Roaring Fork, CO January 2021

JA N UA RY 2 02 1

Winter Delight JAN UARY S TARG A Z I N G WI T H B RYAN WH I T E AC ES B I RDWAT C H I N G I N T H E SN OW SK I M O SIS T ERH O O D

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

JANUARY 2021 PUBLISHER

Rick French | rfrench@lifestylepubs.com EDITOR

A Fresh New Year PSSST: I HAVE A DIRTY LITTLE SECRET. Promise you won’t tell?

Caitlin Causey | caitlin.causey@lifestylepubs.com AD DESIGNER

Evan Deuvall L AYO UT DESIGNER

Jayme Emery

I don’t ski.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Caitlin Causey, Finn Collier, Genevieve Joelle Villamizar

I know, I know. Here we are in a skier’s paradise, with mountains galore, champagne powder, the works. But cut me a break! I grew up in Georgia, where the skiing is... well, it’s where the skiing isn’t. So I’m really more of a sledder than a shredder. But

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Mark Fuller, Bryan White

that certainly doesn’t mean I’m not in continual awe of the incredible winter athletes who live among us here in the valley.

Two women whose drive and athletic prowess amaze me are sisters Caroline and Sarah Tory—residents of Aspen and Carbondale, respectively, who have been ski mountaineering together for years in our local mountains. Genevieve Villamizar’s profile of their bond in the backcountry will surely inspire you this month, too, so don’t miss it.

We also feature a few other ways to get out and enjoy the winter wonderland of January right now. Did you know that this is one of the best times of the year to go birding? Or to hunt for constellations in the night sky? While recently interview-

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

ing Glenwood Springs astronomy expert Bryan White for our story this month, I

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

was able to peer at some celestial winks of ancient light through a couple of his

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

high-powered telescopes. I can assure you that slowing down to stargaze for an

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen

evening feels like the perfect antidote to our world’s troubles of late. There’s just

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams

something about a vast night sky that puts things into perspective.

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

However you enjoy the cold this month, we hope you get outside for a much-needed fresh and frosty start to the new year. Happy 2021!

514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO

Caitlin Causey, Editor ARIZONA | CALIFORNIA | COLORADO | CONNECTICUT | FLORIDA | GEORGIA IDAHO | ILLINOIS | KANSAS | MARYLAND | MASSACHUSETTS | MICHIGAN MINNESOTA | MISSOURI | MONTANA | NEW JERSEY | NORTH CAROLINA OHIO | OKLAHOMA | OREGON | PENNSYLVANIA | SOUTH CAROLINA TENNESSEE | TEXAS | VIRGINIA | WASHINGTON

CityLifestyle.com/RoaringFork

Proverbs 3:5-6 Roaring Fork Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Roaring Fork area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

Information in Roaring Fork Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but

4

Roaring Fork Lifestyle | January 2021

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INSIDE THE ISSUE JANUARY 2021

FEATURES 10 Snow Birds Winter Is the Best Time to Take A Closer Look at the Valley’s Wondrous Bird Species

16 A Midwinter Night’s Dream Local Astronomy Expert Bryan White Explains Why the Valley is a Prime Locale for Winter Stargazing

24 Skimo Sisterhood Caroline and Sarah Tory Chase Backcountry Adventure

16 24

34 Cold & Creamy A Simple Sweet for the Snowiest Days

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DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

10

Local’s Choice

30 DIY 34 Culinary Creations

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LOCAL’S CHOICE

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W D SNO BIR S WHY WINTER IS THE BEST TIME TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE VALLEY’S WONDROUS BIRD SPECIES ARTICLE CAITLIN CAUSEY | PHOTOGRAPHY MARK FULLER

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Roaring Fork Lifestyle | January 2021

r Bi

nt. Birding is re hu a tr u s ea rea t su sa re i g hu n i d nt r Birding i .B . t n Bi u h sa re u ir s tre di rea a t s ng ur sa nt i eh u i g s h at in un re u r rd s e i t. a asu unt. Birding B Bi re hu a tre ure h i s s s i a g a nt. Birdin rd re tre at in . a s su g nt gi u i r n sa h eh i re tre rd u un s a asu re hu a tre t. s i g nt. Birdin Bi hu rd e r in su gi a e sa tr sa tre i HE LEAVES ARE LONG GONE. The air is still. The g asure n hunt. Birdi snow has fallen. In winter, while the world is a crisp monochromatic

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backdrop for the colorful antics of the valley’s resident feathered population, birdwatching is a must.

“This is a unique time when migratory birds are not as present in our local area, so it’s a wonderful opportunity to see the species that live here year-round with us,” says Phebe Meyers, community programs senior manager with the Aspen Center for

Weiss says that winter birding is particularly special because the

Environmental Studies (ACES). “Winter can also be a less daunt-

animals’ behavior is fairly predictable at this time of year. Their pri-

ing time for new birders, because the birds are much easier to

mary goal during the cold season is to find food, so they tend to flock

spot. Their colors and movements really stand out in the land-

together in areas with more concentrated sources of nourishment.

scape, when deciduous trees and shrubs are bare.”

Different species can even be seen flocking together, which makes for

ACES has been a place to learn about birds since the organization was founded in 1968. This season, locals and visitors alike can attend

a wonderful sight. Another winter highlight for birders, Weiss notes, is the season’s outstanding opportunity for observing waterfowl.

its winter birding outings from 8-11 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each

“In summer we see songbirds molting into beautiful breeding

month (through April) at Hallam Lake in Aspen. Gatherings begin

colors, but in winter we see ducks doing this. They are doing pair

with a 15-minute introduction to birding and local species, followed

bonding behaviors this time of year, so that’s why they look their

by nearly three hours of walking the preserve and identifying winged

best,” she says. “You can take a short walk along the Rio Grande by

creatures with naturalist Rebecca Weiss.

the river, and likely see a nice group.”

“We are so grateful to be able to continue offering in-person pro-

If you’re not able to make it upvalley for an ACES outing with

gramming despite the challenges of the past year with Covid-19,”

Weiss, try setting out a simple bird feeder during the snowy months

Meyers says. “These are outdoor events, so it’s easier for partici-

as an easy way to begin birding at home.

pants to socially distance. Masks are required, and we are respectful

“Birds like the pine grosbeak, the chickadee, and the red-breasted

of all the county health requirements. With so many other events

nuthatch will come to seed feeders,” Weiss notes. “And others like the

cancelled around the valley, we hope that our birding programs can

downy woodpecker and northern flicker will come to a suet feeder.”

offer people a way to get out of the house and engage with the nat-

Additionally, Steller’s jays can be spotted foraging in neighborhood

ural world in a Covid-smart way.”

areas around the valley, and mallard ducks are easy to spot in numer-

Birding guide Weiss, who has worked with ACES since 1993, leads the outings with a vast knowledge of regional birds. Her enthusiasm for ornithology is incredibly infectious, and she’s been known to inspire many skeptics to take up birding as a lifelong hobby.

ous areas along the Roaring Fork. The majestic red-tailed hawk is also a fairly common sight, as they are active during daylight hours.

Regardless of how you enjoy the sight of birds this winter, one thing is true: birding can be a very grounding experience.

“Once you’re bitten by ‘the bug,’ so to speak, it’s hard to go back,”

“Walking slowly, listening, sitting for long periods of time and

Weiss says with a laugh. “After people start learning to identify birds,

waiting for your favorite species to appear...birding is a welcome dis-

their curiosity grows. They notice them more frequently, even just in

traction from the complex lives we live,” Weiss says. “It’s meditative.”

their own back yards or on a morning walk with their dog. It’s like a fun treasure hunt every time you go out: Which birds will you see today?”

Sounds like something we could all use more of in 2021. Register for an outing at AspenNature.org.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/RoaringFork

11

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WINTERMINI-GUIDE BIRDING

CK ADEE

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LOCAL’S CHOICE (CONTINUED)

B L AC K

For more in-depth details about the valley’s birds, grab a copy of the comprehensive field guide that Rebecca Weiss wrote in 2017, with full-color photography by Mark Fuller: “Birds of Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley.” Request it via any local book shop. ($24.95)

C

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These abundant, cheerful birds

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love to visit backyard feeders.

This aquatic songbird is an important part of local river ecosystems.

This bird’s unmistakable beak is built for crushing seeds.

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FL

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Bold and curious, these jays are a joy to watch.

This large speckled woodpecker is found across the region.

12

Roaring Fork Lifestyle | January 2021

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Original List

Sold Price

$5,375,000 $1,950,000 $1,595,000 $1,199,000 $1,050,000 $899,000 $900,000 $965,000 $895,000 $795,000 $799,000 $720,000 $689,000 $625,000

$3,785,000 $1,900,000 $1,490,000 $1,110,000 $1,035,000 $863,050 $853,929 $835,000 $825,000 $790,000 $725,000 $720,000 $689,000 $615,000

70% 97% 93% 93% 99% 96% 95% 87% 92% 99% 91% 100% 100% 98%

463 72 1,059 379 53 56 126 139 96 48 60 64 50 46

3 4 3 3 5 3 15 4 2 3 1 3 3 3

3 4 3 3 3 3 1 4 2 3 1 3 3 3

1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0

$1,590.34 $509.38 $829.16 $419.03 $389.39 $429.59 $853.93 $241.61 $554.06 $384.24 $1,132.81 $361.45 $412.82 $379.86

CARBONDALE St. Finnbar Farm $3,195,000 Aspen Glen $1,995,000 River Valley Ranch $1,750,000 River Valley Ranch $1,675,000 River Valley Ranch $1,590,000 River Valley Ranch $1,450,000 Aspen Equestrian $1,375,000 Los Adobes $1,499,000 Aspen Glen $1,350,000 None $1,375,000 Blue Creek $1,200,000 Aspen Glen $1,100,000 Roaring Fork Village $849,000 River Valley Ranch $819,000 Midland Point $898,000 Townsite of Carbondale $900,000 Roaring Fork Village $749,000 Ranch at Roaring Fork $749,000 Mountain Sage Townhomes $540,000

$3,195,000 $1,750,000 $1,725,000 $1,680,000 $1,450,000 $1,395,000 $1,375,000 $1,300,000 $1,240,000 $1,150,000 $1,150,000 $1,120,000 $849,000 $815,000 $800,000 $800,000 $749,000 $725,000 $540,000

100% 88% 99% 100% 91% 96% 100% 87% 92% 84% 96% 102% 100% 100% 89% 89% 100% 97% 100%

516 105 28 32 492 42 46 88 159 101 85 35 70 99 246 39 37 130 72

4 5 3 4 4 4 3 4 3 5 3 4 5 3 3 4 3 4 2

4 5 3 4 6 3 3 4 3 2 2 4 3 2 3 3 2 2 2

2 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1

$608.57 $401.74 $568.18 $608.25 $273.02 $326.85 $508.69 $262.89 $448.14 $1,070.76 $431.68 $253.16 $233.05 $359.03 $317.84 $390.63 $419.61 $404.5 $360.00

GLENWOOD SPRINGS None $8,000,000 Oasis Creek $1,050,000 Elk Springs $940,000 Springridge Reserve $899,000 Roaring Fork $885,000 Ironbridge $825,000 Oak Meadows $695,000 None $749,900 Townsite of Glenwood $699,000 Mountain Springs Ranch $650,000 Oak Meadows Ranch $665,000 Ironbridge $599,000 Oasis Creek $599,000 None $595,000 Townsite of Glenwood $565,000 Walz $599,000 Cedar Crest $550,000

$6,300,000 $967,000 $940,000 $889,000 $842,800 $826,000 $720,000 $717,000 $702,000 $675,000 $650,000 $599,000 $599,000 $595,000 $565,000 $558,000 $546,000

79% 92% 100% 99% 95% 100% 104% 96% 100% 104% 98% 100% 100% 100% 100% 93% 99%

640 80 66 45 73 85 32 81 43 49 68 87 73 68 30 75 48

3 3 4 5 5 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 2 3 4

1 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 3 3 3 2 2 2

0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

$3,094.30 $311.83 $291.20 $202.23 $304.81 $302.79 $264.71 $216.81 $340.12 $246.44 $240.74 $309.24 $338.80 $263.74 $532.52 $252.26 $290.89

MISSOURI HEIGHTS Fox Run Meadows Aspen Mesa Estates Panorama Ranches

$2,950,000 $1,175,000 $899,000

$2,900,000 $1,093,500 $889,000

98% 93% 99%

291 53 60

5 4 4

5 3 3

1 0 0

$470.32 $479.18 $350.55

REDSTONE/CRYSTAL VALLEY Redstone $697,500 Seven Oaks $645,000

$675,000 $645,000

97% 100%

158 61

3 2

2 2

0 0

$329.91 $413.46

BASALT Roaring Fork Club Townsite of Basalt Emma Holland Hills Willits Ruedi Shores Thomasville Ruedi Shores Basalt River Lofts Willits Townhomes Thomasville Columbines at Elk Run Shadowrock Silverado

% Sold/ Original

Days on Market

(This data is a sampling of sold properties from 11/1/20 to 11/30/20, Source: Aspen Glenwood MLS)

Beds

Full Half Bath Bath

Sold Price/ Sq. Ft.

A M I DW I N T E R N IGH T ’ S DR E A M

THE BRIGHTEST STARS OF THE YEAR ARE ON DISPLAY RIGHT NOW. A LOCAL ASTRONOMY EXPERT EXPLAINS WHY THE VALLEY IS A PRIME LOCALE FOR WINTER STARGAZING

16

Roaring Fork Lifestyle | January 2021

ARTICLE CAITLIN CAUSEY PHOTOGRAPHY BRYAN WHITE

LOOK UP. Above the horizon, past the invisible gas-

The Michigan native has been independently studying

eous molecules of Earth’s atmosphere, and into the far

the night sky for some six decades, ever since he was a

beyond. There it is: our night sky. And not just any night

young child, awestruck by the jeweled heavens above—

sky, but the particularly dazzling one of January. Do the

where else?—Colorado.

stars look brighter than usual? Indeed, they are. During

“My father and grandfather both worked for Ford

winter we are positioned to peer away from the hazy

Motor Company, so my family was based in the Detroit

center of the Milky Way, and instead toward the darker

area. With all the light pollution in the city, there were

outskirts of our home galaxy. The sky appears sharper

maybe two bright stars in the sky—and those were

and more crystalline, which means that right now is the

probably planets,” White recalls. “But we had relatives

perfect time to try your hand at stargazing.

out here in South Park, and we would visit them when I

Astronomy expert and Glenwood Springs resident

was a kid. I will never forget looking up and really seeing

Bryan White would be the first to tell you to bundle up, grab

the night sky for the first time when we were camping

a thermos, and head outside to feast your eyes tonight. As

one night. That experience is probably what first sparked

the owner of Star Party LLC, he hosts gatherings across

my interest in astronomy.”

the valley where attendees can glimpse all manner of sky

Not long after that star-crossed excursion to the moun-

treasures (think stars, yes, but also nebulae, moons, planets,

tains, another celestial sighting back home in Michigan

galaxies, and more) through his four impressive telescopes.

firmly established what would become White’s lifelong

“Enthusiastic” seems too dull a word to describe White’s

passion for the sky. It was a warm summer night in 1957

love of astronomy; to listen to him speak on the subject is

at his family’s small farm in Ortonville, when six-year-old

like hearing a gospel of the stars.

White stepped outside to gaze at the western horizon.

“Various sources keep telling me that there’s more

“I saw something unusual,” he remembers. “I

interest in astronomy these days,” he says. “But I’m not

asked my father, and he was kind of impressed that I

always sure of that. I have never understood why we

spotted this thing because I was so young.” Although

don’t learn more about it growing up in school. What

it hadn’t been named yet, what White saw that night

could be more fascinating? It’s our universe. I want to

was the brilliant non-periodic Comet Mrkos appear-

help other people learn more about it.”

ing suddenly in the sky.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/RoaringFork

17

A MIDWINTER NIGHT’S DREAM (CONTINUED)

“From then on my father bought me books to learn

“Transparency means the amount of atmo-

about stars, constellations, and other astronomical enti-

sphere you’re looking through. The low humidity

ties,” White says. “And I haven’t stopped learning since.”

here contributes a great deal to this,” White says.

Although he pursued business at the University of

He adds that the third important condition for

Michigan as a young man, the budding starwatcher

watching the sky, called Seeing, is a bit trickier

excelled in the astronomy courses he took as electives.

in the mountains. “Seeing essentially denotes the

His career in banking led him to southern Florida,

stability of the atmosphere in a given location. Our

where he continued to develop his knowledge and

atmosphere here at altitude can be very turbulent,

love of the night sky. When Halley’s Comet passed

and this affects how much detail can be observed

by in 1986, White decided to up the ante and invest

on certain nights.”

in his first telescope: a Celestron 8-inch SchmidtCassegrain. This was a pivotal moment in his life.

vate and public groups of all sizes from Aspen to

“It’s one thing to study, and another thing to truly

Glenwood, begin with a breakdown of sky conditions

observe,” he says. “Almost like looking at a photo of the

and astronomy basics. Every group receives a brief

Grand Canyon versus standing in person on the South

introductory lesson and a menu of celestial objects

Rim. That’s sort of how I equate what a telescope can

to be observed that night through White’s tele-

do, to connect the observer to the universe.” He went on

scopes. Then, he adjusts the instruments continually

to acquire three more high-powered telescopes in sub-

throughout the event as participants step up to view

sequent years, including a computer-controlled 22-inch

brilliant sky phenomena, ask questions, and learn.

model by Obsession Telescopes which allows viewers

White is one of only a handful of experts to offer this

to see galaxies 500 million light years away.

kind of experience in the U.S.

His love of the skies over Colorado came full circle

“The universe is ever-expanding and eternal,”

in 2000, when White relocated to Denver. He worked

White says. “There are billions of stars we can

at the Museum of Nature & Science as head of tele-

observe, and billions more beyond that we can only

scopes before moving further west and settling in

dream about. That’s the beauty of astronomy—you

Glenwood Springs about seven years ago. Stargazing

never run out of something to see.”

in the Roaring Fork Valley, he says, is fantastic—and

Although his large public star parties like the

he devotes some 10 or so nights per month to night

ones he’s held with the Aspen Science Center have

sky observation here.

been paused during the pandemic, White has con-

“What’s so interesting about our valley is that you

tinued to offer small, safe gatherings for families at

can get away from the lights of towns so easily,”

their homes or at dark sites around the valley. He

White notes. “Getting a great view is about seeking

also hopes to broaden the scope of his educational

out a very dark location, which is not difficult here,

work through partnerships with nonprofit organiza-

and getting up out of the valleys, which prohibit the

tions and schools in the near future, as he believes

horizon. Anywhere with a dark, wide open vista is

strongly that astronomy is something we should all

what you want: Missouri Heights or Independence

have far more access to.

Pass, for example.”

18

White’s star parties, which he has hosted for pri-

“Many people have told me that observing the

Our local skies possess two of the three key fac-

stars up-close is a powerful life experience they’ll

tors for great stargazing: low light pollution and top-

never forget,” White says. “That makes me very

notch transparency.

happy. Because I feel the same way.”

Roaring Fork Lifestyle | January 2021

Bryan White.

A winter star party in Missouri Heights.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/RoaringFork

19

A MIDWINTER NIGHT’S DREAM (CONTINUED)

Comet Neowise, discovered in March 2020, photographed by Bryan White.

OBSERVATION TIPS + Pick a clear night to stargaze during the new

viewed with binoculars; Neptune, farther west in Aquarius and viewable by telescope.

or waxing/waning crescent moon, when the sky

+ Deep Sky Objects: Orion Nebula, located just

is darkest. Start any time an hour after sunset,

below Orion’s three famous “belt” stars; Pleiades,

and note that the atmosphere becomes steadier

an open star cluster in Taurus famously known as

by 10 or 11 p.m.

the Seven Sisters, that’s terrific with binoculars;

+ Try an app like Sky Safari, Star Tracker, Skyview, or Google Sky to help you identify constellations, planets, and prominent stars.

Andromeda Galaxy, our sister galaxy located 2.5 million light years away, is visible straight up at sunset. + Bright Stars: Betelgeuse, the “shoulder” star

+ Brush up on basic astronomy and history

of Orion; Sirius, or the “Dog Star,” is the brightest

of human interaction with the night sky. Having

star in the sky; Castor, one of the Gemini “twin”

some context enriches your stargazing experi-

stars, best viewed through a telescope.

ence exponentially.

LEARN MORE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE JANUARY SKY + Planets: Mars, visible with the naked eye in Aries at sunset; Uranus, also in Aries and easier

20

Roaring Fork Lifestyle | January 2021

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ARTICLE GENEVIEVE JOELLE VILLAMIZAR

Caroline (left) and Sarah on a February 2020 hut trip.

S K I MO S I ST E R HO OD 24

Roaring Fork Lifestyle | January 2021

CAROLINE AND SARAH TORY CHASE BACKCOUNTRY ADVENTURE

ASK ANY SIBLINGS ABOUT GROWING UP TOGETHER, AND THE STORIES WILL FLOW: FROM RIVALRIES TO CLOTHING FIGHTS TO ALL-OUT CHARLEY HORSE BATTLES. Hailing from Canada, sister ski racers Caroline and Sarah Tory dispel those myths of hellion siblings. Both women moved to the valley in search of epic mountains. They both have careers in the world of words.

And they compete not against one another, but together, in what has been described as the valley’s most strenuous ski mountaineering race, the Audi Power of Four. It showcases the four peaks of SkiCo, ascending over 10,000 vertical feet while traversing an arduous 24-mile course. The sisters skied into second in the women’s division in 2018 and ‘19, and fourth in 2020.

Ski mountaineering, or “skimo” for short, is backcountry mountaineering on skis designed for the rigors beyond the resort. The allure is high alpine, untrammeled, un-peopled landscapes that few ever get to experience. For Sarah and Caroline, skimo is a natural extension of a lifetime of skiing. They grew up on waxed sticks at a little ski hill their grandfather started north of Toronto. Both parents were big skiers. The girls began ski racing early.

At the Power of Four finish line in 2019. Over a foot of snow fell the night before the race.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/RoaringFork

25

SKIMO SISTERHOOD (CONTINUED)

“Being active was a big part of growing up, for which we’re lucky,” Caroline explains.

“Later in our youth, we’d visit the Canadian Rockies to ski or hike. That was our introduction to the mountains,” says Sarah.

“I think it’s pretty unusual to start backcountry skiing in high school,” says Caroline. “Especially for people from Toronto! Our parents had been exposed to that themselves and brought us on a few trips that sparked that love of backcountry skiing for Sarah and me, and contributed to us moving to Colorado.”

Starting technically epic skiing so young was a challenge.

“I remember thinking, ‘Nah,’ like it was Type II Fun at the time,” Caroline says of outings that felt like torture in the moment but were enjoyable in retrospect.

“I remember getting excited about it, but also struggling so hard, trying to keep up.

It was the hardest thing I had ever done.

Being able to share that with your family is pretty amazing.”

Both sisters made it to the Colorado Rockies. With a career at Aspen Words, Caroline lives at the gateway to the Sawatch and Elk Mountains: Aspen. As a correspondent to High Country News, Sarah is based out of Carbondale where she can climb in one direction, or head upvalley to ski. As grown-ups, skimo is a big part of their friendship these days.

“I want to do more adventurous traverses, even within just the Elk Mountains, where there’s so much good skiing. You need to spend more than a day just getting there,” Sarah says. She lists off Mt. Rainier, big peaks in the Canadian Rockies. “More, bigger adventures, really getting out there.”

In 2021, the sisters are hopeful for the Crested Butte to Aspen Grand Traverse, another grueling local skimo event.

26

Roaring Fork Lifestyle | January 2021

On a spring 2019 ski tour near Independence Pass.

Young sisters posing on a family ski trip at Blackcomb Glacier in Whistler, British Columbia, in 2003.

“We’d like to finish it this year, to ski across that mountain range. We’ve explored together so much,

bigger adventure you can have on your Saturday, or even in the two hours before work.”

it would be really cool to ski into Aspen,” says

When asked what motivates them, both sisters

Caroline. “We’ve gotten really hosed on the Grand

laugh and admit that it’s keeping up with the other,

Traverse. The first time, it reversed back to Crested

not letting her sister down, and most notably: the

Butte because of conditions. We were signed up to

sheer synchronicity of doing it together.

do it last year, and then Covid happened.”

“The Power of Four has a really special atmo-

After three shots at the Power of Four together,

sphere,” says Caroline. “All these mountains I skin

Sarah wants another go at it this year. She felt really

up and ski down. Mountain biking through them

strong through the first three mountains in 2020, but

all summer. Being able to traverse them in a race

died on the final climb. Caroline wants to put together

format as fast as you can on skis— with your sis-

better numbers for a stronger, second win at the Triple

ter?— is really fun.”

Crown. She won her first attempt in 2018, completing

Sarah interrupts, laughing as she sing-songs,

the skimo race, the mountain bike race version, and a

“‘Don’t slow Caroline down too much! It’s not just

50K trail run, all within the same year.

completing the race for yourself. It definitely adds

“But I don’t know that I got into this for the

this extra outlet of psych and motivation to be doing

competitive racing side of things. I was drawn to

it with my sister. If I were just by myself, I’d slow

it because I wanted to be able to move quickly in

down, and drink whiskey on top of Highland Bowl!”

the mountains—mostly because time is limited!”

Both women erupt into giggles: the skimo sisterhood.

Caroline chuckles. “Faster, stronger allows for a CityLifestyle.com/RoaringFork

27

28

Roaring Fork Lifestyle | January 2021

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DIY

bullet journaling 101 ARTICLE NICOLETTE MARTIN

PHOTOGRAPHY ESTÉE JANSSENS

Let’s face it—in today’s so-much-to-do-and-so-little-time cultural mindset, it

can be hard to keep track of everything we need to do. Wake up—did you get enough sleep? Brush your teeth. Feed the kids. Feed the dog. Get ready for work.

Make your lunch. Those are just six things to think about in the span of 15 minutes after your alarm goes off.

With all of these things to keep track of and our lives moving a mile a minute,

anything we can find to streamline our obligations (and our thoughts) can be a lifesaver! Enter: bullet journaling. It’s equal parts calendar, meal tracker, diary, self care and, well, really anything else that you want to keep tabs on! The “mindfulness practice disguised as a productivity system,” coined by creator Ryder Carroll, can help you master the art of intentional living—any way you want to.

THE BASICS YOU NEED TO KNOW TO START ORGANIZING YOUR LIFE + ACCOMPLISHING YOUR GOALS

start simple

make it your own

There’s so much you can do

When you start searching for

The most important thing to

here with just a notebook (you’ll

bullet journaling on Pinterest,

remember is that it is for you

probably want one with a dotted

it can get really overwhelming

and not anyone else. Find lay-

grid) and a pen! If you want to

really fast. Decide what is most

outs that help with what you

add some creative flair, consider

important for you to keep track

need, use your favorite colors,

incorporating markers, stickers

of and start with that! If you try

doodle things that help you out

and washi tape.

to do too much at once, you’ll be

and make it work for YOU and

less likely to stick with it.

your goals!

what you need

30

Roaring Fork Lifestyle | January 2021

page styles

t ypes of pages in a bullet jour nal + Mood tracker + Activity tracker + Exercise tracker + Ideas list + Chore list + Budget tracker + Spending log + Bucket list + Reading list + Yearly goals + Happiness log + Sleep tracker

symbols

s ymbol char t A bullet journal really becomes what you make it. Use symbols that speak to you! Here are some basics to start with:

Task

Event Note Complete CityLifestyle.com/RoaringFork

31

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A SIMPLE SWEET FOR THE SNOWIEST DAYS

CULINARY CREATIONS

COLD & CREA MY SNOWED IN FOR THE NIGHT? When it’s dumping outside, round up the kiddos and make a giant bowl of frosty snow cream for dessert. You’ll have a brand-new family tradition on the table in less than five minutes.

TO MAKE SNOW CREAM: + 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk + 1/4 cup condensed milk + 1 teaspoon vanilla + Pinch cinnamon + 1 large bowl of fresh snow (about one gallon) + Optional toppings: sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, maraschino cherries Whisk the milks, vanilla, and cinnamon until combined.

Drizzle over the fresh snow, stir well, and serve immediately.

TIPS: 01 Make sure your snow is very fresh. Gather pure white, newly fallen snow that is not discolored or dirty in any way.

ARTICLE FINN COLLIER

02 As you add the milk mixture to the snow, it will reduce

34

in size. The resulting consistency will be thinner than storebought ice cream.

03 The type of snow matters. If snow is heavy and wet, use less; if it’s light and fluffy, gather more.

04 Did your snow cream become a bit too runny? Serve it in tall glasses with straws like a milkshake!

Roaring Fork Lifestyle | January 2021

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