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Janet Day: Impending Winter Park Resort opening prompts seasonal questions

Janet Day / Talk of the Valley
Winter Park, Colorado

Starting Again. It’s that time of year when we start everything over again. Snow sports season opens at Winter Park Resort tomorrow. This season, like most, begins with questions:

– When will we get our first big dump of the season?

– Why didn’t I get new equipment at the end of last season?



– Where did I put my goggles?

– When will Mary Jane open? When will the Cirque open?



– Will destination visitors come in sufficient numbers to keep lodging properties full?

Will Front Range skiers and boarders stay long enough to leave some money behind in local restaurants?

– Can my tires make it through one more winter? Will anyone remember how to drive on icy roads?

That last question has been the big one lately. Mild daytime temperatures followed by below-freezing nights and dustings of snow have made a slippery mess of the roads.

Slowing down and paying attention don’t seem to be at the front of many people’s brains.

Small cars with flatland license plates and big SUVs with Colorado tags slide sideways equally. It all reminds me to toss some weights or sandbags in the back of my little light-weight truck for better traction.

A new snow season means a lot of familiar faces have returned to the Valley in the form of ski instructors and other seasonal employees. But a lot haven’t thanks to new immigration laws.

There are dozens and dozens of new faces as college-age lift ops and new retirees choosing to sell tickets move in. I’m particularly interested in a new group of employees at Winter Park Resort ” the large group who’ve come from South Africa.

While traveling in Africa, I became a huge fan of the reggae music from that continent, especially South African reggae. I’m hoping to hear a lot now that those who know it best are in town.

A friend of mine is more interested in the samba or bossa nova that may be played by the six young Brazilian women who rented the condo next to his. One upside to the weak dollar is the influx of foreign tourists this winter.

An Unpopular Opinion. This statement will, at best, annoy many of my friends, but I like the new Grand Park entrance sign. Yes, it’s big. Huge, actually. But it’s subtle for its size and organic with vegetation and rock that blend into the landscape. The Craftsman-style lamps are simple and I think all of the parts work as a whole. Now if they’d just get rid of those ugly and inappropriately sized billboards.

Ho Ho Ho Already. Christmas is little more than a month away. Are you ready? I never am. You can get a jump on it all, and keep your dollars in the county, by shopping at the 10th Annual Artisan Fair at the Fraser Valley Elementary School on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local artists have a variety of gift items to choose from.

And get the kids in the crafty spirit by taking them to the art fair’s Children’s Craft Corner. For $5, you can drop off the children. While you shop, they’ll be making holiday crafts and gifts. Santa will make an appearance at the art fair from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

” Keep in Touch: What’s got your attention around the area? Let me know. I’ll try to find the answer or spread the news. Send it all to JDayQuilts@msn.com.


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