POSTCARDS FROM THE WEEKEND: HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

My favorite tradition of the holiday season is my annual Christmas Day hike along the snowy trails of Chautauqua Park. In the summer, the popular trails are filled with visitors to the park wanting a closer look at Boulder’s iconic and picturesque Flatirons. But every Christmas afternoon, with a stomach full of good food and a soul nourished from family time, I embark along the nearly empty, quiet trails to reflect on another year — and to burn enough calories to make room for dessert. Here’s to holiday traditions and fresh snow on the trails.

Photo Location: Chautauqua Park. Boulder, Colorado.

Postcards From the Weekend is our weekly photo series showcasing images and stories from our adventurous and outdoor-loving contributors at Elevation Outdoor Magazine. Follow along and see where our team of adventure-seekers like to spend their weekends. 

DOWN ‘N DIRTY: PRIMUS ONJA STOVE

If your summer plans include road trippin’ it for extended periods of time, you’ll want to load up your adventure van, SUV, or camper with multi-use space-saving gear that mimics the comforts of home—like the Primus’ Onja Stove. At seven pounds, this two-burner stove isn’t compact or lightweight enough for backpacking, but it’s perfect if you’re looking to create a camp kitchen functional enough to make a tasty “home cooked” meal on the road. The stove’s design is meant to pack up tightly enough to take up minimal space, but the base folds out to create stability while cooking, and provide a wind-proof exterior that protects the burners from the elements. While cooking on the road, the Onja Stove makes it easy to have two pans going at once, and regulate the heat applied to the pans, which is a necessary feature for outdoor chefs whipping up delicious meals around a campfire.

MSRP: $139.95

Pros: Space. The Onja stove can be laid flat, packed upright, or tucked in anywhere a small amount of space is available in your vehicle. The burners cool quickly, and make it easy to create a full meal, even while traveling on the road. The Onja is also equipped with an oak wood cutting board, which snuggly fits on top of the burner while in storage. Pair the whole thing with Primus’ CampFire Prep Set—an assortment of easy to use and clean kitchen utensils that neatly fold up in a durable carrying case—and you have an elevated camp kitchen ready to create some campfire culinary masterpieces.

Cons: While the shoulder strap on the Onja seems like a great idea for easy transport, it popped off of my stove the first time I tried to pick up, sending the stove hurtling to the ground. It was easy to snap the strap back into place, but perpetuated the slight cumbersomeness of handling the stove in general. On the plus side, I can confirm that this stove is definitely durable.

Where We Took It: Road trippin’ through Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and California.

POSTCARDS FROM THE WEEKEND: ARIZONA’S SLOT CANYONS

There’s something in the desert. It’s bigger than you, it’s bigger than me, it’s bigger than the sprawling night sky filled with shining and shooting stars. It catches a ride with the wind and whistles through the red rock canyon walls of the mind-bending slot canyons — carving new lines and painting different colors on the canyon walls as it goes. During the day, it wanders across the dry land, but at night, it rests inside of the canyons, reaching out to gently caress anything lucky enough to feel it’s touch.

Photo Location: Upper Antelope Canyon

Postcards From the Weekend is our weekly photo series showcasing images and stories from our adventurous and outdoor-loving contributors at Elevation Outdoor Magazine. Follow along and see where our team of adventure-seekers like to spend their weekends.

EAT, SLEEP, PLAY: BRECKENRIDGE, CO

It was the discovery of gold that first brought travelers to the modern day mountain town of Breckenridge, Colo. in the 1850s, but today, it’s the promise of epic powder, the award-winning craft beer scene, and countless outdoor adventures that draw visitors to this small but vibrant town each year. With the promise of more snow on the horizon and several weekends left in winter begging to be filled, it’s time to pack your bags and plan a weekend getaway to the beautiful little resort town of Breckenridge.

EAT

Start your morning with a hearty mountain town breakfast at The Crown where you’ll find delicious coffee and a tasty and affordable meal, like the Four O’Clock bagel sandwich which is packed with hummus, cucumber, sprouts, tomato, avocado, and basically everything you need to start your day off right. For a post-ride beer or cocktail, head to Après Handcrafted Libations located in downtown Breckenridge. At this boozy joint, you’ll find 30 rotating craft beer taps plus 40+ rotating bottles and cans along with an impressive menu of small batch whiskeys and handcrafted cocktails. For dinner, check out Breckenridge Distillery’s beautiful new restaurant. Small bites and shared plates are being cooked up in the open kitchen in this cozy and inviting restaurant space—all of which go nicely with the delicious cocktails made with the distillery’s award-winning spirits. This popular spot is located a short drive from Breckenridge’s main drag, so expect to drive, or hop on one of the free town-run buses that regularly loops near the distillery. And because curiosity will probably get the best of you, go ahead and jump in that line you see outside of that mysterious tiny restaurant in downtown. Crepes a la Cart is one hopping place that offers up over 70 different crepes ranging from sweet to savory, and locals and visitors to Breckenridge are going crazy for them. Thankfully, this little dining gem is open from breakfast to late night, which means you can get your crepe fill at any time of the day.

SLEEP

In a resort town like Breckenridge, there certainly isn’t a shortage of places to rest your head for the night. But if you’re looking for a budget-friendly place to stay with all of the amenities and soul of a rustic mountain lodge, check out The Bivvi Hostel. Located a short bus ride or walk from Breckenridge’s downtown drag, The Bivvi offers up a variety of beautifully decorated dorms and private rooms as well as complimentary breakfast and WiFi. The beds at The Bivvi book up quickly, so be sure to plan your stay in advance. If first tracks are the only thing on your mind when choosing a place to stay on your visit, check out the Wedgwood Lodge, a family-owned and operated lodge located a stone’s throw from the Snowflake chairlift. Here, you’ll find accommodations for one, two, or a comfortable place to stay for the entire crew. Take advantage of the Wedgewood’s spring lodging special of 15% off during the dates of March 17 through April 15.

PLAY

There’s still plenty of time left in the winter season to explore Breckenridge Ski Resort’s 2,908 skiable acres and ample snowfall, but if you already have biking on the brain, break out the fat bike and tour this small town’s big libations scene on two wheels. Beer & Bike Tours’ Breckenridge Fat Bike Adventures is a guided 6.5-mile loop for riders of all levels that stops at Broken Compass Brewing, the Breckenridge Distillery, and the Breckenridge Brewpub. Tour costs are $100 for Monday through Thursday trips, and $125 for weekend tours. Fat bike rentals are included in the cost of the ticket price. If craft beer is really your thing, don’t miss out on the popular Breck Spring Beer Festival which is set to take place on Saturday, April 8 at the Main Street Station & The Village at Breckenridge. Over 50+ craft breweries from across the country will be pouring beer this year. Tickets start at $30 per person. Between hitting the slopes and discovering the town’s après gems, be sure to carve out some time on your visit to enjoy one of the area’s best natural features: the gold medal waters of the Blue River. Surrounded by 360-degree views of the beautiful landscape that defines the Centennial State, the Blue River is full of hungry trout and a great place to spend a morning. The fun-loving guides at the Breckenridge Outfitters fly shop have everything you need to get out in the water of the best local fishing holes. Guide trips at this shop range from a two-hour walk and wade trip for $85 per person, to an overnight float trip, and everything in between.

Photo By Thomas Kolicko

INSTAGRAM TAKEOVER: CRESTED BUTTE NORDIC’S ALLEY LOOP

Colorado Nordic fans are gearing up for the 31st Annual Alley Loop Nordic Marathon set to take place on February 4, 2017. We caught up with Drew Holbrook, Marketing Director at Crested Butte Nordic, to learn more about this unique cross country ski race with a course that runs right through downtown Crested Butte.

1. What is the Alley Loop?

The Alley Loop is Colorado’s biggest cross country ski race and an American Birkebeiner qualifier. The race is put on by Crested Butte Nordic, which happens to be the Nordic Ski Capital of Colorado.

2. What makes this race so unique?

The race is unique for three reasons: the course, the people, and the spirit.  The course starts, finishes, and passes through the heart of downtown Crested Butte, winding around on snow covered streets, narrow alleys, and one lane bridges.  It then heads out onto the scenic nordic trails around Crested Butte. Most people that attend the race dress up in costumes, even some of the racers. The whole town comes out to cheer you on as you go by.  The race has a different spirit than any other nordic ski race. In a sport that can often be overly serious, the Alley Loop is just about getting out there and having a good time. Some of the top racers in the country come out for the event but they have to pass people in costume who barely know how to ski in order to get to the finish line.

3. How many years has Alley Loop been taking place in Crested Butte?

The Alley Loop will be turning 31 this February. It was 31 years ago that a small group of people who made up the Crested Butte Nordic Council thought that it would be cool to have a race that went through town.

4. Who makes this race possible?

It is a lot of work to put on an event like this and it takes a whole community to pull it off. Business owners and residents allow us to fill their streets and alleys with snow. They have to move their cars and their homes and businesses can only be reached on foot. The Town of Crested Butte dedicates a huge amount of resources to fill the streets with snow before the event. Then, they close off a portion of town to cars while the event is going on. The volunteers make it all happen when the event starts. It takes about 60 volunteers to pull the event off. They distribute bibs to 700 racers, stop traffic in town so that racers can pass through, shovel snow onto the streets, man aid stations; the list is endless.

5. What is the most outrageous costume you’ve seen a participant in?

There are too many to just name one. One year Superman won the main event: the 42K skate race. Trump did pretty well last year too. The group costumes really shine through though: oompa loompas, garden gnomes, minions, pool balls, the Keystone XL Pipeline; you name it.

6. What is the Pub-Ski?

The Alley Loop Pub Ski is a pub crawl on skis. The night before the race, the main street, Elk Avenue, is filled with snow so people take advantage of it by skiing from bar to bar. They get free drinks and play games to score points. Most of the people dress up in costume. It’s a pretty good time and quite the scene.

7. How can we sign up?

You can sign up at cbnordic.org.

8. Can you share any other fun facts with us about this race or the event weekend?

The event may seem like a wacky locals party, and it is. But, it’s also a pretty big deal as far as nordic races go. We introduced a $5,000 cash purse last year and got some world-class competitors from Europe who are skiing for American colleges. Last year, we saw times that were faster than we ever thought possible. It was a whole new level of racing. The best part is that these Germans and Norwegians just loved the kookiness of the event. They were racing for big bucks but just couldn’t get over the fact that they had to blow by all of these costume-clad kooks. They hadn’t ever seen anything like it.

Photo Courtesy of Crested Butte Nordic Center

Check out this beautiful video of past Alley Loop races through the town of Crested Butte: https://vimeo.com/171855385, and get hyped for this year’s race by staying tuned to www.instagram.com/elevationout this week for more beautiful images from the Crested Butte Nordic Center of this funky small town race.

Crested Butte Nordic, founded in 1987, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to provide individuals of all ages and abilities the opportunity to learn, enjoy, and improve in the sports of Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. We maintain over 50 kilometers of meticulously groomed trails around the Town of Crested Butte and offer complete ski and snowshoe rental packages as well as private lessons, clinics, tours, and fine yurt dining. Our Nordic Center and trailheads are within walking distance from all of Crested Butte’s restaurants and lodgings.

POSTCARDS FROM THE WEEKEND: SUNSHINE IN SUN VALLEY, IDAHO

 

TYRA SUTAKNOVEMBER 21, 2016

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It’s the week before Thanksgiving, and like most people that call resort towns in the Rocky Mountain region home, the residents of Sun Valley, Idaho have spent most of November praying to the all mighty Uller, and watching their local ski mountains attempt to make snow. But powder, or no powder, this valley is still an unbelievable place to spend a weekend. It has miles and miles of flowy singletrack and multi-use trails, drinking establishments with enough personality (and mounted animal heads on the walls) to attract the great Hemingway back in the glory days, and that charming resort town feel that can only be found in places where drinking around a fire is the norm and calling in sick to work on a powder day is an afterthought. While the majestic mountains in the distance taunt us with their snowcapped peaks, for now, I’m content spending the day outside soaking in the valley’s namesake sunshine and watching the winter storm in the distance slowly roll in while I sip on some locally-made spirits and enjoy an après afternoon of my own.

Postcards From the Weekend is our weekly photo series showcasing images and stories from our adventurous and outdoor-loving contributors at Elevation Outdoors Magazine. Follow along and see where our team of adventure-seekers like to spend their weekends. 

POSTCARDS FROM THE WEEKEND: SOME BEACH, SOMEWHERE

 

TYRA SUTAKNOVEMBER 7, 2016

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It’s the first week of November, and instead of making fresh tracks on the mountains of my home state of Colorado, I’m leaving footprints in the white sand along the beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama. From sunrise to sunset, the beauty and weather on the beach is unparalleled. But at night, with the soothing sound of waves lapping up against the shoreline outside of my window, I lay my head down on my pillow and dream of my favorite glistening snow white beaches back home. Everyone has some beach, somewhere.

Postcards From the Weekend is our weekly photo series showcasing images and stories from our adventurous and outdoor-loving contributors at Elevation Outdoor Magazine. Follow along and see where our team of adventure-seekers like to spend their weekends. 

POSTCARDS FROM THE WEEKEND: FROM THE EAST TO THE WEST

 

TYRA SUTAKOCTOBER 31, 2016

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In the west, they rise. Majestic and proud. Their delicate peaks, painted white, always reaching higher to blur the line between land and sky. When you’re in them, the rest of the world fades away. Only the natural beauty at your fingertips and the untamed earth beneath your feet exist in that moment. Leaving the mountains, bound for the eastern plains, it’s easy to feel a little ache in your soul. But one glance in the rearview mirror is all it takes to remember that mountains aren’t something you leave behind—they stay with you always.

Postcards From the Weekend is our weekly photo series showcasing images and stories from our adventurous and outdoor-loving contributors at Elevation Outdoor Magazine. Follow along and see where our team of adventure-seekers like to spend their weekends.