The winter solstice is here, and the season’s chilly weather has already driven most of Colorado’s flora and fauna to take cover inside. We — and our kids — however, don’t need to be deterred from connecting with the natural world because of the cold weather.

Let's face it, we’re spoiled. Colorado has some of the best skiing and riding in the world. Witness the fact that while we get to live here, people from all over the world descend upon our winter paradise each season, hoping to get a weeklong taste of what we get to enjoy all winter. They’re here for powder, parties, impeccably groomed runs and nightlife that ranges from the mild to the wild. Come to think of it, that’s why we live here, too.

Standing atop Spillway, an intermediate groomer at Loveland Ski Area, I visualized my descent on the crowded ribbon of man-made hard pack tending towards icy. Sticking to a line was critical, and this task was daunting, as I had just strapped on my first new pair of alpine skis in 14 years. These were Folsom Custom Blue Note Carves, a semi-custom, all-mountain ski hand built in Boulder and optimized for quick turning. I inhaled, and pivoted down the fall line.

Any good quest needs a tempting checklist. The standard amongst those who have taken a shine to pass bagging is to go for all the mountain passes over 12,000 feet. Colorado has 129 officially named passes that meet this criteria. Two passes are located on private, inaccessible property (Culebra and Whiskey Passes) so for legal intents that leaves 127.

In 1976, Colorado voters were asked a simple question: “Should the state host the Winter Olympics?” The future governor Dick Lamm, answer was “no.” The no vote was a shocker. Orchestrated by who was a state representative at the time, and fellow rep Bob Jackson, the anti-Olympic movement of the ’70s found sympathetic ears in voters concerned about uncontrolled growth along the Front Range and out of control costs.

Scott Toepfer of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center says conditions will hopefully improve, but there’s nothing like knowing your stuff to keep yourself safe in the backcountry.

Professional skier Jamie Pierre died Sunday afternoon in an early season avalanche while skiing yet-to-be-opened Snowbird. The Utah resort hadn’t commenced avalanche control work, and the upper parts of the ski area’s steep, avalanche-prone mountain had been getting pounded by snow and wind, filling in lines and enticing local skiers.

For Gratz, every day is perfect. At least from a weather standpoint. Gratz, along with fellow meteorologist and skier Andy Murray, is a founder of Open Snow, a website that’s currently geared toward snow reports but expects to expand to include other activities.

Warren Miller Entertainment is set to screen its latest winter sports film, Like There’s No Tomorrow, at the Boulder Theater Nov. 8-13, and the movie stars three Colorado natives.

"Make a wish,” said naturalist Paul Gayer. I wished for a beer. Sure, the steep hike up Catamount Trail near Colorado Springs, in the heat of Indian Summer, had left everyone thirsty. But this was more than a longing for some suds.