16 W E S T W O R D W e s t w o r d U n w r a p p e d 2 0 2 5 - 2 6 westword.com dining options portioned for two. Visit on-mountain restaurant The 10th to toast martinis over a large Caesar salad and truffl e fries, or pair brats and dessert with lagers from Two Elk Biergarten. If you and your partner are seeking scenic ambience, head to the newly reimagined sun terrace at Mid Vail. Similarly, Snowmass has expanded the deck of its restaurant atop the Elk Camp Gondola, arranging 120 seats within the weather-protected space. The heated out- door lounge at The Cabin will offer street tacos and champagne, while the adjacent Spider Sabich picnic area will host The Hot Dogger, a Japanese-inspired pop-up featuring Los Angeles-based Sumo Dog. Slopeside diners will discover a new ro- tating international cuisine concept within High Alpine and a French fine-dining emphasis at Alpin Room. For those craving a quick, casual bite, Granby Ranch will debut a snack hut at the top of its east mountain, while Purgatory has refreshed Paradise Pizzeria in its base area. The base of Winter Park Resort will premiere a seasonal concept, Ptarmigan Kitchen and Bar, while Mary Jane Cafe, Sunspot and Moffat Market will feature updated stations. Satisfy your sweet tooth within the Cookie Cabin at Beaver Creek or visit the build-your-own gourmet hot choc- olate bar inside Loveland’s Basin Lodge. Steamboat offers the season’s most impressive dining opportunity, allowing guests to enjoy dinner with a local Olym- pian at Crooked Antler, the Steamboat Grand’s re-envisioned signature restau- rant. Alternately, guests can book a full-day guided tour to ski with the likes of Ann Battelle, Mick Dierdorff, Johnny Spillane and other Olympic legends. Several new events will also spotlight professional athletes in action. These in- clude the Stifel Copper Cup, happening at Copper Mountain November 27-30, and the Rockstar Energy Open, which will occur alongside Ullr Fest in Breckenridge December 19-21. Prefer to compete rather than stand on the sidelines? In addition to a fi ftieth- birthday bash for Mary Jane mountain, Winter Park will host a mogul showdown on November 22, while A-Basin challenges skiers to its Thanksgiving Uphill Turkey Trot Race on November 27. Expect plenty of other après experi- ences this season. Exclusive parties will take place at Silverton Mountain during its fi rst-ever Winterfest January 9-11. On a regular schedule, Breckenridge’s Overlook Lodge at the top of Peak 9 will host moun- taintop jams, while Vail has more than fi fty music events scheduled across the resort and throughout its villages. “This season is all about creating unforgettable moments for our guests,” notes Beth Howard, vice president of Vail Mountain. With so many reasons to visit Colora- do’s slopes this winter, don’t be surprised by weekend crowds. Avoid the notorious I-70 traffi c by boarding the Winter Park Express, now offering special train trips during the holidays and four-day weekly service from January 8 through March 29. Or have someone else do the driving with Uber Ski, a new service from the rideshare app that allows advanced booking and guarantees vehicles large enough for all your gear. Skiers can also prolong their mountain getaway at Kindred Resort, a premiere luxury development within Keystone’s River Run Village, or with the “Ski, Stay & Soak” package from Purgatory, which includes a lift ticket, on-site lodging and access to Durango Hot Springs. Sunlight is offering a similar promotion, with a $120 weekday ticket granting access to both its slopes and Iron Mountain, one of the state’s best hot springs. ■ The White Stuff continued from page 12
