Pretty Pretty Pics from Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Recently, I've had the unique opportunity to travel around the state in search of ski resorts!  Along the way, I've been lucky to stumble upon some really cool Colorado towns.  On my trip to Wolf Creek, I discovered some spectacular scenery, a wonderful change compared to the traffic of I-70.  

Not far from Wolf Creek Ski Resort, about four or five hours from Denver, I arrived in Pagosa Springs!  Known for their hot spring pools, I enjoyed putting my VIP pass to good use and soaking in the hottest waters I could find.  A stark contrast to the winter cold, the soothing mineral water was a real treat to my aching muscles.

Each with a unique name and temperature, one of my favorite pools was located across the lagoon--like a private 'castle of a hot tub' overlooking the property.  I also really enjoyed the ones on the cliff, that overlooked the river.  Great fun day or night!

While in Pagosa, I learned there are not one, not two, but three breweries in town!  Riff Raff Brewing Company, was a great spot to chow down on a lamb burger and enjoy a Cherry Pomegranite Ale.  It was also an easy spot to watch the sunset turn into a moon rise.  Beautiful!

Pagosa Springs is peppered with colorful art shops and spectacular scenery...and it's all easy on the eyes.  Just driving around town was a treat to be greeted with the incredible snow-capped San Juan Mountains behind.  But, don't be fooled, the shops have a somewhat casual schedule for open hours.

Next time you're in Southern Colorado, enjoy skiing at Wolf Creek and swing by Pagosa Springs for a great mix of mountain fun and relaxation.

Fierce and Familiar

Recognize this voice?  Wish I could take credit for the 21,000+ hits this video has on YouTube, but it's just my voice.  :P  Aren't the Fierce Five rad?  :)  USA!  USA!

Foodie Paradise

Hey Foodies, guess what time it is!  It's Denver Restaurant Week!  Over 300 restaurants are offering multi-course meals for just $30 bucks.  YUMMO!  Check out the promo video I made at the kick-off event at Cook Street Culinary School!  Mayor Michael Hancock slices open a bottle of champagne with a sword.  No biggie.  Just another day at the office!  Join in the fun and make your reservations now at www.denverrestaurantweek.com  :P

Bon Appetit!

Louie, Louie, Louie! Louie Vito on the Snow

Got the chance to work with pro snowboarder Louie Vito on this super steezy video series.  Think you got what it takes to throw down like Louie?  It takes a ton of work in the gym plus a the hours on snow, not to mention some killer discipline to eat right and keep your body in shape!  Check it out, shredders!  Behind the scenes with Louie Vito!

Qualified: Meet Louie Vito

Qualified: Louie Vito Workout Routine

Qualified: Louie Vito Nutrition

Qualified: Louie Vito On Snowboarding

Additional Edit:

Here's the final video posted after the Olympic Games, Spring of 2014

It's Cool to Be a Slacker: A Day Slacklining with Mickey Wilson

Check out my latest piece featuring pro slackliner Mickey Wilson!  Mickey takes us highlining in Clear Creek Canyon near Golden, Colorado, and shows us what it takes to put your life on the line.

Adventure for All

There's nothing like the feeling of stepping out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself to take on something new.  It's scary, it's intense and it's a rush.  But tackling adventure took on a whole new meaning after watching these brave women set their sights on what some would call the unthinkable.  Rather than spend their days spinning around town in a wheelchair, and they leapt out of their chairs to go zip lining, kayaking and horseback riding--what a thrill!  Camp Discovery invites women who are full time wheel chair users to spend the weekend in Colorado, connecting with others, and  pushing themselves to the limits, always to be rewarded with great success.  Watch:

Camp Discovery 2013

Holidays in Vail

Every year, I carve out a special time in my schedule to return to Vail to teach snowboarding.  There's nothing better than being outdoors, feeling the snow under foot, wind in my hair, and getting paid to tour the mountain with happy people on vacation!  I love meeting new people and teaching them some sweet snowboard skills to build confidence on the mountain.

 

The week between Christmas and New Years is one of the busiest times of year.  There's plenty of hustle and bustle in this ski town.  I always look forward to the New Years Eve festivities.  We always ski down the mountain with flaming road flares in our hands as part of the big holiday torchlight parade and fireworks show.  For me, that usually means one road flare, and one GoPro in hand.  :P

Take a peek at my Christmas present to myself!  Ready to roam the roads of Colorado this winter!  :) Vroom Vroom!

Ho Ho Holidays!

Every year, the holidays come and go...but this year was especially festive...

A new tradition in our household, we made lefse, and it was a full team effort!

You know what they say, just a little lefse, it'll go a long way...

This year, I had a couple friends in town for Thanksgiving--Jason and Niiki from Gone with the Wynns!  It was a fun reunion after our Best of the Road adventure. They came with a fully stocked kitchen inside their RV and made us some yummy homemade cinnamon swirl pancakes.  Mmm.

My dad took us on a hike at Roxborough, and we went on a little photo frenzy.

As usual, I made the yiftis.  And then I got to lick the bowl.  Fair trade.

After a big Thanksgiving dinner, we sat down for a game of Ticket to Ride, my new obsession.  My brother and dad were very serious with their strategy, and Jason and Nikki were great competitors.  It was like we warped back to the Best of the Road days!  Once again, they won.  Can you believe it!  :P

 

We had a FaceTime chat with my grandma in Minnesota and al our relatives...isn't technology neato! Just one of the many reasons to love your iPad.

Later that weekend, we took part in one of the silliest celebrations of the year--the Boulder SANTA CON!  My friend Duzer invited us up to Boulder for some shenanigans on Pearl Street--it was quite a sight!  Santas, santas everywhere! 

 I was the "present".  :P

Too fun!

Embracing the true holiday spirit, it was fun to spend time around home around the holidays.  I helped decorate the tree with ornaments we've acquired in a lifetime and I also helped make Christmas cookies!  Mmm.  I was lucky to spend the holidays with my family before heading up to the mountains for some winter fun.