by: Bryon Dorr
The Gems & Brews Tour was a 2-week (2/11-25/2013) ski pilgrimage devoted to sampling some of the best small mountain resorts, fine craft beers, spirits and food across Colorado. Over those 2-weeks I visited 5 Colorado Gem mountain resorts, 13 breweries, 3 distilleries, 1 hot spring, 5 bars, 4 hotels, spent 3 nights with friends, Sportsmobile camped 4 nights, went cat skiing and had my first proper snowmobile adventure. A very packed schedule full of awesome! The tour was a collaboration between CO Ski Country USA and Exploring Elements. The idea is to give you a small taste of what you can expect when you explore these spectacular Colorado locations. Don’t overlook the Gems!
SUNLIGHT MOUNTAIN RESORT
MOUNTAIN: 470 acres of skiable terrain with 2,010’ of vertical (7,885’-9,895’) consisting of 20% Green/55% Blue/25% Black trails getting 250” of average annual snowfall accessed by 3 lifts (1 fixed triple, 2 fixed doubles) with the longest run being 2.5 miles and operations from early December to late March.
Adult Full Day Regular Season Lift Ticket: $55
If you just look at the stats you are doing this resort an injustice. Yes Sunlight is small, yes only 25% of the mountain is expert terrain and yes there are only 3 lifts. Small is awesome, as you get a ton of fresh snow to yourself and non-existent lift lines. The 25% expert terrain that Sunlight does have is quite honestly spectacular. The steepest run in Colorado, Heathen at 52 degrees, can be found at Sunlight. There is also no reason for more than 3 lifts, as you get access to all the goods easily and there aren’t lines to speak of. The lift history at Sunlight is also second to none. The old Buick that powered the resort’s first lift can still be found rusting in the woods. Sunlight’s Segundo lift is the oldest operating chair in Colorado, built in 1954, and was Aspen’s old chair 3. The small local Colorado mountain resort vibe is alive and well at Sunlight!
One Sunlight stat that is not deceiving is the $55 adult lift ticket, the best value adult day ticket in Colorado. It gives you access to some pretty diverse and amazingly fun terrain, where you can usually find untracked goodness. The Ute Run, at 2.5 miles long, is a great way to warm up the legs, or for the beginner to explore the mountain. The glade skiing at Sunlight is plentiful and pretty amazing. The perfectly spaced Aspen’s are just spectacular to ski and there are pow stashes everywhere. Charlie’s Glades are probably the most beginner friendly glades in the state, and just a hoot! Besides the great groomers and glades, you will also find quality steeps and a fun little terrain park at Sunlight. The layout of the mountain also works really well to feed everyone back to the lodge area, creating a very family friendly and social riding experience.
If your craving some adventure off your downhill gear, Sunlight has you covered; with free inbounds snowshoeing/skiing, a HUGE network of free use Nordic trails and a stellar snowmobile operation. To utilize the groomed trails of the resort for uphill travel all they ask is that you pick up a free hiking pass at guest services, in order for them to explain the rules and keep everyone safe. The Nordic trails are free to explore and you can pick up some rental equipment at the resort, if you don’t have your own. The passionate, skilled and super friendly staff at Sunlight Snowmobile Tours will show you the time of your life. From mild to wild, the operation has you covered with access to a huge groomed trail network as well as fields upon mountainous fields of fresh untouched snow to play in.
With a history that goes back to 1966, Sunlight has been a local’s favorite for nearly 50 yrs. However, you don’t have to be a local to enjoy everything that this Gem of a resort has to offer. Between the fun groomers, perfect glades, steep chutes, huge Nordic trail network and spectacular snowmobile tours it is really difficult to not have an amazing day at Sunlight Mountain Resort.
LOCAL BREWERIES:
Carbondale Beer Works Ale House & Wienery:
Yes you read that right, Wienery. As in they offer a huge selection of high quality wieners, or hot dog like creations, along with other basic English pub fare, such as fried okra. Beer Works is a great small mountain brewery and tap room that has been around only a year and a half, offering lots of live music, 2%+ of its profits to local charities, an English beer engine and even trivia nights. You’ll find 6-8 tasty micro brews and 3-4 guest beers on tap at all times. If your in the mood for amazing, complex and thick, check out The Haggis Scottish Wee Heavy Scottish ale, but if on the other hand you want easy drinking, and Beer Works best seller, try the Dirty Blonde Ale. I also highly recommend the Sunderland Brown Ale with its fruity smooth finish.
TIP: The forthcoming Imperial Stout from Beer Works’ one-barrel Stranahan’s whiskey barrel ageing program is to die for. Get some!
Glenwood Canyon Brew Pub:
With a big dining area and two large bars you will be sure to find a place to call home at this Brew Pub. They offer 8 taps, lots of standard hoppy beers, and super unique offerings. The Hanging Lake Honey Ale is the most popular, with its super smooth flavor coming from locally sourced honey. If you like strong Raspberry flavor, you are going to love the Grizzly Creek Raspberry Wheat. I highly recommend the Shoshone Stout, a strong proper stout, named after the local classic whitewater section of the Colorado river. The Brew Pub also offers a big menu with all kinds of hearty meals to refuel with after a long ski day at Sunlight. The steak & potato pie is made of high quality ingredients and is sure not to disappoint. I really enjoyed the beer cheese soup on my visit.
TIP: The bread bowl is the perfect compliment to the hearty beer cheese soup. You need carbs to ski hard:)
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS:
The Pullman:
The Pullman looks pretty fancy, and can be, but don’t let that dissuade you. Casual attire is fine, the staff are super friendly and the food prices are reasonable. What you get at the Pullman is absolutely amazing cocktails and high quality wine, both of which will cost you, but are totally worth the splurge. The quality of the food offerings is off the charts good, and if you like pig in all shapes and forms this is the place for you. I highly recommend the mac & cheese. The portion looks small, but I guarantee you will be full if you manage to eat all of its rich and creamy goodness.
TIP: Ask to add bacon to the Mac & Cheese. Mmmm bacon!
Glenwood Hot Springs:
How can you go wrong with a massive centrally located facility, dedicated to health and fitness, based around a natural hot spring? The main building offers everything from a fitness club and full service spa to a convenience store for all your fitness, pampering and snacking needs. The outdoor hot spring pool is HUGE. The slightly cooler end starts off with a diving board area with deep water, lap swimming lanes and a huge area to splash around with friends and family. Take a few steps from this massive pool and step into the smaller, but can still hold a few 100 of your closest friends, therapy pool that is kept at a constant 104 degrees. Overall a great place to recover after a long day of shredding the pow at Sunlight.
TIP: Bring lots of quarters. You’ll need some for the lockers and you’ll want to bring a few with you out to the pool area for the coin operated jetted seats along the side of the therapy pool.
LODGING:
The Hotel Denver:
You can’t ask for a more centrally located hotel that gives you easy access to everything. It is about a 20 min drive up to Sunlight and offers the best that downtown Glenwood Springs has to offer; the Glenwood Canyon Brew Pub in the same building, The Pullman restaurant/bar next door and the Glenwood Hot Springs just a short walk away. You get an old school regal feel in this hotel with amazing unique antique furniture, huge stained glass windows and beautiful hardwood flooring. It doesn’t feel old though as it smells great, is super clean and has modern amenities like free wifi and big screen TVs.
TIP: Grab a huge super plush towel from reception before you stroll over to the Hot Springs.
A HUGE thanks goes out to Colorado Ski Country USA for putting this tour together and supporting these awesome Gem resorts. Thanks also to the quality staff at Sunlight Mountain Resort for sharing their incredible resort and local hospitality. Of course the Gems & Brews tour wouldn’t have been the same without the amazing local Colorado beers, spirits and food to enjoy and refuel with after a long day on the mountain. Colorado is full of fascinating people, places and businesses. Get out there and explore them!
(Also Check Out- BEST OF: CO Ski Country USA Gems & Brews Tour 2013)
