RSS
Headline RSS FeedIf the weather outside is frightful, sledding can be delightful
December 30, 2007 —
Not every day is a ski day. Some days it’s nice to get out and try something else: sledding.
Meadow Mountain is the sledding capital of Eagle County. The “Tubing Hill” boasts a surface lift which pulls tubers to the top of the hill, plus soup, hot dogs, coffee and hot chocolate to stay warm on cold days. Located at I-70 and the Minturn exit, the sledding hill is open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and costs $16 per hour. Call (970) 827-4155 for information.
In former years, sledding on Meadow Mountain was free and attracted big crowds during the holidays. Yet with so many people slipping, flipping, and sliding all over the hill, Forest Service officials deemed the activity too dangerous. In the great American name of safety, the sledding hill became a sanctioned, safe, and $16 per-hour mini-biz.
Enjoy it if you like, but there’s no way I’m paying for sledding. With a bit of snowshoeing my gang of rebel sledders and I went to a spot not-so-distant from Meadow Mountain and we got our sled on in a big way – for free.
While winds howled away atop Vail Mountain, closing lifts in Blue Sky Basin and elsewhere, we were relatively warm and happy lolling in the snow.
And when we were done, we were minutes away from a cup of hot cocoa back at the homestead.
1 Comment on "If the weather outside is frightful, sledding can be delightful"
Chad — December 30, 2007
That's too bad that they charge for Meadow Mountain these days. Its such a fun place to play. We used to walk all the way up the mountain and go for a huge ride. Felt almost like a mile. How far up do they monitor it? And can you recommend a nearby "free" location?
Blue Sky, China Bowls closed
December 30, 2007 —
High winds have closed Blue Sky and China Bowl for today, with Sun Down and Sun Up Bowls open. Cold weather and more snow are expected, with gusts of wind hitting 40 miles per hour or more at high elevations.
The outlook for tomorrow depends, as always, on Mother Nature, but my personal opinion is that tomorrow ought to be one great day on the mountain.
The temperature here, down in the Valley, is hovering around 10 degrees, and snow is coming down fairly quickly.
Vail’s reporting 3 inches right now, but I imagine we’ve already got closer to three and will see a few more by the end of the day. Back Bowls ought to be nice a buffed out after today’s wind, so tomorrow could be an epic day.
Submit a comment on "Blue Sky, China Bowls closed"
New Year's gourmet at Terra Bistro
December 29, 2007 —
If you’re like me, and planning you’re New Year’s Eve at the last second and getting nowhere, I’ve got good news: I’ve just spoken with the folks at Terra Bistro and they’ve confirmed that a few seats are still available for their New Year’s extravaganza.
The menu sounds fantastic, which is what I’d expect from chef Kevin Nelson and the folks at the Bistro. The steak tartare, wild sea bass, organic chicken, and glazed Ahi are all looking up my alley, but there are is a lot more where that came from. Check out the menu by clicking here.
There are two seatings: First Seating is from 5:30-6:30 p.m., involves a 3-course menu and is $75 per adult and $45 per child (under 14 yrs old). This one works out nicely if you’ve got a party to attend later in the evening.
The second seating is from 8:30-10:30 p.m., is six courses, and comes with a champagne toast at midnight. The cost is $195 per person and children are full price.
Contact Terra Bistro at (970) 476-6836.
Submit a comment on "New Year's gourmet at Terra Bistro"
By Tom Boyd
A toast to the new Chair 10
December 28, 2007 —
‘Twas only a few short years ago when I wrote a passionate treatise on our beloved old Chair 10, wherein I espoused the heartbreaking valor of the old two-seater chair. I cried out in revolutionary vigor, beseeching the powers-that-be at Vail Resorts to leave our old bump-run beauty in place, thereby leaving us one, small, kingdom of quietude in the otherwise high-speed mess of masses which populate the rest of Vail Mountain.
Well, that was a lot of horse puckey. I rode Chair 10 on its final day last year, and I rode the new Chair 10 just recently, and I can tell you that the new chair is nothing but a VAST improvement on the old two seater which I once loved so dear.
Sure, I’ll miss the old days. But what good are the old days if you don’t miss ‘em!
The new days are here, and I couldn’t be happier. The new Chair 10 makes for a quick route all the way up to teacup bowl. It’s my new favorite way up the mountain, and since it’s as-of-yet undiscovered, it’s crowd-free and efficient.
Which means I’m into the Back Bowls, and FARTHER into the Back Bowls, FASTER.
And I’ve got no problem with that!
So goodbye old Chair 10, we loved you so. It’s just that we love the new Chair 10 a little bit more.
Submit a comment on "A toast to the new Chair 10"
Next
