Don't put away your winter clothes just yet! Ski season in a number of western states has been extended due to continuing snowfall. If you want to fit in some time on the slopes before the fresh powder melts away for good, mark your calendars and check out these end-of-season deals.
The Furniture as Art Auction on March 18th, 2010 from 5.30 – 9.30pm is a fun event for supporters of the arts in Durango in Colorado. The venue is the Durango Arts Center, (802 East 2nd Avenue), and it’s an opportunity to give support to local artists. It’s also a fundraising event for KDUR, the Fort Lewis College Community Radio station. The station plays music and broadcasts public affairs programs.
The 2010 event is the 8th one and it is always well supported. The idea for the artists is to take a piece of furniture and recycle it into a work of art. Beer, wine, and hors d’oeuvres will be served, donated by local businesses.
Doors open: 5.30pm
Auction begins: 6.30pm
Admission:
Tickets in advance: $10 (available from KDUR or Durango Arts Center).
Tickets on the door: $15.
A full list of participating artists and previews of their work is available on the website.
Various venues in Durango in Colorado are hosting the 5th Annual Durango Independent Film Festival during March 3rd – March 7th, 2010. The Get Reel festival, as it’s more commonly known, showcases shorts, documentaries, and feature films from across the world and is an important event for the local economy.
It’s a prestigious event on the film festival circuit and it gives local film fans the opportunity to see films not normally shown in the multiplexes. There is a family program, so there should be a movie to appeal to everyone.
Why not combine a skiing break with a visit to the festival? Durango is close to five major ski areas. The festival depends on its volunteer staff to run the event and new volunteers are always welcome. It is also grateful to the support it receives from local businesses.
For more information on the 5th Annual Durango Independent Film Festival, visit the website or email info@durangofilm.org. Ticket details, Reel Deal Packages, and travel information is available from the website. If you are planning to stay for the festivial it might be smart to book a Durango vacation rental.
It’s party time in Downtown Durango with extended hours for shops on Noel Night on December 10th, 2009. The majority of the retailers will keep their doors open until 9pm and many of them will offer sales and specials on their stock. The shop owners in the downtown area have organized this event and hope that all the family will enjoy the festive spirit.
Aside from the shopping, there will be refreshments, live music and Santa is planning to visit. Downtown Durango is a National Registered Historic District and has excellent restaurants, stores, and art galleries. There are more restaurants per population in the area than in San Francisco. Shoppers will find antique furniture, Native American artwork, fashion clothing, sports clothing, jewelry, gifts and souvenirs, and other items. The winners of the Window Decorating Competition will be selected on Noel Night.
It’s all aboard the Polar Express for a journey to the North Pole! Re-live the book and the movie with an experience that the kids will never forget. It’s fun for Moms and Dads too. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is the location and passengers will enjoy the ‘Premium Service’ on a Deluxe Class coach.
The itinerary includes a Christmas Carol singalong with song book and a present from Santa Claus. Don’t worry if it’s a chilly day. Mugs of hot chocolate with whipped cream will be served in souvenir mugs that can be taken home. Passengers will also learn about the story of the Polar Express. The event runs from November 20th – December 28th, 2009.
Reservations are required and early booking is advised. There are different prices for adults and children. Visit the website or call 888.872.4607 or 970.247.273 to book your trip.
Fans of psychedelic rock, (mixed with a touch of mellow ambient) are in for a treat when the Ozric Tentacles come to town to perform at the Henry Strater Theatre on Main Street in Durango. Known locally as the ‘Hank’, The Henry Strater Theatre concert is scheduled for November 13th, 2009 from 8.30 – 11pm. The band from the UK have released 25 albums and have a cult following.
The theatre is running a special deal in conjunction with the Mahogany Grill. Theatregoers can take a ticket stub to the restaurant and receive a 10% discount on any entrée on the menu.
For more details on the Ozric Tentacles concert, visit the theatre website. Alternatively, call (970) 375.7135 or email sparrott@strater.com.
Information on other planned performances at the Henry Strater Theatre are available, including the bluegrass group, Finders and Youngberg (November 14th), ‘Murder Makes a Reservation’, a murder mystery dinner theatre presentation, (December 17th), and An Evening with Mark Twain one man show, (February 21st).
The Liquor World’s Wine Tasting and Silent Auction is a fun benefit in support of Habitat for Humanity, an organization that helps families in La Plata County to have access to affordable housing. The date is November 6th, 2009 at 5.30 – 8.30pm and the location is the ballroom at the Double Tree Hotel in Durango.
A fun evening of excellent hors d’oeuvres and wine is promised and it’s all for a good cause. There will be more than 300 wines to try and the Silent Auction has over 40 items for bidders to choose from, ranging from a singing telegram to a vacation in a Cancun resort.
Tickets are available at Alpine Bank, Liquor World, and at the Habitat Home Supply ReStore.
Admission:
$30 in advance.
$40 on the door.
An unusual celebration of Halloween is taking place on October 28th – October 31st, 2009. The Halloween Sideshow is a presentation by the Salt Fire Circus, a community art project involving musicians, singers, dancers, and artists from the Durango, Colorado area. Four evenings of ‘alternative circus and burlesque’ incorporate live music and dance in a show that acts out the meaning of tarot cards.
This is a repeat performance from the Salt Fire Circus, as they performed the show in Durango in the spring of 2008 to sell out audiences. The venue is the Durango Arts Center theatre on 802 East 2nd Avenue and there will be a bar. Because of its timing with Halloween, the production welcomes any member of the audience who want to dress up in an appropriate costume!
Two performances are scheduled for each evening across the four dates.
Time of performance: 6pm and 9pm.
Doors open: 5.30pm and 8.30pm.
Price: $20 advance and $25 on the door.
Tickets on sale from October 7th.
Tickets can be purchased at the Durango Arts Center and Southwest Sound.
Hopefully you will be able to check out one of these amazing perfomances from the Salt Fire Circus!
Photo Credit: Rennett Stowe
A stay in a Durango rental is a good idea for your next trip to the Colorado Rockies, no matter what time of year. Because for many experienced travelers these days, a perfect vacation has come to include the comforts of home set right in the heart of their getaway destination. That is certainly what’s waiting for you just a short drive into the beautiful San Juan Mountains north of the city of Durango.
A rustic and distinctly western charm is such a big part of the appeal in staying at a Durango rental property like those found at the Durango Mountain Resort. The setting, the proximity to such a high caliber ski resort and the comfort of the condos themselves just make for an experience that you and your family will never forget.
The best part may be how affordable a stay in one of these rentals can be. You won’t find the same high rental prices in Durango that are common elsewhere in Colorado. Lower rates and smaller crowds will certainly put a smile on your face.
Obviously a big draw to the area is the skiing. This part of southwest Colorado is blessed with 260 inches of dry powder snowfall per year and most of that falls at night. This means of course that most of the days here are bright and blue, just ready to be savored on the slopes or off. With magnificent trails and terrain for all ability levels, plus mountain amenities that can’t be beat, why would you want to stay anywhere else?
A condo or townhome rentals put you right there in the thick of it! Just steps away from luxurious a old west resort, downhill and cross-country skiing, horseback riding, fishing, boating, hiking and just about anything else you’d hope for in such a spectacular setting.
You might want the ski-in/ski-out fun and convenience of a stay at the Purgatory Village Condo Hotel with its onsite grocery shopping, restaurants and fitness center. This outstanding Durango rental complex offers units from studio hotel rooms for two on up to very spacious and comfortable 2 bedroom/2 bath condos.
Nestled beautifully in the Hermosa Cliffs the Lodge at Tamarron is just eight miles from the slopes and set against the gorgeous backdrop of Needles Peaks. Amenities like full or mini kitchens, refrigerator, microwave, cable television and direct dial telephone make you feel right at home while onsite massage services, pools and hot tubs keep you soothed and relaxed.
During the summer months a rental on the mountain ensures that you won’t miss out on activities like the Adventure Xstreme Series, Music in the Mountains and wonderful wine and beer festivals. During the winter you can look forward to the Dave Spencer Ski Classic, the Ski Bike America Festival and the Wolverton Telemark Festival.
Regardless of season, the perfect match of fun, comfort and scenic beauty can be found in one place, a wonderfully affordable Durango rental.
For real value on your next trip to Durango, Colorado don’t miss an opportunity to stay at an affordable and comfortable Durango Inn. With warm and friendly service, cozy rooms and easy access to all the fun, shopping, special events and outdoor recreation that Durango has to offer, a stay at one of the many top notch and reasonably priced inn’s is a natural choice.
Tucked on a hillside and not far from Mesa Verde National Park is the Best Western Durango Inn & Suites. Guests there enjoy unbeatable amenities at a great price, such as suites featuring cable satellite television and HBO, complementary internet access, as well as some rooms with balconies or patios with beautiful views.
The Inn also has a refreshing heated swimming pool and soothing hot tub to unwind any stiff muscles at the end of the day and help send you off to sleep. When you awaken each morning you’ll be served a complimentary continental breakfast, and later you can sample the wonderful lunch and dinner menus at nearby Christina’s Restaurant and Lounge.
While at the Best Western you will also have quick access to historic downtown and all the shopping and restaurants it has to offer, as well as other great activities like golf, fishing and horseback riding.
The Apple Orchard Inn is a luxury bed and breakfast just 15 minutes from Durango and offering gorgeous mountain views, flower gardens, wonderful service and very comfortable rooms. All guests are prepared a full and delicious breakfast each morning as well as being able to enjoy fresh baked breads and cookies and other treats made fresh throughout the day. In the evening guests are offered complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks. The Apple Orchard Inn is consistently awarded AAA Four-Diamond Award for Excellence and it’s easy to see why.
Other great values can be found at the Quality Inn, less than two miles from the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and only a short drive from the Durango-La Plata Airport. Guest amenities include indoor hot tub, free deluxe continental breakfast, daily complimentary newspaper and an outdoor pool.
If you’re in Durango to take advantage of the world class skiing then a stay at the Quality Inn puts you just 30 miles from the slopes at the Durango Mountain Ski Resort and ski packages are also available. Even closer is the Animas River where you can enjoy beautiful hiking trails, fishing and rafting.
Another option at a very affordable price is the Hampton Inn Durango, located just off Highway 550 and very close to historic downtown Durango. The Hampton scores high with guests for their reasonable rates and very helpful, attentive and friendly staff. The rooms are very nice and the complimentary breakfast buffet is wonderful.
If quality and comfort without the high cost is your goal, then a stay in a Durango Inn is just what you’re looking for!
