Best of Boulder County 2011

This year’s Best of Boulder County is our biggest — and most exciting — ever! And it’s no wonder. Boulder County residents came out in force this year to support their favorite restaurants, businesses, performers and more. With the biggest voter turnout in Boulder Weekly history, it’s clear readers take this contest seriously. But with so much interest in the contest, we’re often asked, “How does voting work?” and “Where can I get a ballot?” and “Why did you leave out the BEST sandwich shop in town?”

Best of Boulder County 2011 - Food

It’s fun to speak rapidly when saying you’re going to a tapas bar, because sometimes people think you said “topless bar.” In Sanskrit, the term “tapas” can mean either spiritual suffering or spiritual ecstasy.

Best of Boulder County 2011 - Drinks

According to ancient legend, chai tea was first brewed as a healing elixir by a king in the courts of India and later became frequently used in the tradition of “ayurveda” alternative medicine in the East. But now, chai tea is as common as a Subaru on the streets of Boulder: Every college hipster and aging hippie is familiar with the drink.

Best of Boulder County 2011 - Entertainment

The Oxford Concise Dictionary of Music broadly dates classical music from the 11th century through present times. We haven’t done the exact math, but that’s a longer track record than just about every other genre of music we can think of — combined. Some musicians chase the latest trends and fads, like electronica, dub step, drone, 8-bit and trance, to keep their sound fresh.

Best of Boulder County 2011 - Fitness/Health

Think about most of the doctors you’ve been to over the years. How many were more than 60 years old? How many were in awesome shape? And how many were both? Unless you’ve been to see Dr. Charley Cropley lately, we’re guessing the answer to that last one is “zero.”

Best of Boulder 2011 County - Retail

We all know cycling is next to godliness, and EcoPasses are the coolest badges you can flash after a CIA ID card. But this is America — huge, sprawling America. And as hard as it is to admit, our public transit systems aren’t quite up to snuff yet.

Best of Boulder 2011 County - Retail (continued)

TIRE SHOPDiscount Tire 3215 28th St., 303-440-6811Runner-up: Barnsley Tire Co IncIn Colorado, buying tires can be as important as buying the car itself. Most residents have had the frightening experie

Best of Boulder 2010: Staff Picks

This year we not only had some new names in the winner's bracket, but a few new brackets, too, like Best Chai Drink and Best Medical Marijuana Wellness Center. Just more proof that Boulder County is always evolving and growing, no pun intended.

Best of Boulder 2010: Food

The term 'fusion' refers to cuisine that blends ingredients and cooking techniques from a variety of origins. Since 1993, chef Thuy (pronounced 'Twee') and her staff have offered Vietnamese food peppered with inspirations from France, China, Thailand and Indonesia, and the result is mouthwatering.

Best of Boulder 2010: Drink

Beer. A wondrous, bubbly, golden liquid. Quencher of thirst, loosener of tongues, restorer of courage and uniter of strangers; faithful companion to sports, counterbalance of salty foods and food group for college students. The virtues of this beverage, old as written history itself, are many.

Give the gift of an experience

Instead of buying your friends and family items that may be quickly stored and forgotten, this year, consider giving them tickets or a gift certificate for an experience they will remember. Catering to their interests while also providing something unique they might not otherwise have a chance to explore.

Last minute gifts that last a lifetime … or longer

So many gifts exchanged during the holidays scarcely outlast the wrapping paper and big bows they came packaged in, and their broken and discarded pieces meet their festive wrappings in landfill. This year, consider giving gifts that last — tokens of love and friendship that will be cherished well beyond this holiday season.

Kick-butt kitchen gear

Gift ideas for the friend who likes to cook

This holiday season, you don’t need to be an expert to find a gift for your kitchen-dwelling friend. Here are a few ideas that will get your thoughts cooking and will give your friend’s kitchen skills a boost. Some of these items also have some unexpected benefits and dual purposes that may come in handy.

Hopped with love

What to get a beer-lover for the holidays

What do you get for the beer lover in your life that has everything? Or more appropriately, has tried every Kolsch, Baltic porter and barleywine money can buy?

2011 Gift Guide II

´Tis the season for getting a little frantic. Your schedule is crammed, your to-do lists are long and your to-buy-for list is much longer than your list of what-to-buy ideas. We get it. So before you get all strung out on eggnog lattes and start swarming the mall looking for inspiration in every mannequin’s face, consider the contents of these pages. We’ve done the hard work for you.

Holi-dealing

If you’re shopping for gifts on a budget, you should know it differs from shopping for yourself: Ramen is generally not a much-appreciated present, and a card that says “Just wear the same clothes another year” in lieu of a gift doesn’t fly. But a lot of the old tricks can still serve you well.

Hot 2011 outdoors gifts

On the eighth day, Santa said “Let there be gear!” And behold there was a plethora of Gore-tex laid before the masses and fleece grew from the trees and carbon-fiber precision welded bike frames sprang from the earth. Mankind did rejoice at 800-fill down jackets and dog-kind did rejoice at the multitude of soft-bite frisbees that rain’d down from the heavens, and it was good.

Gear of the Year: Five items you won't want to live without

Christmas is coming, but the ski and snowboard season has already started. Regardless of whether you’re celebrating the start of winter, adding a few “special” items to that gift list, stoking out a friend with an early December birthday or rewarding yourself, here’s where to start your shopping list.

Stocking success

Your guide to stuffing a stocking and showing up Santa

Stockings are one of the better things about the holidays. Stuffing them requires imagination and knowledge of the receiver beyond a specific list of desired presents, and you have a small space to prove you have it. If you’re stumped, here are a few ideas for what to stuff in those stockings so you can prove that Santa’s elves aren’t the only ones capable of putting one together.

Give and give back

Fair trade gifts support small businesses around the globe

Shopping fair trade is about more than just supporting local retailers — though this holiday season, there are plenty of local businesses selling fair trade goods. Shopping fair trade means supporting the small producers who run their businesses with a sense of accountability while employing practices that show concern for the social, economic and environmental well-being of other small producers, according to the World Fair Trade Organization. It also means setting a fair price, using no child or forced labor and committing to gender equality.

Gifts Two

The parties, the concerts, the festive lights, the seasonal food and drink, and of course, all the fabulous local shopping. Boulders merchants, artisans, chefs and crafters really shine this time of year. But we know how hard it can be to find that perfect gift for everyone on your list.

Five fresh gadgets for the tech-minded

For the tech-minded family member or friend, there are numerous gadgets to choose from for holiday gifts. The tough part is singling out the cool, innovative and interesting products from the cheap, lame and boring ones. Here we’ve selected our five favorite gadgets for this holiday shopping season.

Geared up for the holidays

Expensive mountaineering gear is not generally where you want to drop a lot of cash on a trendy item. There are a few items popping up in outdoor stores this year that may last longer than this years snowfall, but the debate is still on over rocker skis.

The hottest in gaming this season

With so many games coming out during the holiday season, it's tough to decide which ones to get into. And at $60 a pop, it's pretty depressing to get stuck with a game that's subpar. So we're here to help and offer our list of the 10 best games this season.

Sip on some seasonal brews

Colorado has been called the Napa Valley of beer, and with good reason: Beers from our fair state frequently top the podium at national and international competitions, and a new brewery or pub seems to open with each passing month.

Thinking inside the box

Thisa wasn’t a plentiful year for CD and DVD box sets — the kind of releases that make special holiday gifts for music fans. But there weren’t many misses in this year’s crop of releases, either. Here are the best of the bunch, to this reviewer’s ears and eyes.

The gift of knowledge

Local spas offer more than creams and lotions

Fragrant and fresh, theyre a vibrant centerpiece in any room, but sadly, theyre a fleeting gift. Like flowers, most gifts have an expiration date. Flowers wilt, clothing shrinks, jewelry tarnishes and household items break.

Palatable presents

Feed the soul with food-inspired gifts

loves food. This holiday season, why not nurture the love of eating by gifting something delicious? From homemade goodies to unique kitchen gadgets, this guide will help holiday shoppers please even the pickiest eater in town. Heres what to get for:.

Holiday recipes from Boulders Basta

When you have a background that includes cooking at Michelinstarred restaurants in Southern California and extensive professional experience in Italy, you might make for an intimidating holiday dinner guest. Such is the experience of Chef Kelly Whitaker.

Last-minute stocking stuffers

It´s Christmas Eve and youve done it again. Youve put off shopping until the last minute, and now youve lost the chance to order gifts online, make a homemade anything, or even drive around to stores. Well, weve compiled a list of suggestions to help you fill those empty stockings dangling over your fireplace, saving Christmas in the nick of time.

Tips from EcoCycle

How to have a fun, green holiday

These tips provided by EcoCycle. For more tips and information, visit www.ecocycle.org.

Gifts that matter

And even when the holidays are over, you can still share beautiful art and support a great cause by hosting a bead party. Bead for Life provides the host with a party box of about 300 beaded jewelry items and Shea butter products, along with informational DVDs and pamphlets to share with guests.

Thrift is green, local and easy on your wallet

Save money and give something unique this holiday season by hitting up local thrift and consignment shops. Not only are you getting a bargain, but you’re helping the environment through recycling. Also, if you shop at a nonprofit thrift shop, like the Salvation Army Thrift Store or Boulder Humane Society Thrift, you are also funding a local organization.

Holiday Recycling Guide

From batteries to wrapping paper, your resource for recycling holiday-related items

If the material you’re looking for is not on this list, call us at 303-444-6634 or visit our website at www.ecocycle.org. Check our online Guide to Hard-to-Recycle Materials for other unusual recycling items you may accumulate over the holidays or year-round.

What to get the green thumb

Local stores carry variety of gifts for gardeners

A recurring theme emerges when asking local nurseries and garden-supply stores about their hottest gifts of the holiday season. Several mention hydroponic growing systems. Hmm.

A green guide to gifts

Buy! Buy! Buy! It’s the holidays, and the ads are calling out with their siren songs (or are they cattle calls?), and the overwhelming sense of obligation to hurry up and get shoppin’ begins.

Tech -- and green!

Here’s the dilemma when it comes to electronics: they rock — sometimes, quite literally — but they often leave a large carbon footprint. Whether they suck power (ahem, Mr. Xbox 360 hooked up to a 60-inch television, I’m talking to you), or are simply made of products that are harmful to the environment, there can be a guilt factor associated with those tech toys you own.

10 ways to green your holiday

Bring your own bag and pass on the tissue paper, ribbons and stickers that so often accompany even the smallest holiday purchases. Forego complimentary gift wrapping and wrap gifts creatively in environmentally friendly ways

Sweet holiday treats

There is nothing like holiday treats to create a festive mood in any home or office this time of year. Something about colorful cookies, fudge and other confectionary items truly make the holiday spirit more prominent.

Keep your holiday dollars here

BIBA declares December ‘Buy Local’ month

From late November through December, holiday shopping takes center stage in business and economic news. Black Friday one day of conspicuous consumption can set the tone for the nations entire economic outlook. And if a single day of personal spending can do that, imagine what a month of holiday shopping could do for a local economy.

Support local artists, get a great gift

Find the perfect present at these artists’ markets

Those words also describe exactly what dozens of local artists and crafters are producing year-round right here in Boulder County. And in the coming weeks, two special events are helping connect these local talents with holiday shoppers in search of something truly distinctive for that special someone.

Eat, drink and be local

Eat, drink and be local Colorado wines are perfect to give, serve and share

Its time for your big holiday feast, and youve decided to go as local as possible. You have your ham from Fox Fire Farms, cheeses from Haystack Mountain Goat Dairy, desserts from Kim & Jakes Cakes and your wine from France? To make your meal truly local, try looking a little closer to home for your beverages.

Make an impact this holiday season

It has begun. Not the holiday season — that’s still officially one week away — but rather Boulder Weekly’s Buy Local Month, part of our year-round I Love Local campaign. Starting this week, Boulder Weekly urges you to shop conscientiously for holiday food and gifts by choosing to spend your hard-earned dollars at locally owned businesses.

Boulder (gift) basket case

Forget the fruitcake. Try giving gift baskets instead. Like fruitcakes, they’re a universal holiday gift. But unlike fruitcakes, people are actually happy to receive them.Boulder County is home to a wealth of locally owned businesses that offer unique products ideal for making creative gift baskets. With a little planning, you can give a gift that demonstrates not only thoughtfulness, but also a commitment to our local economy.

From Boulder County's artists comes something for everyone

Art is sometimes overlooked as a popular holiday gift, but a variety of locally produced creations are available in Boulder County shops, exhibits and galleries — and not just paintings that cost thousands of dollars.

A little bling helps make the holiday bright

Ornaments and tinsel aren’t exclusive to holiday celebrations. Adorn yourself or your loved one with a little glitz this holiday season by buying from a locally owned jewelry store. Each store stands out because of the unique selection that it offers, whether that be heirloom or custom-made pieces. And they offer a wide price bracket, accommodating to those whose holiday budget is feeling constrained because of the economy.

Give memories, not things: active gifts

With winter comes a host of new things to do outdoors, which often lead to the best presents of all: lasting memories. Sure, you could buy someone a sweet striped sweater — but that gift won’t really last. Why not take them on a snowmobile trip, a sleigh ride, to an Avalanche game — or reserve something to look forward to, like a springtime balloon ride?

Give your loved ones the gift of health and well-being

As the New Year approaches, we want to rid ourselves of last year’s burdens. What better way to refresh than by giving the gift of relaxation? Whether you’re giving a manicure-pedicure gift certificate, day retreat to Gold Lake or a New Age gift like Thai Yoga Massage or Anjali Restorative Yoga, your gift will be well-appreciated.

Donate to a local charity

It`s difficult to avoid the holiday hype with carols, gifts, greeting cards, Christmas tree and menorah lighting ceremonies and the other hullabaloo that fills our calendars. Black Friday arrives, kicking off your shopping spree for friends and family. But what about the less fortunate? Who’s lifting their spirits during the holidays?

Nurturing nature

Thorne Natural Science School, for kids ranging from toddlers to teens, is celebrating its 53rd anniversary this year. The camp began in Boulder in 1957 and expanded to its Waterton Canyon location in Littleton in 1995. TNSS teaches kids to respect nature, while encouraging them to learn about different ecosystems and discover the great outdoors.

Kids Camp Directory

Come join us for 10 weeks of Dawson's exciting new summer camps and Programs for kids ages 5-18. From June 7 through Aug. 20, we will offer 40 various camps in academics, arts, music and drama, language and culture, sports, and various specialty day camps, running from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Kids Camp Directory (continued)

Girls Wilderness Program Adventure CampWomen’s Wilderness Institute, Boulder303-938-9191www.womenswilderness.orgWilderness-based courses specifically created for girls ages 8-18. Have a blast ba

Create a tradition

Here are some fun holiday traditions for you and your children to celebrate for years to come.

Kids Holiday Greeting Card contest

This holiday season Boulder County elementary schools participated in Boulder Weeklys Kids Holiday Greeting Card contest with kids submitting a festive drawing. Our Grand Prize Winner, Nederland Elementary first-grader Corbin Oxnards painting is featured on our cover.

PlayFair Toys

PlayFair Toys opened in 1982 with the focus of providing nothing but non-violent toys that cater to both boys and girls. The store didn’t have a section for boys with a bunch of toy guns or a pink section with baby dolls targeting little girls — a boy or girl could enjoy every single toy in the store. Almost three decades later, PlayFair Toys is still holding strong to that vision.

A local book buyer's guide to the best children's books

Liesl Freudenstein spends a lot of time reading children’s books. And not just because she has a 6-year-old and a 9-year-old at home. Freudenstein is the employee at the Boulder Book Store responsible for buying the kids’ books.

Holiday crafts for your kids

Do you have a little artist on your hands? Here are some places around town where your child can get into the holiday spirit by creating decorations or gifts.

Eco-friendly toys

Your children may have smaller feet than you, but their carbon footprints are just as big as yours. Buy your child ecofriendly toys this year.

Activities that will get your kids to abandon the screen

Unplug the television, get them off the couch, and head out for some fun activities that could actually leave them — and you — with some special memories.

Student Guide 2010: Welcome to CU

Welcome to the first day of your future. If youre a freshman, the next four years (give or take a semester) promise to be some of the most exciting, challenging and life-changing youll ever experience. Chances are, when you leave CU you wont be the same person you were when you got here.

Student Guide 2010: Boulder A to Z

Some words to the wise.

Student Guide 2010: Pay heed when doing the deed

They also offer the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine at low or reduced costs to students. This vaccine protects women from the four most common strains of the infection, which, in some cases, can cause genital warts and cervical cancer.

Student Guide 2010: Boulder's scene: Local insight for new students

But rest assured that you chose a great place to pursue a higher education: There are so many activities, events and social networks to choose from that you could do something different every day from your first day of class to the day you graduate, if you had the time.

Student Guide 2010: Meet CU's alcohol and drug policies

Welcome to campus. For you freshmen in the audience, you now have more than 20,000 new neighbors, and youll be spending the next nine months (at least) in each others back pockets.

Student Guide 2010: Be careful what you sign

So, youve paid your dues in the dorms and are ready to move away from the tyranny of RAs and floor monitors and into your first place. Theres a big, enticing world of rental properties out there, and Craigslist has literally hundreds of apartments posted each day for your perusal.

Student Guide 2010: What's in a name?

It was formerly known as the University of Colorado Student Union, a name that student leaders say was too confusing. According to Anthony DeLaRosa, CUSG chief of staff, some students thought it was a building, while others thought it was some kind of labor union.

Student Guide 2010: You're in college, it's time to get politically active

While proponents of the tax-killing measures say government has gotten too big and that people need to save all the money they can in this sluggish economy, opponents of Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101 say the initiatives would effectively shut down state government, crippling crucial public services and infrastructure.

Student Guide 2010: For studying, there's no place like Norlin

Students seem to approach studying in different ways, even though they all have the same goal of making the grade and passing the class. Some students prefer to study in isolation, with no one to distract them.

Student Guide 2010: Some tips for keeping safe on campus

While losing all your class notes or vacation pictures because someone jacked your laptop is bad enough, CU also sees its share of more serious crimes. In 2009, there were nine cases of forcible rape on or near campus and five aggravated assaults, according to the federally required Clery Report on campus crime statistics.

Summer Scene 2010: Experience Colorado

Whether it's concerts in the mountains or Shakespeare under the stars, our state has it all. Here in Boulder County, we've got RockyGrass and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, not to mention more than 200 miles of Open Space and Mountain Parks trails for hikers, bikers and equestrians.

Summer Scene 2010: So much to see and do

"The reason we chose this exhibit is because of how much music there is in Boulder," says Susan Linde, marketing director for the museum. "During the summer months, there's the Colorado Music Festival, the RockyGrass Festival out in Lyons. There's such a wealth of music based in Boulder."

Summer Scene 2010: Cruising campus

With the possible exception of the Euclid lot, parking on campus can be a pain, so you might try scoring a metered spot on the northwest side, along University between 17th and Broadway. From there, you can see the backside of your first stop, the towering Macky Auditorium.

Summer Scene 2010: Rocky Mountain high

Why we live here, why we stay, what we love about Boulder County it always comes back to the mountains. The geological accident that makes up Boulder County's backyard is nothing less than breathtaking.

Summer Scene 2010: Bluegrass and Folk

Summer is a special time in Colorado. The word conjures up memories of the hot sun beating down onto your back on the mountain biking trail, the rush of the cold river water spraying your face as you navigate a rapid, and the lush and vibrant carpet of colorful wildflowers in a valley deep in the mountains.

Summer Scene 2010: Concerts

If you put all the guitar strings, piano wire, drum sticks and horns that are strummed, plucked, struck and blown in one summer here in Boulder end to end, it would reach clear to the Moon and back. At least that's how it seems, with all the concerts, festivals, open mics, bluegrass picks and recitals going on from now until the end of August.

Summer Scene 2010: Festivals & Events

Finding something to do in Boulder during the summer is hard, and not because there's nothing going on. Unlike the residents of, say, Maza, N.D., (population: 5), we never have to worry about what to do on a Saturday night.

Summer Scene 2010: Screen

Pioneered and coordinated by film aficionado Joel Haertling, the Boulder Public Library Summer Cinema Program goes beyond popcorn flicks and offers up films that are themed, eye-opening and just plain fun for the whole family.

Boulder County ballot issues results

The final unofficial 2009 election results from Boulder County.

Longmont ballot issues results

The final unofficial 2009 results from the Longmont ballot issues.

Boulder Valley School District election results

The final unofficial 2009 election results from the Boulder Valley School District election Director, District B Lesley Smith: 68.45 percent

St. Vrain School District election results

The final unofficial 2009 results from the St. Vrain School District election. original story. Director, District B Debbie Lammers: 62.31 p

Park School District election results

The final unofficial 2009 results from the Park School District election. original story. School Director At Large Tony Paglia: 37.00 perc

Thompson School District election results

The 2009 results from the Thompson School District election.

Longmont City Council election results

The following is a list of the final unofficial 2009 election results from the Longmont City Council election.

Boulder City Council election results

The final unofficial 2009 results from the Boulder City Council election. Five seats were up for grabs.

City of Boulder ballot issues results

The final unofficial 2009 results from the City of Boulder ballot issues.

Longmont Mayor election results

The following is a list of the final unofficial 2009 election results from the Longmont mayoral election.

2010 Colorado governor/senate races

Hick is the pick; Bennet in lead for Senate

As of press time Tuesday night, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper had a commanding lead over his closest competitor, Tom Tancredo, in the Colorado governor’s race. Media outlets have already declared the Democrat the projected winner, Hickenlooper has delivered an acceptance speech, and Tancredo had given a concession speech.

2010 Colorado ballot issues

'Numbers' poised to fail, but 'letters' on the brink of passing

The message to voters leading up to the Nov. 2 election was "vote no on the numbers and vote yes on the letters," and that appears to be what voters in Colorado have done.

2010 Boulder County ballot issues

Voters hand county mixed results: Human services winning, while open space issue flags

The vote on county ballot issues was too close to call by press time on Tuesday, with voters seeming to prioritize human services over open space purchases.

2010 Colorado state legislature races

Three Dems leading in legislative races; two others in tight race

One of the key legislative races that could determine whether the Democrats retain control of the state Senate involves Boulder County and was still too close to call as of press time Tuesday night. Democrat Jeanne Nicholson is battling Republican Tim Leonard in Senate District 16, and with only 36 percent of precincts reporting, media outlets were showing Nicholson with a slight lead, 50 percent to 49.9 percent.

2010 Boulder County races

Incumbent Boulder County Commissioner Cindy Domenico is winning handily in her bid for re-election as of press time. Others in the lead include Hillary Hall for clerk and recorder, Robert Hullinghorst for county treasurer, Emma Hall for county coroner and Jerry Roberts for county assessor.

Boulder Weekly's printable 2010 voting guide

Voting today? Print out a copy of Boulder Weekly's printable 2010 voting guide

Bennet for Senate

In addition to Democrat Bennet, this is a race that includes Republican Ken Buck, Maclyn Stringer (Libertarian), Bob Kinsey (Green), Charley Miller and J. Moromisato (unaffiliated), Jason Napolitano (Independent Reform), and three write-ins: Bruce Lohmiller, Michele Newman and Robert Rank.

Polis is slam dunk for U.S. House

Polis has two years under his belt as a congressman and a term as a member of the state Board of Education. He's got no problems with name recognition or money, having earned a fortune in the private sector, and he's used a lot of that money for philanthropy and progressive candidates and issues.

Send Markey back to Congress

Markey earned the thanks of many progressives in 2008 by taking down the ultra-conservative former U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, and we'll endorse her again in 2010. She's got a small-business background, having co-founded Syscom Services, an Internet consulting firm.

Boulder Weekly's 2010 Ballot Picks

Amendment P was referred to the ballot by the Legislature, and it would amend the Colorado Constitution. It would transfer licensing authority for games of chance, such as bingo or raffles, from the Department of State to the Department of Revenue.

Winter Scene 2010: The great Colorado ski area over view

Its one of the wonderful problems to have in Colorado: picking the best place to ski or snowboard. Colorado boasts 26 major ski areas that range from the modest Howelsen Hill to the epic bowls of Vail. Picking the best ones for your style, budget and time can be tricky.

Winter Scene 2010: Give me Liberty

Colorado ski company loves the outdoors — a lot

Colorados Liberty Skis started, literally, with the roll of the dice. While the metaphor is useful for many a startup, few can claim that the seed funding came from a craps table in Vegas.

Winter Scene 2010: iPhone snow applications

Have the slopes at your fingertips

Amid dozens of debatably useless applications, iPhones offer numerous apps of particular interest for Colorado snow-sport enthusiasts. Such applications provide useful information about current slope and weather conditions, ski runs, avalanche risk, snow reports and many other topics.

Winter Scene 2010: Catch air

Tricked-out training facility helps improve aerial awareness

Ive strapped on my snowboard for the first time in two years, and Im standing at the top of a man-made jump staring downwards at an intimidating 42-degree slope. Ive snowboarded for 12 years I traded last years snow season for a two-month jaunt around South America but Ive always preferred going down a hill to soaring above it.

Winter Scene 2010: Fresh tracks

When riding the lifts gets dull, try backcountry skiing

When the circuit of freezing on the lift ride up and dodging wobbly Texans on the run down gets dull, it might be time to take a look at the world of backcountry skiing. It offers the lure of the steep and deep with the freedom and danger of being alone in the mountains, without rules or ski patrol to save your ass.

Winter Scene 2010: Happy winter trails to you

Trade your skis for (horse)shoes

Contrary to popular belief, horseback riding is not just for cowboys on hot summer days. In fact, winter horseback riding has become a popular, cold-weather attraction for Boulder County residents and visitors alike. Numerous equestrian ranches, stables and liveries provide a fun alternative to a weekend on the slopes this winter.

Winter Scene 2010: Hitting the smaller slopes

Where to break in that brand-new sled

For the frugal family or the college student without a trust fund, hitting the slopes is not always a viable option. The cost of ski and snowboard gear adds up when youre trying to equip a family of four, and the lift tickets to Colorados ski resorts are a pretty penny.

Winter Scene 2010: Gear up for winter camping

To some, the idea of spending a night outdoors in the cold, dark heart of winter is a miserable notion. But with the right gear and proper technique, the seldom-seen winter wilderness offers a pristine world of snowy marvels and crystalline, star-filled nights.

Winter Scene 2010: Winter fun for kids

Turn off the TV and make cold weather into family time

Just because the weather turns cold and that white stuff starts falling from the sky doesnt mean you should park your kid in front of the television. Boulder County has a plethora of activities that are perfect for children during the winter months. From snow sports to local recreation center programs

Winter Scene 2010: Winter cycling essentials

As temperatures drop and daylight wanes, many cyclists hang up their bikes for the season and retreat to the sweaty comfort of spinning class. But with winter temps averaging in the mid-40s and plenty of Rocky Mountain sunshine before dusk, dedicated riders can enjoy cranking out miles all year long.