My friends know that it doesn’t take much to get me in the shopping mood. And, as the warm days of summer and early fall are proving to be a thing of the past, I can’t help but think about the new winter clothes I’ll need to compliment my wardrobe. It’s not just that I like to be a stylish skier, it’s that I like to be a functional skier as well. And, the wrong ski clothes aren’t only a fashion faux pas, but they can also be a hazard on the slopes.
But…take fashion advice from the expert: Do your winter shopping now to take advantage of pre-season sales in Breckenridge Colorado. If you wait until mid-season to buy your gear, you are certain to pay top dollar for the latest fashions. Call the local shops on Main Street and ask them about their pre-season sales, and then make a list of places to visit. If you approach your pre-season shopping organized and focused, you’re certain to turn heads on the slopes…and not just for your ski skills.
The Town of Breckenridge does a great job of incorporating creative new ideas into the town calendar each year. This Halloween is no exception. For the first (and hopefully not last) time, the Breckenridge Recreation Center will play host to a Halloween Dodgeball Tournament. Why not plan a Halloween Breckenridge vacation and join us to dodge witches in true Breckenridge style?
Teams must be a minimum of six players with at least two females per team And, as if the excitement of any sporting tournament isn’t enough to get me excited, there is a catch…each player must dress up in costume. I’m already formulating my team, but I also have the added challenge of coming up with a uniform that will be fitting for incorporating knee pads. Any ideas?
Each year, as we begin to prepare for another ski season, it never fails that an old friend from out-of-state contacts me to talk about learning to ski. ”This is the year,” they always proclaim proudly…and I support them on that. Skiing is such a huge part of my life, and I can only hope that my friends and family will find half as much joy from hitting the slopes as I do. While I always offer encouragement to my caller, it never fails that the next question is, “How can I get ready now?”
It’s a feasible question and one I’m taking into consideration myself this year. Whether you’re new to the sport or not, there are plenty of things we can do now to begin to get our bodies into tip-top ski shape. And, even if you’re active throughout the year, skiing uses all types of different muscles and movements so a month or so of warm up is a good call for all of us.
My first priority is to strengthen my legs back to their ski strength, so I start every morning with quad exercises. Then, three times a week I walk up and down a steep hill near my house for even more quad strengthening. With my earbuds in and my ipod cranked, my goal is usually about 15 minutes of up and down hill walking, followed by about 10 minutes of sidestepping (galloping, if you will) and 5 minutes of jump-roping (yes, you can take breaks in between). Another two days out of the week, I focus on cardio activity that gets my heart rate up, which will be really important when I’m out for a full day of skiing. Running is my favorite way to accomplish this, but any aerobic exercise will work.
I also tell my buddies to book their travel plans early so they can rent a ski in ski out Breckenridge condo. By starting their day right next to the slope, they’ll be sure to focus their trip on the skiing rather than all the other fun Breckenridge has to offer. And, don’t forget that cheap Breckenridge lodging is available for those who take the time to look.
I ran across this YouTube video and had to put it up here because it made me laugh so hard, I shot a little milk out my nose. I hope you like it, but don’t try drinking milk while watching:
I’m always impressed by the work of many of our local artists here in Breckenridge, but I’ll admit that I often forget just how much talent we have around town. While I love bragging about my bike rides, new hiking routes, and plans for ski season, I want to give myself the new goal of investing more in the local art scene.
So, this weekend I’m going to fulfill my goal by participating in the Oct. 10th Clay Workshop with Connie Christensen at the Quandary Antiques Cabin, a part of the Breckenridge Arts Council. I’m hoping that this class will give me head start on some creative gifts for the Christmas season. The cost of the workshop is $10 for SCAC members (Summit County Arts Council) and $25 for non-members. It runs from 9am – 12pm, and lunch follows.
While I can’t guarantee my inner artist will produce a masterpiece, I’m sure this workshop will give her just the jump start she needs to simply have some fun getting creative.
I just bought my 2009/10 ski pass an got an insane deal. This year’s Epic Pass gives us access to six of the best ski mountains – Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly, and Arapahoe Basin. Sound good? It gets better. There are no blackout dates and the total cost is equal to that of a 6-day lift ticket…$599.
So, let me make sure you’re getting this–that’s the variety of six different mountains with unlimited skiing and no restricted dates. It’s almost too good to be true. Oh yeah, and that’s where the catch comes in. You have to buy the pass by November 22nd, which shouldn’t be a problem because you’ll want to be skiing by then anyway.
The majority of my friends in Breck are getting this pass this year, but it’s also great for visitors. A lot of my friends come up for more than a week in the winter, and this pass will give them the opportunity to ski several different mountains for less money than they are used to paying to get six (or more) days in at one resort.
So, book your Breckenridge lodging and buy your epic pass. I’ll see you on the slopes…if you can find me.
The Breckenridge Ski Resort is just one of 6 mountains I'll be skiing this winter
