The 2011-2012 ski season, my Colorado friends, is upon us!

Wolf Creek opened October 8th (almost a month ago!) on a glorious powder day from 44 inches of fresh snow in 4 days.  See an awesome video from opening day of three guys getting face shots all day above.  According to NOAA, Wolf Creek could get an additional 13-21 inches of powder tonight and tomorrow.  Though the ski area has been mostly open on weekends, starting tomorrow it will be open 7 days a week.  With fresh pow on the way and 1,100 skiable acres (95% of total Wolf Creek terrain), tomorrow and Sunday could be very Good days to ski at Wolf Creek.  Adult lift tickets are currently $54.

Arapahoe Basin opened shortly after Wolf Creek on October 13th, after being closed only 100 days.  Though terrain was and is still limited, A-Basin opened its upper mountain on Wednesday, enabling top-to-bottom skiing for the first time there this season on about 100 acres.  The closest ski area on the Epic Pass (and the one with the most skiable acres currently), head to A-Basin if you’re in the mood for nearby skiing and a party at the beach.

Loveland opened a day later, on October 14th.  Last year and the year before, Loveland was the first ski area in Colorado to open.  But this year, it opened third, which apparently led to a lackluster crowd on opening day.  Loveland currently has 93 skiable acres.  Adult lift tickets are currently $47.

Keystone and Copper both opened today with approximately 50 skiable acres each.  They don’t have much snow or terrain open, but if you’re on the Epic Pass and are betting on people flocking to A-Basin as the closest ski area with the most acreage open, you might consider checking out Keystone this weekend.  Both Keystone and Copper released opening day videos to get you pumped–see Keystone’s here and Copper’s here.

Breckenridge opens in a week, on 11-11-11.  This year is Breckenridge’s 50th anniversary, and to celebrate, Breck is offering 50 days of giveaways on its Facebook page.  To enter for a chance to win, “like” Breckenridge on Facebook and then tell them why you should win that day’s giveaway.  Today’s giveaway is a 4 person chair off the Beaver Run lift–literally, a chair will be taken off the lift and given to the winner.

Winter Park opens on November 16th.  I’m not big on the Rocky Mountain Super Pass, but the Rocky Mountain Super Pass+ could be a Good call if you’re looking to get out to Steamboat for 3-4 days this year.  The pass includes unlimited skiing at Copper/Winter Park/Mary Jane and 6 days at Steamboat.

Vail’s opening day is on November 18th, only two weeks away.  I’m hoping for a huge snowstorm like the one that came last year before Vail’s opening day to really start Vail’s season off with a “pow!”  I’m also looking forward to Vail’s Snow Daze this year–its free concert lineup is below:

• Thursday, December 8 – Guster
• Friday, December 9 – Jakob Dylan (of the Wallflowers) and his band
• Saturday, December 10 – Yukon Kornelius (Supergroup comprised of members of Dave Matthews Band, Guster, Barenaked Ladies, Spy Mob, and “special guests” to be announced)
• Sunday, December 11 – The Polish Ambassador

Beaver Creek’s opening day is November 23rd, the day before Thanksgiving.  If you have a sweet tooth, you might consider attending Beaver’s opening day, as not only will you get to ski a great mountain, but you will also be there for the World’s Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Competition.  “Five finalists have been selected from over 100 entries and will back and serve 1,999 cookies each on Nov. 23. Hungry skiers and riders vote and the top cookie recipe is chosen and designated as the official chocolate chip cookie recipe of Beaver Creek.”

Anything can happen with mountain weather, but Snowforecast.com is predicting snowfall for Colorado resorts at between 100-110% of average this ski season, and they believe January will produce snowfall at 130-160% of average.  Not too shabby!

Enjoy the skiing this year, get your Warren Miller tickets if you haven’t already, and see you on the slopes!

The Good Life Denver is written by David Schlichter.  Make sure you stay in the loop by liking The Good Life Denver on Facebook and following @thegoodlifeden on Twitter!

‘Tis the season of adventure films!  Last week the Reel Rock Film Tour made adrenaline scream through my body, Warren Miller’s “Like There’s No Tomorrow” will be in Denver in two weeks (have you gotten your tickets yet?), and what’s in between?  The 7th annual Boulder Adventure Film Festival, which is taking place today through Saturday (Nov. 3-5) at the Boulder Theater, REI, and Patagonia.

Originally founded by Boulder climber Johnny Copp, who was tragically killed in an avalanche in China two years ago along with fellow climber Micah Dash and filmmaker Wade Johnson, the festival’s theme this year is “Become What You Dream.”  It features more than 40 films selected from over 200 entries from 15 different countries.  There are several films at the festival that piqued my interest this year; here are three that look especially interesting:

Kadoma: “Legendary explorer Hendri Coetzee travelled through obscure parts of Africa by foot and by boat. Last year he guided two American kayakers, Ben Stookesberry and Chris Korbulic, from his home at the root of the Nile through Rwanda on a mission to paddle into the Congo. The Lukuga River, previously unnavigated, led them deep into the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where Hendri was tragically killed by an African crocodile, prolific on that river but sight unseen prior to his death. Kadoma takes us along for the final journey of an adventurer of the finest, highest caliber… and while the tragedy strikes deep, the inspiration does as well.”

Towers of Ennedi: “There exist the tales of veritable untouched, unexplored gardens of climbing around the world… and then there are the tales of getting there. A landscape devoid of much life – the dry, hot and sandy deserts of northeastern Chad – still has it’s beauty and mysteries to unveil, and that’s exactly what filmmaker Renan Ozturk, and his team (Mark Synnott, James Pearson and Alex Honnold) set of to discover. In to the heart of Africa across the Ennedi Desert, this is a film that celebrates the whole adventure – the roadless and bumpy journey, the wild and unclimbed beauty of desert towers, and everything in between. ”

The Pinnacle: “In one legendary week on Ben Nevis in 1960 Jimmy Marshall and Robin Smith climbed six first winter ascents in six consecutive days. Not to mention, they also made the first single-day winter ascent of Point Five Gully, went for a walk, had a beer and got arrested over a dominoes incident! (Yes, dominoes.) Exactly fifty years later, Dave MacLeod and Andy Turner pay tribute by setting out to repeat all the routes that Smith and Marshall first climbed in that famous week. This film tells the story of the original events, and follows MacLeod and Turner as they discover exactly what an achievement this was.”

A description of all of the films for the Boulder Adventure Film Festival can be found here, the festival trailer can be found here, and the festival schedule can be downloaded here.  Below is the trailer for Kadoma–enjoy the festival!

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Grab your camera and head to the mountains--it's time for the changing of the Aspens.

There are few more picturesque times of the year in Colorado than the early fall as the aspen leaves change colors.  Bold bursts of yellow and gold erupt amidst brown and green backdrops to create stunning, euphoric views.  But the moment doesn’t last long–after only a week or two the leaves are on the ground, the cold begins to set in, and snow is soon to follow.

For a Good Adventure, go see the aspens–soon!  According to 7News Chief Meteorologist Mike Nelson, that the best time to view them in northern Colorado is from September 20-September 30, in the Central mountains starting five days later, and in the southern mountains starting at the end of the month and going until the 10th of October.  Lots of people have their secret spots where they like to go to see the fall colors, but if you don’t know where to go, Mike has put together a list of 22 Good places to view the fall colors.  The Colorado Tourism Office also has a Good Aspen Viewing Guide, which is easy to use and also includes scenic and historic railroad lines.

In the words of Edward Abbey, “It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it’s still here. So get out there and hunt and fish and mess around with your friends, ramble out yonder and explore the forests, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air, sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, the lovely, mysterious, and awesome space…”

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Icelantic's new splitboard, the Gemini

If you’re looking to get Good locally-made skis this year, look no further than Icelantic Boards.

Locally-grown ski company Icelantic just launched its ’11/’12 ski lineup, the theme of which is “You are an Animal.” Each of the ski designs features different hand-drawn animal artwork from artist and Colorado native Travis Parr.  Now boasting 9 different board styles, Icelantic launched two new board styles in the ’11/’12 lineup: the Gemini and the Gypsy.

Until now, Icelantic has only made skis. This year, for the first time, Icelantic is making a splitboard called the Gemini, which is a snowboard that can be split in half and used with skins to make it easier for snowboarders to get into the backcountry (for a video on how a splitboard works, click here). Icelantic also added a new ski called the Gypsy, a nearly symmetrical powder ski perfect for those who “like to bounce down pillow lines.”

Icelantic has been growing rapidly every year, and recently it partnered with other snow sports, multimedia, and creative companies to occupy a shared space called Battery621.  Envisioned as a “gateway” to both Denver and the mountains, the office is located at 6th Ave. and Kalamath St. (where many people get on to 6th Ave. to head to the mountains) and building tenants embrace a spirit of collaboration.  The tenants also know how to have a Good time–see for yourself (and see the skis) tomorrow at Art Walk!

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The 2011 race, taking place this Sunday, utilizes essentially the same route (with a different start/stop location) and also offers a new 89-mile option.  Though, if you’re going to ride 89 miles of this course, you’re probably Good enough to finish the whole thing…

Similar to last year, the race features a post-ride party with free bbq, massages, and beer. There will be SAG wagons on-call throughout the race, and the course will be freshly swept (still, watch out for the possibility of broken glass and tacks on the road). Online registration is closed, but you can still register on race day in person.

Several folks have been looking for the updated course map.  Here it is, below (click to enlarge)!

2011 Deer Creek Challenge Course Map

For more information on the Deer Creek Challenge, click here.  Follow The Good Life Denver on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates!

Grant Landsbach getting air near the start of Trestle Bike Park

If you like getting air on your bike, you should definitely check out the new Trestle Bike Skills Course at Barnum North Park.  A partnership between Denver Parks and Recreation and Winter Park (home to the world renowned Trestle Bike Park), the new park has been three years in the making, and it finally opened this past Saturday.

Grant Landsbach, a resident of Arvada, was thrilled.  “I’ve been watching forever for this to open up,” he said, before flying down the course on his mountain bike again…and again.  It’s hard not to go through the course again and again; it is a rockin’ Good time.

Cameron Jaques enjoying the dirt jumps near the bottom of the course

The park starts with a series of three wooden features including a high wall, which people ride nearly sideways; a second wall, which can be ridden on its side or on its top; and a rolling ramp, off of which you can get plenty of air.  It then turns into lines of dirt jumps that range from small, to medium, to huge–and, if you’re skilled, you can transition between them.  Each line has about 5-6 jumps and they increase in difficulty from left to right.  Once you get to the bottom, you can head back to the top or take a break in the pump track, a small circular loop with rolling humps in which, if your technique is Good, you don’t need to pedal.

We’re lucky to live in a city that builds unique attractions like the Trestle Bike Skills Course, in spite of the risk a project like this entails.  We’re also lucky that this park is free and is open seven days a week from dawn until dusk.  Hopefully the City of Denver will continue develop unique attractions like this that will attract people from different backgrounds to our great city, celebrate our active and outdoor lifestyle, and enhance the life we live: The Good Life Denver.

The Trestle Bicycle Skills Course is located in Barnum North Park at 3144 W. 6th Ave., Denver, CO (the intersection of W. 6th Ave. and Knox Ct.).  Looking for a home for sale near the Trestle Bike Skills Course in Denver? Click here to search all available homes for sale near the course!

See below for a gallery of photos from the park:

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Denver County Fair (www.denvercountyfair.org)

Though it took us only 153 years to make it happen, the first-ever Denver County Fair starts today and runs through July 31st!

As with most county fairs, Denver’s will host competitions for blue ribbons, including some of the staples such as best cake and best sheep, and lots more of the less conventional: best celebrity look-alike plant, ugliest cat, best mustache/beard, best dog trick, etc. The fair will feature pavilions with live animals, handmade arts and crafts, green products, local products, and more.  And it will be full of entertainment, including music from bands such as Rocky Mountain Jewgrass and the fair’s headlining band DEVO, workshops, demonstrations, competition judging, games, a freak show, and even an “x-treme pancake breakfast.”

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids above age 5, and free for kids under age 5. The fair is being held at the National Western Complex (4655 Humboldt St.).  Hours are below.  For more information on the Denver County Fair, click here.

An EPIC bike ride will be taking place this Sunday, August 29, 2010.  Billed as “the toughest century ride in the United States,” the Deer Creek Challenge spans 106.11 miles and a whopping 12,751 feet of elevation gain.

The ride starts in Deer Creek Canyon by the Botanic Gardens Chatfield and over the course of the day takes riders up the canyon, through Conifer, Evergreen, and Kittredge, and ends with a glorious descent down the beautiful and aptly-named High Grade Rd. back through the canyon to the Botanic Gardens.  After the ride, cyclists will be treated to post-ride barbeque, free massages, and free beer.

The organizers seem to have done a great job of planning the race.  The course will be freshly swept; there will be eight aid stations featuring amenities ranging from the expected (water, fruit, GU Electrolyte Brew) to the awesome (PB/J, pizza, and homemade brownies); there will be limited traffic; and they are even offering on-demand SAG wagon support (just bring your cell phone).

If you don’t feel up to conquering the century ride, you can opt for the metric century (100km/62 miles) or the 33-mile course.  But, then again, can you really turn down the challenge of completing the toughest century ride in the United States?!

Online registration closes on Friday, but if you’re having trouble committing, you can still register at the event on ride day.

Smooth cruisin’!

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Deer Creek Challenge Map (Click to Enlarge)

A really Good curveball was thrown this way, and we couldn’t help taking a swing.  The Good news is that we got a base hit.  The other news is that, while we’re running the bases, we probably won’t be able to put up any new articles at least through May.

Thanks for your patience while we follow a dream.

TGLD

The Denver Post wrote an article in 2007 entitled, “Top 10 Things to do in Colorado Before You Die,” including must-do adventures such as climbing a 14er, visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park, and rafting the Arkansas river.  They updated it on Monday with 10 more activities, including hiking the Colorado Trail, attending the stock show, and visiting Garden of the Gods.

Westword’s Candace Horgan posted her “Stuff to do: Outdoors Resolutions 2010” which are a bit more aggressive and physically challenging, including alpine rock climbing, ski mountaineering, and climbing or skiing under only the light of a full moon.

What makes your list of Colorado must-dos?

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