Best of the Boat 2012 ski instructor Nancy Barrows Gray grew up in Steamboat. For 41 years she has been giving expert advice and encouragement to everyone from first timers to powder junkies.

The youngest of four, Nancy was raised with three very competitive brothers, one of whom (Moose) was on the 1968 Olympic ski team. A ski racer herself, Nancy turned from competing to teaching, a move her clients are so thankful for. Oozing with kindness and fun, she is one of Steamboat’s all time treasures.

For our friends at Condos in Steamboat, Nancy sat down for 5 minutes (a rare occurance for such a busy gal), to share a little of what she loves so much about being here.

1. Who are you mostly teaching?

Most of my clients are repeats who come year after year from all over. I do teach the women’s seminars twice a year (a 3 day program), plus Women’s Wednesdays (7.45am until noon).

2. What advice would you give someone wanting to ski for the first time?

Give it more than one day, take a lesson and learn to let your skis go downhill. Also wear layers, so many people think they need to wear a tonne of clothing as the temperatures are colder, but a beginner uses so much energy and gets hot quick.

3. What is the craziest thing you have seen or heard on the mountain?

It has to be how many men and women I see trying to teach their spouse to ski – 90% ends up in an argument.

4. What is your favorite run?

Hot Cakes – it makes me giggle.

5. What do you like most about what you do for a living?

Building relationships – many of my best friends are people I’ve skied with.

6. What do you like doing here in your free time?

I love being at home as I don’t get much time to myself. When the snow melts off, Nancy can be found hiking and biking.

7. When you have guests in town what kind of things do you like to do with them?

Always Fish Creek Falls and the downtown hot springs. (Nancy is the swim lesson co-ordinator there). In summer Devils Causeway and Trappeurs Lake.

8. What is your favorite Steamboat tradition?

Winter Carnival for sure. Nancy and her daughter Jessica are the only two past carnival queens to be mother and daughter. (1970 and 2000).

9. Where do you take vacations?

Anywhere we can find a beach, mostly the outer banks in North Carolina. We also love Zion National Park.

10. How has the town changed in your lifetime?

Aside from the physical changes in the town, which have evolved over time, I would say nothing has changed. The attitudes have remained the same. People are here because they want to be here.

Last night the oldest winter carnival in the west kicked off for the 100th successive year in Steamboat Springs. What began, as a welcome break to a long Colorado winter is now the town’s most cherished event.

To mark the centenary look skyward after the opening ceremony as 100 Asian lanterns will soar above Howelson Hill. Each lantern will carry a handwritten message sharing fond memories, or future wishes of our townspeople.

This will be the calm before the storm. By Thursday an action packed weekend of events from the sublime to the ridiculous with ensue. Cross-country obstacle races and ski jumping will open the batting.  A Soda Pop Slalom, tubing party, dual slalom bike race and snowboarding jam session will follow.

Over the weekend Steamboat Springs Main Street will be transformed into a racetrack for Stetson clad cowboys pulling kids on sleds. The High School Marching band will toot through town on skis. Competitors will give it their best shot with an international muzzle loading biathlon and the Diamond Hitch Parade will bring things to a close.

As night falls on Saturday, the biggest winter extravaganza will take place. Our youngest skiers will open with a torch light parade followed by the one of a kind Lighted Man. Kitted out with a sled of explosives and a fully illuminated suit, our town’s most fearless man on skis will carve his way down Howelson Hill to the cheers of those below. Ski patrollers will jump through rings of fire before the sky is ablaze with fireworks.

Making even the non-participating locals and visitors feel part of the carnival, will be the spontaneous flash mob dancing planned for the first time this year. Two local Moms plus owner of Elevation Dance Studio, Renee Fleisher, have masterminded a dance routine to “Good Time” by Owl City that will play four times during the carnival. There’s still time to master your own moves by checking the flash mob demo out.    Flash Mob Dance – Steamboat Winter Carnival

History will be made this weekend, together with new memories to soar high one day, like those written in the lanterns.

$10 for carnival badges available through SSWSC (Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club). Insider tip for Condos in Steamboat friends – according to our local Olympic champ Todd Lodwick, take a piece of cardboard along for viewing on the snow – stops you from getting so cold!!

Like most tourist stops there is always a core of locals passionate about their hometown, keen to make a visitors stay memorable for all the right reasons. One such individual here in Steamboat is Over the Hill Gang head guide Bill Belisle. Originally from Michigan, Bill and his wife Lucelia decided to retire to the Valley where they had spent many happy family ski vacations. Over the years the couple have enjoyed membership to Over The Hill Gang, (OTHG). Originally set up in the early 1980’s by a group of over 50’s who wanted to ski together, the gang now comprises of over 425 members and activities are wide ranging. From biking trips to snowshoeing tours the OTHG is a great way to be active and meet a lot of different people.

After years of guiding with the gang during ski season, Bill took up his post as the head guide last winter. We sat down to chat about what makes skiing and guiding special here in Steamboat.

1. How long have you been skiing and where did you learn? 

I started skiing when I was 19 at a little place near Pontiac called Mount Holley. Mostly I learned to ski in Taos N.M., but in reality I learned to ski right here after I quit work.

2. How long have you been skiing In Steamboat?

We started to come to Steamboat in the late sixties and would rotate trips to various western resorts. These trips were always the family vacation. Kids loved it because sometimes they got out of school if we could not coordinate with winter break. We finally settled on Steamboat and Taos as our favorite places in the west.

3. How did you get involved with Over the Hill Gang?

We moved to Steamboat in 2000 and were busy finishing our house. Lucelia found out about the OTHG and we decided to join, as it seemed like a good way to meet people. At our first dinner we met a couple that turned out to be our best friends.

4. How many times a week can visitors ski with a guide?

The guides ski six days a week Sunday thru Friday from 9am to 3pm. There are no limitations as to how many times you can ski with the gang.

5. What is your favorite run on the mountain?

I have several places where I like to ski but overall my favorite run is Twister, there are great trees next to it and the multiple pitches keep the run interesting.

6. Best view on the mountain??

I really do not have a favorite view but I am always looking to see Hans Peak. If I were to try and choose a favorite view it would be the view of pleasant valley from the turn in Broadway.

7. Where would you stop to warm up on the mountain?

I always like to stop in the four points hut. I hope the mountain can enlarge the hut and keep the simple aura with the hut projects.

8. Where is your favorite après ski stop and what do you like to order?

My favorite stop is on Tuesday when the OTHG has their happy hour at the Ptarmigan Inn. I will nearly always order a beer. Next in line would be the T-Bar and a beer would be the beverage of choice.

9. Craziest/ silliest question you have been asked while guiding?

Probably the craziest question I have been asked is how to get to the Sundown chair lift. The question came while the asker was looking at a Copper Mountain trail map. (for those who don’t know this, Copper is a ski area between Steamboat and Denver)

10. Off the mountain what do you like doing in town with visitors?

I always like going to Strawberry Park Hot Springs, and we always try to take guests there. After that a nice dinner at Sweet Peas is always enjoyable.

For more information on Over the Hill Gang check out: http://yampavalley.info/centers/recreation/organizations/over_the_hill_gang

When five time Nordic Combined Olympian and Steamboat local Todd Lodwick takes his son and daughter for a day in the snow, he has one thing in mind…..having fun.

Taking time out from his arduous training and travel schedule Todd sat down to share his secrets for keeping little folks smiling in the snow.

1. Above all else – encourage the fun factor. Todd delves into his mischievous imagination to keep his own kids, 6-year-old Charley and 4-year-old Finn laughing. A big tumble on the mountain was nothing but the fault of the snow snake that got in their way. It’s not what hurts, but how big was the snake!

2. When you’re out there with your kids – just be with them; don’t try to be the coach. They don’t need lectures, that’s what instructors are for.

3. Prepare before heading out by layering up – right down to a t-shirt, lets face it little ones get hot as quickly as they get cold.

4. Gloves, mitts, they are all the same, they don’t stay on little hands for long. Avoid frozen paws by using wrist bands for keeping mitts secure. (I’ve since discovered duct tape does the job too!).

5. For those extra cold days in the snow, hand warmers work wonders for older kiddoes.

6. Keep the blood sugar up with healthy snacks – Todd’s own favorite is Steamboats’ Honey Stinger gummies.

7. Be safe and wear a helmet – that goes for grown ups too.

8. Avoid burnout and have a day off. Steamboat has a tonne of fun things to do off the mountain. For little Lodwick’s that day might comprise of snowman building at a local park then a soak in the hot springs.

9. Try something different; a ski vacation doesn’t have to rely on alpine. Head over to Howelson Hill and get airborne – jumping is easier than it looks. (Guess I am going to trust him on that one).

10. Stay positive – a good attitude is everything.

As one of four boys growing up in Steamboat, it was all about having fun and giving everything your best shot. “”To me, life is about pouring your heart and soul into something, giving it all you’ve got, and then seeing what heights you can jump to.”  www.toddlodwick.pro

Story by Suzi Mitchell.

Christmas is upon us and not everyone can sit back knowing their beautifully wrapped parcels are sitting under the tree. We are all guilty of it, including me, for leaving things until the last minute. Luckily finding the perfect, and sometimes unusual gift in Steamboat is not difficult. Here to help those of us who need a little inspiration is a Letterman style suggestion of 10 uniquely local offerings.

10. Alpaca wool from Snow Diamond Alpacas. Raised here in the Valley, the soft alpaca yarn finds it’s way around the country all year long. Every now and then this family farm opens it’s door for tours – keep an eye out if you’re in town, it’s well worth the trip.

9. Honey Stinger – the ideal stocking filler for the family athlete, never again will fading energy be a problem. Doubles as a great kids snack for keeping little skiers happy on the hill.

8. Rachel’s BBQ sauce mix it up weekly with Habanera Peach to Raspberry Chipotle – Rachel’s is also my “winner of the guaranteed longest line at every Steamboat craft/ arts fair throughout the year”.

7. Little Moon Essentials – who couldn’t resist bathing in a potion named “tired old ass”?

6. A custom made BAP jacket sewn together in the little red house on Oak Street.

5. Routt County Woollens, if it can be made from wool, they’ve likely got it covered. Everything from an oven mitt to a blanket.

4. Steamboat Soap Company – bring a little of the wild best to your tub – combine western art with luxury soap and you’ll have a Rusty Spur or Ride the Rodeo by the faucet. Caution: the packaging is so gorgeous your recipient may not want to open it.

3. Chef Dean Martin’s Asian BBQ sauce – grilling will never be the same again, think the pacific rim meets Texas.

2. Daniela’s Toffee and Chocolates – hand crafted by Swiss native Daniela in her downtown store, The Homesteader, these sumptuous goodies are shipped monthly to Leno’s green room in LA for the rich and famous to enjoy.

1. Smartwool socks – so tried and tested even our very own 5 time Olympian Todd Lodwick makes it his go to gift.

See it’s not too late; there is something there for everyone, so find your inner Santa and get shopping!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY NEW YEAR & CHEERS TO EVERYONE.

You’ve been planning, saving, counting down the days to the long awaited family ski vacation and one thing’s for sure…..you don’t want to get sick. Air travel, higher elevations, intense sun, and those poor muscles that are about to be worked to the max, it’s no surprise many travellers succumb to illness.

Here to give advice on ways to avoid the most common problems visitors to Steamboat encounter is local personality and much respected Pediatrician Dr Steven Ross from Sleeping Bear Pediatrics, (Best of the Boat 2011).

1.Travelling to Steamboat either by air or car often causes ears to become blocked, and for little ones, they can be hard to clear. Are there tips on how to avoid that happening, and help adapt to the altitude?

The use of nasal saline drops aids the middle ear to properly balance the altitude pressures changes when your family climbs up to 35,000 feet and later descends to the ground. Careful hydration is helpful. Should a child have a cold, the use of Advil, saline nose drops, hot tea or soups, would be a big help. Although it is heartbreaking to acknowledge another help, often allowing an infant to have a good cry will compensate for sinus and middle ear inflammation and congestion that accompany a common cold.

2. What signs should parents look for if they suspect kids are getting altitude sickness?

Children and infants initially become irritable and tired when they experience high altitude sickness. Headaches grow in intensity. Often children are increasingly sensitive to loud noises and light. Altitude Sickness was described years ago in the New England Journal of Medicine editorial as a condition above 7500 feet in which our brains and lungs experience inflammation and swelling. One remedy often uses is to transport the child to a lower altitude (down the mountain). Providing frequent hydration of water, juices, or Pedialyte is helpful in preventing altitude sickness; in addition small frequent snacks of whole grain snacks and fruit are helpful.

3. Keeping blood sugar levels up is important for everyone out on the mountain. What do you recommend keeping on hand especially for little ones to snack on?

Complex carbohydrates such as whole grain crackers and chips will provide a steady blood sugar, while your child is burning up additional calories playing in a snowy environment. Again, frequent hydration is important.

4. After a fun day of skiing, snowshoeing, tubing or snowboarding, do you have advice for achy muscles and general soreness?

Massages, warm compresses, hot showers, and Ibuprofen products are helpful for aching legs and sore muscles.

5. What are some of the most common problems you have dealt with over past winters for visiting families?

Common problems for winter visitors which we see in our pediatric office are the common winter virus related illnesses seen throughout the United States and Europe. Colds, Influenza illnesses, and RSV are only a few of the dozens of winter illnesses. Getting an annual Influenza vaccine for children older than 6 months is recommended by the CDC and your own Children’s Hospital. Not only do we protect our child and our own family members, but also often vacationers bring a friend or two on a vacation holiday. We often see a large family gathering during our ski season, where one set of parents bring desperately ill and contagious children with influenza infections, which turns a ski vacation into a packed ski condo nightmare for a family. Washing hands is a must when traveling through a busy airport. See a pediatrician early if your child develops a serious cough.

6. Over the many years of treating visiting patients here in the Valley, what are typical reasons that could have avoided problems?

Forgetting to sleep enough and forgetting a ski helmet.

7. In one sentence what is a Dr Ross mantra for “your best chance at a fun day in the snow for a little one”

“Plenty of sleep, hydration, sunglasses, sun block, and mittens are the remedies for happy snow kittens” -unpublished verse by William Shakespeare.

8. Lastly…..what would be in your medical supplies packing list for a mom coming to town?

Advil, iPhone, sun block, and the phone number for Sleeping Bear Pediatrics 970 879 2327

It’s that time of year again when all of us get a little reminder to be thankful for the blessings in our lives. Spending your everyday life in a setting as beautiful and fun as Steamboat, a reminder is not always necessary. People often ask what’s it is actually like living here in the Valley. With Thanksgiving in mind, I asked several local business personalities what makes living and working here so special. Here’s what they had to say…..

“I’m thankful to call Steamboat home because it provides natural inspiration and is so conducive to creativity. It’s the perfect setting to do our craft”. Architect, Brandt Van Der Bosch – owner of Vertical Arts (quirky fact – Vertical Arts designed the hugely creative bus stops dotted throughout down town).

“I’m thankful for the greatest group of friends in a community that supports dance, kids, and a healthy lifestyle” Ex-cheerleader Renee Fleisher, Elevation Dance Studio offering a menagerie of fun classes from jazz to zumba.

“For me, it’s the environment…clean air, water, sunny winter days and cool, dry summer days. But above all else, it’s the water because, in fact, we are all ranchers, and our crop is water: lots of snow means great skiing, but also great tubing, fishing, wildflowers, food for the elk, drinking water for us, and healthy forests. We live in a near-desert environment, and the gift of water blesses us in every way socially, economically, and physically”. Norbert Turek – Elk River Realty.

“I am thankful for the sense of community, that I actually know and like the people who live in my town”. Kelly Landers owner of Creekside Café – home to the best breakfast and lunches in the Valley, at least that’s my opinion!

“Happy kids, great friends and a happy town” – Eric Dorris owner of Space Station Gas (quirky fact – known for his abstract sculptures as much as he is for pumping gas).

Next time your visiting, step off the mountain and spend some of that precious vacation time downtown. Wander the streets, visit our churches, take a class or two and you’re sure to feel the warmth and charm that makes Steamboat a place to be thankful for.

by Suzi Mitchell.  (Steamboat Mom, Wife, Friend & Writer).

The 2012/13 season is a year of milestones for Steamboat. Gazing out the window as the snow falls on November 10th, maybe it will be a year of records too?

We certainly will have lots to celebrate. Fifty years ago on January 12, the Mt Werner ski area officially opened taking in just over $13 on the first day with a temperature of –25 degrees F. Fast forward half a century, winter sports fans have 2,965 acres of terrain to explore and an uphill lift capacity of 41,465 folks per hour. Not bad for an old time ranching town! To commemorate how far we’ve come, a spectacular ice castle will be dominating the base area providing a magical backdrop to this years’ party atmosphere. During the month of January a smorgasbord of events awaits, from fireworks and free concerts to the Bud Light Cowboy Downhill grand finale. With its turquoise glow, turrets and throne, the ice castle will remain until April (weather permitting), making the perfect backdrop for a souvenir snap or two.

The mountain is not the only local star with a birthday. Director of skiing and Olympic Silver Medallist Billy Kidd will be 70 on April 13. A legend in the Valley, it is sure to be a day of additional fun on the hill. Steamboat’s unique winter sports club boasts 79 Olympians to date. With so many top class athletes in town, it is not hard to source some expert tips on the mountain. Keep an eye out for clinics and classes run by some of the nations champions through www.steamboat.com

Across town, one hundred years ago in February the first winter carnival was held. Created to alleviate cabin fever during the long Colorado winter, Steamboat’s much loved tradition was voted in National Geographic’s top 10 winter carnivals in the world. Not bad for a population of 12,356 folk. From February 6 –10 2013, Howelson Hill will come alive with fireworks, competitions and a lighted man led torchlight parade. Main street, Lincoln Avenue will play host to contests and parades from crazy to the ridiculous including Soda Pop Slaloms and the High School Band on skis.

It’s not just skiers who are celebrating this winter. Our incredible Strings in the Mountains Music festival is 25 years old. From contemporary to classic, over 70 concerts take place a year in the newly built strings “tent”. If you’re joining us for Christmas, then take a peek on www.stringsmusicfestival.com and pick up tickets for Michael Kaeshammer or Peter and the Wolf Puppet production.

As 2013 continues we will have even more to celebrate, but for now keep an eye on that snowfall and make sure to pack your party hat for this years Steamboat vacation.

until the Mountain officially opens we are going to run a few other numbers by you, while we wait. So to start us off 10 facts and stats you might like to know about Steamboat’s ski area…….

1963 – on January 12, the ski area was officially opened

165 trails to explore for the novice to the expert.

3,000 skiable acres of cruisers, meadows, trees, bowls and terrain parks.

6,900 ft – ski area base elevation

3 miles and counting – Why Not?- Steamboat’s longest ski run

331 inches is the average snowfall

59 frost-free days (so true we even have a book to prove it, 59 days, 39 degrees F at 6,770 Feet – Meeting the Challenge of Gardening in the Yampa Valley).

19,668 pillows to lay your head are available within the valley.

3 miles between the ski area shopping zone and downtown, a free bus service joins the two.

79 Olympians with links to Steamboat – there are several around to lend a hand each winter on the mountain between guiding and clinics, so keep you eyes open and you might just snag a couple great tips.