Hotels & Lodging Restaurants The Rockies: Hotels & Lodging Restaurants The Rockies
by maribeth
Comments Off on The Penrose Room: Colorado’s Pièce de Résistance
The Penrose Room: Colorado’s Pièce de Résistance
Penrose Sculpture
To me, any connection between France and Colorado captures my attention tenfold. I’m passionate about both and you can tell from reading this blog that the gallic land and the Rocky Mountain state often serve as points of reference in my stories. I love the contrasts in the striking natural and manmade beauty between the two and I especially delight in showing that rich cultural and gastronomic offerings can be enjoyed both in the Old World and in the rugged corners of the American West. When the two come together, it’s truly magnifique!
The Broadmoor
A fine example of a perfect marriage of French savoir faire and American tradition may currently be experienced at the Penrose Room, the premiere restaurant of The Broadmoor, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. For over ninety years this Grande Dame of the Rockies has distinguished itself as one of the finest resorts in the world and just this past year its top restaurant achieved five-star, five-diamond status. The Penrose Room now enjoys the distinction of the only Forbes Travel Guide (formerly Mobile Travel Guide) five-star restaurant in Colorado. Now that’s what I call putting Colorado on the map, at least in terms of food and wine. Only about twenty restaurants claim this standing in the U.S. including Charlie Trotter’s, Le Bernardin and The Inn at Little Washington, to name a few.
It should come as no surprise that the man behind this success is French, another great talent from across the pond that has learned how to respond to an increasingly discerning American diner and the demands that go with a big job at a big resort. Zee man is Bertrand Bouquin, Executive Chef of Penrose Room as well as Summit, another one of The Broadmoor’s fine restaurants.
Chef Bertrand Bouquin at Home in Colorado
I first met Bertrand a few years ago and was instantly impressed with his enthusiasm and dynamisme, an energy that he clearly brings to the dining experience at the Penrose Room where tradition and innovation reign supreme. Tableside service for the preparation of such classics as Caesar salad, Dover sole, cherries jubilee and other beloved dishes is still carried out with great elegance and skill. But you’ll also delight in an inventive cuisine that often showcases fine regional products accented with favorite French flavors. I was thrilled, for example, with my Tenderloin of Colorado Lamb, a rouleaux of succulent meat enhanced with wonderful saveurs of Provence. My hunny Steve, with whom I was lucky enough to share such a memorable feast, regaled in a Fresh Water Striped Bass with Morels.
From amuse bouche to the vanilla tuile that accompanied our dessert, we were utterly enchanted by our evening here. For me, experiencing a restaurant of this caliber is always part gastronomic adventure, part Broadway show. Yes, the entertainment value of such a memorable meal counts a lot, even—or should I say, especially—when the service is totally unobtrusive as is the case at the Penrose Room. I remember every detail from the little pillow propped up behind my back from the moment I sat down to the china being expeditiously removed from the heavy, gold damask tablecloth after the completion of each course. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits as I looked around the room. Truly ebullient. And how could you not? A jazz trio and vocalist kept the mood light and bubbly, just enough so that you couldn’t possibly take this temple of haute cuisine too seriously.
Steve and I held off until that delightful pause between main course and dessert before approaching the large dance floor that clearly has brought so much joy to peoples’ lives in this midnight blue dining room over the years. Once unleashed, however, we were thrilled to swing and sway beneath the immense crystal chandelier to the tunes of Norah Jones, Eric Clapton and Van Morrison before regaining our place at our table. Truly a scene from a movie, I thought. And it wasn’t an old, fuddy-duddy one either. From the pictures of the Penrose Room I saw ahead of time, I was fearful of the ambiance being a little too stiff and formal for our taste. Yet that was truly not the case.
Perfectly Penrose
I may be biased but I couldn’t help thinking that much of the attraction of this renowned restaurant could be attributed to a distinctive French flair. A certain panache, perhaps that same special something that pushed the Penrose Room into such an elite five-star group. I thought this as I witnessed the sun setting over the magnificent peaks of the Rocky Mountains way out beyond the dramatic decor of this grand dining room. Yes, of course, there’s an undeniable Colorado flavor as well.
Go to Wining and Dining in the Rockies to read more about Chef Bertrand Bouquin.
Food & Wine Hotels & Lodging Mountain Living Restaurants Shopping Spas The Rockies: Food & Wine Hotels & Lodging Mountain Living Restaurants Shopping Spas The Rockies
by maribeth
Comments Off on Our Ouray
Our Ouray
Two (Unknown) Lovers Hot Tubbing It in Ouray
Named for the chief of the Ute Indians, the little town of Ouray (pronounced your-ay) has become one of my favorite getaway destinations in the Rocky Mountains. One might argue that this is because it’s only an hour’s drive from Telluride, but its appeal extends far beyond its proximity to my place of residence. And I’ve hardly partaken in the two activities most associated with Ouray: ice climbing and jeeping.
I’m drawn to Ouray for its striking natural beauty and the delightful mix of Rocky mountain charm and elegance that most of the town’s establishments exude. It’s not unheard of to spot a couple of five-pointed bucks crossing Main Street in the middle of the afternoon. Here the mountains plummet into this National Historic District claiming the unpaved backstreets as its foothills, the main street as its valley floor. The views are so striking in this boxed canyon that Ouray is often referred to as The Little Switzerland of America, a moniker that you can hardly dispute as you gaze up to the jagged peaks that almost entirely encircle this old mining town where tourism is now king.
My boyfriend, Steve, and I have made it a tradition of sorts to spend a short weekend here at the onset of summer, two years in a row that we’ve both been beguiled by the authentic character of this old mountain town. No fast foods and not a single stoplight either. Instead Ouray claims bragging rights to a quaint collection of B & Bs and down-home lodges, a jumble of fun shops and restaurants, world-renowned hot springs and a gorgeous hotel that is itself worth the trip.
The Bodacious Beaumont
O.K., by now you know I love luxury hotels. Well, I’ve found my bliss at the beautiful Beaumont Hotel & Spa. Even if you just stop by for a drink on the patio, this hotel is a must in Ouray, a must-see in the Rockies. The Beaumont is a destination hotel that’s worth going out of your way to experience. And yes it is likely you’ll have to negotiate your schedule and maybe even some scary mountain roads to find your way to this remote part of Colorado. But do go. Once here you’ll experience the full glory of the golden days of mining when grand hotels were erected in remote little towns in order to properly receive the high rolling businessmen of the day. Built in 1886 during Ouray’s heyday, the Beaumont reopened in 2003 after having undergone a five million-dollar renovation lovingly carried out by Dan and Mary King. The hotel emerged from a near state of ruin as every detail—from its grand staircase to its flourish of ornate wallpapers—was restored, or exactly replicated, to its original Victorian splendor. In the hotel’s Tundra Restaurant you’ll be greatly impressed by the beauty of the dining room as well as the food and wine offerings. (The owner, Dan King, was a former wine merchant.) Dining in this dimly lighted, dark wood paneled space beneath high ceilings makes me feel as though I’ve landed in an old Scottish castle.
Yes, I do love the Old World and also anything Old World-ish in America as long as its exceedingly well done. Bulow’s Bistro, also in the Beaumont, is one such example. Its tiled floor, wrought iron accents, café tables and blackboard writings make me feel as though I’ve just landed in a French bistrot. Here, too, you can expect a remarkable choice of wines. It’s so reassuring to know that my French fix is only an hour away.
Outdoor activities reign supreme in Ouray but in truth, I’ve always just spent my time strolling around town, poking into shops and checking out a few of the natural spectacular attractions such as waterfalls, the hot springs, and the peaks, known as The Amphitheater, that encircle town.
The Utes were drawn to healing sources for both therapeutic and spiritual reasons, so it comes as no surprise that these springs were greatly revered by this tribe of native Americans. Descendants of Chief Ouray, the leader of the Utes, still frequent the original source where these springs flow from the base of the mountain into the Vapor Cave of The Wiesbaden, a lodge where a bathhouse once operated as early as 1879. Here Steve and I most like to loll in the Lorelei, a private outdoor soaking pool that assures you relaxation, rejuvenation and a near-sacred moment shared with your sweetie in steamy waters. Best to reserve in advance.
One of Several Private Tubs at the Box Canyon Lodge
From here, I recommend going back to your room, especially if it’s one of the spacious condo-types we once experienced at Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs. Or just flop into a seat at the Main Street Theater to watch the multi-media presentation San Juan Odyssey. (O.K., maybe you could head out for a libation or a bite to eat as well.) Narrated by C.W. McCall (of “Convoy” fame) with music by Aaron Copeland and The London Symphony Orchestra, this panoramic presentation takes you into the rugged peaks, the gentle valleys and the high mountain passes of the San Juan Mountains. You traverse some of the most spectacular terrain of the United States during this thirty-five minute show, embracing nature in all its gentleness and cruelty—from blooming wildflowers to charging avalanches—that so mark this part of the Rockies.
“If it’s there, you’ve got to climb it,” seems to be the motto of visitors and residents alike of this uncompromising land for the past century and a half. Whether you’re hiking, on a horse or jeeping, people tackle these awe-inspiring peaks with fierce determination and drive. I was grateful that the San Juan Odyssey transported me to some of the most reputed sites of the region: Yankee Boy Basin, Imogene and Engineer Pass, Mt. Abrams, all places I hope to venture to some day in person. But in the meantime, I’m perfectly content to experience them from the comfort of my theater seat after a relaxing soak.
Not surprisingly, the presentation—and perhaps the whole town—had the opposite effect on Steve. Our usual one-hour drive home turned into a four-hour expedition as Steve pulled off onto Last Dollar Road at the top of Dallas Divide. We rumbled past the broken down farm which appears in the opening scene of “True Grit” and forged forward onto the less-trammeled part of this old dirt road. Jostled and shaken in his beat-up Jeep, Steve and I felt like two rancheros out on the trail as “San Antonio Rose” blared from the CD player. I made sure Steve kept his eyes on the road but we both still marveled at magnificent mountain views from elevations as high as 10,000 feet.
We stopped just long enough to take pictures before approaching our descent into another heavenly mountain town, our beautiful Telluride. Now let’s be clear about the renowned back roads—most old mining roads—of the San Juans. We weren’t on Black Bear Road, the infamous course which begins at the summit of Red Mountain (just outside Ouray), passes by Bridal Veil Falls (the highest waterfall in Colorado), ending just beyond in Telluride. Thank goodness it wasn’t this one-way road where more than one traveler has met his demise. It was plenty challenging for me, however, just enough to give me a taste of the amazing high country exploration available in this part of the Rockies.
We vowed to go back and do more four wheeling along the area’s famous alpine loop in the fall. Fortunately I feel confident that such an excursion will include stops at my favorite watering holes and rest stops in Ouray, mostly because Steve’s grown attached to them as well. It’s nice to have more than one magical mountain town to call your own.
Beaumont Hotel & Spa, 505 Main Street, 888-447-3255 and 970-325-7000, 970-325-7050 (Bulow’s Bistro), 970-325-7040 (Tundra Restaurant), BeaumontHotel.com
The Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa and Lodgings, Corner of 6th Avenue & 5th Street, 970-325-4347, WiesbadenHotSprings.com
Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs, 45 Third Avenue, 800-327-5080 or 970-325-4981, BoxCanyonOuray.com
San Juan Odyssey, 630 Main Street, 970-325-4940; best to call for show times.
Other Ouray Favorites
Ouray Hot Springs Pool, 970-325-7073
Mouse’s Chocolates & Coffee, 520 Main Street, 970-325-7285, MousesChocolates.com
Rockin P Ranch, 512 Main Street, 970-325-0434, RockinPRanch.com
Buckskin Booksellers, 505 Main Street, 970-325-4044, BuckskinBooksellers.com; open 365 days a year!
Best to check opening days and hours with most Ouray establishments since business is very seasonal.
Fun and Funky Shopping in Ouray
Art & Culture French Life French Provinces Hotels & Lodging Paris Podcasts: Art & Culture French Life French Provinces Hotels & Lodging Paris Podcasts
by maribeth
Comments Off on Oh Château Life!
Oh Château Life!
A Perfect French Summer Scene: Colza Fields Blanketing the Château de la Motte d'Usseau Landscape
If you’ve caught any coverage of the Tour de France, you’ve seen some glorious shots of the French countryside dotted with fairy tale-looking castles and elegant manor houses. Families still live in most of these impressive dwellings, many of whom have lived there for centuries. And even better, some of these families of long lineage open up their stately residences to visitors on a nightly or even weekly basis. (Yes, you can easily rent your own château in France for your destination wedding, family reunion or other exciting event.)
Château du Fraisse, A Grand Property Near Limoges
But how do you go about connecting with these people, some of whom may be just familiarizing themselves with the Internet? Enter Diane Ohanian, French château expert par excellence. Diane created au Château some ten years ago, a company and e-newsletter that dials Americans into château life in France. In my Travel Fun interview with Diane (and through her au Château Web site and newsletter), I’ve found her to be an incredible resource on French châteaux and on French life in general. As an ardent Francophile for more than two decades, Diane has made it her mission to suss out some of the most glorious and welcoming abodes in the gallic land. Indeed au Château is a great English-language resource for travelers looking to stay in historic places.
Room with a View at Château Sallandrouze and Many Other Châteaux
Click on the play button below to hear what Diane has to say about château life in France, French hosts and what she appreciates most about life in France. Hint: it has nothing to do with traffic jams and fast food.
Three châteaux have been featured in the above images including Château de la Motte d’Usseau, Château du Fraisse and Château Sallandrouze. (For Château Sallandrouze, please check with Diane directly at inquiry@au-chateau.com for this property’s availability.) Note that au Château boasts nearly eighty members on their site, so you have a variety of experiences to chose from in every corner of France.
Diane (on the left) with One of Her Hosts
Diane on the French as Hosts
“They’re excellent hosts, warm and friendly. The nobility is nice, too. Not at all condescending. I hope it’s not a disappointment when they (travelers) find out that they (the noble families) are like everyone else.”
Book Pick
“The Paris Neighborhood Cookbook: Danyel Couet’s Guide to the City’s Ethnic Cuisines,” by Danyel Couet and David Loftus
Listen to what Diane has to say about this book in the above interview.
Art & Culture Food & Wine Hotels & Lodging Telluride The Rockies Travel: Art & Culture Food & Wine Hotels & Lodging Telluride The Rockies Travel
by maribeth
Comments Off on Come to Colorado for Cowboys and Way More
Come to Colorado for Cowboys and Way More
T-ride's Town Park: the Quintessential Summer Festival Setting
Summer has popped here in Colorado propelling the season into a solid start. I wrote over a month ago in a previous post about how I attended two major tourism industry events last fall: one for France, one for Colorado. The mood at both gatherings was one of cautious optimism, although I’m sure the French nervosité about their tourism outlook was partly masked by the generous amounts of wine served throughout their program. It seems as though travel to these two fabulous destinations is shaping up nicely, perhaps even better than the travel industry experts might have hoped last fall.
I had a chance to schmooze with many of the movers and shakers from the Colorado travel world at the annual conference of the Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association (CHLA) last November which took place at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, our Rocky Mountain state’s premiere property. As with French Affairs ’09, I only attended the social events of this meeting, get-togethers—both casual and high-brow (yes, even in Colorado)—that allowed many opportunities for networking and idea sharing among some of the top hoteliers in the state. I had just returned from the French travel industry event in New York City, so my desire to draw comparisons was sharper than ever. (If you’ve read this blog some, you know that France and Colorado are often my two frames of references, odd as that may seem!) Resulting verdict: the Coloradans’ professionalism—along with the food and wine they serve at their travel industry events—rivals the level of excellence associated with French hospitality.
Better yet, the notion of friendly service seemed to be emphasized even more at the CHLA event. Perhaps that was largely due to the fact that Karyn Ruth White, motivational comedian/author, kicked off the conference with a stand up routine, entitled Laughing in the Face of Stress for Service Professionals. She delivered a very funny, very real look at the pressures, demands and frustrations that come with working in the customer service field. Karyn Ruth emphasizes the importance of “humortunities,” opportunities for injecting humor into stressful and unpleasant situations. We shuffled off to the Wild, Wild West reception, chuckling about the often craziness of travel and how we—as both travelers and travel professionals—would fare better if we approached certain happenings and encounters with more levity.
I think I’ll try some of Karyn Ruth’s recommendations on the French next time I travel to Paris or the provinces. There must be a clever way of laughing off “Ce n’est pas possible, madame.” Listen to the podcast of an interview I did with Karyn Ruth for lots of laughs.
Here in Telluride, we’re in full festival mode. Like most of the other Rocky Mountain towns, festivals dominate our summer scene. But in T-ride, we’re king of the festivals, many of which have been taking place for well over three decades. The Telluride Bluegrass Festival drew near record-breaking numbers last weekend, ringing in the beginning of summer with four days of extraordinary music, good fun and irrepressible sunshine. This weekend it’s Telluride Wine Festival’s turn, then the Plein Air Festivals in Telluride and Aspen are up. And the happy beat goes on—as throughout most of Colorado—all the way until the end of September.
No wonder so many people come here to vacation in the summer. And you might have thought we’re just all about cowboys, hikers and hippies. Thankfully we have them, too, but we also have a culture and sophistication that rivals most European destinations.
This is actually a good part of the reason I live here.
Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association, ColoradoLodging.com; contact them to receive your complimentary copy of the Summer Vacation Planner.
Thank you to Merrick Chase, from Telluride Photography, for the photos that accompany this story. You can purchase images of Colorado and more from Merrick’s site, TelluridePhotography.net.
A Sultry Summer Scene in Colorado
Being Green Hotels & Lodging Mountain Living Podcasts Restaurants Spas The Rockies Travel: Being Green Hotels & Lodging Mountain Living Podcasts Restaurants Spas The Rockies Travel
by maribeth
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Sleek and Sustainable: Two Stellar Colorado Properties
Style-y Dining at Eight K at the Viceroy Snowmass
What does it mean to stay in a green hotel? In the case of The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa at the base of Beaver Creek Mountain and the Viceroy Snowmass, it means stepping into a swanky world where sustainable luxury reigns supreme. I stayed at these two stunning resorts this past off-season and was highly impressed by their look and commitment to preserving the environment.
While on the premises I observed a certain amount of sustainable practices on my own, but I yearned to find out more. I posed the question “What makes a hotel green?” to Jeffery Burrel, Director of Operations of The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, and to Jeff David, General Manager of the Viceroy Snowmass, in a recent Travel Fun interview and was interested to hear about what goes into the development and operations of a sustainable property. And I bet you will, too. Here’s a short list of the environmentally-conscious building strategies and operational practices implemented in these and most other LEED-certified properties:
-Many of the building materials are sourced locally. Expect lots of rich stonework and other natural elements.
-Some of the building materials come from post consumer/industrial recycled content. The roof of The Westin Riverfront, for example, is made of recycled automobile tires.
-Lots of glass, made up of high-performance windows, assure sweeping views.
-Low and non-emitting paints, adhesives and carpets are utilized throughout to ensure healthy indoor air quality.
-Much of the resort’s electricity comes from renewable sources.
-Low-flow fixtures help to conserve water.
-High efficiency appliances are used in the kitchens.
-Housekeeping products tend to be non-toxic and non-allergenic.
In addition to the above, each resort implements a variety of other green-oriented practices. At The Westin Riverfront I particularly appreciated the recycling bins in the kitchen and their huge emphasis on fitness. “We have more health and wellness space than banquet space,” says Jeffery Burrell. Indeed I was totally won over by their outdoor saline lap pool which to me, is better than swimming in the ocean. (There’s no black line in the ocean. And if you’re a serious swimmer, you want the black line.) You can bet, too, that their saline natatorium is far better for your health and wellness than swimming in most chlorine-saturated pools.
The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa
At the Viceroy Snowmass, I noticed that the kitchen appliances were unplugged on a daily basis, a smart practice that I’ve since adopted at home. This was also the first hotel where I found 16-ounce bottles of amenities in the bathroom. What a great idea! (See below for more of my thoughts on hotel amenities.)
Don’t for a moment think that cutting-edge and down-to-earth are mutually exclusive in either of these resorts. At both The Westin Riverfront and the Viceroy Snowmass, I was especially impressed by their friendly and efficient service. I also liked their many little touches such as the aluminum water bottle presented to you upon arrival at the Viceroy and the employee name tags stating each person’s passion at The Westin. Both of these features—especially the name tags—provide nice opportunities to engage warmly with the hotel staff.
And best of all, each of these resorts boast outstanding spas and restaurants that you can enjoy even if you’re not a guest of the hotel. In fact both the Restaurant Avondale at The Westin Riverfront and Eight K Restaurant at the Viceroy Snowmass are immensely popular with the locals. As for their spas, zen and nature have never come together in such a sensuous manner in both of these healing spaces.
Podcast (bonjourcolorado): Play in new window | Download
Colorado Hotels & Lodging Podcasts Restaurants Telluride: Colorado Hotels & Lodging Podcasts Restaurants Telluride
by maribeth
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New Sheridan Hotel: Telluride’s Historic Gem
The New Sheridan Forever Backdropped by Our Majestic Peaks
Most towns and cities boast at least one landmark hotel that embodies the spirit of that destination. Think of Claridge’s in London, Le Meurice in Paris, The Drake in Chicago and in Colorado, The Brown Palace in Denver, Hotel Jerome in Aspen, well you get the picture. Here in Telluride, we’re blessed with the New Sheridan Hotel, a most historic property whose orgins date back to 1891, the beginning of the boom time in mining for this Rocky Mountain town.
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Beauty Hotels & Lodging Pot Pourri Restaurants Spas Telluride Travel: Bargains Beauty Hotels & Lodging Pot Pourri Restaurants Rockies Spas Telluride Travel
by maribeth
Comments Off on Great Deals for Public Radio: Winter 2010
Great Deals for Public Radio: Winter 2010
It’s winter fundraising at KOTO, one of the few entirely community-supported radio stations in the country. It has been six years that I have been doing my Travel Fun talk show on KOTO, a program that has allowed me to deepen my ties with Telluride and to forge travel connections with a variety of people and places all over the world. I’m thrilled to be a part of such a family!
As in recent fundraising campaigns, I’ve obtained some very exciting premiums that you can win in exchange for a pledge to KOTO. Fellow D.J. Chuck Burr has helped me with these efforts and together we have pulled together a show that will surely tantalize your trip planning ponderings. Tune in today at 6:20 p.m. mountain time to this special live program at KOTO.org. Here’s a preview of what we’re offering:
Ashland, Oregon Package
Chuck lives most of the time in this lovely northwestern destination. He’ll be talking about Ashland’s allure and why its stunning scenery and charming town are worth checking out. This package includes a two-night stay at Ashland’s Black Swan Inn, a soak for two at Chozu Bath and Tea Gardens and two tickets to the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival, one of the oldest and largest professional nonprofit theaters in the country. The value of this package is $420.; it can be yours for a pledge in the amount of $250.
Telluride Temptations
Rustic Elegance/$200. pledge: Two nights in a one-bedroom condo at the handsome Mountain Lodge in Telluride. Approximate value: $500.-750.
Valentine’s Day Treatment/$100. pledge: Delight in an organic Belgian chocolate and Kona coffee scrub, followed by a luxurious massage with organic dark chocolate body butter, valued at $189., at The Himmel Spa at The Fairmont Heritage Place Franz Klammer Lodge. That sounds like ninety minutes of yum, yum to me. Read about my take on this charming spa here.
Exciting Dining Experience/$75. pledge: Receive a $100. gift certificate to the new Palmyra restaurant at The Peaks Resort & Spa.
Perfect Turns/$75. pledge: Join an adult group lesson, valued at $130., at Telluride’s most awesome Ski & Snowboard School.
Magnificent Massage/$75. pledge: A ninety-minute massage, valued at $150., with Darren Miller, from Rolling Relaxation Massage, to be provided at Mountain Lodge Telluride. You may contact Darren at 970-369-5193, 303-257-6070 and rollingrelaxation@hotmail.com. Read more about this expert healer here.
Rosa Lea and Jackson from Salon 7
Lady’s Locks/$35. pledge: A woman’s haircut, valued at $50., by Rosa Lea at Salon 7, my favorite stylist in town. You can reach Rosa Lea at 970-708-1266 and rosalea_davis@hotmail.com. I also wrote about her here.
Peaks Pampering/$30. pledge: Receive a Spa Access Day Pass to The Peaks Spa. Four passes have been donated. Approximate value: $45. each. Read more about The Peaks Spa here.
Voulez-Vous/$30. pledge: A one-hour French lesson, valued at $50., avec moi! Go to my About page to learn more about me.
Gorgeous Guy/$20. pledge: A man’s haircut, valued at $30., by Rosa Lea at Salon 7. (See contact info. above.)
Some Original Ideas
Your Own Tour Guide/$30. pledge: As the author of four books on France, I know a fair amount about Paris and the provinces. This pledge, valued at $50., will grant you a one-hour travel consultation with me on Paris and/or the French provinces.
Blah-Blah Blog/$100. pledge: You, your product or service (or maybe all three) get to star in one of my many postings at BonjourColorado.com. Approximate Value: Priceless. Let me spin you and/or your goods into a fun story!
Please note that certain restrictions may apply. All pledges will be taken on a first-come basis.
Call the studio (970-728-4333) as of 6:25 p.m. mountain time today to make a pledge for any of the above offers. You may also write me a note on my Contact Page.
Thank you to the above individuals and establishments for your geneous donations. I encourage my readers to support these fine businesses. Thanks to all for showing your love for Telluride’s unique public radio station!
French Life Hotels & Lodging Mountain Living Restaurants Shopping Skiing & Snowboarding Telluride: French Life Hotels & Lodging Mountain Living Restaurants Shopping Skiing & Snowboarding Telluride
by maribeth
Comments Off on Snowboardcross World Cup: Telluride Goes International
Snowboardcross World Cup: Telluride Goes International
Catching Air During the World Cup in Telluride
It was quite the scene here last weekend. Actually the excitement grew over a two-week period which culminated with the Snowboardcross World Cup Finals at the Telluride Ski Resort last Sunday. It was the first World Cup event to take place here and it certainly won’t be the last. Aside from sailing over the course on the chairlift one afternoon early on, I didn’t see any of the events. But I did breathe in the international flavor at a number of venues around town. There’s nothing like that foreign flair and best of all, I learned that our international visitors were totally enchanted by everything Telluride has to offer.
Our stunning mountain resort does welcome a certain amount of foreign visitors during the winter and summer seasons but for this World Cup snowboard event, they camein throngs in the form of athletes, coaches, press, fans and more. My first introduction to their descent onto to T-ride came early last week when my hunny, Steve, and I dined at The Peaks. Here their Great Room was loaded with young and fit athletes, clearly having a good time laughing, singing and drinking (although not too much beer swilling we remarked). It was a glorious fashion parade since most were still wearing their team jackets and hats—yes, indoors as is the case at most après ski gatherings. Brands such as Fila and Colmar reigned supreme, with “the wet look” in jackets turning heads the most. Steve and I agreed that the Italians won the prize for the best turned out team of them all.
The official kick off party of the World Cup came a couple of nights later at The Peaks, recently re-opened under new management as a Grand Heritage Resort & Spa. Half the town of Telluride showed up for that bash which turned out to be the “it” party of the season.
Still, I felt like I was missing out on something since I wasn’t able to attend any of the competitions. So when I heard that the French team was staying right across the ski run from me at Mountain Lodge (which Steve also happens to manage), I wrangled a chat with some of the leading snowboard dudes just before they headed out for their race on Sunday. My biggest dilemma was what to wear. Suddenly my ski clothing seemed old and tired compared to what these world-class competitors were donning on and off the slopes. Fortunately I had picked up a new Eisbaer ski hat at Alpen Schatz, a Telluride boutique and online emporium of alpine treasures. (Visit my Shopping Page to find out about the special discount you can receive from Alpen Schatz). Eisbaer is the official hat of the Austrian ski team from what I observed at this World Cup event, the must-have accessory off the slopes. (Everyone, of course, wears helmets while competing.) My friend Mary Dawn, owner of Alpen Schatz, reassured me that I would be tops in this, especially since it’s such a hard-to-find item outside of Europe.
Eisbaer Hats: All the Rage
The guys met me in jeans and T-shirts and seemed totally unimpressed with my hat. (Wouldn’t you know? Although I did run into some other athletes at the lodge that were also wearing Eisbaer and I could have sworn they gave me a nod.) I was disappointed to learn that the French team did not have a particular sponsor that outfitted them à la Yves Saint Laurent when he dressed the Air France flight attendants. “On est standard, rien d’éxtravagant,” they informed me practically in unison. Yet I did learn that their achievements—including numerous World Cup and Olympic victories—were nothing less than extraordinary.
We enjoyed chatting in French celebrating Franco-American relations for a brief moment within the cozy confines of Mountain Lodge. I learned that they all thought Telluride was magnificent, “une très belle station,” and that the course was superb. As for Mountain Village, they found it to have a very European feel with its big old stones, more modern renditions of traditional ski lodges and concentrated configuration of buildings in the village core. The town of Telluride was praised for its “esprit Far West” and they spoke just as glowingly about the American welcome they encountered here. Polo de Lerve, bronze medal winner in the last Olympics, beamed when I asked about their impressions of American food. He gave me a big thumbs up for La Coçina de Luz, a local’s favorite, and Rustico. His friends, Pierre Vaultier and Vincent Valery, joked that Polo is the Gault & Milau of the World Cup.
Zee Snowboarders and Me (in Eisbaer!) in Front of the Mountain Lodge Telluride
So I guess Telluride is making its mark on the world map. When asked if there was anything else that struck them about the area, they marveled about our natural beauty and most especially how trees grow at such a high elevation here—decidedly quite unlike the Alps. They’ll be back, they promised.
I couldn’t help but wonder if next time they might be outfitted in le dernier cri des pistes, or the latest fashion of the slopes. The French do have an image to uphold, don’t you think?
