Climb Every Mountain

It's been almost twenty years since Deckers Outdoor Corporation patented the three-part strapping system that elevated Tevas from just another sandal to the must-have sports sandal of the '90s. Since then, Tevas have branched into flip flops, sneakers, water shoes and more — including some cute women's styles more suited to drinking on a patio than wading in a creek. But the company hasn't forsaken its sweat-stained beginnings; just ask anyone who's ever seen or participated in the Teva Mountain Games in Vail.

The 2007 Games officially started yesterday with an amateur kayak freestyle qualifier, but the real fun begins today at 7:30 a.m. when registration opens for the Dowd Chute races. More of the day's highlights include raft and kayak paddlecross time trials, semi-finals and finals, plus an after party at the Saloon in Minturn. The Games continue through Sunday, June 3, with competitions focusing on climbing, cycling, trail running, fly fishing and even a brand new Diving Dog Challenge, where prizes are awarded to the dog with the longest jump. If competition isn't your bag, then entertain yourself with speed bouldering and freeriding demonstrations or sign up for the Teva X 1 Mud Fun Run.

And that's not the end of it. Mountain Games nightlife is a category unto itself, with such soirees as tomorrow's Mountain Games Flix and Pix night, which will feature Telluride Mountainfilm screenings as well as the Zest for Adventure photo competition; Friday night's Everest Awards and Mountain Ball, where attendees are encouraged to deck themselves in formal finery and comfy sportswear; and Saturday's Zest Mud Village — as messy as it sounds, but you can clean up in the nearby Zest Foam Tent. All this plus nightly parties at a variety of venues and concerts by Banyan, DJ Greyboy and Jay Nash. Go extreme at www.tevamountaingames.com.