News | May 4 will hear a plan from the town’s public works department to update and expand the Vail Transportation Center to accommodate current and future needs The $1.5 million plan, which is currently being called “Arrive Vail,” will be funded, in part, by a $750,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation The expansion of the state’s Bustang services along with a potential expansion of the town of Vail’s own transit services is also expected to put more demand on the Vail Transportation Center A sneak preview of the public works department’s presentation was published on Friday showcasing how Arrive Vail will “give our world-class town a world-class arrival.” “There is a functional need to increase transit and a challenge to solve for this while not allowing vehicular traffic to dominate the pedestrian experience of ‘arrival,'” according to the public works department A key element of the plan includes enhancements to accessibility and connectivity through the increase and improvement of multi-modal capacity operations and safety at the Vail Transportation Center; along with improvements to accessibility and connectivity throughout Vail Arrive Vail will also aim to create resilient infrastructure through investment into the transportation center’s current facilities. The transportation center is now 50 years old and will require increased maintenance, going forward, in order to “ensure long-term viability, functionality, and safety for the next 50 years,” according to the plan. There’s also a desire among town staff to preserve Vail’s character through the expansion and redevelopment of the existing transportation center. This will require identifying how the Vail Transportation Center contributed to the town’s “aesthetic and cultural identity,” according to the plan. To do so, the town will need to use “innovative technology and partnerships to further green initiatives to reduce the town’s carbon footprint,” according to the plan. Innovative technologies are defined as those that enhance efficiency, safety and user experience at the transportation center. Economic vitality is at the core of the plan’s goals, as well. The town will need to “support local businesses by enhancing the (Vail Transportation Center), explore private/public partnerships to enhance the VTC services and infrastructure that contribute to the economic vitality of the community,” according to the plan. The Town Council will hear the Arrive Vail presentation in full at the town’s evening meeting on Tuesday, which is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. After listening to the presentation, the council will provide comments to the town’s public works department on the Arrive Vail project and process. Kentucky Derby Parties The 151st Kentucky Derby is set for Saturday at 4:57 p.m. and here are a few places you can go for watch parties: Lookout Bar at Westin Riverfront in Avon Celebrate the Kentucky... Easter events in the Vail Valley Church services An Easter tradition that’s been going on for over 30 years is the Vail Mountain Easter Sunrise Service bright and early on Sunday morning. This takes place... Après Madness Championship Party at Avanti F&B The NCAA College Basketball Tournament may have crowned a champion on Monday, but Friday is when you can congratulate this year’s winner of Vail’s own form of competition:... Après at The Amp For its third year in a row, the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater has proven that it’s not just a summer venue. Each April a huge crowd comes out – rain, snow,... Mania: The ABBA Tribute ABBA, the Swedish pop band that took the world by storm in the 1970s and early 1980s with its hits “Waterloo,” “Take a Chance on Me” and “Dancing Queen,” will virtually... Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world 2025 at 1:23 PM EDTBookmarkSaveTakeaways NEWThe ski-centric town of Vail is borrowing to help ease a growing housing shortage that threatens the workforce supporting its resort economy a nonprofit entity formed by the town council alongside the Vail Local Housing Authority will issue $118 million in revenue bonds to fund construction of West Middle Creek The town also plans to sell roughly $74 million of debt and contribute $10 million in cash Go to Admin » Appearance » Widgets » and move Gabfire Widget: Social into that MastheadOverlay zone with adult participants completing as many laps as possible in 20 minutes An average lap is expected to take approximately two minutes to finish. Youth races are five minutes for ages 6-9 and 10 minutes for ages 10-14.This race is a great chance to challenge yourself to complete as many laps as you can and bike over to the start on the field, just south of the fairgrounds parking lot Look for the VRD race trailer and arch for the start line The first race of the evening starts at 5:15 p.m with the beginner/intermediate categories and continue with the pro/open categories at 6:15 p.m The cost to preregister is $10 for kids and $15 for adults Day-of registration rates are $15 for kids and $20 for adults There is no series registration for the short track races The second race in the series will take place on Wed May 14 in Edwards at the Miller Ranch Open Space It’s just about stretching those legs out and having fun There are no after-parties for these events but there will be an onsite raffle for participants The VRD’s Mountain Bike Race Series is yours thanks to title sponsor Bloch Ongert Injury Law Thanks to our additional sponsors Vail Daily, Yeti’s Grind, Beaver Creek Resort Company, Haymeadow Best Day Brewing, Vail Mountain Coffee & Tea, Vail Health, Town of Minturn, The Steadman Clinic, Skratch Labs, New Belgium Brewing Gravity Haus/Dryland Fitness, Central Rockies Mortgage, Elevated Dental, Vail Honeywagon, Altitude Bar & Grill, FirstBank, Alpine Wine & Spirits, Optic Nerve, OutdoorTech, East West Hospitality and West Vail Liquor Mart Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" There’s a cost to producing the quality journalism you read here A condition called Whirling Disease was killing fish in local waterways Whirling Disease was virtually unheard of,” the Trail reported “Now the topic is on the lips of every serious angler in the state The disease was coming from a parasite selectively attacking the cartilage surrounding the brain and unformed bone structure of immature trout “Young trout that survive beyond 4-6 inches are safe once the cartilage hardens to bone but still act as carriers,” the Trail reported “The deformities in the less fortunate fish can pinch nerves The state was starting to take seriously the threat of mudslides to the area after two years of problems and boulders gave way and slid at Dowd Junction hundreds of large and small mudslides occurred causing damage to homes and streets in Eagle County not much appeared to be being done by government officials,” the Trail reported County Commissioner Dick Gustafson called a press conference to say he was frustrated with the highway department for not closely monitoring the situation A report was then commissioned by the governor’s office which identified the Dowd Junction area as a major concern Lamm’s task force on the Dowd Junction mudslide area is in and it shows that the state is taking the situation seriously,” the Trail reported Vail Trail publisher Allen Knox urged locals to speak out against proposed legislation which would place a 7 percent tax on sales of lift tickets “Why does our present state government seem to be so against tourism in Colorado?” Knox asked our Governor Lamm ‘lamb-blasted’ the proposed Beaver Creek project and now House Bill No could further hamper our industry and livelihood.” Knox was concerned that ski areas outside of Colorado would use the new tax as a way to convince skiers to avoid the Centennial state “And in light of our current economic situation tourists may elect to do just this,” he said was buried in special military services at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in Missouri Cowden enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 and was sent overseas and stationed in England with a bomber crew was shot down over France,” the Enterprise reported Cowden then took a position as a nose gunner on a new plane which was also shot down a week later on a mission over Germany and later moved to a military cemetery in Belgium before his body was returned to the U.S birds and plants in Colorado were becoming scarce due to the grazing policies of the U.S “How can we expect our game to increase if their natural feed is taken and eaten off by domestic sheep which are permitted to graze upon the game ranges?” O’Brien said “The fact is that sheep are driven upon the ranges in countless thousands each summer and that they not only eat the natural feed of the wildlife but they are causing the destruction of all Colorado wild flowers They have practically destroyed all of the wild berries of the mountainous regions and have trampled the grouse in their nests or trampled the young birds or the eggs before they are hatched and these birds have greatly decreased in numbers as the result of the sheep and will soon be exterminated because of this.” Kentucky Derby Parties The 151st Kentucky Derby is set for Saturday at 4:57 p.m and here are a few places you can go for watch parties: Lookout Bar at Westin Riverfront in Avon Celebrate the Kentucky.. Easter events in the Vail Valley Church services An Easter tradition that’s been going on for over 30 years is the Vail Mountain Easter Sunrise Service bright and early on Sunday morning Après Madness Championship Party at Avanti F&B The NCAA College Basketball Tournament may have crowned a champion on Monday but Friday is when you can congratulate this year’s winner of Vail’s own form of competition:.. Après at The Amp For its third year in a row Ford Amphitheater has proven that it’s not just a summer venue the Swedish pop band that took the world by storm in the 1970s and early 1980s with its hits “Waterloo,” “Take a Chance on Me” and “Dancing Queen,” will virtually.. News | May 2 the Vail Valley Partnership has honored the best of the local business community with the annual Success Awards The annual shindig hosted by the valley’s chamber of commerce used to be a dress-up affair the Partnership’s director of membership said the switch to a more casual format made the event more accessible and allows more people from each business to attend Those people can network with folks from other businesses and create more connections While the event is scheduled more along the lines of a happy hour — “So people can go home and have dinner,” Mendez said — there should be plenty of good food at the event. This year’s catering at the EagleVail Pavilion comes courtesy of The Full Belly While most of the awards will be a surprise a couple of the awards have already been presented The Partnership team has already selected former Eagle County Commissioner Kathy Chandler-Henry as this year’s winner of the Chairman’s Award Mendez said Chandler-Henry was honored for her work on the Eagle County Board of Commissioners Chris Baddick is this year’s Member of the Year Baddick owns the Dollar and Thrifty rental car franchises at the Eagle County Regional Airport which services all the rental cars and gets them ready for their next users Mendez said Baddick was an “easy choice” for this year’s Member of the Year honor “He understands the ‘why’ of what we do,” Mendez said There’s another new award this year: Innovation in the Public Sector That award will be given to the public agency — either a special district or town — that has had the greatest impact on life in the Vail Valley Vail Valley Partnership Board member Melina Valsecia is also the executive director of the Eagle Valley Community Foundation which last year won the organization’s award for nonprofit of the year Valsecia said she’ll be happy to pass this year’s award to this year’s winner The award honors “people with a lot of passion to improve the community,” Valsecia said “Are a testament to the Vail Valley Partnership mission” to celebrate both businesses and nonprofit groups that bring passion and excellence to their work in the valley This year’s finalists were selected from 172 applications across 10 award categories News | May 3 Hundreds of volunteers got out and cleaned up trash along the roadways of Eagle County on Saturday The annual Community Pride Highway Cleanup is put on by the Eagle River Coalition and attracts teams of volunteers throughout the valley While it’s mostly local volunteers who join in the event attracts some out-of-town families as well who wanted to participate with their 5-year-old twins “We drove up last year and saw everyone and were like ‘what is going on?'” Amy Vogel said on Saturday “So when we found out what it was we thought we should do it next year.” Part of the purpose of the highway cleanup — and the reason it’s hosted by the Eagle River Coalition — is because a lot of the trash that is strewn along the roadways in the spring will end up in the waterways later this year if it isn’t cleaned up Amy Vogel said her kids already noticed that fact and headed down toward the banks of the Eagle River to gather some of their items “We wanted to keep them away from the roads anyway so we ended up walking along the river for a bit,” she said often led by the business that they work for but the Vogels were randomly assigned to the town of Minturn team which cleaned up Highway 24 from Meadow Mountain into the town of Minturn “We passed each other on the highway this morning,” he said Many who volunteered said they enjoy participating in the event not just for the satisfaction of seeing the roads cleaned up but for the community aspect of getting together with their friends and neighbors on a Saturday “It’s really one of the best community events we have in the valley,” said Jonathan Best 6 West is a group of apartments located along Highway 6 in Edwards 6 West cleanup team leader Josie Haxton said a lot of the trash her team found was revealing of not just a litter problem in the valley “One of our dumpsters wasn’t bear proofed,” she said “So the bear was taking the bags of trash into the national forest and opening them up and leaving behind all this trash that we collected today.” but the snow fell after that and buried the trash 6 West has since received dumpsters that are more bear resistant but the trash from the previous dumpster was still strewn about the complex “We filled several garbage bags with trash from the bear,” she said Haxton said her team also found a lot of large items that were discarded incorrectly perhaps due to the fact that they were hard to dispose of side tables — with a lot of people moving in and out of here sometimes this stuff gets left behind,” she said “So it’s nice to see it disposed of properly.” An electric-powered air taxi seems like something out of a “future of travel” piece from a 1960s issue of “Popular Science” magazine and the Eagle County Regional Airport is playing a role which has investment from Toyota and the Defense Department has a current market capitalization of nearly $5 billion Eagle County’s place in the study is along with Eugene as “small and non-hub” airports Eagle County’s deputy director of aviation said the national airport executives’ group was looking for a smaller airport to study and Eagle County Aviation Director David Reid is a longtime The study notes Eagle County’s strong tourism market and high volume of private aircraft customers “These customers can be expected to be first in a market that values time-savings and access,” the study notes Those customers are also likely to find that using transportation options such as electric air taxis for the final leg of their journey an attractive option That journey could be made much quicker by using an air taxi The website of Joby Aviation—which could be in commercial operation by the end of 2026—claims an air taxi from a downtown heliport to JFK airport takes seven minutes versus 49 minutes via ground transport Miller acknowledged that large urban areas would be the first places the air taxis have a chance to be commercially viable flying from suburban areas to downtown hubs or downtown hubs to airports an air taxi in its early days based at Eagle County could only operate in the spring even temperatures cut by increases in elevation that would limit air taxi operation to just radios Even standard avionics would have to be sacrificed in the name of saving weight De-icing would further hamper battery efficiency That means taxis would be limited to “visual flight reference” only with even basic instrumented flights a no-go Miller estimated it would be a “decade if not longer” before technology advances enough to allow instrumented flights with passengers “We think somebody could be successful with a business here if they had another operation elsewhere,” Miller said A Denver-based operation might be an option The other problem is the tremendous amount of electricity needed to recharge the aircraft for quick turnarounds Miller said one aircraft needs a full megawatt of power for those quick turnarounds While county officials have assurances from Holy Cross Energy that there’s enough power at a substation across Cooley Mesa Road to power two quick-charge stations right now “It’s insane how much electricity those things are going to need,” Miller said “We’re going to have to figure out the grid.” So the future is still in the future when it comes to air taxis the future for this may almost be in sight Project Funway Get ready to be wowed by the fashions at Project Funway which returns to Dobson Arena again this Saturday One of the most creative fundraisers in the Vail Valley News | May 5 Good help is hard to find in the newspaper business and that’s also proving true for the most famous play about the newspaper business as a local rendition of the Disney musical “Newsies” could use a few more kids to fill out its cast The Vail Performing Arts Academy has obtained the rights to put on “Newsies” on July 26-27 and while it will be a shortened version of the popular play (the official title is “Newsies Junior”) it’s a great opportunity to get a good role on stage in a classic play “Usually there are only about 12-15 lead roles in a musical production,” Meiring said “So the complaint I always get from the kids is ‘why am I not in a lead?’ But this time I’m not expecting that to happen as this one will give everybody a chance to shine.” the Vail Performing Arts Academy only has about 25 sign-ups which means — if more students don’t join — there will be several students who will end up taking on multiple roles but it’s not nearly as fun,” Meiring said In addition to their time in the spotlight students will also have a chance to learn from Meiring who has theater experience on London’s West End and on Broadway in New York City After working in London and touring the world doing plays on the cruise ship circuit Meiring had begun to settle down in New York City in the early 2000s which spooked him enough to look for a new place to live He said Eagle County appealed to him because of how safe a community it is “And it also has a free daily newspaper that really supports the arts,” he said with a laugh Meiring is still the artistic director and choreographer at the Vail Performing Arts Academy where he has never put on the same play twice He said he enjoys working with Vail Performing Arts Academy founder Annah Deluca-Scully who is there to comfort the students if he’s too hard on them “But that’s what the students need in order to learn these performances in the amount of time we have.” Meiring will host auditions for “Newsies” on May 25 in the Battle Mountain High School auditorium and after every student who signs up is assigned a part the theater camp in which the students will learn the play is scheduled to take place every Monday through Friday Interested students can sign up at VPAA.org/summer any time from now until the audition takes place on May 25 The youth auditions are scheduled to take place from 3 p.m and tweens and teens will audition from 5 p.m two on July 26 and two on July 27 at 4 p.m At least 13 people died after crashes or heart attacks on Colorado’s ski slopes in the 2024-25 season with at least 10 of the deaths occurring on intermediate or beginner runs. That is a decline from annual fatalities in recent seasons.  The Colorado Sun surveys 16 county coroners for deaths recorded at the state’s 27 operating ski areas Of the three women and 10 men who died following an accident or medical event at Colorado ski areas in the 2024-25 season eight were skiers and five were snowboarders Five of the deaths were recorded days or even weeks after an accident at a ski area one suffocated in deep snow and 10 suffered trauma following a fall.  Resort representatives issue brief statements and condolences when asked by reporters about fatal accidents Resorts do not consider medical events — like heart attacks — a ski area fatality even if the death occurred on the slopes.  The National Ski Areas Association, a trade group representing 480 operating ski areas in the U.S., reports annual deaths at U.S. ski areas “resulting from sport-related trauma.” In the 2023-24 ski season which was below the 10-year average of 42 deaths 28 were skiers and seven were snowboarders and a majority of them were riding intermediate slopes when they suffered fatal injuries slopes in the 2023-24 season were not wearing helmets The death rate per million skier visits reached a 10-year low of 0.58 in the 2023-24 season Colorado’s death rate is significantly higher than the national average with about one fatality for every million visits when the state’s ski area reported 14 million skier visits there were at least 15 deaths on Colorado ski slopes close to double the national average in 2023-24 those 15 deaths in Colorado in 2023-24 included six medical events that the industry does not consider when tallying fatalities The Colorado Sun is a reader-supported news organization dedicated to covering the people places and policies that matter in Colorado sign up for free newsletters and subscribe at coloradosun.com Opinion | May 5 Public lands are one of our country’s great equalizers It doesn’t matter how much money you have — a billionaire and a bus driver both get the same access to our parks They are literally America’s common ground I’ve built a life around public lands — exploring them defending them and working to ensure they remain open to all From my early days in Montana to leading the Bureau of Land Management and now as president of The Wilderness Society I’ve seen what these places mean to people And I’ve never seen a threat to them as serious and shocking as the one we face right now there have been indications that the Republican-controlled Congress was going to sell off chunks of this priceless shared heritage to pay for tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy Congress or the administration wouldn’t sacrifice prime wildlife habitat lands along a quiet stream or a wildlife refuge they wouldn’t auction this extraordinary legacy of clean air clean water and open spaces as a one-time favor to donors and corporations the Senate proved just how serious Republican lawmakers were about it Democrats offered an amendment that would block selling off our public lands in the budget bill with just two Republicans voting to oppose a sell-off Those two Montana senators who supported the amendment completely understood how their constituents feel about public lands But it’s not only Montanans who care Poll after poll shows that people of all stripes support public lands and want them conserved to protect wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation areas for future generations we don’t need polling data to tell us what people’s photo libraries old family albums and bucket lists show us intuitively understanding they are a national treasure These lands hold the long arc of the story of humankind etched in petroglyphs on desert walls and handed down in the creation stories of Indigenous peoples that have stewarded them since time immemorial Public lands are our shorthand for freedom and exhilaration they bind us as one nation: “This land is your land; this land is my land.” My nephew caught his first trout on a fly rod while standing on public land along a clear he still remembers everything about that moment I expect he’ll bring his kids there one day I happened upon a young couple on a large rock outcrop overlooking a wilderness in Oregon They had driven all the way from the Midwest to take in the view I offered to snap a photo for them and then found myself documenting a remarkable moment as he dropped to one knee and wove the magnificent scenery into the intimacy of his proposal People make lifetime memories on our public lands From that rim on Steens Mountain to that bank along Rock Creek to the desert Southwest and the wilds of Alaska to national forests in every state — these lands are our heritage and a key part of our American identity and story Public lands must never be for sale — at any price Congress still has mountains of details to sort through to finalize the president’s budget and tax cut agenda It’s up to lawmakers to stop the selloff of our national heritage and it’s up to all of us to remind them that they must we lose the places that define our country and unite us as Americans Opinion | May 1 and I am a ski instructor and trainer at Beaver Creek I have been training for my PSIA Alpine Trainer Assessment This year’s ski assessment took place in February at Aspen Highlands and I was feeling confident in my performance three quarters of the way to the bottom of Aspen Highlands the group I was skiing with all day decided to ski the rest of the way down together A fluke ski accident left me lying on the snow I had high-sided myself and didn’t regulate the magnitude of pressure correctly I knew I was hurt but didn’t know how bad I had heard and felt a “pop” or “snap.” I tried to get up My self-assessment was that I broke my leg ski patrol showed up and immediately called for a sled and an ambulance at the bottom X-rays and a CT scan confirmed that under Tower 5 of the Exhibition Lift at Aspen Highlands I had shattered my tibia plateau and was at risk of losing my lower leg I was rushed from the ER to the operating room where I had surgery to stabilize and save the lower part of my right leg I was fitted with an external fixator for a week while I waited in the hospital for the swelling to go down enough for the doctor to go back in for reconstructive surgery The second surgery left me with three plates and 28 screws I was lucky enough to have my amazing wife She spent the first couple of nights in the hospital with me until my mom could get there Melanie knew she had to get back to the valley to work because I wasn’t going to be able to for the foreseeable future This immediately brought worry and financial stress to both of us As word of my injury and situation spread through our ski instructor community a close friend of ours reached out and told me to look into an amazing organization called Vail Valley Charitable Fund They were extremely helpful in my time of need bringing financial relief and hope to my wife and me The Vail Valley Charitable Fund assisted with rent all basic human needs that one requires to survive but I am further along because of the Vail Valley Charitable Fund Thank you to everyone at Vail Valley Charitable Fund and to my friend who told me about this organization You have helped me turn my setback into the start of a comeback Opinion | May 3 They let us — 16-year-old kids — drive from Colorado Springs to Vail in the middle of winter to go skiing We took a 10-year-old Jeep Wagoneer that could have broken down at any time Just a paper map and a thermos of hot chocolate It sounds like a setup for a “Dateline” episode now we might have been more connected then than we are now we live in the most technologically “connected” moment in human history something essential feels like it’s gone missing Are we really connected — or just plugged in Social connection should be booming. After all, we’ve invented more ways to meet people than ever before: dating apps, social media, multiplayer games, virtual reality meetups. But real-world relationships are declining. Marriage rates in the U.S have dropped from nearly 80% in the mid-20th century to about 47% today young adults are reporting record levels of loneliness and isolation According to a 2023 study by Gallup and Meta, 25% of adults worldwide said they felt “very or fairly lonely” — and the numbers were even higher among Gen Z. Meanwhile, the U.S. Surgeon General recently declared loneliness a public health crisis We replaced deep connection with constant contact A birthday text or GIF has replaced the phone call or a visit Social media gave us “likes” but robbed us of eye contact We’re trading presence for proximity— intimacy for shallow familiarity Consider friendship. A recent survey from the Survey Center on American Life found that the number of Americans with no close friends has quadrupled since 1990 That’s not just sad — it’s dangerous Close friendships have been shown to improve mental health and provide crucial support in times of crisis Yet many of us are more likely to text a meme than knock on a neighbor’s door Being stranded on the side of I-70 in a snowstorm with no phone wasn’t exactly idyllic But there was something powerful about being forced into the present moment — into real You didn’t “DM” your friends You didn’t scroll through curated vacation photos You went on the trip — and maybe got stuck in a ditch we’ve built a world where we can filter and ghost — never having to confront discomfort we may have disconnected from the things that matter most: relationships built over time I’m not suggesting we ditch our phones and live off the grid Have dinner with someone and leave the phone in your pocket Knock on your neighbor’s door instead of scrolling past their vacation pics Because real connection doesn’t buzz in your pocket or pop up in your feed And it usually begins when you look someone in the eye and say: “Hi there was a time when summers in the Vail Valley were pretty quiet – that was until people realized that the Rocky Mountains in the summer are just as enticing and enjoyable as the winters the valley enjoys a plethora of signature events from June through August and into September before ramping up for another glorious snow season are the unofficial kickoff to summer in the valley After the snow melts and locals recover from a long winter the world’s largest celebration of arts Featuring over 30 competitions – from rafting Dock Dogs and more – the GoPro Mountain Games set the tone for summer in the valley Music fills the mountainous air all summer long with venues big and small and local acts as well as international stars The summer lineup includes Hot Summer Nights at the Gerald R Avon LIVE Concerts in the Park on Wednesdays and ShowDown Town concerts in Eagle Town Park on Thursdays And in between all of the regularly scheduled live music in our unique picturesque venues is a full summer lineup at The Amp in Vail as well as the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek featuring residencies by some of the world’s premier chamber orchestras The Vail Jazz Festival will feature of the top jazz musicians in the industry at the end of August Mountain-style farmers markets take over the streets on Sundays in Vail and on Saturdays in Minturn and Edwards – enjoy some Palisade peaches and much more Did you know the Fourth of July is usually the busiest day of the whole year here the Town of Avon’s Salute to the USA has one of the biggest fireworks shows in the state accompanied by some top-notch live music followed by the Town of Vail’s annual Fourth of July Parade The Vail Lacrosse Shootout brings in over 100 teams to compete for pride in what has become a pilgrimage for any true lacrosse fan set in an environment of healthy competition and challenging obstacles will have hundreds of young competitors racing around Vail Aug The community’s longest running event the Eagle County Fair & Rodeo celebrates 86 years July 21-26 with a professional rodeo The first Vail Dance Festival took place in 1989 and Artistic Director Damian Woetzel continues to celebrate collaboration in the dance and music world year after year right here in Vail The 2025 Vail Dance Festival is scheduled for July 25-Aug 5 with 14 performances and over 30 events throughout the valley the Vail Dance Festival is worth experiencing Vail Concours is a three-day car show in Vail Beer lovers rejoice at the Vail Craft Beer Classic June 13-14 Brews & BBQ kicks off in Beaver Creek May 24-26 Eagle Flight Days is an annual local’s favorite June 27-28; and Gypsum Daze brings out the locals July 17-19 Pride in the Park offers an opportunity to have some fun and celebrate love 29-31; Lionshead Village in Vail celebrates Sept 12-14 – with surrounding towns also getting in on the Bavarian fun The Vail Valley isn’t so quiet anymore in the summers the electric bike share system with hubs in Vail will have bikes available for the 2025 season beginning May 1.  Shift Bike is offering Early Bird pricing with 25% off seasonal memberships This offer is available via the Shift Bike app through May 15 Environmental Sustainability Manager for the Town of Vail has seen the evolution of this program since its inception in 2022 “We are thrilled to kick off the fourth season of the Shift Bike regional electric bike share system in Vail and Eagle County It has been awesome to see how this program has grown in usage each year getting more people out of their cars and onto bikes to commute around the valley Not only is it a great way to get outside and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us but it also cultivates a culture of human-powered commuting which helps achieve our climate goals of reducing transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions Town of Vail is grateful for this collaboration with Drop Mobility and our regional partners.” shared: “We are proud to support such a vibrant and flourishing system Shift Bike has become an essential part of everyday life for many residents and visitors in Eagle County and it’s incredible to see the momentum continue to build year after year We look forward to helping the system grow even stronger in 2025 and beyond.” Shift Bike will continue its partnership with Vail Health for a second year supporting the system’s expansion and sponsoring a new station for 2025 Vail Valley Partnership joins as a new partner this season further strengthening community collaboration around sustainable transportation and operational expertise behind the service Whether commuting, running errands, or simply exploring the scenic beauty of Eagle County, Shift Bike offers a convenient, affordable, and eco-friendly way to get around. Riders can access detailed information about pricing, hub locations, and how it works by visiting shift-bike.com Shift Bike is designed to provide short consider renting a  bike or e-bike from a local bike shop Shift Bike offers bulk memberships, in-kind donations, station sponsorships, and more. Contact Isabel at isabel@dropmobility.com to explore partnership opportunities hip family from Denver hired Elizabeth Basso to transform a dark and dated East Vail single-family home the collaboration turned into a modern masterpiece The three-level home had honey-toned oak cabinetry and dated tile “They entertain a lot and wanted to put a fun spin on the project a new stairwell and new bathrooms and put in a more functional kitchen with a hidden pantry and reconfigured the lower level and added a heated floor The client participated by presenting Brunschwig & Fils animal-printed  Les Touches wallpaper “It’s helpful when the client comes to the table with a spirited wallpaper and I knew that the client was up to using high-end fabrics on pillows and accessories.” with a pantry closet and vacant open space between the refrigerator and cabinetry The team pulled the galley kitchen tighter while still allowing plenty of space for meal preparation They integrated the refrigerator within the custom olive-green cabinetry for greater cohesion walk-in pantry with two full-length cabinet doors and installed new windows and doors to bring in more light along with modern ceiling lighting fixtures Italian Ilve range and hood act as focal points The living room presented a challenge in that they couldn’t move the fireplace Basso decided to embrace the asymmetry by extending the vertical window on the right side lower than the one on the left She surrounded the fireplace in an elegant stone slab and centered the television above the actual firebox She finished the room with navy blue and olive green furnishings and added a cozy seating nook below the window The dining room received a whole new personality transforming from oak tables and chairs grounded by carpeting and surrounded by dowdy wallpaper to clean and contemporary navy-blue upholstered chairs modern art hung on white walls and a cylinder Huge sliding doors open to a patio that overlooks Gore Creek the latter of which replaced hollow-core oak doors Basso designed a custom built-in with plenty of storage for gear She also added a sliding barn door that opens into the adjacent laundry room it looks like an art piece,” she said She kept the original treads within the staircase but replaced the off-white carpeting with playful plaid carpeting for a more fun feel She also modernized the staircase with new metal railing as opposed to the prior wood baluster railing first by deleting old curtains and bedding and adding durable We played with light blues and aquas and greens — the palette we used throughout the home and softened the navy blue and mossy olive greens in the bedrooms,” she said they didn’t change the floor plan in the primary bathroom But they did majorly overhaul the finishes replacing the built-in tub with a freestanding one and honey-colored wooden vanity cabinetry with darker cabinetry and white quartz countertops so they opened it up with glass rising to the ceiling “The shower is now a strong focal point because you can see the pretty tile details and beautiful plumbing the team not only added radiant-floor heat which was previously missing from the lower level.  They transformed the lower-level bunk room into a media room with a sectional sofa Then they borrowed space from a storage closet which was too big for what the client needed Multiple globe lights that hang close to the low 7-foot ceiling adds to the interest of the rooms the homeowners are proud to entertain their friends and family when they come up from Denver or any sophisticated city throughout the nation The town of Vail will host a Hard to Recycle event from 10 a.m This will be the only Hard to Recycle event in 2025.   property owners and those who work in Vail No commercial collections will be accepted.  yard and food waste and tires — maximum of four per person — and will offer paper shredding services The event will also collect vinyl event banners; soft plastics such as plastic bags; white clean rigid Styrofoam packaging from appliances; and white with the exception of climbing gear and helmets will also be collected.     The following items will not be accepted at the event: fire detectors, fire extinguishers, biomedical waste, explosives, Styrofoam packing peanuts, Styrofoam cups or take-out food containers, large appliances, or anything with refrigerant or freon. There are some exceptions on soft plastics accepted as well. Visit LoveVail.org/hard-to-recycle-events for a list of accepted items and event details.   At last year’s spring Hard to Recycle event Vail community members shredded more than 6,300 pounds of paper; dropped off nearly 8,500 pounds of paint and chemicals and brought in more than 15,500 pounds of e-waste Styrofoam and vinyl banners accounted for 4,260 pounds of items collected Vail recycled 23 tons of otherwise hard to recycle materials.  The current national recycling rate is 32% and 39% percent in Eagle County the Town of Vail achieved a 33% recycling rate — outperforming the state average of 16% Vail continues to work toward increasing the diversion of recyclable and organic materials to achieve its goal of becoming a zero-waste community The May 9 event is funded by fees remitted to the town through the “kick the bag habit” program With the implementation of the statewide Plastic Pollution Reduction Act in 2023 all retailers in Vail are required to charge a 25-cent fee for single-use bags Retailers remit 40% of the collected fees to the town which funds several waste diversion initiatives including hard to recycle events and composting programs It is illegal in the State of Colorado to dispose of electronics with regular trash.    For additional information, contact Hunter Koch at 970-479-2338 or at hkoch@vail.gov.  Opinion | May 4 We are living in a time of incredible pressure it’s our children who are carrying the heaviest burden Anxiety and depression levels among children and teens have skyrocketed over the past decade and every credible study points to a clear set of culprits: social media internet access and the ever-growing mountain of academic It’s easy to point fingers at TikTok relentless competition or even the unrealistic portrayals of “perfect” lives online But if we’re serious about making a difference and truly loving and leading our families we have to ask the harder question: Right here at home The answer for most of us is probably not yet Communication isn’t a “nice-to-have” in this battle for the hearts and minds of our children And it’s not just communicating when there’s a problem Our kids navigate a digital battlefield every day The voices they hear the loudest are too often the ones telling them they’re not good enough If we aren’t filling their emotional tanks every single day with hope I will never forget an unforgettable moment I witnessed with the late arguably one of the greatest motivational speakers ever At a packed seminar with over 5,000 people an audience member stepped up to the mic during a Q&A session he thanked Zig for the impact Zig had on his own life but explained that his son was struggling mightily to stay motivated Zig’s response was nothing short of divine wisdom I am so glad God entrusted me with your life Zig encouraged him to do this every morning and every night not when the child “deserved it.” Every day And sitting right next to me was Zig’s son Think about that: A father who never stopped telling his grown son how proud he was If we want to lead and love our children in this chaotic world They need to hear it when they get straight A’s.They need to hear it when they fail a test.They need to hear it when they make us proud.They need to hear it when they break our hearts.Especially when they break our hearts Our communication must be an unrelenting flood of love encouragement and reminders that they are more than enough that no failure can separate them from our love and that no outside voice is louder or stronger than the voice of their family cheering them on but our ability to counteract them is real too we might just raise a generation that can walk through the storm without losing their way Let’s speak up, every day, every chance we get. Their future depends on it. I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com When we intentionally communicate through the storm Education is a lifelong journey at Colorado Mountain College Vail Valley at Edwards While the message may have originated from the university’s leadership it was embodied by the 303 students that earned degrees from the school during Friday’s graduation ceremony at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek’s Ford Hall Graduates from the college’s summer 2024 fall 2024 and spring 2025 bachelor’s and associate’s programs including 12 local high school students participating in the concurrent-enrollment program walked across the stage in front of a standing-room only crowd of family Colorado Mountain College Vail Valley at Edwards’ campus vice president and dean today is a day to remember,” Brennan said “Today is also the day that we bestow upon you a new title that we know you will wear with pride: Alumni of Colorado Mountain College.” each was given the opportunity to say a few words to the audience Most of the students thanked their families friends and teachers for supporting them through years of hard work Some students provided insight into their educational experience One student studied for nine years to earn his degree and had family members pass away in the course of their studies After a brief blackout midway though the ceremony one student thanked the “lighting and sound guy because this would’ve been a lot less impressive and I’ve waited a long time for this,” said Benjamen Hawf who earned his associate of general studies degree who earned addiction specialist and technician certificates “They taught me the difference between marking my career with what I gained and measuring my life with what I’ll be able to give back,” Settembre said graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and early childhood on the education pathway Garcia spoke in both English and Spanish about the worthwhile challenge of returning to her studies after taking time off at age 19 “It is never too late to follow your dreams.” Garcia encouraged her fellow graduates to thank themselves for the work they put in and the challenges they surmounted to earn their degrees and I hope this is not the end to many of our own journeys,” Garcia said you are not defined by how fast you got there You are defined by the fact that you did it.” president of Colorado Mountain College’s board of trustees and president and CEO of the Vail Valley Partnership Romer compared the graduates to superheroes like each superhero has their unique traits the knowledge the students gained and the challenges they faced during their time at Colorado Mountain College gave them super-strengths to celebrate the heroes that you have become?” Romer said Romer told the graduates that they were bridge-builders an asset in a world in which some people respond to fear by putting up walls “Keep forging those connections as you step into your future,” he said it’s time to use your powers for good,” Romer said the graduates moved the tassels on their graduation caps then threw the caps at the ceiling to celebrate their accomplishments Students streamed out of Ford Hall through a congratulatory tunnel made by Colorado Mountain College leadership and the teachers that got them to the finish line In the warm spring air at the base of Centennial Lift the sun set behind the mountains around families taking photos and sharing stories of their journeys what a difference 20 years has made in how Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association views energy An organization that in 2005 wanted to build a giant new coal plant now sees a future almost entirely devoid of coal It expects to be at 70% renewables by 2030 Perhaps Tri-State failed to get the executive order from President Donald Trump, “Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful, Clean Coal Industry.” It’s an echo of the past Prices of first wind and then solar had slid downhill on trajectories steeper than Interstate 70 descending from the Eisenhower Tunnel Reduced emissions were a bonus argument for renewables In an April 11 filing with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission Tri-State proposes adding 700 megawatts of new renewable resources sun-drenched and sparsely populated plains of eastern Colorado and also 650 megawatts of short-term battery storage “That’s a lot of steel in the ground,” said a member of an electrical cooperative on the Western Slope Tri-State proposes a 307-megawatt plant somewhere near Craig it will close all three coal-fired power units it now operates It also proposes to replace five aging combustion turbines near Fort Lupton at the J.M boosting capacity modestly to 281 megawatts This proposal fits in with a broad theme in Colorado More than 2,300 megawatts of new natural gas capacity is being built or is proposed by Colorado’s major electrical utilities That represents a net reduction in emissions Will these very expensive gas plants be stranded by new technologies during our journey to a mid-century goal of net-zero emissions Utility resource planners given responsibility for keeping lights on today think we need gas at least if we want to avoid giant price increases in electricity A study released by the Colorado Energy Office in early 2024 reached a similar conclusion our utilities thought our future was in coal Xcel Energy had started building Colorado’s largest coal unit ever Tri-State was also dreaming big coal in 2005 It wanted to build 1,400 megawatts of new coal-burning generation in southwest Kansas Kansas denied a permit for these coal-burning castles because of greenhouse gas emissions When the utilities finally got their permit in 2017 the economics of electricity had turned upside down Imagine the financial albatross hanging around Tri-State’s neck had it succeeded Tri-State spent $100 million or more on this errant path Tri-State was imagining a different future was given a mandate to explore the new economic terrain Jared Polis won election as Colorado governor after running on a platform of 100% renewables by 2040 Xcel executives announced their plans to leave coal Tri-State will close its three coal units by September 2028 it plans to close its coal unit at Springerville Tri-State hopes to get the federal assistance promised under the Inflation Reduction Act for stranded assets It will then have coal-burning ownership only in Wyoming’s Laramie River Station a short railroad trip from the Powder River coal fields Just transition is also part of Tri-State’s pivot State legislators in 2019 said that coal-dependent communities should be given aid as they made their career shifts Tri-State pledged to pay Craig and Moffat County $22 million between 2026 and 2029 and committed to support investments with $48 million in additional benefits between 2029 and 2038 Tri-State payments can be reduced if taxable property is added A gas plant in Moffat County will do just that And questions remain for it and other utilities about where to hedge bets Will a still-nascent technology fully emerge to replace gas Opinion | May 2 When was the last time you truly disconnected from your daily hustle and immersed yourself in the simple joys of nature and get on a trail to reconnect with the beauty that surrounds us At the Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance we believe that time spent on a trail can be one of the most transformative and rewarding experiences you can have happier life for yourself and those around you Imagine yourself on your favorite trail on a sunny Colorado spring day the trail soft beneath your shoes or tires the songs of migrating birds filling the air and you find yourself exactly where you want to be That feeling of presence and joy is no accident Trails have a remarkable way of carrying us into a “flow state,” a place where happiness Even just imagining a peaceful walk or ride through the mountains can lift your spirits Beyond providing a connection to nature and recreational opportunities trails deliver lasting benefits that shape the health of our community they protect open spaces and encourage conservation But perhaps the most profound impact trails have is on our physical and mental health Spending time in nature is strongly linked to a range of positive mental health outcomes and a lower risk of developing mental health conditions and provides a greater sense of meaning and purpose Young people who grow up with access to trails and green spaces are less likely to face mental health challenges such as depression children with limited access to green spaces have a 55% higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders One of the most beautiful gifts trails offer is the feeling of connection to ourselves This sense of connection nurtures self-esteem enriching both our personal growth and our relationships People who feel more connected to nature have greater eudaimonic well-being a type of contentment that goes beyond just feeling good and includes having a meaningful purpose in life how much trail time do you need to experience these benefits Research suggests that spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature can make a measurable difference daily doses or dive into longer weekend adventures And for those endurance athletes or multi-day racers studies show that benefits tend to peak around three to five hours per week This May, in honor of Mental Health Month we invite you to join us in celebrating the rejuvenating power of the outdoors Commit to spending at least two hours each week on the trail Soul Dirt creates inclusive opportunities for everyone to connect with nature and experience the transformational magic of our beloved trails we work to ensure that everyone can access and enjoy the outdoors we can build a future where trails continue to enrich lives and inspire a deeper love for the land we call home The Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance’s mission is to maintain and advocate for sustainable trail systems that connect people to nature The Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance is the trusted enduring leader in trail-based recreation — connecting a diverse community to well-loved trails and championing a model of access and stewardship of our public lands that benefits everyone Sports | May 3 Addison Mandeville, Chloe Greener and Alondra Ruiz weren’t quite ready for their prep careers to be over A year after leading Eagle Valley to its first play-off berth since 2017 the captains made more history on Saturday helping the Devils clinch the program’s first girls soccer league title — and punching another postseason ticket in the process “We knew what was on the line and we knew this could be our last game,” said Greener whose second-half corner kick header gave the Devils a 1-0 win over Battle Mountain “I think we went in with that mentality of ‘this could be it The Devils came into the contest ranked 34th in the CHSAA Selection & Seeding Index with the top-32 earning a spot in the 4A state bracket A tie or loss would cede the Western Slope title — and automatic playoff berth — to Battle Mountain Eagle Valley head coach Jess Platt said such win-or-go-home games “come down to intangibles.”   it’s more about the momentum and the mentality you come in with,” she said “We had a lot on the line for this game with winning the league making the tournament — these girls handled it super well.” the intensity was way high and same with this game,” Mandeville said “We’ve always been pretty evenly matched,” added Greener After Thea Armistead’s free kick from 30 yards out sailed just over the center crossbar 10 minutes into the second half Eagle Valley’s Izzy Hiatt received a beautiful through ball The senior’s shot on goal with 28:03 left looked good but Glendining stretched her leg out for an impressive save where she rocketed a pass to Greener in front of the net Such a perfect ball from Izzy,” Greener said “I did a little chicken move and aimed it to the left and it went in.” While Battle Mountain bottled up Mandeville who came into the game having scored six goals in the last five contests Eagle Valley’s defense tightened the screws to secure the victory who credited Riley Weatherred for setting the tone in that department especially at the end there,” Ruiz continued “There were a bunch of punts from Elle (Glendining) and Riley was there the whole time.” “When a team is winning balls out of the air like that it just helps build momentum and gives you the confidence,” Platt added the second touch and you’re going.” when they lost to Basalt in the regular-season finale Platt said she doubts her captains — all four-year varsity players — thought about the league title when they were freshman “They’ve been working towards that their whole high school career,” she stated “Every year it got a little closer.” “I’m kind of at a loss for words,” Mandeville said “Every year we’ve gone through league games and it’s never come to this point Mandeville, Greener and Ruiz also guided the Devils to their first league title on the hardwood this winter “We’ve all been together between basketball and soccer for the last four years, playing club together since we were 9 — I have goosebumps,” Greener said the way we left our legacy,” Ruiz stated “I wouldn’t want it with any other group of girls.” Show CaptionsHide Captions We met Jeffrey Martz and his family in the fall of 2021 shortly after they relocated to Vail from Geneva Although Jeffrey’s roots in Vail are relatively new — despite having spent the winter of 1987–88 working as a busboy at the Sunset Grill in the former Holiday Inn — he has embraced this community with genuine passion and uncommon dedication Jeffrey brings a strong background in business management and financial analysis With extensive experience as an executive in the energy trading sector he offers a deep understanding of commodity pricing His proven skills in strategic decision-making and resource optimization will be valuable assets to the district and its taxpayers Jeffrey’s international experience in Europe gives him a unique and thoughtful perspective on environmental responsibility — one that we believe aligns well with Eagle River Water & Sanitation District’s mission We are confident that Jeffrey will be a committed and forward-thinking steward of our water resources He is someone who respects our community’s history while actively investing in its future We strongly encourage you to vote for Jeffrey Martz on Tuesday Sports | May 2 On the eve of her last rivalry prep soccer game Eagle Valley senior Addison Mandeville glances at the photos hanging in her bedroom “Now I’m just thinking about all these teams I’ve played on with these girls,” she said before pinpointing one particular picture: a group of 9 and 10-year-old Vail Valley Soccer Club players posing after winning the Grand Mesa Invitational Tournament (GMIT) Border Battle years ago “The smile on all of our faces was just so real,” Mandeville stated After a decade-long futbol friendship, members of the Eagle Valley and Battle Mountain girls soccer teams will take to the pitch one last time on Saturday at 10 a.m. in Edwards. The stakes and storylines couldn’t be much sweeter, either. After playing to a 2-2 tie in their first meeting 3-1-1 league) enter the rubber match on a two-game win streak while the Huskies (7-4-3 overall 4-0-1 league) sit atop the 4A Western Slope especially to win it against Battle Mountain,” Eagle Valley senior Chloe Greener said are the relationships that have been made through the years “There’s been so many memories,” said Battle Mountain goalie Elle Glendining it’s going to be sad that I’m never going to get to play with — or against — these people I’ve grown up playing with.” The trio first forged a friendship — along with several other current teammates — at the Vail Valley Soccer Club during elementary school All remembered the aforementioned breakthrough win in Grand Junction one of the premiere Western Slope club tournaments “I think we only lost one or two games that year,” Glendining said we can play’ and should all stick with it.” “He kind of changed all of our perspective on soccer and made us more confident — and also showed us how we have to work to be successful,” she added “And that kind of led into our current coach Platt coaches Eagle Valley’s varsity girls team and the VVSC club team that both Devils and Huskies play on during the off-season That group has won the Vail Cup numerous times competed in the President’s Cup and even went to the Donosti Cup in Spain in 2023 all the while climbing to Premiere 2 status in the Colorado Soccer Association Advanced League Glendining said the two-week trip to Spain was one of her fondest memories “It was fun playing soccer against people who didn’t even speak our language,” she said “We were connected through soccer.”  “I’ll never forget that,” added Mandeville who also paired up with Husky junior Thea Armistead on the Mountain Select Olympic Development Program team The two tried out for their respective age-group U.S national squads in Salt Lake City last summer Greener and Glendining plan to play club soccer at Colorado State University and Cal Poly while Mandeville is slated to join Metro State’s NCAA roster In 2003, the Vail Daily reported the Eagle Valley girls soccer squad was playing for its first league title against Basalt. The Devils fell 3-1, however, finishing the year with a 15-2-1 overall mark and 11-1-1 record in the 3A Western Slope they were also second in the standings in 2015 and last spring After weathering a tough start to the 2025 campaign Eagle Valley has won four of its last five (with a 0-0 tie against Palisade being the other result) who has scored six times during that stretch said the team’s ever-growing chemistry is a big reason for the run “Towards the middle and end of the season is kind of when we lock in find our formulas and flow,” she said “I think that’s played a big part.” Given the past history and potential rewards woven into Saturday’s rivalry rematch Greener anticipates feeling a mix of excitement “Knowing it’s my last time playing with them on the same field most likely (there) will probably be a lot of emotions,” she said “But I know there will be a lot of adrenaline One key: who can capitalize the most on a decades-long shared scouting report “A lot of us know each other’s style of play so recognizing that in the game is going to be really important,” Greener said “It will definitely play an important role,” she said “We know Addie is a big goal-scorer and generates a lot of offense for them.” Mandeville said no matter which team comes out on top the game is a “win-win for both of us.” “It’s kind of the closing chapter for both of our teams,” she said “This is my last time playing with these girls ever.” a Vail Resorts property.Photo: kmaassrock/Getty Images the mountain's parent company received backlash for a less-than optimal guest experience other unionized ski patrol units at Vail-owned resorts across the country sought out better working contracts via good faith negotiation with the company While several of these contracts were ultimately ratified resolution didn't come without the threat of more strikes against the parent company. The resort company faced several lawsuits following the strike for various reasons related and unrelated to the union's actions POWDER's Ian Greenwood visited Park City in = December 2024 just days before the resort's ski patrol went on strike Just when things seemed to have calmed down, one of Vail's major investor's published a letter criticizing the company for their poor public image and calling for Lynch to step-down. While Vail made attempts to repair relationships with unhappy guests affected by the Park City Patrol strike by offering vouchers it seems that the poor reputation gained over the winter might have had an impact on overall skier visitation "Season-to-date visitation across the Company's 37 North American mountain resorts reflects the benefit of improved conditions offset by the expected continued industry demand normalization Destination visitation among pre-committed pass holder guests improved as expected in March and April; however visitation from lift ticket guests was below expectations," continued Lynch's statement The top of Whistler Blackcomb's Peak Express looking towards The Black Tusk Vail Resorts owns some of the best mountains in North America, from a skiing standpoint alone. Jewels like Whistler Blackcomb, Vail Mountain, Crested Butte, and Stowe as well as the accessibility of the Epic Pass when it comes to ski travel are undeniable upsides of the Vail Resorts conglomerate It's tough to say who's conditions actually improved given 'offsets by expected continued industry demand normalization,' whatever that means the significant amount of bad press Vail Resorts saw over the winter might have led to a decline in skier visits this season.Looking to next season the sales for the first rounds of the Epic Pass were slightly down except for amongst renewals from tenured pass holders The Battle Mountain girls lacrosse team claimed its third-straight league championship with a 20-9 win over No Head coach Mat Ballay called the victory a “total team effort.” “Everyone came out flying and the midfielders set the tone to start the game,” he said Looking to make amends for a crushing 10-goal home loss to No. 2 Green Mountain the previous day Abigail Rowe opened the senior-night affair with a score 81 seconds in ‘just make it in the goal’ so we can start the game strong and go from there,” said Rowe who added an assist and four ground balls later on we were kind of down,” said Murphy Werner “We used that as momentum to come back swinging I feel like we really played as a team today and it showed.” Werner recorded her second-straight hat trick game on Thursday “We trusted each other,” the junior continued “And it made all the difference.”  Aspen’s Lindsay Waldeck scored a pair of first-quarter goals to keep the Skiers in the mix early on The senior came around the net and capitalized on a designed dead-ball play to make it 2-2 with 4:44 left in the opening period But Battle Mountain’s Addie O’Connor responded 30-seconds later with her second goal of the quarter to keep the momentum on the home team’s side there was never a doubt of who controlled the game “(I was) most proud of the effort and how supportive they were of one another,” Ballay stated The Huskies went on a 9-1 second-quarter run to blow the game wide open The twin connection from Izzy and Kate Kovacik — the former scored twice and the latter had a game-high five assists — was instrumental in building the 12-4 halftime lead Isabelle Adochio tallied four goals and Isabel Thomas used her speed and savvy shot-making abilities to score twice as the Huskies cruised to a dominant double-digit victory “I think we played way more as a team today,” said Rowe “I feel like this win is going to help push us into postseason.” getting league champs three years in a row is really exciting I think (we) want to keep going and go farther each year,” said Kylah Romer who was honored with fellow seniors Alexa McGuire Caylen Holleman and Sloane Thompson prior to the first draw Ballay said this senior class stood out despite its size because they “led by example.” “It’s a small class,” he said you know them all a little bit better and that makes the whole process a bit more fun because you get to build those relationships.” 5 Mead earlier this year but also fell to No “I think something Ballay really emphasized was playing all the teams that we’re going to play in playoffs,” Romer said “We got to get a taste of everyone — and we got them next time.” “Coming at these Denver teams that are ranked high and have lots of practice and are known to be good — we’ve always had confidence that if we have the right attitude and mindset we can accomplish all we want and much more,” Werner added The 4A playoff brackets will be seeded on Sunday 9-1 league) will likely receive a first-round bye before hosting a second-round contest later next week When asked what the baseline expectation is for the postseason We want to go all the way,” the junior said 2025 at 11:12 AM MSTEmail This LinkShare on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInTUCSON (13 News) - At least two people were hurt in a chain reaction crash on Interstate 10 early this morning The Arizona Department of Transportation says the crash happened about 3:15 a.m in the eastbound lanes at milepost 288 near Vail DPS says it appears there was debris on the roadway from a previous crash and a vehicle trying to avoid the debris hit one of the vehicles from the earlier collision DPS says the at fault driver is being investigated for possible impairment At least two people were transported to Tucson area hospitals for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries One of those people is the at fault driver DPS says one of the eastbound lanes reopened at 4:43 a.m Be sure to subscribe to the 13 News YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@13newskold We want to thank Colorado Mountain College for sponsoring our Civics 101 class this winter thanks to High Five Access Media and Casey Russell for teaching the class We took the class wanting to better understand government our class became its own small community for asking questions and discussing We were reminded of the ways any community member can participate in civic life There are issues of concern right here in our county — affordable housing Habitat for Humanity or the town of Avon are good places to get information thinking globally,” zeroes in on not only worldwide topics anyone can speak during the “public comment” time that is designated on county and even homeowners association public agendas Check out the High Five Access Media website (highfivemedia.org) to live-stream or access archived videos of government nonprofit and community meetings and programs They also welcome volunteers who want to learn the tools to become civically engaged we encourage everyone to keep their voter registration up-to-date we see upcoming elections for Eagle River Water and Sanitation District Civic engagement — we the people — don’t underestimate its power Advertiser DisclosureAdvertiser Disclosure 495 Published Articles 785 Edited Articles Opinions and recommendations are ours alone The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available American Express has released 2 new Amex Offers for several ski resorts allowing you to pocket thousands of points or earn a statement credit to discount spending in the next several weeks so you may see something different in your account — or no offer at all Here are the details of the Amex Offers we’re seeing for Vail Resorts and Big Sky Resort – Montana need to scroll through each one manually to see what is available to you When you spend $500 or more at Vail Resorts by April 30, 2025, you’ll earn 10,000 bonus Amex Membership Rewards points Your purchases can either be a room rate or lift tickets and you can add up to the $500 spending requirement across multiple transations You can purchase your tickets online or over the phone This offer applies to properties owned and operated by Vail Resorts in the U.S. and Canda, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Park City, Breckenridge, Whistler Blackcomb, Heavenly, Keystone, Northstar, Stowe, and Crested Butte properties. Reservations can be made at snow.com or by calling 800-432-3186 We value Amex points at 2.2 cents apiece as it says additional charges to the room do not count towards this offer so make sure you’re using it either on the room rate or lift tickets but not any additional tickets While the offer above provides bonus points, this offer can save you money, providing up to a 20% rebate in the form of a statement credit. Through March 22, 2025, you can get $50 back when you spend $250 or more at bigskyresort.com You can complete this spending in multiple transactions and it only applies to room rate and lift ticket purchases made online for Big Sky Resort – Montana This offer only applies to room rate and lift ticket purchases made online or by calling 800-548-4486 It also doesn’t apply to any other resorts Ski tickets and room rates around winter resorts can be incredibly expensive especially at quality resorts during peak winter season Be sure to check your Amex acounts to see if you’ve got either offer remember to add them to your card and use that same card to make qualifying purchases to earn a $50 statement credit or 10,000 bonus points this spring James (Jamie) started The Forward Cabin blog to educate readers about points He’s spoken at Princeton University and The New York Times Travel Show and has been quoted in dozens of travel publications Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy  and terms of service  apply OFFER ENDING SOONChase Sapphire Preferred® Card LIMITED TIME TRAVEL OFFERThe Business Platinum Card® from American Express BEST LOUNGE ACCESSThe Platinum Card® from American Express Privacy Policy | All Guides | Terms & Conditions | Web Accessibility Policy | Cookie Policy travel information and ancillary information concerning travel and credit cards The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial LLC uses reasonable efforts to maintain accurate information on the site — and prior to applying for any credit card offers found on UpgradedPoints.com all visitors should review other features of such credit cards including but not limited to interest rates and should determine the suitability of such credit cards considering their own individual financial position as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases Editorial Disclosure: The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been influenced or reviewed by the credit card companies mentioned comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer News | May 1 The finish line is slightly less glamorous for ski towns on Colorado’s Western Slope this year as the winter season inches to an end Data shows western mountain resorts ended the winter season with softer visitation than they had hoped — a consequence of uneven snow conditions tumultuous economic policies and a late Easter Colorado’s numbers aren’t much different “We’ve seen a lot of pressure on consumers in the last four months with consumer confidence going down,” said Tom Foley senior vice president of Business Intelligence for Inntopia Inntopia’s most recent monthly market briefing report — utilizing data from approximately 28,000 lodging units in 17 mountain destination communities across Colorado Montana and Idaho — shows average daily rates and revenues remained steady from November through April occupancy for the full winter season is down by 0.5% across western mountain resorts Daily rates are up a seasonal 1.9% thanks to increases in five of the six winter months the somewhat higher rates are resulting in a 1.4% increase in seasonal revenues this spares Colorado from some of the challenges of a lower-revenue season though a volatile political landscape is making it more difficult to predict what future seasons could look like said strong pullback from international travelers is partly to blame for the lower occupancy and softer revenue gains International tourism to Colorado — and several other parts of the country — had already been on a downward trend since 2015 according to Colorado Tourism Office Director Tim Wolfe While the state has managed to bounce back on a few occasions mountain resort towns are still trying to recover international skiers — especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.  Canadians in particular have pulled back sharply on booking U.S with many going as far as to cancel existing reservations Analytics firm Tourism Economics projects travel from Canada will decline 20% in 2025 a whopping $3.4 billion in lost revenue compared to last year Canadian-sourced bookings processed through Inntopia’s commerce database for arrivals from January through next September in western mountain resorts are down 22.7% compared to the same time last year The dramatic swing goes from a 5.7% decrease in bookings for January arrivals to a 62% decline for May arrivals Compared to the 25% drop in bookings for Western Europe the collective dissuasion from Canadian travelers is arguably having a considerably larger impact on the country’s tourism economy visitation from Canada is relatively flat compared with what other U.S “Air Canada has canceled some other flights in other destinations like Las Vegas and Florida but their capacity hasn’t changed in Denver,” Wolfe said “I just think Denver has always been open and welcoming to the Canadians We have great relationships with our partners that we work with in Canada.” is seeing higher visitation across mountain resort communities “Perhaps of more consequence to many of the Colorado resorts is travel from Mexico which is actually up fairly strongly year over year from this winter and through to September,” Foley said “That has a big impact on particularly Eagle County who have a really strong presence in the Mexican market but other Colorado resorts as well.” Canada and Mexico combined account for 46% of Colorado’s international visitation with Mexico bringing in over 250,000 visitors followed by Canada at 183,000 visitors according to an April release from the governor’s office The economic impact of international travel from these two countries in 2024 was over $265 million Wolfe said one of the reasons for increased visitation from Mexico is changes in the value of the dollar overseas As a result of decreased international travel overall Foley said he expects markets will start to see more competition for domestic tourists to make up for lost funds Bookings from domestic travelers to Inntopia’s mountain resorts are currently sitting close to flat “If the international market declines competing destinations are now going after the domestic market,” Foley said “So I think there’s some competition arising amongst domestic consumers that might not otherwise exist as folks try to pick up from shortfalls.” Foley said the uncertainty around the market has driven 26-29% of travelers who were initially intending to go abroad this summer to change their plans residents are going to pick domestic destinations for their summer vacations “There is a domestic market opportunity there for destinations to capture something (different),” Foley said The rule of thumb is simple: “Bad snow years make for bad bookings,” Foley said but not great snow year,” Foley said about snowfall across Colorado “Those big back-to-back events were rare this year so it was tough to keep momentum going.” The uncertainty shared by consumers compounded in a way where snow conditions weren’t compelling enough for some to “override financial anxiety and attract skiers and riders during the winter months,” Foley wrote in the report.  Another reason behind the region’s fallen occupancy rates had to do with the patterns around school breaks and holidays Tourism in Colorado usually bumps up around the Easter holiday the holiday came almost three weeks later when several ski resorts had already closed for the season “There was a lot of compression last year in March with school breaks and Easter all piling into the last two weeks of the month even with moderate snow at the time,” he said “(This year) Easter got spread out so far that maybe it was just a little bit too late to have folks hitting the slopes.” Despite the slower end to the 2024-25 winter ski season which generally show lower rates in mountain destinations we saw the focus of bookings shift from the winter months “I think that had to do with some big temperature warm-ups in urban markets that usually distracts folks from the ski product.” Bookings made in March for arrivals in March through August added 5.3 percentage points in occupancy this year which is down slightly from the 5.4 percent incremental fill recorded in March 2024 Though this marks the fourth consecutive month with a decline in booking pace bookings for May through August all increased Colorado hasn’t yet reached its peak season for summer booking Only around 25% of the transactions and under 30% of the revenue for all of last summer have been booked so far this year meaning there’s potential for booking to go in either direction Summer travel can also be more difficult to project compared with winter since it’s less reliant on weather and more strongly reflects the “economic mood of the mountain travel consumer.” “Although the summer numbers on occupancy are down slightly this is early in the booking season and we will get a much better picture of how consumers are feeling about their warm weather travel plans amidst all this economic turmoil in the next 4-6 weeks,” Foley wrote in the report “We’re just full-steam ahead and making sure everybody knows Colorado is open and welcoming to all international travel,” Wolfe said, adding that the state’s newly announced digital passport will help encourage travel to all 64 counties across the state starting in the summer “We’ve got a number of different programs that are going to definitely catch the eye of the international traveler.” With Colorado’s 150th birthday coming up counties across the state are working on celebrations that are sure to draw in crowds “We can’t wait to be the megaphone and get that word out there to those international travelers so they can peek at those lesser-known and rural destinations,” Wolfe said “We have an exciting opportunity with the Sundance Film Festival coming in 2027 during a relatively quiet period for our state and we expect to see tourism expand well into the mountain areas and help support small businesses,” said Eve Lieberman executive director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade News | Apr 30 The Vail Christian boys volleyball team is headed to the postseason for the first time in program history The Saints made the 24-team field, announced Wednesday with the Colorado High School Activities Association’s release of the eight regional brackets Vail Christian will travel to Thornton to face the host No “Certainly every year we’ve been working on progressing as a program starting off with really modest and humble beginnings and getting kids interested in the sport,” said head coach James Scott who has led the program since its inception in 2022 “What’s really important to the program is that we’re moving forward.” Vail Christian went 3-7 that first year and 7-9 in 2023. Last year saw the first winning record as the Saints went 13-8 and finished 39th out of 72 teams CHSAA split the boys volleyball field into two classes this spring; Vail Christian finished the year with a 9-9 record and was the 10th-ranked team in the final 4A Selection & Seeding Index Since they were able to break down the classifications ourselves and most of our competition now have a chance to really enjoy the opportunity to find success in the postseason,” said Scott who feels this group is even better than the one he had last year We have a lot more tools to use on the court and certainly we’re looking at the competition — it’s gotten better,” he continued “The schools in our league have gotten better and that’s a testament to what they’ve been able to do and who they’re playing and the kids who have access to clubs down in Denver — the sport is absolutely growing.” Defending state champion Mountain Vista (21-2) is the second-ranked team in 5A which won the first two state championships after CHSAA sanctioned the sport in 2022 Regis Groff (20-3) enters the 4A tournament as the top seed Vail Christian enters the regional fairly battle tested They also faced several 5A schools at a midseason tournament “I think the fact we’ve had a chance to play more teams of higher caliber this season than we have in the past is always going to help the guys,” Scott stated.  While Scott hasn’t seen a ton of film on Canon City yet “Stargate looks like a strong program,” he said “I think it’s going to be a really good game I think looking at who they have and where their strong suits are — they’re definitely going to push our guys and it’s going to come down to whether or not they want to answer the call and push back.”  News | Mar 31 A 2021 snowmaking mishap on Vail Mountain led to the death of 120 fish but it could also soon lead to in-stream trout habitat improvements at one of the town’s most active locations After an investigation from the state of Colorado determined that Vail Mountain left valves open on its snowmaking system from Sept releasing some 2 million gallons of water containing hazardous substances into Mill Creek and Gore Creek Vail Resorts agreed to put $250,000 toward a restoration project in the Gore Creek valley That project will be part of a larger effort to restore the creek after it was listed as a 303(d) impaired waterway for low aquatic life by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in 2012 Trout fishing in Gore Creek has been protected since 1984 when the Colorado Division of Wildlife Commission declared the stretch of water between Red Sandstone Creek and the Eagle River as a restricted stream for rainbow and brown trout fishing The restrictions made that section of Gore Creek subject to catch-and-release regulations limiting anglers to the use of only flies and lures and requiring all trout less than 16 inches to be released immediately back into the creek But the restrictions also allowed Gore Creek to meet Colorado Parks and Wildlife criteria to become what the agency had designated as “Gold Medal Water,” one of only nine Gold Medal Waters in Colorado at the time 11 creeks and rivers and three lakes have been designated as Gold Medal Waters Other criteria include assessments of the fishery’s quality requiring it to consistently produce an average of at least a dozen 14-inch trout per acre of water lobbied the state to designate Gore Creek as a Gold Medal Water but also feared the creek was in danger of being overfished Eagle Valley Trout Unlimited president Charles Lorch told the Vail Trail that Gore Creek would be “in danger of becoming ‘fished out’ if its reputation among Colorado anglers begins to grow.” said Gore Creek “ranks as one of the few waters in the state in which the fisherman can catch all four species of trout,” including rainbow brook and the rarer Colorado-native cutthroat trout Join the 17,000 readers who get the news from us daily Sign up for daily or weekly newsletters at VailDaily.com/newsletter brown and brook trout were all found killed during the 2021 fish kill event along with one “cutbow,” a rainbow-cutthroat hybrid the Colorado State Attorney General’s office awarded $250,000 in damages to Eagle Valley Trout Unlimited stipulating that Trout Unlimited would see to an in-stream habitat improvement project on Gore Creek A creek location in need of an estimated $617,000 in restoration work at the east end of Ford Park near the Vail Nature Center was selected and the local Trout Unlimited chapter partnered with the town of Vail to secure an additional $200,000 in grant funds from Colorado Parks and Wildlife Eagle Valley Trout Unlimited members contributed an additional $67,000 to the Ford Park project, and the Vail Town Council allocated $100,000 in the town’s 2025 budget toward it is likely to approve a recommendation from town staff to authorize the town manager to enter into an agreement with Eagle Valley Trout Unlimited for in-stream habitat improvements at Ford Park in an amount not to exceed $100,000 Climate Action Week at Walking Mountains is dedicated to inspiring climate action and fostering collaboration with local climate action partners in Eagle County From meeting llamas to exploring sustainable snow-melting solutions the week was jam-packed with over a dozen sustainability-focused events over 800 people participated in Climate Action Week events The week started strong with a free Spanish viewing of “Ferngully” at Riverwalk Theater the 1992 film explores themes of exploiting animals and natural resources with an overarching theme of deforestation The week continued with a walking tour of Vail to highlight the town’s exploration of a sustainable geothermal snowmelt system ending with a happy hour at Blue Moose Pizza a leader within our 2025 Walking Mountains Sustainability Business Cohort Walking Mountains partnered with the Eagle County Conservation District and Wiggle Worm Gardens for a local sustainable agriculture tour The tour included four stops: LaVenture Farms Market Garden participants learned about sustainable agriculture practices used by the landowners The week of events wrapped up on Earth Day at the Wolcott Solid Waste and Recycling Center with a sold-out community tour with 20 participants Hosting this tour on Earth Day was especially impactful As the world grapples with a global waste crisis seeing firsthand where our waste goes fosters a deeper connection to our consumption habits and encourages more conscious behaviors such as exploring different waste diversion initiatives like signing up for the Vail Honeywagon compost drop-off service or increasing recycling Fortunately, Eagle County is actively contributing to this effort. Holy Cross Energy is working toward reaching its goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030 and offsetting all greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 These goals are being pursued through investments in solar and wind energy replacing traditional fossil fuels like coal and natural gas ensuring a healthy ecosystem and thriving economy for both current and future generations The Climate Action Collaborative is currently focused on developing a regional roadmap for net-zero building codes and supporting Holy Cross Energy in achieving its renewable energy objectives The Climate Action Plan and Climate Action Collaborative are valuable assets to the community in Eagle County and prioritize environmental well-being Eagle County is united by a shared commitment to protect human health It’s important that our community feels supported in the face of ever-changing climate regulations The 151st Kentucky Derby is set for Saturday at 4:57 p.m and here are a few places you can go for watch parties: Celebrate the Kentucky Derby on Saturday with the Lookout Bar’s second annual Derby Party Before or after you watch the fastest two minutes in sports come for some bites and the Kentucky Derby inspired cocktails Guests are encouraged to dress in their most dapper Kentucky Derby outfits and hats in order to win great prizes, including Lookout Bar gift certificates. The Lookout Bar Derby Party is free and open to those 21 years old and older, but reservations are required, to go LookoutBarAvon.com/Happenings The Gambit, located in the lobby of the Sebastian Vail, is hosting a Kentucky Derby watch party, inviting you to come in and drink some Maker’s Mark, wear your best derby hat, seersucker suit or party dress and cheer on your favorite horse. For more information, go to TheSebastianVail.com/Events/Derby-Party 10th Mountain Whiskey and Spirits Company is hosting Kentucky Derby parties once again and welcomes everyone to join them before, during and after the race. There will be prizes for best hat and best dressed and mint juleps will be served by the whiskey experts. These watch parties will be held at the tasting room in Vail Village and at the distillery in Gypsum. For more information, visit 10thWhiskey.com residents and friends of Eagle County have done their part to help keep the county looking good along the major roadways that run throughout the area The 25th Annual Community Pride Highway Cleanup is put on by the Eagle River Coalition and this event is being held this Saturday and hundreds of volunteers are expected to come out for a short time – from 9 a.m to noon – to pick up the trash that’s been uncovered now that the snow has melted The Community Pride Highway Cleanup covers several miles along Interstate 70 and crews also clean up areas along U.S. Highways 6, 24 and 131. Many communities host their own town cleanups around this time, too, so if you can’t volunteer on Saturday, there may be other opportunities to give back in the coming weeks. To learn more, go to EagleRiverCo.org The Eagle Valley Library District is once again offering Books in Bloom and will host three award-winning authors at Colorado Mountain College in Edwards this Saturday Melissa Payne and Bethany Turner will share with the audience inspirations and insights into their experiences as writers Fedarko is a seasoned author and journalist renowned for his exploration of the American Southwest and his fervent advocacy for environmental conservation Payne’s stories feature small mountain towns with characters searching for redemption love and second chances. Turner adds a bit of humor to her romantic comedies while still tackling the sticky issues of life Their stories should make for a fun event for you and fellow book lovers This year, the event will be held in the morning with a brunch kicking things off at 10 a.m. followed by the presentations, a meet-and-greet and book signings with the authors. Books will be for sale as well, so you can add these to your summer reading list. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online at EVLD.org/Events/Books-Bloom-2025 You’ll also get to see the new Library Bookmobile which will be parked outside of Colorado Mountain College The Slush Rush and live music at Copper Mountain The Slush Rush will challenge teams of three skiers snowbladers or a combination of gear to different feats like the Subaru Superpipe Slalom where the first competitor will navigate around gates set in the resort’s 22′ Superpipe walls. The second team member is tasked with going around banked turns while holding a full mug of Gatorade in the Nokian Tyres Cross Course the last leg is the YETI Rails & Pond Skim where the final competitor will ride a rail slide do a trick on a medium size jump and finish the course across an ice-cold pond skim There will be several prizes given out for the top teams and it will be a fun spectator sport There will also be live music with El Paso Lasso playing for free from 3-5 p.m. at Eagle’s Landing at the base area as part of the Copper Live music series. For more information, go to CopperColorado.com a popular concert series you can enjoy whether you are hitting the spring snow hosting a barbecue at The Beach or just want to hear some live music in a beautiful setting Go to ArapahoeBasin.com for more details News | Apr 19 Vail’s Closing Weekend often means that many businesses shut down for a while after the last chair spins on Sunday but one beloved bar and restaurant will be closing for good the restaurant at the bottom of Gondola 1 with the iconic patio facing Vail Mountain will be shutting down after 53 years of serving as Vail’s “Cheers” bar for locals and guests alike “What I like best about Los Amigos was that we not only had locals who were regulars but we had tourists who also became regulars,” said Shannon Short who worked at Los Amigos from 2017 to 2022 “There were people who’d been coming to town for years and they would come here every day that they were here in Vail They were just as much my friends as the local regulars who came in.” Drew Riley grew up getting root beers at the bar after skiing and playing with the dishwasher sprayer when he was a kid. In 1982, Drew’s parents, Ron and Ann Riley, purchased Los Amigos from original owners, Judy and Shirkie Evans “I remember as a kid when I was 11 or 12 and I don’t think the dishwasher showed and I was playing out at Pirate Ship Park and my dad came out and said remember how you’ve always wanted to play with the sprayer in the kitchen Now’s your time.’ And there I was pitching in when we needed help,” Riley said Ron Riley had some health issues in 2014 and Drew stepped in to help run the other restaurant Ron owned Russell’s Steakhouse on Bridge Street Drew also owns First Chair restaurant on Bridge Street The lease for Los Amigos ends on April 30 and the restaurant has hosted celebrations all season long like Legacy Nights where locals and visitors could share stories and say goodbye The final Legacy Night held on April 16 was packed with people who came from all over to pay their respects “My dad was able to come out for it and there was definitely a ton of past employees who came up to him and thanked him They were so grateful for how my dad cared for all of his employees,” Riley said Los Amigos wasn’t just a place to grab a beer or a margarita and nachos after skiing it was a coveted spot to watch the Slide for Life a spectacle where a lesser-skilled skier or snowboarder tries to make it down the short yet steep run on Vail Mountain called Pepi’s Face People have had a lot of fun with it.”   one that was a part of legendary events of the past like BB & B and the Great Race Its deck used to host hot tub parties complete with sand that was hauled in and a tall lifeguard chair overseeing the shenanigans That’s the way Anthony Keel remembers Los Amigos bartender and bar manager throughout his stints from 1993 to 2001 and 2006 to 2016 and there’s no question that everybody there knew it as a focal point,” Keel said “I’m just a little bit sad that some of the last vestiges of old-school Vail are going away.” Rodney Johnson saw a lot during his tenure at Los Amigos where he worked from 2002 to 2007 and 2010 to 2024 “It’s an end to a beautiful era people would come in as young children and later they’d return as adults with their children It was just a continuing saga of generation after generation of families coming through there and enjoying that spot,” Johnson said “It was really cool for people that came to visit because they’re sitting at the bar next to a local and they start hearing some of the stories How fitting for a bar whose name is Los Amigos which means “friends” in Spanish Short and many of the other former and current staff posed for a photo behind the bar It’s the everlasting camaraderie and connection of the people that have worked there or hung out there or known people that worked there over the years You could just feel the love at Legacy Night It was palpable in the room,” Short said Los Amigos will close for good on Sunday at 4 p.m “I’ve been spending more time on this deck this season just trying to soak it all in,” Riley said “There’s just something about basking in the sun and watching people come down Pepi’s Face while drinking a beer and hanging with friends I’m really going to miss this.” (KGUN) — As temperatures rise and more Arizonans head outdoors to enjoy the sun one Tucson woman is sharing her personal story — and a warning — in honor of Melanoma Monday and Skin Cancer Awareness Month was diagnosed with melanoma in 2017 at age 35 — the deadliest form of skin cancer She said her battle began with a freckle that slowly changed into a mole over the course of 10 to 15 years "I know it sounds like a crazy amount of time," she said I did have it looked at on two different occasions and the third time That's when she said the freckle began to morph "I did have to do my first bout of immunotherapy but my scans were clean and I was starting to get some side effects so the doctor and I had decided to cease treatment," Mason explained doctors found a suspicious spot in her lung — which they described as “an unidentifiable lesion.” and that’s what prompted my first brain MRI We tried to find a surgeon because at the time we thought it was just localized to the lung.” Mason began experiencing painful headaches A brain MRI revealed three tumors on her brain and she was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma Her case is one of millions. According to the American Cancer Society more than 5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States making it the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the country The American Cancer Society estimates 3,790 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in Arizona this year — a rate well above the national average Skin cancer is not something that you can cut out and you’ll be fine,” Mason said She urges people to check their skin regularly and limit their exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays — the most common cause of skin cancer Mason showed KGUN 9 the sunscreen she uses and emphasized the importance of consistency “The best sunscreen is the one that you’ll wear,” she said She also shared several sun safety tips: using sunscreen daily and wearing wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses After undergoing intensive treatments — including a double craniotomy immunotherapy and brain radiation — Mason currently shows no signs of cancer She continues to monitor her skin and volunteers with the American Cancer Society to advocate for cancer legislation in Arizona Report a typo The project to rebuild a bigger, lasting version of the Bolts Lake Reservoir is rapidly taking shape Construction on the new reservoir is set to begin in 2029 and it is expected to be ready for use in 2032 The project should be at 30% design by the end of this spring and field surveying will begin this summer The Eagle River Water & Sanitation District and the Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority have been working on building out on the site of the old, long-drained Bolts Lake Reservoir for years to prepare for low water years and climate uncertainty The district purchased the Bolts Lake property from Battle North in 2022 The old Bolts Lake had a capacity of around 300 acre feet of water or enough to cover 300 football fields a foot deep in water The new reservoir will have a capacity of 1,200 acre feet or higher The dam will fill during high runoff times in the spring and early summer then discharge water during drier months in the late summer and fall At an April 10 joint meeting between the district and authority engineers from the construction engineering firm AECOM presented options for feeding and lining the reservoir is the project’s lead dam engineer.  The original design was expected to pull water from two sources: Cross Creek and the Eagle River.  Helm and his team looked at four locations on Cross Creek for potential water diversion sites including the existing Bolts Ditch headgate (with minor tweaks) The hope is to employ a gravity feed from Cross Creek diverted in a slightly different direction Getting water from the Eagle River to the reservoir will be slightly more complicated requiring a pump station to push the water uphill Helm’s team looked at two potential pump station locations on the Eagle River — one noted in the original design selection and one slightly downstream from it Geomorphologists at AECOM are looking at historical images of the Eagle River to confirm spots with long-term stability in the river where the shape of the river does much of the work without the need for intervention The diversions will look like large boulders and rocks stacked in the streambed creating a weir that holds up water in the river to be drawn off toward the reservoir The rock upon which Bolts Lake Reservoir is built is highly permeable it needs a liner to cover the bottom and sides of the reservoir “The reason we’re lining this is because the natural geology is really fractured bedrock,” Helm said “This is so permeable (that) water will flow out so we had to actually line the whole reservoir.” The original Bolts Lake Reservoir had no liner “But it probably lost most of the water,” said Jason Cowles the district’s director of engineering and water resources “The early design stuff we did showed that it was so permeable we would probably lose the entire volume of the reservoir within the course of a year.” Helm presented three options for a liner: A compacted clay liner a geomembrane liner and a hydraulic asphalt concrete liner The compacted clay liner would combine clay salvaged from a borrowing area in Wolcott with other synthetic liner layers to create a 5.5-foot-thick liner But on top of the potential for the liner cracking as water levels changed and the possible need to find an additional source of clay the liner had one giant problem: It would require 32,000 truckloads of clay and other materials to travel through Minturn over a period of roughly two to three years relatively flexible layer of reinforced polyethylene that is commonly used for reservoirs this liner could last 40 to 50 years.  But the liner of choice for the project is made of hydraulic asphalt concrete while on the newer side in the United States has been common in Europe for lining dams and reservoirs “for a number of years,” Helm said The hydraulic asphalt liner consists of two layers of asphalt — a drainage layer and then a dense it’s somewhat flexible,” Helm said The hydraulic asphalt liner scored the highest against several other types of liners in many categories performance and maintenance of the options.  The liner would require about 7,000 truckloads of material to travel through Minturn over two to three years The parts of the liner most exposed to UV rays might need to be replaced in 10 to 15 years there are no contractors in Colorado that can install this type of liner The contractor will need to come from Europe While the technology is similar to other asphalt contractors in Colorado smoothly installing the liner on the sides on the reservoir requires work by those who have been trained in it To secure a competitive field from European contractors the bid for the installation of this liner needs to be put out a year or two before work is to begin — less of a challenge for a project set to start construction in four years The large size of the Bolts Lake project will also help with getting contractors’ attention leader of the Black and Veatch team that is managing the project presented on the project’s progress in analyzing its impacts on the environment around the reservoir based on surveys completed in the fall Johnson’s team has engaged Colorado Parks and Wildlife Environmental Protection Agency to seek each organization’s feedback on the project’s impacts and permitting needs endangered species in or around the area,” Johnson said.  Construction will need to avoid beaver dams in and around the areas Wetlands around the Eagle River will be impacted and need to be mitigated if the reservoir pumps water from Eagle River The pump also needs to avoid pulling in fish “That is an ongoing conversation with Colorado Parks and Wildlife,” Johnson said The reservoir construction may impact two sites that could be candidates for the National Register of Historic Places (but are not yet on the list or even up for being added): The trestle pipe from the Eagle Mine and Bolts Ditch itself A section of the trestle pipe will need to be removed to build the reservoir’s embankment while the majority will stay in place.  The district is currently blocked from doing construction on Bolts Ditch due to a federal mapping error and is pursuing federal legislation to enable the use of the land again I am running for re-election to the Holy Cross Energy Board of Directors representing the Southern District in the upcoming election I live in Basalt and have been a lifelong resident of this region Thanks to the leadership of the Board of Directors and Holy Cross Staff Holy Cross Energy’s residential electric rates are in the lowest third of all Colorado utilities. During 2024 Holy Cross provided 61,500 homes and businesses in our area with 75% of their power supply from clean Holy Cross provided 80% clean power on the way to 100% in 2030 You might ask how Holy Cross can keep its electric rates so affordable while providing 75% clean renewable power supply. In large part it is due to long-term power supply contracts negotiated before 2020 that are less expensive than carbon-based power Those contracts also make carbon-based power and capacity available when needed. An important part of our clean power supply is the nearly 3,000 net-metered consumers with rooftop solar Holy Cross’s current residential electric rates have increased only 12.5% since 2019 while the CPI increased 25% during the same period Holy Cross is less expensive than the surrounding electric utilities of Glenwood Springs (+5%) Ballots for this election will be mailed to members on May 7. You may vote by paper ballot or online on or before June 3 For more information, please see Holycross.com/elections or GardnerBradford.com.  and the unsung heroes working every day to make this valley more vibrant It’s innovative and responsive public and private sector leaders It is everyone dedicated to making Eagle County a great place Local business is not just a part of our economy — small businesses in many ways are our economy Over 90% of Eagle County businesses have fewer than 20 employees They are the dreamers who took the risk to open their doors While it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of running a business (meeting payroll and dealing with macro and micro-economic trends) it’s also important to pause and celebrate success That’s exactly what we’ll be doing on May 8 at the 22nd Annual Vail Valley Success Awards The Success Awards is one of my favorite nights of the year It’s our community’s biggest celebration of business excellence It’s not just another gala or rubber-chicken dinner (although yes It’s a chance to honor those who are moving our community forward — those who lead with integrity This year’s list of finalists is nothing short of inspiring From Business of the Year to Nonprofit of the Year; from Small Business of the Year to the Emerging Business Award; from Best Place to Work to Community Impact Awards — we’ve seen nominations that highlight the incredible diversity and strength of our business community There are stories of businesses reinventing themselves to meet changing customer needs There are leaders investing in their teams and creating exceptional workplace cultures There are nonprofits stretching every dollar to make a difference in people’s lives There are innovative startups carving new paths in industries as diverse as our business community say yes when it would be easier to say no and pour their hearts into making this valley a better place We’re shining a light on what’s possible We’re reminding ourselves that entrepreneurship We’re reminding ourselves that community leadership matters I hope you’ll join us on May 8 at the EagleVail Pavilion for the Success Awards celebration Come support the heartbeat of Eagle County — our local businesses “Life moves pretty fast; if you don’t stop and look around once in a while you could miss it.” In a world where challenges are always around the corner it’s more important than ever to pause and say: Well done Please join us in celebrating the best of the Vail Valley News | Apr 2 In Vail, parking issues have always created headaches for the town’s leaders but parking problems have never reached a point where the town needed to start charging for parking in the summer For the first time in the town’s history according to a new plan approved by the Town Council on Tuesday The plan was put together by the town’s Parking and Mobility Task Force over the last few months and calls for parking in the Vail Village and Lionshead parking structures to be $2 per hour with the first hour free and a max of $10 per day and the overnight rate (assessed between the hours of 4 a.m heard a presentation from Greg Hall with Vail’s public works department the town’s parking operations manager The Vail Village parking structure is 50 years old while the Lionshead structure is 45 years old Hall said the maintenance costs are going to increase significantly to keep the aging structures in use To keep Vail’s transit and parking program “revenue neutral,” Hall said which was dedicated to provide transit service those combined pay for both parking operations and transit operations,” Hall said “This is not an issue of the town looking to bring in money where they don’t need it it’s truly to continue to support both enhanced transit and dealing with the parking issues.” Hall said the paid summer parking plan will support the town’s strategic plan which includes a goal to reduce the number of locals using the parking structures about 72% of our use is from both Eagle County and trips that originate in Vail and you’re trying to get that down to about 50%,” Hall said “The reason you’re trying to do that is so you don’t have to build additional parking spaces Additional parking spaces cost anywhere from $85,000 to $125,000 and up and so every parking space that you don’t have to build is a significant savings to the town For those who need to drive into town for work parking passes will offer a way to cut down on the new costs the paid summer parking plan will create and employee-plus pass will cost $450 and a premier pass will cost $1,220 The premier and employee plus passes will provide free access to all of the town’s lots; the employee pass will provide free access to the Lionshead parking structure and a 50% discount to the Vail Village parking structure; and the Vail and Eagle County Local passes will provide 50% discounts off all lots Winter parking passes will remain active throughout the summer Council member Dave Chapin thanked the parking task force for including options for locals to pay less for parking if you work five days a week,” Chapin said The paid summer parking plan was unanimously approved by the seven-member Town Council on Tuesday Council member Barry Davis said the plan is a work in progress “I don’t think this is a perfect system; I think it has a lot of confusing things,” Davis said “But I think that’s going to deliver us a lot of great data I think this is a great place for us to start moving forward.” News | Apr 11 Vail Mountain closed China Bowl and Teacup Bowl this week but Sun Up and Sun Down Bowls remain open as the mountain heads into its second-to-last weekend of the season The decision to close the eastern bowls was a game-time decision from the resort’s operations crews who determine terrain openings based on conditions and guest patterns this time of year said the decision was made “given the warm conditions,” and said more closures could come on a day-to-day basis Levitsky issued the following operations update for on-mountain lifts and restaurants heading into Vail Mountain’s final week of the season the following lifts and restaurants are expected to remain open: News | Mar 20 Vail Mountain’s Riva Bahn Express chairlift was spinning again on Wednesday after being out of order for nearly two weeks and a Vail Mountain spokesperson says the lift is scheduled to reopen to the public on Thursday The lift’s gearbox required a full rebuild The gearbox of a chairlift is an especially important component Vail Mountain enlisted the help of an outside expert in rebuilding the lift’s gearbox “Our lift maintenance team and outside expert have been working hard to get this lift up and running with repairs on the gearbox,” Levitsky said has one of the hardest working gearboxes on Vail Mountain powering a lift that’s more than 9,000 feet in length with two unloading stations and a large downhill section requiring guests to load from Vail Village Lionshead or Cascade to access the rest of the mountain For the new Avanti Vail food hall at Golden Peak the closure of the nearby lift has not been good for business we’ve seen firsthand how much the lift drives activity in Golden Peak and that has been evident in the revenue drop of both food and beverage,” Edmisten said Patrick’s Day Weekend business — one of the busiest weekends of the year for our Denver and Boulder locations — so we were especially looking forward to celebrating our first one in Vail.” Avanti Vail is comprised of five different vendors in a European-style food hall at Golden Peak Edmisten said Vail Resorts has been sensitive to the Avanti’s situation “We appreciate our ongoing communication with Vail Resorts and the updates they’ve provided throughout the closure,” Edmisten said “We’re also working with our Vail Resorts representative on a concession to help offset some of the financial loss.” which uses its proximity to Chair 6 as a selling point “We want to thank the Vail Mountain team for keeping us up to date during the unfortunately timed pause to Chair 6 operations,” Meyers said “While the interruption has added steps for our homeowners guests and team members to get up the mountain and enjoy this new snow we’re confident everything possible is being done to resolve the issue quickly and safely We’re grateful for the effort and active updates we’ve been receiving as the situation continues to evolve. We know the best in the industry are working to resolve the problem.” providing a connection to the top of the mountain at Ski Patrol Headquarters Riva Bahn allows them to access that area without taking Chair 4 from the busy Mid-Vail area Patrick’s Day holiday pointed out that long lift lines could be found during mid-day hours at Chair 4 Vail has recorded more than 2 feet of new snow For ski racing athletes, Chair 6 also provides access to the Golden Peak Race Arena. That venue is set to host super-G, giant slalom and slalom races for this year’s 2025 Toyota U.S. Alpine National Championships starting March 29 News | Apr 27 Vail Resorts announced its summer opening dates for all five of its Colorado resorts Keystone Resort will be the first ski resort to offer summer activities The resort will then plan to open its other summer activities on June 19 on a Thursday through Monday operating schedule until Sept Keystone will then shift to a Friday through Sunday schedule After closing for skiing and riding on May 11 Breckenridge Ski Resort will shift its focus to opening for the summer season on June 13 Breckenridge will operate for the summer until Sept Vail Mountain will open for the summer on June 13 while Beaver Creek will open on June 14 Vail will go to a Friday through Sunday schedule after Sept Beaver Creek will operate on Saturday and Sunday only after Sept Prior to hosting its first day of the summer season Beaver Creek will open for golfing on May 16 The season at Crested Butte is set to end on Sept 28 with the resort shifting to a Saturday and Sunday schedule after Sept Some of activities and trails at the resorts may open later than anticipated due to snow and trail conditions visit the resort’s social media channels and websites News | Apr 3 Colorado ski resorts are nearing the end of the 2024-25 season While some mountains will stretch the season as far as possible you can mark your calendars with other official closing days Aspen MountainEldora Mountain ResortSteamboat ResortVail Mountain Breckenridge ResortCopper Mountain Loveland Ski Area TEL AVIV, Israel — Drones attacked a vessel carrying aid to Gaza on Friday in international waters off Malta in the latest confrontation over efforts to send assistance to the Palestinian territory devastated by nearly 19 months of war A nearby tugboat responded to a distress call from the Conscience which authorities said experienced a fire that was brought under control The vessel was carrying 12 crew members and four civilians adding that those aboard refused to leave the ship The group was safe and no serious injuries were reported The Freedom Flotilla Coalition accused Israel of attacking its ship The group did not provide evidence for that claim or to show that the fire was caused by drones but in a video it shared an explosion could be heard The Israeli army did not respond to a request for comment. Israel has cut off Gaza from all imports, including food and medicine leading to what is believed to be the worst humanitarian crisis in the war with Hamas an activist from Turkey who was aboard the Conscience was getting ready for bed when two explosions rocked the ship about two minutes apart At first it seemed there had been a collision Then the crew saw fire and realized it was an attack Bagcivan said someone impersonated them on the same channel saying help was no longer needed Those on board scrambled to fight the fire on their own The ship was trying to reenter Maltese waters amid fears of a second attack “We feel like right now we’re safe but we don’t know what Israel is going to do,” Bagcivan said “We can’t trust no one in this situation after we get bombed in the middle of the night.” Video taken after the explosions showed two large holes in the ship’s deck The person recording the footage said the ship had been hit twice and was on fire about 14 miles from Malta a grassroots peace and social justice movement The ship’s generator was badly damaged and will need to be repaired before continuing who has been involved with the Freedom Flotilla for more than a decade It’s unclear where the ship will be able to stop for repairs a Codepink member who was among a group of activists who took speedboats to the Conscience after the attack The boats were turned away by Maltese authorities but one person made it aboard and spoke to the captain Barry said the nation of Palau revoked its flag from the Conscience prior to the attack Greece and Turkey have threatened to confiscate the ship if it comes to port Barry said the ship is loaded with medicine and food supplies so they’re just stuck out there,” Barry said of the crew Israel says the blockade is an attempt to pressure Hamas to release hostages it took during the Oct Hamas-led militants assaulted southern Israel that day In response, Israel launched an offensive that has killed over 52,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians. Israel’s bombardment and ground operations have destroyed vast areas of the territory and left most of its population homeless When an aid flotilla attempted to break a blockade of Gaza in 2010 the Conscience was hit about 16 miles (26 kilometers) from Malta Photos provided by Cypriot authorities showed the ship with damage to its side According to the ship-monitoring website Marine Traffic the Conscience left the Tunisian port of Bizerte on Tuesday and arrived Thursday morning in the area where it reported being attacked Volunteers who had traveled to Malta were meant to board the ship to go to Gaza Andreasson said climate activist Greta Thunberg was supposed to have participated The organization said Thunberg did not board and was safe The ship’s 12 crew members are from Turkey and Azerbaijan Turkey condemned the attack and pledged to hold the perpetrators accountable The assault “threatens freedom of navigation and maritime security in international waters,” Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Oncu Keceli said in a statement posted on the X social media platform The attack happened as aid groups have warned that the humanitarian response in Gaza is on the verge of collapse The International Committee of the Red Cross said Friday that it will not have access to food medicine and life-saving supplies needed for many of its Gaza programs if aid deliveries don’t resume immediately Programs at risk include “common kitchens” that often give residents the only meal they receive each day and could be forced to halt operations in a few weeks Civilians must be protected,” the committee said Gaza will descend further into chaos that humanitarian efforts will not be able to mitigate.” News | Apr 25 Frontier Airlines has informed the Eagle County Regional Airport it is discontinuing service to and from Eagle County the airline’s decision results from Frontier’s ongoing evaluation of route profitability.“We are certainly disappointed by Frontier’s decision to cease service at (the airport),” Eagle County Director of Aviation David Reid said and we recognize the importance of their ultra-low-cost options for our community We remain committed to providing diverse air service for the Eagle County region and will continue to explore opportunities with other airline partners.” The airport continues to provide service from Denver on United Airlines and Dallas on American Airlines, and will also continue to have service on Alaska Airlines seasonally in the winter. Summer flight schedules can be found on FlyEGE.com I’ll admit it: I have politely turned down offers of tequila for one reason — it made me cry I ended up in tears (and not the good kind) I’ve realized one very important truth: All tequila is not the same; aswith many things Tequila has come a long way from its party-shot reputation “If Jose Cuervo Gold is the only tequila you’ve ever had you’re not drinking tequila,” says Ron Girotti “You’ve definitely missed the boat because there’s so many good flavors and I feel like that kind of gives people a bad taste I don’t drink tequila because I had that 20 years ago.” Girotti credits Patrón Tequila with creating a more palatable tequila that brought consumers out of their comfort zone and into the world of tequila imbibers have access to a wide range of tequila expressions from small-batch family- run distilleries to operations that are crafting award-winning spirits a complex production process and several diverse styles as varied as fine wine or whiskey more people are stepping into the world of sipping tequilas and “flight” experiences to discover the nuances of this Mexican spirit “Don’t be afraid to try some new things and to experiment because there’s a lot of really good stuff out there and a lot of good smaller brands,” Girotti says “And nothing really tastes like the Jose Cuervo Gold That almost doesn’t even count as tequila in this world anymore.” Whether you’re looking for a sipping experience or the perfect base for a cocktail a brief tutorial on how tequila is made and the differences between styles will not only elevate your next tequila experience but might also avoid tears or other potential pitfalls Tequila is a distilled spirit made from the blue agave plant specifically “agave tequilana,” which thrives in the volcanic soils of Mexico’s Jalisco region The process starts with jimadors harvesting mature agave plants known as the “piña,” is extracted and baked to convert its starches into fermentable sugars the piñas are crushed to release their sweet juice called “aguamiel.” Traditionally a heavy stone wheel pulled by a donkey; though most distilleries have gone modern The juice is fermented using yeast which converts the sugars into alcohol; it’s then distilled twice to produce a clear while others are aged in oak barrels (or other vessels) to develop different flavors and characteristics each with its own profile and aging process: Blanco (or Silver) – Often considered the purest expression of agave blanco tequila is unaged or aged for less than two months It’s a clean and crisp spirit with vegetal and peppery notes making it an excellent choice for cocktails like margaritas,palomas Reposado — Reposado means “rested” and refers to tequila aged for at least two months — but less than a year — in oak barrels the agave flavor remains fresh but the oak imbues notes of vanilla Girotti notes that reposados are a great middle-ground for newcomers to the world of sipping tequila They’re perfect for sipping neat or on the rocks or creating a twist on classics like a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned Extra Añejo — This category includes tequila aged for more than three years These tequilas are often compared to high-end cognacs or bourbons with rich Cristalino — A newer style that is technically an añejo or extra añejo but has been filtered to remove the color picked up from the oak barrels The result is a clear tequila with the complex flavor of an aged spirit but the appearance of a blanco vegetal flavors hold up well when mixed with citrus and other ingredients making them ideal for classics like margaritas and tequila sunrises You want to look for a blanco that is smooth and crisp but with enough agave character to shine through in a mixed drink Some cocktail enthusiasts prefer using a reposado for a richer flavor The slight barrel aging adds a layer of complexity that can complement the other elements in the drink without overpowering them extra añejos or heavily aged tequilas are usually wasted in a cocktail — like whiskey or bourbon they’re meant to be enjoyed neat or with a splash of water to open up the flavors bar manager at Tavern on the Square in Lionshead has convinced customers to create their favorite whiskey cocktail with tequila; he also makes a killer tequila dessert cocktail He’s quick to extol the spirit’s virtues including the fact that it’s a probiotic (contrary to popular belief it’s not a stimulant — it’s actually a depressant like all other alcoholic spirits) Tavern’s Mountain High Margarita has been a bestseller for years this quintessential tequila classic keeps folks coming back Beckman credits the popularity with good tequila — of course — and the purity of the house made sour mix They make three and a half gallons at a time; sometimes they’re making it daily “It’s the best margarita in town,” Beckman boasts Speaking of neat: When looking for a tequila to sip you want to prioritize flavor complexity and smoothness High-quality tequilas will be made from 100% blue agave without additives like sugar or flavoring agents A good reposado or añejo is often the best place to start for sipping offering a balance between the raw agave flavors of a blanco and the deeper particularly their reposado finished in burgundy barrels which delivers unique chocolate-covered cherry notes This expression demonstrates how aging and barrel choices can create complex and surprising flavor profiles in tequila Casa Dragones recently released Reposado Mizunara the first tequila rested exclusively in new Mizunara casks a rare oak native to Japan traditionally used for aging Japanese whiskies This tequila balances the minerality of agave with the light notes of Japanese oak for a refined The best way to find what you like is to try a few and Girotti is happy to take customers on a journey “The first question I usually ask is what do you usually like; what’s your usual flavor profile?” Giotti says “If they say they usually like reposados I’ll tell them about a few reposados they might not know about You have to feel out the customer and just kind of see where they’re at then take them on that track I just try and get people slightly out of their comfort zone a little bit.” though both tequila and mezcal are made from agave they are not the same: They differ in production methods The most significant difference between tequila and mezcal is in the way the agave is cooked the piñas are roasted in underground pits lined with stones giving the spirit its signature smoky flavor smoky notes can be much more intense than tequila Mezcal is also made from a variety of agave species This can result in a broader spectrum of flavors depending on the agave used and the region it’s grown in the smoky profile might be overwhelming at first the complexities of mezcal can be even more intriguing than tequila for those ready to travel that path Mezcal is also popular in cocktails like the Oaxacan Old Fashioned or mezcal margaritas Whether you’re a tequila newcomer or an aficionado the current explosion of high-quality options means there’s always something new to discover fresh flavors of a good blanco to the rich tequila provides a brave new world for newbies — and veteran tequila lovers — to explore try something a bit wild…like the tequila offered up from an unidentified horn at Tu Casa I’m enjoying the opportunity to explore a new world of craft and tradition I’m sipping a Casa Dragones añejo — the rich buttery smooth taste reminds me of a lighter version of my beloved whiskey — with no tears involved