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Galavanting in the Colorado Rockies

Posted on 25. Feb, 2010 by Kim Mance in Colorado Rockies, DESTINATION EPISODES

Colorado Winter Mountain Adventure

By Kim Mance — a travel writer, co-host of Galavanting.tv
and editor-in-chief of GoGalavanting.com.

While shooting our latest Galavanting episode this January, Maren and I wanted to seek out some winter adventure. Aside from all the fantastic activities like skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and bar-hopping that we did while in the Colorado Rockies, we also tried a few things a little more below the radar.
Check out all of our recommendations and reviews below:

DOG SLEDDING
When I heard there was dog sledding available, I imagined gliding through serene woods with mountain views. But after checking in at Good Times Adventures, an outfitter located on the outskirts of beautiful and historic Breckenridge, our guide began showing me how to work the sled’s break pedal — and giving instructions on what to do if I didn’t lean far enough left or right to prevent us from flipping the entire sled over.
After the first 90 seconds I realized we probably wouldn’t die and the whole thing came to life. The experience switched between watching the ultra-excited dogs run with abandon, then to making sure I didn’t kill us both, then back to watching snow-flocked trees whiz by as the snow beneath my feet made a whooshing sound and plumed into the air. Holy crap, it was fun.
On my way out I asked if they had a frequent dog sledding punch card because I knew I’d be back. Priced at $70 per person, it was a fantastic adrenaline rush combined with gorgeous scenery and fluffy huskies full of personality. What more could an adventurista ask for?

THE CRYSTAL GROTTO
“Are you kidding me?” were the only words my brain could conjure while entering a 150-seat igloo concert hall atop Beaver Creek’s Centennial lift. It’s North America’s only performing arts center made of ice.
And as the band began to play instruments sculpted from ice (and by the sound of it, acoustically perfect) made even more surreal by colored lights, my chilly toes actually warmed up.
After the concert I chatted with artisan ice sculptor Tim Linhart and his Swedish wife Birgitta, who have been creating splendid ice carvings in Vail, Beaver Creek and around the world for years. Creating the Crystal Grotto, along with two assistants, took six weeks, which finally brought their fantasy to life after waiting twelve years for approval from the US Forest Service. And what a fantasy it is. Even though it was the least active adventure we took while on this trip to Colorado, the atmosphere and simply the thought of it was exhilarating — this experience can be found nowhere else.
Though getting there is a little tricky, it’s not expensive. Cash-only concert tickets can only be purchased at kiosks for $10, and visitors need either a ski lift ticket or foot passenger lift ticket ($14). The type of music varies from rock to classical depending on the day, and 45-minute concerts are held only on Saturdays, Sundays, and select Fridays. May as well make a ski weekend out of it. All the details and a full concert schedule are on Beaver Creek’s website.

ICE CLIMBING
This is something I’ve always wanted to do and just never really had the chance. We looked around carefully for the right outfitter, and booked the climb with Vail Rock & Ice — their guides Dave and Luke not only taught us a ton about ice climbing, they never once questioned our quest for a thrill.
Having done a bit of rock climbing before, I couldn’t wait to figure out how to dig my ice pick into the side of the blueish frozen waterfall standing before us. Maren was game, but pretty nervous at first. But it ended up being one of the favorite excursions in Colorado for both of us. And the view from the top was pretty gratifying.
The climb costs about $140-$280 per person (depending on private or with a group), and it would cost you at least that much in Red Bull and running through heavy traffic to come up with a comparable adrenaline rush.

Crystal Grotto photo by Shanna Quinn. Dog sledding & ice climbing photos by James Sanderson.

THE LODGE AT VAIL

When Vail Mountain opened in December 1962 with one gondola, two chair lifts, eight ski instructors and a $5 lift ticket, the US Forest Service stipulated that there be at least one lodge with a minimum of 30 sleeping rooms. The Lodge at Vail, which had been open for just one month, soon became the cornerstone property of what would eventually become Vail Village.

The lodge is right in the middle of Vail Village with gorgeous mountain views, and within walking distance of the village’s main ski lift and a variety of boutiques, bars, restaurants and nightclubs. It looks like a large European chalet and has a roaring fireplace in the lobby.

It has a total of 165 rooms and suites are well-appointed. Each of the shishi 46 suites with one, two or three bedrooms are equipped with wood-burning fireplaces and private walk-out balconies. There are two outdoor hot tubs on the property. Our favorite was the one with a view of the mountain, as we watched skiers and riders come down the slopes while we relaxed our muscles.

Location: Vail, Colorado
Cost: $250 – $400 per night on average for hotel rooms, with multi-bedroom suites up to $900 – $1,150 per night, depending on accommodations chosen. Wifi included.
How to Book: The Lodge at Vail’s website

KEYSTONE LODGE & SPA

A cozy atmosphere and plenty of surrounding activities await visitors to the The Keystone Lodge & Spa.

The lodge is surrounded by the Rocky Mountains and thousands of acres of national forest, which gives guest rooms a great view. During winter, guests are steps away from the largest outdoor ice skating rink in the US. And in summer, guests can paddle around (non-frozen) lake Keystone.

Its Spa offers 10 treatment rooms and a full range of services from massage therapies to facial treatments to manicures & pedicures. Guests also have access to the steam room, sauna, indoor & outdoor hot tubs and outdoor pool.

Location: Keystone, Colorado
Cost: $150 – $400 per night on average, depending on accommodations chosen. Wifi included.
How to Book: Keystone Lodge & Spa’s website

photos by Dan Coffey / Rock Resorts & Keystone Lodge & Spa

JOAN OF ARCTIC WINTER BOOTS
by Sorel
There are no words to describe how hard and fast I fell in love with these boots. And it’s a good thing that Maren and I live in different cities, because we’d be showing up in matching boots to every event through the winter.

No one ever said one has to look frumpy or boyish in order to stay warm in cold climates. These boots kept my toes ultra warm even in pretty harsh conditions, and whether I was just walking around Vail Village or snowshoeing on the side of a mountain.

The size 8 (US) boots that the company’s PR representative sent to me to review fit very well and with the lace-ups, they seem like they would conform to various body types (i.e. large calf, small calf).

Downside: They’ll be too warm to wear in summer and I don’t want to take them off.
How much: $130 USD
Where to Get Them: Sorel’s website

Code 9™ WOMEN’S SOFTSHELL JACKET
by Columbia Sportswear
Maren wore this one ice climbing and needed some flexibility, which this softshell jacket delivered. It did a good job of keeping her warm And even though it’s white, the jacket was surprisingly immune to dirt. We were both surprised at its ability to stay white through all the rough and tumble she put it through.

Though it’s very thin, it insulates extremely well and repels water. Columbia has steadily been improving the way they’re cutting women’s clothing and gear now and it’s a very flattering fit.

This jacket easily transitions from badass chick on a mountain to everyday use.

Downside: If you’re traveling to a very cold climate, this jacket can be useful but might just cause over-packing. Though it’s warm, it can’t replace a serious winter coat. It turned out to be very handy on our trip though.
How much: $115 USD
Where to Get It: Columbia’s website

Code 9™ WOMEN’S SOFTSHELL GLOVE
by Columbia Sportswear
This is the first time I’ve ever spent the entire day on the side of a mountain without my hands ever getting cold (and keep in mind I grew up in Colorado).

The cut is nice and slender, yet they don’t seem to run small. Its palm side is grippy, so if you’re a skiier, that will be a bonus. That also makes one feel less awkward than some large gloves do while using them to drive, to pick up things, or hang on for dear life while extreme tubing.

The glove uses an Omni-shield protection layer to keep them from getting wet, which might be the magic secret as to why my hands stayed totally warm no matter how much I mashed them into the snow.

Downside: They’re a little pricey – so don’t lose them.
How much: $50 USD
Where to Get Them: Columbia’s website

TIMELESS TRAVEL PANT (WOMEN’S)
by Columbia Sportswear
I actually think Columbia’s website does a good job describing these pants: “When the guidebook told you to pack for comfort and versatility, these pants are what it meant.”

Indeed, they’re stretchy but sturdy, practical but flattering, and easy to pack due to being so lightweight.

Though they didn’t describe them as wrinkle-resistant when sending the pants for review, but after pulling them out of my over-stuffed suitcase — I was happy to learn they are.

They’re also endowed with Omni-Dry wicking fabric, which means they dry quickly. Perfect for traveling to a winter wonderland, a rainy climate, a misty rainforest, or just washing them in one’s hotel room sink and hanging them to dry.

These pants can easily become a staple in any savvy traveling woman’s wardrobe.

Downside: They run small, so take care when ordering online.
How much: $47 USD
Where to Get Them: Columbia’s website
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HOSTS & CREW
Kim Mance, co-host / executive producer
Maren Hogan, co-host
James Sanderson, director / producer
Shanna Quinn, line producer
Art Tejada, editor / cameraperson
David Lockhart, cameraperson
Courtney Hannibal, motion graphics
Courtney McGann, stylist & behind-the-scenes host
Kim Mance & Katy Quissell, series co-creators
Peter Doran, creative consultant

Additional footage provided by: Vail Resorts

Artists & Music from MusicAlley.com:
“Sun Vines” by Holler, Wild Rose!
“Wild Bucking Pony” by Hairspray Blues
“Grizzly Bear” by All Girl Summer Fun Band

Other Musical Scores & Sound Effects:
Killer Tracks
Soundsnap.com

SPECIAL THANKS TO
Vail Resorts, Good Times Adventures, Vail Rock & Ice, Beaver Creek Ski Patrol, US Forest Service

Kelly Ladyga, Amy Kemp, Jen Brown, Katie Adamson, Kate Coble, Ryan Whaley,
Kristin Petitt, Liz Beibl, Chris Proctor, Luke Curtin, Luke Cobb, David Roetzel, Charles Schmidt,
Maura Wall Hernandez, Jason Goodrich, Cathy Jackson, Emily Howard & Jeremy Hogan

Tags: adventure, adventure point, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, CO, crystal grotto, dog sled, dog sledding, extreme tubing, ice climbing, ice concert, Keystone, lodge at vail, ski & ride school, snowboarding lessons, snowcat tour, Vail