEL NORTE EXPOSURE DOWN IN THE SAN LUIS VALLEY, A FORWARDTHINKING GROUP OF RIDERS IS BUILDING TRAILS. SEE PAGE 43. photo by Liam Doran

DEPARTMENTS

5 EDITOR’S LETTER Raising Colorado kids.

6 QUICK HITS

A farewell to Hayden and Inge, Nordic faves, Crested Butte beta and more...

10 FLASHPOINT

This is how the women of Coloado will create change in the outdoor world.

13 THE TRAIL

Download the free ViewRanger app and ski tour your heart out in Mayflower Gulch.

14 HOT SPOT

The four best mountains for in-bounds terrain that skis like the backcountry.

17 NUMEROLOGY

FEATURES

2O COLORADO’S TOP ADVENTURE TOWNS

The readers have spoken and annointed Winter Park, Eagle and Fruita the best spots in the state.

24 RICKEY GATES

The trail-running champ ran across the country just to talk to Americans.

27 KIDS’ ADVENTURE

It’s a slippery slope when you enter an adventure race with your progeny.

37 COLORADO GEAR

From cannabis coffee to a splitboard, this swag comes from local brands.

39 ATHLEISURE

Rock this performance apparel at work.

All the numbers a parent would want.

CO

41 HEAR THIS

Tune in to Colorado bands on the rise.

43 THE ROAD

Del Norte wants to become Colorado’s next big mountain town.

Want more?

FOR OVER

20 Y

E C N E I R E P X E E COM KI SHOP

Freeride crusher Rachel Croft tells all.

What happened to outdoor writers?

P O H S Y R T CKCOUN EARS

BA

19 STRAIGHT TALK

46 ELWAYVILLE

ATION

STIN E D S ’ O D LORA

*

ULL SERVICE S OTBE*DS F * & FO S * IT F T O O B M O T S U C * KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFFCL*INICS * RENESS A W A E H C N A L A V A E FRE

*

Catch up on past issues, your favorite bloggers and daily online content at ElevationOutdoors.com ON THE COVER: THIS HIPSTER COLORADO MOUNTAIN LION WOULD LOVE TO CHASE YOU THROUGH THE WOODS. ILLUSTRATION BY JEREMY COLLINS / JERCOLLINS.COM N OV E M B E R 2 017 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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CONTRIBUTORS

ElevationOutdoors.com EDITORIAL ED ITOR -IN -CH IEF

DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

doug@elevationoutdoors.com MAN AG IN G ED ITOR

BOULDER

The Bo ul de r T he ater Th ursd ay, N ov. 9 - S u n d ay, N ov. 12

DENVER

Th e Pa ra m o unt T he at re Th ursday, N ov. 1 6 - S at u rd ay, Nov. 18

CAMERON MARTINDELL

cameron@elevationoutdoors.com SEN IOR ED ITOR

CHRIS KASSAR

chris@elevationoutdoors.com

CON TRIBUTIN G ED ITORS

AARON BIBLE, ADAM CHASE, ROB COPPOLILLO, LIAM DORAN, JAMES DZIEZYNSKI, HUDSON LINDENBERGER, SONYA LOONEY, JAYME MOYE, TRACY ROSS, CHRIS VAN LEUVEN ED ITOR -AT-LARG E

PETER KRAY

C ON TRIBUTIN G WRITERS

PHILIP ARMOUR, JEFF BLUMENFELD, JEDD FERRIS, LILY KRASS, HELEN OLSSON, ALLISON PATTILLO, AVERY STONICH, TOM WINTER, MELANIE WONG ART + PRODUCTION A RT D IREC TOR

MEGAN JORDAN

megan@elevationoutdoors.com

SEN IOR D ESIG N ER

LAUREN WORTH

lauren@elevationoutdoors.com G RA PH IC D ESIG N ER

PAIGELEE CHANCELLOR

paigelee@elevationoutdoors.com

ADVERTISING + BUSINESS PRESID EN T

BLAKE DEMASO

blake@elevationoutdoors.com PU BLISH ER

ELIZABETH O’CONNELL

elizabeth@elevationoutdoors.com

SEN IOR AC C OU N T EXECUTIVE

MARTHA EVANS

martha@elevationoutdoors.com AC C OU N T EXECUTIVE

CONOR SEDMAK

PARKER

Wed n es d ay, Nov. 8

LAKEWOOD

Wed n es d ay, Nov. 1 5

LON ETREE

Mo n d ay, Nov. 2 0 - Wed n es d ay, Nov. 22 OFFERS FROM THE FOLLOWING RESORTS*

Eldora Mountain Resort, Steamboat, Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Winter Park Resort, Loveland Ski Area, Monarch Mountain Resort, Ski Cooper, Echo Mountain, Howelsen Hill Ski Resort, Mountain Collective, Solitude Mountain Resort *OFFERS MAY VARY BY SHOW

conor@elevationoutdoors.com BU SIN ESS MAN AG ER

MELISSA GESSLER

melissa@elevationoutdoors.com C IRC U LATION MA N AG ER

HANNAH COOPER

hcooper@elevationoutdoors.com

DIGITAL MEDIA ON LIN E D IR EC TOR

CRAIG SNODGRASS

craig@elevationoutdoors.com D IG ITAL MA N AG ER

TYRA SUTAK

tyra@elevationoutdoors.com E L EVATION OU T D O OR S M AGAZ I N E

2510 47th Street Unit 202 Boulder, Colorado 80301 (303) 449-1560 PU B L I SH ED BY

©2017 Summit Publishing, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Get Tickets Now // It’s Tradition!

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SUMMIT

PUBLISHING

11. 17

WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD TO LIVE IN COLORADO? DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

We lead from the front.

We value our public lands and see them as part of an inclusive future.

ELIZABETH O'CONNELL

There are many quality humans in this state and I'm proud to be friends with them.

CONOR SEDMAK

Coloradoans walk the walk, whether that means standing up in numbers for our values, or defending the worth of those who live here.

ALLISON PATTILLO

The go-to greeting in Colorado is “What have you been up to?”

It's a constant reminder that our entire state is an adventurer’s playground.

PHILIP ARMOUR

Coloradans seem deft at tackling tough environmental, fiscal and social issues, and crafting semi-balanced policies.

TYRA SUTAK

I’m surrounded by people dedicated to preserving this state's breathtaking beauty for generations to come.

CHRIS KASSAR

The strength and importance of community, especially in mountain towns.

AARON BIBLE

I've traveled all over the world, and from the weather to the weed and everything in between, there's no other place I would want to call home.

HELEN OLSSON I'm proud to hike on trails where I see people pick up trash and pull weeds.

ADAM CHASE

When I was applying for my first professional adventure race team, I had to explain why I was qualified. I said, “I grew up in Boulder.” I got the part.

RAISED IN COLORADO

by DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

I

t has finally come down to this: My kids can out-climb me. In the gym. I still think I could take them out on the rock where I have more experience and an adult presence of mind. And I think I could make a good showing at The Spot alongside them on the wall if only I had more time to get into a regular climbing routine every day. I hope.

Of course, I am damn proud of them. They took to climbing without my urging. They want to go and do it. And I have to thank EO contributing editor and climbing fanatic Chris Van Leuven for teaching them so much about the sport. When they go to The Spot and climb with Chris, they don’t just try to make competitive moves on the wall. They learn a lot about the history of the sport—and they are surrounded by some of the best climbers on the planet, with everyone from Bobbi Bensman to Paul Gagne stopping in for a workout and showing them the possibilities of a life beyond the institutional confines of what many adults grew up with.

This is just one of the reasons I am so glad that my wife and I choose to raise our FISH FACE children here.

KIERAN SCHNITZSPAHN HOLDS UP A SHINY As the editor of this magazine and someone who feels most at home in the wild, I certainly wanted my RAINBOW HE CAUGHT ON THE ELK RIVER NEAR kids to learn to love the outdoors and all the possible STEAMBOAT. A FRONT ways you can find solace and fulfilment out away from RANGE ANGLERS’ CAMP the limits of the anthropomorphic world—everything GAVE HIM TROUT FEVER. from competitive mountain biking to just sitting on a photo by DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN rock and engaging in what the Japanese call shinrinyoku, or “forest bathing.” But I did not want to push them. I did not want to become one of those parents forcing my kids to have the mountain-town upbringing they never got, or insisting my kids compete so hard at skiing or climbing that by the time they become adults they quit because it was something their parents made them do.

The real beauty of raising kids in Colorado is that I didn't have to make them love the outdoors and playing out in the wild at all. Colorado took care of that all on its own. They fell in love with hikes into the ponderosa forests and high outlooks of the Flatirons on the trails behind our house on their own. They found the joy of skiing through pockets of powder in tight trees on their own. My daughter, Isa, now in eighth grade, wanted to get out and raft the Grand Canyon on the Boulder Expeditions trip her school offered.

My son, Kieran, a fifth grader, found the same fascination in tying flies and catching trout that has captured me, my dad and my grandfather (and I am sure generations before us), not because we made him do it, but because he went to a Front Range Anglers’ camp and realized a fly box is not all that different from a binder of Pokemon cards. (And nothing compares to feeling a fish on your line that hit something you chose to use and crafted with your own hands.)

This is why we Coloradoans are so lucky. Our children have the chance for a wide range of experiences. My daughter can study theater with actors from the second-oldest Shakespeare festival in the country. My son can watch his favorite baseball player, Trevor Story, knock two balls out of the park from seven rows away. There are few limits on what they can explore to grow as people—and they go climbing every week.

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QUICK HITS

11.17

NORDIC INSIDER HIT LIST Skate, schuss or snowshoe this winter at these three Colorado areas where your legs supply all the lift you need.

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT GLIDING

serenely through a white meadow, feeling the cold air in your lungs and listening to the swish of compacted snow beneath your skis that makes Nordic skiing a magical experience, not to mention one hell of a cardio workout. So get out and do it: Colorado’s crosscountry skiing areas offer a wide variety of terrain for all skill levels, breathtaking scenery and one of the best aerobic workouts in mountain sports. Here are three Nordic centers we love.

FRISCO NORDIC CENTER Love long, rolling climbs and descents? Then you’ll also love the Frisco Peninsula Recreation Area.

You can even ski right up to the edge of the Dillon Reservoir, which can look deceptively like a snowy plain after a recent storm. For every meandering climb on these 27K of ski trails, you’ll be rewarded with views and a long, fast downhill.

Frisco has wonderful intermediate trails, such as Crown Point Road, which gently climbs up above the reservoir. Take the local’s favorite, Jodi’s Nugget, for a rollicking ride back down. Kids can spend the day on the beginner hill or tubing at the neighboring Adventure Park while parents get in a good workout. townoffrisco.com CRESTED BUTTE NORDIC CENTER You’ll want to spend an entire day exploring Crested Butte’s trails, which range from scenic rolling terrain on Magic Meadows to a technical 5K competition loop that

TECHNOLOGY

will challenge even the biggest Nordorks. In all, the system covers 50K of trails, most leaving right from the heart of town. In classic Crested Butte fashion, most trails deliver 360-degree views of craggy peaks, majestic valleys and alpine meadows. For a half-day excursion, ski through Magic Meadows, then head up the Slate River Valley via Mike’s Mile, an intermediate out-and-back route with some of the best views here. On Sundays, stop at the Magic Meadows Yurt on the way back to warm up by the fire, savor a coffee and a pastry and hobnob with other skiers. Kids 17 and under ski free, and several dogspecific trails prove perfect for a cruise with the pooch. cbnordic.org SNOW MOUNTAIN RANCH With 120 kilometers of expertly groomed trails, the only limit at Snow Mountain Ranch’s Nordic center is how long your legs can last. The YMCA property in Granby offers everything from short, flat beginner loops, perfect

GEAR WE LOVE

Princeton Tec Helix Backcountry

1620 Single Knee Work Pant

This lightweight (5.5 ounce), collapsible lantern hangs, stands or attaches just about anywhere.

The rechargeable, 150-lumen lamp burns for 32 hours on a full charge and uses a simple swipe switch that dims to a gentle glow. $50 | PRINCETONTEC.COM

The crew at Massachusetts-based 1620 re-imagined the work pant by using a highperforming, but goodlooking Cordura nylon/ cotton blend and DWR finish. They last longer and shuck the elements far better than traditional cotton-and-canvas pants.

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$150 | 1620USA.COM

ON THE RIGHT TRACK CLASSIC CROSS-COUNTRY SKIERS KICK AND GLIDE DOWN THE TRAIL AT THE FRISCO NORDIC CENTER. THE HILLY TERRAIN AT THIS SUMMIT COUNTY DESTINATION THAT SITS AT 9,000 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL WILL WORK YOUR LUNGS. TAKE YOUR MIND OFF THE BURN WITH BIG VIEWS OF THE RESERVOIR. photo by TODD POWELL

for families, to advanced trails that climb through quiet, lodgepole pine forests. You’ll share some trails with horseback riders, snow bikers and snowshoers, but the property is so expansive that it rarely feels crowded. Our favorite route heads up Bamse and on to Ten Mile Creek, a large, rolling loop on the edge of the ranch. If you’re feeling energetic on your way back, pit yourself against one of the formidable hills on Wild Turkey or Old Lynch. Head back to the center for a dip in the indoor pool; then retire to a cozy rental cabin. snowmountainranch. org/nordic-center —Melanie Wong

BOOKS Anderson Design Group Illustrated Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park This beautiful, illustrated coffee table guidebook includes 40 handillustrated posters inspired by prints from the 1920s and 1930s from the Work Projects Administration, and insightful narrative of key aspects of the park. $25 | ADGSTORE.COM

THE COST OF LOSING HAYDEN AND INGE

Two bright, beautiful people perished after an early-season avalanche.

INGE PERKINS, 23, A RECENT GRADUATE

of Montana State University, was skinning up Imp Peak in southwest Montana when the fateful slide occurred on October 7. With her was 27-year-old Hayden Kennedy, famed alpinist and the love of her life.

Both were sponsored climbers and experienced backcountry skiers.

The avalanche, a slab of new snow on top of four feet of old snow from earlier in the fall, measured one to two feet at its crown, 150 feet wide and 300 feet long. Perkins was buried three feet deep, but Kennedy only partially, so he was able to free himself. He searched, could not locate Perkins and—grief stricken—returned to Bozeman alone and took his own life. When search and rescue recovered Perkins’ body on October 9, her avalanche beacon was turned off and stashed in her pack.

Hayden was a friend. The pain isn’t going away. I can only imagine what the lovers’ families are going through.

But I must ask myself some questions: Would things have been different if the two were properly using their avalanche gear? What if Hayden had received emotional treatment after the accident? Questions, answers, these things don’t bring people back.

But maybe, someday, they will help us find closure for these all-too-fresh wounds.

LOVE STORY EVERYONE WHO KNEW INGE PERKINS AND HAYDEN KENNEDY REMEMBERS THEM AS BEING PERFECTLY MATCHED—BOTH FOUND NEW HIGHS UP IN THE PEAKS AND THEY SHARED A CONTAGIOUS JOY FOR LIFE. photos by CHRIS VAN LEUVEN, LOUIS AREVALO (INSET)

Death happens. Regarding avalanches, 117 fatalities have occurred to skiers and snowboarders in the U.S. since the 2007-2008 season. But at least there is something being done about it: Advancements in backcountry safety gear continue to develop, from beacons to air bags to education.

Suicide is different. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) states suicide (with synonyms: recklessness, madness, irresponsibility) is the tenth leading cause of death in America, with 44,193 annual casualties, or an average of 121 per day. “Suicide costs the U.S. $51 billion annually,” states AFSP’s website.

Hayden is my third friend to take his life in the past few years. I don’t know what else to do except keep moving, loving and crying. As a friend recently messaged to me: “I’m sorry you have lost so many friends over the years and will continue to lose more.

Remember to take time and to be gentle with yourself.”

—Chris Van Leuven

LOCAL HERO: LAURA KOTTLOWSKI Skating Beyond the Rink

THE ROCKIES IN WINTER HAVE A SPECIAL

THE JUDGES ALL AGREE

allure for 32-year-old Laura Kottlowski, a freelance creative/ art director from Golden, Colorado.

Where most outdoor freaks see backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, and ice climbing, she sees pristine alpine lakes ready for spins, double jumps and lutzes. Up on these high, frozen ponds, Kottlowski, who began figure skating at age six and competed in college at Penn State University, melds her passions for mountaineering, figure skating and artistry into something she calls “skate-exploring.”

“If I see ice as smooth as glass, I just want to skate it, especially in such epic settings,” says Kottlowski, who started alpine lake skating in 2009.

Her skate-exploration is motivated by a desire to glide across as many stunning and wild locations as she can, despite the obvious dangers of unstable snow, ice and weather.

Backcountry skating like this is popular in Scandinavia, but quite rare here in the U.S. She relies upon microspikes and crampons for ascents (having skated as high as 12,730 feet), adding ice axes when steeper and

AN ICE SKATING COACH, CREATIVE AND WILDLIFE ADVOCATE, LAURA KOTTLOWSKI, COMBINES MOUNTAINEERING SKILLS AND FIGURE SKATING TO EXPLORE THE ALPINE. photo by LAURA KOTTLOWSKI

icier terrain stands in the way of that perfect tarn with more than foot-thick ice. At lower elevations where the ice is questionably thin, she’ll skate wearing a PFD and she carries ice picks in each hand in case she needs to clamber out of a slippery hole.

“When the ice cracks beneath your blades it sounds like a Star Wars battle with ray guns,” she says.

Kottlowski loves to share the skate stoke. She coaches all levels and ages at the Apex Center Ice Arena in Arvada. And, through pro bono work with Denver’s Back of Beyond Media, she co-produced a film to help protect the Gunnison sage-grouse from extinction. But the mountains keep calling. She dreams of some day skating on the world’s highest lakes.

—Jeff Blumenfeld LEARN MORE AT: LAURAKOTTLOWSKI.COM AND BACKOFBEYONDMEDIA.COM

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MOAB FST ICE+

#CREATEYOURTRAIL

BITES INTO ICE DURING WINTER HIKES.

EAT, SLEEP, PLAY: CRESTED BUTTE

You need to make a pilgrimage to the last real ski town at least once a winter. Here’s how to do it.

EAT

OUTDOORS DONE RIGHT

Breakfast, lunch or dinner, you can’t go wrong with a stop at The Sunflower Deli at 214 Elk Avenue (970-349-6866). Seven days a week, it opens at 6 a.m. with espresso, pastries, and hearty breakfast options; Tuesday through Saturday, it stays open until dinner. The menu constantly changes and in true farm-to-table style, dinners here include as much local and fresh ingredients as possible (even in the winter). We recommended you make reservations (there’s not much room to wait inside). For parties of one or two, the bar’s first-come, firstserve. If you’re in town during happy hour, hit up Montanya Distillers (montanyarum.com). This mountain distillery produces three different kinds of barrel-aged rum using allnatural ingredients. Small tastes of each of the smooth rum offerings are available at no charge, but chances are you’ll want to order full pour on its own, or as a part of one of the many exceptional craft cocktails available in the tasting room, which also serves small food plates.

CRESTED BUTTE CAT LIFE (LEFT) AND AN APP THAT HELPS YOU TEST GEAR (RIGHT).

SLEEP What was once Croatian Hall, where local miners grabbed a drink after a hard day in the coal mines, has found new life as one of the premier lodging establishments in the Butte. Scarp Ridge Lodge, now owned by the Eleven Experience (elevenexperience. com), offers low-key, luxury amenities and as much or as little service you want. The layout feels more like a home than a hotel, with a

photos by CAMERON MARTINDELL (left), courtesy of FLUID MARKET (right)

comfortable front lobby leading into an open kitchen where in-house Lead Breakfast Chef and Culinary Staff Coordinator, Brittany Pankey, and her team keep guests fueled for a big day on the slopes or comfortably satisfied for hanging around town. The rooftop hot tub looks out over the town and upon the town’s towering namesake mountain butte.

PLAY Leave your climbing skins in the car and take go cat skiing with Irwin Guides (irwinguides.com). A 10-person cat snags clients from Scarp Ridge Lodge and chugs 11 miles to the ghost/mountain home town of Irwin, which magically hoards more snow than the nearby groomed slopes, getting blasted with an average of 600 inches each year. The cat stops at the cozy Movie Cabin complete with a crackling fire and hot drinks. But the real treat here is the underfoot: You will lap up 10,000-15,000 vertical feet of untracked, depending on how much time you want to spend in the cabin. Back in town, Crested Butte Mountain Resort (skicb.com) offers a range of deals on lodging and lift tickets throughout the season, so stay tuned to the resort’s deal page to take advantage of the budget-friendly options here.

—Cameron Martindell

FLUID MARKET

This new community gear-sharing app makes it easy to test out big purchases before you spend hard earned cash.

HEADING OUT ON AN ADVENTURE, but missing one crucial piece of gear?

With Fluid Market, you can borrow it. The easy-to-use app connects people in need of gear with users that have swag to loan out, creating a like-minded community focused on responsible consumption, and helping out those on a tight budget.

“People can try out gear before buying it, and people who list their gear get paid for it,” says Niki Robins, the Denver community manager for Fluid Market.

Since launching in the summer of 2016, Fluid Market has amassed more than 20,000 users, and recently introduced a car sharing feature.

Here’s how it works: Download the free app, add a photo and description about the gear item, set your price, set a pick-up location, and wait for reservation requests. Need gear?

Search Fluid Market’s expansive and organized database to find the product that fits your needs for a price that fits your budget. Fluid Market takes 20 percent from each transaction fee to cover insurance on the item and credit card processing fees. It also acts as the mitigator for any disputes that might arise.

The app is currently only available for users in the state of Colorado. Fluid Market plans to launch into additional outdoorfocused cities in the U.S. soon.

Download the Fluid Market app on iOS or Android at fluidmarket.com.

—Tyra Sutak N OV E M B E R 2 017 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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FLASHPOINT

11.17

BARRIERS, BROKEN

Colorado women are a force in the outdoor world. Yes, they are crushing athletic achievements and founding important businesses, but they are also changing the way women play the game.

by TYRA SUTAK

T

wo-thousand-seventeen has a been a breakthrough year for Colorado women in the outdoor industry. Margo Hayes— the 19-year-old climbing phenom from Boulder—set the climbing world on fire when she became the first woman to send a 5.15a route in February. At the London Müller Anniversary Games in July, decorated Colorado-based Olympian Jenny Simpson ran a 4:19:98 mile—the second fastest time ever recorded by an American woman. Then, nearly eight months after conquering La Rambla in Siurana, Spain, Hayes generated another round of worldwide media buzz when she successfully sent the Realization/Biographie (5.15a) route in Céüse, France.

Colorado’s female outdoorworld success goes beyond pure athletic achievement, however.

Earlier in the year, Boulder-based journalists Kassondra Cloos and Abigail Wise gained national attention when they launched an all out attack on the longtime gender inequalities found on the digital pages of Wikipedia. Noticing an underrepresentation of trailblazing women in the outdoor community listed on the crowdsourced site, the duo took things into their own hands—adding stories of influential women and female-run businesses and organizations, giving women the opportunity to learn more about, and get inspired by, some of the badass women who’ve have paved the way for the gender as a whole.

A rise in women landing major roles in Colorado’s outdoor industry businesses—think Amy Roberts, executive director of the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)—has also generated headlines around 10

the world. So, too, has the number of women participating in outdoor activities. But it’s not just highprofile Colorado women who are inspiring more ladies to get outside.

The number of female-run outdoor companies is growing, and women’s dedication to breaking down the barriers of entry is changing the way that they play outside.

BEYOND THE UNKNOWN

In a survey conducted by Snowsports Industries America (SIA) and RRC Associates, women new to snowsports consistently listed four major hurdles when entering a new sport: intimidation and lack of confidence, inadequate knowledge of gear, uncertainty in how to plan outdoor outings and cost. The survey results echoed a major theme in the conversation

E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S / N OV E M B E R 2 017

about the RUNNING THINGS barrier women NICOLE DEBOOM FOUNDED SKIRT looking to get SPORTS IN 2004 WITH outside face: A FOCUS ON BUILDING fear of the PERFORMANCE APPAREL THAT SPOKE unknown.

TO WOMEN'S NEEDS. In 2014, THIS YEAR, SHE Bold Betties— OPENED A BRICK-ANDMORTAR STORE IN originally BOULDER, COLORADO. a popular meet-up group photo courtesy SKIRT SPORTS for outdoorsy women in Colorado— became a successful start-up business when it answered the call from women looking to gain confidence outside and curb intimidation through educational opportunities and group outings for their activity of choice. In Ouray, Colorado, Kim Reynolds has been heading up Chicks Climbing and Skiing since 1999—offering women interested in climbing access to some of the most accomplished

female guides in the country in hopes of empowering women to break down those barriers of entry and get outside.

The state of Colorado is also a hub for women-run educational organizations working to make the outdoors a more inclusive place— and most are placing a strong emphasis on fostering a connection to nature at a young age. For one, the ladies behind Boulder-based Women’s Wilderness organization create various adventure camps for girls and young women of all age groups—blending skills courses and outdoor adventures with the excitement of summer camp.

Colorado women have built brands, too. In previous decades, women spoke up about the limited options of gear and apparel available to them, but their requests went largely unanswered—leaving female athletes and outdoor enthusiasts powering through their sport of choice using products designed for men. But when manufacturers finally began making outdoor products for women, many of them were not well received by the end consumer. Tired of the itty-bitty, skin-tight apparel and underfunctioning pink versions of men’s gear that dribbled into the market, several Colorado women decided to take change into their own hands.

After winning the 2004 Ironman Wisconsin while wearing a prototype of a running skirt she designed, former pro-triathlete and Boulder resident Nicole DeBoom officially launched Skirt Sports, an online-based women’s fitness apparel company. The pro athlete was simply fed up with the drab, oversized running apparel available for women.

“We created a brand new category in running,” says DeBoom, who continues to offer women a variety of her original revolutionary running skirts along with a growing line of other activewear. “We became a gateway for beginners to get started in the sport.”

Feeling emboldened and confident by the fun women’sspecific running apparel that performed on the level of men’s apparel on the market, the Skirt Sports consumer base has continued to grow. In the summer of 2017, DeBoom opened the doors to the first Skirt Sports brick and mortar location in downtown Boulder.

Like DeBoom, April Archer, founder and CEO of SaraBella Fishing, felt let down by the lack of women’s-specific gear on the market.

A longtime avid angler, Archer

was not satisfied by just getting by using men’s gear that didn’t fit her properly, and decided to create a fly rod that not only custom-fit her needs, but also had a look that she was proud to sport on the water.

“Women deserve excellent products that last and perform well when they’re out on their outdoor adventure,” Archer explains.

Like many Colorado female entrepreneurs in the outdoor industry, Archer not only works to make gear women want to use, she also spends a good chunk of her time educating young women on how to do so confidently and safely. According to the Outdoor Foundation’s 2016 Outdoor Participation study, only 41 percent of girls ages 13 to 17 participate in an outdoor activity—the lowest participation rate of women in all ages groups. Archer fights against that statistic. “I teach girls how to tie knots, and why they should not be afraid of bugs, so they can go solve problems and enjoy the wilderness,” she says.

THE NEW GENERATION Women across the board are making progress in the outdoor community.

Those who understand the barriers

The number of femalerun outdoor companies is growing, and women’s dedication to breaking down the barriers of entry is completely changing the way they play outside. of entry are working to break them, and more role models are emerging each year to give young women positive, strong role models. But for the movement to keep its momentum rolling, a new generation of female business leaders will need to rise up—and several young Colorado entrepreneurs are heeding the call.

At 27, Alex Hanifin is the CEO of Alpine Start, an exciting new instant coffee company gaining steam in the climbing and camping communities. In 2016, Colorado native Tyler Haney, founder and owner of Outdoor Voices—a fastgrowing athletic apparel company designed with women in mind— landed herself on Forbes 30 Under 30 list. The then 28-year-old already

boasted an impressive resume with an arsenal of retail stores in several major cities across the country. In July, Haney opened her first shop in Colorado, a pop-up store in downtown Aspen, where along with fun and functional women’s apparel, she also offers men’s activewear alongside educational resources and meet-up events for adventureseeking women.

An ambitious team of young women behind the Carbondalebased No Man’s Land Film Festival are tackling the problem of the shortage of spotlights on female role models in the outdoor and adventure community. Led by founder and executive director, Aisha Weinhold, the female-run

film fest is working to redefine feminine in the adventure and sport communities. Founded in 2015, the year-round, worldwide festival is accomplishing something long overdue in the outdoor community: putting a face and a story to the women relentlessly chipping away at that pesky glass ceiling, and having a blast doing it.

At its annual Flagship Festival, held in its hometown of Carbondale, Colorado, last September, No Man's Land featured films such as “The End of Snow,” an exploration of the realities of climate change in the Rocky Mountains made by ecologist Dr. Jane Zelikova, augmented by a panel discussion led by OIA social media manager and outdoor activist Katie Boué. All weekend long, the event put an emphasis on getting women behind the camera and speaking out.

Ultimately, these programs all stresss one mantra: Women must encourage other women to lead in the outdoors. To that end, check out Camber Outdoors—the ultimate resource for women looking to snag a job in the outdoor industry— because women empowering women to get outside is one movement in the outdoor industry that doesn’t need a redesign.

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Weekday Escape to

Grand County

Learn to XC Ski Clinics Dec 16, Jan 20, Feb 10 DUST2 Fat Bike Race: 8km, 16km, kidk Jan 6 Pagosa Skiathlon:7km skate + 7km classic Jan 7 Pagosa PAW Dog Sled Races Jan 20-21 Moonlight XC Ski Jan 31

Pagosa Winterfest: pagosachamber.com

Hot Air Balloons/River Plunge/Craft Sled Race Feb 3 BB Gun Biathlon: 8km, 16km, kidk Feb 3 Fat Bike Race: 8km, 16km, kidk Feb 4

Visit pagosanordic.com for more information.

With lower weekday rates, uncrowded slopes to explore and our convenient location to Denver, Grand County is the perfect destination for a weekday escape. Discover our quaint towns, variety of winter activities and family-friendly events.

Don’t Just Explore Colorado. Go Grand.

VisitGrandCounty.com GRANBY • GRAND LAKE • HOT SULPHUR SPRINGS KREMMLING • WINTER PARK/FRASER

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POWERED BY

THE TRAIL

11.17

GET THE FREE APP

AND FOLLOW THIS ROUTE ON IPHONE, APPLE WATCH, IPAD AND ANDROID DEVICES.

MAYFLOWER GULCH Download the free ViewRanger app and the coordinates to sniff out powder turns in the backcountry of Colorado’s Ten Mile Range.

VIEWRANGER.COM

GET TRIP INFO

SEE MORE ROUTE DETAILS, GPS DATA & PRINT MAPS. VIEWRANGER.COM/eleout

by CHRIS KASSAR

T

his relaxed ski tour wanders through a forested valley littered with mining remnants, and culminates at an expansive high mountain cirque. It’s truly a choose your-own-adventure trip: You can make it a quick, mellow tour into the high country, or—if you’re avalanche-travel trained and have the correct equipment—tackle one or more of the peaks ringing the vast bowl. No matter your ability or preferred mode of transportation— snowshoes, fat boards or skinny skis—Mayflower Gulch makes for one sweet winter treat.

To reach the trailhead: From Denver, drive west on I-70. Take Exit 195 for Copper Mountain/Leadville and merge onto Highway 91. Head south for 6 miles until you reach the trailhead and a large parking lot on the left.

1. GETTING STARTED

From the trailhead at 10,980 feet, turn your back to the highway and follow the access road as it climbs through the pines and parallels Mayflower Creek. Vast wetlands and a beautiful riparian corridor, which typically remain snow-covered from December to April or later, decorate the northeast (left) side of the trail as you travel south up the valley.

PICK YOUR PEAK THE BEST THING ABOUT SKI OR SNOWSHOE TOURING IN THE TENMILE RANGE IS THAT THE SUMMIT OPTIONS ARE LIMITLESS. photo by JAMES DZIEZYNSKI

2. TRAVEL BACK IN TIME

Signs of the area’s rich mining history being to appear. A dilapidated ore-loading chute and rusty bits of equipment adorn the west side of the trail, while the ruins of a ramshackle cabin rest on the east side of the road.

3. PACIFIC PEAK TURNOFF

Though we aren’t providing a detailed explanation of the climb up Mayflower Hill (12,440 feet) or Pacific Peak (13,950 feet) here, this is an important intersection, since you may see tracks heading left.

Expert skiers and climbers seeking turns on the two peaks should leave the road and head toward the south side (right) of Pacific Creek, crossing Mayflower Gulch through a snowy and/or willow-filled basin (depending on conditions). If you want mellower terrain, continue straight.

4. DECISION POINT

The trail gently ascends into the Mayflower amphitheater, a spectacular basin enveloped by Fletcher Mountain’s (13,995 feet) craggy ridge, which looms directly ahead. The rugged monoliths of Pacific, Crystal (13,852 feet) and Atlantic (13,841 feet) peaks stand like sentinels to the east (left). The trail soon breaks free from the forest and reaches a fork in the road. From here, depending on skill level and plans for the day, backcountry adventurers can choose from a number of lines that range from low-angle slopes and tree shots to larger, expert-level chutes (please have

the proper training and most recent avalanche reports, no matter what you decide to ski). To follow our track, curve south (right) as the road climbs uphill gradually toward Gold Hill (11,645 feet), one of the most popular and safest spots in the area.

If you’d like to tour around the mining ghost town here, follow the left fork, which parallels the brook as it delves into Mayflower Gulch and heads southeast toward Boston Mine. For a bigger challenge, continue past the abandoned cabins on the northwestern slopes of Fletcher Mountain, and ski the treeless basin behind them, keeping in mind that though this tour is relatively safe, the avalanche danger increases beyond the cabins. From here, veteran ski mountaineers may want to try Fletcher Mountain and Atlantic Peak.

5. HARD RIGHT FOR GOLD HILL

Follow the road as it turns sharply north and climbs more directly, for Gold Hill. Be sure to look back for vistas of the mine and the rugged peaks encircling this marvelous basin.

6. THE POT OF GOLD

Fun, low-angle lines—open slopes, tight trees, glades with rollers—give you plenty of options from the top of Gold Hill. Enjoy the solitude amidst this pleasing scenery for as long as you’d like. After you’ve exhausted your legs with repeated laps, choose your last line wisely in order to hit the road and cruise all the way back to the trailhead.

TRAIL GEAR G3 ROAMr This lightweight ski moves seamlessly between backcountry and resort, ideal for those of us who can only afford one option. It’s quick to respond and stable in mixed conditions, meaning it will boost your confidence on off-piste steeps and in tight trees, and simply shred mellow glades or groomers.

Available in 100mm ($629) and 108mm ($679) and a 100m Elle ($629), a women’s specific ski delivering all the same features but with sizing and flexing engineered for lighter adventurers.

GENUINEGUIDEGEAR.COM

Outdoor Research Skyward Pants

These stretchy, supple waterproof pants move with your every turn. Smart features including thigh vents, an internal gaiter with a slot for your boot’s power strap and plentiful pockets make them ideal for ski touring.

The men’s version ($299) comes with a removable bib that we want in the women’s ($285), too. OUTDOORRESEARCH.COM

N OV E M B E R 2 017 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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HOT SPOT

11. 17

BACKCOUNTRY IN-BOUNDS

Seeking stashes? With just a little effort, you can hike to inbounds powder pockets at these three Colorado resorts.

by CHRIS KASSAR

W

ith so many mountains expanding their hike-to terrain, the Colorado resort experience goes far beyond the goods you can lap off the chair. Here’s a guide to the best ungroomed, off-piste runs located within the boundaries of four of our favorite resorts. Though they may feel like backcountry escapades, these areas are typically patrolled and mitigated for avalanches, and because the ski lodge is nearby, they don’t require a hike out Note: Objective hazards and avalanches can still present a danger, even inbounds, so use good judgment and couple it with appropriate gear and skills. Even on patrolled expert terrain, you should have some knowledge of avalanche safety and travel. Obey all closures and carry the equipment required by the resort. Check in with patrol if you are unsure about the terrain or your abilities.

ASPEN HIGHLANDS

HEAD FOR: Highland Bowl WHY WE LOVE IT: With runs that range from 38

to 48 degrees at their steepest, there’s nothing mellow about this sweet spot. Since there are over 20 ways to tackle this 2,300-foot descent, you can pick your poison here. Like tree skiing? Hit the North Woods or drop down the channels known as the “G’s.” Want massive open vertical? Plunge down the bowl’s gut via Ozone or Be One. No matter how you slice it—narrow tube, vast glade or dense forest—your legs will burn and your lips will curl into a permanent grin when you finally reach the bottom.

ACCESS: Ride up Exhibition Lift and Loge Peak Lift. It’s a 30- to 45-minute hike to the top of the bowl at 12,392 feet. Or grab the free cat shuttle.

THE WAY BACK: Follow the cat track to traverse back to the Deep Temerity Lift.

APRÈS: Enjoy happy hour, live music, dinner, a soak in the hot tub and a solid night’s sleep at the Limelight (limelighthotel.com), a smart boutique hotel where you can even test drive an Audi Q7.

GO GUIDED: Ski like a local with Aspen Alpine Guides (aspenalpine.com). They’ll sniff out the deepest pow and lead you to runs that match your on-mountain skills. .

CRESTED BUTTE MOUNTAIN RESORT

HEAD FOR: Third Bowl WHY IT ROCKS: The home of one of the nation’s

oldest extreme comps, CBMR delivers countless lift-accessed, adrenaline-inducing runs. But, add just a short hike and you can ditch most of the wannabe Warren Miller stars and find yourself 14

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wading through knee-deep pow amid 75 acres with a true backcountry feel. With 1,200 feet of vertical, Third Bowl’s 45-degree drops, tight chutes, steep trees, airy cliff bands and open fields make you feel like a rock star.

ACCESS: Ride the North Face lift and hike 10 to 20 minutes to the entrance.

THE WAY BACK: Hit the cat track at Third Bowl’s base. A five- to 10-minute ski or hike dumps you back on Black Eagle Trail.

APRÈS: For a killer slopeside après experience that includes classic meals, luscious bevvies— most notably full-strength milkshakes—live music and a sweet deck, hit Butte 66 (skicb.com/ information/butte-66). Afterward, rest easy at The Lodge at Mountaineer Square (skicb.com/ lodging/mountaineer-square), where you can shake off that hangover just steps from the lift.

GO GUIDED: The North Face Guides Program is a group tour that helps guests make the jump to extreme skiing and riding while exploring the ominously named ‘Extreme Limits Terrain’ off the High and North Face Lift (skicb.com).

BIG SECRET: On big storm days, ski patrol may implement a “beacon policy” where it allows the first 50 people with beacons to enter the terrain before anyone else. Patrol then allows others, alternating those with beacons and those without, to enter.

MONARCH MOUNTAIN

HEAD FOR: Mirkwood Basin WHY IT ROCKS: Monarch’s most challenging

terrain comes in the form of an 130-acre playground that holds snow on vertical lines (think mid to upper 40-degrees steep). Runs dropping off the 11,952-foot top of the basin

keep advanced skiers HIGHLAND TIMES and riders stoked.

YOU HAVE TO WORK TO REACH THE HIGHLIGHT Mirkwood Bowl holds ASPEN HIGHLANDS— varied terrain with tight OF THE EPONYMOUS BOWL chutes, huck-able cliffs, REQUIRES 30 TO 45 MINUTES OF BOOTPACKING, dense trees and wide BUT THE PAY OFF IS WORTH open slopes. If that’s THE EFFORT: 2,300 FEET OF not enough of a draw, PERFECT-PITCH POWDER SKIING THAT IMPARTS THE how’s this? Mirkwood ULTIMATE, WELL, HIGH. consistently receives photo courtesy ASPEN SNOWMASS (and restocks) more snow than the rest of the resort—thanks to the wind—so even if it’s not dumping, you’ll likely find pow.

ACCESS: Take Breezeway Lift; hike 15-25 minutes along a groomed track to the bowl.

THE WAY BACK: Coast to the base area and back to Breezeway Lift for more laps via a cat track.

APRÈS: Grab a combo of sophisticated small plates or a hearty burger or sandwich at The Fritz (thefritzsalida.com), a relaxed bistro in downtown Salida. Top it off with a unique, hand-crafted dessert and a well-paired beer or glass of wine at the newest addition to the town’s burgeoning culinary scene, The Biker & The Baker (thebikerandthebaker.com). Then stumble down the block to the historic Palace Hotel (salidapalacehotel.com) and recover from your epic day with a sweet night’s sleep.

GO GUIDED: Before dropping in Mirkwood, feast your eyes on Monarch’s cat skiing zone, which sits just to the north of the bowl beyond the resort boundary. Book a day of guided skiing and explore this 1,000-plus-acre expert-only treasure full of untracked clearings and bowls with Monarch Cat Skiing (skimonarch.com).

Be prepared for whatever nature throws your way Tents, Sleeping Bags, Pads, Apparel, & Helinox

Fly Creek HV 2 Platinum Trail Weight: 1lb 10oz

bigagnes.com The Mother of Comfort

Photo: Braden Gunem

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HYDRATION, TRANSFORMED

The great outdoors just got greater. The Seeker™ is HydraPak’s ultra-light, durable water storage system for camping, backpacking, you name it. It packs down to the size of a fist, attaches to your pack or hangs from a tree. You can freeze it to use as an ice pack or fill it with hot water to keep you warm. Katadyn® BeFree™ filtration compatible.

Find one at a dealer near you hydrapak.com

NUMEROLOGY

TWENTYFIVE

11.17

COLORADO KIDS

Feet across South Boulder Creek kids ages 5 to 10 will safely slackline at Jeff and Paige’s Science Adventure Program, where they learn outdoor awareness. jeffandpaige.org

It’s no wonder that this big mountain state turns out some serious outdoor kids. Here’s the numbers behind the Centennial State’s future generations.

by LILY KRASS

F

illed with more than a few transplants, it’s no secret that Colorado is an attractive place to live. For the lucky few born and raised in the Rockies, the opportunities are endless. They may be small now, but your little ones are the outdoor leaders, teachers and environmental advocates of tomorrow. Whether it’s wilderness mentorship, summer camp or just plain getting them outside, here are a few fun facts and stats about the various opportunities in Colorado for active, engaged youngsters.

EARLY ADOPTERS NO SURPRISE, KIDS WHO PLAY OUTDOORS WANT TO FIGHT TO PROTECT NATURE, ACCORDING TO A 2017 UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA STUDY. photo by DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

$25 MILLION

Dollars raised for Great Outdoors Colorado’s Inspire Initiative grant program aimed at getting more kids outdoors. The program works with 20 communities around the state to help develop trails, outdoor learning programs and recreational activities. To learn more about it visit: http://www.goco.org/grants/apply/inspire-initiative

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Number of ski resorts in Colorado that offer skifree deals for kids under a certain age.

Size of Keystone’s Kidtopia Snow Fort. Located at the top of the River Run Gondola, this icy village rules as the world’s largest snow castle. It’s for kids of all ages, and free to enter with a lift ticket (don’t worry, parents are allowed too).

1,000

The number of youth Big City Mountaineers (BCM) is close to involving annually with its wilderness mentorship programs. BCM runs backpacking programs around the country for underserved youth. bigcitymountaineers.org

1,050

Number of kids who raced in the first Colorado High School Cycling League race of the season this past September.

Active students in the Colorado Young Leaders program. CYL partners with other nonprofits to get youth involved in their communities as well as inspire a sense of adventure at a young age. coloradoyoungleaders.org

The age limit to enter the Denver Art Museum for free.

The Free for Kids program kicked off in 2015, aiming to increase the access to art education for kids from a younger age. Since then the museum has seen over a 50 percent increase in school visits. denverartmuseum.org

SEVEN

Different summer camps Woodward at Copper offers to get kids into mountain sports. The activities range from ski and snowboard camps, to mountain biking and cheer camps. It’s a great place for mini adrenaline junkies to get their fix in a safe and structured environment. Read all about the different camps here: woodwardcopper.com/ summer-camp/rates-anddates.html

3:30 P.M.-5:00 P.M.

The time for Kids Happy Hour in Telluride. Featuring kidfriendly après ski activities such as candle making, collages, poems and stories, Kids Happy Hour is open to kids age 5-12 and any parents who want to join in on the fun.

Cost of the Epic SchoolKids Colorado Pack for kids from kindergarten through fifth grade. The program includes four days of skiing at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone, as well as one free ski or ride lesson with equipment rental. Get it here: bit.ly/2ytRa6j N OV E M B E R 2 017 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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Everything you need for a winter outside Neptune is back as your destination for a great selection of backcountry skis, bindings, boots, poles, split boards, skins, and snowshoes.

Plus: avalanche transceivers, probes, shovels, helmets, goggles and the finest packs to comfortably carry the gear you need to be safe in the backcountry.

You’ll also find the best brands of winter apparel like Arctery’x, Ortovox, Mammut, Black Diamond, La Sportiva & Patagonia.

Need to get your skis ready? Our full-service ski shop is now up and running for tuning, waxing, repairing, mounting and custom bootfitting.

Mountaineering

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...Your Locally owned mountain shop Located in Boulder in the Table Mesa Shopping Center | Phone: 303.499.8866 | NeptuneMountaineering.com

STRAIGHT TALK

11.17

RACHEL CROFT A new mental mindset has put this freeskier who considered quitting at the top of the pack heading into a new season of big drops and tricky lines on the Freeride World Tour.

by TOM WINTER

A

lifelong skier, Rachel Croft, 29, had quit competition before deciding to try again in 2017. After talking with a sports psychologist, she surprised even herself on the freeskiing circuit, snagging wins at both the Revelstoke and Taos 4* Freeride World Qualifying (FWQ) events. The victories, coupled with a fifth place finish at another 4* event at Kicking Horse, British Columbia, earned her a coveted spot on the elite Freeride World Tour, a five-stop series with events spanning three continents in 2017-18.

Splitting time between Steamboat and Winter Park (our reader’s choice for top adventure town, see page 20), Croft credits her resurgence to a new-found mental approach that places a premium on skiing lines for herself and not worrying about what the judges—or anyone else for that matter— thinks. This season, she’s taking the same “who cares” approach to the Tour, where she will have the opportunity to travel to exotic locations like Japan and Andorra, while also gunning to be one of 28 athletes on the Tour invited to the penultimate event of the season hosted on Verbier’s notoriously gnarly Bec des Rosses.

Here’s what makes her tick.

HOW DID YOU BECOME A SKIER? ?

I grew up in Washington and learned to ski at Crystal Mountain. My grandpa was part of the Founders Club. We’d go up there all winter long, one day every weekend. I love it at Crystal because when it’s raining in the parking lot you know it’s snowing up top. And that wet stuff is my favorite kind of snow. It sticks to everything and four inches feels like a foot.

HOW DID YOU END UP IN COLORADO? ?

I had been to Whistler a few times on family vacations and I didn’t know there were villages at the base of ski areas. I really wanted to move to Whistler but the Canadian work visa thing is hard to pull off, so my parents suggested Vail. I applied for work with Vail Resorts and got a job at Keystone. I then moved to Targhee and coached ENJOYING THE FREERIDE RACHEL CROFT'S SECRET TO SUCCESS ON THE FREERIDE WORLD TOUR? SHE SIMPLY FORGETS TRYING TO IMPRESS ANYONE AND SKIS THE LINES SHE WANTS TO SKI. photo courtesy RACHEL CROFT

IT’S SPECIAL TO LIVE IN A PLACE WHERE YOU KNOW THE LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS ON A PERSONAL LEVEL. for a season, but that position was only one day a week. A friend who had been coaching at Winter Park was leaving, so I applied for his job at the resort and I’ve been coaching freeskiing there ever since.

WINTER PARK IS STILL PRETTY FUNKY AND LOW KEY COMPARED TO OTHER COLORADO SKI TOWNS. WHAT’S IT LIKE BEING A FULL-TIME RESIDENT? ?

It’s interesting because it’s a lot of Denver people and second homeowners from the Front Range [editor’s note: Winter Park is part of the City of Denver’s parks department.]. I ski midweek, which is great as far as lift lines go. Weekends can be crowded, but if you know where to go it’s easy to find the stashes. As far as living in the town of Winter Park, it’s awesome. We lived right across from Hideaway Park Brewery last season and did après there, and in Idlewild Distillery almost every day (laughs). It’s cool to be in that small of a town [permanent population 1,029] because you know everyone. It’s special to live in a place when you know the local business owners on a personal level.

YOU HAD AN AMAZING 2017 COMPETITION SEASON. WHAT WERE YOUR PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS? ?

Revelstoke was my favorite event, because my success all started there. I went into it with zero expectations and ended up winning. I’d planned it as a vacation to visit friends and tour on Rogers Pass. We did—after I won.

GOALS FOR 2018? ?

I don’t have any expectations. I would love to

qualify for Verbier. As far as strategy, I am hoping to stick to my style—finding technical lines and straight lines versus hitting big airs. That’s another reason why Revelstoke was my favorite event. I skied a line that departed from what I had thought the judges were looking for, and I had no expectations. On the tour, I want to keep skiing lines that scare me.

IN YOUR OFF-SNOW LIFE YOU’RE A MASSAGE THERAPIST. HOW DOES THAT MESH WITH YOUR COMPETITION LIFE? ?

It is really grounding. I have my routine that I edit to cater to peoples’ needs. If I’m working on someone’s shoulders or knees, for example, I can go in there and really focus for an hour. It’s very relaxing compared to the super crazy adrenaline rush from competitive skiing.

WHAT’S THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU TELL THE ATHLETES YOU COACH? ?

I talked to a sports psychologist. It made all the difference in the world for me. I had quit competing because I wasn’t enjoying it, but then I did some sessions with the psychologist and talking to her put me in a completely different head space. Now I’m having fun again. I think everyone can figure out how to enjoy competition if they talk to the right person.

HOW IMPORTANT WAS IT FOR YOU THAT YOU GREW UP IN A FAMILY OF SKIERS? ?

My grandparents on my mom’s side both skied until they were 85. Both of my parents ski. It’s always been a cool family bonding thing. My mom is Japanese, so it’s a big deal to have a Freeride World Tour stop in Hakuba. I hope she can come, and I have a couple of relatives there, so I’m excited!

LONGTIME SKI JOURNALIST TOM WINTER IS THE AMERICAS MANAGER FOR THE FREERIDE WORLD TOUR. TO FOLLOW THE TOUR AND CHECK IN ON RACHEL CROFT’S PROGRESS, HEAD TO FREERIDEWORLDTOUR.COM. N OV E M B E R 2 017 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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READER POLL

11.17

TOWNS

COLORADO’S TOP ADVENTURE

HEAD TO THE TOWNS THAT DEFINE WHAT IT MEANS TO MAKE ADVENTURE A WAY OF LIFE. by DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

C

olorado is definitely adventure central—but it’s more than just a place to play and find deep meaning in big mountains. It’s a state that embraces outdoor recreation and conservation as key building blocks to sustainable communities. That’s why the Outdoor Retailer trade show decided to move to our state.

That’s also why so many athletes, entrepreneurs, forward thinkers and general outdoor junkies and loafers come here. But which towns in Colorado truly embody this independent spirit?

To determine that, we asked the people who know best: our readers. Here they are, the three towns you voted best for outdoor adventure in the Centennial State in our annual online readers’ poll.

WINNER | WINTER PARK Winter Park crushed this contest. Credit that popular vote win to both the 1,000 souls who call this mountain hideaway home, and weekend warriors and loyal fans who come back throughout the year (and wish they lived here full time).

Surrounded by over 765,000 acres of public lands, Winter Park is an adventure basecamp—and you don’t have to brave the soul-sucking, slow drive through Eisenhower Tunnel traffic to reach it. Of course, the beloved ski, snowboard and downhill mountain bike resort stands out as the crown jewel here, but you can find any adventure you seek surrounding the mountain, too. Fly fishing, backcountry touring, Nordic schussing, trail running, sport climbing, backcountry huts—that ability to access easy adventure made Winter Park a big winner in the eyes of our readers.

CAN’T MISS: Winter Park has trademarked the moniker Mountain Bike Capital USA for good reason: There's 600 miles of trail and Trestle Bike Park serves downhillers. Come winter, there’s 2,220 feet of vertical drop (1,766 at sister hill and experts’ fave Mary Jane), with some of the best tree skiing in the state. Want to eschew the lifts for lungpower? Berthoud 20

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Pass and Jones Pass hold backcountry powder just a short drive from downtown Denver.

Or book a trip with Powder Addiction Cat Skiing (powderaddiction.com) to smugly repeat untracked run after untracked run.

Come summer, set up at St. Louis Creek Campground and explore the trail system on fat tires. There’s cragging outside Tabernash at Hurd Creek and easy-to-access fly fishing on the Fraser River or via a short hike in on the Williams Fork. Hire a guide with Winter Park Flyfisher (fraserflyshop.com). Not to mention, the town is festival central and just opened the lovely, new Hideaway Park Stage venue.

WHAT’S NEW: The resort is embracing skimo culture and hosting an Uphill Ski Mountaineering Race and Demo Weekend in February. The Outdoor Retailer/SIA trade show will hold its big industry preview demo here on January, but only show attendees can participate.

ENJOY IT: Just in time for ski season, Crazy Mountain Brewery will open in the middle of Winter Park Village with craft concotions and food. If you’re looking for cocktails, stumble over to Idlewild Spirits Distillery.

INSIDE INFO: Want to commune with your inner viking? Don’t miss the annual Tommelfest Nordic Ski Festival on December 9 at Devil's Thumb Ranch just outside of town. The revelry includes free lessons, keg tossing, glog and similar activites that get Nordic hearts pumping.

RUNNER UP | EAGLE No Colorado town has jumped at the promise of the outdoor recreation economy (which Outdoor Industry Association research claims creates $887 billion in impact) with more gusto than Eagle. Once an afterthought in the shadow of Vail and destinations farther West, the town has become a prime destination for mountain bikers and other fun seekers. That’s because Eagle

WINTER PARK IT’S NOT ALL SNOW AND BIKES: DAVID MILLS CLIPS INTO SOME SUNSET TRAD CLIMBING AT HURD CREEK.

FRUITA YOU’LL FIND PLENTY OF SLICK ROCK WITH SICK VIEWS IF YOU DECIDE TO PITCH A TENT OFF THE BUSY TRAILS.

EAGLE RIDERS RIP THE SINGLETRACK DURING THE FIREBIRD XC RACE AT THE ANNUAL EAGLE OUTSIDE FESTIVAL IN JUNE. photos by (left to right) WINTER PARK RESORT/ CARL FREY, DEVON BALET, LINDA GUERRETTE

has taken adventage of its location surrounded by 1,020 acres of town-owned open space, BLM land and public parks, by building an outstanding trail system with over 100 miles of singletrack and paved rec trails straight out of town. Open midApril into mid-December, the trails, many built by and for bikers with flow in mind, take in a wide expanse of terrain from desert to high mountain aspen groves. It’s also a town where the locals are more or less the readers of this magazine: outdoor diehards who charge hard when they play, but still want to chill out with a craft brew and enjoy down time. As the EO Road Team observed this summer: “There’s a bike rack on every corner, and bike stands for working on your bike on every other corner. There’s really no reason to drive, because the town is so bike friendly.” The town has even put together an excellent adventure guide on its website: eagleoutside.com.

CAN’T MISS: Don’t shy away come winter: You’ll find groomed cross-country ski trails at the golf course and plenty of backcountry on the 10th Mountain Division Hut system straight out of town. And in summer seek water: Brush Creek, running through Eagle Ranch, provides prime trout habitat, and the new Eagle River Park breaks ground in 2018. It will make the town as popular for paddlers as it is for pedalers.

WHAT’S NEW: The “LOV Connection” trail honors late local Nate Picklo, an Eagle businessowner and community leader who founded LOV Bikes and Yeti’s Grind in Eagle and spearheaded the town’s outdoor resurgence.

LOV stands for Love Our Valley, in honor of Nate’s bike brand.

ENJOY IT: Need a jolt? Color Coffee (colorroasters.com) grinds its own.

INSIDE INFO: The real sign that the town supports an outdoor future: The Colorado High School Cycling League (coloradomtb.org) holds its mountain bike championships here every fall.

RUNNER UP | FRUITA “Trying to describe Fruita is like trying to describe an orgasm,” says Binky McSmithers, a.k.a. George, who used to manage Fruita’s legendary Over The Edge bike shop and now manages Bestslope Coffee. This is the fourth year in a row that Fruita has made it into the finals of our Top Colorado Towns reader polls. Why? It starts with the locals, who have a long tradition of finding adventure in the desert farming community on the far western edge of the state.

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Think Troy Rarick who founded the Over the Edge bike shop (named for the first famous ride here, which required a rappel with your bike to complete) and built many of the trails that now draw hordes of fat tire faithful to the town. Or seminal climber Pat Ament who used to hop trains here to head out climbing in Yosemite. These days, Fruita has become a global leader when it comes to transitioning communities away from boom-andbust extractive industries to sustainable recreation economies. The mayor and town manager have been traveling to industry shows such as Interbike US and Europe and Outdoor Retailer to learn and preach how a town can become a big outdoor winner. And don’t pigeonhole Fruita as just a bike town. There’s also rafting and SUP on the Colorado River, backcountry backpacking in the redrock and climbing in Colorado National Monument.

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CAN’T MISS: With such a strong community vibe, Fruita’s festivals make for the best time to visit: Don’t miss the 24th Fat Tire Festival (fruitafattirefestival.com), held May 4-6, 2018.

WHAT’S NEW: The the 4.5-mile paved Colorado Riverfront Trail, which will connect town to the singletrack should open in May. It will also pass by the Imondi Wake Zone, opening spring 2018 as well, which will be Colorado’s first-ever cable wakeboarding park.

ENJOY IT: The owners of the famed Hot Tomato Pizza have brought that same bike friendly vibe to their Bestslope coffee shop (bestslopecoffeeco.com).

INSIDE INFO: Bring that pizza over to beers at Copper Club and party with the locals.

DESERT DAYS THE COLORADO RIVER IS FRUITA'S ADVENTURE LIFELINE, WHETHER THAT MEANS PADDLING RUBY HORSETHIEF, RIDING SINGLETRACK HIGH ABOVE IT ON THE REDROCK CLIFFS OR JUST CHILLING IN CAMP WITH A COFFEE.

RIPPIN’ LIPS RUNNING RIGHT ALONGSIDE US HIGHWAY 40, THE FRASER RIVER MAKES IT TOUGH TO RESIST THE CHANCE TO PULL ON YOUR WADERS AND CAST FOR LUNKER BROWNS AND RAINBOWS THAT SIP UP SMALL PATTERNS IN SUMMER.

DEEP THOUGHTS WINTER PARK IS REALLY TWO MOUNTAINS: THERE'S "WINTER PARK" ITSELF, A FINE PLACE TO SKI IN ITS OWN RIGHT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU LIKE SCREAMING BLUES—BUT IT’S CERTAINLY MORE POPULAR WITH THE TOURISTS. LOCALS HEAD TO MARY JANE, FAMED FOR BUMP RUNS, YES, BUT ALSO THE SPOT TO FIND STASHES IN THE TREES AND TO HEAD UP HIGH FOR POWDER LAPS IN PARSENN BOWL AND SHORT, STEEP SHOTS ON VASQUEZ CIRQUE. photos by (clockwise from top left) DEVON BALET, WINTER PARK FRASER CHAMBER, WINTER PARK RESORT/CARL FREY, JEREMYCOLLINS

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DISTANCE

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THE LONG RUN HOME WHEN ENDURANCE CHAMP RICKEY GATES DECIDED TO RUN ACROSS AMERICA, HE DIDN’T SET OUT TO BREAK A RECORD. INSTEAD, HE WANTED TO SEE AND MEET PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ESPECIALLY IN HIS HOME STATE OF COLORADO. by ALLISON PATTILLO

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ong journeys usually end back home. But when Colorado native Rickey Gates arrived in his hometown of Aspen last May, he still had one third—about 1,100 miles—of his journey to go.

Gates was traveling across the country from South Carolina to California. A Salomon-sponsored trail runner, he was hoofing from “sea to shining sea.” His project, dubbed TransAmericana, wasn’t about speed or breaking records, though. Instead, the 36-year-old took his time, five months in all, hoping only to slow down and learn about his country and fellow Americans.

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“I’m out here to meet people,” Gates shared when he was on the road. “We’ve all got something to learn from each other. People are afraid of people, afraid of their own neighbors. We have to talk to each other.”

Colorado was the eighth state on his journey.

So far, he’d run through South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas. With 2,300 miles of the country behind him, Gates was beat up and tired by the time he made it to Aspen. He treated himself to a few days of R&R and home-cooked meals at his mom’s before suiting back up. Early on, when grappling with the ideas of pausing his trip for rest days, accepting gifts of food or lodging from strangers or even having a friend join and carry his pack for a few miles, he had decicded that this was his trip, and he’d do it his way.

THE STARTING LINE

Beginning in South Carolina on March 1, 2017, Gates pieced together a route allowing him to run on iconic trails and country roads as much as possible (though he did need to use long stretches of highway miles and a few sections paddling or floating rivers to connect it all). The dirt miles

FRIENDLY FACE included junkets on the Palmetto, Appalachian, SO MANY ATHLETES ARE LOOKING TO BREAK Ozark Highlands, RECORDS AND FKTS, BUT Colorado, Kokopelli, WHEN GATES SET OUT Tahoe Rim, Western TO RUN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA TO CALIFORNIA, States and Bay Area HIS GOAL WAS TO MEET Ridge Trails, as Gates AMERICANS. hoofed through 11 states. photo courtesy BRAKETHROUGH MEDIA He budgeted $1,000 a / SALOMON month for food, supplies and the occasional hotel.

“The first step was really nerve wracking,” says Gates in reference to the sheer magnitude and anticipation of his journey. “But I’d been planning for a couple years and dreaming for much longer. ” Gear is critical when fast-packing. Too much would prove exhausting to carry and, too little could mean suffering in the elements. Gates worked with Salomon to create a prototype down jacket that also served as his sleeping bag and a prototype rain jacket that doubled as a tarp or makeshift tent—both essential (although not available to consumers), as he spent most nights under the stars. Otherwise his 12-pound pack carried his phone, a camera, a GoPro, extra clothes, a sleeping pad, his water for the day and enough

food to get him to the next gas station, rest stop or restaurant. He arranged for friends and family to send Salomon shoes to post offices along the way.

Over 3,657 miles he shredded 11 pairs.

WELCOME TO “COLORFUL COLORADO”

“Early on in the trip, when I told people what I was doing, they were full of excitement and very congratulatory,” Gates says. “But crossing the plains of Kansas and into eastern Colorado, when I told people I would run up and over the mountains, they were more skeptical, suggesting it was going to be hard or I had a long way to go. I’d rather run mountains than plains any day, though. I was born and raised in the Rockies.”

Gates admits the wide-open, plains landscape looked the same on both sides of the KansasColorado line. But it felt different— more “Wild West”—once he’d crossed into Colorado and was running toward home.

“I was in Colorado for a good five or six days before I saw the Rockies, and a few more before I made it to them,” he says. He spent his birthday on the empty eastern plains in La Junta, originally part of the Santa Fe Trail in the 1800s. “When you look at map, you are aware of the size of Colorado’s plains.

But when you run across them you are very aware.”

From there, he ran U.S. Highway 50 to Pueblo; then he made a cut north past Pikes Peak and along the Front Range. His mom joined him for a bit, riding her bike along as he ran. Colorado Running Company in Colorado Springs also hosted “a great community event, where I was really welcomed back to Colorado,” says Gates. He arrived at the Colorado Trail in Waterton Canyon on May 24, relieved to trade pavement for dirt. From there, he pounded 130 miles of trail he’d never run before.

He saw hardly anyone. The snowpack could have been to blame—not only was it still four feet deep above 10,000 feet in May, it snowed as he ran.

Near Copper, he linked up with the 10th Mountain Division Hut Trails to Aspen. The huts hold special meaning for Gates, since he worked them in high school and the Hut Run Hut trips he leads each summer follow a similar route.

“It was pretty liberating to put my phone and maps away and know where I was going,” he says.

Once in town, he spent a few days connecting with family and friends. But it wasn’t all about pizza parties and beer toasts. He did the 2nd annual Runoff, an ad hoc race between local kayakers and runners, that follows the Roaring Fork River. “The runners won by a long shot!” he laughs. That race and getting a burger at 520 Grill compete for his best memory.

ON TO THE FINISH

Leaving Aspen, Gates ran over Pearl Pass to Crested Butte, then over Kebler Pass to Paonia and Delta before boarding a raft and floating the Gunnison River to Grand Junction. Once he got off the river, he encountered blazing summer heat, with triple-digit temperatures across the desert.

At first, friends and his girlfriend ran and rafted with him in his home state. Soon, it was just Gates and a videographer. Then he was alone again, which put him in a slump. “Leaving Aspen was the beginning of a slow downward spiral that took about three weeks to get over,” he says.

The stretches of highway were longer, stops

HOME IN THE HIGH COUNTRY

RICKEY GATES’ TRAVEL TIPS

DESCENDING INTO A SNOWY BRECKENRIDGE LAST MAY ON THE COLORADO TRAIL FELT COMFY AND NORMAL TO GATES, WHO CALLS ASPEN HOME.

NO MATTER IF YOU ARE RUNNING COAST-TO-COAST OR JUST ON A WEEKEND JAUNT, THESE POINTERS WILL IMPROVE THE JOURNEY.

fewer and farther between, and he encountered fewer people along the way—and people were the essential part of the experience for Gates. Not only did he enjoy talking one-on-one to those he met, he was excited to document his journey, by snapping more than 200 portraits in total of the people he met. Gates was careful to be respectful when asking people if he could take their picture. “It’s like talking to a woman at a bar. You don’t just ask a gal for her number, you strike up a conversation first. You get to know a person.”

Gates also referred to those who offered him shelter and food as angels, much like the concept of trail angels along the Appalachian Trail. In the desert though, those encounters were fewer and farther between. He started running with a baby jogger to carry enough water and food to get him from stop to stop.

Running through the Sierras was a breath of fresh air compared to the desert. They also marked his last big hurdle before eventually making his way to San Francisco. Gates ended the journey with a triumphant run across the Golden Gate Bridge surrounded by friends and family. Even though he is not a fan of sand or the ocean, he went for a celebratory swim when he reached the Pacific on August 1, 152 days and 3,657 miles after he began his quest.

Want a pleasant surprise? Visit the Ozark Highlands Trail in Arkansas and Missouri.

Gates calls it “160 miles of secluded beauty.”

Closer to home, put some miles down on the Colorado Trail. Gates says the 486-mile route is well-marked and showcases some of the most beautiful, hidden parts of the state.

“Go see the 10th Mountain Division Huts,” says Gates. He feels they are a great way to explore the mountains between Aspen and Vail and that they should count as a national treasure. If you don’t want to go on your own, you can join Gates himself in 2018 on one of his Hut Run Hut trips (hutrunhut.com/).

Gates also suggests packing light. “Know your abilities and how to use the small amount of gear you have, and it will set you free.”

photo courtesy RICKEY GATES

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Out here, no cellphone can reach you.

Which is good.

Until it’s not.

®

With an inReach satellite communicator, you can send and receive text messages from friends, family and help - if necessary - anywhere on the globe, even where there’s no cell phone service.

INREACH® ©2017 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries

PARENTING

11.17

THE ADVENTURE

A NEW TWIST ON KIDS’ ADVENTURE GAMES GETS THIS MOM OFF THE BENCH AND IN ON HER PROGENY’S ACTION.

by HELEN OLSSON

O

ur first challenge looks relatively easy: It’s just a cargo net. We climb up it (yep, no problem), traverse a small platform then scramble down another cargo net. That’s not so easy: My foot slips through one of the holes in it and I fall, unceremoniously, body slamming into the net. It’s not nearly as soft as it looks.

I hear a crunch and I’m sure I have broken my arm. Then I realize no, the crunch was my neck. “Jeez, mom,” my 11-year-old daughter Anya says, as I lie tangled upside down. At 51 years old, my biggest challenge here in a family adventure race is simply to make sure I don’t embarrass my kids too much. I have already failed.

T

he Kids Adventure Race, held for the past seven years in Vail, has now expanded to nine resorts in seven states, including this, the Family Adventure Quest at Copper Mountain. Here’s how the races work. Once you sign up, organizers send a list of the required gear. Thirty minutes before the race kicks off, teams receive a map with a route and checkpoints with challenges. You don’t quite know what you’re up against until you arrive at each obstacle. And they range from rock climbing and rappelling down cliffs to rocketing down giant inclined slip and slides.

When my kids participated in youth adventure races in the past, my husband and I would run alongside taking pictures and cheering like ninnies. In this race, held over the Fourth of July weekend, the format was different: The competitive wave consisted of one adult and one child (the fun wave teams included families of up to four). Adult is defined as 16 and up, so my oldest son competed with his 13-year-old brother (“We are Team Bob Dingle,” they told me. Don’t ask.)

If you don’t want to make a fool of yourself in front of your progeny, you must move fast.

There’s no time to dwell on my epic flail on the net; our next challenge is to find pie plates in the shrubs and shoot blow darts at them. At the

am pulling a bit more weight than a 60-pound kid.

T

he very name of the final challenge—the “Darwin Dash”—suggests I might eliminate myself from the gene pool. We face a blue rubber mat the size of a dining room table and about as thick, pushed up against a half dozen others, all of them loosely connected by two-foot long ropes, the whole daisy chain of disaster floating in a lake of glacial runoff. The goal is to run across these unstable platforms.

I’m already exhausted—and did I mention that these mats are SLIP SLIDIN' AWAY slick? My foot slips on the last one and I plunge into the frigid THE AUTHOR AND HER DAUGHTER water up to my neck. It knocks ANYA BOND ON THE the wind out of me. Miraculously, LONG SLIDE DOWN. I hoist myself out of the water photo by LINDA GUERRETTE and back onto the mat. My daughter yells at me with little empathy: “Hurry up, Mom!” THERE’S NO TIME TO DWELL ON MY EPIC On hands and knees, I cough back “I. Just.

FLAIL ON THE NET; OUR NEXT CHALLENGE Need. A. Minute.”

IS TO FIND PIE PLATES IN THE SHRUBS AND We finally make it across the frigid lake and SHOOT BLOW DARTS AT THEM. the volunteers tell us to find our own way to the finish, fastest way we can. We run together—me soaking wet—across the line holding hands.

Later, we meet up with Team Bob Dingle. The catapult obstacle, we are tasked with using giant boys have stories of their own (my older son had sling shots to launch water balloons at each other. also fallen into the lake). I’m not saying how many Next is a big uphill mountain bike. We named teams there were, but both Olsson teams place in our team the “Wonder Llamas,” so naturally my the top three. I’d love to do the race again, but daughter insists we strap stuffed llamas onto our maybe next year we’ll try the Family Fun Wave. handlebars. She also makes me learn a song about The best part for me isn’t the competition, but llamas, complete with hand gestures (happy llama, the achievement of having pulled off something sad llama, total drama llama ...). really challenging and empowering with my We pedal to a checkpoint with a slack line and kids. It was a fun esteem builder and gave them raccoon crawl through a big black plastic tube. a huge sense of accomplishment. They’re already Because of my pack, I can’t get onto my knees, so strategizing for next year. Maybe I’ll train.

I have to pull my body weight through with arm strength alone. One problem—I have no upper body strength.

HELEN OLSSON IS THE AUTHOR OF THE DOWN AND Next, we jump from a tall platform onto DIRTY GUIDE TO CAMPING WITH KIDS. ORDER IT, airbags and hang prone on a wire above a river, FOLLOW HER ADVENTURES WITH THE KIDS, AND where we use a hand-over-hand motion to LEARN MORE OUTDOOR PARENTING INSIGHT AT MADDOGMOM.COM. FOR INFORMATION ON THE FAMILY pull ourselves across. I’d seen the kids do this ADVENTURE QUEST AT COPPER MOUNTAIN, HEAD TO Tyrolean Traverse in previous adventure races, COPPERCOLORADO.COM. FOR INFO ON THE SERIES, GO and it didn’t look that hard. But it’s fair to say, I TO KIDSADVENTUREGAMES.COM. N OV E M B E R 2 017 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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S PEC I A L A DV ERT I S I N G S EC T I O N

PROJECTED OPENING DAY NOVEMBER 17

“Eldora is MY hill.”

T

hat’s what the longtime locals of Denver’s closest downhill ski resort say, even if they shred other places. And by “locals,” we mean anyone from Nederland, near Eldora’s base, or Boulder, 21 miles away, or Denver, just 47 miles away. No matter where you live, if you’ve skied this soulful hill with 680 acres of groomers, glades, steeps, and parks, you feel a sense of small-hill, best-kept-secret pride that Garrison Keillor might employ in a Lake Wobegon sketch.

Worry not: Keillor’s probably headed to one of those big resorts on I-70, which leaves more Eldora for you. Eldora’s motto is “Closer to You,” because this ski area is both physically closer to Denver and Boulder than any other ski area and closer to the lifestyles many locals live.

Want to grab a few quick laps before heading to the office? The new Alpenglow high-speed six-person chair gets you to the top in about four minutes—10 minutes faster than the old chairs it replaced. Eldora is also a family favorite: Parents take their afternoon kindergarteners skiing before their classes start. And on Tuesdays and Thursdays, you’ll see Boulder County’s only high-school ski team, the Nederland Panthers, bashing gates alongside University of Colorado Division 1 racers.

Don’t want to see anyone? That works, too. “On a powder day, I’ll head out to Corona Bowl for short, steep tree lines that really get my heart rate up,” says Shawn Edmondson, Nederland’s middle school ski team coach. “I can ski a few laps before work and feel stoked for the rest of the day.”

Five decades worth of skiers feel the same way, having grown up on Eldora’s iconic local slopes. And now, thanks to energy and investment from owner POWDR Adventure Lifestyle Co., the mountain is entering a new phase this season. Besides the new Alpenglow chair, upgrades include the new expert Gully Glades, free Wi-Fi in both base lodges (remote office, anyone?), a fun “snow beach” area outside of Timbers Lodge, and tasty new menu items like Mediterranean baked potato and apple pecan chicken salad.

But the core of Eldora—its soul—remains the same: friendly, down-to-earth, and close to home, in more ways than one. C’mon up and visit. We bet you’ll dig it.

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MILES FROM DENVER

680

ACRES OF TERRAIN

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MILES FROM BOULDER

30%

EXPERT TERRAIN

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SCHEDULED OPENING DAY

NOVEMBER 10

#RAISEDONCOLORADO S ki Copper Mountain just once and you’ll understand why so many people call it home.

Why you ask? It’s the unpretentious feel with some of the best terrain Colorado has to offer. The mountain features naturally-divided terrain where beginners can practice their skills on the west side while advanced skiers and riders can enjoy long, steep runs to the east. Intermediates will find exactly what they need right down the center. Advanced skiers can’t miss the back bowls and famed Tucker Mountain. The terrain you’ll find on Tucker is as close to the backcountry as you’ll find in-bounds. A free snowcat provides access to this area Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., weather- and condition-dependent.

This season, the mountain is just getting better. POWDR Adventure Lifestyle Co.—the resort’s parent company—has put $20 million into capital improvements, pushing the guest experience to a whole new level. Check out these six reasons to make a visit this season.

#1 NO SKILLS REQUIRED The entire family can take to the track of the Rocky Mountain Coaster.

As it winds 5,800 feet down through the forest, there will be plenty of opportunities to take in the scenery and let the cool winter breeze complete the exhilarating ride. #2 THE ULTIMATE BEGINNERS’ PARADISE Never-evers, beginners and families can rise to new heights on the comfortable Kokomo Express lift. This high-speed, detachable quad climbs 2,900 feet in four minutes to Copper’s well-known beginner terrain. Need a break? Head into Koko’s Hut located at the top of the lift. This warming hut comes complete with indoor and outdoor seating plus food and drink to refuel. Views of the Ten Mile Range will keep your inspiration at an all-time high. photos by TRIPP FAY, COPPER MOUNTAIN RESORT

#3 DRINKS AND DINING No visit to Copper is complete without a visit to one of its new restaurants. Grab a dirty chai and savory breakfast at Toast & Co before you hit the hill. Once the day is done, return for a cocktail in a cozy lounge setting.

For a more lively après scene, kick up your boots at Downhill Duke’s. Bring your pup to enjoy small plates and live music well into the evening. For lunch, dinner and après, meet your friends and family at Ten Mile Tavern, formerly known as Endo’s. You can choose from 17+ beers on tap to pair with delicious comfort food that will leave you satisfied. #4 HIT THE HILL QUICKLY This season, you’ll find RFID included in all season passes and lift tickets.

This radio frequency technology has been installed at every base area lift.

Not only will it get you up the hill faster but you also won’t have to subject your hands to the cold by pulling your pass out of your pocket. #5 TREAT YOURSELF You can find all the retail therapy you need at Camp Hale Outfitters.

With a full selection of outdoor gear, high-end demo rentals and a coffee and wine bar, you’ll want to settle into this comfy environment. For a new and improved rental fitting and purchasing experience, visit the new Copper Sports location. #6 TREAT YOURSELF Complement your stay with Copper’s full event schedule. Events not to miss are the U.S. Grand Prix (December 4–10), the Valentine’s Moonlight Dine & Ski (February 10), and Sunsation (April 14–15, 2018).

LONGTIME FAMILY OF COPPER

“Copper’s perfect for a range of skiers, including advanced adults, out of town beginners, and half-day skiers, i.e. kids.

The kids can ski Copper’s varied blues and easier blacks; then head to a condo right at the base. At that point, the adults can take turns babysitting and accessing the Tucker Mountain Snowcat in trickier terrain.

Perfect, all around.”

JULIA VANDENOEVER, PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER AND MOM OF TWO, BOULDER

I “home ski” at Eldora, but when I want a bigger mountain with bigger terrain parks to get my jib on, I head to Copper. I’ve been skiing there since before I entered grade school and love the different mountains and combination of fast groomers and steep bowl skiing. And for someone like me, who dreams of 720s during algebra, Woodward is the perfect hook-up in terms of instruction.

HATCHER EDMONDSON, HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN AND PARK RAT, NEDERLAND

I raced at Copper when I was in high school and always appreciated how friendly and professional all of the employees were, how welcome we felt even as the “opposing” team.

Plus, the base area was super sunny and comfortable, even during a busy ski race. The attitude was laid-back and fun.

MARIAH COLTON, ALASKA FISHERWOMAN AND BACKCOUNTRY SHREDDER, RAYMOND

COLORADO BRANDED FRIDAY JANUARY 26, 2018 THE OUTDOOR RETAILER SHOW IS COMING TO DENVER AND WE ARE READY TO CELEBRATE THE CHOICE TO MOVE TO A STATE THAT CELEBRATES THE OUTDOORS AND THE INCOME OF THE OUTDOOR RECREATION ECONOMY. WE HAVE SOMETHING BIG IN THE WORKS. STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR COLORADO BRANDED CELEBRATION. WE ARE GOING TO PARTY COLORADO STYLE.

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COLORADO BRANDED What better place to build an outdoor brand than in the state that gets outside and plays more than any other?

The people who work at these companies live the Colorado life—and that dedication to adventure shows in the businesses they run and the gear they make.

L E M S S H OE S B O U L D E R , CO ME I E R S K I S DE N V E R , CO

R E P YOU R WAT E R E R I E , CO HAIBIKE D E N V E R , CO

LO KI G E AR G RAND JU NC T IO N, C O

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

HAIBIKE

TH E STO RY The market leader in the field of ePerformance, Haibike is known for its extensive lineup of sporty and innovative pedal-assist mountain and pavement e-bikes. The brand started in Schweinfurt, Germany (Bavaria), in 1995, but its roots date back to 1920, when racing cyclist Engelbert Weiner, founded E. Wiener Retail Trading Company manufacturing custom bicycles.

Haibike Class 1 e-bikes feature Bosch and Yamaha drive systems that assist riders up to 20 mph. The combination of advanced frame designs and mid-drive systems create perfectly balanced bikes that allow you to ride and shift like you would any non-e-bike. The bikes benefit both novices and experienced riders alike, allowing you to overcome fitness hurdles or extend your range.

Haibike works closely with PeopleforBikes to promote trail access for Class 1 eMTBs, educate consumers about where they can legally ride and promote proper eMTB trail etiquette.

REPYOURWATER TH E STO RY Founded in 2011 by husband and wife team Garrison and Corinne Doctor, RepYourWater is a fishing and hunting apparel company that is dedicated to providing uniquely designed, top quality gear for anglers and hunters while also increasing support of local conservation and inspiring exploration.

K E E P I T LO CA L Colorado is an integral part of the RepYourWater brand. Co-Founders Garrison and Corinne were both born and raised in Boulder and they now live in Lafayette. RepYourWater’s very first design was made to show their love for fishing in Colorado. Now RepYourWater offers at least one design for each U.S. state, and many more featuring species, regions and the outdoor adventure lifestyle.

RepYourWater partnered early on with Colorado Trout Unlimited (CTU), which became its very first conservation partner. At least one percent of sales of Colorado-themed gear is donated

FU N FAC T Pronounced high-bike, “Hai” means “shark” in German.

COLORADO-NE SS “We moved our U.S. headquarters to Denver so that we could be based in a state that values outdoor recreation.

With over 2,000 miles of bike trails in the city and unlimited adventures just a short drive away up in the mountains, it was easy for our team to embrace the Colorado lifestyle.”

worldwide. The SDURO line offers great all-around sporty full-suspension and hardtail eMTBs, and an extensive line of trekking, cross, and city bikes for your next adventure. Learn more online.

HAIB IK E . C O M F O U NDE D: 1 9 9 5 303. 2 4 3. 32 4 0

N EW PR ODU C TS Haibike offers 52 different e-bike models, including advanced eMTBs offering 120-200mm of suspension travel, a full women’s specific line, two 12 mph kids e-bikes and adventure bikes for long-distance cycling or urban commuting. With the new Bosch-powered intube battery platform and the well-known Yamaha PW-X system, the XDURO line represents the most advanced, cutting edge, and performance focused e-bikes

to CTU to help further the mission to protect, conserve and restore Colorado’s coldwater watersheds.

N EW PR ODU C TS As the cold weather approaches, RepYourWater is offering new Brown and Brook trout knit hats and new-andimproved medium-weight Trout Socks and ultra light-weight Best Catch Socks.

Produced with fellow Colorado company Point6, RepYourWater’s new socks feature merino wool and great designs.

Plus, they serve up incredible insulation and comfort.

Also be sure to check out RepYourWater’s new Venturer Insulated Vests. Inspired by fall exploration in the Mountain West, they’re good for everything from frosty mornings to late night campfires.

wanted to do more than sell apparel. We want to continue to make a difference, even as a small business, and this year alone we are on track to donate at least $50,000 to our conservation partners.”

RE PYO U RWAT E R. C O M F O U NDE D: 2 01 1 C US OM E R S E RVIC E @ R E PYOUR WAT E R . C O M 303.7 1 7.02 6 7

WHAT MATTE RS “We have made conservation a cornerstone of our business by donating a portion of all sales to our partners.

We knew when we got into the outdoor industry over six years ago that we N OV E M B E R 2 017 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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COLORADO BRANDED

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

MEIER SKIS

TH E STO RY Meier skis was born in 2009 out of a passion for skiing. Founder Matt Cudmore was looking for a lightweight, high-performance ski that would be fun in backcountry pow, trees, crud and on groomed resort runs. Giving up on name-brand skis, Matt engineered his own and the “Heritage” was born. Meier Skis has been crafting unparalleled, handmade skis in Colorado ever since.

As with many great ideas that started in the garage, Meier progressed to a larger facility soon after. In 2016, the company mover east from the Roaring Fork Valley and is now happy to call Denver home.

LOKI GEAR

LEMS SHOES

C O M E VI S I T Visit Meier at the new factory or “Craftskiery” as we like to call it. It’s the first ski factory where you can have a seat at the bar, enjoy a tasty beverage poured by a“ski-tender,” watch your skis being pressed through large glass windows, and pray for snow with the Meier crew. Be sure to check the website for Happy Hour Tour hours.

THE STORY After studying landscape design at Purdue and competing as a decathlete, Andrew Rademacher, began working at a local footwear store to learn the ropes of shoe fitting and gait analysis. He became so infatuated with shoes that he used his paychecks to purchase more pairs in order to wear test and dissect them. When he realized that the shoe he was looking for wasn’t on the market, he decided to start from scratch and began designing, what he believed, to be the perfect shoe. In 2011, after three years of sleepless nights and countless hours of research and design, Lems was born.

Lems is an American-run, 100-percent-family-owned company that develops footwear using the bare necessities. All Lems are designed with a minimalist approach and a natural-shaped fit, featuring a toebox that maximizes comfort and provides room for your toes to spread. Lems are packable, flexible, lightweight and always ready to accompany you on your next adventure.

M E I E R SKI S .CO M F O UN DED : 2009 8 4 4 .WOOD.SK I

COLORADO-NE SS “We moved our company to Boulder to be aligned with our core culture. We’re a team of hikers, bikers, runners, climbers and skiers. With 300 days of sunshine and endless outdoor opportunities, there’s no better place to test our products. The future of our product line will forever be shaped by the “Mountain-to-Town” lifestyle

C O LO R AD O - NES S Meier Skis handcrafts its wood-core skis entirely from locally sourced aspen and beetle-kill pine in Denver, Colorado. By using Colorado forest products, the brand is not only helping the environment and striving to be the most eco-friendly, high performance ski company around, but also providing jobs and boosting the local economy.

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that so many Coloradoans live for.”

NE W P RO DU C TS In Summer 2018, Lems will be releasing a new line of Mountain Sneakers. They will be equipped for hiking trails, while also at home on the city streets. If you’re looking to go from the mountaintop, down to your local brewpub or coffee shop, these new Lems Sneakers will have you covered.

T E ST IM O NIAL “I’ve owned four pairs of Lems and they don’t disappoint. As the creator of Altra Zero Drop shoes, I know a good shoe when I see it, and these are fabulous.

They’ve been great so far in the winter and I’ve even taken them for a couple of runs out in the snow with great success.

They’re crazy comfortable. Get ‘em!” — Golden Harper, founder, Altra Shoes F U N FAC T If you spot a man perusing Pearl Street or hiking the trails with a different shoe on each foot, that’s most likely Andrew Rademacher testing the differences in each product. As an unabashed sneaker head, Andrew’s collection of shoes numbers well over 280 pairs.

L E M SSHO E S. C O M F O U NDE D: 2 01 1 8 4 4 . 8 5 9. 5 36 7

T H E STORY Loki’s legendary all-in-one outdoor clothing is a Colorado original invented for and inspired by the state’s constantly changing weather. Loki wants you to be ready for anything Colorado can throw at you. Here’s how it works: Patented Pro Cuffs and Versa Cuffs built in to your sleeve will instantly cover your hands and the patented Faceshield covers your face in a hurry. Some Loki jackets even convert into functional backpacks.

The point of all this versatility is that you can walk out of your door and be able to rock outdoors without searching the closet for your gear. Yoy won’t have pockets full of gloves, hats or gaiters— and you can’t lose any of your essential gear. Loki comes in rugged yet low key styles that fit with daily and outdoor life. You can drop by Loki National Headquarters located at 445 Colorado Avenue in Downtown Grand Junction.

N E W P R OD U CTS Updates to the Mountain Hoodie Extreme include a rugged waterproof, windproof and breathable exterior.

The new Pro-Cuff is improved and the pockets look sweet and hold more gear. Styled like a hoodie, this piece is definitely ready for the mountains.

T E ST I MON I A L “It’s the best mountain gear I’ve used.

Warm and versatile, it’s the best when caught in bad weather.” —Jerry Hanson, Loki Facebook fan.

FU N FACT Loki is named for the shape-changing trickster god. The original logo had no words only an “L with a key.”

It was low key.

LOK I G E A R .COM FOU N D E D : 199 7 970. 2 4 8. 96 93

COLORADO BRANDED

GEAR GIVEAWAY SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

1. REP YOUR WATER GIFT CARD ($75) 2. MEIER QUICKDRAW SKIS ($735) 3. LEMS BOULDER BOOTS ($115-140) 4. LOKI MOUNTAIN HOODIE EXTREME ELEVATION ($149)

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GEAR

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STILLWATER BRANDS CLOCKWORK COFFEE

PHUNKSHUN WEAR COLORADO CLASSIC NECK TUBE

VENTURE SNOWBOARDS STORM SPLITBOARD

LOCAL CRED

Celebrate the great state of Colorado with this gear made by dedicated local brands.

by DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

BOULDER

Mountain Standard Hooded Down Jacket

LOKI ALL IN ONE TECH HOODY

The folks behind Mountain Standard have designed gear for other outdoor brands ranging from Salomon to Manduka over the years.

But they wanted to create apparel that people like them, who actually live in mountain towns, would want to use. Take this warm, smart hooded puffy: You’ll most likely see us rocking it around town all winter long. $179 | mountainstandard.com

MOUNTAIN STANDARD HOODED DOWN JACKET

SUERTE TEQUILA REPOSADO

MY TRAIL CO BACKPACK LIGHT 50L

BOULDER

MEIER SKIS COLORADO NATIVE

My Trail CO Backpack Light 50L GoLite was on the cutting edge of the fast-and-light trail movement.

Fans of the brand mourned its demise, but they can now rejoice.

GoLite head honcho Demetri Coupounas launched My Trail CO to bring that same ethic back in an age when the movement he started has become the norm. This two-pound, 1.5-ounce pack certainly proved no-nonsense and easy-to-haul on a recent trip into the Weminuche Wilderness. $149 | mytrailco.com

BOULDER

Suerte Tequila Reposado While the focus on Colorado drinkables is almost always on craft beer, Suerte founders Laurence Spiewak and Lance Sokol wanted to re-create the type of tequila they found in Mexico. The result?

This pure, oaky 100-percent agave reposado that will have you feeling like Benicio del Toro on a bender. $36 | drinksuerte.com

SILVERTON

Venture Snowboards Storm Splitboard With its experts-only mountain (founded by core snowboarder Aaron Brill), Silverton lays claim to the title Biggest Badass Town in Colorado.

That’s why Klemens and Lisa Branner

have always built their boards here and played in the backcountry with like-minded souls. The Storm Split is the ideal board for this lifestyle, a performer in powder that can also rail, and it allows for easy split-and-skin access to those big backcountry lines. $899 | venturesnowboards.com

LEADVILLE

Melanzana Micro Grid Dress Sewing away in the highest town in North America, Melanzana is one of the very few brands that actually makes its technical outdoor apparel right here in the Centennial State. A variation of its ever-popular—and oh, so comfortable—micro grid fleece, this dress adds a bit of style to your weekend adventure. We love it for hut trips. $79 | melanzana.com

DENVER

Meier Skis Colorado Native There’s really no excuse not to buy handmade wood skis from a company crafting those sticks in your home state. Meier prides itself on sustainable production, which is disturbingly rare in the ski industry,

and uses local suppliers as much as possible. This limited edition screams native pride, and at 88mm underfoot, it rips up the groomers on those frontside resort days when you want to scare the tourists. $795 | meierskis.com

DENVER

Phunkshun Wear Colorado Classic Neck Tube Denver-based Phunkshun crafts a wide range of cool neck and face protection that proves to be the most important piece of gear you stuff in your pack. This neck tube tells the world you live where they want to live. $20 | phunkshunwear.com

DENVER

Stillwater Brands Clockwork Coffee While out-of-staters love to make jokes about Colorado’s legal weed, forward thinkers and entrepreneurs in-state keep dreaming up new ways to enjoy the benefits of marijuana.

MELANZANA MICRO GRID DRESS

One of our favorites is this cannabis instant coffee. It comes in 5- and 10-mg options so you can moderate your high, and it’s ideal for mornings backpacking or other time off the grid where you can responsibly enjoy the mellow uplift of blending caffeine and cannaboids. $25 | stillwater.life

GRAND JUNCTION

Loki All in One Tech Hoody Out on the Western Slope, Loki has been re-thinking functional apparel for action lovers since 1997. The selling point is that this apparel shapeshifts: Built-in hoodies and mittens pack away into the piece. This hoody shines as a multi-functional layer that can take on any adventure from cold days biking in Fruita to scrambling up fourteeners and skiing at Powderhorn. $99 | lokiusa.com

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GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR SERIOUS OUTDOOR JUNKIES BROUGHT TO YOU BY BEREN GOGUEN, SIERRA TRADING POST GIVE THE GIFT OF GEAR this holiday season. The following goodies are sure to bring a smile to the face of that outdoor lover in your life.

L EKI CARBO N TI TR EKKIN G POL E S At just a hair over one pound (combined weight), Leki’s Carbon TI poles are among the lightest you’ll find on the market. The Speed Lock adjusters are quick, easy and reliable, and the Aergon Thermo grips are designed for maximum comfort on extended backcountry ventures.

GOA L Z E RO L IGHT HO US E MICR O F L ASH US B L ANTE RN There are many USB-rechargeable camping lanterns out there, but the Lighthouse Mirco outclasses the competition. Not only does this unit crank out 150-lumens (on high) and up to 170 hours of burn time (on low), it weighs a mere 2.4 ounces (68g).

Add Goal Zero solar panels, and you have the perfect off-grid backpacking lantern/flashlight combo.

GREG O RY STO UT 45 BACK PAC K Gregory has been a trusted name in backpacks for more than 35 years, and the Stout is a prime example of why. With its TrailFlex wishbone suspension system, this 45-liter pack distributes weight evenly to the lumbar region for enhanced comfort and also includes a removable rain cover to keep your gear dry during unexpected showers.

YETI T U NDRA 6 5 C O O LER The Tundra series from Yeti has achieved widespread acclaim for being the most durable, well-designed family of ice chests on the planet. The Tundra 65 holds 39 cans of brew with enough room leftover to maintain a proper 2:1 ice-to-can ratio.

Depending on the conditions, these coolers have been known to keep stuff ice-cold for days.

RAY-BA N AVI ATO R SUNG L AS SE S No other shades are more iconic than RayBan Aviators. They’re also extremely well made (manufactured in Italy) and polarized to block eyefatiguing glare (perfect for driving, boating and fishing). They are the “Top Guns” of the sunglasses world. Period.

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ESEE- 4 FIX ED BL A D E KNIFE Looking for a super-sharp, amazingly durable knife for camping, backpacking or hunting? Grab an Americanmade ESEE-4. The 1095 carbon steel comes razor-honed out of the box and holds an edge extremely well. With its full tang and blade length of 4.1 inches, it’s the perfect companion for almost any outdoor activity.

PETZL TIKKA X P L ED H EA D L A MP Want a budget-friendly gift that any outdoor enthusiast will appreciate? This compact headlamp packs 180 lumens of output into a lightweight, water-resistant package for $30.

SAW Y ER MINI WATER FILTER Another great buy for under 30 bucks, the Sawyer mini filtration system is rated to .01 microns and only weighs two ounces. It removes 99.9999 percent of bacteria and protozoa, including giardia and cryptosporidium.

If used properly, it can safely filter up to 100,000 gallons before needing to be replaced.

SER AC CL ASSIC SINGL E CA MP ING HAM M OCK Just look at the many glowing reviews online: The Serac Classic is one of the highest rated, singleperson hammocks currently available for under $50, and it even includes a suspension system. That’s a smokin’ hot deal.

METOL IU S “TH E SIMU L ATOR” 3 D TRAI N I N G BOARD Racking your brain to find the perfect gift for an old climbing buddy? Pick up The Simulator from Metolius.

It’s a rock gym in a box, and even includes mounting hardware and a training guide.

STYLE

Arc’teryx Quanta Cap

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Combining cotton comfort and polyester’s quick-drying performance, this is one versatile cap. Plus, an elastic headband keeps it fixed on your noggin. $50 | arcteryx.com

DOWN TO LEISURE

Adidas Zonyk Aero Pro Sunglasses

In case you don’t know “athleisure,”it is athletic clothing that serves double-duty.

One problem: It’s been listing heavily towards the leisure and away from useful. The whole idea is that you can show up for work and work out in the same outfit. Fortunately, the following items embrace the athletic side of the athleisure spectrum, taking the trend away from screen time and back in the direction it should go—to real action on the trail.

The half-rim design here saves weight and offers excellent peripheral vision—that adds up to performance that looks damn good on the ride in. $209 | adidassporteyewear.com

Pearl Izumi Divide Top The novel chest pocket design and moisture management fabric in this light top will make it your best friend on your bike commute. $55 | pearlizumi.com

Club Ride Mountain Surf Shorts Here's everything you’d want out of a short: abrasion resistance, adjustable waist, zippered pocket, reflectivity, 12-inch inseam, lightweight quick-drying fabric and a gusseted crotch. $80 | clubrideapparel.com

words by ADAM W. CHASE photography by MARIEDOMINIQUE VERDIER

Smartwool Marble Ridge Hat This half merino wool, half acrylic piece can stay on your head all-day long without any loss of style points. $34 | smartwool.com

Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody Providing oven-like wamth when you need it, but breathable enough to wear in the office, this insulator is a must-own. $450 | arcteryx.com

Tracksmith Grayboy “Amateur” Tee Made with blend of cotton and Rayon, this t-shirt says “AMATURE’ across the front. Whether your coworkers interpret that as an ironic statement or not is totally up to you. $55 | tracksmith.com

Ibex Essential Wool Polo

Vuori Abrasion-less Pant

Tracksmith Longfellow Shorts

Ortovox Swisswool Piz Boe Vest

Made of Schoeller Dryskin with four-way stretch, durability and wicking performance, the clean lines of these shorts look more athletic than leisure. $90 | tracksmith.com

This vest is hot: A Pertex outer and Swiss wool insulation give you downhoody warmth in your core without all the bulk of a full jacket. $199 | ortovox.com

Abrasion-resistant stretch fabric with articulated knees and a crotch gusset make these pants impervious to the occasional banister slide. $88 | vuoriclothing.com

This classic-style polo with plushness of blended knit merino wool and silk looks all business but it mitigates the rigors of the trail, too. $120 | ibex.com

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EST.

N

2003

mountain dress code

Mountain Khakis Flagship Store 1412 Larimer Square Denver, CO (303) 505-1566

Confluence Kayaks 2301 7th St. Denver, CO (303) 433-3676 MountainKhakis.com

HEAR THIS

11.17

CENTENNIAL SOUNDS Put some local buzz in your earbuds and check out these four Colorado bands on the rise.

by JEDD FERRIS

T

he Colorado music scene keeps growing and deepening. But what bands are worth a spot on your busy social schedule this winter?

We suggest you see these local acts drawing national attention before the crowds get too big and the tickets too expensive.

RAGGED UNION

A contender for the title of Colorado’s next great bluegrass band, Ragged Union, led by husbandwife duo Geoff and Christina Union, is a nimblefingered outfit deftly pushing the boundaries of traditional sounds. Taking turns on lead vocals and with Geoff on guitar, they’re supported by a cast of known names, including award-winning mandolinist Jordan Ramsey, banjo player Chris Elliott, formerly of Spring Creek, bassist David Richey of the Billy Pilgrims and fiddler Justin Hoffenberg, a Rockygrass Academy instructor and former member of Long Road Home.

In late October, the band released its second full-length record, “Time Captain.” The tightly crafted effort provides a captivating snapshot of the sextet’s well-rounded acoustic prowess, from the heartbreak ballad “Leaving Town” to the expansive country-funk of the title track.

surf-pop closer “Reunion” strikes an uplifting sonic disposition, a relieving finish to an album bristling with anxious energy.

for yourself at their Ogden Theatre show on January 6.

release show at Swallow Hill Music in Denver on November 11.

SEE THEM: After a cross-country tour supporting the new effort, The Yawpers will play a hometown show at the Oriental Theater on December 31.

MEADOW MOUNTAIN

THE YAWPERS

TENNIS

SEE THEM: Ragged Union will play an album

Garage-blues power trio the Yawpers emerged from Denver in 2011 with a bass-less, twoguitar-and-drums attack that combines scuzzy punk freakouts, dirty rockabilly grooves and primitive Delta callbacks. Their second effort for the venerable insurgent country label Bloodshot Records, “Boy in a Well,” was produced by Tommy Stinson of the Replacements, and accordingly, the record melds moments of both blurry angst and ragged, tuneful glory.

The concept album features a tragic story conceived by lead singer Nate Cook about a mother who abandons her baby in World War I-era France. It’s a heady premise, and one that’s a little hard to follow through the record’s 12 tunes, but the band keeps things compelling by bringing together a variety of genres and a raw edge.

With a versatile voice, Cook yelps, howls, croons and growls, taking his band through everything from lo-fi ballads (“Room with a View”) to primal roadhouse screamers (“Face to Face to Face”). While dark in lyrical content, the jangly

Another married couple making music together, Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley have crafted four albums of sunny indie pop with retro leanings as Tennis. The duo’s latest record, “Yours Conditionally,” came out in March. Like past work, the most recent effort was inspired by a sailing trip they took together—this one a journey from San Diego to Mexico’s Sea of Cortez. As Riley told NPR: “For us, disconnecting is a huge part of the writing process.”

Indeed, the band excels at stripping songs down to an emotional core, with thoughtprovoking lyrics and infectious melodies always front and center. Moore’s powerfully sweet voice has a piercing effect on the 70s-style soul ballad “In the Morning I’ll Be Better,” and in “Ladies Don’t Play Guitar” she adds some sarcastic social commentary to a dance tune with breezy swagger.

SEE THEM: After warming up stages for the likes

of Haim, Spoon and the Shins, they’re starting to headline big rooms on their own. Hear them

LOVE ALL TENNIS’ HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM, PATRICK RILEY AND ALAINA MOORE STRIKE A VINTAGE POSE ON THE COVER OF THEIR LATEST ALBUM, WHICH RECALLS THE SOUL SOUNDS OF THE 1970S.

Meadow Mountain had a darn good summer. photo courtesy TENNIS The group took first at the annual Rockygrass Band Competition and third at the band comp at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Two Vail high school buddies, Jack Dunlevie and Summers Baker, formed the band while/after busking at a local farmer’s market during a summer home from college. As they honed their chops and learned new songs, additional band members joined. The group, now rounded out by banjo picker George Guthrie, fiddler Ian Parker and bassist Wilson Luallen, blends a reverence for bluegrass tradition with a willingness to experiment in the vein of progressive string innovators the Punch Brothers.

On their 2016 EP, “Homestead,” fast-picked frontporch tunes like opener “Follow Me,” mingle with newgrass explorations, including the shapeshifting instrumental “Central.”

SEE THEM: Catch them opening for Trout Steak Revival at the Fox Theatre in Boulder on December 1. After that, the up-and-coming band plans to record a full-length debut album.

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THE ROAD

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THE BIG VALLEY At roughly 8,000 feet and 8,000 square miles, the San Luis Valley is one of the world’s largest highelevation playgrounds. And some enterprising locals have rolled up their sleeves to maximize the grandeur and make the hamlet of Del Norte a mountain biking, singletrack destination. words by PHILIP ARMOUR | photos by LIAM DORAN

C

olorado’s San Luis Valley is the kind of place that makes you feel blessed just for being there. It’s so remote, so high, so big and stuffed with so many dramatic geologic formations that you seem to absorb it all on a cellular level. And tiny Del Norte (population 1,598) is a stubborn little oasis amidst these superlatives. A farming and ranching community at its core (and originally, a mining town), Del Norte has long been a waypoint for travelers headed over Wolf Creek

Pass. The Windsor Hotel, a newly refurbished Victorian, is one of the oldest crash pads in Colorado, built as it was in 1874. And since the construction of the first rope tow up Wolf Creek Pass in 1938, athletes and outdoorsmen have steadily been moving here to harvest powder and and explore backcountry trails.

Trout and big game have always been plentiful, attracting the Ute Tribe for millennia and the Ancestral Puebloans before that.

The valley’s free-roaming buffalo are gone, but one enterprising rancher is breeding a healthy herd

just north of town. During my visit in June, the tawny-colored newborn calves stood out against their black parents, skipping about on spindly legs. Heck, even Mammoth once roamed the San Luis Valley.

And the area’s rich wetlands have long been an important stop for migrating birds.

One family of outdoor athletes has been instrumental in developing the adventure sports scene in the area. Eric Burt took over Kristi

“THAT LOCAL SPIRIT COMBINED WITH THE POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH LAND MANAGERS MAKES THE VALLEY REALLY UNIQUE, SUPPORTIVE AND SYMBIOTIC.” —BRINK MESSICK

Mountain PUNCHING THE CLOCK Sports in RALEIGH BURT HAS SPENT Alamosa HIS ENTIRE LIFE IN (AND NOW HELPING MANAGE) in 1983 KRISTI MOUNTAIN and SPORTS—NO ONE KNOWS opened a THE LOCAL TRAILS BETTER. sister store in Del Norte in 2016, in large part to serve the growing mountain biking scene.

It’s a family affair, with his wife Lisa and two sons, Raleigh and Leighton, running the business with him.

“Growing up around here, we had the run of the place. You can’t imagine,” says elder son Raleigh Burt, 25, the stores’ director of business development.

Kristi Mountain Sports, Del Norte, occupying an historic brick building constructed in 1882, is on its seventh life; it’s been a bank, a grocery store, butcher shop, hardware store, flower shop, and gift shop over the years. The adjoining courtyard is well-shaded and set up with the essentials: picnic tables, a hammock and fresh-water spigot.

The Burts have collaborated

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with local trail builder Brinkley (“Brink”) Messick, 35, to help develop (and benefit from) the singletrack around Del Norte. What was a loose collection of fire roads and “user-generated” trail has been modified, improved, and expanded in collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). “There’s been an incredible relationship with public land managers,” says Messick, who lives in Salida.

“I’ve worked with lots of agencies throughout the state, and there’s something special in the valley— maybe it’s the agricultural heritage, where you help your neighbor.

That local spirit combined with the positive relationship with land managers, makes the valley really Both Kristi Mountain Sports unique, locations sell and rent pretty supportive much everything. They don’t and offer guiding services (yet), symbiotic.” but they’re liberal with the Originally beta, and their full-service from North bike shops are performanceCarolina, oriented for athletes.

Messick came kristimountainsports.com to Colorado in 2003 to run a horse packing program for a kid’s camp during his college summers. Colorado’s amazing recreation got him “stuck” in the area. He never left and has since worked for nonprofits, like Southwest Conservation Corps, where he was volunteer and partnership coordinator, and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, a San Luis Valley-based position that interfaces with the BLM. Today, he works for Colorado Mountain Club as conservation outreach and project manager. More than anyone, Messick has been instrumental in making Del Norte a destination for mountain biking.

“Brink’s the man,” says Burt. “In the last six or seven years, he’s had his hand in all the trail design and trail building around here.”

Messick cites the Southwest Conservation Corps, specifically, as the heaviest lifter. Partially federally funded, the group has a great relationship with the BLM, and attracts mostly young

Gear Up

ON THE BRINK BRINCKLEY “BRINK” MESSICK HAS OVERSEEN THE EVOLUTION OF DEL NORTE'S SINGLETRACK SYSTEM, HELPING TRANSFORM A LOOSE COLLECTION OF FIREROADS INTO RIPPING FLOW TRAILS.

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volunteers willing to put their backs into the sweaty physical labor of trail building.

T

he riding around Del Norte is divided into three main “lowland areas”: Penitente Canyon (20 miles of singletrack), Pronghorn (10 miles of singletrack), and Stone Quarry, (15 miles singletrack). A fourth area, Lime Kiln (a network of jeep trails just south of Stone Quarry), allows motorized access, making it ideal for e-bikes. And the alpine “highland trails” (still snowed in during my visit in June), upcountry to the West of town in the San Juan Mountains, also present great riding. Around town, the trails feel more like Moab or Fruita: desert, rock formations, rolling hills. The higher elevation trails feel like Crested Butte: forests, meadows, ridges. You can even bike to the top of 13,209-foot Bennett Peak on a forest road right out of town. In total, about 50 miles of singletrack flow around Del Norte. (Add the “two-track” options, and it’s well over 100 miles.) And that’s not counting all the forest/ alpine riding in the Rio Grande National Forest.

Messick’s “purpose-built” trails

MESSICK’S “PURPOSE-BUILT” TRAILS ARE FAR MORE SUSTAINABLE THAN THE “USER-CREATED” SINGLETRACK, AND CLEVERLY SNAKE THROUGH THE TERRAIN TO MITIGATE EROSION. are far more sustainable than the “user-created” singletrack, and cleverly snake through the terrain to mitigate erosion. He also considers the area’s rich cultural history, which goes back thousands of years, when building trails.

“We’ve done re-routes to avoid cultural spots,” says Messick of various pictograph sites. “Before we build on public land, it has to be surveyed by archaeologists.” The area has rock art panels created by the Jicarilla Apache and Ute. People have been traveling the San Luis Valley pretty much since humans have been in North America. It was an intersection for many historic trade routes associated with the Ancestral Puebloans, local tribes, and the Spanish, partly because Wolf Creek Pass is the headwaters of the Rio Grande River.

Combine the area’s history with the natural beauty and the spider webs of singletrack, and you’ve got the makings of a real scene.

Founded in 2015 by Salida-based rider Sydney Schallit, the 12 Hours of Penitence is an annual race held in October. It’s mostly a team event, but a surprising number of soloriding masochists loop the 16-mile course. And this year, the race is a fundraiser for a local high school mountain biking team.

“It’s been an honor to be involved in the trail development here,” says Messick. “I started because I saw the value and potential, but it’s evolved into something that’s grown

momentum for the actual sport.

Local youth are getting into it, and these trails have become a part of the community.”

Building that kind of personal connection to the land is key to protecting it. “Not to get too political, but right now, our public lands are in danger,” says Messick.

“It’s awesome to have these recourses.” Trails create access for more people, and with more people comes a louder voice for protection.

That interest promotes stewardship.

In other words, trail building is stewardship.

“I still get so much enjoyment from simply riding,” says Messick.

So should you. Spin the black tubes, people, and craft your own special feelings in Del Norte. This land is our land.

Lend A Hand Want to volunteer to build a better trail system? The American Mountaineering Center (americanmountaineeringcenter.org) in Golden, Colorado, houses three great organizations that support trail building in Colorado and beyond: the Colorado Trail Foundation (coloradotrail.org), the American Alpine Club (americanalpineclub.org) and the Colorado Mountain Club (cmc. org). The Southwest Conservation Corps (sccorps.org) has offices and volunteer opportunities throughout the Southwest.

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ELWAYVILLE

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THE LAST NATURE POET

There has to be more than beer, backpacks and bikes. Who will take the reigns and speak for this new lost generation of great outdoor writers?

by PETER KRAY

I

grew up on the writing of Jack London, Beryl Markham, Mark Twain, James Fenimore Cooper, J.R.R. Tolkien, Zora Neale Hurston and Louis L’Amour. For a kid in Colorado, the worlds of White Fang, Huck Finn, West with the Night, the Sacketts and even Middle Earth were easily imagined, and more easily accessed just by heading up a wooded trail.

From a dog named Buck to the vagabond slave-saving son of the town drunk to a hobbit named Frodo, every hero of my bookish youth was forged by nature, and each set out into the unknown on a quest to complete some Herculean task, along the way discovering the deep reservoir of strength he or she possessed.

Even more compelling to me is how when you put all these books together, you realize that nature itself is the main character, influencing almost every turn of the plot—our planet’s chief protagonist. (If you don’t think Lord of the Rings is an allegory about a young treehugger trying to stop a demonic developer in a dark tower from turning the world into a parking lot, you may need to retake your grade-school reading comprehension class).

John Muir’s essays on the timeless trance of being outdoors were also a bit part of my wilderness enlightenment: His Wilderness Essays sat atop my father’s desk. And I was struck by Edward Abbey’s brazen honesty about why he would litter the highway with beer cans—“It’s not the beers cans that are ugly; it’s the highway that’s ugly”—in Desert Solitaire and The Monkey Wrench Gang, and this beautiful statement: “The earth, like the sun, like the air, belongs to everyone— and no one.” You can even throw in a little Thoreau, although, to a Rockies native like me, he’s always seemed too citified and milquetoast.

If there’s a problem here, and I think there is, it’s that all these books were written more than 40 years ago—one more than 100 years ago—and all their authors have long since gone to dust. At a time when nature is under withering assault from “greedheads, land-rapers and other human jackals,” as Aspen’s own Hunter S. Thompson so aptly put it, “outdoor writing” seems to be more focused on craft beer, jam band festivals and camping hammocks.

Illustration by Kevin Howdeshell / THEBRAVEUNION.COM

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I’VE GOT NOTHING AGAINST GOOD BEER OR GOOD MUSIC. BUT AS OUTDOOR WRITERS, WE SEEM TO HAVE LOST SIGHT OF THE TRUE REASON FOR BEING OUTDOORS, AND THE PERSPECTIVE IT GIVES US ABOUT THE POTENTIAL MEANING OF LIFE. I’ve got nothing against good beer or good music. But we outdoor writers seem to have lost sight of the true reason for being outdoors, and the perspective it gives us about the potential meaning of life. Rather than penning paeans to the transcendent euphoria of standing on a peak, we focus instead on how quickly someone climbed it.

We write features on how to train for your fastest ultra-whatever, and fill page after page after page with endless reviews of outdoor equipment.

A

s the co-founder of a website called Gear Institute, I’m more than a little guilty here. The truth is this: People like to read reviews—of beer, backpacks, and bikes. It also helps pay the bills, and for magazines like Elevation Outdoors, it creates space for more articles about public spaces, wildlands and columns like this.

For writers like me, it creates more space to find, celebrate and even write some of the same kind of outdoor literature that brought me down this path. Which, I’m happy to report, actually does still exist.

There are indeed more than a few shining exceptions in this journalistic wilderness: Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air and Under the Banner of

Heaven, come to mind, as does Elizabeth Kolbert’s harrowing The Sixth Extinction and William Finnegan’s Barbarian Days, an excellent odyssey of a life spent surfing some of the world’s best breaks, although when it comes to great outdoor literature, surfing and climbing have always been ahead of the pack.

When I posed the “what’s happened to outdoor writing?” question to my editorially inclined friends, many blamed the low pay and short shelf life of digital media. At the same time, they trumpeted their own torchbearers of the natural world, including Outside, Mountain, High Country News, Orion, The Alpinist, Whitefish Review and the iconic, recently on hold (but ever ready to be revived) Mountain Gazette.

Of course, if you write just to get paid, then you follow the work. If you write to try and explain how it feels to be outside in the world, then, just maybe, sometimes you can create an experience as clear and pure as nature itself.

—ELEVATION OUTDOORS EDITOR-AT-LARGE PETER KRAY IS THE AUTHOR OF THE GOD OF SKIING. THE BOOK HAS BEEN CALLED “THE GREATEST SKI NOVEL OF ALL TIME.” DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE? YOU CAN BUY IT HERE: BIT.LY/GODOFSKIING

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