See the country
Cross-country ski and snowshoe with the kids

By J.K. Perry

Word Count: 323

Break Box
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Eagle County locations

Vail Nordic Center
www.vailnordiccenter.com
Pass: Free for kids 12 and under
Cross-country rentals: $8 for kids 12 and under
Lessons: $30 for kids 17 and under or $37 with rentals

Beaver Creek Nordic Center
www.beavercreek.com or (970) 754-5313
Prices: Call for details
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When it’s time to explore the land where you live or visit, cross-country skis and snowshoes offer fun and fitness for kids.

The Vail Nordic Center offers daily-groomed trails below the snow-capped peaks of the Gore Range. The view isn’t the only reason mom and dad should bring the kids.

“Parents should get their kids into cross-country skiing because it really helps them with their balance and skills for alpine skiing,” said owner Mia Stockdale. It’s also “a lifelong sport that is so good for your health.”

Wintersports.com, a clearinghouse for beginner snow sports athletes, agrees the activity is healthful and also gives visitors a primer on gear and techniques for newbies.

If an organized activity is what your kids need, the Vail Nordic Center also sponsors or hosts season-long programs, a race series and Nordic ski days with local schools.

Once you’ve exhausted the options and trails in Vail, head to Beaver Creek for a fresh look at an old face.

“Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are a great way to see what I refer to as the other side of the mountain,” said Nate Goldberg, product manager at Beaver Creek Nordic Sports Center. “Both activities offer a healthy and fun way to get out and enjoy Colorado at its best.”

Free is key
Deals abound in Eagle County — you just have to know where to look

By L.S. Burns

Don’t be bashful — most everyone is looking to score a deal these days, be it dining discounts or free entertainment. The Parent’s Handbook

has done the leg work for you. Read on to find out about some of the best ongoing deals in the valley.
Nottingham Lake, located in Avon, offers free ice skating for those with their own equipment. The lake is suitable for skating Dec. 20 through

Feb. 18 and the log cabin rents skates from noon to 8 p.m. daily. Call 970-748-4086 for info. The Black Family Ice Rink in Beaver Creek offers

disco skate night, with complimentary ice time from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday nights from Dec. 21 through March 29. Skates are available for rent or

bring your own. The Alderhof Ice Rink, located at the new Arrabelle at Vail Square resort in Lionshead is open daily throughout the winter. Ice

skates are available to rent.
If you’re stationed in Vail, consider checking out Nature at Night. Naturalists from the Gore Range Natural Science School will lead free nature

talks (30 to 45 minutes) about astronomy, nocturnal animals and more on Thursday and Saturday at 6 p.m., no reservations  required. Call

970-754-4675. The Gore Range Discovery Center also offers free scenic snowshoes on Vail Mountain. Expert naturalists talk about everything

from animal tracks to the mountain pine bark beetle on the tours, which take place daily at 3 p.m. Call 970-754-4675.
Ski with a ranger every Monday at 1:30 p.m. at Beaver Creek from Dec. 14 through April 5.The free 45-minute tour of beginner and intermediate

trails meets at Ski Patrol Headquarters at the top of Cinch Lift #8. Complimentary snowshoe tours of the mountain, followed by cookies and

Free is key
Deals abound in Eagle County — you just have to know where to look

By L.S. Burns

Don’t be bashful — most everyone is looking to score a deal these days, be it dining discounts or free entertainment. The Parent’s Handbook

has done the leg work for you. Read on to find out about some of the best ongoing deals in the valley.
Nottingham Lake, located in Avon, offers free ice skating for those with their own equipment. The lake is suitable for skating Dec. 20 through

Feb. 18 and the log cabin rents skates from noon to 8 p.m. daily. Call 970-748-4086 for info. The Black Family Ice Rink in Beaver Creek offers

disco skate night, with complimentary ice time from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday nights from Dec. 21 through March 29. Skates are available for rent or

bring your own. The Alderhof Ice Rink, located at the new Arrabelle at Vail Square resort in Lionshead is open daily throughout the winter. Ice

skates are available to rent.
If you’re stationed in Vail, consider checking out Nature at Night. Naturalists from the Gore Range Natural Science School will lead free nature

talks (30 to 45 minutes) about astronomy, nocturnal animals and more on Thursday and Saturday at 6 p.m., no reservations  required. Call

970-754-4675. The Gore Range Discovery Center also offers free scenic snowshoes on Vail Mountain. Expert naturalists talk about everything

from animal tracks to the mountain pine bark beetle on the tours, which take place daily at 3 p.m. Call 970-754-4675.
Ski with a ranger every Monday at 1:30 p.m. at Beaver Creek from Dec. 14 through April 5.The free 45-minute tour of beginner and intermediate

trails meets at Ski Patrol Headquarters at the top of Cinch Lift #8. Complimentary snowshoe tours of the mountain, followed by cookies and

Protect your family’s eyes
By Lu Snyder
Fall 2009 (RFV)
Colorado is notorious for its bluebird days, with not a cloud in the sky. But the combination of sun at high altitudes and reflection from the snow means eye protection is imperative here in the winter.

We are exposed to UV rays whether the skies are clear or cloudy, and the sun can burn your eyes, just as it can your skin – particularly after long hours skiing or snowboarding.

Children are even more susceptible to sun damage, as their eyes do not have the same ability to protect from UV radiation. Additionally, www.kidshealth.org reports that most kids accumulate the majority of their lifetime sun exposure within their first 18 years – so be sure not to skimp on their eye protection.

Not all lenses provide the same protection. Darkened lenses offer only a false sense of safety. Be sure to choose sunglasses and goggles that block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays (look for the Seal of Acceptance for UV Blockers/Absorbers from the World Council of Optometry or the American Optometric Association), advise the experts at www.healthysightforlife.org.

Polarized lenses, such as those offered by HaberVision, further protect eyes by reducing glare. Save 50% off retail by ordering your sunglasses and goggles online at www.habervision.com. All products are manufactured for optimum performance and 100% UV protection. (Enter Affinity Member Code PARENTS for an additional discount.)

A brimmed hat dramatically reduces the UV rays that reach the eyes, so be sure to wear one when possible.

Your children may refuse eye protection at first, but don’t despair. Let them select a style they like and set an example by always wearing yours. You’ll have more fun in the sun knowing your family is protected.

After a long winter’s night all snuggled deep beneath the blankets of my bed there, is nothing I love more than opening up the blinds to find the mountains have been covered by their own blanket of snow. I love the way the morning sun glistens off of it as though someone had sprinkled glitter over the ground. I love the way it has the slightest blue cast, but most of all I love the look it produces on the mountains and the feeling of freshness.

The first few times I photographed in the snow I was plagued by washed out, over exposed, underexposed, and everything in between of my photographs. After a lot of trial and error along with some diligent research and reading of my camera’s manual I have come up with the following tips for taking the perfect photograph in the snow.

Problems that may arise:

* The bright sun is bouncing off the snow causing my subject to be lit too brightly, therefore underexposing my subject.
* The snow doesn’t’ appear to be crisp and white in my final images. Cameras are designed to expose for the middle grey, thereby turning brilliant white snow muddy and underexposed. Most cameras assume that everything they photograph reflects 18% of the light and exposes accordingly.

Solutions for Point and shoot Cameras

* If at all possible take your photos in the morning or late afternoon hours. The sunlight at these hours is less “white” resulting in a softer hue.
* Place your subject in the shade
* Use your built in flash as a “fill flash” to lighten the faces and dark areas.
* Use a 100 ISO setting for “film” speed on the digital camera if you can.
* Focus on a non-white object. The darker colored jacket of one of your subjects, the   dark part of a tree covered in snow.

Youth Sports are recreational programs with an emphasis on instruction for all participants. Competition is a part of all sports, but will not be emphasized. Our philosophy of Youth Sports is threefold. We want participants to: 1. HAVE FUN! 2. Learn and develop fundamental sports skills and 3. Learn teamwork, sportsmanship, and basic rules of the sport. Our spring activities are Soccer, Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse, Volleyball, Karate, Football, Hockey and Skating Lessons.
www.wecmrd.org
0052 Lundgren Blvd., Gypsum
see ad p63    (970) 777-8888

Winter fun for all ages.  Activities include Nordic skiing on 17 kilometers of set track and snowshoeing on 10 kilometers of separate trails. Rentals and lessons are available, as well as outdoor gear. Call to check availability and conditions.  
www.vailrec.com
Vail Golf Club
see ad p64    (970) 476-8366

Looking for fun, safe and memorable activities for the whole family to enjoy?  We offer guided snowmobile tours, unguided snowmobile rentals, scenic snow coach tours and dog sledding.  Kids 8 and under enjoy all unguided snowmobile rentals and our 2-hour snowmobile tour FREE!  Kids 3 and under enjoy dog sledding FREE!  A youth lap track is available for kids 5 and older who want to drive their own snowmobile.  For the excitement of a lifetime, call Nova Guides!
www.novaguides.com
Vail/Eagle/Summit County
(719) 468-2656
see ad p59    (800) 949-NOVA (6682)
see our coupon

The Log Cabin in Avon is open daily 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. starting Saturday, December 12, 2009 through mid-February 2010.  Avon’s Log Cabin provides ice-skate rentals, food concessions, restrooms and a warm place to take a break.  Ice hockey, broomball and even ice fishing activities can also be enjoyed.
www.avonrec.org
1 Lake Street, Avon
see ad p51,65    (970) 748-4086
see our coupon

Open for adventure all year round, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, located just 55 minutes west of Vail, offers a day of fun for the whole family. Ride the tram to the top and experience the thrill of Colorado’s only alpine coaster or take one of the country’s top 10 cave tours.  Enjoy Colorado’s first 4D Theater, with special effects that make you feel like you’re actually inside the movie, or round up the gang for an old West shoot-out in our state-of-the-art Laser Tag arena.  Mountain-top restaurant and more. Call for seasonal hours or visit us online.
www.glenwoodcaverns.com
51000 Two Rivers Plaza,
Glenwood Springs
see ad p54    (970) 945-4228 ext 111
Toll Free    (800) 530-1635

see our coupon

Graduates say the Ski and Snowboard School at Beaver Creek is the best in the country. Maybe any country. From beginners to experts, learn from the best at your own pace. Group and private lessons for adults and children are offered from just $120.
Visit www.beavercreek.com/skischool Beaver Creek
see ad p61,back cover    (866) 231-0667
see our coupon

Ski biking, tubing, snowshoeing, kids snowmobiling – the adventures are endless at this day and night activity center next to Eagle’s Nest at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola. Adventure Ridge is a one-stop-shop for people of all ages looking for alternative outdoor activities. Gondola rides are FREE after 2 p.m.
Visit www.vail.com
Vail Mountain
see ad p2    (970) SKI-VAIL (754-8245)

Situated in a private valley setting just
30 minutes west of Vail and Beaver Creek, 4 Eagle Ranch offers your family and friends a memorable Sleigh Ride Dinner evening. Great food, live entertainment and horse drawn sleigh rides are centered around our Historic Nelson Cabin. Since 1991, one of the most enjoyable family venues in the Vail Valley.
www.4eagleranch.com
4098 Highway 131, Wolcott
see ad p79    (970) 926-3372

see our coupon

WECMRD maintains and operates a variety of state-of-the art recreational facilities throughout the Valley. The Gypsum Recreation Center, with its advanced climbing wall and Indoor Water Park, The Eagle Pool, Eagle Ice Rink, the Fairgrounds Complex in Eagle, Freedom Park and the Brand New Field House in Miller Ranch, Edwards. All are open to the public and provide entertainment for the whole family!
www.wecmrd.org
0052 Lundgren Blvd., Gypsum
see ad p52    (970) 777-8888

Opening Dec. 11th in Edwards. You will be able to enjoy: Soccer, Lacrosse, Flag Football, Arena Softball, Climbing and Bouldering, Gymnastics, Volleyball, Basketball, Laser Tag, Mini-Golf and more.   The WECMRD Field House is also home to the new semi-pro indoor soccer team – the WECMRD Freedom FC.
www.wecmrd.org
Miller Ranch Road, Edwards
see ad p52,53    (970) 777-8888

Located in the heart of Beaver Creek, is a year-round venue offering a diverse lineup of family performances, music, dance, theater, comedy and more. Visit www.vilarpac.org for a full performance schedule, show descriptions, facility information, directions and more. Tickets are available online, by phone or in person at the box office in Beaver Creek.
www.vilarpac.org
Beaver Creek
see ad p11,13    (888) 920-ARTS    

Safe, Fun and Affordable!
Vail Swim School is a learn to swim program. We offer flexible class schedules for ages 6 months to adults. Our programs  include: Baby and Me classes, Private and Semi private lessons, Swim Team Prep classes, Swim Team and Adult classes. Winter/Spring classes take place at the convenient Avon Recreation Center. All ages and swim levels are welcome.
www.vailswimschool.com
Eagle County
see ad p50    (970) 390 3068