Tourist in Your Own Town – Nordic Skiing in Boulder

By Tyra Sutak

Nordic is a term typically associated with snow, skiing, and the high-country—but did you know that Boulder has its very own Nordic club and local cross-country skiing trails? We say Nordic because it covers two different disciplines most popular for Boulderites: skate skiing and classic, or cross country. Swing a bag of quinoa at Whole Foods and you’ll hit 13 skate skiers.

For Nordic skiers of all levels looking to partake in the sport without leaving Boulder’s city limits—look no further. For years, North Boulder Park has been a hub for “flatland” skiers. Although nothing compares to the experience of strapping in and skiing through Colorado’s scenic mountains, the park offers a convenient location, is free of charge, open to the public, and includes some pretty amazing views of the Flatirons. It’s a super bonus that you get to get your workout on, and close to your home at that. If South Boulder is your ‘hood, you’ll find dedicated trails and plenty of space at The University of Colorado Boulder’s South Campus. This location is also open to the public at no charge and like North Boulder Park, is groomed during the winter months by local non-profit organization—The Boulder Nordic Club.

The BNC is a 501c3 whose mission is to “provide and support cross-country skiing in Boulder,” and they do that by grooming North Boulder Park and the CU South trails when the weather permits. Relying on memberships, sponsorships, donations and volunteers, the Boulder Nordic Club stays busy cultivating local awareness for the sport from October to April. The organization also provides up-to-date information regarding trail conditions through their Facebook and Twitter pages. Follow them and stop by for a Like to get their updates in your Facebook news feed.

While the Boulder Nordic Club works hard to maintain and further the Nordic scene for locals, the folks at Boulder Nordic Sport stay busy outfitting them. For beginners new to the sport or out-of-towners just visiting the area—BNS’s equipment rental program is a great way to go. Daily rental fees for a full set-up of skis, boots, and poles range from $45-$75 and weekly full set-up rental rates range from $150 to $375. If you’re looking to purchase skis or outfit yourself with other cross-country skiing gear, Boulder Nordic Sport also provides those services along with personal coaching programs, camps and clinics, insight on Nordic events and races happening in Colorado, and free wax clinics on Thursday nights.

Visit Boulder Nordic Club for more info regarding groomed Nordic trails in and around Boulder and stop by Boulder’s very own Boulder Nordic Sport for a look-see to satisfy your inner gearhead because you know you need one more winter sport in your repertoire.

Tourist in Your Own City: A Hike and Happy Hour at Chautauqua →

 

By Tyra Sutak

If you live in Boulder, you know all of the touristy hotspots in town, and chances are, you’ve stopped frequenting them as often over the years. It’s not that you don’t love them, you do. And they give the city its personality and flair. It’s just that you don’t love battling the crowds. Especially since you’re a local now.

But don’t give up. Your favorite iconic Boulder landmarks are still there, and it’s time to rediscover them.

Take Chautauqua Park for example. More than a half-a-million people visit this National Historic Landmark each year, and I bet you did as well when you first set foot in Boulder. Did you know that there are ten beautiful trails waiting to be discovered at this popular tourist attraction? Most out-of-towners opt to tackle the Chautauqua Trail (0.6 mi.) that begins at the trailhead and boasts some of the most beautiful views the Flatirons and Instagram-worthy photo opps in the park.

But when is the last time you felt the accomplishment of summiting one of the Flatirons? And did you know that one of the trails leads to an abandoned quarry? I had no idea, but the Woods Quarry Trail (.03 mi, connects to the Mesa Trail) is there, and it’s calling our names.

After trekking up and down trails throughout the park, you’re going to build up an appetite. It doesn’t matter if you’re an early riser and looking for brunch after your workout, or if a late afternoon to early evening hike it your thing—stop yourself from jumping back in your car and driving off. The Chautauqua Dining Hall is a stone’s throw from the trailhead, and is a stellar place to stop off, sweaty socks and crazy hair and all, for some sustenance and good views. Serving up meals since 1898, the dining hall has gone under some great renovations over the past few years at the hands of the folks behind Aji, Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant, and other Three Leaf Concepts ventures. Right now, the menu is filled with fall-inspired drinks and dishes, like the belly-warming Rocky Mountain Mule—which will set you back a mere $5 during happy hour (3-6 p.m.). The Crunchy Kale Salad is my favorite, but sometimes you need to restock those calories you just burned off while hiking with a big plate of biscuits and gravy or a Hall Burger with bacon jam and a fried egg, and the works. If it’s nice, grab a seat on the porch and take in the history of the diners that have sat before. Initials and names carved in the wood railings and columns still shine through recent coats of white paint everywhere you look.

Rediscover this Boulder landmark while the colors of fall still blanket it. When you see how beautiful it looks right now, you’ll be sad you stayed away so long.

The Great American Beer Festival Makes Its Way to Boulder →

By Tyra Sutak

Missed out on your chance to grab those coveted tickets to the Great American Beer Festival this year?

Huge bummer, dude. 

But don’t worry. Even though thousands of people battle it out on the interwebs each year to snag a ticket to the fest before they sell out (which happens in a matter of minutes), the GABF craft beer fun doesn’t stop at the walls of the Colorado Convention Center. Local breweries are updating their events calendars as we speak with craft beer-centric events, special tappings, and additional tour hours to celebrate GABF week and all that is good about craft beer.

Check out how these local breweries are celebrating GABF week this year:

Avery Brewing Co.

Oct. 1st through Oct. 3rd - Avery will be running brewery tours at 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., with special tappings taking place at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.  

Oct. 3rd - Great Avery Boulder Fest | The Fox Theater | 8:30 p.m.

Join Avery as they bring a little bit of the GABF to Boulder at this event that celebrates a local venue, locally-made beer, and live music by local bands. They’re busting out the big guns at this event, and dipping into Adam Avery’s own personal cellar along with favorite special tappings from the Avery tap room including: Rumpkin, Pump[KY]n, Bad Apple, Lillikoi Kepolo, Chai Brown, Out of Mind, Wet Hop Pale Ale, and GORED! The Magic Beans and Analog Son! are providing the live music. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here.

Bru

Sept. 29th - The Art of Pairing Beer & Food |  6 p.m. 

Sept. 30th – Special Tapping – Loch Wee Heavy Scotch Ale | 6 p.m. 

Oct. 1st – 2nd Annual Steins & Staches | 7 p.m. 

$8 house pint pours in your stein. Contest for best facial hair 

Oct. 2nd – Special Tapping – 2nd Anniversary Ale | 6 p.m.

Complimentary hand built ale for GABF ticket holders

Oct. 3rd - Beer Dinner in the Brewery | 7 p.m. | $40 per person

An intimate 3-course family-style beer dinner

Oct. 4th – Special Tapping – Fresh Hop American Pale Ale | 6 p.m.

Oct. 5th - GABF Hangover Brunch | 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. | $22 per person

Entree & 2 hand built ales included in ticket price

Click here for more info on all of Bru’s GABF events. 

FATE Brewing Co. 

Now through September 28th- The folks at FATE feel bad for you for not snagging GABF tickets this year. But it’s cool. They’re giving a pair away! Click here for more info on how to win. 

Upslope Brewing Co. 

Oct. 1st - Special Tappings | 11 a.m. 

While Upslope has a lot going on in Denver during GABF week, they’re kickstarting festivities at their Flatiron Park location by tapping a Nitro Blonde Ale and the UpUpUpUp Local Honey Pale Ale— a collaboration beer with Freshcraft. 

Oct. 1st - The Perfect Pairing: The local cheese gods at Cured are stopping by the Flatiron Park tap room for a beer and cheese pairing.

For more info on both events.

Wildwoods Brewery

Sept 27th – Wildwoods is throwing down on September 27th with a big ol’ anniversary party to kick off GABF festivities. Enjoy special beers, live music from Caribou Mountain Collective, food from Blackbelly, and commemorative mugs.More info here.

How to Eat Healthy and Support Local Farms This Winter →

By Tyra Sutak

The cold weather months are quickly approaching—which means the clean-eating, buy local, organic food aficionados of Boulder can kiss the coveted weekly trips to the Farmers’ Market goodbye.

But we live in a very special place, where local chefs, restaurateurs, and farmers are working overtime this time of year to make sure that locally-grown veggies and produce still find their way onto our plates and into our kitchens this fall and winter.

For Chef Bradford Heap, the mastermind behind SALT the Bistro and its sister restaurant, Colterra, sourcing food from local farms year-round embodies his hopefulness for the future of food. His menus change throughout the year to reflect what’s in season. His kitchens are sans freezers to further support his commitment to serving his customers fresh, organic, GMO-free cuisine. He’s invested money and physical labor into local farms in hopes that his efforts today will allow his 10-year old twins to enjoy healthy, tasty food in the future.

It’s about knowing what’s in your food. It’s fully appreciating everything on the animal. It’s about having a larger respect for food and farming. Organic farming isn’t just for hippies anymore.” – Chef Bradford Heap

As the fall harvest season begins, Chef Heap and his team are busy planning and stocking up for the next few months. Working closely with David Asbury of Full Circle Certified Organic Farms—the largest organic vegetable farm in Colorado, the kitchens at SALT and Colterra are filled with chefs pickling, preserving, and curing freshly harvested finds. And it’s not just the farm-to-table movement they’re perfecting. It’s the farm-to-bar movement as well. Local berries end up in simple syrups and fresh herbs create depth to the prohibition era-style cocktails served at the bar. Taste the difference that locally-grown ingredients make at one of Chef Heap’s restaurants, or visit your local farm stand to stock up on your own harvest finds.

Tips from the Local Chefs & Farmers:

• Take stock, store up! Root vegetables, apples, pears, kale, and chard and just a few items in season this time of year. Buy in bulk and store in a cool, dark place for future use.
• Think outside the can. Consider pickling and curing your freshly harvested finds. Pickled watermelon rind and cured meats make a nice addition to a charcuterie board.
• Raspberries and strawberries are still at their peak this time of year. Fresh berries are perfect for preserving into jams and jellies.
• Eating locally is more than just enjoying fresh vegetables and fruit. Locally-made meats and cheese are available all year long.
• Don’t give up on your local farm stand! The folks at Full Circle Farms are serving the public year-round. Check out the hours for their Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch farm store here: http://www.rockymtnpumpkinranch.com/.