BOAT BITES

from Swillin' & Chillin Summer 2023

GRATEFUL GEAR

Just

Get Yer Huck On Steamboat Bike Park

We hope your timing hasn’t slipped over the past five years. The Steamboat Bike Park will be fully open this summer, along with Christie Peak Express lift and the Steamboat Gondola, for the first time since 2018. The park was closed last summer because of construction, had limited access in 2021 and was fully closed in 2020 summer due to the pandemic. It was also mostly closed in 2019 due to the installation of the gondola. When fully operational, the Steamboat Bike Park offers more than 50 miles of downhill trails and freeride terrain, as well as several wooden and dirt features. Favorites include Rustler’s, Rawhide, Tenderfoot and more.

Swillin’ Sweepstakes Winner!

We have a winner! Yep, local David Box is our illustrious winner of a pair of GrassSticks ski poles in our Swillin’ & Chillin’ official sweepstakes. “I’m super excited for my new GrassSticks!” he says. “Thank you Swillin’ & Chillin’!” Visit swillinandchillin.com to enter!

Colorado Good for Mtn Biking

Well, duh. A study has revealed the best states for mountain biking, with Colorado climbing (in granny gear) close to the top. Conducted by icebike.org, the study analyzed all 50 states based on such factors as number of trails, percentage of hilly terrain, number of national parks, the state’s bikeability score and the number of top destinations. It revealed that Vermont is the country’s best, followed by Utah in second and Colorado in third. Vermont, the “Green Mountain” state, has 2,520 bike trails (402 per 100,000 people, the highest of any state), with 80% hilly terrain. While it still has lousy beer, Utah, the study reports, has 6,036 trails, or 199 per 100,000 people, with five national parks and 65% hilly terrain. Colorado—whose third-place ranking we’re thankful for, so people will bike elsewhere—serves up 6,980 trails, or 123 per 100,000 people, with 66% hilly terrain and four national parks. But it tallied one of the highest scores for bikeability, a rating which includes factors such as safety, infrastructure and policies. The worst state? Nebraska, with only 12 trails per 100,000 people and a paltry bikeability score of just 27.

Steamboat Food & Wine Festival

Get your inner sommelier on Sept. 28-Oct. 1 at the Steamboat Food & Wine Festival, a celebration of all things field-to-fork and vine-to-glass. Guest chefs walk participants through nuances that influence flavor while renowned winemakers hold court on the fruits of their creations. The event is put on by founder Nicole Jarman of HobNob Events, who has produced over 1,200 events throughout Colorado, raising $5 million for nonprofits in the process (USA Pro Challenge ring a bell?). Among this year’s highlights are Chefs Alberto Collarte Pindar and Alex Seidel leading a Fire & Flavor/Cuisine from Baja dinner pairing; Chef Clay Conley whipping up an Exquisite Flavor Huneeus wine dinner; local Primrose owner and Chef Collin Kelley leading a pairing on Caviar Surf & Turf; Chef Dana Rodriguez captaining Tortillas, Tequila & Tinto; and Chef Hosea Rosenberg pairing a dinner called The Whole Lamb. Participants can also join a Guided Fishing and Sipping on the Elk River Welcome Cocktail Party; Sabores & Sobremesa at the Alpine Mountain Ranch & Club Barn; a Bubbles, Bourbon & Burgers program hosted by Truffle Pig; and a seminar on New American Innovation by Yampa Valley Kitchen. Info: steamboatfoodandwine.com.

Didja Know? Police Blotter on the Month

At 10 a.m. on Wed., April 26, a “zoomabomber” took over the livestream of a City Council meeting and displayed inappropriate material on the screen. (We’re sure that woke some council members up…)

Up, Up and Away…

Balloons Back in the ‘Boat

Cast your eyes skyward at the end of July. After taking a hiatus from its high-flying antics last year, the Yampa Valley Balloon Rodeo is back on for this summer, taking to the skies July 29-30. The event is being organized by Karen Beauvais of Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties, who helped organize it in its first two years over 40 years ago (Coldwell has sponsored a balloon since its inception).Balloon pilots arrive in town July 28 for a pilots’ dinner, with launches the following two mornings. Want to sponsor it? You’ll receive two balloon rides on July 29.

And, no, they have nothing to do with Chinese spy balloons.