Head for the hills! Whatever else you do this week, make sure to get some turns in on the slopes: Every ski area in Colorado just got a heaping of much-needed snow and there's more on the way. Do some research and pick your poison: We like the powder reports and snow forecasts at OpenSnow.com
Did somebody say powder? Silverton Mountain has more snow than any other ski area in the state -- more than 48 inches this week alone -- and they're also running a two-for-one heli drop special on Thursday and Sunday (usually $159 per run). We'd skip a day on either end of that trade show if we were in town for it: We gave Silverton's helicopter operation Best New Ski Terrain honors in our Best of Denver 2011 special issue after the ski area opened up 22,000 acres of new heli-accessible terrain.
Inspiration strikes! The Art of Winter exhibits around town are part of the Mile High Snow Fest and feature an installation of cardboard gondolas in the lobby of the Colorado Convention Center by Sam Mobley, the Colorado Filmmakers Project (look for outdoor LED screens in the Denver Theatre District), a Larimer Square exhibition of skis and snowboards as canvasses for more than two dozen local artists, and the Brand Gallery, showcasing the work of artists, designers, and craftsmen at homegrown ski and snowboard companies including Folsom Custom Skis, Grace Skis, Meier Skis, Liberty Skis, SkiLogik, Never Summer Industries, Oz Snowboards, Unity Snowboards, and Venture Snowboards.
Ice, ice, baby! If you prefer an even more literal interpretation of "The Art of Winter," don't miss the International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge now through February 4.
X marks the spot! You could watch the Winter X Games from the cozy comfort of your couch, but wouldn't you rather be making powder turns and terrain park laps, riding the lift at Buttermilk with all your favorite action sports heroes, and freezing your ass off to see the Superpipe action under the bright lights while you wave to mom and dad and hope they see you on ESPN? We'll see you there.And wait, there's more! Also ahead in this busy Week in Stoke...
- The 13th annual TransWorld Snowboarding Riders Poll Awards at the Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 Clarkson, on Friday at 7 p.m. ($13).
- Echo Mountain hosts its annual 3rd Rail Jam on Saturday; the all-day action gets underway just after 8:30 a.m.
- Copper Mountain hosts its second annual Snow Salutes yoga retreat for skiers and snowboarders on Saturday and Sunday ($175 for three classes and three meals, with discount lift ticket options available).
- And Beaver Creek's Food & Wine Weekend puts the polish on the resort's "Not exactly roughing it" motto.
