(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Colorado Happenings: Wintertime Edition The Colorado State Open Thread, January 23, 2023 [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.', 'Backgroundurl Avatar_Large', 'Nickname', 'Joined', 'Created_At', 'Story Count', 'N_Stories', 'Comment Count', 'N_Comments', 'Popular Tags'] Date: 2023-01-23 Chas Guldemond competes in the men's snowboard slopestyle elimination at Winter X-Games 2014 in Aspen, Colorado at Buttermilk Mountain. The 2023 Winter X-Games in Aspen are coming up this weekend, Jan. 27-29. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) I am one of those born and raised in Colorado who doesn’t ski. I’ve been skiing exactly once. It was the year we hosted an exchange student from Germany and one of the the exchange host family events was a ski trip to Hidden Valley and a weekend at Estes Park. The teen exchange students from Switzerland, Germany and France joyfully sped off to the most difficult slopes for the day. The rest of us, who had never before been on skis, got the noob 10-minute talk from the ski rental guy and spent the rest of the day doing slo-mo wipeouts into plastic construction fencing, bushes, trees, and random unlucky people on the bunny slope. I spent enough time on my butt in the snow to decide this was a never-do-it-again kinda thing. As a Colorado native, I cannot say I have never skied, but it was not a good time. If you don’t ski (or even if you do) what else can you do in the winter here in Colorado? As it turns out, quite a lot. Events are returning that were on hiatus during covid. If you know of an event coming up that I’ve missed, please tell us about it. If you’ve been to any of these on the list, tell us about them. Pictures if you gottem! It’s your open thread in the comments. What’s your favorite thing to do during the winter in Colorado? What’s happening where you are? Design on a winter jacket given to volunteers who had worked the event for many years. (photo by author) Colorado Farm Show January 24-26, Greeley, CO, Island Grove Regional Park, North 11th Avenue With a permanent theme of ‘Excellence in Agriculture,’ the farm show features agricultural exhibits, farm equipment displays, seminars, networking and educational programs. It is scheduled immediately after Denver’s National Western Stock Show so that vendors and visitors from all over the country can attend both events in one trip. Admission fee. Indoor and outdoor venues. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships Mon-Wed, January 23 – February 1, 2023, Riverwalk Center, Downtown Breckenridge Artists from around the world create gigantic, intricate works of art from 25-ton blocks of snow. Sculpting Week: January 23-27, 2023; Viewing Week: January 27-February 1, 2023 Free and open to the public. Bring your camera. Winter X Games Fri-Sun, January 27-29, 2023, Aspen on Buttermilk Mountain. World class athletes in extreme winter sports throw down for the gold. Free to attend, all events are outdoors. Lodging, entertainment, dining and Major League Gaming X Games Invitational events may be purchased. Rio Frio Ice Fest Fri-Sun, January 27-29, 2023, Alamosa, in the San Luis Valley. Rio Frio 5K, ice sculptures, disc golf, ice carousel, polar plunge, fire and ice bonfire. Event fees vary. Bring your camera. Cross country skiers bring your own equipment. Colorado Motorcycle Expo Sat-Sun, January 28-29, 2023, National Western Complex, Denver, CO Competitions, bike show, used bike sales, swap meet, new equipment and live entertainment. Admission fee with discount for active military and seniors. Snowdown Wed-Sun, February 1-5, 2023, Durango, CO In the depth of winter, people want to party. Costumes, contests, fireworks, belt sander races and more. The theme of the 2023 event is Shakespeare. If you get there, don’t miss the Diamond Belle Saloon at the Strater Hotel. Locals say the Strater is haunted, but there were no apparitions the night we were there. We said “hi” to the ghosts anyway, and welcomed them to the party in the Diamond Belle. Admission fees vary. See website for changes and cancellations. High Plains Snow Goose Festival Thur-Sun, February 2-5, 2023, Lamar, CO Gather with birding enthusiasts for the annual Snow Goose migration. Tours, programs, photography contest. Keynote speaker for 2023 is Alison Kondler, a Denver Audubon Master Birder and Naturalist. Attendees over age 16 must have a valid hunting, fishing or wildlife pass. Bring your camera. Lake City Ice Climbing Festival Saturday, February 4, 2023, Lake City Ice Park, Lake City, CO in the San Juan Mountains Attendance is free and open to the public. Competition for top-roped and lead speed for men and women. Awards for winning climbs are given out at the event’s end. I’ve heard that some sponsors offer hotel discounts if you tell ‘em you’re attending the Climbing Festival. Check the website. Steamboat Winter Carnival Wed-Sun, February 8-12, 2023, Downtown Steamboat Springs, Howelsen Hill Ski races, ski jumping, ice sculptures, fireworks, shovel races, skijoring, the Night Torch Run and more. Events include both free and paid. Loveland Sweetheart Festival Fri-Sat, February 10-11, 2023, Loveland, CO New Foundry Plaza Downtown Two-day event held in mid-February, featuring the Loveland Sweetheart Classic 4-mile race. Four indoor venues and community plaza activities include live music, art market, tunnel of love and other Valentine-themed events. Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament UPDATE 2023 EVENT SOLD OUT Fri-Sun, February 17-19, 2023, Silverthorne at Lake Dillon Anyone may enter this ice hockey tournament with over $10,000 in cash prizes, and events to benefit various charities. Organizers intentionally keep the event small. I’m posting it here, so you can make plans for next year. Find some fun videos at the website. Carnivale & Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off Saturday, February 18, 2023, Manitou Springs, CO, 354 Manitou Ave., Soda Springs Park The Manitou Springs Carnivale features a parade, costumes, decorations, food, drink, dancing, and music. There’s still time to grab a spot in the cooking lineup if your gumbo can beat the rest. Professional and amateur chefs are welcome. Cooking is from 8am-10:45am and each contestant needs to make 5 gallons of gumbo. Snackers can vote for the ‘People’s Choice’ award at 75 cents per sample. Official judging at 10:45; public tasting at 11am; awards at noon. Silverton Skijoring Sat-Sun, February 18-19, 2023, Silverton, CO, Blair Street, between 10th-13th Skijoring is a Nordic sport that combines water skiing, horse racing, and snow skiing. The 2023 event includes snowmobile classes. Skijoring begins at noon, with snowmobile classes at 3 pm. Free for spectators; Registration fee for contestants. What is Silverton Skijoring? … a single horse typically guided by an insane person occasionally called a cowboy, cowgirl or a rider, pulling a crazy person on skis who simply hangs onto a tow rope in a manner similar to water skiing but at 35-45+ mph racing through Historic Downtown Silverton Colorado on Notorious Blair Street covered in snow while attempting to get the fastest time with the skier trying to fly over jumps and catch rings on a baton while not crashing and burning!” Cripple Creek Ice Fest Sat-Sun, February 25-26, 2023, Downtown Cripple Creek Ice sculpture carving event returns to Cripple Creek. Vendors, booths, ice maze, head to head carving challenges, vote for the ‘People’s Choice’ sculpture award. Free Admission, free shuttle service on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 6pm. Bring your camera. Denver Mardi Gras Saturday, February 25, 2023, Exdo Event Center, 1399 35th St, Denver Mardi Gras festival with live music, DJs, games and more in the Mile High City. Must be 21+ to purchase tickets. General admission and VIP seating available. Coming next month: Frozen Dead Guy Days is brought back to life in Estes Park! (Just the event, not the dead guy …) [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/1/23/2148400/-Colorado-Happenings-Wintertime-Edition-The-Colorado-State-Open-Thread-January-23-2023 Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/