Colorado: USA Pro Challenge route announced

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

7-day stage race set for late August

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Stage 2 of the USA Pro Challenge leads from Aspen over Independence Pass to Breckenridge.

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USA Pro Challenge racers will once again visit Breckenridge as part of the seven-day stage race through Colorado.

By Summit Voice

The 2013 USA Pro Challenge features two new host cities and the return of the popular Vail time trial, race organizers said this week, announcing details of seven-day stage race through Colorado (Aug. 19-25).

“The most important thing to us in creating the route for the 2013 USA Pro Challenge was to find a course that would be safe and challenging for the riders, while providing ideal viewing locations for the crowds of spectators,” said Shawn Hunter, CEO of the USA Pro Challenge.

The two new cities, Loveland and Fort Collins, will be featured in the penultimate stage of the race on Aug. 24, when contenders will have to make a move before the final time trial stage in Denver. Stage 6 will start on the plains, but aggressive climbers will have a chance to amp it up when the race heads up Big Thompson Canyon and into Devils Gulch before hitting Estes Park. (more…)

Filed under: biking, Breckenridge, Colorado, recreation, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Skiing: Backcountry snowpack touchy in Colorado

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Monthly Breckenridge ski patrol talk to focus on backcountry travel techniques and terrain choices

There's plenty of good backcountry powder skiing in Summit County, but it's best to stay on low-angle terrain right now, like this 28-degree slope on Baldy, Photo courtesy Matt Krane.

There’s plenty of good backcountry powder skiing in Summit County, but it’s best to stay on low-angle terrain right now, like this 28-degree slope on Baldy, Photo courtesy Matt Krane.

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CAIC forecaster Tim Brown examines the crown face of a large avalanche in Montezuma Bowl, at Arapahoe Basin. Photo courtesy CAIC.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — With forecasters warily eying backcountry avalanche hazards and more snow on the way this week, Breckenridge ski patrollers will focus on safe backcountry travel techniques, route-finding and terrain selection during their monthly talk this Thursday evening (Village at Breckenridge, Tenmile Room, 6 p.m.).

The topic is especially timely following recent close calls and a cycle of natural slides in the backcountry, said Breckenridge ski patroller Matt Krane. Last week, a party of four backcountry travelers were involved with a sizable slide on Peak 6. (more…)

Filed under: Snow and weather, avalanches, skiing and riding, recreation, Summit County snow and weather, Breckenridge, Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Breckenridge — time to stomp!

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Jenney Coberly

Preparations for the 2013 Snow Sculpture Championships begin

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Photos and story by Jenney Coberly

BRECKENRIDGE — Creating art requires serious preparation, and the International Snow Sculpture Championship in Breckenridge is no exception. Before the artists can begin their ephemeral masterpieces, dozens of volunteers and town employees gathered this week at the Riverwalk to “stomp” 20-ton blocks of snow.

The Riverwalk Center parking lot bustled with activity as construction of snow monoliths commenced. Workers use a crane to assemble the big construction forms for holding the snow as it is compacted. Operators drive bulldozers and operate giant snowblowers to get the snow into the forms. Once a sufficient layer of snow is deposited, volunteers climb up a scaffolding and then down a ladder into the form to stomp the snow firmly into place.

Snow stomping will continue until Friday, January 18. Opening ceremonies kick off the start of sculpting on Tuesday, January 22, and the artists work morning, noon and night until early Saturday morning, January 19. The snow sculptures will be on display, weather permitting, until February 3.

Visit the GoBreck website for the schedule and complete information about the event.

Filed under: Breckenridge, photography, snow sculpting | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado: Weather and climate summit returns to Breckenridge

Posted on January 12, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
Hurricane Isaac satellite image

Hurricane Isaac moving into the Gulf of Mexico in August, 2012. Satellite image courtesy NOAA.

Extreme weather communications, sea level rise and Arctic meltdown on the agenda

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Following a year that ended up being the warmest on record for the contiguous 48 states, and that included a monster drought and superstorm Sandy, weather experts have a lot to talk about.

This week, broadcast meteorologists will have a chance to meet face to face with climate researchers and other experts during the annual Glenn Gerberg Weather and Climate Summit in Breckenridge, Colorado (Jan. 14-18).

This is the second year the summit is being held in Breckenridge, but the main purpose is stil the same — building relationships between broadcast meteorologists and scientists who are doing groundbreaking research, said conference organizer Dave Jones, president and CEO of StormCenter Communications, Inc. (more…)

Filed under: Arctic, Breckenridge, climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, global warming, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Morning photo: Best of 2012, summer

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Sunny scenes

Colorado wildflowers

Wild iris blooming in June, 2012.

FRISCO — A few summer scenes in pictures that don’t really need a lot of words. Despite a summer-long drought, we enjoyed some stunning days and escaped the worst of the wildfire season with a strong surge of monsoon moisture in July that also helped spur a decent wildflower season. On top of that, there was a solar eclipse early in the season, along with a lunar eclipse. All in all, not a bad summer! (more…)

Filed under: biking, Breckenridge, Colorado, Dillon Reservoir, Drought, events, Frisco, Morning photo, photography, seasons, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Breckenridge: Volunteers wanted for snow-sculpting event

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Jenney Coberly

Volunteers can get up close and personal during the International Snow Sculpture Championships

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Snow-stomping volunteers at work.  Photo by Jenney Coberly.

By Summit Voice

BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO — This will be the 23rd year for the Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge, where artists will carve mammoth 22-ton monoliths of snow into breathtaking sculptures. The championships attract artists from diverse countries such as Russia, China, Japan, Morocco, Belize, Finland, France, New Zealand, Switzerland, Sweden, Mexico, Great Britain, Spain, Bulgaria and Canada.

The snow sculpture staff is looking for volunteers to help with snow stomping, office tasks, technical aid, merchandise sales, program distributors, and much more. Positions are available both indoors and outdoors. This is a great way to spend some quality time seeing how the giant blocks of snow are created, watching the sculptors in action, chatting with the crowd, or helping feed the artists. (more…)

Filed under: Breckenridge, snow sculpting, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , | 1 Comment »

Mind-mixing in Breckenridge

Posted on October 21, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Town sets up new online engagement forum

Breckenridge, Colorado. Bob Berwyn photo.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Along with offering opportunities for input during formal settings like town council meetings and hearings, Breckenridge is reaching out to residents with a new  forum designed to let people brainstorm in a casual online setting.

The new website, EngageBreckenridge.com, lets residents and visitors chime in on topics currently being discussed by the town council, like a potential ban on single-use plastic bags, and also lets people throw out new ideas. For example, one recent discussion thread centers on the idea of an indoor playground. (more…)

Filed under: Breckenridge, Breckenridge town council, Colorado, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Breckenridge firefighters quell Barton Road blaze

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

A piece of logging machinery caught fire near Breckenridge, but firefighters were able to extinguish the flames before they spread to nearby forest lands. Photo courtesy Red, White & Blue Fire District.

Logging equipment destroyed in fire

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Observant neighbors and a quick response by local firefighters Wednesday helped prevent a potential wildfire near Breckenridge.

According to the Red, White & Blue Fire District, firefighters were called to a possible wildland fire in the area just above Barton Road and Airport Road in Breckenridge.

When firefighters arrived on scene, they found a piece of heavy equipment used for logging fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters made a quick attack to knock down the fire preventing it from spreading into nearby trees.

A total of seven firefighters worked to extinguish the fire.

The cause of the fire was determined to be a mechanical failure in the engine compartment.  The machine was a total loss and valued at $150,000.

“The quick action of the community seeing smoke and calling 911 helped prevent this fire from spreading,” said deputy chief Jay Nelson. “Our firefighters were able to begin containing and extinguishing this fire before it could spread to the nearby trees and thick pine duff” he said.

Colorado just experienced its worst fire season ever, with deadly blazes along the Front Range destroying several hundred homes. Nationally, wildfires have burned across almost 9 million acres, the most since 2006.

 

Filed under: Breckenridge, Colorado, forest fires, forests, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Critics plan appeal of Breckenridge Peak 6 expansion

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

DU Law Clinic may help with administrative or legal challenge

The Peak 6 expansion at Breckenridge will very likely be appealed and a legal challenge is not out of the question. Click on the map a couple of times to see the full-size version.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — The U.S. Forest Service approval of the Peak 6 expansion at Breckenridge Ski Area probably won’t go unchallenged. Longtime critics of the project scrutinizing the the final environmental study say they are likely to appeal several elements of the decision, including, fundamentally, whether the expansion meets the stated purpose and need.

Vail Resorts claimed from the start that the new lifts and terrain will ease congestion at Breckenridge by spreading out skiers on peak visitation days, but at least some of the data in the Final Environmental Impact Statement seem to contradict that conclusion.

Skiers and snowboarders will still have to use the busiest lifts out of the Peak 8 base area to reach the new terrain. At one point in the document the Forest Service appears to flat-out acknowledge that the expansion won’t significantly shorten lift wait times on Peak 7 and Peak 8.

All the documents for the Peak 6 project are at this Forest Service website. Extensive background stories about Peak 6 are online at this Summit Voice page. Some of the ongoing community concerns and criticisms of the Forest Service decision are spelled out on the Save Peak 6 Facebook page.

(more…)

Filed under: Breckenridge, Breckenridge Peak 6 expansion, Breckenridge Ski Resort, Colorado, endangered species, Environment, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Morning photo: 2012 USA Pro Challenge in Breckenridge

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Celebrating two-wheelers

Riders jockey for position during a parade lap around Breckenridge, Colorado before the start of Stage 5 of the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge.

SUMMIT COUNTY —Breckenridge has always been a bike-crazy town, and when the 2012 USA Pro Challenge came to town Aug. 24 it was a great excuse for a day-long party. After a thrilling start along Main Street, some cycling enthusiasts enjoyed citizen sprints, live music and bike-themed art, while other simply settled in to watch the racers on a huge outdoor screen. Stage 5 saw the racers climb Hoosier Pass, speed through the wide-open spaces of South Park, then breach the Front Range mountains before speeding down into Colorado Springs, where the peleton caught up with an early breakaway group to set up an exiting sprint finish, won by Tyler Farrar, just ahead of Taylor Phinney. Tejay van Garderen is still wearing the yellow jersey but could face some challenges on Saturday’s all-important Golden-to Boulder-stage. Get all the results and follow the tour live at  http://usaprocyclingchallenge.com/.

Faces in the peleton …

(more…)

Filed under: Breckenridge, Colorado, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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