Health & Fitness Mountain Living Telluride: cancer car breakdowns computer problems health hip replacements luck Mountain Living talismans Telluride the glass is half full
by maribeth
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Lucky 2020
Lucky Chairlift 100 Stopped on the Tower
I’ve been wanting to wish you happy new year for quite some time. If I had followed French rules, I could have done so up through the end of January and still would not have sounded odd, at least in France. So Bonne Année and Happy New Year!
It’s been a long time since I posted a story here. I could say that I’ve been dealing with a whole pile of unfortunate happenings. And I could also say, God, am I happy to be alive and to have lived so many joyful moments these past months. As much as possible, I’m trying to go with the latter. It takes a lot of reprogramming, even for an optimist like myself.
The year 2020 feels abundant with good luck; it just depends on how you look at it. First of all, 2 is my lucky number. I was born on the 22nd of August and anything with a “2” in it practically makes me feel giddy. Have you enjoyed writing, typing and saying 2020 so far? Don’t you feel that those round numbers are ripe with good fortune?
I started this post last week, when we were still in January. Then I thought I should wait until 02/02/20 to post it–how cool was that date? Especially exciting for someone that considers 2 to be their lucky number. Then I woke up last Sunday on 02/02/20 and felt off. I just didn’t feel very perky. As I write this, it’s 02/04/20, which is also pretty cool for me. I consider 4 to be my lucky number as well because 2 + 2 = 4. This story may or may not post on that date but I’m writing most of it on 02/04/20 and trying to conjure up the most amount of good juju that the universe will provide. So this propitious date counts for me.
I’ve been doing a lot of looking for signs and such lately, tapping into good vibes wherever I can find them. I’ve been hanging on to lots of shiny lucky pennies, counting to 7 (another lucky number for me) on some of my exercise repetitions, and on the mountain I’ve been making laser-sharp wishes every time the chairlift passes the jewelry tree. The brass ring of all good luck opportunities occurs when your chair stops on the tower, an event that might only happen once a season. I took the above picture at Christmastime when I was riding up with two sweet little girls that I had in private lessons for a week. We squealed with glee when we landed at this magical spot (of course I had clued them in on it). Best of all, the chair was stopped there for a good five minutes and it was chair #100, to boot! So I had plenty of time to run through a whole litany of wishes in my head. (Who said you can only have one wish?)
My biggest wish of all was that my brother, David, would be happy and well and win the cancer battle he has been fighting the past two years. My recent Caring Bridge posts, entitled All I Want for Christmas and Would You Rather, recount the latest chapters of that journey. In any event, it’s always a lucky day when you’re skiing or riding in Telluride, Colorado.
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by maribeth
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Taking a Break from Skiing at the Madeline Spa
The Glorious Pool at the Madeline
Boy, what a season it has been here in Telluride, Colorado! I’m sure you’ve heard of the record-breaking snowfalls we’ve had. The skiing and riding have been extraordinary. But with all the joy that came with so many powder days, the massive accumulations of snow also created a lot of hassles and unfortunately many sorrows. Daily drives to and from work in slick, whiteout conditions were numerous. (One day after the marshal helped me dig out my car, I careened into a snowbank down the road. Thankfully there’s always a capable mountain man with a big rig in these parts that shows up happy to help out at just the right moment.)
It was so cold and snowy that the Telluride School District closed twice, something that rarely happens even once a year in this rugged mountain town. And yes, the avalanches were plentiful. Their force barreled down in parts that hadn’t slid in years, leaving all kinds of destruction in their paths, creating road closures, evacuations of homes and businesses and sadly in Telluride, two deaths of locals. In a small community such as ours, you’re up close and personal to such events and each happening packs a wallop, a harsh reminder of the force of nature and the immortality of us all.
Indeed, it was a winter that most of us here in the West weathered with grit.
For me, it was additionally challenging because I had a body part that crapped out on me. That seems to happen to a lot of us ski instructors. So when I finally learned that the pain I was enduring was due to a worn out hip–bone-on-bone–no less–I heard firsthand from a seemingly endless stream of instructors, patrollers and just general mountain people about their tales of “replaced parts.” Yes, I’m in need of a hip replacement, something I’ll do this off season in order to be in shape for next ski season. Fortunately I have a surplus of friends and acquaintances that have assured me that “it’s no big deal.” Such is life in a mountain town.
A cortisone shot, Celebrex, CBD salve and a little extra wine have helped me through. But I have to say that it’s been tough keeping up with the physical therapy and soaks that I promised myself I’d make a part of my regular regime. Life has a way of getting away from you, especially during a banner ski year!
I did, however, have the luxury of experiencing The Spa at Madeline Hotel & Residences, an Auberge Resort, here in Telluride. And I swear that the half day spent there was like the equivalent of several PT sessions and Epsom Salts baths combined. It was so healing and restorative!
Colorado Mountain Living Skiing & Snowboarding Telluride The Rockies: Colorado Crested Butte great ski season PSIA Rocky Mountains ski instructor life ski towns Telluride Women's Weeks
by maribeth
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Keeping that Holiday Spirit Going
Still Festive at The Peaks Resort
Gondola Cuteness
Frosty Cold Telluride
I say pooh to the people that throw out their Christmas tree by New Year’s. I keep most of my decorations up throughout January. I put away the santas, elves and baby Jesus by mid January but most–including Christmas ornaments and stockings–remain up through the end of the month. And as for anything festive in red and green, I typically keep that up until the end of the ski season–or just before Easter depending on what comes first. That’s what they do in the Alps. That’s what they do in many mountain locales, Telluride included. Hey, when you have a snowy scene outside, twinkling lights and garlands add extra sparkle to many winter wonderland settings.
And boy have we had snow! After a stellar holiday season with primo ski conditions, the cold and the snow have just kept on coming. With over fifteen feet of the fluffy white stuff so far this year, the skiing in Telluride–in all of Colorado, in fact–has been fantastic. To say we have been well served by the snow gods, is an understatement.
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by maribeth
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Telluride is Tops
Applauding Our Ski School Training, Clapping for Telluride
Ski School Trainer John Balmain
Iconic Mt. Wilson
Well, we did it again. For the sixth time out of seven years, the readers of Condé Nast Traveler voted Telluride as the #1 ski resort in North America. Since Telluride has been lauded so much, this year Condé Nast Traveler even wrote a story about it at Why Telluride Keeps Being Named the Best Ski Town in the U.S.
A Great Day for Skiing
John and Me
For those that live here or have visited here, it comes as no surprise. Telluride Ski Resort has it all: great terrain, spectacular scenery, charm, friendliness, topnotch amenities, an historic town at one base and a modern village at another, a wonderful mix of sun and snow and I must shamelessly broadcast, one of the best ski schools in the country. (I’m starting my sixteenth season as a Telluride Ski & Snowboard School instructor and I’m delighted to be a part of this distinguished group of snowsports enthusiasts.)
Colorado Hotels & Lodging Mountain Living Music & Dance Restaurants Telluride: dining DJ Posh Josh Donavan Daily's Speakeasy Jazz Quartet Durango Funk Allstars Joint Point lodging Mountain Lodge music New Sheridan nightlife parties Ray Farnsworth Steve Togni Telluride The Gold Kings The Parlor The Phoenix Bean The View Bar & Grill
by maribeth
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Happening Telluride Hotels
Party Scene at Mountain Lodge Telluride
Whoa, it’s been one heck of a summer season in Telluride with fun times that animated our beloved historic town as well as Telluride Mountain Village.
Whether it’s a festival in Telluride Town Park or a get together with friends in a more dialed down setting, music often ranks as an integral part of the scene in our beautiful mountain town.
Some of the best times may be found at two of Telluride’s top hotels: the New Sheridan and Mountain Lodge. And it’s thanks to two guys–two hotel general managers (GMs)–in particular that you can enjoy an authentic night out even if you’re here during the height of the season. Ray Farnsworth has stood steady at the helm of the New Sheridan Hotel and the Chop House Restaurant & Bar for over twenty years, an eternity in the hospitality industry where GMs typically change it up every 2.5 years. Steve Togni, the #1 at Mountain Lodge Telluride, has been in charge for fourteen. Both locals, through and true, they’ve created happening scenes with a strong local’s vibe by lining up entertainment and organizing events practically year-round at their gorgeous properties. (And that’s in addition to offering great food and drink to their hotel guests, visitors and locals at their restaurants and bars.)
Electric Luau at Mountain Lodge
The Gold Kings at The Phoenix Bean at the New Sheridan
The Back Courtyard: A Nice Place to Gather at The Phoenix Bean
Mountain Lodge has held a number of big parties that have become the talk of the town during shoulder season. OK, let’s just say they know how to put on a bash. They’ve featured Joint Point, a jammy rock-and-roll band and a T-ride favorite, numerous times at their Electric Luau parties, typically held in June and September. “The Electric Luau was initially created as a simple thank you to visitors and locals alike for a great summer season at the Mountain Lodge,” says Steve. “It was such a success and we enjoyed doing it so much that it became a twice annual event. Joint Point was the obvious choice as they have evolved into a top local act over the years. Since the inception of these events, we’ve broadened the scope of having “fun” and talented bands to include others, such as the Durango Funk Allstars who will be firing up the Disco Party this weekend.”
Colorado Hotels & Lodging Mountain Living Music & Dance Restaurants Spas Travel Vail: Colorado pools Django Festival All-Stars Four Seasons Vail Hotel Talisa Hotel Talisa Spa music scene Telluride Telluride Blues & Brews Telluride Jazz Festival Vail Vail Chophouse Vail dining Vail Jazz Vail lodging Vail summer fun
by maribeth
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Vail Getaway
Poolside Lunch at the Four Seasons in Vail
Phew! It’s been a busy six weeks filled with all kinds of travels for a variety of reasons.
I spent the first two weeks of July in Denver–sword-drawn–helping my brother battle cancer. (More on that at a later date.) On both ends of the trip, I sampled Colorado Greyhound service for the first time. (It’s much like I’ve found it to be on the East Coast: colorful and crammed on certain trips, sparsely populated and cruise-y on others, all punctuated by sketchy wifi throughout.) Still, I feel that it often beats driving the approximate seven hours between Telluride and Denver. I wish train service was better along this route but that’s likely a dream for years to come. Shuttle service between these two destinations is sadly nonexistent as well.
Lots of People Traveling with Pets These Days
The first week of August I arrived back in Telluride from a whirlwind three-and-a-half-day trip to the East Coast to drop off my seventeen-year-old-cat Clara for an extended stay with my eighty-five-year-old mother–double phew! (Had my travels not been canceled due to weather on the outbound, it actually would have been a two-and-a-half-day trip.) Clara is a great traveler although it could all have ended poorly this time because she nudged her way out of the zippered closure of her carrier beneath the seat in front of me while mommy was catnapping.
“Excuse me, miss. Is this your cat?” a kind-faced young man asked as he hovered over me in the aisle, cradling Clara in his arms. “She made her way to the back of the plane.” Fortunately the other passengers chuckled and I refrained from having a heart attack.
A Disgruntled Clara on Her Layover
I’ll was in T-ride less than a week before I headed back to upstate New York with her brother, Leo, another old kitty, a fluffy miniature lion-like orange tabby as his name indicates. Don’t ask–but know that only one pet per passenger is allowed in the cabin. Thankfully we’re all adaptable travelers. If only they could rack up frequent flier mileage, too!
TSA Hold Up with Leo’s Suspicious-Looking Kitty Litter
Leo: Old and Grumpy yet Very Happy to Be at Grandma’s
In the middle of all this movin’ and shakin’, I delighted in three lovely days in Vail, Colorado with my boyfriend, Steve. Ahhhh, yes, aside from the usual email checking, note taking and social media posting, it felt like a vacation, a much-needed one because as you can perhaps gather from the above, it has been a hectic year.
Cheers to Getaways
We often have a summer getaway in Vail, largely because he has business meetings that take him there–he’s a hotel GM–and I tag along and do my travel writer thing and steal some quality time with him. As residents of Telluride, we regularly enjoy the many benefits of living in a beautiful mountain town, but as we all know, it’s different when you go someplace else, especially when you stay in a luxury hotel where neither of us has to get bogged down with daily household chores or catering to our four cats. (Yes, we each have two and together we formed the Brady Bunch cat family.)
Hotel Talisa Vail
This time we enjoyed our stay at the newly renovated Hotel Talisa (formerly Vail Cascade) within a smooth, style-y decor that made us feel oh-so pampered. The staff makes lots of efforts with the service as well, something that as a demanding hotel GM and travel writer, we inevitably test to the max. (Hint: Always ask for a room change if you’re not quite happy with the one you’re given upon check in and don’t be afraid to suggest some kind of compensation–some sort of a gesture–if there’s a goof up during your stay.)
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by maribeth
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Discovery Map Is Coming to Telluride
Me with Peter Hans and Laura Potter from Discovery Map
I love being a travel writer and sometimes I really love being a travel writer. As much as I like to write, the sitting on my butt part (whether in a desk chair or on my couch) can be rough. (Yes, I do stand sometimes but I don’t have a stand up desk per se.)
So often the travel writing part I like the most is the research phase. That aspect of my job is even better when it involves lots of good connecting with people, great skiing and memorable food. Such was the case this winter when Discovery Map International came to Telluride to carry out an important phase of their map-making process. Yes, they came to Telluride because as of next fall, there will be a Telluride Discovery Map added to their community of over 150 maps within the United States and beyond.
Loving Raclette with Laura and My Boyfriend Steve
I’m happy to be involved in writing web content for this dynamic company. Read Fun Times in Map Making, a Map Geek story I wrote for them, to find out more of the back story that goes into the Discovery Map process and most especially how it all went down in Telluride.
Brian Lewis of Discovery Map Telluride
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by maribeth
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So Much Heart
David, Joanna, Dennis and Me at UC Health Denver in Early March
One of the best parts about being sick is seeing how much it brings people together. Amid all the pain and suffering, there is so much love. And, of course, love promotes healing.
I have been living this since early January when my brother, David, was diagnosed with Stage 4 laryngeal cancer. (I’ll post more on this at a later date.)
This story, however, is mostly about my friend and fellow ski instructor, Dennis Huis. Dennis is the lucky recipient of a new heart and although he has a long way to go in terms of healing, he’s already doing so much better.
I saw Dennis, one of Telluride Ski Resort’s top instructors, in December and I could tell right away he was not well. Next thing I knew I learned that he was in Denver awaiting a heart transplant! Wow–you can bet that created a lot of buzz in the locker room. I found out about this about the same time that I began to help my brother sort out his diagnosis and treatment.
