Colorado Mountain Living Spas Telluride: Colorado epic snow year Madeline Hotel Spa mountain life mountain spas Spirit of the Mountains Telluride treatments
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!
Mountain Living Skiing & Snowboarding The Southwest: affordable ski vacations Angel Fire family-friendly New Mexico shovel races ski resorts
by maribeth
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Angel Fire Resort: On Fire with Shovel Racing and Family Fun
Angel Fire Resort
What are you doing next weekend? Down in New Mexico they’re going to be having a helluva time at Angel Fire Resort. Young and old will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of an event that began with the lifties (lift operators) sliding down the hill on shovels at the end of their shifts; they’ll be holding their World Championship Shovel Races on Friday and Saturday, February 8th & 9th. And I bet there are plenty of folks doing warm up laps this weekend, even if it’s on a slope near their house, perhaps on the icy hills of the Midwest.
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.
Colorado Mountain Living Skiing & Snowboarding Telluride: Colorado private lessons ski instructing Ski Instructor Training special ski programs Telluride Telluride Ski Resort women's week
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.)
Discovery Map Shopping: alpenschatz alpinetreasures autographeditems champagne charmingonlineshopping chocolates collectibles discounts discoverymap freshsoapcompany giftsfortravelers henri'sreserve holidayshopping johnpetach mapart mapgifts notecards onlineshopping pettoys purrfectplay pushpintravelmaps roysteele ruth'stoffee soaps toffee
by maribeth
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Last-Minute Online Shopping for Holiday Season 2018
The Best Gifts for Your Fur Babies from Purrfect Play
Authentic Swiss Cowbells from Alpen Schatz
Fresh Soap Company Holiday Goods
Time to throw down the gauntlet on wrapping up your online shopping. This weekend is the deadline (OK, some say early next week) for placing orders for Christmas delivery. So let’s get ‘er done!
France Hotels & Lodging Restaurants: Anglet Basque Country Bidart Chateau de Brindos fine French dining Guéthary Les Frères Iabarboure
by maribeth
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Giving Thanks for Elegant French Meals
Feeling Beautiful in the French Basque Country
I’ve been very spoiled in my life. Not spoiled in general. But most definitely spoiled with fabulous meals. As a travel writer, one with an expertise in France, I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy some very fine dining. And each experience remains etched in my mind. Really.
Part theater, part culinary extravaganza, part voyage à deux, or among a few and yes, even all alone, dining out promises an all encompassing sensory journey, especially when it takes place in France.
Here I want to highlight two extraordinary meals in the Basque country of southwest France that I shared with my guy, Steve Togni, an Italian-born hotel general manager (in Telluride) who is–not surprisingly–blessed with a discerning palate. These dinners were all the more exceptional because they took place during a surf trip to the French Basque country. Well in truth, it was a vacation for both of us with a very strong emphasis on surfing for Steve. Typically during such trips, he’s to bed by 9pm because when it comes to surfing, he’s all business. His dinners usually consist of a plate of grilled fish, rice and beans and a couple of cold beers, particularly when he travels to countries such as Costa Rica and Nicaragua. But he told me he’d be up for nice dinners out and boy was I happy that he more than obliged.
Discovery Map Travel Trip Planning Writing & Books: Discovery Map Exciting Destinations Fun Reads Great Resource Helpful Information Travel Trip Planning writing
by maribeth
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Discovery Map and Me
Using My Discovery Map in Southampton
You may have noticed that I’ve been posting links to Discovery Map stories here at my blog for just over a year. Wait, don’t tell me you’re not familiar with Discovery Map? I bet many of you are–either through my blog posts–or having actually used one of these cheery, hand-drawn maps on your travels. If you’re not familiar with Discovery Map, I suggest you become acquainted with them. They have a presence–yes, in the form of super cute and handy foldout maps–in some 125 destinations across the U.S. and abroad.
Good news is that Discovery Map is actively developing their web presence. That’s where I come in. They are expanding their website in a variety of ways, including showcasing written descriptions about their destinations. There’s not much room for that on the actual maps but the sky’s the limit on their website.
Hotels & Lodging The Adirondacks: finding peace in nature Lake George lodging New York paddle sports Tea Island Resort The Adirondacks
by maribeth
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Finding Serenity at Tea Island Resort in Lake George
My New Favorite Place: Tea Island Resort
Teatime
As I wrote in A Cancer Journey of Heartbreak, Love, Resilience and Hope, these have been trying times. But there’s nothing like changing up your surroundings to gain a better outlook on a situation. Or even better, to forget about your problems–even for one brief shining moment–all together. I find this easiest to do in nature, in a spectacular setting such as the one that seizes all your senses, one amply provided at Lake George, New York in the Adirondacks.
Tea Island at Daybreak
Seeking solace at Lake George is not a new concept to me because for over forty years my family owned a house on this pristine body of water. There’s something very cleansing about her silky waters whether you’re swimming in them, floating on them or gazing at them from the shore; they sooth with a penetrating calm. Sitting on her shores listening to the water lap up onto a beach, a seawall or a dock is to me one of the most transcending sounds I know.
Tea Island Resort Morning View
Setting Up the Day
Ever since the family home was sold a couple of years ago, I’ve enjoyed experiencing this “Queen of American Lakes” from different vantage points. I love staying in hotels and have been delighted to find that there are many good ones on Lake George.
