Right to Play, Learn and Inspire at Mountainfilm in Telluride

Mountainfilm Telluride

Here it is Friday afternoon and plus it’s almost summer. Many people in the United States are gearing up for the weekend, starting it full-on actually. This is the time when most of us exercise our God-given right to play. Recreation, sport, play—have you ever contemplated how important this is in our lives? Most of us first learned to play when we were little kids. Play teaches us so much—how to get along, how to compete, how to follow rules and more. It’s not just about fun although fun is a key component to any game.

Right to Play

So imagine being a child in a war-torn country where play of any kind is nonexistent. Frank Marshall, part-time Telluride resident, renowned Hollywood producer and director of the ESPN movie “Right to Play,” talked about his film and the necessity of play last weekend at a coffee talk at Mountainfilm Festival here in T-ride. Mr. Marshall told the story about how one kid in a far flung, ruined country became popular because he had a long sleeve shirt that could be rolled up into a ball and used for play. Contemplate that when you’re out on your boat this weekend.

Thank goodness there are heros like Johann Olav Koss, an Olympic speed-skating champion from Norway that used his drive and influence to create the global organization Right to Play. Now over 700,000 children in about two dozen countries are benefiting from the joy and discovery of play made possible by Johann Koss, a score of other Olympic athletes and teams of workers from around the world. Frank Marshall captures the indomitable spirit of this Olympic champion and the hope and love he brings to the children touched by Right to Play. Best of all:  You can watch the forty-two minute “Right to Play” film tomorrow afternoon, Saturday June 2nd, on ABC. Check your local listings for the correct time in your zone. It’s such a wonderful film that I’d guess it will be played again on other outlets at other times. more »

30 May 2012, 5:00pm
Art & Culture Colorado Podcasts Telluride Travel:
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Sharon Shuteran: Telluride’s Traveler Extraordinaire and So Much More

Sharon

Telluride, Colorado, my home base for nearly nine years, is a community of travelers. It’s funny since it’s such a drop-dead gorgeous place you’d think no one would ever leave. Plus our remote location requires a good effort for exploring faraway destinations. (The nearest major airport is a six-hour drive away.)

We do, however, have two so-called off-seasons, one in the spring, the other in the fall. During these periods our awe-inspiring scenery might not show the full measure of its glory and most activities—tourist and other-wise—experience a lull. Plus intrepid travelers and adventuresome types of every ilk—from well-to-do trust funders to starving lifties—populate the town and these people give “being on the go” new meaning. (If they’re not out climbing a mountain at home, they’re likely surfing in Nicaragua or helping the needy on the other side of the globe.)

Indeed, Telluride and travel go together like skis on snow.

So it’s with tremendous sadness that our community is dealing with the loss of one of its most beloved residents, Sharon Shuteran, a longtime Tellurider in every sense of the word, a traveler extraordinaire. Truly Sharon embodied the spirit of Telluride like no one else. And there’s no doubt that she served as an excellent ambassadress of the United States and our little mountain town wherever she went on this planet. Officially she worked as the judge of San Miguel County for many years, something that I always liked telling others since that information and one look at Sharon—whether in her Bohemian-inspired dresses or in her style-y ski outfits—spoke volumes about the outdoorsy, fun, open and warm zest for life of our community.

Sharon on the Road

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11 Apr 2012, 5:00pm
Colorado Mountain Living Podcasts Telluride Travel:
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From Telluride to Maui: Alan Bradbury’s Garden of Eden

Where Water and Sky Create Lovely Waterlilies

A Special Kind of Paradise

With off-season officially underway here in Telluride, there’s a stillness that hasn’t been felt in this world-renowned resort since before ski season began. Empty parking spaces, a smattering of closed restaurants, hotels, bars and boutiques punctuate the landscape both in town and in Telluride Mountain Village. Needless-to-say the mountain is no longer illuminated at night with snowcats, snowmobiles or slopeside condos. It’s so windy and dry today that we’re apt to see tumbleweed blowing across the Valley Floor, a Western image that would not seem out of place in our now emptied out mountain town.

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29 Mar 2012, 10:21am
Colorado Shopping Skiing & Snowboarding Telluride:
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Spring Skiing, Spring Shopping

Finishing Out the Season with My Ski of Choice: Volkl Kenja

It’s hard to believe we are just over a week away from the close of the ski season here in Telluride. We’ve had many super warm days and the base is melting fast although there’s still lots of fun to be had, especially if you love snowsporting on corn snow beneath sunny, breezy skies. This is the time to kick back with your skiing and riding—have a big, late breakfast, enjoy the mountain for a few hours, break for a frosty beverage, then get in a few more runs before the lifts close. This scene—punctuated with the usual springtime panoply of colorful garb and flowered shirts—gives new meaning to Margaritaville. Although Telluride closes April eighth, this festive tableau will be played out at other resorts across Colorado well into early May. Be prepared for all kinds of weather during this period, since a spring storm can bring with it all the ferocity of winter and much to our delight, leave a pile of powdery fluff in its wake at the most unexpected moments.

Spring also marks a fantastic time to take advantage of killer deals on clothing and gear.  Most ski shops are looking to move their inventory fast to make room for their summer goods which typically focus on biking, hiking and rafting. Shopping for everything from base layers to puffies will set you up in grand style for next season at prices that will astonish even the most seasoned shoppers.

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22 Mar 2012, 10:33am
Colorado Mountain Living Skiing & Snowboarding Telluride The Rockies:
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Springing Forward on Fresh Snow Beneath a Colorado Blue Sky

Life Can Be a Cakewalk, Especially in Telluride on Such a Glorious Day

Wow, I can’t believe it’s been over a month since I posted a story. Where does the time go? It flies by as fast as the ski season itself, every year. This week heralded the arrival of spring, however, I’d be just as happy to be plunged into the depths of winter where the snow varies from fluff to buttery soft. Oh well, can’t turn back time. So for now, I’m embracing the soaring temperatures and highly changeable ski conditions while my anticipation for the next fabulous spring snowfall lingers.

We’ve had a great winter here in Telluride, particularly since mid-January when the storms began to roll in one after another right up through early March. I guess this largely explains my eclipsing from my blog. I’ve been teaching skiing a lot, so much so, in fact, that I was clobbered twice with horrific colds that set me back on all fronts. Yes, that’s the bane of most ski instructors, getting sick during the season, yet it happens with great frequency. We’re out there putting on hopefully a super cheery face and attitude—carrying a class or even just one person—throughout freezing temperatures and sun scorching days. Day after day after day. It’s not unusual to work fourteen days in a row during busy times—that’s bell to bell, making sure that our charges are safe, happy and achieving their goals. Our throats take the biggest beating since we are required to use them often, sometimes to the point of excessive strain such as when we have to yell TURN, TURN, TURN or the dreaded STOP!!!

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16 Feb 2012, 5:08pm
Colorado Skiing & Snowboarding Telluride:
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Telluride Women’s Week: Skiing and Fun for the Ladies

Telluride Women's Week: Giving "Girls' Ski Trip" New Meaning

Rebecca and Me

It’s Women’s Week in Telluride this week, a super program of ski instruction and special events designed specifically for women. I taught skiing to three lovely ladies during the January Women’s Week and we all had a most memorable time. There’s one more Women’s Week program this year in March, so act fast and sign up for the time of your life.

Telluride Women’s Week was the first program of its kind in Colorado when it was founded thirty years ago. If you like the idea of girl power and fun, this is a great way to embrace skiing in one of the most spectacular resorts of the country.

Here’s what some of the ladies from the January program said they like about Telluride Women’s Week:

“The camaraderie.” Sandy, from Flagstaff, Arizona

“Skiing with a wonderful group of female instructors—it’s a fun way to learn.” Lee, from Flagstaff, Arizona

“The actual skiing part that pushed me to challenge myself.” Natalie, from Weston, Massachusetts.

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Solilochairliftquist: Chairlift Reverie

Check out this short, must-see video and definitely view it in full screen mode. This little gem will transport you directly onto Lifts 7 & 9, locals’ favorites, here in Telluride. Whether you’re alone or accompanied by someone you know or even a complete stranger, there’s no place like the chairlift for awesome daydreaming. It doesn’t get any better than this, especially in T-ride.

Thank you to Faverman Films for this delightful creation.

Talking About Telluride Ski & Snowboard School

A Red Coat and Company Carving It Up in Telluride’s Revelation Bowl

“Our mission is to pass on the passion,” says Noah Sheedy, Director of the Telluride Ski & Snowboard School in a recent Travel Fun interview. Listen to all you ever wanted to know about the Telluride Ski & Snowboard School and ski and snowboard instruction in general by clicking on the play button below. Noah—along with Doug Morrisson, Manager of Adult Programs, and Frank Martinez, Manager of Children’s Programs at Telluride Ski & Snowboard School—provided me with terrific interviews about their highly-acclaimed products and instructors.

Whether it’s your first experience or your one thousandth on the hill, Noah explains why skiers and riders of all levels should take a lesson. “There’s always room to improve,” Noah says. “Especially with the new equipment and terrain,” he adds, referring to the opening of a lot of additional expert runs in Telluride in recent years.

In response to my question regarding the difference between self-taught and professionally taught skiers, Noah explains the many reasons why you shouldn’t pick up your latest techniques from chairlift gawking. (I know there are many of you out there that do this!) “It’s about really becoming efficient and proficient,” Noah explains. “It takes a professional to lead you through it, so that people can conserve energy and have a better time” he continues. Any pro knows that big aches and pains endured throughout a ski vacation are no badge of honor. There is an easier way and it’s called technique.

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