FEATURES

Focusing on the Family -- Purgatory's Ski Season Plans
by Indiana Reed
Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort (DMR) has long been considered a family-friendly destination; but a variety of new initiatives for the 2011-12 ski season make it even friendlier. The past several years, DMR has focused on opening new terrain on the mountain -- much of it expert. But the resort's new programs are, in many ways, more significant. A most visible addition is the Purgatory Plunge -- twin zipline cables that take participants on an exhilarating 420-foot ride from the top of the tallest tower in the village, across to The Beach at the base area. It is one of only a handful of ziplines operating during the winter at a ski resort. At The Beach, families can gather at the outdoor fire pit or enjoy a full menu of family fare and libations at the Bear Bar. On the mountain, a new high-angle grooming technique allows Purgatory to double its groomed black-diamond terrain, making some runs more accessible to intermediate skiers who can ski the steeps if groomed. A progression park opened last year, which caters to the mid-level terrain-park skier and rider. And this year, the Pinkerton Starter Park adds everything seen in the X-Games but low to the ground. A new village boutique -- with clothing, jewelry and accessories -- offers the just-right something for apres-ski night life. "We've listened to our families when they tell us what they want and need," says resort CEO Gary Derck. "Our sense is that people are willing to spend time and money on their kids. They're spending for experiences. ... So, when they get that precious time with their family, they really want it to be special. We can help with that."

Robert Winslow -- Durango Artists Travels the World
Photographer Robert Winslow is fit-looking -- slight but strong, bespectacled and bearded. Low-key and relaxed, he seems alert and attentive, yet infinitely patient. Winslow is a pilgrim who visits the sacred sites where animals live, traveling the world to illustrate wilderness and wildlife: Polar bears on the shores of Hudson Bay, eagles in Alaska, giant tortoises in the Galapagos, wildebeests on migration in Africa, baby harp seals on the ice pack of the North Atlantic. Quoting a favorite author, Susan Chernak McElroy: "In their innocence and wisdom, in their connection to the earth and its most ancient rhythms, animals show us a way back to a home they have never left." Winslow is a pilgrim photographer, a perpetual traveler, and an internationally know, award-winning nature photographer who has been in every state of the union and in many countries around the world. He's had thousands of images published in numerous magazines, books, calendars, posters, advertisements, cards and brochures. A lifelong educator, Winslow calls Durango home. He instructs advanced photography and Elderhostel programs. But his favorite work is organizing and leading customized individual and private group photo expeditions to Kenya in East Africa. In 2010, Winslow led his 13th expedition to Kenya. He says, "Kenya is one of the best places in the world to view and photograph wildlife ... it is the best African country for quality game viewing." Information about upcoming safaris, as well as his photography, can be found on his website, www.robertwinslowphoto.com.

Tad Elliott -- Racing the Road to the Olympics
by Indiana Reed
Durango is back on skiing's world stage -- this time thanks to homegrown champion Tad Elliott. Right now, Elliott is in Europe competing in the World Cup cross-country ski races, hoping to secure a slot on the U.S. Olympic cross-country ski team. For 23-year-old Elliott, it's one race at a time on the road to the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. "I'm trying not to focus on just one [big] race in my career," says Elliott, who was named to the 2012 ski team in April of 2011. "Next year's Olympics isn't guaranteed. I have to ski fast this year, and if I don't, they could drop me off the team." The son of Durangoan Mike Elliott who skied cross-country in three Olympic competitions, Tad says he hasn't felt any pressure to follow in his father's proverbial tracks. He genuinely loves the sport. He donned his first cross-country skis at age four and first raced at the age of five. Unassuming, with a ready smile, Elliott is "stoked" at his current opportunity. After graduating from Durango High School, he waived his eligibility to compete at the collegiate level, turning pro at age 17. In the spring of 2010, Elliott was U.S. champion (first American finisher) in the U.S./North American Cross-country Ski Championship 50km skate race in Ft. Kent, Maine. He also won second place in the 15km freestyle. At the 2011 championships, he earned first place in the 30km freestyle, as well as several SuperTour events. One competition of which he is most proud thus far is the 2010 American Birkebeiner ski marathon in Wisconsin, the largest cross-country race in North America at which he finished second overall in the 54km classic, the first American to do this. Elliott's focus now is all about improving his skills, strength and endurance. "... It's cool all the things that are happening to me, and if it [the Olympics] happens to me, I'll be stoked -- but right now I'm just trying to focus on the next race."

Dog Days of Winter
by Jen Reeder
Durango is famous for year-round recreational activities. But many people don't realize it's also the perfect place for playing outdoors with pets -- especially dogs -- even in winter."Durango is a great dog town," says Mayor Christina Rinderle, who has been running and snowshoeing on the area's trails for years with her mixed-breed dog, Baxter. They are especially fond of Durango's designated dog park. "The dog park is a great outlet for everybody to just let their dogs run free and play. It's such an expansive area," she says. Covering more than 23 acres at the base of Smelter Mountain along the Animas, it's a popular place to socialize near downtown, with its trails and river access for dogs. For another winter activity, snowshoeing, Horse Gulch on the southeast side of town offers 1,000 acres of open space owned by the city of Durango. Other sites include the Colorado Trail area at the terminus of Junction Creek Road and Animas Mountain, La Plata Canyon west of Durango, and, to the north, Haviland Lake, the Elbert Creek Trail, Purgatory Flats, Andrews Lake and Molas Pass. Cross-country skiers enjoy 15 kilometers of groomed trails at Vallecito Lake, which welcomes non-aggressive dogs and their owners. Some Durango hotels are pet-friendly, too, including the Rochester and the Doubletree. There are also a number of daycare and boarding options in town. Recently, some 400 passionate dog lovers rallied in downtown Durango to participate in filming an application video to encourage Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to rebuild Annie's Orphans, the no-kill sanctuary for abandoned, neglected and abused dogs. "We won't know for some months if we'll be selected, but we have a great story, a great community, and we know ABC will see that in the video," says an Annie's Orphans board member. Visitors who travel to Durango with their dogs are in for a special experience. "People appreciate that our pets are family too, and when we go on vacation, it's great to bring them along. Durango is a dog-friendly place."

Excursions
Wilderness Wonderland
The iconic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad lives its life in all four seasons. Authors Duane A. Smith and Elizabeth A. Green illustrate a typical year in the life of the train in their new book, Seasons of the Narrow Gauge, published by the Durango Herald Small Press and dedicated to the "men and women of the Narrow Gauge, past, present and future." With well-chose images from several contributing photographers, Seasons is a tribute not just to what passengers see flashing outside their window as they travel the iron rails, but what happens behind the scenes as well, in the roundhouse and the machine shop and the carpentry corner. "Scenery changes with the seasons, but so do the sound and the feel of being on the train. From the warming rays of sun peeking through the roof of the Silver Vista in summer to the hush of a winter's day when the sound of the train whistle echoes off the mountain peaks ... each ride on the Durango & Silverton is unique," say the editors. The railroad has entered into the era of special events in order to introduce people to the railroad and its history. In addition to the main attraction each winter -- the Cascade Canyon Winter train -- some special events on the schedule for this season include the holiday Polar Express train, the New Year's Eve Presidential train, the Snowdown Balloon Rally train, and a Valentine's Day dinner train.

Top Picks
What's New to See and Do
The day after Thanksgiving each year, a favorite family event is the town Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony with its parade of Christmas carolers singing their way up Main Avenue to Buckley Park for the lighting of the holiday tree. February 29-March 4, the Durango Independent Film Festival brings movies of all genres from around the world for intimate, public screenings, parties, meet-and-greet the filmmaker opportunities and more. Chocolate Fantasia features a Chock-n-Roll theme at this year's 26th consecutive chocolate-tasting fundraiser for the Southwest Safehouse on February 17. Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning actor Ed Asner portrays FDR in a powerful solor -performance drama at the Community Concert Hall on May 16. Billed as the largest show between the Great Plains and the Sierras, the Four States Agricultural Expositioncelebrates its 30th anniversay March 15-18 with a large array of events that include livestock demonstrations and sales, horse and stock dog clinics, family entertainment, commercial equipment exhibits and gear, school seminars and workshops. This year's Snowdown celebration February 1-5 -- known as a carnival to beat back the midwinter blues -- is themed Once Upon a Time in Durango and will bring to life characters from classic fairy tales and nursery rhymes. The Durango Arts Center will host some 20 artists on April 24 at its Textiles Today - Redefining the Medium exhibit and workshops to educate, enrich and broaden the knowlege and appreciation of the art of contemporary textiles. One of Fort Lewis College's longest-standing annual traditions is Hozhoni Days, a springtime cultural celebration honor Native American culture and traditions -- culminating with a grand powwow on March 30 and 31.

History
Historic Hogan's Transformed - by Indiana Reed
She's a grand old lady, well seasoned and humble. She has clothed generations of gentlemen, overseen family gatherings, put dozens through college, and now holds the precious works of some 70 fine artists. Known for decades as Hogan's clothing store, 828 Main is now home to the contemporary western fine art and jewelry of Sorrel Sky Gallery. "I had my eye on Hogan's for nine years," says Shanan Cambell Wells. "It's the most fabulous building downtown -- a balcony, the alley, a garage! I would tell Mickey [Hogan] at parties that I wanted to buy it; it became a joke between us." And, it happened 72 years after Charles Hogan moved his men's clothing store (and his family) into the building at 828 Main in 1939, when partners and owners Mickey Hogan and his sister's son, Jerry Poer, decided it was time to retire. The building was constructed in the 1890s and appears to have included a boarding house upstairs, a saloon at street level and a barbership in the basement. Later, it was converted into an office building, but when the owners defaulted on the mortgage, Charles Hogan -- who was renting a retail space a block north on Main -- was able to take it over. He also moved the family from the original homestead (most recently the Brickhouse Cafe) into the apartment above the store. Charles's wife Georgie lived in the upstairs quarters, handling the books and doing alterations even into her 90s, until her passing in 1984. Knowing the building was a beloved part of Hogan family history, Cambell Wells has been passionate about preserving its legacy, as well as honoring key design elements that define the structure. The refurbished building is unique among Durango's galleries, and moving to the new space has enhanced Sorrel Sky's ability to display its artists.

Getaways 
Day Trips in Any Direction
In a valley 9,300 feet in elevation, Silverton is known as "The heart of the high country" and is popular for it many Victorian-fronted shops, restaurants and unique mining heritage. The town also boasts a challenging steep-and-deep ski area nearby at Silverton Mountain. A high-speed, three-stage gondola system, still free for foot passengers, is just one of the notable attractions at Telluride Ski Resort, known for its picturesque view and challenging terrain. The historic town of Telluride features dining, music, popular festivals, special events and plenty of lodging. Vallecito is 25 miles northeast of Durango and offers many outdoor recreational activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, ice fishing and snowmobiling. Vallecito's reservoir is one of the largest bodies of water in the area with more than 2,700 surface acres and 22 miles of shoreline. Plenty of winter activities are available at Ouray, popular for its proximity to three ski resorts and it's natural hot springs pools. Its Victorian charm is revealed in many of the town's restored buildings. Wolf Creek Ski Resort, opened early again this year, continuing to make its name for having the most snow in Colorado. Just a mile from the Continental Divide and a few miles east of Pagosa Springs, Wolf Creek is known as a powder-lover's paradise, offering affordable fun on its 1,600 skiable acres with seven lifts and 77 trails. America's first World Heritage Site is Mesa Verde National Park. Preserving an extraordinary record of the ancestral Puebloans who made a "city of sandstone" atop the green mesa near Mancos, the 52,000-acre park protects nearly 5,000 archaeological sites: 600 cliff dwellings and more than three million objects and archives in its collection. The small, family-run local ski area of Hesperus, just a few miles west of Durango, offers 75 acres of skiable and terrain and is open for night skiing. With a few challenging slopes, there are nine runs serviced by a rope tow, a snowboarding park and a tubing hill

Galleries and Goods
Eye on the Arts Scene
This department offers a listing of shopping options in Durango that feature fine art or unique accessories plus events in the world of arts and crafts.

Dining Profile
The Irish Embassy - by Indiana Reed
A traditional Irish pub with Durango sensibilities --such could be an apt description of The Irish Embassy Pub at the corner of Main and Ninth Street inside a historic stone building that formerly housed one of Durango's first banks. It's truly a "neighborhood" corner pub, where conviviality is a top priority and reminders that "Guiness is Good for You" proliferate throughout the establishment. But The Irish Embassy is not just about "drinking," says manager Phil Brennan, who moved from his native Ireland when the pub opened in 2008 to join The Irish Embassy team. "That's one of the myths we're trying to change," he says. "Here, it's more about having a good time. The pub is a place where you can hang out with your friends and enjoy yourself. It's a home away from home." Food is served daily at the pub. While signature Irish dishes such as fish and chips, bangers and mash, and Mum's pot roast remain popular menu items, lighter eaters can also enjoy a variety of fresh salads, grilled chicken, salmon dishes and more. The bar is open into the wee hours, offering happy hour specially priced appetizers and beverages Monday through Friday.

Dining Guide
A complete listing of restaurants in Durango.

LIVING IN STYLE

La Plata Local Dream Home Giving in Style

La Plata Local
Veronica Egan - by Shawna Bethell
"So you want to know the legend of the Great Old Broads, eh?" Veronica (Ronni) Egan, executive director of Great Old Broads for Wilderness, leans back in her chair and peers across her shoulder at her compatriot and associate director, Rose Chilcoat, and the two give a chuckle before turning back to me. "Well, in 1989 five ladies of a certain age, tired yet exhilarated, walked out of Escalante National Park..." begins Egan, and the room takes on the feel of a late night around a campfire with a master storyteller at hand. She goes on to explain that these ladies had been on a backpacking trip to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, and after leaving the backcountry, had stopped at a diner for sustenance. In the course of conversation they talked about Utah Senator Orrin Hatch's idea that the elderly could not access wilderness without roads and motorized vehicles, and they decided there needed to be an organization that pushed back so they would no longer be used as an excuse to destroy something they all so passionately loved. When one of the party got up to go to the restroom, it is said that someone watched her leave and remarked, "Now there goes a great old broad," and what became a national advocacy group for wilderness was born. Twenty-plus years later, the organization, now with chapters across the country, continues to grow and work on issues as "broad" as monitoring motorized vehicles in the backcountry, supporting legislation to protect wildlife, advocating for alternative energy sources and holding land agencies accountable for the health of our public lands. Eventually, Egan will step down as executive director, "But Great Old Broads is part and parcel of my life. Twenty-four/seven, it remains my guiding passion." she says.

Dream Home
Cottonwood Springs Ranch
Less than half an hour from Durango, Cottonwood Springs Ranch is comprised of four parcels protectedby wildlife, scenic and agricultural conservation easements. At 7,500 feet in elevation, the ranch is 540 acres with giant cottonwoods lining Texas Creek, in aspen, spruce and pine woodlandssurrounding 16 fenced pastures. The nearly 6,000-square-foot main residence is a masterpiece of casual elegance designed and built in northern New Mexico style. Unique features throughout the home are unique including antique columns, hand-carved latillas and reclaimed wood beams. Additional buildings on the ranch include a 2,300-square-foot bunkhouse-style guesthouse, a fully resotred homesteader's log cabin from the 1890s,and a renovated ranch manager's house. One of the finest equestrian properties in Colorado, the 20,000-square-foot main barn features 21 lighted stalls, with an adjacent 5,000-square-foot ranch operations center. Facilities include an outdoor show arena, numerous specialized barns, 1 cutting round pen, cattle processing facilities, paddocks, fences and more. Contact Shane Dawson of Elevation Real Estate for more information.

Giving in Style
Dinner Wraps Symphony's 25th Season - by Indiana Reed
The San Juan Symphony, supported by the communities of Durango and nearby Farmington, continues its success in keeping classical music available to local audiences. In a robust show of support, a fundraising event was held in May at the Sow's Ear and Silverpick Lodge to celebrate the conclusion of the symphony's 25th season. Patrons enjoyed cocktails and appetizers by a roaring fire while thrilling to a performance by a local talent, soprano Gemma Kavanagh accompanied by pianist Scott Hagler. An elegant gourmet meal followed. The symphony, a 65-member orchestra with musicians from throughout the Four Corners, is expressing music of gratitude in this season's series entitled A Season of Appreciation.

Music in the Mountains -- Silver Anniversary Gala Celebration
After 25 seasons of classical summer music, Durango's beloved summer music festival and its fans took a moment to pause, give thanks and enjoy the view. A sumptuous party held in July, in the midst of the 25th season, was hosted by venue sponsor Durango Mountain Resort. Resort leaders welcomed guests, who included sponsors Chevron, M3 Midstream Momentum and Alpine Bank. The gala featured a performance from longtime festival favorites -- violinist Vadim Gluzman and his wife, pianist Angela Yoffe, as well as pianist Aviram Reichert.

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