|
Mountains Promise Storybook
Holiday
by Monique Cole
This year, why merely dream of a "White
Christmas" when you can find a storybook holiday at Colorado's
ski resorts? Colorful lights twinkle on gingerbread roof lines
of Victorian villages. The crisp mountain air is filled with
the music of carolers and scent of real, living Christmas trees.
And, of course, there are plenty of snowflakes glistening and
sleigh bells ringing.
Santa will miraculously be present at
many resorts, sometimes skiing, other times visiting with children
in the mountain villages. Vail and Telluride will have ice sculptures
on display adding to the fantasy land feel.
The magic of the mountains isn't just
for children, though. Imagine snuggling with your loved one under
a blanket in a horse-drawn sleigh or in front of a crackling
fire (chestnuts optional). This, of course, after a day of sliding
down powdery slopes and an evening of ice skating hand-in-hand.
Both ice skating and sleigh rides are
offered at Aspen, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Crested Butte,
Keystone, Powderhorn, Purgatory, Silver Creek, Snowmass, Steamboat,
Sunlight, Telluride, Vail and Winter Park. Copper Mountain and
Cuchara have sleigh rides but no ice skating.
The slopes will be aglow with torch-light
parades Dec. 23 at Beaver Creek and Snowmass, and Dec. 24 at
Crested Butte, Telluride, and Winter Park. Guests can join the
parade at Beaver Creek, while the spectacular event at Winter
Park has become a Front Range favorite.
Starting at 5:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve,
Santa and 60 helpers will ski down Winter Park's Lower Hughes
run carrying torches under a brilliant display of fireworks.
A fleet of Snowcats adorned with lights in formation will give
the illusion of a huge Christmas tree descending the mountain.
Spectators can sing carols and stay warm by the bonfire on the
Balcony House deck, and some might opt to end the evening with
a mountaintop sleigh ride dinner or a five-course meal at the
Lodge at Sunspot.
Holiday Happenings
Daily through Dec. 25, 1999
Holiday crafts and cookie decoration with visits from Santa Claus,
plus storytelling by the fire pit, hot cocoa and caroling starting
at 4:00 p.m., Crested Butte Marriott Resort, (800) 544-8448
Costumed characters (including Rudolph), tree trimming, children's
holiday crafts, cookie decorating, marshmallow roasting around
a bonfire, and Dickens caroling, Keystone, (800) 354-4386
Daily through Dec. 31, 1999
Sheridan Opera House's Holiday Concert Series, Telluride, (970)
728-6363
Dec. 23 - Jan. 2, 1999
Crested Butte Mountain Theatre's production of "The Santaland
Diaries," (970) 349-0366
Dec. 23-24
Santa Skis (and hands out candy) around Chairs 1, 4 and 10, Telluride
Dickens Carolers and visits with Santa on the Snowmass Village
Mall, (970) 923-2000
Santa visits the Beaver Creek ice rink 3:30 - 6:00 p.m., (970)
926-5855
Dec. 24-25, 1999
Santa skis the slopes of Purgatory
Dec. 24, 1999
Last-minute visit with Santa and his reindeer, followed by religious
service, carols, and refreshments, Silver Creek, (888) 283-7458
Aspen Ballet Company presents "The Nutcracker" at the
Wheeler Opera House, (970) 920-5770
Mr. and Mrs. Claus take gift requests, Steamboat, (970) 879-6111
Childrens Ice Skating Party with costumed characters, Keystone,
(800) 354-4386
Dec. 25, 1999
Fireworks over Vail Village, 7:30 p.m. (970) 949-1999
Santa hands out candy, Steamboat, (970) 879-6111
Dec. 26, 1999
Skating and Sledding Party, Crested Butte Nordic Center, 4-5
p.m., (800) 544-8448
Aspen Ballet Company presents "The Nutcracker" at the
Wheeler Opera House, (970) 920-5770
Dec. 26-27, 1999
Christmas carol performance by Elisabeth Von Trapp, Keystone,
(800) 354-4386
Dec. 27, 1999
Figure Skating Series at Beaver Creek, 6 - 6:30 p.m., (970) 926-5855
Dec. 28, 1999
"Brass Menagerie" with The Boulder Brass Quintet, Steamboat,
(970) 879-6111
Dec. 29, 1999
Street Beat Concert, Celeste Krenz, Vail Village 6:30 - 7:30
p.m. (970) 949-1999
4th Annual Madrigal Dinner, a 15th century British yuletide feast,
Keystone, (800) 354-4386
######
|
