Share the Love. Mrs. Claus got in on the action at Loveland over the holiday weekend and managed to find some untracked pow, proof that the truth is out there. She just might be back next Thursday for the Outdoor Divas Demo Day on January 5, looking to fill in any remaining gaps in her holiday wishlist.
The calm before the Kidtopia. In this serene shot from Keystone, our man Kris Kringle enjoys a quiet moment between the holidays and the official start of Kidtopia, which begins today and runs through January 3. I went up last week with my own kids, (ages 7 and 9) for a Kidtopia preview and we can personally vouch for the fortitude of the Kidtopia snow fort, the dizziness of the Disco Tubing, and the all-around awesomeness of all the family-friendly events and activities happening this week.
Why do those sleigh bells sound like a chopper? Word has it Santa ditched his usual ride for a whirl in the whirlybird at Silverton Mountain over the weekend, seeking out a suitably steep slope for this shot, our favorite photo of the holiday season. If you've been looking for a good excuse to make the drive out to Silverton, try this on for size: So far this season the ski area has more than twice as much snow as any of the others on this list. Treat yourself to one of those helicopter drops while you're at it: They start at $159 per run or $999 for a full day of drops, but we recommend the $320 Heli-Accessed Ski Touring option, which gets you two drops and sets you loose for additional human-powered runs in a basin full of snow.
For insider tips from the rest of Colorado's ski areas, don't miss "The Edge," Westword's Winter Activity Guide.