Physicians' Travel and Meeting Guide - November/December 2007 - (Page 6) Ski Resorts Skiers take the gondola at Steamboat. The mountain rises above the largest historic district in Colorado. Built around a nineteenth-century log cabin, the Breckenridge Welcome Center (203 South Main Street; 877-864-0868; www. gobreck.com) traces the town’s transition from an Indian settlement to goldmining hub to ski community. Food lovers enjoy some of the most exciting dining in the Rockies. Local ingredients such as lamb shanks and trout plus wines from the Western Slope highlight the “Colorado-Inspired Cuisine” from chef/owner Matt Fackler at Relish (970-453-0989; www.relishbreckenridge.com). Over 220 wines by the bottle and 25 wines by the glass star on the list at The Cellar Restaurant and Wine Bar (970-453-4777; www.thecel- larwine.com). Three- and five-course tasting menus include choices such as cumin-scented venison loin and seared sea scallops with fennel. Insider Tip: Rentskis.com allows enthusiasts to reserve gear online—instead of on lines—offering top brands such as Völkl, Salomon and Burton. Visit www. rentskis.com or call (800)544-6648. Contact: (800)404-3535; www.breckenridge.com Steamboat, Colorado Why Now: Faster to get around and easier to get to—that describes Steamboat, which is steaming ahead with $16 million in improvements for this season, on top of $7 million invested last year. The new $18-million terminal at Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN)—just 22 miles from the mountain—will welcome nonstop flights from ten major cities. At Steamboat snow falls with such fervent effervescence that the resort has trademarked a name for it—champagne powder. At the same time the region stays true to its Wild West heritage with events such as the Cowboy Downhill where professional rodeo champions race wearing ten-gallon hats. Even the green dinosaur statue outside the Sinclair station wears a saddle. Steamboat is spiffing up following its March 2007 purchase by Intrawest, which owns Whistler, Stratton, Tremblant, and other resorts. Intrawest and additional developers will spend more than $1 billion on the Steamboat Unbridled redevelopment project. New for this season, the Christie Peak Express six-passenger chairlift shortens ride time to Christie Peak summit to five minutes (it was 15). The Headwall area is being reconfigured with wider trails and gentler grades to offer novices the perfect place to refine skills. Coming up: a $23-million redo of dowdy Ski Time Square at the base. The resort is home to 69 winter Olympians. “How are all you future Olympians today?” Billy Kidd calls out to youngsters in lesson programs. Silver medalist in slalom at the 1964 Winter Olympics, Kidd is Steamboat’s director of skiing and guide for free clinics. laRRy piERCE Deb Armstrong, 1984 gold medalist in giant slalom, just joined the ski school as alpine technical director; she’ll lead several women’s ski clinics this season. Après-ski starts off with new adventures. Waters from Strawberry Park Hot Springs percolate through landscaped pools and grottoes—a wonderful place to soothe achy, breaky muscles (970-8790342; www.strawberryhotsprings.com). “Stand on one leg—we’ll be lighter,” joked Ian Cox, pilot/owner of Balloon Adventures (970-879-9191; www.wildwestballooning.com). The town shrinks to the size of a Lego construction as the rainbow-hued balloon soars above Yampa Valley. Horseback rides at Del’s Triangle 3 Ranch are guided by Ray Heid, who wears elk-hide chaps he made in 1949 and was a ski jump alternate at the 1960 Winter Olympics (970-879-3495; www. steamboathorses.com). Dining is superb. At Cafe Diva, attention to detail shows in touches such as crisp-fried plantains to accompany Kobe pork with mango salsa (970-871-0508; www.cafediva.com). Always packed, Mahogany Ridge Brewery & Grill is known for its full-bodied Alpenglow beer and $1-a-plate après-ski tapas (970879-3773). Insider Tip: For your Warren Miller moment, sign up for First Tracks, which • November/December 2007 • PhysiciaNs’ Travel & meeTiNg guiDe http://www.strawberryhotsprings.com http://www.thecellarwine.com http://www.wildwestballooning.com http://www.wildwestballooning.com http://www.rentskis.com http://www.gobreck.com http://www.gobreck.com http://www.rentskis.com http://www.steamboathorses.com http://www.rentskis.com http://www.steamboathorses.com http://www.breckenridge.com http://www.breckenridge.com http://www.cafediva.com http://www.relishbreckenridge.com http://www.relishbreckenridge.com http://www.thecellarwine.com
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