Browse: January 2008

As sparkling and magical as everything looks when deep blue skies illuminate fresh snow, it was none too warm on Vail Mountain Thursday.

The 10 or so inches that fell earlier this week have settled in most places – pretty customary when the slopes endure the 80 mph gusts we’ve had this week.

The north-facing slopes are the way to go to find the softest stashes, as the south winds blew a ton of drifts back there.

If deep powder is what you’re after, try Snag Park in Northwoods and even some easterly aspects in the bowls – Ricky’s Ridge in Sun Down and Genghis Khan in Tea Cup. Also, you’re sure to find all kinds of patches to plant deep powder turns on the far side of Mongolia Bowl.
Be wary, however, as the snow can be deceiving. It may look like a thick, luscious, untouched blanket, but the minute you cut a carve into it, you’ll hear the unmistakable scrape of windblown crust.

Worry not, though. Mother Nature has us covered. Forecasts are calling for more snow tonight and Friday morning and it could all add up to a good eight or nine inches. The temperatures Friday are also supposed to – maybe not skyrocket – but lift gradually into the teens and then the upper 20s by the weekend.

So bring your layers and your powder boards and get ready for more snow. As the wind is going to continue to leave its mark, wear your gators, face masks and windproof jackets.

Tim Cochrane, Director of Vail Mountain Rescue Team, sat down with Plum's Juliana Broste to discuss the ten year snow-pack cycle, avalanche danger and incidents we've already seen this season. Tim also provided tips you can use to protect yourself and others in the backcountry.

Dr. Stephen D. Fretz of The Smart Foundation and Glen Davis of Alpine Bank sit down with Jolana Leigh Smith on Fresh Tracks to talk about their growing partnership. The Smart Foundation seeks to provide quality care and social programs for autistic children in the Valley, with the goal of expanding coverage throughout the state.  Alpine Bank, the Valley's bank, is pleased to assist through fundraising efforts like The Smart Bank.

Inspirational local author Diane Dike stopped by Fresh Tracks and spoke with Erik Williams about her non-profit Second Chance with Saving Grace and latest book "Gracie Discovers Her Purpose".

Plum's Jeniece Pettit joined Ellen Miller's Mountain Divas, a motivational fitness program for women who want to train while experiencing the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, for a morning trail running workout.

The forecast is calling for another fresh dump of that sweet, sweet powder this weekend, and if the predictions are accurate we could find ourselves in the thrall of a white wonderland weekend. But don’t be surprised if you find the mountains quite empty on Sunday, despite the depth of the new snow. If you don’t know why our precious peaks would be abandoned Feb. 3, then I question your citizenship, sir or ma’am. Soon we’ll be celebrating the most American of holidays, Super Sunday. The unbridled gluttony of Thanksgiving and the florid fireworks of the Fourth do stir my patriotic soul, but the Super Bowl has gluttony, fireworks and a performance by Tom Petty.

This Super Bowl, however, holds particular importance to me. I’ve made no secret of my New England heritage and love for the regions teams, and this year we will see my beloved (and perfect) Patriots take a stab at history against a city at which so much of my sports fandom frustration and anger has been directed. It’s a “perfect” storm. Offer your prediction in our poll and share the love, or hate, in the comments below. I imagine it will be hate now that the Pats are putting the “nasty” in dynasty…

Super Bowl XLII will be taking place in Arizona but, lucky for you, Vail has no shortage of bars with high-definition TVs that will be tuned to that America's championship game. So, where to watch? Well, as football fans (and employees of Plum), we’re no strangers to the Valley’s many bars and we’ve culled together a list of some of our favorite spots for sports viewing.

The Tap Room: The ever-popular Tap Room is located at the top of Bridge Street on the second floor of the Vista Bahn Building, mere second from the Vista Bahn Lift. Expect a cheery crowd and friendly staff. Game Time Grub- Try the chicken fingers with Ranch and BBQ sauce. The Tap Room also makes a terrific burger with a ton of fixings.

The Red Lion: The Village’s hottest spot is located at the top of Bridge Street. An ideal for those who want to get a few runs in before game time. You can be slope-side to bar-side in less than five minutes. Look for the red and white awning, and the crowds. You really can’t miss it. The Red Lion sports 19 TVs in surround sound and an attentive and enthusiastic staff. Expect the crowd to be large, varied and affable. Game Time Grub- With their own smoker, The Red Lion serves up some mean BBQ. We suggest the pulled pork or brisket.

Garfinkel’s: Lionshead’s premiere sports bar is located directly behind the Eagle Bahn Gondola and Born Free Lift and possesses undoubtedly the largest deck in Vail. Garf’s has got a whole mess of TVs including one wall-sized unit but unfortunately none of them are high-definition. Still, the location is unbeatable if you’re looking to ski the western part of the mountain before kickoff, and Garf’s massive space is ideal for large parties. Game Time Grub- Try the Turkey Rueben or the fried chicken meal for a warm and satisfying football feast.

Sandbar Sports Grill: Vail’s wildest bar is serious about sports. Sandbar is located in the West Vail mall off exit 173, nestled beside the Sports Authority. The spacious sports haven is packed on Sundays (or any day with a big match-up, really) and you’re guaranteed to run into at least one fan from each of the NFL’s 32 teams. Sandbar maintains 30 huge TVs (many of them hi-def), a terrific, friendly and attentive staff, and some great drink specials Expect a large and enthusiastic crowd and expect to get caught up in the hooting and hollering yourself. Game Time Grub- We strongly recommend the wings. They’re big and meaty. Our favorite flavor is “Joey Style”.

Paddy’s Sports Bar & Grill: Vail’s “Original Sports Bar & Grill” is actually located just next door in Eagle-Vail, off exit 169 at 40801 Hwy 6 & 24. Tucked away in Eagle-Vail, Paddy’s is a true neighborhood bar where you’re sure to make some memories and experience joy and heartache with friends over tight games. Paddy’s provides a respectable number of TVs, ample space, friendly staff, a great drink selection and a diverse and robust menu. Game Time Grub- We suggest the fish & chips. Tempura battered and golden fried codfish with fries and slaw? Can’t beat that.

Finnegan’s Wake Irish Pub: For sports in Avon, you really can do no better than Finnegan’s. Located on East Beaver Creek Blvd, right beside Loaded Joe’s, this two-story temple of Irish worship takes football to the next level. The Pog Mo Thoin Sports Bar (located upstairs) contains more TVs than you can toss a pigskin at, not to mention the pub maintains a finished wall (a literal wall!) of HDTV’s. Their expansive and varied drink menu is none too shabby either, but Finnegan’s friendly and fun staff goes the extra step with a game day menu of cheap eats and drinks. This may be football heaven. Game Time Grub- Onion Rings, Nachos or Quesadillas. Any choice will leave you more than satisfied. We suggest going with all three.

e-Town: One of Edwards’ newest restaurants is already the charming hamlet’s favorite sports bar. Located on the far Eastern portion of Riverwalk, just off Hwy 6, the chic e-Town sports 16 HD flat-screen TVs and, already, a reputation for some of the best and most-friendly bartenders and staff in the Valley. e-Town is your best bet West of Avon for a great football viewing experience. Game Time Grub- Try the three-cheese burger. It’s thrice as nice.

Getting brave and crazy on skis reaches competitive proportions of a new caliber in the Suzuki US Freeskiing Open, which throws down its nuttiest from Jan. 30 – Feb. 3 at Copper Mountain.

The 11th running of the Championships features the usual lineup of freeskiing’s greats from across the globe. As is the event’s tradition, it also gives new talent a chance to step into the limelight.

Replete with slopestyle, superpipe and big air competitions, the Freeskiing Open begins with a couple hundred competitors and whittles them down to a handful for the finals. All three events shell out a prize purse amounting to $60,000. Finalists range from X Games winners to teenagers who haven’t yet made a name for themselves in a big competition.

Last year, Jon Olsson walked away with gold in slopestyle. Freeskiing phenoms Peter Olenick and Grete Eliassen cleaned up for gold in the pipe while Aspen skier Anna Segal won the women’s slopestyle, proving that up-and-comers have just as much a chance to shine as veterans.

The 2008 Freeskiing Open has all the ingredients – airborne talent, free live music and jaw-dropping entertainment – for another spicy cook up.

• 2008 US Freeskiing Open schedule at Copper Mountain:

Wednesday, Jan. 30:
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Men’s slopestyle practice at Catalyst Terrain Park

Thursday, Jan. 31
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Open halfpipe practice in Main Vein Superpipe
8 a.m. -3 p.m. Men's slopestyle qualifiers, Day 2

Friday, Feb. 1
10 a.m. -3 p.m. Open superpipe practice
8 a.m. -3 p.m. Women's slopestyle semifinals
8 a.m.-3 p.m. Men's slopestyle semifinals
8 a.m. -3 p.m. Men's slopestyle finals
8 a.m -3 p.m. Women's slopestyle finals
4:30-4:45 p.m. Slopestyle awards at Burning Stones Plaza
4:45 -6:30 p.m. Warren Miller directors cut at Burning Stones Plaza,
4:45 -6:30 p.m. Live Music by Salem at Burning Stones Plaza

Saturday, Feb. 2
8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Men's superpipe qualifiers
5 - 7:30 p.m. Big Air Invitational at Burning Stones Plaza
7:45 -8 p.m. Big Air awards & fireworks at Burning Stones Plaza
8 -10 p.m. 3OH!3 concert at Burning Stones Plaza, Center Village 10 p.m. -1 a.m. Copper Village After Parties
Little Hurcules at Endo's
Mike McFarland at Pizza Carlo

Sunday, Feb. 3
8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Women's superpipe semifinals
8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Men's superpipe semifinals
8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Women's superpipe finals
8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Men's superpipe finals
4:15 -4:30 p.m. Superpipe awards

The temperature has dropped again from freezing to sub-zero, so why not stay inside with a large blanket and the warm, comforting glow of Channel 16? You couldn’t pick a better time to bundle up and watch Plum TV. We’ll be all over the 2008 Bon Appetit Culinary and Wine Focus with wall-to-wall coverage all weekend long on Fresh Tracks (live every morning from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.), brought to you by our fine friends at La Bottega. Expect to see interviews and coverage from fan favorite events including the MasterChef Challenge, the Celebrity Chef Ski Race and, of course, the Grand Tasting.

Not a gourmand? No worries, Plum’s got you covered. We’ll also be on hand at Copper Mountain for this weekend’s other big event: the 2008 U.S. Freeskiing Open. Again, catch the winners, losers and all our terrific footage each morning on Fresh Tracks. This week we’ll also be debuting a new Mountain Tip from our friends at The Boardroom and our coverage of the Vail Valley Partnership Gala and Awards Ceremony.

This week's Fresh Tracks guests include the Eagle County Democrats (who will discuss the upcoming Super Tuesday), Shauna Farnell (with her review of "Juno"), new Fire Chief Mark Miller, holistic veternarian Dr. Deb McGrath, musical guest All Strung Out, and State Senator Joan Fitz-Gerald.

The Alpine Bank Game of the Week will feature the BMHS Lady Huskies vs. the Palisade Bulldogs.

Musician Mike Woodard, brother to Fresh Tracks' own Clark Woodard, was visiting the Valley from Nantucket (a Plum sister market) and stopped by Fresh Tracks to play some original tunes.

Russian artisit Maya Eventov sits down with Fresh Tracks' Jeniece Pettitt to discuss her work, her early forays into painting and her upcoming show at Masters Gallery Vail.

Vail Cascade Resort & Spa executive chef Rich Beichner stopped by Fresh Tracks with a spread of delicious, fresh bread and exotic cheese that are sure to satisfy any skier after a day on the slopes.

The Bon Appétit Culinary and Wine Focus returns to Beaver Creek Thursday, Jan. 31 through Saturday, Feb. 2 for more of the finest in food and wine, and this year, fashion. Yes, a new element has been added to Beaver Creek’s annual epicurean celebration, and not surprisingly it is in keeping with the festival’s focus on fine living. The 2008 Bon Appétit Culinary and Wine Focus has partnered with Italy’s Province of Florence consortium to present “Food, Wine & Fashion of Florence”. This new event will celebrate some of Italy’s finest fashion with a sample from the collections of Florence’s top designers, as well as signature food and wines from the region. All proceeds from this unique event will benefit local charity, the Kimberly Lynn McDonald Foundation.

Lest you think this year’s festival is shaping up to be more about textiles than taste, fear not. The 2008 Bon Appétit Culinary and Wine Focus presents one of its most ambitious schedules to date with more than 30 guest and local chefs, including returning culinary masters Cat Cora, Ming Tsai, Laurent Tourondel and Richard Sandoval. Fan favorite events the MasterChef Challenge and the Celebrity Chef Ski Race and Luncheon in addition to new events including the aforementioned Florence fashion show, an Italian Cooking Class and Wine Pairing Luncheon, and the Subaru Snowshoeing Excursion. As always Bon Appétit will end Saturday with perhaps the festival's most popular event, the Grand Tasting, in which attendees can sample the creations of the many local and guest chefs.

For a complete schedule and to purchase tickets, check out www.bonappetitfocus.com.

Plum’s extensive coverage of the 2008 Bon Appétit Culinary and Wine Focus is brought to you by our fine friends, and culinary masters in their own right, at La Bottega. Keep it tuned Channel 16 this weekend or check back in with us here for the best Bon Appétit coverage.

Hungry right now? Take a look at Plum’s coverage of the 2007 Bon Appétit Culinary and Wine Focus including our interview with The Red Cat Head Chef Jim Bradley, the 2007 MasterChef Challenge, the 2007 Celebrity Chef Ski Race and, featured below, the 2007 Bon Appétit Grand Tasting.

For over 20 years now Slifer Designs has specialized in luxury residential and resort interior design. In this segment, we examine Slifer Designs' integral role as part of Vail's New Dawn, a billion dollar renewal project. Slifer Designs is participating in the physical and philosophical reconstruction through work on new Village projects as well as remodeling existing condominiums, hotels and private residences.

It has begun. After weeks of cold and little precipitation and a weekend of surprisingly warm weather, the storm we've been promised has arrived.

Three inches fell overnight and forecasts predict anywhere between five and 11 inches over the course of today and tonight. After a few weeks of frozen moguls and tracked out terrain, fresh, deep powder will be making a triumphant return to Vail and Beaver Creek mountains.

Expect overcast skies, whiteout conditions and flat light on the mountains today. Blowing snow is also in the forecast so be sure you've got those neck gaiters wrapped tight. The high for today is 25º but with wind chill it  will feel more like 13º. Tuesday will bring a high around 13º as well, but don't let anything, not cold or blowing snow or flat light, keep you from getting fresh tracks.

Go cut some first lines!

X Games 12 Snowboard Superpipe silver medalist Torah Bright sat down with Plum's Ramona Bruland to talk about life as a professional female athlete. For more great ESPN Winter X Games 12 coverage, check out our sister station Plum Aspen.

Glass artist Stephanie Trenchard spoke with Plum's Dan Martino about her methods and her latest works at Pismo Fine Art Glass gallery in Vail.

It’s a wonder there weren’t cartilage tests following the 2008 Talons Challenge at Beaver Creek. But surprisingly, there weren’t too many people hobbling after skiing or snowboarding 23,000 feet of the Beav’s most difficult bump runs.

Who would have thought such a sea of people were up for the Challenge? A whopping total of more than 2,000 skiers and riders signed up for the event on Saturday, Jan. 26, which allowed the whole day to tackle 13 runs on Grouse Mountain and off of the Larkspur and Birds of Prey lifts.

By 9 a.m. a line snaked from the Talons registration tent all the way up the slope at the base of Centennial Lift and at Red Tail camp. Each participant was given a punch card with the 13 trails – Peregrine, Goshawk and Golden Eagle off the Birds of Prey lift; Loco, Shooting Star and Lupine off of Larkspur and Raven Ridge, Screech Owl, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Ptarmigan, Ruffled Grouse and Falcon Park on Grouse Mountain.

Not everybody took the same approach, and all punches were given for each run completed based on the honor system.

We chose to knock off the most difficult chunk early, heading directly to Grouse. Four inches of fresh snow made for a magically fluffy first five or so runs, but then the crowds began to take a toll on the mountain. Looking up at the Talons terrain around noon, it was a virtual minefield.

Powder became more difficult to come by, the paths through the moguls began to get hard packed and then icy and the moguls themselves transformed into Volkswagons. Nonetheless, conditions were beautiful with a blue sky backdrop and the sun – something we hadn’t seen for a while – shining brilliantly.

A sense of camaraderie prevailed all day, with skiers and riders chummily asking fellow lift riders how much of the Challenge remained and exchanging synopses of trail conditions.

By the end of the day, Beaver Creek staff said they’d developed muscles they never even knew about in their hands after squeezing the punch gun for six hours, and the deck at Red Tail was mobbed with weary skiers squinting into the sun, enjoying free beers and bratwurst.

If you missed the Talons this time around, well, you missed out. Having doubled its numbers of challenge takers from last season, however, it’s sure to be back in force next season. Congrats to all who finished!

More than 2,000 skiers and riders turned out for the 2008 Talons Challenge, tackling 13 bump runs at Beaver Creek for a vertical total of more than 23,000 feet.

The sudden appearance of dozens of free, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies transpires in dream-like fashion at Beaver Creek every day.

All you have to do is hang around Beaver Creek Village and the base area of the mountain around 3 p.m. and somehow, magically, hot, steaming cookies are circulated on silver platters among hungry skiers and snowboarders until they’re gone. It can be minutes. It can be seconds.

A mystical “cookie lady” has been credited as the mastermind behind these cookies. But let us tell you the true story.

The cookies have been at large for the last eight years at Beaver Creek. They are the outcome of the annual cookie contest in November, in which bakers from across the country are invited to pitch their best chocolate chip recipes into the running for top cookie, as judged by a sea of lucky tasters on cookie judgment day.

The winning morsel is baked in vast quantities every day in the ovens of Toscanini restaurant and distributed still steaming, not by just one cookie lady, but by several male and female bakers, at 3 p.m. every day.

All cookies are fair game and offered to one and all, regardless of silly hats or unfashionable ski getups.

Be there or go hungry. And be on the lookout. These warm, magical delights go fast.

Plum takes an inside look to the the Big Air competition, which debuts this year at ESPN Winter X Games 12. For more great ESPN X Games coverage, check out our sister station Plum Aspen.

It’s not every day that one gets the opportunity to exchange words with an American rock icon of the sixties. Most of them are dead, after all.

The legendary Ziggy Marley headlined the first Snow Daze's concert at Dobson Arena. Plum shot a portion of the concert and sat down with the artist to talk about his musical influences, his thoughts on the purpose of music, and his hopes for the future.

Many skiers and snowboarders who frequent Beaver Creek don’t need much incentive to head directly to the resort’s ample supply of steeps and bumps. But pose any kind of a challenge and they will come in droves.

Beaver Creek is expecting 1,000-plus participants in this Saturday’s Talon’s Challenge, a free event to proficient skiers and riders with a lift ticket or ski pass.

What’s the challenge? Well, you have all day to tackle 13 of the Beav’s most difficult black and double black runs, including the World Cup Birds of Prey course and a selection of trails off of Grouse Mountain and in Larkspur Bowl.

In all, the challenge amounts to 23,772 vertical feet. Sound like a lot? Well, you have all day.

The event includes live music, aid stations with snacks and drinks, and the opportunity to win a considerable wad of prizes, including a trip to Beaver Creek’s sister resort in Lech-Zurs, Austria.

All die-hards who complete the Challenge earn a collector’s Talons hat, lanyard and a bratwurst and beer.

The after party takes place from 2 to 4 p.m. at Red Tail Camp. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., Jan. 26, at the base of Centennial Lift and at Red Tail Camp.

We’ve got one week left in this first month of the new year, and already, what a year it’s been. Things in ’08 have gotten off to great start: tons of fresh powder, a new Plum studio and great events like Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines. Here at Plum Channel 16 we're finishing off the month and year strong.
     
Coming up this week on Channel 16 you’ll see a new Mountain Tip from our friends at Aalta Sports, our coverage of the Disco Biscuits recent performance at Dobson Arena and an interview with the band, our interview with former Jefferson Airplane front-woman Grace Slick and coverage of her showing at Masters Gallery. Additionally, we’ll be screening segments on Mountain Divas' recent events and a wine and cheese opening at Pismo glass gallery.
     
Guests on this week’s Fresh Tracks (live every morning from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.) include musician Mike Woodard, photographer Kent Pettit, friend of Plum Amy Hornyak from the Town of Vail, and plumtv.com’s own Shauna Farnell, who will discuss the recent Academy Awards nominations with film buff and host Erik Williams.
     
The Alpine Bank Game of the Week will feature the BMHS Huskies hockey team vs. the Palmer Eagles.