Spoke+Blossom Magazine | Winter 2022-23 | Issue #22 by Spoke+Blossom Magazine

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A D V E N T U R E

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C O L O R A D O

WESTERN SLOPE APOTHECARIES 12 SNOWSPORTS + ART 32 WILDERNESS SURVIVAL TIPS 44 CELEBRATING AVALON’S CENTENNIAL 64 WINTER 2022-23 / ISSUE 22

A S

A U

VIEWS!

• Homes starting at 1800 square foot • 3-6 bedroom • 3 car garage minimum • RV parking and storage on site • Stucco exteriors with optional stone accents • Architectural 30-year shingles • Nature’s Composite fencing A • Pressurized irrigation S • Parks & walking paths • LOTS FOR SALE ON-SITE OFFICE LOCATED AT 2649 Emerald Ridge Lane Grand Junction, CO 81506

S O S

A S

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(North, off H Road & 26 1/2 Road)

S = Sold

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U = Under Contract

We look forward to working with you to design and build your new home in Emerald Ridge! For more information, contact New Horizons Development, Inc.

JANET ELLIOTT

GRI, CRS, ABR

Broker/Owner

REALTOR®, ABR, CRS, GRI 970-250-0765 N1323D@msn.com

A Tradition We Can All Share

www.enstrom.com

CO N T what’s up in the west

lifestyle

12 8

VOICES OF WESTERN COLORADO Locals Weigh in on Embrace

WHAT’S UP IN THE WEST Lowell School: Preserving History + Embracing the Future

WHAT’S UP IN THE WEST Mesa County Libraries Breaks Ground on New Clifton Branch

35 26

BOOK + BEVERAGE •T he Snowy Cabin Cookbook: Meals and Drinks for Adventurous Days and Cozy Nights by Marnie Hanel + Jen Stevenson • Snowed In Cocktail

S+B’S INSTAGRAM + PODCAST PICKS

STYLE Fahion Icons at Aspen Gay Ski Week

BLOSSOM Western Slope Apothecaries: Health + Internal Wealth

HOME + GARDEN Style Your Home for Winter

MAKER Sunward Jewelry

DRINK The FOCI Experience

ART Art Under Your Feet: The Graphics Behind Colorado-Based Skis + Snowboards

DRINK The Western Sour

MUSIC WinterWonderGrass: Colorado’s Homegrown Festival Turns 10

DRINK Snow Capped Cider: Taste as Rich as the History

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Special Advertising Section

EAT Winter Recipes

WELLNESS + FITNESS Winter Skincare for the Dry Season

E N TS adventure

features + events

ADVENTURE Mountain Mel Can Help: Are You Confident in Your Wilderness Survival?

CELEBRATING THE AVALON’S CENTENNIAL “Its History is Our History”

SPOKE Athlete Profile: Baker Boyd

SPOKE Gear for the Season

LOCAL FOOD IN WESTERN COLORADO A Forgotten Golden Thread

SPOKE Gear Profile: mountainFLOW EcoWax

THE LIFE OF A TRIATHLETE Year-Round, Athletes Train Physically + Mentally

HELP IS HERE Hazardous or Hard to Recycle?

GRAND OUTDOORS Nordic Skiing on Grand Mesa

EVENTS Winter 2022-23

TAKE A HIKE Jeep Arch Trail

WHO WE ARE Betsy Seabert, Founder of Chill Angel

COMMUNITY Church Living

GETAWAY Swiss Dreams: Winter Visit to Zermatt

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

EMBRACE Of all the twists, turns, ups and downs the past three years have brought us, the reminder to lean in and embrace who and what we cherish seems all the more important in reminding us of our humanity. Life is that way — pulling us in all kinds of directions, just to then invite us to come back to center, to home, to heart. To embrace is also to welcome something new, to learn and grow. Really then, we must choose to embrace in order to evolve. It’s a wonderful time to live, work, play and visit Western Colorado. So much innovation and collaboration is really starting to flourish after much time spent laying roots for growth. How inspiring to see pieces of legacy like Avalon Theatre in Grand Junction celebrating its centennial anniversary (page 64), and Snow Capped Cider tapping into taste as rich as its history (page 22), while Colorado ski and snowboard companies are creating pieces with artists to make a memorable mark on snowsports (page 32). Our print issues come out each season with a mission to celebrate the strong core of Western Colorado and the beating hearts of its communities. As we take extra time to be with friends, family, community and nature this winter season, let this issue remind us to embrace it all a little bit more.

Kim Fuller with Bobby L’Heureux Publishers of Spoke+Blossom Founders of Jaunt Media Collective

Instagram @spokeandblossom

twitter.com/ spokeandblossom

Keep in touch with us between issues! Check out our website, spokeandblossom.com, for updates and events, and follow us on social media. Scan this QR code with your smart phone to be taken directly to our website.

This magazine is shareable and recyclable. Please don’t throw it in the trash.

Publisher Jaunt Media Collective Editor-In-Chief Kim Fuller Managing Editor Lexi Reich Assistant Editor Lauren Farrauto Art Director Kitty Nicholason Advertising Bobby L’Heureux Judy Shay Interns Robyn Britt Erin Phillips Contributors Julie Bielenberg Lisa Blake Stephen Doyle Lauren Farrauto Kim Fuller Kristen Grace Lucie Hanes Jayme Henderson Gus Jarvis Olivia Lyda Cat Mayer Maureen McGuire Laura Mills Jeremy Nelson Kimberly Nicoletti Erin Phillips Matt Powers Madison Rahhal Lexi Reich Gabriela Reitz Sharon Sullivan Melanie Wiseman Cover Photograph Courtesy of Rossignol

Join the Spoke+Blossom Community facebook.com/ spokeandblossom

Founder Robin Brown

Spoke+Blossom Magazine Jaunt Media Collective 2077 North Frontage Road / D Vail, CO 81657 For advertising, contact ads@spokeandblossom.com 815.414.9642 Get in touch! We would love to hear from you. Please send your comments to letters@spokeandblossom.com Copyright © 2022 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written permission. Printed in Colorado.

970.464.5554 Open Daily 10am-5:45 carlsonvineyards.com

D R I N K

W H A T

carlsonvineyards

Y O U

L I K E

CarlsonVineyards

contributors

LUCIE HANES Lucie is a trail runner, climber, writer and mental strength consultant for outdoor athletes. She’s taken her Southern blood from sea level in Virginia all the way to the high mountains of Eagle, and is one of the rare adventurers in the area who will take dry dirt and rock over snow any day.

STEPHEN DOYLE GABRIELA REITZ

Steve and his wife Sibylle moved to Glade Park in 2003 after living twenty years in New York City. He serves as president of the Avalon Theatre Foundation. You can usually find Steve playing golf at Redlands Mesa or sometimes rehearsing with the High Desert Opera.

Gabi is a Colorado native and adventure enthusiast. Her favorite pastimes include hiking, floating the river, hanging out with her cat, reading romance books and writing super cool articles. Gabi is currently an undergraduate student at Stanford University and hopes to continue her career in journalism.

JULIE BIELENBERG Julie is a Colorado writer producing over 75 pieces a year for outlets such as AAA, Rachel Ray in Season, Cayman Airways, Caribbean Journal, Cowboys & Indians, USA Today and Vail Daily. She has been the state’s #1 agritourist for 10 years and is always in search of field, farm, forest and forage. She has three children, a pandemic puppy and an avid, outdoors husband.

GUS JARVIS Gus is a Montrose-based writer who spends his summers in search of live music, big brown trout and desolate river canyons. A former fishing guide on the Gunnison Gorge, he now works to hone his skills of writing short stories. He lives with his wife, Torie.

ERIN PHILLIPS Erin is a writer and adventure photographer in Sandpoint, Idaho. She’s an experienced outdoor guide and is currently studying to be a yoga teacher. She is humbled and honored to listen to people’s stories and finds great healing in sharing her own. Find her at erinmariedesigns.com and IG: @erinmp93.

voices of western colorado

EMBRACE We Asked These Western Slope Locals to Weigh in on This Topic Compiled by Lexi Reich

KAMIE LONG

JAMES MELLING

ROBIN HALL

Grand Junction Field Office manager, Colorado State Forest Service

Co-owner and farmer at Carboy Winery

Co-founder and CEO of Town Hall Outdoor Co.

“I decided to look up the

“Embrace is the term that

“Embracing something means

definition of embrace. It has a

perfectly describes the

to be open to it, to welcome

bigger meaning than I originally

collaborative atmosphere

it, accept it, bring it into your

considered. To welcome, to

among wine growers in Western

arms and feel it against your

accept, to hold. This is an

Colorado. Relocating back to

skin and in your soul. From the

important concept these days. We

Colorado and opening a new

free-range spaces near Clark

are all so different and so alike.

concept winery in an emerging,

to the ripping trails in Crested

We each have our own story. Our

tightly-knit community comes

Butte to the sweet flavors of

stories, passions, dislikes — these

with a lot of challenges. Being

Palisade, Western Colorado

make us who we are. We need

accepted and supported

is easy to embrace. But, the

to embrace others; we need to

enthusiastically by our new

magic isn’t in the outdoors

embrace ourselves. The ability

patrons, neighbors and,

and its vibrant life; it is the

to embrace helps create a strong

frankly, competitors wasn’t

people that make it unique.

community — a community

one of those challenges. From

Ranchers, conservationists,

that builds with open arms

collaborating on growing tips,

outdoorspeople, business

and accepts all of our stories.

providing vendor references

owners, tourists and many more

I am grateful to live in this

and repairing farm equipment

make this a community whose

community.”

to lending a helping hand when

pride and passion shine in loving

we’re shorthanded, Carboy

embrace with the land that we

has experienced a very warm

call home.” :

welcome from the winemaking and farming community here in the Grand Valley and all of the Western Slope.”

what's up in the west

PRESERVING HISTORY + EMBRACING THE FUTURE

LOWELL SCHOOL Words by Kristen Grace | Photo by Jeremy Nelson

the building’s life,” says Jeremy Nelson, manager of the Downtown Grand Junction REgeneration LLC. Now, the prior classrooms serve as office spaces and studios. “We’ve really been trying to curate a mix of tenants to write that next chapter … all of our tenants are local, small businesses or artists or, in some cases, civil groups,” Nelson shares. The land in front of the Lowell School — 1,500 feet of green grass and mature trees — is called the Lowell School Commons. It is, essentially, a public park. Specifically, the land is known as a privately-owned, public open space, which is very common in bigger cities but newer in smaller ones. Tenants, and the community, can coordinate with the owners

to hold fundraisers, private parties and other f you’re a Grand Junction local or a

events, such as art shows and wine tastings. The

Coloradan who enjoys making memories in

only rules for the garden area are “be kind and

GJ, you may have passed by the Lowell School.

behave.”

If the old building could talk, it would tell the

Nelson thinks that embracing the future

stories of the kids, teenagers and teachers

requires looking at the past — extracting the

who used to roam its halls. It served as an

gold from history and integrating it into our

elementary school for about 50 years and then

modern culture. Nelson calls the Lowell School

went on to be a high school for an additional

project a long-term labor of love, because it’s

50 years. Now, after sitting vacant for a while,

important to REgeneration to rebuild the school

you may think its glory days have passed, but

in a way that pays homage to its heritage,

what lies ahead for the Lowell School is a new

indicating its past and future, even down to its

opportunity to serve the community.

authentic signage.

The space, located in the historic district

Nelson believes that every historic building

on the corner of 7th Street and Grand Avenue,

is precious, because the built environment can

was purchased by development company

reflect the community and make community

REgeneration and is being reimagined.

members (both old and new) feel welcome, and

REgeneration’s mission is to help reactivate parts

he is eager to be a part of this project on the

of the community that have been overlooked

Western Slope. Nelson encourages people to

through constructing new buildings or

partner with the Lowell School by organizing

preserving old ones. “We’re trying to document

an event or by utilizing one of the spaces for

and tell the story of those two chapters of the

their business (waitlist spaces are currently

building’s life, but we’re also trying to create

available). “Please come and join us,” Nelson

and write and promote the next chapter of

invites. “Get excited with us!” :

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

what's up in the west

MESA COUNTY LIBRARIES BREAKS GROUND ON NEW CLIFTON BRANCH Words by Kristen Grace | Rendering courtesy of RATIO Architects

alling all Mesa County residents and book

Although some may argue that the prime

lovers! Mesa County Libraries has begun

of libraries has passed, Boisvenue-Fox feels

building a brand-new Clifton Branch with

differently and believes many in the community

exciting new amenities to serve the community’s

do, too. “Successful public libraries pivot and

growing needs.

evolve to meet their community’s needs. We

“The new library is 17,800 square feet, so

are the social connectors where people connect

it’s three times larger than the leased storefront

with others in the community,” she says. “All

location where the Clifton Branch is now,”

of this connection doesn’t require purchase of

shares library director Michelle Boisvenue-Fox.

a product, and it has a positive effect on our

“It will have more study rooms, more meeting

community’s mental health. This doesn’t happen

rooms, two community rooms and a separate

at other places in our community.”

space for kids and teens.” The new library is

The Clifton Library is embracing the needs

under construction at 3270 D 1/2 Road, just east

of the county by implementing programs that

of Rocky Mountain Elementary School.

suit its target demographic; the Adult Learning

Over the past few years, Mesa County

Center, for example, will be moved to the Clifton

Libraries has asked the townspeople what they

Branch, helping people earn their GED and

desire from their library, and they are listening

learn English. Plus, to meet residents’ desire for

to the community’s response. Boisvenue-Fox

after-school activities for kids, the library will be

explains that the new library will boast more

offering after-school snacks — a partnership with

technology, more programs (including ones in

Food Bank of the Rockies — along with spaces to

Spanish), space for kids and families, places for

complete homework, work on projects, hang out,

meetings and an emphasis on connection and

play board games or video games and partake in

learning.

other planned library events.

Boisvenue-Fox is excited about the aesthetically beautiful kids’ space, which reminds her of Clifton’s Bookcliffs during golden hour. “Mesa County is adding space for a childcare on the county campus where the library will also be located,” she adds. “The library will offer library cards to all children, regular story times and the ability to participate in summer reading, as well as 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten to benefit these kids before they begin their school years.” Boisvenue-Fox expresses, “This new branch is being described by neighbors as a game changer for Clifton … to offer after-school space for students, library services to child-care recipients and continuing GED and English language learning classes for adults is exciting. Supporting the Clifton Branch Library offers individuals an opportunity to support that change, which will have lifelong impacts on people and families.” Completion

and

opening

the

new

Clifton Branch are expected in fall 2023. Visit mesacountylibraries.org to invest in Clifton’s future. :

blossom DANCING WILLOW COURTESY OF VISIT DURANGO

HEALTH + INTERNAL WEALTH

WESTERN SLOPE APOTHECARIES Words by Julie Bielenberg

pothecaries

were

America’s

original

pharmacies. Today, the niche health

line of pickled vegetables, jams, spreads, etc. HōMSTED also offers seasonal classes.

and wellness emporium is rising in popularity once again. On the Western Slope, there are

Willow Creek Herbs and Teas, Grand Junction

numerous brick and mortar stores stocked

970.241.2324 | facebook.com/

with tinctures, herbal teas, supplements, oils,

WillowCreekHerbsandTeas

lotions, shampoos, soaps and more for natural,

This Grand Junction boutique is stocked with

organic and local goodness for the body, inside

over 1,000 items; don’t get overwhelmed! Head

and out.

straight to the organic tea, spice and herb section to indulge in hundreds of harvests from local

HōMSTED, Glenwood Springs

farmers. There are nearly 200 herbal, black and

970.928.3440 | homsted.com

green teas in addition to 200 organic culinary

The downtown Glenwood Springs apothecary

spices, many that you can sniff and experience

is a mecca for all things natural, even plant life.

before purchasing. The shop is adorned with

Topical offerings include essential oils, roll-ons,

dozens of local artisans’ work, including painting,

sprays, hydrosols, facemasks, lotions and an

craft and jewelry.

entire men’s line. There is a lined-wall with bulk

herbs, and you can make your own tea blends.

Rooted Apothecary, Crested Butte + Gunnison

For those who reuse containers, there is a station

970.765.6432 | rooted-apothecary.com

for soap, laundry detergent, shampoo and more.

Their premiere location is North Main Street

A garden section is devoted to seeds, plant kits,

in Gunnison; however, Rooted Apothecary also

books and tools. We love their new mushroom-

operates limited hours at their Elk Ave., Crested

growing kits! Browse the pantry section with

Butte location and a thriving online community

locally-sourced goodies, including their own

with multiple education components. This is the

COURTESY OF HOMSTED

that is all created in the Dancing Willow laboratory, located behind the retail shop. The

woman-owned, herbal apothecary focuses on sustainable and organic products, with an emphasis on local herbs and other indigenous plants of the Southwest. There are thousands of products: herbal tinctures and teas, aromatherapy, bath and body lines, salves, linaments, oils, a line dedicated to women’s health, mother and child and more. There are also classes throughout the year, including our favorite, the Eating Healthy Cooking Series, which is offered online. Stay up to date with their extensive blog and social media. Living Lands Apothecary, Rifle 970.665.9791 | livinglandsapothecary.com Owner Chrissy Lee-Manes

Owner and founder Cheyenne Martin created this modern-day herbal and flora home from her love of the earth. “We have moved out of our

definitive, modern-day apothecary. Products

physical location and are focusing on creating

include candles, CBD, oils, foraging preservation,

more of an online presence. That leaves more

gut health kits, hair care, cleaning supplies,

room for me to stay present with my family

salves, remedies, skin/spa care, elixirs, herbs and

and still create and serve my community and

much more. On trend in the mushroom boom is

our planet. The world has transformed into

the apothecary’s new mushroom tinctures, such

such a mobile space (thankfully for many of

as Fung Fu Fighting. There are physical and

us). This type of balance we can create in life

online classes, plant camps, mini courses and an

is so fulfilling,” notes Martin of her Rifle-based

updated blog. All products are either naturally

company. She sells home essentials, such as

or organically-sourced and wild-crafted.

candles, toothbrushes, kitchen utensils, soaps, oils, gardening needs and classic apothecary

Medicine Ranch, Telluride

elements, like herbal remedies and supplements,

970.728.6084 | medranch.com

including a mushroom line, tinctures for dozens

Started by Joshua Geetter and Judy Godec,

of body ailments and, of course, bulk herbs and

Medicine Ranch combines their love of healing

teas. The Butter Me Up – Powder Series and Good

and natural ingredients. The breadth of

Earth Lotion Bars will become a must in any

product is enormous: tinctures, metabolites,

Colorado sports bag. :

organic skincare, essential oils, inhalers, body salves and oils, CBD products, bath salts, minerals and more. “We sell house-made tinctures and oils formulated by him and me,” explains Godec. “We also sell my small-batch skin care line, Venus and Vetiver, along with jewelry, bags and many other gift items.” Dancing Willow Herbs, Durango 970.247.1654 | dancingwillowherbs.com Dancing Willow Herbs is one of the largest apothecaries in the Rocky Mountain region. It’s

OURAY ALCHEMIST PHARMACY MUSEUM Take a guided tour of this pharmacy, depicting the Wild West, with the oldest prescription in Colorado! There are more than 700 hand-blown pharmacy bottles, many with the original drugs inside. Tours are private and need to be booked ahead. ourayalchemist.com

an insanely stunning display of body goodness

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

home + garden

STYLE YOUR HOME FOR WINTER Words by Lauren Farrauto | Photos courtesy of Hygge Life

s the weather outside gets chillier and we

day. Take some extra care to prepare your space

migrate indoors for the season, you may

for the dark, cold days ahead with these easy to

start to get sick of your surroundings. Spending

implement recommendations.

more time indoors with little change can make

“We love the change of seasons,” says Koen

you feel cooped up, but with a few refreshers

van Renswoude, co-founder of Hygge Life, a home

to your home that mark the changing season,

décor shop in Avon, “and by working your decor

you can transform your space into a cozy refuge

a little bit, you can emphasize the change, setting

that you love coming back to at the end of the

you up for cozy moments and more time indoors.”

Pull out cozy throw blankets that have been stored away in cupboards for the year. Bonus points if they’re thick and made from natural materials, like wool. Arrange extra pillows with the blankets on couches and beds for a comfy look, while keeping functional cozy items within reach. “Lighting is really important to set the scene, as well. From a good floor lamp to fun rechargeable and portable accent lights to having plenty of candlelight around. In the evening, try turning off the overhead lights and using only floor lamps, table lamps and candlelight. This will create a cozy low-light sense of calm when you are winding down after a long day,” advises Renswoude. “Make sure lamps have a ‘cozy’ setting,” adds Carey Matthews, marketing manager with The Christi Reece Group, a Western Colorado real estate agency, “whether that be three-way bulbs or LEDS that allow you to change color temperature and intensity. Harsh, cold color temperature bulbs are a no-go for hygge.” Hygge is a Danish word that describes the ultimate feeling of comfort and contentment found in the small moments. Winter is often considered peak hygge season, because we naturally gravitate towards coziness during this time of year. “A fireplace is of course a great way to feel cozy in a home, and decorating the mantel seasonally creates a great focal point,” suggests Stephanie Ryan from The Christi Reece Group. “Colorful felt garland or fir garland brings some fun to the feature. If you don’t have a fireplace, consider an electric fireplace. There are some really realistic ones available now, and they provide warmth!” You could also brave the elements and start a fire in your backyard or patio. Bundle up in your favorite sweater, grab a mountain of blankets and a hot drink, and invite friends or family to gather. “Embrace the colder temperatures and get outside. With a sheepskin on the back of the chair and a thick wool blanket on your lap, you’ll feel like you’re in a cozy sleeping bag, and you can

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sit outdoors for hours,” believes van Renswoude. If you can, make it intuitive to enjoy these comforting moments. Stack books on the coffee

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table to enjoy a relaxing evening curled up on the couch, corral puzzles and board games in a basket for family game night and keep slippers by the front door, so you can slip into comfort as soon as you get home. It can tend to feel dark inside during the winter, so add pops of color by placing bowls of seasonal fruit on the kitchen counter, including apples, clementines, pears and kumquats. Or, forage for fresh greenery to place in a vase on the dinner table, adding lovely seasonal smells in addition to color. Another way to brighten your space, Matthews suggests, is to “clean your windows! Sunlight streaming in from clean, clear windows is an instant warmth generator (literally and figuratively) for a home. You’ll be amazed at how different your home feels when your windows are clean.” Regardless of how you choose to heighten

moments past, travels you’ve been on or things

the cozy vibes in your space, van Renswoude

you love to do. Art, photos and prints are a great

reminds us of the most important thing: “Make

way to add in a lot of personality.” Only you can

it yours! What are things that remind you of

style the cozy home of your dreams. :

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

drink

THE FOCI EXPERIENCE Words by Laura Mills | Photo courtesy of FOCI Coffee

was scrolling through Spoke+Blossom’s

Haver is a freelance graphic designer, with

followers on Instagram when FOCI Coffee

FOCI being his true passion project. Though he

stood out to me. A quick snoop of their page

works remotely, he stays close to his Western

followed by a link to a YouTube video in their

Colorado roots not only for the versatility of

bio piqued my interest. The video was artfully

recreation but also for the community.

ambiguous, highlighting a literal hole-in-the-

“We are making it happen here. In a bigger

wall café and plastic flamingos; little did I know

city with more resources and people, we could

what kind of story was going to unfold.

be moving quicker, but I couldn’t ask for better

Colorado local Ben Haver, born and raised

feedback than what we received currently in

in Palisade, Colorado is the founder and creative

Grand Junction. That shows me that we’re doing

leader behind the FOCI movement. FOCI Coffee

something that people are enjoying, and it’s

was an idea born from a project at university that

working here,” Haver explains. “It’s allowing us

quickly turned into a brand, a craft cold brew

to build slowly and with intention.”

coffee and, now, multiple interactive experiences.

Haver and his supportive and like-

“Foci is plural for focus. I couldn’t decide on

minded creative friend Cole Ervin collaborate

a name or really what I wanted to do, so FOCI is

on interactive experiences that they share with

perfect for multiple focus points and everything

the community, based around the pillars of

that we want to do as a brand moving forward,”

their brand. The main pillar is craft cold brew

Haver says.

coffee — with vanilla extract personally made

by Haver himself. “I was looking for coffee

is a way for creatives to build each other up and

on-the-go in stores. The canned stuff wasn’t

support one another in their growth. FOCI is an

something that I really liked and was filled with

umbrella that welcomes like-minded individuals

a lot of ingredients I didn’t align with. I grew

to bring attention to the artistic community that

up in agriculture and pride myself on eating

resides and is developing in Grand Junction.

healthy and clean. Knowing the back end of

“How can we prop you up with either

how food is grown, I wanted to create a clean

materials, funding, brand reach, design and

product,” Haver confidently states.

marketing knowledge or outreach as your

After the pillar of the craft cold brew coffee

own entity, while also providing us with more

was created, they started on the Tiny Café, the

leverage moving forward with your ideas or

literal hole-in-the-wall that caught my eye.

skillset?” asks Haver when explaining the

Modeled after the tiny wine windows used in

questions and thought processes he moves

France during the time of the plague, Haver

through when working on the development of

and his team would serve their delicious,

what FOCI is and can be.

caffeinated beverage out of a window, just small

FOCI has few parameters, and that’s the

enough to fit your hand through, once a month

way they want it to be — an open door for

for select hours — sometimes accompanied by

creative opportunities to help nourish the

other local creatives like crêpe girl, a Grand

community of unique thought processes and

Junction resident with strong ties to her French

one-off experiences or goods. Winter is a time

background who can be found slinging delicious

for development and brainstorming for those

crepes and also performing musically.

who align with the FOCI crew, but big plans are

Haver and his team simply like building cool,

ahead. Keep an eye out for what’s to come in the

unique and memorable experiences for people

Grand Junction art scene and how FOCI is going

to immerse themselves in, but at the base of FOCI

to be a part of it. :

drink

WESTERN SLOPE SOUR Words + Photo by Jayme Henderson

et’s give a traditional New York Sour cocktail a wintry, Western Slope twist. With a base of cozy

bourbon, this full-bodied cocktail is balanced with zesty citrus, robust red wine and a simple syrup that’s brimming with warming tones of baking spice. This cocktail is basically a whiskey sour that’s topped with a red-wine float. I upgraded the simple syrup with a seasonal flavor profile and kept the ingredients as local to the Western Slope as possible. Peach Street Distillers’ Colorado Straight Bourbon was a natural fit. Its notes of caramel, vanilla and subtle spices matched perfectly with the spiced simple syrup. For the wine, I opted for a dry red wine that’s rich on the palate, like the 2021 Syrah from Stone Cottage Cellars. The best part about this drink recipe? It’s a great party-opener that lets you open a bottle of wine, use a little of it in this cocktail and then pour a few glasses for your guests.

WESTERN SLOPE SOUR YIELD: ONE COCKTAIL

2 ounces bourbon whiskey ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice ¾ ounce spiced simple syrup (recipe below) ½ ounce dry red wine

1. I n a mixing tin, combine the bourbon, lemon juice and spiced simple syrup. 2. A dd ice, and shake well. 3. S train into a cocktail glass over a large cube of ice. 4. S lowly pour the red wine over a spoon so that the cocktail remains layered. SPICED SIMPLE SYRUP Combine one cup water with one cup sugar in a small saucepan. Add a cinnamon stick, a couple of whole cloves, a few allspice berries and a star anise. Over low heat, bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat after simmering five minutes, let completely cool and strain the solids. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, and use it in seasonal cocktails for an extra addition of spice. :

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

drink

TASTE AS RICH AS THE HISTORY

SNOW CAPPED CIDER Words by Erin Phillips | Photo courtesy of Snow Capped Cider

“I

want people to taste our ciders and think,

The proof is not only in the fact that Snow

‘Wow! I didn’t know cider could be like

Capped Cider is coming out of 2022 one of the

this,’” says Kari Williams, owner of Snow Capped

top awarded cideries in the nation and has been

Cider. “There is no way you could get a higher

awarded #1 heritage cider two years running,

quality cider than doing it on these farms. Would

but it’s also in the great responsibility she feels

I make cider and make this a company if I didn’t

towards representing the century-old family

have the fruit? Absolutely not!”

history in Colorado’s commercial fruit industry.

Williams Family Orchards sits in the Surface Creek Valley of Colorado’s Western Slope at 6,130 feet. This unique microclimate creates an unsurpassed terroir to grow fruit with the right knowledge and innovation. Williams says her husband Ty’s great-grandfather “froze water from the lakes on the Grand Mesa above and buried it until it was time to bring it down. He hand-wrapped the apples, placed them into wooden boxes made on-site and loaded them on rail cars to get them out of the valley.” Nowadays, as the only estate cidery in Colorado, some has changed, but not much. They are a zero-waste facility and cultivate a healthy biodynamic system with the land. “Everything that is a negative and a positive here is heightened,” Williams adds. Increased exposure to UV light distresses the trees, resulting in high sugar content. By micronizing the water system, there is an increased nutrient delivery to the soil. The slower system reduces soil erosion and salt back to the Colorado River. The snowmelt is directly sourced without fossil fuels or electricity, and the use of trellises allows the sunlight to penetrate more to get really highdensity, high-quality fruit. Williams says if Snow Capped Cider is not nurturing and caring for its fruit, over 70% of it becomes disease-ridden and dehydrated. “We do the labor,” shares Williams. “It’s a pride thing to do things the way this family has done. I’ve watched this family lose 2 million dollars in orchards two years ago when we had a freeze. I know how harsh the conditions are. My family works seven days a week. I’m just so fortunate to be able to make cider the way I can.” Snow Capped Cider will soon be releasing their Elevation series, a blend of cider and traditional culinary apples labeled with a topography map of where the apples came from. “I get to have the fun job experimenting with flavor profiles. I feel like a kid in a candy store,” laughs Williams. “I want to make the family legacy proud, to represent what we do through my ciders, and provide the highest quality French and English ciders that can actually be made here.” Not a single drop leaves the Snow Capped Cider doors without a flavorful blast of passion, intention and history. :

eat

CREATED FROM SEASONAL SURPRISES

WINTER RECIPES Words by Maureen McGuire | Photos by Cat Mayer

ome of the best things about the holidays are the joyful surprises

that make me really appreciate this time of the year, especially in my kitchen. During the holidays, with a little

attention and a lot of luck, I still have things growing in my garden. One year, I had Swiss chard make it all the way until January. If I am careful, and the weather cooperates, I can have greens and more hearty herbs almost by the end of the year. In my kitchen, we often embrace what we have. Sometimes, we have greens a couple of times a week in the fall and winter just because that is what is growing. This spring, my mother-in-law planted mystery cucurbit seeds in her garden. It was acorn squash. We ended up with

STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

six acorn squash plants, which grew

SERVES 2

produce the deepest green I have had the pleasure to remember, and are so beautiful to see on my kitchen counter and on my plate. Even through all of my complaints about pulling weeds, the bugs and the water bill, I am always excited to see what we end up with that will last through the holidays, because it is always different. Sometimes, it is a gift. Last year, three boxes of apples from who-knows-where showed up on my porch in November. We are still eating the applesauce I canned, and I am so excited to flex my creative culinary muscles to continue to make things from that surprise. I hope that you can experience a surprise that makes you smile for a long time this holiday season, like I will with all of the beautiful acorn squash I will be eating. :

1 large acorn squash, halved, seeds removed, roasted 1 cup brown rice (or other grain), cooked 1 Tbsp butter 4 ounces oyster mushrooms, finely chopped 1½ cups raw, hearty greens (such as Swiss chard), chopped ½ small onion, diced 2 cloves of garlic, minced ¾ cup ricotta (can substitute cottage cheese or soft goat cheese) 1 egg ½ cup chopped pecans 1 sprig fresh thyme (or a pinch of ground) Salt and pepper to taste

1. U se an already-roasted acorn squash with the seeds removed. 2. S autée onions, mushrooms, garlic, thyme and greens in butter. Remove the thyme sprig. Let cool, so that you can touch it without it burning. 3. M ix sautéed medley with rice, ricotta, pecans and the egg. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stuff squash to heaping, using your hand to mold the mound of stuffing and make it stick. 4. B ake at 330˚ for 40 minutes (or longer if needed), until browned.

APPLESAUCE TARTLETS WITH PECAN CRANBERRY CRUMBLE SERVES 6

Pie pastry for one 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store bought) FILLING 1½ cups applesauce ½ tsp cinnamon ¼ tsp each of mace, nutmeg, allspice, cloves (optional) 1 Tbsp tapioca flour or cornstarch ¼ cup sugar CRUMBLE TOPPING ½ cup flour ¼ cup brown sugar 1 Tbsp butter ½ cup pecans ¼ cup dried cranberries

1. C ut the thinly-rolled pastry into 4-inch circles, and fit the circles into a greased muffin pan. 2. M ix the filling ingredients and fill each crust, leaving space at the top for the crumble topping. 3. P lace all of the ingredients for the topping in a food processor, and pulse into a coarse crumb. 4. T op tartlets with crumbs to cover the filling. Bake at 350˚ for 30-40 minutes.

book + beverage

Words + Photo by Kim Fuller

before a long day of powder-filled adventure, The Snowy Cabin Cookbook is filled with fun and inspiring recipes. Readers can try the Snowbound Stromboli with Arrabbiata (a grown-up version of the Hot Pocket), Brown Butter Brussels Sprouts with Parsnips and Apples alongside Brrrisket with Parsley and Pomegranate Seeds, or Roasted Kabocha Squash Soup with Bacon and Chives. Fully illustrated by artist Monica Dorazewski, this cookbook also has a number of delicious desserts and cocktails to practice making and to enjoy, like a Blood Orange Negroni alongside Almond Tangerine Trifle. Try the Snowed In cocktail (our beverage featured here) on those days when staying in makes more sense than venturing out. The authors have also created fun tips and charts on living your best winter life, like advice on how to build a better snowman and 99 ways

THE BOOK

to use a mug. This thoughtful book is truly well

THE SNOWY CABIN COOKBOOK:

done and will inspire cozy time in the kitchen and throughout your home all season long.

Meals and Drinks for Adventurous Days and Cozy Nights

BY MARNIE HANEL + JEN STEVENSON

“P

eeking out the window to see a world quieted by freshly fallen snow is a

THE BEVERAGE

SNOWED IN

nspired by the ingredient of sherry (fortified wine),

this

cocktail

demonstrates

great

balance and has a festive look when served in

matchless joy, promising a day filled with wintry

a coupe. Sherry offers depth and richness to

adventures bookended by a warm, nourishing

round out the mezcal, grapefruit and lemon in

meal. As brisk weather slows our daily pace, we

this bright libation.

find more reasons to gather and time to cook, because as much as we love skiing, sledding,

SNOWED IN

skating, snowshoeing and snowball fighting,

2 ounces mezcal 1 ounce oloroso sherry 1 ounce fresh grapefruit juice ½ ounce fresh lemon juice ½ ounce Demerara syrup 1 lemon twist

ultimately, when the wind is whipping up outside, we take a shine to being inside.” As the preface of this sweet cookbook so beautifully states, there’s nothing quite like finding that perfect amount of cozy in the deep winter months. Whether you’re in need of satisfying snacks to get through a day of hibernation, planning a menu for a snowed-in dinner party or searching for a hearty breakfast

Combine the mezcal, sherry, grapefruit juice, lemon juice and Demerara syrup in a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir for 30 seconds until chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with the lemon twist. :

S+B’S INSTAGRAM + PODCAST PICKS Compiled by Lexi Reich

@colorfulcoloradocollective

Colorful Colorado Collective is a community that encourages photographers of all backgrounds to share their diverse perspectives of the state. Scroll through this page for incredible photography by talented photographers and artists.

Gremlin Talk

This fun podcast — which defines “gremlin” as a creature of the wild — covers everything from embracing your inner wilderness and developing a healthy relationship with running/ training to navigating dating and more. Host Mak Shea Smith is an elite obstacle course racer, ultramarathon runner, full-time engineer, certified life-coach, backpacker and content creator.

@I_70things

I-70 Things continues to grow in popularity for its hilarious way of capturing the chaos on one of the most hectic highways in America. Through scenic imagery and memes of traffic jams or unpredictable weather, this page is worth a look.

¿Quién Are We?

From Colorado Public Radio, ¿Quién Are We? is a podcast that explores what it means to be Latino, Hispanic or Chicana. Through the stories of people from various walks of life, this podcast explores identity, relationships and more.

@theblueberylwinery

Located at the base of picturesque Mt. Garfield, The Blue Beryl is a new, family-owned, boutique winery and vineyard. If you’re looking for beautiful Palisade wedding photos or to get a first-look at new wines and community events, be sure to give them a follow.

Do It Today Podcast

Kara Cutruzzula created Do It Today podcast to offer listeners the inside scoop on creating meaningful work, with doses of encouragement along the way. By asking friends and notable figures across creative industries about what they’re doing that day, this podcast shares insight and inspiration on doing your best work.

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

style

FASHION ICONS AT ASPEN GAY SKI WEEK Words by Lexi Reich | Photos by Matt Powers

very year, Coloradans flock to the state’s

Returning this year January 15-22, 2023,

world-renowned ski slopes — some to get in

ASGW is open to everyone — and the costume

fresh powder, others to sport their new seasonal

contest is a can’t-miss. Mariam T, the fabulous

look. Yet, no one does mountain fashion quite as

drag queen from San Diego, will host the

well as Aspen Gay Ski Week (AGSW).

downhill again.

For its 45th anniversary last year, AGSW drew

“We hope to have 10 to 15 teams competing,”

in people from all around the world for a spirited

shares art director Lukas Volk. The colorful

downhill competition that celebrated diversity

competition will be judged by a roster of

while raising funds for AspenOUT, the nonprofit

personalities, including gay ski week legend

that grants over $100,000 each year to college

Mariam T. :

students, mental health counselors and more.

Every year, AGSW draws in thousands of attendees, making it the nation’s largest and oldest gay ski event, all in support of LGBTQIA+ nonprofit AspenOUT.

Learn more at gayskiweek.com.

The Gay Ski Week Pass is every attendee’s key to the week, offering access to all of the hot galas and parties that make AGSW such a blast. The downhill competition and costume contest is a crowd favorite. SPOKE+BLOSSOM

maker

SUNWARD JEWELRY Words by Lucie Hanes | Photos by Madison Rahhal

“Keep your face to the sun, and you will never see the shadows.” — HELEN KELLER

arrie Calvin sees herself as a storyteller

inspiration in the geometric styles that the tool

first and foremost — just not in the way

so cleanly produces. But, most of Calvin’s work in

you’d expect. Instead of using words, she stamps

graphic design lacked a physical component. She

her narratives into clay and metal. Each piece

wanted a way to get her hands dirty and create

from Sunward Jewelry features simple shapes

a finished product that she could feel. Jewelry

accented with colors and textures that Calvin

making stood out to her as a way to combine the

brings back with her from every adventure.

virtual and the tactical.

The name Sunward bears a long history in

“The idea that I could blend my design skills

and of itself. “My dad passed away when I was in

with technology and a physical outcome was so

high school,” Calvin explains. “He would always

alluring,” gushes Calvin. “Creating something I

say that attitude is everything and remind me

could hold in my hands felt good.”

of the Helen Keller quote: ‘Keep your face to

After some experimentation, Calvin quit

the sun, and you will never see the shadows.’ I

her full-time gig in graphic design to dive in

collected little suns growing up for that reason

deep with her craft. She works out of her cozy

and also wanted to channel the Western mentality.

home studio where she’s installed her own laser

‘Sunward’ brings all these things together for me.”

cutter — the first big investment she made in

Calvin comes to jewelry making from

her business — and creates two main styles of

a background in graphic design. She first

jewelry: laser-cut leather combined with metal

discovered the joy of working with a laser

linework and silver combined with precious

cutter through a former employer and found

metal clay.

JACE STOUT

my friends wearing my jewelry. Now, I see it on people all over the Vail Valley!” she exclaims. Now, she’s focused on finding the balance between accessible and elegant. Calvin uses materials like leather and brass, because they’re easily obtainable but far from bland. These components give a piece an air of sophistication without ramping it to a much higher price range. She wants to foster a real connection with her work, rather than have it be something people admire from afar. Experimenting with other materials that have the same grounding effect will drive her craft forward in the future. “2022 was my year of ‘yes,’” Calvin states. “It got me started in a messy but fruitful way. Next year will be one of expansion to see what other magic combinations I can find.” :

Carrie Calvin

Calvin sells her jewelry and other creations at shops, popups and markets around the

“I use precious metal clay, because it holds

Vail Valley, including the ARTSPaCE gallery

so much texture,” Calvin says. “It’s basically

in Eagle and the annual National Western

recycled silver made into a powder and then into

Stock Show, as well as on her website at

clay form. It’s more rustic and organic than other

shopsunward.com.

forms of clay, too, and shows the whole process from A to B.” She uses the precious metal clay to pick up prints from natural features, like leaves and rocks, so that she can tie pieces of the places she’s been into her work. The subtlety of those prints alongside the stark lines of the geometric leather merges organic and man-made beauty. It reminds the wearer of how we fit into the natural world around us, distinct but still harmonious. On top of jewelry, Calvin’s been exploring a range of other creations, including leather clutches and hatbands, engraved drinkware, wood-carved coasters and even personalized denim jackets. She has a soft spot for all things Western and enjoys weaving together modern design and classic “cowboy” culture. “My husband used to run a horseshoe business,” reflects Calvin, “so the ranch life feels very peaceful to me. Then, I make those memories more concrete and urban by blending them with crisp shapework.” Calvin is still processing the growth of her business over the past year. “It used to be just all

art

THE GRAPHICS BEHIND COLORADO-BASED SKIS + SNOWBOARDS

ART UNDER YOUR FEET Words by Laura Mills

CARLY FINKE

“Since we are often working with custom skis, we are less worried about brand identity but, rather, have graphics that fit what people want,” Weinberg says. “We really give our designers a lot of room to do what inspires them and what’s interesting to them.” The team at ROMP prides themselves on their unique and diverse range of graphics and styles, as well as their custom projects, which has motivated them to work with a variety of designers over the years. Their current designer is Chris Hanna; you may know Hanna as the coowner of Crested Butte Publishing and Creative. With a strong background in graphic design, Weinberg believes Hanna is the perfect person

for the job, taking inspiration from everything ost of us are familiar with the feeling of

around him — even the scalloped design of a

walking into a shop and seeing the colorful

Kleenex box or the haphazard arrangement

array of skis and snowboards lining the wall —

of bumper stickers in front of him as he drives

some with sleek minimalist designs and others

through town.

with intricate graphics. No matter the visual, a

From private pilots who want their aviation

lot of work and time has gone into the design of

background represented on the sticks that

these pieces.

make them airborne on snow to llama-loving

In Colorado, we are lucky to have many

shredders who want nothing more than to see

high quality ski and snowboard companies that

their favorite animal on their skis, Hanna has

originate locally. When investigating the graphics

done it all.

behind skis and snowboards created here, two

Hanna not only works on the custom

brands stood out: ROMP Skis out of Crested

graphics for ROMP but also contributes to the

Butte and Weston Backcountry, originally out of

batch of designs available to the general public.

Minturn but now located in Denver.

He takes inspiration from the skater days of

ROMP Skis is owned by New Hampshire-

his youth, the smooth organic lines from the

born brothers Caleb and Morgan Weinberg.

Colorado landscape and everything in between.

The Weinberg brothers made their move to the

Skiing is a sport that fits a wide variety of people

snowy mountains of Colorado back in the 1990s

and, therefore, a wide variety of visual interests.

in search of deep powder and happened to make

“It’s something that takes me a long time,

their way into the ski industry. Spoke+Blossom

putting down my thoughts and coming back.

had the privilege of sitting down with Morgan

I try to make each ski its own theme and

Weinberg to discuss the brand as a whole and

own individual look,” he explains. “It’s super

dive into the detailed graphics they provide for

rewarding, and because ROMP is local, I’ll be

their customers.

skiing with my wife and daughter, and look over,

CHRIS HANNAH / ROMP GRAPHICS

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

and ‘boom!’ I designed those skis in the lift line

graphics inspired by those in the past but have

next to me!”

never been done by a traditional artist. This year

The passion that goes into the work produced by ROMP is something that is clear for Weston

Not only is Weston working alongside Kee

Backcountry, as well. Though Weston produces

but he works with Smartwool as well to create a

high-quality skis, snowboards are where it all

stunning set of graphics for boards, skis and socks.

began for them in the fall of 2012 in a small

These three forces are working in collaboration

Minturn warehouse.

with the National Forest Foundation to give back

“From the very beginning, backcountry has

to the Wood for Life Project, a forest restoration

been in our roots, and that is where we’ve stayed.

initiative focused on removing deadfall wood

Splitboards have been our number one product

from the forest to help it thrive. “Through this

from the get-go. We have branched out and now

program, they take that wood, put it on semis

look at snowboards and skis with the goal of

and truck it into the Diné reservations. It’s used

servicing the whole backcountry community,”

on those reservations for things like heating and

says Sean Eno, director of marketing for Weston.

cooking,” explains Eno.

In 2017, Weston switched ownership into

Kee decided on the Wood for Life campaign

the hands of Leo Tsuo, an original employee of

as it is something near and dear to him. Kee

the company. As they worked tirelessly to earn

personally fills up his pickup truck with wood

their spot in the game, the Weston crew moved

and delivers it to the elders on the reservation,

out of their Minturn studio and into a tiny house

so it only made sense to do something that

built on a 25-foot trailer. The crew took their

aligns so strongly. This highlights that yes, these

mobile showroom on the go and traveled around

reservations are very modern in some ways, but

the U.S. for two months, allowing them to branch

that sometimes they do lack necessary resources.

out and build backcountry stoke everywhere

Jessa Gilbert is a British Columbia-based artist

they went.

who

designed

the

graphics

behind

“It was a really cool tool that kind of

the Revel, Weston’s first women’s-specific,

showcased our dirtbag roots in the best way,”

swallowtail-shaped board. Gilbert’s work is

explains Eno with a big smile on his face. “We

largely inspired by her time spent slaying pow

were doing it more out of the passion than the

in Rishiri, Japan and working as a backcountry

paycheck, and it kind of took off from there. We

guide in British Columbia. Gilbert’s artwork

started winning a lot of awards at the same time.”

heavily reflects the human experience with

After Weston started to gain traction, they

wilderness. She highlights elements of play and

wanted to really ramp up their credibility by

exploration that keep us all returning to the wild

switching their production to a GP87 factory

to recreate.

in China, further elevating the quality of their With

Though Weston believes their boards are for anyone and not truly gender-specific, it’s a big

product. this

season

being

their

10-year

anniversary, the Weston crew knew they needed

step in their mission of inclusivity to represent female rippers in the way the Revel does.

to do something big with this year’s graphics. For

Weston and Gilbert are working with

the last three years, they have been dialing in the

CAPOW Canadian Powder Guiding to set up eight

Mission Series with artists Vernan Kee and Jessa

individuals with the opportunity to learn about

Gilbert.

safe access to the outdoors with the proceeds

Vernan Kee is a Diné (Navajo) Indigenous

of this collection. At their core, Weston is about

creator who worked alongside the Weston team

education in the backcountry and with Gilbert’s

to design a beautiful graphic inspired by a red

roots being so closely tied to guiding in British

tail hawk flying against a blue sky.

Columbia, the synergy was undeniable. :

“We’ve

always

been

super

stoked

traditional Indigenous designs. We’ve done

we wanted to do it fully right,” states Eno.

music

COLORADO’S HOMEGROWN FESTIVAL TURNS 10

WINTERWONDERGRASS Words by Lisa Blake | Photos courtesy of WinterWonderGrass

Fest Founder Scotty Stoughton Reflects on a Decade of Strings + Snow

ultivating community, creating a vehicle

To launch, Stoughton put his home up

for inspiration and nurturing that energetic

as collateral and went all-in with up-and-

link

between

nature,

music

and

family:

comers Greensky Bluegrass and The Infamous

these are the ethos that birthed and chiseled

Stringdusters.

WinterWonderGrass.

outgrew Crazy Mountain Brewery’s parking

Behind-the-scenes

party

quickly

Scotty

lot and flitted around Eagle County before landing at its new home in 2019 in Steamboat

showcase in 2013, gathering the best in local

Springs, where headliners like Railroad Earth

and national bluegrass, Americana and roots

and Leftover Salmon resulted in three-day

music

sold-out crowds. Sister WonderGrass events

independent

sage

sold-out

Stoughton founded the hardy Colorado winter

alongside

festival

The

community-

minded brewers.

sprouted

Lake

Tahoe,

California

and

“WinterWonderGrass was not created to be

Stratton, Vermont (Stoughton is an East Coast

something, to grow into anything,” Stoughton

native), and the ski town scenes evolved with

says. “It was simply a space to serve the music

kids’ tickets and activities (think face painting,

of the artists and brewers we loved. I felt there

hula hooping and crafts), late-night VIP shows

was a serious gap at that time where great music

and interactive experiences. In April 2023,

events had subpar beer, and beer festivals lacked

fans swap snow for sand at the first ever

good music.”

BajaWonderGrass.

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

JOIN THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY WinterWonderGrass Colorado Steamboat Ski Resort March 3-5, 2023 General, VIP and lift tickets are on sale now at winterwondergrass.com.

“This festival really hits home for me

Stand Up Paddle Colorado co-founder and the

coming from the North. There’s something about

force behind Campout for the Cause, Stoughton

fully embracing the great outdoors in all its

says he never saw his grassroots gathering

magnificence that gives the music a vivid glow

getting this big. “The first WinterWonderGrass

like you’ve never experienced it before,” says

event was seriously a dream and a prayer,” he

bluegrass powerhouse Lindsay Lou.

says. “My team was stretched to the limit, and I

Ballooning from 1,400 curious fans to more than 5,000 music lovers pouring in each day, the

don’t think anyone slept the entire weekend, but we pulled it off.”

mission has never wavered. WinterWonderGrass

Bands are invited to WonderGrass stages

places the quality of the experience over the

based on their quality of character, Stoughton

quantity of attendees, uniting artists, fans and

notes. Groups that want to spend time in the

the planet. Anyone who has bundled up to

community, ski the slopes, jam with friends, soak

boogie down at this winter hootenanny can

in the hot springs and genuinely contribute to

attest that there’s something euphoric and

the mountain village vibrancy are a big part of

electric about intricate bluegrass floating on

what shapes this special festival.

simple snowflakes.

“10 years has gone by fast, and lately, I have

“When WinterWonderGrass started, there

made a commitment to slow down and truly

were only a few festivals curating a lineup of

enjoy the experience that we have created for so

progressive bluegrass and string bands, and no

many,” Stoughton says. “Life is over in a blink;

one was crazy enough to throw a party outside in

we want to inspire everyone to focus on what

a Colorado winter,” says Infamous Stringdusters

unites us, instead of divides us.” :

bassist Travis Book. “That first year, we were hit with freezing temps and blowing wind, but it didn’t stop anyone from absolutely throwing down!”

Memories that last a lifetime.

YEAR-ROUND FLIGHTS IN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS Wildwestballooning.com | 970.879.9191

holiday gift guide

Special Advertising Section WILLOW CREEK HERBS AND TEAS Willow Creek is located on Main Street in Downtown Grand Junction. The aromas will envelop your senses when you come in to select from over 200 black, green and herbal teas, 225 organic culinary spices — including many custom blends and lots of healthful herbs. Also, enjoy talented local artists’ work including; John Anglim, Kani, Wendy Videlock, Red Hawk Pottery and Ashtonn Means, all available at Willow Creek, plus beautiful Native jewelry and art. Pictured here are pieces by Red Hawk Pottery, a local potter, along with Native jewelry including an Effie Squash Blossom. Also pictured are organic Tricolor Peppercorns and our Mulling Spices blend available only at Willow Creek. facebook.com/ WillowCreekHerbsandTeas 970.241.2324

HOLIDAY RIVER & BIKE EXPEDITIONS Now more than ever — escape the crowds and join us in the great outdoors. Holiday River & Bike Expeditions has been taking folks outside for 55 years. Familyowned and operated, they outfit whitewater rafting trips and mountain biking adventures. Trips range from 2 to12 days and run through Canyonlands National Park, Dinosaur National Monument and designated wilderness areas of the San Rafael Swell and BLM land. Experience many rivers in professionally-guided oar rafts with delicious meals, inflatable kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Specialty trips include dark sky stargazing, women’s river and yoga trips, and music trips on the river. Give yourself or your family members the gift of adventure this year, making memories to last a lifetime. bikeraft.com 800.624.6323 38

holiday gift guide

Special Advertising Section ENSTROM PEPPERMINT COOKIE BARK Enstrom Peppermint Cookie Bark is just one of the many handcrafted treats that come out of the candy kitchen of Enstrom Candies. This classic holiday confection is made of rich white and dark chocolate, crunchy chocolate and vanilla cookies and sprinkled with crushed peppermint, and only for the holidays. For over 60 years, Enstrom Candies has been celebrated for their handcrafted Almond Toffee. Today, Enstrom Candies remains a family business — now in its fourth generation — and has expanded its products to include a variety of chocolates, popcorn, ice cream and of course Peppermint Cookie Bark. Every batch of candy is still made in Grand Junction, Colorado at the original factory. Gift only the best this year and shop the delightful confections at enstrom.com.

MADISON LEIGH OF MADISON LEIGH CREATIVE

SUNWARD JEWELRY Sunward is a collection of jewelry and accessories handmade from genuine leather and recycled fine silver. Each piece of jewelry is inspired by a scene or story from the mountain west. Precious metal clay is molded from natural elements, carved linoleum or hand sculpted. After a kiln fire the result is a pure fine silver ready to be made into a set of earrings or crafted into a unique necklace. Custom burned western hats are also a Sunward staple. Customers can help create a custom look by combining veg-tanned leather hat bands, gemstones, and finish it off with a customizable hand-burned graphic. Carrie concepts, designs and makes each item in her Gypsum, Colorado home studio. With a graphic design background, her pieces are truly one-of-a-kind. Branding for businesses is also a passion of Carrie’s, whether it’s design or laser engraving swag. shopsunward.com SPOKE+BLOSSOM

wellness + fitness

WINTER SKINCARE FOR THE DRY SEASON Words by Lauren Farrauto SHINE INTUITIVE BEAUTY AND EMINENCE ORGANICS

olorado’s already dry climate is exacerbated

esthetician and owner of Shine Intuitive

during the wintertime, resulting in parched

Beauty in Edwards. “The goal is to replenish

skin for most of us. “When temperatures drop,

and balance our moisture levels, especially

humidity does, too, since less water vapor lives in

during the cold, winter months. Follow

the air when it’s cold outside. This, in combination

cleansing with a hydrating toner to restore

with dry indoor heat, can leave our skin pretty

the skin’s natural pH, a moisturizing serum or

parched,” explains Dr. Sarah Villafranco, founder

facial oil and a gentle moisturizer. Don’t forget

of Osmia Organics, a skincare brand based in

the sunscreen!”

Carbondale. It’s important to have a skincare

Yes, even during the winter it is important

routine year-round, but it’s especially crucial

to apply sunscreen, especially if you’re planning

during this season. Washing with a plain bar of

on hitting the slopes. Sunlight reflected off fresh

soap or a fragrant, but drying, body wash is not

powder can be extremely damaging. If you

going to cut it.

don’t want an extra step in your routine, find a

“A gentle, non-drying cleanser is a great place to start,” says Michelle Ann, licensed

moisturizer that already has SPF in it. Or, apply on its own as a base-layer in your routine.

When picking out products, it’s important to

and incredibly luxurious feeling that locks in

consider the ingredients in them and how they’ll

results. I was able to test these products and can

react with your skin. “Some of the essential

confidently say that my skin has never been this

ingredients to look for in products during the

soft or supple.

winter months are those containing hyaluronic

And, if you think having oily skin means

acid, which helps the skin retain moisture,

you don’t need a skincare routine, think again.

and ceramides, which help to repair the skin’s

“A proper skincare routine with products that

barrier. Some over-the-counter products that

are non-drying is essential for those with oily

provide these benefits are La Roche-Posay and

or combination skin,” adds Ann. “Products that

Ceravē,” recommends the dermatology team at

strip the skin of its natural oils can, in turn,

Regenesis Plastic Surgery, Dermatology & Spa in

make the skin oilier, because the skin is trying

Grand Junction.

to overcompensate for what we are taking away,

Regenesis also promotes their line of SunDara products. The SunDara ReVitalizing cleanser

therefore producing more oil. This goes for acneprone skin types, as well!”

gently removes impurities — including makeup

Villafranco recommends a natural bar of

and excess oil — and their SunDara Hydrate

soap with charcoal or applying a smaller amount

Serum, which contains hyaluronic acid, or

of body oil to wet skin, which will help decrease

SunDara HA Collagen Booster provide hydration.

sebum (oil) production over time.

Or, you can schedule a consultation with their team to get personalized recommendations.

For non-topical treatments, staying hydrated and eating a nutrient-rich diet will help treat dry

Shine Intuitive Beauty is an Eminence-certified

skin from the inside out. Additionally, sleeping

skin spa. The Hungarian brand prides itself on

with a humidifier on and taking warm showers,

being chemical-free, certified-organic and results-

rather than burning hot ones, can assist in

driven. Ann recommends the Calm Skin Collection

maintaining your skin’s moisture.

and the Kombucha Microbiome Collection.

So, take some extra time this winter to

From Osmia Organics, body oils can be

ensure you are taking good care of your skin.

applied to sopping wet skin for ultimate moisture

Implementing these tips is sure to show results,

retention, and their body mousse provides

and your skin will thank you for it. : OSMIA

Lavender Pine Body Soap

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

adventure

ARE YOU CONFIDENT IN YOUR WILDERNESS SURVIVAL?

MOUNTAIN MEL CAN HELP Words by Gus Jarvis | Photos courtesy of Mel Deweese

s you prepare to venture outside this

Based in Grand Junction, and with his vast,

winter — be it snowshoeing, Nordic skiing,

40-acre tipi camp in nearby Unaweep Canyon,

backcountry or any other adventure outdoors —

Deweese has dedicated himself to teaching

“Mountain” Mel Deweese wants you to look at

others how to survive in the wilderness with

yourself in the mirror and ask, “What are you

his Nature Knowledge courses that can be

going to do if you get lost?”

personalized to desired skills. Can you build a

Do you have the weapons to combat the

fire using primitive methods? What is the best

seven enemies of survival? Do you have a

way to build a shelter during winter’s freezing

survival kit? Do you have the knowledge to use

temperatures? Do you know which plants are

it? Have you tested your knowledge and your

edible? What can you use to signal search and

survival kit? How confident are you that you’ve

rescue? What is an empty soda can used for in

practiced your seven Ps: proper prior planning

a survival scenario? These are just a few of the

prevents piss-poor performance? If you aren’t

many skills Deweese can teach in his hands-on

confident in your answers, Deweese has a

courses. He emphasizes, however, that the main

lifetime of knowledge that can help.

skill he teaches is confidence.

“You show a kid how to make a fire; you’ll see confidence,” he says. “You can see the smile on their face. They are going to walk away with life assurance. They have knowledge in their pocket, and they can say, ‘If I get lost, I know what to do.’ I love to see people get that kind of confidence.” For more than 50 years, Deweese travelled the globe — from the Arctic Circle to the humid jungles of the Philippines — both honing and teaching his survival skills. As a military Survival Evasion Resistance Escape (SERE) instructor for the U.S. Navy, he developed survival training and courses for naval aviators, U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency personnel and members of the U.S. Navy SEALs. He represented the United States at the first International Survival Instructor Conference held in Sweden in 1995. A few years later, he returned to Sweden to assist in training 17 countries in search and rescue survival. While most of his training was geared towards members of the U.S. military and federal agencies, he shifted his focus to kids and the public after assisting in a search and rescue for 9-year-old Jimmy Beveridge, who was lost on Mount Palomar in Southern California in February of 1981.

“Mountain” Mel Deweese

then, he’s used his tipi camp as an outdoor classroom for those wanting to strengthen their confidence in outdoor survival. Depending on the skills people wish to learn, his courses can last anywhere from one hour to three days (he’s even shared lessons at kids’ birthday parties). Depending on a person’s knowledge of survival, the course will be tailored, likely starting with knowledge of the seven deadly enemies of survival. Those deadly enemies may sound like mountain lions, bears and rattlesnakes, but make no mistake about them, the true enemies to survival are cold/heat, thirst, fatigue, hunger, pain/injury, fear/anxiety and boredom/ loneliness. What can be used to combat those survival enemies? “The only items that are going to save your life are food, fire, water, shelter and signals,” he shares. “If you come up to my camp, we will make fire in the first 30 minutes, then move on to signals and then to traps. It’s really hands-on. There will

“That’s when I got serious. Civilians need survival training, too,” he believes. Over time, he built programs and trainings geared toward

be examples of survival kits. We practice using them. That’s the only way to learn.” “Join me, and you will learn to return.” :

civilians and kids. “I turn camping trips into

For more information about Nature Knowledge,

learning, and I make it fun.”

visit youwillsurvive.com. To schedule a course,

In the late 1980s, at the suggestion of a friend, he found himself on the Western Slope and purchased land in Unaweep Canyon. Since

call Deweese at 970.216.4178, or email him at colomtnmel@msn.com.

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

spoke

ATHLETE PROFILE

BAKER BOYD Words by Erin Phillips | Photos courtesy of Rossignal

Navigating Life as a Part-Time Professional Athlete

know I’m not alone in placing professional

and surfing the same day in Iceland. He has

athletes up on a pedestal, longingly imagining

appeared in two Warren Miller films, Timeless

their lives spent mastering their craft in

and Future Retro, and has been sponsored by

beautiful landscapes, going on expensive trips,

brands such as Rossignol, Polartec, Head and

appearing in films and creating jaw-dropping

Leki. So, I was surprised when I called and

content. When I was assigned an interview

his voicemail answered with “Aspen Extreme

with Baker Boyd, a professional free skier in

Window Cleaning.”

Aspen, most of my research turned up videos of

Turns out, in this niche profession, even

Boyd dropping from helicopters, running epic

the best have to figure their way through life’s

lines through Colorado and Japan, and skiing

uncertainties and transitions. Boyd says with a

laugh that he’s a part-time professional skier, and that the window cleaning business, named after the classic ski movie Aspen Extreme, is his main source of income. He finds himself at 32 in what he calls a “midlife crisis,” watching friends get married, have kids and buy homes. Coming up against his addictive personality, his mind is constantly cycling the question of what channels he wants to put his energy into. Being a professional athlete means “you’re asked to be a director, a producer, an athlete, a marketer and an overall easy person to be around,” he reveals. Boyd’s natural friendliness and drive makes managing this tolerable, but “it does take away from the enjoyment of actually being a skier,” he adds. There is so much to juggle as an athlete and local business owner, while also recovering from injuries and navigating normal life transitions. The window cleaning business is set to open two more locations, and at some point, he’s thinking about taking his sponsorships to the next level, because obviously, “skiing is more fun than cleaning windows,” he jokes.

Although financial stability is nice, Boyd doesn’t want to stay comfortable. He sees the risk and compromise in both pursuing a life in the mountains and having a seemingly safe, stable one outside of them. “You have to adventure and continue to explore what you’re capable of and new environments,” Boyd says. “Otherwise, life

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gets stagnant and you float through instead of experiencing new things and adverse situations that help you come into the present and the flow state.”

RENT IT FROM US!

No matter what the future holds, his priority is on being as “happy as possible, focusing on simplicity, health and living in a place with access to the outdoors, organic food and a community where people are living real lives,” he shares. Currently, the influx and disparity of wealth that’s moved into Aspen removes the feel of it being a mountain town to an extent, he explains. According to The Aspen Times’ article ‘Aspen’s Impossible Math,’ “The existential threat posed to Aspen’s middle-class locals is supergentrification — a global economic

EQUIPMENT

PARTY

force impacting elite resort towns and major metropolitan areas alike.” Boyd has his sights set on moving to Telluride, although housing is hard to come by. In order for the community to keep its local mountain town vibes, “There needs to be restrictions on properties and becoming second home owners,” Boyd says. It takes away from the community when homeowners don’t stick around. “A lot of people can’t visit, because it’s too expensive to get a hotel room, meal or ski pass,” he adds. As a middle-class local, Boyd feels that no matter what one’s finances look like, destinations are meant to be enjoyed. “But, that’s less and less possible every year in these amazing resort towns where money is coming in and making it less affordable on multiple levels,” he says. When the weight of decisions and transitions

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o u y r g n i l fue st friend be

get heavy, Boyd takes to the mountains. “Skiing is freedom. It is the best way to connect with the moment and forget about everything else. I get absorbed into what’s happening around me and how beautiful it is. Once I’m around crossing that line of what I’m comfortable with, it forces me to get into that flow state — to only focus on what’s in front of me and forget about everything else. It is really nice in this day and age of information overload, with so many responsibilities and things to keep track of,” Boyd says. Most importantly, “You gotta do what you love, and love what you do,” he concludes. :

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spoke

GET OUTSIDE!

GEAR FOR THE SEASON Compiled by S+B Staff

Wild Rye Olivia Onsie Base Layer This well-known women’s mountain bike brand is coming into winter hot with

DYNAFIT Ultra Revo

this head-to-toe

Sunglasses

merino base layer

The sporty shades are

that offers warmth

ultra-lightweight and

and temperature

offer ideal protection

regulation. And, what

and ventilation for

we love the most: the

hard efforts, like

butt zip allows for

uphill ski touring and

quick and easy access

snowshoe racing.

when you have to go.

Grippy temple tips

$229

and a rubber nose

wild-rye.com

pad guarantee a secure hold without slipping, even during intense movement. $149.95 dynafit.com Patagonia Snow Roller Bag The powder highway is calling with this weatherdefiant ski and snowboard bag made from leftover Patagonia Black Hole fabric

ROLL Recovery R1

scraps with fully encased

Percussion

roller wheels, multiple grab

This compact

handles and plenty of small

device is powerful,

storage options. $299

exceptionally quiet

patagonia.com

and has over seven

Amundsen Sports Heroes Wool Fleece

hours of battery

Sherpa wool fleece on this piece is natural

life. Say goodbye

and undyed, meaning the hue comes from

to knots and post-

a mix of sheep wool. This pullover is ultra-

workout soreness

cozy, and the waxed linen and cotton chest

with this hand-held

pocket makes for a perfect place to hold

massage gun. $129

essentials. $269

rollrecovery.com

amundsensports.com

Kitsbow Denim Icon Brought to us from a cycling company, this stylish buttondown is made for mountain biking, but it’s ready to roll in all types of adventurous and leisurely outdoor

PHANTOM Glide

activities. It’s four-way

This permanent, high-

stretch with vented

performance base treatment for

gussets, so you have

skis and snowboards improves

plenty of room to go

glide performance across a

from work to play and

variety of snow conditions.

back. $249

$99.99

kitsbow.com

dpsskis.com

Ruffwear Powder Hound Jacket Keep your best furry friend warm and dry during Colorado’s coldest months with this weather-resistant, insulated jacket. This updated version has even more warmth with an insulated belly panel and new sleeve design for more freedom of movement and comfort on the go. $99.95 ruffwear.com

Outdoor Research Hemispheres II GORE-TEX Jacket + Bibs Leave it to OR to bring the best technology for all the winter conditions that come your way on the slopes and in the backcountry. This kit features a fully seam-taped 3L MSR Lightning Trail Snowshoes Now with updated Paraglide bindings, these staple snowshoes by MSR perform all day as a comfortable, quiet and lightweight option that are easy to use. The pressure point-free stretch mesh securely hugs your feet and is compatible with nearly any footwear. $239.95

GORE-TEX C-Knit technology that is waterproof, soft and quiet. Stretch panels also allow for movement even if you’re layered up. Jacket $629; Bibs $629 outdoorresearch.com

msrgear.com SPOKE+BLOSSOM

spoke

GEAR PROFILE

mountainFLOW EcoWax Words by Laura Mills | Photo courtesy of mountainFLOW

here’s nothing quite like scraping off last

That started a two-year process with over 200

season’s wax, heating up the iron and

iterations before we got the formula exactly

getting a smooth coat on your skis as the season

Arlein got a little advice from scientists on

to commence, and it’s usually accompanied by

what ingredients to focus on, but past that, it was

your best ski buddies, some brews and building

purely trial and error, relying on what felt good.

stoke for the send days to come.

“Rather than get too involved in the science

Unfortunately, the wax that traditionally

side, I really focused on how it felt on snow,

helps you glide down the slopes is packed with

‘cause ultimately that’s what matters, so I jumped

petroleum byproducts and other nasty chemicals

right to that. I would iterate a lot, put ‘em on my

filled with carcinogens. The microscopic pieces

skis and ski ‘em. I quickly figured out which ones

of wax that flake off your skis each time you rip

were good and which ones weren’t.”

down the hill also end up in the local watershed,

Arlein said mountainFLOW began to pick

impacting the health of the environment you

up traction in 2019 when studies and reports

love dearly and the water supply you and your

regarding one of the more harmful ingredients

community consume.

found in traditional and race-focused waxes came

When research came out about this, Peter

to the surface — fluorocarbons. Fluorocarbons

Arlein, founder and CEO of mountainFLOW

are fluorinated carbon chain polymers that

EcoWax, knew he had to get involved. Arlein has

are used in an assortment of household and

spent the better part of 20 years working with

commercial products as waterproofing agents,

ski wax on an almost daily basis as a tech. After

lubricants, sealants and leather conditioners —

years of being subjected to the toxic fumes and

not exactly something you want to be putting

particles that come from traditional ski wax, he

into the environment. The European Union

knew it was time for a change.

banned the use of fluorocarbon-based wax in

“I started tinkering around with some plantbased waxes to see what I could come up with.

where we wanted it,” states Arlein.

approaches. This event is the pregame for the joy

2020, and the U.S. and Canadian Ski Associations shortly followed suit and banned it, as well.

The first few iterations weren’t great but were

“They (fluorocarbons) are kind of the

inspiring enough to prove that it’s possible.

opposite of biodegradable; they’re what’s

called a forever chemical. Once they’re in the

This season, keep an eye out for a new product

environment, they’re there forever. They were

coming from mountainFLOW, the industry’s first

essentially banned back in 2019, which is when

ski poles made from 100% recycled aluminum.

we really started to ramp up our product,” Arlein explains.

“The cool thing about aluminum is that whether it’s recycled like our ski poles or virgin

When asked what he feels draws people to

aluminum, the quality, strength and weight — the

his products other than just sustainability, Arlein

characteristics of the metal — are all exactly the

brought up the importance of authenticity.

same. There’s no degradation in performance,

“A lot of brands are now offering one or two sustainable waxes in their lineup, but the rest

because we’re using recycled material,” states Arlein proudly.

of their lineup is still made with petroleum or

In the production of these skiing poles,

some other toxic additive. I think consumers are

the carbon emissions are decreased by

starting to see through that. For us, everything

95% in comparison to traditional methods.

we make is plant-based. It’s not a one-off; we’re

mountainFLOW is releasing two styles and a

not just checking a box. It’s all that we do, all the

rental pole, which will be available at multiple

way down to the packaging we use.”

resorts country-wide, and a pole for the

As consumers, it is our responsibility not

recreational skier. All mountainFLOW products

only to purchase smart but to support brands

are currently available on their website; the

that show good conscience, not just ones that

EcoWax is in 1,000 locations worldwide, 20

include a sustainable product in their line to

international markets and is the best-selling wax

appease the marketing and PR departments.

across the board at REI. Consider implementing

Winter is quickly approaching, and by the time this story is out, it will be in full swing.

some mountainFLOW products to make your season more sustainable! :

mountainflow.com

IT’S A WINTER WONDERLAND! Make plans to visit Delta County and enjoy all of the beauty that this season brings.

visitdeltacounty.com

grand outdoors

Christie Aschwanden

NORDIC SKIING ON GRAND MESA Words by Melanie Wiseman | Photo courtesy of Grand Mesa Nordic Council

hristie Aschwanden spent over 120 days last

to support everyone in the community regardless

winter Nordic skiing on the Grand Mesa.

of their financial means.”

Yes, you read that right, 120 days. A former elite

GMNC grooms and maintains 50 km (31

competitive classic and skate skier, Aschwanden

miles) of Nordic ski trail systems at or over

raced all over Europe and North America.

10,000 feet at three locations on the Grand

“I have skied all over the world, and we

trail

snowfall and snowpack in Colorado, and one of

and skate ski trails, as well as marked trails

the consistently longest seasons in Colorado and

for backcountry skiing. With the area often

probably the West,” says Aschwanden, Grand

getting more than 300 inches of snow per

Mesa Nordic Council’s executive director.

year, the professional grooming staff and top

She touts Nordic skiing on the Grand Mesa as “one of the most beautiful places in the world

systems

include

high-quality

classic

quality snowcat are capable of providing firm snowpack even after two feet of new snow.

to ski, with wonderful, gentle, rolling terrain

GMNC trails are entirely on U.S. Forest Service

that’s interesting without being too difficult for

land under a Special Use Permit that explicitly

beginners.”

defines the rights and responsibilities within the

Nordic skiing on the Grand Mesa is unique to

ski area. Maintaining the land for skiing begins

most other areas around the world, because it is

long before the ski season. Clearing trees and

run and maintained by a community-supported

brush, installing signs, blue diamonds and poles

nonprofit organization — Grand Mesa Nordic

come before the snow flies.

Council (GMNC).

Mesa — Skyway, County Line and Ward. The

have world-class grooming, some of the best

During the early season, trails are packed

“Many other Nordic ski areas are commercial

and rolled to establish the base, followed by

enterprises where you’ll spend $25-plus for a

extensive grading and shoveling to level the trails.

day pass,” says Aschwanden. “Accessibility and

When the snow has set up, tracks can be set with

inclusivity are real core values of GMNC. We want

snowmobiles pulling a Ginzu tracksetter.

Repairs are very expensive, so an adequate base of 24 inches that covers rocks and stumps is typically when the PistenBully 400 snowcat is put to work. Grooming costs are considerable and can run between $300 (snowmobile) to $750 (PistenBully) per day to groom the entire system. The goal is to provide skiable terrain every day, but with limited resources, daily grooming is not an option. The GMNC tries to make the best decisions possible to maximize donations. “This year we are excited to offer a series of ‘Free to Learn’ clinics for adults,” shares Aschwanden. “It is part of our mission and commitment for more people to have accessibility and to learn the sport.” Also new this year, GMNC.org is offering a new grooming report program online with better, real-time information. You can even get a current weather and road condition report on their website, as well as trail, ski school and event information.

HOW YOU CAN HELP Grand Mesa Nordic Council has been supporting cross country skiers since 1990. GMNC is governed by a volunteer board of directors from local communities. Many other volunteers are needed and relied on for special programs and events, such as races, social events and membership information tables. GMNC relies entirely on voluntary contributions and grants to fund trail grooming and maintenance operations. Nearly 80% of their operating funds come from annual donations. Aschwanden says they do not have obligatory trail fees and are happy to accept what people are able to donate. n Suggested donations are $10/day. n S eason passes are $30/student, $75/ individual and $125/family. Additional donations are welcome and greatly appreciated in order to meet operation costs.

“Nordic skiing on the Grand Mesa is beautiful, serene and magical,” says Aschwanden. “I wish everyone got the chance to experience it.” :

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Experience. Service. Commitment.

take a hike

MOAB, UTAH

JEEP ARCH TRAIL Words + Photos by Melanie Wiseman

ith the highest density of arches in the

and not even a sign — but you can’t miss it.

world, hordes of visitors spend their

There is a very large culvert near the pullout.

“Moab arch experience” within the boundaries

A sunny winter day is the perfect time of year

of Arches National Park. Those of us who are

to hike this moderately challenging hike, which

lucky enough to explore the Moab area beyond

ascends at a gradual rate to a total of about 900

the park borders know there are countless other

feet. Jeep Arch is a 4-mile round trip hike, which

scenic arch hiking adventures.

can be done as an out and back or a loop (the loop

Corona Arch has been a longtime favorite.

being the eye of a needle). The trail is marked

I have probably hiked this trail 10 times and

with green dash lines over about 50% of the trail.

referred many friends and family. Hiking Corona

Once the trail splits at the loop point, the trail is

in the 1980s, the trailhead was just a pullout

marked by cairns that can be a conundrum to

with no facilities. Today, the trailhead has a large

discern between other natural rock clusters. But,

parking area with a permanent restroom, and

aiming toward the only nearby spire and massive

the trail is extremely busy. Time to get out of

rock outcrop is a sure bet.

my rut and discover a lesser-known arch hike favorite. Voila! Last winter, I was gifted with a tip about a “new-to-me” arch day hike and fell in love! Jeep Arch Trail is just 1/4 mile past the Corona Arch parking area and looks like Corona did in the 80s. A gravel wide spot, no facilities

I heartily agree with others who have hiked and reviewed this trail on four points: n At

the loop intersection, go left and do

the loop clockwise for a more stunning approach to the arch. n Allow

plenty of time. Stop frequently to

take in the stunning views. Take your

time in a few areas that require steeper

Arch parking area on the right. Take advantage

scrambling and cairn searching. Get

of the facilities here before driving another 1/4

creative, and vary the slick rock route.

mile where you will see a large culvert going

n Downloading

a map of the trail is

recommended if you have any concerns about the cairn route. n If

you chose not to do the hike during

cooler weather, take plenty of water and start early in the morning, as there is no shade until you reach the arch. Jeep Arch remains hidden for the majority

under the railroad tracks and a gravel pull out area, also on the right. For an even more scenic drive, take the Cisco, exit 204, off I-70 and wind your way along the red canyon lined Colorado River. Turn right when you come to 191, then left onto UT 279/ Potash Road, following the directions above.

THE HIKE

of the hike but offers a great reward with 360

From the parking pullout, follow the trail

degree views as you stand inside the arch and

through the large culvert and turn left when you

incomparable panoramic photo opportunities.

exit where the first Jeep Arch Trail sign is posted.

The slick rock benches at the base of the arch

The trail leaves the canyon bottom and traverses

are a great place for peaceful meditation or

gradually inclining, well-marked slickrock

clamoring kids. Dogs are welcome but may need

with green painted dashes for 1.2 miles. At this

some assistance at times.

point, the trail becomes a loop requiring steeper ascents to benches on either side of the arch.

GETTING THERE

Go left at the intersection, and keep your eyes

When coming into Moab from the north on 191,

peeled for cairns and signs of a boot beaten trail.

turn right onto UT 279/Potash Road and drive 9.7

The trail passes through the arch and continues

miles alongside the Colorado River to the Corona

back to the loop intersection. :

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

community

CHURCH LIVING Words + Photos by Gabriela Reitz

y parents are not the type to back down

That being said, it was important that the

from a challenge. In 2021, they bought an

“church feel” remained as a strong presence

old church in downtown Grand Junction; they

after the remodel. My dad, Randall, had a

knew remodeling it into a livable space would

much more hands-on role in the remodel than

take a lot of work. When they bought The Church

I did and explained that, “From the outset, we

(we refer to it as a proper noun) it had all the

wanted to maintain the churchiness of The

elements you’d expect — stained glass windows,

Church.” To do this, they integrated some of the

a wide-open chapel space and some stained

original elements into the remodel. The chapel

wood pews where I imagine a congregation once

has beautiful golden arches that connect two

sat. While all the “church” boxes were checked,

open spaces, so when we redid the kitchen, we

it lacked in the “home” genre; there was only

recreated those arches to connect it with the

one space that was even remotely close to a

chapel space.

bedroom, one bathroom, no laundry and the

The kitchen was just the first of many

kitchen looked straight from the 80s (imagine

projects. While the chapel is a beautiful space,

bright pink cabinets and a teal, maroon and

my family of five needs more bedrooms. So, we

navy checkerboard backsplash).

began construction again, building a loft space

with two bedrooms and a closet. “We lived in a construction zone for 18 months,” my dad recalls. While the upstairs is now complete, my parents’ work is still not done. They are in the beginning phases of building a garage and additional living space on the side of The Church in an attempt to address the parking problem that is common amongst downtown homeowners. Throughout this process, we’ve had the help of a local contractor to make sure everything is up to code. Aside from parking, living downtown is quite possibly the best part of living in The Church. My family walks to Enstrom every day, my siblings bike to Lunch Loops and we simply can’t get enough of the restaurants Downtown GJ

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has to offer. “It’s the cultural, social and business heart of the Western Slope,” my dad elaborates. Safe to say the new location is worth the lessthan-optimal parking. While there is still a lot of work to be done, The Church has become a physical manifestation

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with room for continuous growth. “Initially, The Church wasn’t a comfortable house,” my dad says. “It only had one bedroom and one bathroom and the kitchen was barely usable. We moved to it from a comfortable house in a clean but boring subdivision. Two years later, it feels like home.” :

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SWISS DREAMS

WINTER VISIT TO ZERMATT Words by Kim Fuller

ur train from Geneva rolled into Zermatt

eagerly hoping to catch a glimpse of the 14,692-

on a crisp and clear evening in late

foot peak that towers over town.

January. Weary from the international trip

It had been over a decade since I’d been to

but energized by our arrival to Switzerland,

Zermatt, but familiarities of the alpine village

we grabbed our luggage and walked out of the

came rushing back as we began riding through

station to find the electric taxi designated to

the village. No cars are permitted, only bicycles

Chalet Hotel Schönegg. I looked up and around,

and electric taxis and buses. Most often, you’ll

MAKENZIE MUELLER

The author and friends toast another great day of skiing at Hennu Stall, located at the bottom of the Furi-Zermatt valley slope.

KIM FULLER

Matterhorn view at dawn from Chalet Hotel Schönegg. SPOKE+BLOSSOM

BOBBY L’HEUREUX

see people walking on the path by the river or the cobblestone streets that wind throughout town. We turned a corner, and the Matterhorn came into view. Of all the impressive mountains in the world, there are many reasons why “the peak of the meadows” is so celebrated. What seems most notable is the jaw-dropping prominence and scale of the lone peak from every angle. Wherever you are in Zermatt, and from its other side in Cervino, Italy, the Matterhorn is a magnificent backdrop to the memories of a lifetime that you’re making. Chalet Hotel Schönegg is a Relais & Châteaux

boutique

hotel

with

gourmet

restaurant, offering exceptional service and an incredible location just above the main village of Zermatt. The Relais & Châteaux hotel portfolio boasts incredible properties around the world, including two in Colorado: Dunton Hot Springs near Telluride and The Little Nell in Aspen. This affiliation drew us to the property, and it lived up to our expectations thoroughly. We enjoyed a quaint and lovely guest room with a balcony offering sweeping views of town and the Matterhorn, a lovely Swiss breakfast buffet every morning, a ski locker room and a spa area

with a whirlpool, along with a number of other sweet details and amenities. While prices fluctuate according to the season, Chalet Hotel Schönegg was mid-range yet didn’t skimp at all on high standards of

KIM FULLER

European hospitality. Next door is a lower priced sister hotel, Hotel Alpenroyal, and our friend who stayed there had no complaints at all. A winter visit to Zermatt is everything you’d imagine from an idyllic European ski town. Rows of authentic shops and restaurants line the streets; in the morning, people are headed toward the mountain, and in the evening, coming down from it. While skiing is the main recreation attraction in the snowy months, miles of winter hiking trails are marked and wellmaintained for daily use. Zermatt is Europe’s highest ski resort, offering a few distinct areas like the SunneggaRothorn with sweeping piste terrain and great views of the Matterhorn, the Gornergrat area accessed from a scenic alpine railway and Schwarzsee-Klein Matterhorn glacier area that links to Cervina, Italy. At the top of the Klein Matterhorn at 12,532 feet, you can drop over 7,000 feet back to town — the largest on-

piste vertical drop in the Alps. Day tickets are

menus. We also really enjoyed Le Gitan for its

the lowest price when purchased ahead of time

warm ambiance, wine list featuring local Valais

online at matterhornparadise.ch and are less

varieties, grill-fired meats and mouthwatering

than $100 per day.

pasta dishes.

On-mountain dining is a highlight in Zermatt.

It’s no secret that people travel from all

A can’t-miss spot for lunch (and you must make a

over the United States and the world to visit our

reservation) is Chez Vrony in the rustic hamlet

magnificent mountain towns and ski areas here

of Findeln. The Alphitta at Riffelalp is also a

in Colorado, but there is no denying how special

notable stop, even just for a pint of beer or spritz

a European Alps ski trip truly is. The logistics

on the Matterhorn-facing balcony. Après is a

aren’t bad — just find a flight to Geneva, line

big part of the ski culture in all of Europe, and

yourself up with a Swiss Travel Pass (pricey,

Zermatt has some extra fun spots, like Hennu

but worth it if you’re doing some train travel

Stall, located at the bottom of the Furi-Zermatt

in Switzerland, including scenic rides around

valley slope, and it seems once you start dancing

Zermatt), book a hotel and some ski days and

here in ski boots you cannot stop.

get yourself there. Oh yes, and invite some fun

Wonderful meals are a part of the Zermatt

friends to join you.

experience, and while fondue, raclette and all

To wake up in a place like Zermatt and take

the Swiss cheese specialties are readily available

a step outside to watch the morning sun hit

(we liked Restaurant Schäferstube for fondue!),

the Matterhorn … it’s a dream that you get to

a diverse array of international cuisine can be

be awake for. Be sure to take it all in, because

found throughout the village. Located within

before you know it you’ll be on the train

the high-end resort CERVO, the eastern-inspired

again, looking back for a last glimpse of that

restaurant Bazaar offers eclectic flavor with a

magnificent mountain and all those memories

cozy atmosphere if you want a break from Swiss

in the making. :

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feature

“ITS HISTORY IS OUR HISTORY”

CELEBRATING THE AVALON’S CENTENNIAL Words by Stephen Doyle | Photos courtesy of The Avalon Theatre

THE EARLY YEARS

n January 23, 1922, Walter Walker, the

compared to roads, housing, rail lines, sanitation,

owner, editor and publisher of The Sentinel,

schools, hospitals and water projects, the citizens

conveyed a bold vision to his readership for an,

of Grand Junction surely would not have listed a

as yet, unnamed theatre: “The new auditorium

modern theatre house among the top 10 things

would handle the finest road shows, the big

missing in their lives!

artists, concert companies, the big feature

of 10,000, this was indeed a bold vision. When

Despite formidable odds, Walter Walker

movies, conventions, chautauquas, big indoor

channeled

athletic events, large banquets, private dances

persuasion, his passion for Grand Junction and a

and other attractions and gatherings …” For

good bit of his ego into rallying investors — large

a town that had not yet reached a population

and small — around his proposed project. By

his

newspaper,

his

powers

early February 1922, the Grand Junction Theatre

the townsfolk to observe independent engineers

Company was incorporated at a 1,000-share

as they measured for any signs of sagging.

capitalization of $100,000, with Grand Junction

The Avalon Theatre’s first years were

businessman William Moyer named president

glorious. National touring performances of hit

and Walter Walker vice president and general

theatrical productions, such as The Bat, Potash

manager. On January 5, 1923 — less than 11

& Perlmutter and Bombo performed to sold-

months later — the Avalon Theatre had its

out audiences. Live Vaudeville shows were a

grand opening featuring Lucy Gates, the “World

twice-weekly occurrence. More than 300 silent

Famous Singer” and the “Songbird of the West.”

films were shown during the Avalon’s first year,

She hailed from St. George, Utah, had her vocal

accompanied by the six-piece Avalon Orchestra

training in Germany and was the granddaughter

led by Glenn Schrader. The Palisade Stage offered

of Brigham Young.

stagecoach service from the Avalon to residents

Those 11 months were wild ones, which

in the Grand Valley’s hinterland. Among the

included a big push to attract investors, the theft

“superstars” of the day who appeared on the

of bricks, a huge “name-that-theatre” contest

Avalon’s stage in the early years were Al Jolson,

(won by Kathryn Forrest), numerous labor

John Philip Sousa, Ethel Barrymore, three-time

disputes, supply chain issues, postponed grand

presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan

opening dates and major league mudslinging.

and Pulitzer Prize-winning author and poet Carl

Rumor-mongers said the balcony would collapse

Sandburg.

under the weight of its audience due to shoddy

The Avalon Theatre became the go-to venue

workmanship. Three weeks before the grand

for the Grand Valley and used for graduation

opening, Walter Walker took this bull by the horn

ceremonies, civic club fundraisers and lectures

and ordered workers to bring 99,700 pounds

of every type (including Captain Carl Akeley,

of sacked gravel to the balcony — twice the

the famous gorilla hunter). In July 1923, Grand

estimated maximum carrying weight. He invited

Junction High School performed The Bells of

Beaujolais (with future Academy Award-winning

Cooper Co. and ultimately sold to the Cooper

screenwriter Dalton Trumbo in the chorus). In

Foundation in 1943.

short, the Avalon Theatre became the very thing

The Grand Valley’s philanthropic nature

that Walter Walker had envisioned. However, the

was very much on display at the Avalon Theatre

Roaring 20s abruptly ended with the infamous

during these years. In fact, the Soup Eaters

stock market crash of October 28, 1929, which

Christmas was celebrated annually (1929 –

ushered in a multi-year economic depression,

1939) at the Avalon Theatre and resulted in the

resulting in the failure of many banks and

Avalon’s stage being filled with piles of Christmas

businesses, including the Avalon Theatre.

presents for the children of families struggling to

The market demand for live theatrical

survive the hard economic times.

performances rapidly gave way to America’s

love affair with motion pictures. The advent

THE COOPER YEARS

of “talkies” in 1927, combined with the fact

The Avalon Theatre not only underwent a costly

that most people could barely afford a movie

modernization, including the bricking-over of

ticket costing a few cents, required the Avalon

its original Romanesque Revival façade, but it

to pursue a different business model. Although

reopened in 1947 under a new name, the Cooper

the Avalon’s original investors were wiped

Theater. The Cooper Theater fit the post-war

out, the theatre itself survived intact and was

period perfectly: sleek, modern and easily the

leased to various companies, primarily to show

hippest building on Main Street. For the next three

films. From 1933 onward, it was leased to J.H.

decades, the Cooper became the place of first jobs,

first dates, luxurious air-conditioning and where you would go to see movie blockbusters of the day. The five-phased Operation Foresight (19621963) was yet another bold vision realized by Grand Junction heroes, such as city manager Joe Lacy and businessmen Dale Hollingsworth, Jim Gormley and his son Pat Gormley. Operation Foresight played a critical role in the presentday Avalon Theatre. Grand Junction’s downtown was antiquated, dilapidated, flood-prone and shadeless. Operation Foresight transformed downtown Grand Junction into the gentlywinding, tree-lined, beautiful Main Street that we know today. In 1965, famous radio broadcaster Paul Harvey put Grand Junction on the map by raving about its quaint, all-American Main Street. From that period onward, there was something endearing and deeply significant about Grand Junction’s downtown. The Cooper enjoyed its anchor position on Main Street for the next two decades, but by the 1980s, the Cooper’s one-

While the Avalon Theatre continued to

theatre model was sadly rendered obsolete by the

function admirably, there was no escaping the

onset of multiplexes and shopping malls.

reality that it had no long-term future without a

The Cooper tried valiantly to compete but

major, multi-million-dollar renovation. Enter the

eventually went dark in December 1989, just

Cornerstone Project, a $13.7 million undertaking

months after the Carmike 7 opened. By this time,

completed in 2014 that resulted in the beautiful

the building that looked so sleek in 1947 had

Avalon Theatre that serves as the home of the

become an architectural eyesore on a Main Street

Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra. It not only

struggling to compete against the Mesa Mall

attracts big-named touring acts but also serves as

and numerous strip malls. The Cooper seemed

the preferred venue for many local organizations

destined for the wrecking ball.

and fundraisers. Our wonderful theatre is also the home of the biggest movie screen on the

THE AVALON IS SAVED

Western Slope and has recently hosted red carpet

Enter Pat Gormley (et al), who saw great potential

screenings of locally-filmed Dragon Soldiers and

in restoring the Avalon to its original glory. In

the award-winning documentary Buckin’ Bulls —

1991, Pat Gormley formed the Avalon Project,

the story of Ty Rinaldo.

Inc., which later became the Avalon Theatre

What’s next for the Avalon Theatre? There

Foundation. The understandably reluctant City

were many key components of the Cornerstone

of GJ was cajoled into purchasing the Cooper

Project that were “value-engineered” away

in 1994. Numerous grassroots efforts funded

due to limited funds: an expanded stage, an

by citizens, private businesses, the city and the

orchestra pit, dressing rooms, catering kitchen,

Downtown Development Authority resulted in

freight elevator, etc. At the Avalon’s grand

critical improvements — most importantly the

re-opening

restoration of the original Romanesque Revival

recognized this and wrote, “This week’s grand

façade and the reopening of the Avalon Theatre

re-opening is a celebration and presentation of

in 1996. The icing on the cake came in 1999,

the upgrades to date, but there is much more

when the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra

work to be done to complete the improvements

performed its first concert at the Avalon.

to the theater and to work toward future

2014,

Mayor

Phyllis

Norris

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

The rooftop patio is a popular spot for live music and social gatherings.

The Cornerstone Project, a $13.7 million undertaking completed in 2014, resulted in numerous upgrades.

expansion of the stage and additions to the

Avalon Theatre; collaborations with the GJSO and

back of the house.” During the past eight years,

the Community Concerts of Western Colorado;

your Avalon Theatre Foundation, assisted by a

the commissioning of a short film celebrating the

generous matching program by the city of Grand

Avalon Theatre; and Halloween ghost tours of the

Junction, has invested nearly $500,000 in capital

Avalon. Whether it be from the stage, the seats or

improvements: the completion of the Encore

both, virtually everyone in the Grand Valley has

Hall, the donor wall, a state-of-the art sound

special memories associated to the Avalon. While

system, an outdoor digital marquee, portable

we celebrate its centennial, we should gratefully

spotlights, lighting monitors, shading sails for

remember the thousands of people over the past

the rooftop terrace, LED lighting, improvements

100 years who have supported, cared for, worked

to backstage rigging, etc.

for, fought for, donated to and loved the Avalon Theatre. Its history is our history. :

CELEBRATING THE AVALON’S FIRST HUNDRED YEARS The Avalon Theatre Foundation’s current focus is to take a pause in 2023 from funding capital improvements in order to celebrate the Avalon Theatre’s centennial and its cultural and historical role in the Grand Valley. And what a celebration it will be: two major to-be-named performances in January and November; a monthly film and lecture series featuring films that have played during each decade of the

REASON FOR OPTIMISM IN UNCERTAIN TIMES Many headlines have generated uncertainty around the local and national housing market. Lower inventory, inflation and interest rates have created pause in the market. And while our very active market did need to rebalance, opportunities await those who are ready to make a move to buy or sell. Depending on who you listen to, the U.S. economy is or will be in a recession soon. Housing is traditionally one of

Christine Coffey

(719) 369-7614

Paula Rohr

(970) 361-7876

McKenzie Nichols

the first sectors to slow as the economy shifts, but it is also one of the first to rebound, according to Ali Wolf, Chief Economist at Zonda. Additionally, Freddie Mac notes that interest rates also decline during a recession. Over the last six recessions dating back to 1980, interest rates have declined 1.8 percentage points from the peak seen during the recession to the trough. Both points bode well for what is developing to be a more balanced market.

The average list price in Grand Junction increased 17.81% compared to last year. Call us today to learn what your home is worth.

So, reasons for optimism exist and as we work

(970) 314-0074

@2022 BHHS Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHHS Affiliates, LLC.

our way through a hyper-local market, we have expectations that the market will remain active, and sellers and buyers will adjust their expectations. We are here to help answer questions, provide guidance and be a resource even if you are not looking to make a move today.

Alisha Mendelson (970) 216-1923

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Britni Schneider

(970) 312-7337

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(970) 260-7180

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(970) 201-0386

feature

A FORGOTTEN GOLDEN THREAD

LOCAL FOOD IN WESTERN COLORADO Words by Kristen Grace | Photos courtesy of UpRoot Colorado

ood is a golden thread intricately and

We’ve shifted from a purely local food system

deeply woven throughout every part of

to being engulfed in a global food system that,

humanity. From our well-being to our cultures

in this age of convenience, is hard to escape,

and history, food touches every area of our

but perhaps it’s time to embrace a new mindset

lives. For generations, people relied on their

when it comes to agriculture and our meals.

land and neighbors to produce food — a local

Many studies have found that, although

food system. The rise of globalization, though,

the global food system succeeds at meeting

has left us swimming in the sea of the global

the growing demand for food, people are

food system. Food systems describe the people,

left to tackle another set of challenges and

activities, processes and infrastructure involved

inadequacies in the wake of the global food

in producing, distributing and consuming food.

system. To meet the world-wide need for

food, agriculturalists choose to push land and animals to produce in unnatural excess. This type of production, evidence suggests, has harmful impacts on the environment, because it takes more resources and results in destructive outputs. The modern, global food system might be to blame for the United States’ food waste epidemic, because, as Rita Hennigan, UpRoot Colorado co-director, believes, individuals are

SHOP SMALLeason This S

no longer intimately connected to the sources of their food. UpRoot is a nonprofit organization that works to increase the nutrition security of Coloradans by harvesting and redistributing surplus, nutrient-dense foods while supporting the resiliency of farmers. People with food equity take for granted the abundance of food that is available, and they assume that it will always be available. Yet, last year, one in three Coloradans worried about having enough food. Meanwhile, good food left on farms or forgotten in the refrigerator is sitting with the garbage. “[Across the U.S.] 34 billion pounds of surplus remains on farms, while about 60 billion pounds of food is wasted by individuals and homes each year,” Hennigan shares. As the copious amounts of waste sit in landfills with little oxygen, the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted builds up. The global food system is more susceptible to casualties since there are so many interconnected parts. Disruptions in the global food system can be linked to climate shocks, conflict and strife, and transportation and storage facility miscommunication, among other matters. These events can hinder people’s access to nutritious food. Coloradans experienced this first hand when Glenwood Canyon was closed due to flooding after the Grizzly Canyon Fire. Grocery store shelves emptied out, because trucks carrying food from other parts of the country weren’t able to make it to parts of Western Colorado. The global food system is not regenerative nor is it resilient. Building a patchwork of robust local food systems, though, could create a more sustainable global food system. “Starting in your own backyard, starting locally, is the way

With 100 locally owned retail shops and restaurants located in Downtown Grand Junction, there’s something for everyone on your list!

to create a global system that is regenerative,” says David Laskarzewski, UpRoot Colorado codirector. Local farmers and growers, typically, value practices that are healthier for humans and the environment. “To produce healthy food for people, to produce healthy people, you have to start with the soil and the microbiome. You can do it on a [large] scale, but it hasn’t been readily done,” Laskarzewski explains. “If we use [food] well, we ourselves will be at our best. We’ll realize more of our potential, we’ll have more joy, we’ll have more balance and we’ll be able to contribute more meaningfully to our society.” As Dr. Dawn Thilmany, professor and codirector at Colorado State University’s Regional Economics Development Institute, points out, without the global food system, Americans would not have beloved items such as coffee or pineapple, and nobody wants that. Perhaps, we don’t have to eat strictly locally or exclusively globally; however, most people don’t even realize that their spinach is from Mexico and don’t investigate local options. She suggests shifting our mindsets around food to include both systems. Although what we have done in the past aligned with our goals (a world-wide food system intended to feed the world, for instance), some of our goals have changed as our cultures have evolved. Plus, not all societies desire the same things from their food systems (some groups of people value organic produce, while others may place more emphasis on traditional food, for example), and local food systems allow for these diversities. “[Local food systems] are starting to allow places to have their own value systems, priorities and cultures reflected in the food systems,” Dr. Thilmany explains. Rosie Skovron, Slow Food Boulder County volunteer board member, shares, “The way that we eat and grow has been shaped so dramatically by the pressures of globalization and capitalism. In a perfect world, I would like to think of a balanced food system in which the global food system is an arena for the exchange of ideas, inspiration and a few incredibly regionally-specific ingredients, while local

food systems should form the foundation of our diets.” Jodie Popma, chair of Slow Food Boulder County and certified nutritionist, says that building a balance between the local and global food systems will take time. The Slow Food chapters throughout Colorado strive to educate the community about good, clean, fair food for all. They do this through community gardens, educational events at local farms and potluck events on the Western Slope. Finding local foods can be tricky, especially in the winter. Unfortunately, as Laskarzewski

points out, we don’t currently have the

the local economy and, currently, use the

infrastructure in place to make eating locally

environment’s resourses in a more responsible

year-round an easily achievable goal. Experts

way, they also keep local food cultures alive.

agree that contributing to our local food system

“In my opinion, food culture is similar to art

is rooted in awareness — understanding how

culture. It is beautiful, regional and special.

many hands your food goes through before it

The more global we become as a society, the

gets to you and how many aspects of your life

lines can blur related to food culture,” Popma

the golden thread is wrapped around. You can

says. Skovron emphasizes, “To improve

choose to grow, preserve and produce some of

our relationship to our soil, water, air and

your own foods, and a little research can lead

neighbors (humans and others!), we should eat

you to farms that produce in the winter months,

locally. Food is a means for people to share and

such as Flipside Farm in Hotchkiss. Plus, there

celebrate aspects of their identity and culture.”

are many farm stores that sell locally produced

We can promote local food systems by

food, such as Blain’s Farm Store in Clifton. Even

supporting farmers and producers with our

chain stores like Natural Grocers and Whole

purchases, elevating food workers to reflect

Foods sometimes provide access to locally

the vital role they have in the community

grown, nutritious foods.

and educating ourselves and our children.

The USDA does not define what the term

Awareness is the first step in understanding the

“local” means as it relates to food; it can

nuances and diversities of food systems, and

vary widely based on region. Popma guides,

awareness will, inevitably, lead to a profound

“Knowing your farmer is key.” Not only do local

appreciation of our food, the earth from which

food systems provide community members

it comes and the people who strive diligently to

with more nutrient dense foods, strengthen

bring it to our tables. :

feature

YEAR-ROUND, ATHLETES TRAIN PHYSICALLY + MENTALLY

THE LIFE OF A TRIATHLETE Words by Kimberly Nicoletti | Photos courtesy of Xterra

Brian Smith, his wife Jennifer and their daughter.

riathlons aren’t just for young or uber-

a mom adds an extra challenge. To overcome

athletes; these days, people of all ages and

these challenges, Moms Who Tri bring their

levels are joining in for the fun, camaraderie and

kids to training sessions, creating an even

fitness aspects.

greater sense of community, and most wake up

Patty Simpson completed her first triathlon

early; Courtney Barella gets up at 6 a.m. to fit

in her early 40s and launched Moms Who Tri in

in her workouts, and Simpson gets up between

2014 during a church dinner in Grand Junction.

3 and 4 a.m.

“You don’t have to be the best at any part of

“Goals and having something to train for

it,” Simpson says. “You can just enjoy it. It’s such

kind of keeps me sane,” Barella shares, “and it’s

a great community. And, for women specifically,

so good for your physical and mental health.”

it’s really empowering, because you think you

can’t do it — our club started with a woman who

TRAINING

didn’t know how to swim — but it’s empowering

While training programs vary for each triathlete

when you finish.”

— depending on age, goals and available time

While just about every amateur triathlete

— a typical conditioning cycle usually involves

works or goes to school at least part time, if

three swims, three bikes and three runs lasting

not full-time, scheduling training when you’re

an hour to 90 minutes (runs may go up to three

hours) for three weeks, followed by a recovery week with less intense exercise or complete rest. But, as Carbondale-based triathlete and personal trainer David Clark points out, “It doesn’t work the same for everybody.” As he approaches the upper end of his age group, 64, he focuses more on the quality of the workouts and less on quantity. Rather than spending six hours a week doing long, easier rides, he might spend four hours a week cycling at higher intensity. Brian Smith, who lives in Gunnison and is in his late 40s, does the same. Instead of the 50 to 60 miles a week he used to run, he’s cut it down to 20 to 30. On a big week, he packs in 15 to 20 training hours, and on a “cruisy” week, he clocks in about 10. 60-year-old Simpson is also careful not to overtrain, so she focuses on biking and swimming, then runs 10 to 12 miles a week. “I check in with how my body feels and what I’m doing next for training,” she says.

Courtney, with Moms Who Tri.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Torin Lackmann trains with Colorado Mesa University in Grand

In winter months, 55-year-old Karla Araneda

Junction, where they usually run three hours a

of Moms Who Tri uses her Peloton app but still

week, bike over 1.5 hours three times a week and

runs and rides outside.

swim three days a week, along with two weight sessions. She adds two extra running sessions and spends a lot of time cross-country and alpine skiing in the winter.

“Even if it’s really cold, you can bundle up pretty good,” she says. For indoor training, Clark recommends apps like TrainerRoad, which, in addition to tracking

“I like getting outside in the winter, and cross-

things like heart rate, cadence and power output,

county skiing is good for bike cross-training,”

controls bike trainers, making it harder to pedal

Lackmann says. “I downhill ski a lot, because I

at times; Zwift, where gaming meets fitness by

enjoy it, and it makes your quads stronger.”

allowing participants to compete with others

Smith also alpine skis in the winter and has

around the world through structured workouts

competed in winter triathlons, which combine

and a social community; and JAZ, which offers

running, biking and cross-country skiing.

videos of specific outdoor rides that become

“You come off a season of that, and you’ve

harder or easier based on the terrain.

got a pretty high level of fitness,” he says. “It’s

He says treadmills have also advanced,

really important to have a sport that people can

providing curved surfaces that more accurately

use for cross-training. It’s healthier than being in

simulate running on ground.

a single sport.” In fact, he relies on a variety of activities, so if

“A lot of things have come to the market that have made it easy to train year-round,” he says.

his knees don’t feel great, he can limit his runs and focus on swimming or biking. Because he’s busy

RECOVERY

with his family and a full-time job, he and his wife,

“Recovery is where you get the benefit from

Jennifer, train in the kitchen on a bike trainer.

the workout you’ve been doing, because in a

Jennifer earned fourth in 2006 in the XTERRA

sense, you’re breaking down your body (when

World Championship, and he placed third in 2007.

training), causing microtears in muscle fibers,”

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

Clark says. “During recovery, the body adapts to

really works well for me and my athletes,” Clark

the stress and comes back stronger.”

says, adding that he prefers active movement,

Younger athletes like Lackmann can push

like laying on the floor or on a fitness ball and

harder and take less recovery time than older

moving the body in all different directions and

athletes, he says. Since Lackmann doesn’t race

planes to static stretching. “Walking is one of the

in the winter, she emphasizes longer training

most underrated and best forms of recovery.”

sessions to increase her aerobic conditioning and adds more weights for strength.

Athletes

use

percussion

massagers,

compression boots, rollers, magnesium and

“You can break down your muscles more,

other supplements to increase blood flow and

because they don’t have to function at their

promote recovery. Araneda adds physical

prime (for triathlons),” she says.

therapy, hot tubs and bioidentical hormones.

Still, she uses yoga, rollers and sleep to recover.

Smith relies on two cups of Epsom salts in a bath nearly every night.

“(Sleep is) where the real magic occurs,

“My legs feel 50% better from just a

and we get stronger, fitter, faster and healthier

20-minute soak. If you’re doing any running or

from all of our workouts,” Clark believes. “Most

pounding, Epsom salt baths are essential,” he

people don’t focus on sleep as a recovery tool,

states. “Especially being an older athlete, you

but it is likely the most beneficial.”

can’t do enough recovery. We pretty much hit

He also employs Dynamic Neuromuscular

recovery from every angle.”

Stabilization, created by Dr. Pavel Kolar at the Prague School of Rehabilitation and based on

MENTAL PREP

movement patterns like crawling, reaching and

Both competing in and training for triathlons is

standing up, which are naturally ingrained in

mentally challenging, so athletes like Lackmann

everyone as babies.

visualize successfully going through each part

“It was mainly designed as an injury rehab

of their race, especially when it’s about a week

protocol, but I use it as a recovery protocol, and it

away. She also practices mantras comprised

19-year-old Torin Lackmann trains with Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction.

of a couple words “to remind myself that I’m capable,” she shares. Lately, it’s been: “You are strong.” She anticipates how that feels in a race and visualizes herself floating like a butterfly while running. “A triathlon, to me, is the mind, body and spirit,” Simpson says. “It’s the whole thing,

Karla Arenada at the St. George Half Iron Man finish line.

because you can’t have just one goal — the physical.” In fact, Clark says that, physically, most people are capable of more than they think, “but it becomes a mental challenge of getting yourself out the door every day to do the training.” He coaches time-crunched athletes and also advocates mental recovery, where athletes regroup and review all the good work they’ve done. And, he encourages doing activities like hiking or biking just for sheer pleasure, without any time constraints, measurements or goals. Then, when it comes to the event, he tells competitors to have confidence in the training they’ve done, let go of expectations and adopt a mindset, and behaviors, that allow them to have fun in the process, like egging on the spectators to cheer. He reminds them that, “Removing yourself from the intense focus of what you’re doing and trying to have fun and engage with it brings joy and fulfillment while you’re doing the event, rather than just after it.” :

feature COURTESY OF MESA COUNTY’S HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTIONS

HAZARDOUS OR HARD TO RECYCLE?

HELP IS HERE Words by Sharon Sullivan

ave you ever wondered how to responsibly

Out of 64 Colorado counties, only eight offer

dispose of dead batteries, burned out,

permanent household hazardous waste collection

mercury-containing florescent bulbs or those

services, and four are located on the Western

empty fuel canisters from a camping trip? And,

Slope! While many county solid waste sites host

what about leftover cans of paint or motor oil?

special collection days once every year or two,

Those items, plus televisions, computer

permanent collection facilities in Mesa, Eagle,

monitors, printers, DVD players and other

Pitkin and Summit counties accept household

electronics, contain materials hazardous to

hazardous waste year-round — meaning you

humans and the environment and, thus, are not

don’t have to store it on your property while

allowed in landfills.

waiting for a special collection day.

MESA COUNTY

Junction company, charges less but collects only

Mesa County’s Household Hazardous Waste

electronics; it does not collect other household

Collections Facility, located at 3071 U.S. Hwy

hazardous waste.

50 in Grand Junction, is a “one-stop-shop”

Visit mesacounty.us/swm/hours-of-

where you can drop off household hazardous

operation/ for more information

materials, as well as mattresses and yard waste.

and hours of operation.

It’s all either recycled or disposed of properly. Organic materials like tree trimmings, grass clippings, brush, leaves, etc. are turned into

EAGLE COUNTY

compost and mulch, which people can then

In Eagle County, residents pay just 20 cents per

purchase, if they wish.

pound to drop off their electronics — unless

Mesa County residents can drop off products

you’re 65 or older, then it’s free.

like latex paints, stains, pesticides, fertilizers,

Other household hazardous waste can

auto products and cleaning supplies at the

be dropped off for free (again, commercial

county site for free (businesses pay a fee).

companies pay a fee). And, like Mesa County,

Items that are unopened or in good

Eagle County collects sharps (needles, syringes,

condition are set out in the facility’s reuse room

scalpels), which are sent to a company that

for residents to take for free. Typical products

sterilizes the objects, which can then be

include partial cans of latex paint, motor oil,

landfilled.

household cleaning products, fuel canisters,

Unlike, Mesa County, Eagle does not accept

adhesives and lighter fluid. You’ll also sometimes

medications, though meds can be disposed of

find swimming pool and hot tub chemicals;

locally at pharmacies and county sheriff drop

“Those go really fast,” says hazardous materials

boxes, says Joseph Walls, operations manager

manager Daryl Hillyer.

for Eagle County Solid Waste and Recycling.

Poor quality oil is disposed of in an

Eagle County also has a small reuse item

environmentally responsible manner, while

area. Residents stop by daily to pick up free auto

cleaner oil is filtered and can be used for heating.

products, latex paint and oil-based stains — a lot

In fact, Mesa County uses donated oil to heat

of it new, says Walls.

three of its buildings! If paints are in good shape — Hillyer says he can tell by shaking the can — they’ll put those

The county does not recycle mattresses; although, it accepts them for disposal in its landfill.

in the reuse room, which people often take to

Visit eaglecounty.us/

use for painting sheds, shelves, garages or for

solidwasteandrecycling/landfill for

artwork. Some people will mix paints together to

hours and more information.

create different colors, he says. “There are some good whites we hold back a nice white or tan latex paint,” Hillyer shares.

PITKIN COUNTY’S MOTHERLODE MERCANTILE

Those are sold for $25 because of the labor

At the Pitkin County Landfill in Aspen, people

involved. “People save over $100 to $125 what

may bring their household hazardous waste

they’d pay for new,” he says. “Right now, I have

year-round for free. Disposal of electronic items

five buckets on the shelf. I bought one and

ranges from $10 to $45, depending on the size.

painted two rooms and still have half a bucket

Aspen also recycles mattresses.

and mix together in a 5-gallon bucket to create

left over. It’s really thick, good paint.”

Though Pitkin County does not set out for

There is a fee for dropping off electronic

reuse collected chemical products like paints,

products. Mesa County charges 65 cents per

pesticides, oils or anti-freeze, it does have a reuse

pound to cover costs of sending items to a Front

area full of other, perhaps more interesting,

Range recycler. CORRecycling, a private Grand

objects.

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

COURTESY OF PITKIN COUNTY

At the Pitkin County Landfill in Aspen, people may bring their household hazardous waste year-round for free.

The Motherlode Mercantile opened in

construction materials, sports equipment and

June at the Pitkin landfill, where you’ll find

other high-quality objects. While the items

quite reasonably-priced items that have

are not free, “It’s all sold for a very reasonable

either been donated or were destined for the

price — $5-$10,” says Pitkin County solid waste

landfill. The Motherlode Mercantile contains

director Cathy Hall. And, you don’t have to be a

patio furniture, artwork, frames, dishware,

Pitkin County resident to shop there.

“Specialty” items in the Mercantile are

residents

and

recycles

those

items

with

priced higher. For example, a donated 1990s

companies on the Front Range. It tries to steer

large, lighted globe set on a nice wooden stand, if

commercial-sized

new, would have gone for $14,000, says Hall. The

Denver-area companies with whom it recycles

Mercantile priced the secondhand globe at $200,

materials. SCRAP does not have a reuse area.

and it sold that same day. An antique Chinese

SCRAP

volumes

recycles

directly

electronics

for

the

fee,

one-seater horse cart is another “specialty” item

depending on the item and its size. Summit

currently for sale at the shop.

County also takes organic matter, which is

Pitkin County also collects organic waste,

turned into compost and sold. Organic materials

including food waste and biosolids, which is then

are collected for a fee — $31 per ton or $10

used to make compost that is sold to the public.

minimum. SCRAP also recycles mattresses.

Visit landfillrules.com for hours and a full list of accepted items.

In addition to collecting materials yearround, Summit County hosts an annual “hard to recycle” event for its residents every spring in Frisco, which is considered a central Summit County location. :

SUMMIT COUNTY (SCRAP) Summit

County

Resource

Allocation

Park

(SCRAP), located at 639 Landfill Road in Dillon,

For more information visit: summitcountyco.gov/103/Landfill.

accepts household hazardous waste, such as paints, thinners, aerosols, old gasoline and pesticides, for free from Summit County

Visit Our New Location NEW INVENTORY ARRIVES DAILY

CLOSED

Dec. 22 - Jan. 5

Expanded hours starting Jan. 6

Open Tue. - Fri. until 6 p.m. Open Sat. until 5 p.m.

Open at 10 a.m. Tuesday - Saturday One block east of Costco

250 Lindbergh Drive, Gypsum habitatvailvalley.org | 970.328.1119

events

WINTER 2022-23 Compiled by Olivia Lyda | Photo courtesy of Breckenridge Tourism Office

International Snow Sculpture Competition in Breckenridge

DECEMBER The Polar Express Train Ride Durango, CO December 2022

Recreate the magical story of a child’s Christmas Eve at the Polar Express Train Ride! The excursion is full of enchanted holiday surprises, all with a beautiful, snowy backdrop. durangotrain.com

Winter on the Mountain

Olde Fashioned Christmas

From a tunnel of holiday lights to a giant musical Christmas tree, this has all the holiday spirit. Make sure to head to Glenwood Caverns Adventure park for the Winter on the Mountain Celebration. With so many fun-filled winter activities to choose from, this event will be fun for the whole family. glenwoodcaverns.com

Palisade Chamber of Commerce’s Olde Fashioned Christmas kicks off with a tree lighting ceremony followed by the iconic Parade of Lights. The next day, visitors can enjoy Breakfast with Santa and a gingerbread-making contest. This year’s theme is A Very Vintage Christmas. This magical event offers fun for all ages! visitpalisade.com

Glenwood Springs, CO December 2022

Palisade, CO December 2-3

Telluride Fire Festival

Annual Ullr Fest

Rocky Mountain Ski Fest

The Telluride Fire Festival, inspired by Burning Man, truly brings together fire and ice during the winter season. Celebrate community, fire and art in the mountains, and watch inspired artists and their dynamic visual fire performances. telluridefirefestival.org

Ullr Fest offers four full days dedicated to all fun-loving activities involving snow. What better way to get into the holiday spirit? The festival celebrates the Norwegian god of snow, with traditions such as the Ullr ball, the Ullr bonfire, the Ullr parade, snow sculpting, Ullr King and Queen, the Ullympics and the Ullr dating game. gobreck.com

The Rocky Mountain Ski Fest includes an exclusive concert with headliner Old Dominion and an on-mountain activity, all raising awareness and funds for pediatric cancer. Learn more and reserve tickets online. rockymtnskifest.com

Telluride, CO December 2-4

Lighting of Breckenridge & Race of the Santas Breckenridge, CO December 3

Watch as the streets of downtown Breckenridge light up like a Christmas tree to kick off the holiday season — all while a parade of Santa Clauses crowds the street. The Lighting of Breckenridge & Race of the Santas will be sure to put you in the holiday spirit! Times will be posted once the event draws near. gobreck.com

Paonia Holiday Art Fair Paonia, CO December 3

Head to Grand Avenue for Paonia Holiday Art Fair with over 50 arts and ag vendors, kids’ winter crafts, gingerbread houses, a puppet show, library book sale, ice cream and hot drinks, open houses, and shop and eat local deals! northforkcreative.org

Summit for Life Aspen, CO December 3

The 17th annual Summit for Life uphill race will now offer an in-person and virtual race for 2022. The Chris Klug Foundation invites local enthusiasts and regional sports junkies to strap on a headlamp and race up 3,000 vertical feet to the top of Aspen Mountain. aspenchamber.org

Breckenridge, CO December 8-11

Royal Gorge Bridge and Park Holiday Light Show Canon City, CO December 15-31

Enjoy a drive-thru light show experience full of holiday cheer this December to get in the festive spirit! royalgorgeregion.com

Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration Pagosa Springs, CO December 17

Lights will be twinkling, temperatures dropping and the spirit of the holidays filling the air. Enjoy a magical walk along the Downtown River Walk during the Old Fashioned Christmas on December 17 as you celebrate the season. visitpagosasprings.com

JANUARY The MusicFest Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Springs, CO January 7-12 The perfect getaway filled with music, relaxation and the beautiful, champagne powder of Steamboat Springs lies just at your fingertips with a trip to MusicFest. MusicFest Steamboat Springs has a venue for everyone with over 200 hours of live performances. Grab your ticket before the event sells out! themusicfest.com

Beaver Creek, CO January 10-11

Wintersköl

Aspen, CO January 12-15 Toast to Aspen’s majestic winter with this festival dedicated to the town’s unique lifestyle. The fourday fest features on-mountain activities, film screenings, a winterfest, broomball, fat-biking competitions and other celebratory events. aspenchamber.org

Aspen Gay Ski Week Aspen, CO January 15-22

Aspen Gay Ski Week (AGSW) is the oldest annual, week-long, gay ski event in the nation. AGSW visitors enjoy four mountains of varied skiing and snowboarding terrain, as well as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and winter hiking trails in the Elk Mountains of Colorado. Make sure to take part in this week’s many events and show pride for the community! gayskiweek.com

Ouray Ice Festival Ouray, CO January 19-22

Ice climber pros, novices and fans alike can experience the nailbiting competition of the Ouray Ice Festival. The three-day festival includes qualifying rounds, finals and speed rounds, along with an educational experience for all ice climbing enthusiasts. More information regarding the festival to come. ourayicepark.com

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

Skis & Saddles Skijoring Pagosa Springs, CO January 21- 22

Skijoring combines Pagosa Country’s finest skiing heritage with its cowboy roots, creating a fast and curious spectator event. The Skis & Saddles Event will be a great reason to get outside with some great entertainment to enjoy Southern Colorado’s best kept secret, while hanging out with friends and family. skisandsaddles.com

Rio Frio Ice Fest Almosa, CO January 27-29

Enjoy a jam-packed weekend with the Rio Fest 5K on the frozen Rio Grande River, a polar plunge, ice carving, fire and ice bonfire and many more winter fun activities. riofrioice.com

Winter X Games Competition Aspen, CO January 27-29

ESPN X Games announced that X Games Aspen 2023 will return to Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen Snowmass with 100 of the world’s best action sports athletes competing in 14 disciplines for the 22nd consecutive year. Make sure to head to their website to check out all of the events during the weekend. xgames.com

3 Lakes Ice Fishing Contest Granby, CO January 27- 29

Join in on the longest-running ice fishing tournament west of the Mississippi. Sign up for one, two or all three days of fishing on beautiful lakes in the Granby area. All proceeds from this fundraiser benefit Destination Granby. destinationgranby.com

International Snow Sculpture Competition Breckenridge, CO January 27- February 1

This world renowned snow sculpting competition consists of 16 teams from around the world descending on Breckenridge to hand-carve 20-ton blocks of snow into enormous, intricate works of art. Make sure to visit to view these masterpieces! gobreck.com

FEBRUARY Snowdown Durango Durango, CO February 1-5

This jam-packed event has everything you could ever ask for. Snowdown Durango showcases more than 100 events packed into five-days — everything from the annual Parade of Lights down Main Avenue to an adults-only fashion show to winter sporting contests and beer dunks. durango.com

NBS Black Ski Summit 2023 Vail, CO February 4-11

Join and celebrate this amazing event put on by the NBS (National Brotherhood of Skiers) that brings over 1,500 people of color together on the mountain. eventbrite.com

Full Moon Dinners at Buttermilk Mountain Aspen, CO February 5

Skin or hike up Tiehack on Buttermilk to dine at Cliffhouse under the full moon. Get there early to enjoy free hot chocolate from 5 to 6 p.m. around the Cowboy Cauldron over a roaring fire. À la carte dinner options,

snacks and a cash bar will be offered inside Cliffhouse starting at 6 p.m. aspenchamber.org

Aspen Snowmass Open — Revolution Tour Aspen, CO February 7-12

The Rev Tour at the Aspen Snowmass Open is set to kick things off with halfpipe, slopestyle and big air competitions. Competitions will take place on the X Games Aspen courses, providing a taste of what it takes to compete at the pinnacle of free ski and snowboard competition. Make sure to check it out and support these young snowsport athletes! aspensnowmass.com

Steamboat Winter Carnival Steamboat Springs, CO February 8-12

Say goodbye to your cabin-fever during late winter months and take part in the Steamboat Winter Carnival. The event highlights outdoor activities for local youth to participate in, as well as traditional experiences around town, such as the soda pop slalom, snow sculptures and the recognition of Winter Carnival Royalty and Grand Marshals. sswsc.org

Pabst Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament Silverthorne, CO February 16-19

Get ready to gather your friends for this old-school ice hockey tournament! The Pabst Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament is a great opportunity to play against other motivated teams on a frozen solid pond. coloradopondhockey.com

Telluride Comedy Festival Telluride, CO February 16-19

Laugh to your heart’s content over this fun and undeniably funny festival! Watch live performances from big name and up-and-coming comedians. sheridanoperahouse.com

Aspen Laugh Festival Aspen, CO February 21-15

After a two-year hiatus due to, well, life not being a barrel of laughs, the Aspen Laugh Festival is bringing funny back to the Wheeler. With five days of the best and brightest comics on the main stage, you can enjoy side-splitting, bellyaching laughs from your seat in a beautiful, historic opera house.

Make sure to buy your tickets to this full-of-laughs festival before they sell out! aspenchamber.org

MARCH

Banff Mountain Film Festival

Gather together with friends and family to join this community event. This year, listen and dance to headliner Trampled by Turtles, while enjoying beer tastings, food trucks and coffee bars. Reserve your tickets and plan your trip before it sells out! winterwondergrass.com :

Breckenridge, CO February 24-25

Explore the world of mountain sports, and make your way to the Banff Mountain Film Festival. Watch the most inspiring and thought-provoking action, environmental and adventure mountain films. The event goes from 6 to 10 p.m. both days, with proceeds supporting BOEC’s programs for adaptive recreation and outdoor education. boec.org

Winter travel?

Get there easier Wherever you live on the Western Slope and wherever you’re going, skip the long drive to DIA and get there easier through Grand Junction Regional Airport. No icy conditions, no unexpected road closures, just five fast, convenient flights per day to the Mile High City with hundreds of one-stop connections worldwide. Book now at Fly GJT.com.

WinterWonderGrass Festival Steamboat Springs, CO March 3-5

who we are

BETSY SEABERT FOUNDER OF CHILL ANGEL Words by Kristen Grace | Photo courtesy of Chill Angel

the limit, and she began experiencing even more intense changes in her body. “The side effects of the medication were extremely challenging. My body temperature was all over the place — hot flashes, night sweats and chills were in constant battle with my body. I absolutely could not sleep. I became more and more exhausted as time went on,” she recalls.

teamboat Springs resident and creator of women’s apparel brand Chill Angel, Betsy

Seabert is zealous to empower women to lead more fulfilling lives by promoting better sleep. As a breast cancer survivor, Seabert understands firsthand how sleep can be altered by shifts in the body. For 30 years, Seabert managed sales and operations for outdoor apparel brands such as Spyder Skiwear, Orage, Point6 and Smartwool. “Moving to Steamboat in 2000 to work with Smartwool, a leading merino wool sock and apparel brand, was a game-changer for me. I had not experienced the amazing comfort of merino wool before then, and I quickly became a believer in this natural wonder fabric. Merino is my goto for everyday clothing, as well as for sports. Nothing matches the versatility and comfort of merino in the heat or in the cold,” Seabert shares. Through working in these industries and her active, outdoor lifestyle, she gained a deep selfawareness of her body and how it felt in different conditions. In 2014, Seabert was diagnosed with breast cancer. One week after her chemotherapy started, her oldest son passed away. She was in shock physically, mentally and emotionally. After chemotherapy, Seabert began a five-year journey on an estrogen blocker to prevent the cancer from returning. Her body was being pushed to

After realizing that her polyester pajamas were not helping the problem, she set out to fill a void in the market, and Chill Angel Merino Wool Sleepwear & Loungewear was born. “Chill Angel keeps the body dry by moving moisture before sweat even forms — when the relative humidity increases but sweat hasn’t formed yet. Merino is highly breathable, so the heat and moisture are transported away from the skin, which prevents the normal flash of heat and sweat from happening,” Seabert explains. “I am proud and honored to help others to be more comfortable and sleep better.” Seabert’s mission is to make a positive impact on the world. She’s making waves by helping women enjoy their sleep and eliminate interruptions thanks to Chill Angel’s incredibly soft and luxurious apparel. She hopes to bring comfort and relief to women who suffer from nightly battles with their bodies. Seabert has resided in Colorado most of her life and still loves living the mountain lifestyle. She enjoys spending time in Colorado’s glorious outdoors with her husband of 22 years and their family. Seabert encourages everyone to support small businesses and to keep trying new products and new ideas, because, as she says, “the world is full of amazing innovations and creative solutions.” : To learn more about Betsy Seabert and Chill Angel, visit chillangel.com.

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Spoke+Blossom Magazine | Winter 2022-23 | Issue #22

Articles inside

SNOWSPORTS ART

WESTERN SLOPE APOTHECARIES

CELEBRATING AVALON’S CENTENNIAL