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Colorado Snow Sculpture Competition Creates Outdoor Art Gallery

Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:39:00 +0000

Fifteen teams with artists from 11 countries will compete in the 22nd annual International Snow Sculpture Championships Jan. 24-28, 2012 in Breckenridge, Colo.

During the competition, each team creates an enormous work of art from 12-foot-tall, 20-ton blocks of machine-made Colorado snow. Artists achieve finished pieces after a total of 65 intense hours of work without the use of power tools, internal support structures or colorants.

Halloween Weekend Launches Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Season

Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:25:19 +0000

Ghosts and goblins along with plenty of trick-or-treats will be evident during the upcoming Halloween weekend, Oct. 29-30, 2011, as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) launches another recreation season at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA) in Southern California.

As visitors return from a summer off from dunes recreating, BLM officials are quick to emphasize key messages that ensure a safe visitor experience.

Grand Canyon Railway Now Accepting Reservations for Polar Express Trains, Updating Departure Times

Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 02:58:15 +0000

Grand Canyon Railway is now accepting reservations for its highly popular Polar Express train excursions to the "North Pole" to meet Santa Claus, the company said, and will be changing departure times to help ease congestion.

"We made these changes as a result of comments from our Polar Express guests in previous years," said Angela Berrigan, vice president of sales and marketing for the Grand Canyon Railway, located in Williams, Ariz. west of Flagstaff, Ariz. "Moving the times up and allowing an extra half hour in between runs will reduce congestion at the depot."

Colorado Resorts Offer Spring 2011 Promotions, Bargains For Skiers, Riders

Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 19:40:32 +0000

With spring quickly approaching, Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) resorts are preparing to welcome guests for skiing and riding by offering money saving deals and crowd pleasing events.

Spring skiers and riders can find bargains on lessons, lodging, concerts, and ski passes. Some resorts are even offering free skiing and 2-for-1 passes with resort reciprocation.

Explore Rocky Mountain National Park this Winter by Snowshoes or Skis

Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 23:34:02 +0000

For many visitors, winter is their favorite season to enjoy Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park. The park, just outside of Estes Park, Colo., is less visited but still very much open and alive with activity. Beautiful backcountry areas can be reached on snowshoes, skis, and at lower elevations - even with hiking boots!

Elk, coyotes, deer, snowshoe hares, and other wildlife remain active through the winter. Their story is told by the tracks left in the snow. For those visitors who are prepared, winter is an enchanting time to explore the park.

Colorado’s Winter Park-Fraser Valley Hosts Winter Park Snowfest, Jan. 21-23

Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 04:52:42 +0000

Winter Park-Fraser Valley, one of Colorado's popular resort areas, is readying "Snowfest," the theme for the resort's annual winter carnival, will be held on Jan. 21-23, 2011, at various locations throughout Winter Park and the Fraser Valley.

Hosted by the Winter Park-Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce, the festival features everything "snow" including a parade and fireworks.

Early November Storms Thrill Colorado Skiers, Resorts

Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 19:23:14 +0000

A winter-like furor from Mother Nature brought ski season full-force to the Colorado Rocky Mountains during the second week of November 2010.

Recent cold weather and snow in the capital city was a tell-tale sign of the large amounts of snowfall that has fallen at Colorado Resorts. As the storms engulf the mountains, they imposed a sense that ski-season has now begun in earnest.

Ski Lake Tahoe Resorts Gear Up for 2010-11 Winter Season: Part Two

Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 22:21:53 +0000

The seven Ski Lake Tahoe resorts head into the 2010-11 winter season with new resort improvements and guest amenities that will enhance the mountain experience and set the industry standard for the ultimate winter vacation.

In part one, we presented an overview of what visitors can expect from the Lake Tahoe area. Here in part two, we offer a brief overview of what's new for the 2010-11 season at the seven Ski Lake Tahoe resorts. They include Alpine Meadows, Heavenly Mountain Resort, Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe, Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort, Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort and Squaw Valley USA.

Colorado’s Loveland Ski Area ‘First in West’ to Open For Ski Season

Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 01:41:18 +0000

Colorado's Loveland Ski Area on Oct. 24 became the first resort in the West to open to the public for the 2010-11 ski season, welcoming skiers and snowboarders who were lined up and ready to go.

Neighboring resort Arapaho Basin quickly followed, opening Oct. 25 for the season.

Loveland and Arapahoe Basin's snowmaking teams worked tirelessly this fall in order to offer the quality ski experience to which skiers in Colorado have become accustomed, a spokesperson for the resorts said.

Ski Lake Tahoe Resorts Enhancing 2010-11 Guest Experience: Part One

Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 21:14:36 +0000

Following a season of near-record snowfall and skier visits, the seven Ski Lake Tahoe resorts head into the 2010-11 winter season with new resort improvements and guest amenities that will enhance the mountain experience and set the industry standard for the ultimate winter vacation.

Couple these accomplishments with new five-star caliber lodging properties, restaurants, one-of-a-kind attractions and the most affordable, quality ski vacations of any U.S. ski destination, and Lake Tahoe is the obvious choice for a truly memorable ski vacation.