Loading...
The URL can be used to link to this page
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Home
My WebLink
About
2002-01-08 Support Documentation Town Council Evening Session
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL EVENING MEETING TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2002 7:00 P.M. TOV COUNCIL CHAMBERS NOTE: Times of items are approximate, subject to change, and cannot be relied upon to determine at what time Council will consider an item. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE VAIL LOCAL MARKETING DISTRICT (VLMD) WITH THE VAIL TOWN COUNCIL SITTING AS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE VLMD. (30 MIN.) • Discussion of Adding a Member from the Commission on Special Events (CSE) • Introduce Term Appointments • Establish Criteria for Appointment to Vail Local Marketing District Advisory Council (VLMDAC) • Changing Vendor Contract Periods ------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION. (5 min.) 2. INTRODUCTION OF AUSTRALIAN EXCHANGE STUDENTS. Merv Lapin (10 min.) 3. CONSENT AGENDA: a) Approval of December 4th and 18th, 2001 meeting minutes. (5 min.) b) ITEM/TOPIC: Resolution No. 1, Series of 2002, a resolution designating a public place within the Town of Vail for the posting of notice for public meetings of the Vail Town Council, Planning and Environmental Commission, Design Review Board, and other Boards, Commissions, and Authorities of the Town of Vail. (5 min.) 4. ITEM/TOPIC: Discussion on Special Events. (30 min.) Pam Brandmeyer • CSE Paid Facilitator/Organization • Council Transfer of Special Events/General Fund Marketing Dollars • Voting Member from CSE appointed to VLMDAC 5. ITEM/TOPIC: Vail Whitewater Park Update. (40 min.) Gregg Barrie 1. Gore Creek Promenade pedestrian bridge replacement 2. Gore Creek Whitewater Park Enhancements These projects are being presented together because enhancements to the water park require removal of the pedestrian bridge during construction. ACTION REQUESTED OF COUNCIL: 1. Town of Vail Staff is requesting direction concerning the replacement of the pedestrian bridge. 2. A request for approval to proceed with minor improvements to the Gore Creek Whitewater Park. 3. Establish a budget for each project. BACKGROUND RATIONALE: 1. It has been determined by two different engineering firms that the Gore Creek Promenade pedestrian bridge is substantially under rated for pedestrian bridge loading criteria. After inspecting the bridge, the engineering consultant has recommended replacing the bridge as opposed to strengthening the existing bridge. There are several options in replacing the bridge. Town staff is requesting that the Town Council review the options and approve a preliminary budget for the most appropriate option. Please see the attached for more information. 2. After the initial success of the Gore Creek Whitewater Park, constructed in the fall of 2000, it has been determined that there are several improvements that should be made to the park in order to ensure it's viability. Most notably, the waves created by the drop structures are smaller than anticipated, creating two unsuitable situations. First, the waves are not large enough to continue scouring the pools below them. As a result, the pools have begun to fill in with cobble and sediment. Secondly, the waves are not large enough for expert competitions. The improvements would create larger waves, deepen the pools, and relocate some of the large in-stream boulders to more suitable locations. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Town Council determine an appropriate budget (if any) for the replacement of the Gore Creek Promenade pedestrian bridge. Staff also recommends approval to proceed with the enhancements to the Whitewater Park pending approval of the Planning and Environmental Commission, and to recommend a budget and construction time frame for both projects. 6. ITEM/TOPIC: First reading of Ordinance No. 1 Series of 2002, An ordinance amending the Official Zoning Map for the Town of Vail in accordance with Title 12, Zoning Regulations, Chapter 5, Zoning Map; rezoning Lot 3, Vail Village West Filing 2 to "Single-Family Residential Zone District"; and setting forth details in regard thereto. (20 min.) ACTION REQUESTED OF COUNCIL: Approve, approve with modifications or deny Ordinance No. 1 on first reading. BACKGROUND RATIONALE: On November 12, 2001, the applicant appeared before the Town of Vail Planning & Environmental Commission with three development review applications for the Commission's evaluation and consideration. The applications were for a minor subdivision of Lots 2 & 3, Vail Village West Filing No. 2, a variance from the minimum lot area and site dimension requirements for Lot 2, and a request for a recommendation to rezone Lot 3 from Two-Family Primary/Secondary to Single-Family Residential Zone District. The Commission approved the minor subdivision and variance and has forwarded a unanimous recommendation of approval of the rezoning request to the Vail Town Council. A copy of the staff memorandum to the PEC and the approved minutes have been attached for reference. RECOMMENDATION: The Department of Community Development recommends the Vail Town Council approve Ordinance No. 1, Series of 2002 on first reading. 7. Town Manager's Report. (5 min.) Bob McLaurin 8. Adjournment (9:30 P.M.) NOTE UPCOMING MEETING START TIMES BELOW: (ALL TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE THE NEXT VAIL TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR WORK SESSION WILL BE ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2001, BEGINNING AT 2:00 P.M. IN THE TOV COUNCIL CHAMBERS. THE NEXT VAIL TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR EVENING MEETING WILL BE ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2001, BEGINNING AT 7:00 P.M. IN TOV COUNCIL CHAMBERS Sign language interpretation available upon request with 24-hour notification. Please call 479-2332 voice or 479-2356 TDD for information. RESOLUTION NO. 1 SERIES OF 2002 A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING A PUBLIC PLACE WITHIN THE TOWN OF VAIL FOR THE POSTING OF NOTICE FOR PUBLIC MEETINGS OF THE VAIL TOWN COUNCIL, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION, DESIGN REVIEW BOARD, AND OTHER BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND AUTHORITIES OF THE TOWN OF VAIL. WHEREAS, Section 24-6-402(c), C.R.S., as amended provides that local public bodies must give full and timely notice to the public of any meetings at which the adoption of any proposed policy, position, resolution, rule, regulation, or formal action occurs at which a majority or quorum of the body is in attendance, or is expected to be in attendance; and WHEREAS, in addition to any other means of full and timely notice, the statute provides that a local public body shall be deemed to have given full and timely notice if notice of the meeting is posted in a designated public place. within the boundaries of the local public body no less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the holding of the meeting; and WHEREAS, the statute further provides that the public place or places for posting of such notice shall be designated annually at the local body's first regular meeting of each calendar year; and WHEREAS, the Town of Vail now wishes to designate a public place within its boundaries for the posting of such full and timely notice to the public for meetings of the Town Council, the Planning and Environmental Commission, the Design Review Board, and other boards, committees, and authorities of the Town. NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Town Council of the Town of Vail, Colorado: The Town Council hereby designates the bulletin boards at the east and west entrances of the Town of Vail Municipal Offices as the public places for the posting of full and timely notice to the public as provided for in 24-6-402(1)(c), C.R.S., as amended. 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage. INTRODUCED, READ, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 8`h day of January, 2002. Ludwig Kurz, Mayor ATTEST: Lorelei Donaldson, Town Clerk Va Whitevvater Park iCr ~..r, ~:;:,.;.,.... .a:~``'~ '~'~+~ as ~ ~ Introduction In Nov. 1999 Vail continued to be a reso~ t- industry trendsetter by building Colorado's first whitewater park in the mountains. Situated on Gore Creek in the heart of Vai! Village, the Vail Whitewater Park enjoyed Ets first season of use this spring. Looking back, the Vail Whitewater Park had an impressive impact on the local economy, generated extensive media coverage and created great energy in the town's core. Quick Facts ^ Park constructed in funds Nov. 2000 with REfT ^ Project completed for $185,000 -- $80,000 under budget -funds returned to RETT ^ Park consists of three natural structures which create whitewater play features at high to normal water flows (May-June) ^ Park also included construction of a natural amphitheater and the enhancement of the creek's beaches and wading pools Economic Impacts ^ Vail Whitewater Park helped organizers to attract amulti-year, six-figure contract with Teva to sponsor the Whitewater Festival ^ Park allowed organizers to create the first- ever Pro Rodeo Invitational, attracting 20 of the world's best kayakers to Vail ^ Park featured prominently on one-hour syndicated Fox Sports Net program with over 38 million viewers Economic Impacts ^ 2001 Whitewater Festival had roost spectators in it's 8-year history ^ 67% of spectators carne just for the event spending an average of $119/day ^ Park also hosted four local rodeo events on Wed. nights in May, with as many as 25 participants and over 200 spectators each Media Coverage ^ Vail Whitewater Perk featured in: ^ 4 Denver Post articles ^ 13 Vail Daily articles ^ 3 Vail Trail articles ^ Vail Valley Magazine ^ Aspen Sojourner Magazine ^ Denver Daily News ^ Ski Magazine ^ Fitness Magazine ^ Miami Herald ~^ ^ ^~ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^~ ^~ ^~ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^r ~^ ^^ ^ Media Coverage /awareness ^ Vail Whitewater Park listed as one of the country's top ten whitewater parks in upcoming issue of Paddler Magazine- pending park improvements ^ Park allowed Vail to bid on the 2003 World Freestyle Kayak Championships-lost because Park's features were not powerful enough ^ With the Park, Vail has gained international recognition as a whitewater destination Opportunity ^ The town is considering replacing the pedestrian bridge ^ While the bridge is out, for minimal cost and with minimal impact, the Vail Whitewater Park could be improved by altering the structures and digging the pools deeper ^ Improvements will make the whitewater features more powerful and the park sustainable ^ Without improvements, Park's features will be less effective because of sediment that has filled the pools over the summer Conclusion ^ Vail Whitewater Park is currently a good, intermediate-level park ^ Park has created a positi~.re econamic impact and generated tremendous media coverage ^ With small improvements the Vail Whitewater Park can be a world-class venue - exponentially increasing its benefit to the community Options ^ Feb-March Construction Pro . Build on momentum generated last year ^ Show Vail's world-class park to national T.V. audience during Whitewater Festival ^ Attract boaters from around the state this spring Con ^ Construction impacts during ski season Options ^ Sept-Nov Construction Pro ^ Construction impacts during fall season Con ^ Lose another season ^ Sediment will make features less desirable than last year ^ Difificult to host legitimate rodeo competitions on existing park ^ Do not live up to national rankings I` -_ ~.--. _ _ _ . eeThe amount of media attention I received as a result of competing~~~: in the Teva`°'Whitewater Festival was tremendous." , -Tao Berman, professional kayaker 9 Media ,` The 2001 Teva'° Whitewnter Festival at Vail brought an unprecedented amount of media coverage to the sport of kayaking. Print, radio, Internet and television ~ ~ ' ' media covered the event in local, regional and national markets. Most importantly, ' .r. if Vail hosts the 2003 Worlds, national television coverage and syndication on Fox r -_ Sports Net or another national network is guaranteed. `'~ ' Spectators The Vail Whitewnter Park is one of the most spectator-friendly Whitewater venues in the world. Streamside viewing is perfect for the whole family in Vail's beautiful pedestrian village. Parking is convenient, the shopping is great and the dining is world renowned. During the Teva"'Whitewater Festival " over 3,000 people packed the banks of Gore Creek to cheer on the kayakers. For the 2003 World Freestyle Kayak Championships, n 1,000-person grandstand will be added to the park to sustain the largest crowds the freestyle circuit has ever seen. And because kayaking is one of the fastest growing extreme sports in Colorado, a strong showing of local support "i ~ 'Oi'I'cion for the Worlds is guaranteed. ~~+ - fly: :.~ ~ r "There were more spectators at the Teva`"' Whitewai Festival at Vail than any event I've participated ii -FricSouthwick, current World Champion abou the 2001 Teva" Whitewater Festival at Va a :~. SV orfVai~ t~ pp ~~~~- ~s.~ .~ _rr~u:;~ w.~ :~ ~-.6,.:, ~, Freestyle kayaking is poised to explode onto the international scene. Vail, Colorado is an internationally renowned resort that has been afour-time host to the world's best skiers ~~. f and bikers. A partnership between the World Freestyle Kayak Championships and Vail will elevate the growing sport of freestyle kayaking to the next level and place it squarely in the - ~- international spotlight. In Vail, we've seen the future of kayaking- ;~!l now we want to bring that vision to the world. 20p3 Ht( CHAMPIpH rYLI~ KpYA Sy~pS VAIL • COLORADO • USA For more information on Vail 2003 contact Inn Anderson at the Vail ValleyTourism and Convention Bureau `TAI LVAL L 970.476.1000 or email Ian@visitvailvalley.com. a~. ; ~~'d'~~R~ ,~~~~~, `~ Special thanks to Tani Axelrod for pho~ r ~ I fi J"' .t~;;. Venue ~:~:,~, ,.~~: In November 2000, Vail spent 5230,000 US t ~-~°~ i~ ~r ~ ~~t to build one of the world's newest white- ~~°~~ water parks. The nation's top whitewater `. ° ±:=^~ pork engineer and designer, Gary Lacy, ~`'" ~ ,,~_d~ - built the whitewater park on Gore Creek in the heart of Vail Village. The park was ~~ athlete tested and approved duringthe 2001 Teva' Pro Radea Invitational. ~„ If Vail wins the bid to host the 2003 World Freestyle Kayak Championships, an additional 550, 000 US will be spent to build aworld-class rodeo hole with ~ the best spectator and media accessibility the sport has ever seen. Water Gore Creek is a spectacular free-flowing river running through the heart of Vail's pedestrian villages. Every spring Vnil's 300 inches of annual snowfall melts and raises the creek to an explosive level. The Vail Whitewater Park is designed to be optimal at flows from 150 to 1,000 cubic feet per second. During the first week of June when the Championships will take place in Vail, the flow has averaged 450 cubic feet per second for the past 30 years. There is a historical guarantee of ideal water flows for the 2003 World Freestyle Kayak Championships on the Vail Whitewater Park. "The Vail Whitewater Park is great - with a little class IV waves of fine tuning it will be best in the world." the Eagle River, to the Class V -Brad hidden, winner of the 2001 Teva °' Pro Rodeo Invrtationa~ creekingafHomestake ~ ,~~- and Gilman Gorge, Vail has whitewater for every taste and ability level. ' Access Vail is conveniently located along Interstate 70, less than 100 miles from the Denver International Airport. Shuttles make regular daily runs to Vail and car rentals are easily arranged. Once in Vail, the nation's largest free transit system makes it easy for everyone to get around town. Denver International Airport has direct air from Europe on Lufthansa, British Airways and United Airlines. Accommodations Throughout the year, Vail is aworld-class . resort that is home to some of the finest accommodations available. The spring and +~1 early summer are considered to be Vail's '/ value season and the lodging is deeply discounted. For example, in early June hotel -' rooms start at 570 US in the heart of the Y ss~~' In addition to the Whitewater Park, there are over 12 Village. Outside the Village, lodging prices ~~? s±retches of river within a 60-mile radius of Vail. From drop to S4D US per night. And for the best "'~ - the big water class V of Gore Canyon, to the crashing value in town, camping is always nn option. _ , .~.~ ~ _ ,~ -' "Being so close to Denver International Airport, Vail was easy to get to." ~ ~ , „ x ., '"'" -A(ex Nicks, British Freestyle Team member - ~;: ~ ~-~t~;~,g 3 .~ P' (! ~4 ~ ' ~_- ~ i~~' _'~•'-u~ `~~f~r -^ ~r~ ~ a'~-~ ~ rte. ,: .. ; ._ _ - ~.. _ _ ._ ~ -' _ R ~„~ .~._,.-_~~~ 7 ~ '~,~f:I. - .^' ~.. 1, ~~.._..~'_" ~ - _ . ~!.'-`~' - - t. ~ ~f., ,raj-.~~ ^" `,~~[y~~'t ~ ~Yi . y • ~ ~ `' ^ Vail is a proven host of world championship ~„-:~~ ~ ~ ~: ~/ :` ~+'' I` :.'"~ -~- events-we have hosted 4 World ~a~ Championship events in 11 years - • ° - ~ a,,~;~ p~ ~ ~~~~ ~ `~~' ^ Vail will bring unprecedented media coverage , d.~ _~~~~ ~ ~ : `' `+ ,. s ~,, and exposure to the World Freestyle ~`~. _ " ~;~-. '~:~ ` ..:;~ , -~ ~~ Ka ak Cham ionshi s includin a national) ~ ~ , ~~~',~ syndicated television show ~~-~~~- ~~ \ ~` ,=~ ~ ? ' ~' ~ ^ Vail has eight years experience organizing Vail will improve it s existing whitewater ,~ °" - ~.~~ ~~ ~~` whitewater events ark to include world class rodeo hole. ~ ; ~~ ~.,,~. `1 '~ ^ Vail is a world renowned vacation destination Vail is easily accessible from Denver ~~~_ ~ ~ ~x ~ ~~ „~' , ff Z~, 1 ~ " with a spectatorfriendly whitewater park in International Airport with direct flights < kY~ the heart of its pedestrian village from many European cities ~ .~~. " - ~~ '~' ; ~ u u 1 n wile, Tess, got involved in planning a cor- porate part}; the ranch theme had them tak- ing hay bales to a hotel. He reasoned that instead of taking the ranch to the CEOs, 4vhy not take the CEOs to the ranch? That was in 1991. Rotting sheep hides were cleaned out, an old barn was moved to the 4 Eagle log by log and a caterer was hired. Steadily, the operation has slowly expanded. Now, for example, there are sleigh rides on winter evenings. Corporate chieftains, ambassadors and legendary athletes have all been there. Meeting planners have told the Backhuses that it maybe the best such operation in d1e country. People compliment him by saying the ranch is not a Disneyland, but his ranch operation models the Disney cleanliness standard. "Walk around here," he says, "and you'll be hard-pressed to Find a cigarette butt." The 4 Eagle Ranch in 2000 hosted 161 private parties, and on intervening days is open to the public. From the ranch house, looking out across sagebrush fields sweep- ing up toward the northernmost peaks of the Sawatch Range, there's a pervasive feel of remoteness that belies a guest's proximi- ty to Beaver Creek and Vail. Backhus keeps finding similarities between football and business. Por exam- ple, as a football player he always watched defensive players adjust. In the hospitality business, he's constantly studying people's eyes, watching their body language. Each football player has a role, an assignment for any given play. The same thing holds true for a business such as the 4 Eagle Ranch. Some things are different. Watching game films on Monday mornings, football teams clearly see who carried out assign- ments and who failed. in business it's impossible to have a camera running behind every cash register, behind every rook, behind each person driving a team of horses. "In many ways, coaching is easier than nrnning a business," he says. Backhus has had his chances to get back into coaching. Twice he considered offers, first with Ohio State and more recently with the Dallas Coy-aboys. "But that's not what I'm going to do. This is my heaven," he says, referring at once to the 4 Eagle Ranch and to Eagle County. "This is what I want to do." by Allen Best ~a~C s tl~e ~Caee to d e Joel Heath has been earning a reputation in Vail as a young guy who can get things done. Still in his late 20s, he supet-~nses spe- cial events in Vail during sununer months and oversees the visitor information booths. This could be a ho-hum job. For Heath it is not. Vail unist set itself up for change, he says. While continuing to carer to its bread-and- butter market, people over age 40, it must also snag the attention and loyalty of younger people, even teenagers. Heath may be helping Vail transcend this generation gap. He now has a string of pro- motional successes. Observers. say he is winning because of his calm and steadiness during sometimes stormy sessions. He artic- ulates his thoughts well. What expi<ains this success? He may have learned from his parents. He comes from a political family. His father, Rollie Heath, was an executive with Johns-Manville until retir- ing in 1992. Now, his dad is campaigning to be Colorado governor. VAIL VALLL-Y M:~GAZINE 71 Kert6, Cant enteztatns the czoh~d at L9a11_s Ooze Czeek kayak pazk, rvhicti ~oel ~-(eatk llel~ed to deveCop. More outwardly influential was his moth- er, Josie Heath, who was commissioner in Boulder County for eight years, when Joel was growing up, and who also ran unsuc- cessfully for the U.S. Senate in 1990 and 1992. Joel downplays this influence. "I was born into politics, and I'm trying to steer clear of it," he says. That's not altogether true, however. In fact, he is soured by only the confrontation aspect of politics and remembers his moth- er as a daring, innovative politician. Boulder Creek bisects that county, and when Josie was elected commissioner the creek was cluttered and sullied. A bike path now braids along the creek, and after tin- kering by hydraulic engineers, the water itself has become a magnet for kayakers. He says his mother never compromised her beliefs, but skillfully brought people together to find solutions. That's his goal also. He recognizes the need ro give-give if there is a win-win. He believes he achieved a win-win with a kayak park in Vail Village. Kayaking has grown rapidly in populari- ty. Adventurous and athletic, it has a panache about it best summarized in "cool." High-schoolers love it, and so do Gen-Xers. Wond~>ring how to add interest and excite- ment to Vail's summers, Heath conceived of rearranging the rocks on a 150-meter sec- tion of Gore Creek as it flows through Vail Village, creating a place which lcayakers find intere~;ting and demanding. The political task of getting it approved and built was also demanding. Calmly mak- ing his case, Heath succeeded in less than a year. The kayak course works on two levels, says Heath. Few kayakers drawn to Vail can afford the town's lodging or restaurant prices, but they do give the town energy. Vail's bread-and-better summer customers enjoy that energy, even if they personally are more inclined toward passive river rafting. Despite being born into a household of both affluence anal brains, Heath has had his own challenges. Holding .him back in kindergarten, teachers concluded some- thing wasn't right. They were correct. The letters and words they ~c>ere gi~~ing him bobbed before his eyes. They still do. His parents sent him to a private grade school, Bixby. There, alter- native teaching methods allowed him to survive despite his severe dyslexia. He even excelled later on, graduating form high school with a high grade-point average. "Had I not had the chance to go to Bixby, I think I would have failed," he says, "because the public schools would have told me I'm dumb." At the University of Redlands, a small college in California, Heath again excelled, because mathematics and even history were not taught out of textbooks. "I bought text- books, but they didn't do a whole lot of good for me." His struggles with reading, however, may have been offset by greater creativity. "For the first time in my life, I understand why I think the way I do," he says, looking back on his recent successes. For example, when promoting Vail's Memorial Day Whitewater Festival, he helped buy traditional advertising. But he also came up with the idea of outfitting 15 or 20 people in wetsuits and other river 72 VAiI. VAr_I_El' MAGA7lNE ~at Kelley up ends in the ~toilin~ wate2s duzi~~~ 2Jfail's 2Uhtrewate~z ~estival Cast yeaz neat the ~` nteanational 7~~id~e. d-(each says the spots ~~owin~ appeal with spectarozs and paaticipants makes hosttn~ the event. a "wtn-wtn" situation. ii 1 n gear, and ha\ring them appear at key inter- sections in downtown Denver. "Need Ride to Vail," their signs read. Tongues wagged that day at office water coolers, just the sort of word-of-mouth advertising he had hoped for. In looking at how to attract Future gener- ations to Vail, Heath can offer his own expe- rience. Amogul skier at Winter Park-Mary Jane when young, he and other high school students from Colorado were drawn to Vail in the late 1980s by $150 season passes. That planted the seed for his future. Preparing to graduate from college, he got what he expected would be a 20-minute audience with Andy Daly, the top executive at Vail dlen (and now vice president of the enlarged Uail Resorts Inc.). Brazenly, he asked Daly how he could someday get his job. Daly spent two-and-a-half hours answer- ing he young man's question. Most people in the ski business then had come up through the ranks, starting in ski school or ski patrol. Daly advised Heath to do the same. Instead, Heath got a job as a group sales manager with the Vail Valley Tourism & Convention Bureau. Eight years later, he's still there, promoting summers and peering into the future. Some of his energy even today he credits to Daly for encouraging him to go to the top. What will that route be? Despite his pro- fessed ambivalence about politics, Heath even now can be caught musing about whether someday he'll get into politics- Who knows, he wonders aloud, maybe he'll run for Vail Town Council. 1 u W w ~'evezac dozen ttnles cacti Iteaz, the vnen, women, and even a f ew do5s o~ ~taiL ~lountatn Rescue Coup set out at alC hou2_e and lrl all conditZons, kopist5 to save lives. ~~sktn~ zt all to l~el p otke~s Andy Linger got the call at 6 p.m. A horse deep within the Holy Cross Wilderness Area had brushed against an aspen tree, spilling its rider, who had suffered a badly fractured shoulder. Vail Mountain Rescue Group was needed. Tall and lean, Linger is as strong as you would expect of a 28-year-old who spends his leisure time winter camping, snow climb- ing, and backpacking. That night he shoul- dered a fi0-pound pact: up to 10 miles into wilderness to help the injured horseman to safety. As rescues go, it was uncomplicated. ' 74 V;\IL VALLEZ' MAGAZINE ~~ ~ :~~~ .~ ._ "y 1 1 4~~ A,-r 1 `T 1 1~~. ~ I 1 ' q t7IP 1~ IE~'~ ~ , ,;; ~~~ t ~ ~i "i ~"~, ~ J' ~ ' a ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~'w - -' . „j ~ - .._. ~` rah ~ ~~'~i;.r_ ~ ~'~ f ;. -. ~°~~` wwwslrfer,net!~` c ~ '~ ,~' ~~ - ,. ,~ ~, _~ `- ~ GUIDING YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY ~;:. I ~ ~v Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate navigates the Vail .. Valle like no one else. Es eciall Burin constant) , ''Q Y P Y 9 Y b, ~W ski NE~^ls' Y changing conditions. Our team of over 100 experienced ~~. Y ' }Jpdate ~~, brokers, in conjunction with our PORTFOLIO and other ,c 7~.: materials, offer real estate buyers the utmost in Vail Valley ~'~' `~'~' guidance. For your free PORTFOLIO and up-to-the-minute property listings, visit our website at www.slifer.net. _ Whatever it takes, we'll get you there. ,, ~~. -_ wsl,° 'auk ~SL~IF-EK SM1Tkl ~::. ~` ~'K.IMYTON ~ ~ }Zi~;~ L~.tiYI ~~t'. The Right People CDn-. ~ ~OrrkF17U- • A IOINT VENTURE WITH ' 4 ,~ ~ VAIL RESORTS ' ~e*' a, 1 -888-SSF-8273 website: www.slifer.net a-mail: info@slifer.net ' ii n ~£~~ite~vater F'esti~al wel~oines ~~e~v s~ponso~ By Maia Chavez Daily Staff Writer Another new addition will be the Eight Ball Sprint presented by Dag- ger, a no-holds-barred battle to the fin- ishline. With a rolling, on-water start, eight pro-am kayakers will sprint 200 yards ofthe Vail WhitewaterPark. An "eight ball" kayaker tivill ambush sprinters at each of the park's three elements in an` attempt to slow or knock aut the competitors. First sprinter to the finish line advances to the next round. This is afull-contact event designed to punish racers and delight crowds. Also on the program will be the Fat Tire Raft Guide Olympics, pitting regional and local raft guide teams against one another in a series of limed competitions both on and off the water. Teams will test their skill in such disciplines. as the Raft Stack, the Raft Pump and the Obstacle Course. The Perception Paddlecross will return again this year in Dowd Chute. The mile-long stretch of thundering class N rapids should be going off this spring, setting the stale for a wildwater-style, head-to-head, extreme downriver race. In each he four kayakers and three raft tear will charge the chute and battle it c between the narrow walls of t canyon to be the first to cross the fi ish line and advance to the ne round. Wide banks provide ptenty room for spectators and are east accessible from the Minturn exit. No Vail athletic event is complf without a host of parties come nigl fall, and the Memorial Day festir will not slack in that department. Fr tival organizers are promising me nightlife this year, including vid premiers, prize giveaways and li entertainment. The schedule is yet be announced. "We are proud to be working w Teva, who was a pioneer in the zvhi water industry-and today continues be a leader and an innovator," s. Kim Cobb, sponsorship manager the WTCB. "The Teva Whitewa Festival at Vail will put us on the n as a paddling destination and establ us as a true whitewater mecca highlighting our new, cutting-ec whitewater park, as well as the b water tluills of Dowd Chute." VA]L -All it takes are a couple of unseasonably balmy days in Feb- niary to get people thinking about spring, and with the extra inches of snowfall we've received this winter, paddlers already are dreaming of a big spring run-oft. To kick off the slimmer and white- waterseason, the Vail Valley Tourism and Convention Bureau announced Tuesday that Teva will be the title sponsor of this year's annual Memor- ial Day WhitewaterFestival. According to WTCB's Ian Anderson, the company has signed on for athree-year contract, tivhich will help to dramatically expand upon the five-year success of Vail's Memorial Day whitewater weekend. "Vail is a ~dorld-class whitewater destination that's largely undiscov- ered," said Anderson, a dedicated paddler himself. "I'm torn between dying to spread the word and wanting to keep it a local secret: ' This year, as the melting snows swell rivers and streams, new events will be added to the standard festival fare. Topping the list is the new Te~~a Pro Rodeo Invitational. Twenty-two of the world's top kayakers have been invited to compete in the whitewater rodeo, which will take place in the riew and highly touted Vail Whitewa- ter Park. Each boater will have a nunute-and-a-half to show off the best of their skills and stunts in front of a panel of judges. Boaters will be vying for $5,500 in cash prizes. A number of professional boaters have already committed to the com- petition. Among those signed on are 1999 World Freestyle Champion Eric Southwick; video star and 1999 Junior Freestyle National Champion Brad Ludden; 2000 C-1 National Champion and U.S. Men's Freestyle Kayak Team member Allen Braswell; 2000 Pre-World Clampion Silver Medalist and U.S. Women's Freestyle Kayak Team member Aleta Miller; and world record waterfall descent holder Tao Berman. • ~ Dally file phc This year's Whitewater Festival, sponsored~y Teva, ~iil-feature number. of new events, spotlighting the new Vail Whitewater Park f Gore Creek. Page A&-=The Dally, Monday, April 30,2001' ~ - ~ ~ ~ 970/949-0556/vaiidaiiy.com . •l .. 1. . ~: . • •- • .. ' Some of the world's best kayakers•will descend upon. Vail over Memorial Day weekend; May 26-27; to compete . for $20,000 in cash and'prizes during the Teva Whitewater Festival. at Vail, organisers said. ' The completion 'of the new~;Vail Whitewater Pazk has .,,allowed organizers at the .Vail Valley Tourism. and Con- . ` . vention Bureau (WTCB) to create aworl~<class venue for ' anintemationalwhitewatercompetition:InNovember;the- •, ~ WTCB sent 17 invitations,to a hand picked=list•.of the . is world's best kay-,kers. Kayakers from across the globe have shown tilterdSC JIl,COIZitSlg tG VE11 to compete in the Teva Wfutewater Festival;'the organic- ~ ~ ' ers said "It's amazing how word • about the Teva Whitewater Festival has spread," `: ~~-`r said WTCB Everit Manager Joe flair. a "" "I've gotten emails.and phone calls from _ " ' boaters as far avi+ay as South Africa who want to come to. Vail." ' The highlight of the festival for the professionals will be . . the Teva Fi~o Rodeo Invitational, a whitewater rodeo spot- • lighting the new Vail Whitewater Pazk. Each boater will . have two 1.5-minute runs to show off their be&t skills and . stunts on the park's whitewater features in front of a panel ' • of judges. The first place finisher,will walk away with .$3,000 cash. ~ . . :In addition; this yew's whitewater:..festiyal also ~ will ' include the Fat Tire Raft ~'iuxde Olyruglc~s,:in•which raft: . tea~~s will test their skills in events such,as the Raft Stack, '' the Raft. Pump and,ahe °Obstacle Course;' the ~"8".Ball ' •~ Sprint, im which pro-am,kayakers ~tvill sprint, about :2Q0 • yards through the Vail Whitewatet Park on Gore Creek, avoiding an "Eight B all"kayaker v;~ho will be there to slow down and knock out the. sprinters;.and the Peiception Pad- • d1eCrQSS and dagger Open, head=to:-head, extreme..down= river races.on class N waters in,Dowd:Chute. • • For reser'vationsoi-general information about the Teva . Whitewater Festival"at Vail,. contact, :Joe Blair at.the WTCB at 479-1014, ext. 11. ~ ' _ CMC offers small-business expertise Brent Wenner knows the toy' business. He's been ' Page A6-The Dally, Wednesday, May 9, 2001. • ® ® ~ ' Daily Staff Report ~ - • Vail's Teva Whitewater Festival will wind up. in the national spot= light when it is broadcast on the Fox Bports 1Vational Network.- The Vail Valley Tourism and Convention Bureau (VVTCB) has entered into an agreeYnent with Fox to broadcast an hourlong show of the Teva Whitewater Festival, tak- ing place •Memorial Day weekend, May 26 and 2.7, •The show will highlight some of the. world's top kayaking profes- sionals as they compete for X5,000 cash in the Teva Pro Rodeo Invita- tional, a.whitewaterrodeo spotlight- ingthe new yail Whitewater Park in Vail Village. Portions of the• pro= gram also will feature the week- . end's •_ -other ~ whitewater competitions, including the Fat Tire Raft Guide Olympics, the "8" Ball Sprint, the Perception PaddleCross and the Dagger Open: ~• The television network will air the program during a primary week- end sports.time slot in late June with multiple repeats ~ thereafter,' says Vail Valley Tourism Bureau Spon- sorship Manager Kimberly -Cobb. Cobb says. this is one of .the first' times a kayak rodeo will.be aireel on . national television; 'upping -the whitewater festival's .event stature: "National' television will place the whitewater festival on the same t'iers` as Vail's other world- renowned events,.such as the World Alpine Ski Championships. and the Mountain Bike World Champi- onships," says Cobb. "It will show viewers that the whitewater festival is a world-class event at a. world- elass sports venue.": VVTCB Vice President Joel Heath say's airing the event will be an added benefit to Vail's summer marketing campaign and will allow Vail to show viewers the energy and vitality available' ~ during Vail's shoulder season. ~ ~ •. • "This is a great complement to our summer marketing plan as we continue to' work hard to position Vail as the ultimate mountain play- ground," says Heath. ~ "'T'his adds. another notch~in our belt in diversi- fying our product and branding Vail as a year-ro'and,' world-class desti- nation." ~ - • . . ' Heath • says credit should be~ . ~ given fo the Vail Town Council for ~' building the whitewater-park. ' "It's amazing what the park has • allowed us to do in increasing .the .energy; interest.and reach for Vail and the event," said Heath. The program. will feature. Brad . • Ludden, a: 19-year-old professional. . kayaker and founder of First. Descents, a free, weeklong kayak •camp for.teen-age cancer patients. Using kayaking as.a metaphor, the camp will encourage participants to define• their fears, face their chal- lenges . and overcome even 'the smallest obstacles in their day-to- day lives: The VVTCB partnered with Ludden to bring the camp to ' Vail,-with the first session taking place.Aug: 5-12•. For reservations or more infor- •mation about the Teva Whitewater Festival at Vail, contact Joe $lnir at . the:W1'CB af479-1014, ezt. 11. Page A6--The Dally, Tuesday, May 15, 2001 ® .. .. _. _... .:. ~ ....- IVlountain Quest sports tearr~s up . :~ ~ t ~_ °~~.~ ~ '`' j .:, :~ ~v~th. outiltters to ~ offer Nail service ~ `° aN ~ ~~ ' By Cliff Thompson - • - Daily Staff Writer ~ The newest Vail VilIage busi- • ~ ' Hess will be looking to take advan- We ll . cage of Vail's newest amenity- the new whitewater park on Gore ' '.; , fLIIZCtlOl2 CZS Q Creek. Mountain Quest Sports of . COYZCZ2Yge . . Edwards has expanded to a new location on Vail's Bridge Street SeYVZCe• SO between Nick's and the Ore House. ~ - ~~ - The store opens today. The company has been. serving 'gYOLZpS CCZ12 ~ .;: whitewater enthusiasts for eight book their-" `}° years, offering paddlers instruction, guided river trips, rentals; equip- mentand demonstration equipment. ~. ~ - LZCtlVZtZ2S. ~~ "It's in response to the whitewa- ter park," .said Craig• ,Russom of "-' ~~~~~ ~ `~~ Mountain.Quest Sports. He, Chris Amoroso and Dave Skluzacek are ' ~ d~S~Cg'~$ • owners of the shops. Steps from,the new Vail Village Nloccntaict Quest on>>ier shop's door is the new whitewater "-~ park,. where kayak and•otlier white- . .water enthusiasts.can play in Gore ~ Chico's Fly Fishing, Trail Wise Creek. The creation of the park in Vail- Guides and Vail Rock and Ice .Guides to provide a wide range of includes aput-in and take-out area . outdoor opportunities for guests . for boaters and is expected to geti- , company officials said. These trips erate.additional commercial activi- ' and tours,• ranging from flyfishing ty in Vail s village core. ~ to lock climbing,~kayak instruction; It runs between the Covered Bridge and the Internati l mountain biking and guided >:ature t s w ' . ona Bridge, and will be the site of an our ill be provided by some of Vail's top .independent outfitters international competition during , they said.:.. the Teva Whitewater. Festival dur- - "Even if ~ "you don't kayak ing the Memorial Day weekend: , , there'll be plenty to do " Russom • In addition to being a center for , said. - whitewater. activities, Mountain The new 500-square-foot shop Quest Sports• will he an activities wi116e openseven days.a week dur- center where people can book out= •. ing the boating season: door activities. " ' _ Among the shop's .features will ~ We ll function as a concierge • - be changing rooms • and storage service so groups can book ti}eir lockers- that .boaters and .water activities;"Sai~Russgm. ,~ '" r~, , Mountain Quest - Sports has ~ •. e~thtii~ta~$s can "use t4;stoie:their personal be~Iongi d o teamed up with Timberline Tours, ngs an ther equipment while tI:ey're on the The Colorado River Center, . river. • ~ ~ ~ •~ • ' ~ '. Yail Daily~'Quentin Mountain Quest Sports'owner Crai; Russom, stands in front 'of a ne store that opens today at the OfiF Piste Sports- shop between ' and the Ore House on Bridge Stree` in Vail. ;.K ~ y~ ; ~A..Kayaker takes churning Vail water e •' .: . Y i y Y 1 t Y ~'.. ~'~ayboatimg has ;become popular -ay Scoti Willoughby ' Special fo Tha Denver Post ~ ' 4" ~' VAIL -The future of white- ~ivater kayaking will be oa display this weekend in Vail. A week later, "tt might be in Breckenridge. In be• Ftween, iL can be seen in Golden, ~Bdulder, Steamboat Springs and even Denver. H'' For many of the sport's newest enthusiasts, kayaking these days ~}jas about as much to do with pad- ~dlirg a kayak down a river as ~gorseshces has to do with hc;ses. Flo them, it's not about getting ;from point A to point B. It's just ;about getting to point A. . ..' And, of course, looking good ;while you're getting there. ~;;"For a lot of young kayakers, i.playboating is kayaking," said ;.Chris Amoroso, owner of Mountaia µQuest Sports in Vaii. "We opened a ,anew, store here just tc serve thaE hmarket." ~~ Welcome to the new school of bk'ayalang. Freesty:e ar "coder" ~liayaking rapidly is emerging as c e hottest trend in paddiesports, ;a, d these days it's being taken a step further. In industry jargon, at step is rnferred to as destina- 'flon playboating,or park and play. n. "If you think we need water for e~his sport anymore, you're crazy," ;,skid Chan Zanzwig, founder of the afprmer Steamboat-based Waves- "p€rt Kayaks. "We barely even need e6tV@TS." ",While Zanzwig is known in the ;,paddling circuit as much for his R Fats of hyperbole as for his boat de- ~$igos, he nearly speaks the truth ;a~aut the playboating tTenzy. •"°More accurately, the sport ~. d-gesn'L need much water. a .:What it does seed is Garq Lacy. ti. Lacy, 45, serves as the brains o and brawn behind Recreation En- gineering and Planning,a Bcutder- >based company that specializes in `the development and design of riv- er enhancements and whitewater vJ,tnprovements. Ia other words, he ;puts the destination in destination kayaking. . It has been kind of an evolu- tton;'said Lacy, whose latest park- -and-play creation will be featured :in Saturday's Pro Rodeo Invita- art' a Te p the plunge Thursday in the Teva Whitewater Festival, which will showcase in- s. This weekend, Vail hosts the novations and advancements in the-sport. aki~tg darks Neva Whate~atar ~~~ti~a6 at ~9ao@ ® What: Pro-am whitewaier competition, including an invita- tfanai kayak rodeo and public downriver racing for rafts and kay- aks ® Who: Pro invitational field of the world's best freestyle kayak- ers, including world champion Enc Southwick, Eric "E.J." Jackson, Brad Ludden and Tao Berman ' ®Where: Rodeo on Gore Creek in Vafl Village and downriver rac- ing on the Eagle River below Min- tum ® When: Kayak rodeo begins at noon Saturday, after raft races. Downriver race. Onals begin at 1 p.m. Sunday, af;er morning quali0- ers. ® Cost: Free to spectators. Kayak competitors pay $20 per race ($25 race coy) and raft teams pay $80 ($90 race day). Call 970-479-1014, ext. 11, for regis- tration. water Festival in Vail. "Not only the evolution of what tvas needed in the rivers, but also of what the sparC was doing and what U.S. cili-. zoos were doing. Boat designs be= came smaller and geared more to= ward play[ng,and paddlers started having less time. You don't have time to drive to the Arkansas Riv- erevery day, but you might be able to play at the park after work. I think that combination !s what made these parks so popular." When he teak up his.accupation 22 years ago, Lacy essentially was modifying dams to make them saf- er for boat passage From there, he began stream improvements with an emphasis on aesthetics. Com- bining his love of kayak(ng devel- oped from the age of 4- Destination play spots typically are near.Class •lI or III water (Class V is most difficult), featur- ing surfing waves, recirculating "holes" In which to do tricks and possibly some above-water rocks to "splat" kayaks against. There might be only one feature where kayakers line. up and take turns to practice their freestyle moves, or a sequence of featm•es inspiring pad- dlers to hike back upstream like snotvboarders in a halfpipe. "The Steamboat park was the first one I did just for play, back In the early '80s;' Lacy said. "Surf- ing, playboating and squirting were just rnming oa the scene tben. That was the First of what I called the town runs, and it was a combina- tion of aslalom course portion and tvhitewater improvements for . boating and fishing throughout the idength ofthe town, rather than just a designated pack and play spot" Lacy's work can be seen at more Lban a dozen sites, including on the Platte River at ConGuence Park and llDion Avenue, on Boulder Creek in Boulder, on Clear Creek in Golden and on the Arkansas River in Salida. New parks are dehuting this spring on Gore Creek in Vail and an the Blue Riverin Brecken- ridge. "It has only been open for about hvo weeks now, and for the first time in the history of Brock there is boatable water right in town;' said. Earl Richmond, owner of the Summit Aayak School in Dillon. "The really cool thing is we are starting to see a huge number of kids in the sport tvho could never gel into it before because they couldn't drive shuttles. Now they can just get dropped off and play in one little area." Lacy is under contract to build 12 more parks in seven states, all costing $I50,ODD to $200,1100. As the sport continues to grow, undoubt- edly so tail! his stature is the boat- ing community. "It realty is the golden era for play parks, and Colorado is by far .leading the way;' he said. "A lot of states are looking at Colorado and wondering just what the have." i. 1 }. ` t ( I ,r`t~ ~ ~ ..:. .. 90~ ~~r~l~ ~n~~. l fir 6i Ref c .. i Stec. + ~ . ~, ~!.l\T~EIa I)~yILY l~TE ,. ' '~ -~ ~ - By::<INke Kirsc.fbaum . ~ the-fun.. But, somewhere in spots are full, but Ludden ' ... `... :; ~ ~ Det~V:er Daily News , . ~ the middle, you will find a plans to run it yearly. :... ` ~.. - ~ ~ ~ < ~ 0-year-old world-class "I don't yet ,know .how. 2 ~~ ~ DENVER,; ':Take ~ a kayaker/philanthropist it's going to go, but I can't ld 1 k ff ra u den I i gme I'll 1 .. ~ wor , -c ass .: ayaker o the ;, named B d L d wait. ma earn a ~,., ~' nvez_:and put him `on the. Ludden has an impres- Iot from them just. as they'll ~~' ., ,~ ,.' r t~, ~~~ 4 .,_ ~ .. _ - ~ a - -concrete .:of downtown szve list of credentials: He's learn a lot from me and the ~~ _. ~ ~- ~ Denvei,' and what does he `~ Won :a silver medal in the other world-class athlefes ~~~, ~ ~ ~ ~-° c ~ '~:~#'~.,,,~~ „ ~doT ~ `.~ : ~ ... .1999 Junior Worlds,.he was I've lined up for the camp.,, s t ~ ~ ~:< ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ,4 ,.° . I , A couple of rail=slides the,1999 Junior National Fitting the camp into his ``- ~ ~~1. ~ ~` ~ ~ neaz Coors Field of course. ;Champion; he took home. a~ ~ schedule is a miracle in . , ~:~ ~ ~ ~i;:, ..::~y° ' ~' ~ Representatives,from the .. biome in the 1998 European. itself. Before the end of r, ` I 2 ,~~, • ,~{~ - °'~*: *~~ '~ ~f ~'eva:Whitewater Festival at ' 'Championships; won the August, Luddcn,has to go to ~. ~, a ~. ~ 1 ,.. ~ `~~' `~~``-~ -- ~ ~ y_ ~- ~ ~~ ; ~r ,~~ Tr Vail; scheduled this. week- :1998 Japan OFen and ' a Ke West to film a show for - Y ` "s ~~ ~- ~ ., ~" ~, ~`~ ~,~ '` ~ y ' end, stormed Denver bronze medal in the 1.997 MTV, to Salt Lake City for ~~~ ~ ~ g ~ ~ ~~ ., , Tuesday to 'promote the Junior. Worlds. some design work for ~a . ~ ' ~ h , ~-• :~,t' ~ 1 ` r ~ event,.. and;. amen other But, : robabl ~ most s onsor,. back to; Colorado , t; F . ~ _,. ~ ~ ,i g. P Y P . ~.. y~ ' , ,~>: ~~ :f ~ ~,,. ,~r ~ ;, things, paddled down: Speer impressive; is Ludden has , for some PR.work for Nike ` ~ ,,,fir ~ B.oulevazd and used-the rails :started the First- Descents ACG, one. of his s onsors, E ~ ~~ '~` ~' ~ ` ~- ~~' _ '~ near'. Coors- Field like Camp 'in Vail, scheduled in to `Montreal for a r.,ompeti- ` , ~ .~ {~~ r ~ ~ x~ ,~ •~ ~;;;, ~ ,x ~ they've never: -been=~ used , .August. Lt's aweek-long . tion, back to Vail for aiioth- ' '' '' ~.,, ~ ``'1 ~ ~ ~~`, ~a ,~ .; before..,... camp devoted to teaching er festival called the Big ~. ~ - ' ~t - '~ `` ~ The event; which' hopes kayaking to children •bat- Wheel and Chili Festival; to ~'.~ " ,~~ ,~., ~3+' ~ ~~ to' bringkayaking 'to the tling cancer: ~ Hawaii for a photo shoot; to ' `x , ` ''~ k-~~ _ °~ "~~~ '' masses and bring the masses Not the usual hobby fora Africa where he plans a first ~~ ~ °~ ~ ~ ~~ yz , ~ ~ ~ ,, ~ ~ ~ r~ x~ ~ '' to Vail, ,has : competitions 20-year-old. descent of the Congo a.*~d - ~ i ~ ~- "`~' ~ ~~ 1:- G~i `ranging from: a Pro Rodeo ~ "I've ~ been 'fortunate Orange .'rivers, to Iceland '' 3° ' Invitational, an. ~~"8°. Ball enough to have 'a tot bf and then back to Vail for the ` ~ 7 ~ ;E.' ~=~:ta,. ~ ~.,1 ~ ~, ~" fi . Sprint and ~ a 4-on-4 things. come together in my camp. I ~ .: ~ ~ ~,.~ r~ ~,~,r _ -_r , ~ ~ ~~ ; ~ ~ ° ~ z'~ ,~'.~~ ~ .~~ ~ ~ ' ~ l'addleCross; Fall-scheduled ~ fife," )•~udden said. "It's cool (Take a deep breath now,) . ,,, ~ ~~` ~~'.~~.,~ = ~ for.' Gore :Creek, right thaf I've learned .this, and I ~ Then, after the camp, he ^ ~ <~ ~ F, ~ - ~ through the middle of, Vail,. „want to. pass it along. hwant plans to go film a .few .. F.~ .. a = r4 ~ ~ ~ ~ ttxs Saturday:.and Sunday. _ ~ tq give back everything I ve mgyies in, oh, nine or. 10 r 'f ~.~ > ~ Y ;, The attraction will be the:. goiter. ~ different countries. . events, the ~mopntains at the Tlie camp is free to x1112 Ludden is the first alter- . ,, _. ~ i ~~"- luck-off. to summer" -and :-participants, This year's ~ ` .. - - -- '. :. See Kayakers, page 2 . { y; R~ 4.Nor@d Class kayaker Brad Ludden polls .off a trick normally seen. l:n wfiitewa- ter outs de of Goors Field: esterda . l:udden, and others from the Teva ~li/hitew~esi~sch~d t~eek~n V~ere lnvF~ro- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ......a,. s0.. ......+ , ~ -... 1 P.1.... . ~.t., d: ,5,. .. ,. .,... .....w. i ~tyr 1. _. ~ 44 4 ~;54.. <.t'.. ... 'i _ C Y" ~. ., a, y,i" ~ g¢4(ItAT _. ~ ,:~ .~ ~ ~ ~ _ ".~.; f ::~;~ , ;, ~ ., . ,~ ~.~, ,. ~ ~ _ `s~. .M~~. ..' . ~T~w r~~ks...~~e ~~ea~ .~`as~e... . C~or~ ~~eek on the I$ock§. VaiI...May 26th f~ 27th., 2001 r . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~u ~r .r ~ . air ~ r rr t t By Bob Berwyn Spedal to The Denver Post BRECKENRIDGE -Just in time for the pulsing spring runoff, the town of Breckenridge has opened Colora- do's newest whitewater park, a play- ground for kayakers similar to river segments in Boulder, Vait, Golden and Durango. The 1,200-foot stretch of the Blue River parallels Colorado 9 from the Breckenridge Rec Center on the north end of town to Valley Brook Road. A second phase, tentatively planned for next year, would make the park the longest of the state's dozen or so whitewater playgrounds. In-stream construction wrapped up about two weeks ago, enabling pad- dlers to make some iesi runs just as water levels started coming up. blore than 100 whitewater fans turned out for the grand opening Mondap after- noon, including a group of local digni- taries who cut the ceremonial ribbon while floating through the park in a raft, Using scores of boulders up to 6 feet in diameter and weighing several tons, Boulder-based designer and builder Gary Lacy created a series of forma- tions designed to mimic features found In free•flowing rivers, including holes, drops and waves. Paddlers use the current flowing over and around the rocks to stand their boats on end, to surf, or to do cazt~vheels and other maneuvers. Kayaking and rafting, based on equipment sales, a*_count for one of the fastest-growing segments of the outdoor recreation business, said Lacy, who has been Involved in design- ing and building more than 20 white- water parks across the country. One recent study determined that Golden's Clear Creek park -built at a cost of 5165,000 -pumps $1.4 mil- lion to $2.2 million into the local econ- omyeach year, Lacy said. Aside from their worth as an eco- nomic asset, urban river parks offer recreational opportunities that en- hance acommunity's quality of life, he said. "A lot of the action is on the river- banks," Lacy said. "It creates access and becomes a place for people to sit and Gave picnics." Lacy said he has been involved in what he calls the "recycling" of urban rivers since the 1970s, when, as a high school. student, he helped set up kayak slalom courses In Denver's Confluence Park. "That era helped set the stage for today's rapid explosion in park- and-play paddling," he said. "People don't always have the time to ga out and run a river in the wilder- ness for a whole day," Lacy said. "They're looking for places close to home where they can go out and be on the river for a few hours and get som exercise." The Breckenridge park was bor about 14 montis ago, when member of the local paddling community aI proached town officials with the lde of converting part of the river into park. Heide Andersen, a tern planner fo open space and trails, rallied suppor from local authorities and pushed tb project through the planning proces in record time. The town spen $170,000 to plan and build the park. Much of the Slue River was deva: toted during the gold mining erg when dredge boats turned the strear inside-out, creating huge piles of g_*av el. Breckenridge has spent consider able time and money restorin reaches of the stream, and creatin the park was a'logical step in that res toration process, officials said. 1 The Denver Post / Cyrus McCrlmmc Jim Levi of the Summit Kayak School in Silver- Btue River at the new Breckenridge Whitewater center. A second phase may open nert yea thorne launches his kayak Wednesday info the Park, located along Colorado 9 at the town's rec making tt the state's longest whitewater park. ~~ ~,/~ ~~ 2001• South Gaylord felt .among.area's oldest Outdoor ~~ents mark holiday weaken By Ed WII( nenver Pasl6gN WAler r"'!!"the Memorial Day weekend 1 tradttlaaally s[gnals the startof summertime ac- tlvifies,.and numerous out- door evants are srhedWed through Monday around Colorado. ^ One of the region's oldest urban street fairs is the Old South Gaylord Memodai Day Weekend Festival, !a the 1000 black of South Gayland Street, Saturday through Monday. 'this E the 22ndyear that mer- chantshaveused the holiday week- end to throw a party that focuses on (amity fun with kiddie rides and as tivities, arts-and rafts vendors and etbnk: food, including Polynesian, Thal, Greek and Indian. Two stages txad musical acts throughout the day. Thfs yeas head- lluers for the 4 p.m, concerts rre the 17th Avenue All~tars on Saturday; the Erica Brown Band on Sunday, ? and Chris DaWels & The Klags on Monday. The Gaylord site Is two blocks west a[ Univers[ty BoWevard, between P apnd shaft services ere free at South High School, South Franklin Street and 1astLouisiana Avenue. Hours are IO am-6 p.m, da0y. Ad- misston isfree. Call 303-575-1130 ar visit www.merchantsofsouthgay lord.com. ^ fkwatowo Iknver's Memodai Dayperede steps off at 10 am Saf- urdayfrom 14th Street and Court Place. It moves up Court Place to 15th Street, west to Champs Street,` anrOr to 17th Street, east to Hroad•; way, and south to the reviewing . stand at 14th Avenue. Parade partirlpants 1nW6de vetee- eas'and military groups, vintage ve- hicles, h(gh srlwal marchk:ggbands prectsian marching units, civic arid. fraternal organizations and more. The parade JS scheduled to test about lYe hours A'raute map Is available • at www.memodelfairandpaz adewm. O The second amual Veterans Memodai Fatrin Idncohrpark, Broadway and ~Ifax Avenue, fol- lows tbe parade at IL•30 a.rn. Satur- day. This Wd-style celebration in- cludes chOdren's games, swing musts, living history groups, a Pipe hand and food vendors. An honor guard's'Taps" salute ends the event at 3 p.m. Admission Js free. Call 303-.662.1110 or visit www.memoriW fairaadparedecom ^ The Boulder Creep Festival of- fers a wide vaziety of activitlesalong the stream that blsecta downtown Boulder. The Eeatival is portioned off Into areas o[ interest: alt show and mar- ketplace, lntemational market, ac- tive oWdaar Itfestgle, cldldreu and parents, teenagers expressing them- selvPS through art, holistic living and alternative healing and mbre Most areas offer activities and tn- formakional booths, Also Included la the event are amusement rides and restaurants serving at food booths. And local per- formers entettain'throughaut eaJr day on bar stages. . The festival takes place ladown- torvn HaWderalong Boulder Creek bum Ninth to I4th streets between Arapahoe Avenue and Canyon Boule- vard Howe are 10 a.m, to 7 p.m. Satur- day and Sunday and 11 a.m. to 7 pm. Monday. Admission 15 Free. CaU 303.449.3635 ar visit wrvw.boWder creekfestival.wm/about.a~p. ® Whitewater rafting and kayak• ing take center stage Saturday and Sunday in Veit at the Teva Whltewa- ter FesUval'01. Daylong crompetitlon begins at 9:30 em. Saturday et the Vaii White- water Pazk In Vat! Village. Sunday races start at 9:45 a.m. Sunday at Bowd Junefion; take the Mintum exit Just west of Veil. The event is bee. ® Music is the draw this weekend !n Grand duneLion, s[te of the West• em Colorado Memodai Day Week- endBluegrass FesOvat It includes workshops, lamming and perfor- rrtauces by more than a dozen groups The three-day event the Adam's biazk Rote at Horizon Drive SErit. 6 p.m.-10 p.m, t~day,ll Saturday and 10 a.in.-4 Tirknfe are $IB lode! day and $20 Sunday, A pass is $48, wbge a Soh ttcketls $38. Admissia accompanying parents ChOdren ages 12 and P nutted free. Call 970-245-0838 ar 1-888.653-2583 or v(slt blue.com H Estes Park boasts events Art Market 200 tes Padc Antique and• Show. Art Market 2001 take town In Bond Park Ma tisans plea to show and works 9 am, to 8 pm.1 Sunday and 9 a.tn. to 3 Admission is free Call Antiques and co0ecti more than 50 vendurs c [nom 10 a.m to 5 p.m. t Sunday at the I ;stes Pa and Collech'bles Stww, r Park Fahgrounds,120£ Ave. Oo Saturday «dy, Friends of the Estes Pa wIB be on hand at a boa • wiB identify cotlechblea for a nominal fee Adm Call 970.586.8104. ®A Taste of &ackr off this eveningwlth•an Brewmasters di®er an winemakers' dinner. Be champagne tastiogs tak day Saturday, with an e sk, dance and martinis walk Center srhedWed I tbe event's second day, Breckanridge's finest thing Smrday at the Hea sort Graff BaBraom fa tasting In addition to ft and coffee tastiugs are: For ticket Informatloa a call 870.547-3100. - -~--• _•- --,~-•~ ~•~ __• tea„ ~e:,~~rus none, emermmment; venaow end Iocai merchants. wr r Page A4-The Qai[y,~ Friday, May 25, 2001 Ka . ak :. ar . ~ . .. k ~ ~~~.~ w~t~ a:~.dlers By Matt Zalaznick .• , ~. Boaters will have two .1.5=minute runs to show off Daily Statf Writer _ their best skills and stunts on the park's whitewater fea= ' ~ •~ tures~in front of a panel of judges. • . , VAIL.-- The. Gore Creek whitewater park twisting.. The first-place fuusher will walk away with $3,000 ' . ~~~..XhrougY_ Vail. Village is:'getting positive reviews from ~ cash..: ' .. - ' ~kay~kei•s`y%fio say the sour§e is a great spot for races and ~ Heath said he hopes to make some migor adjustments `~ xeereational'paddlers. ~ ~ ; . .. ~ .. to the park.before nexC spring. "It's ideal," said. Brendan Mazk, a kayaker from ~. "The river came.up a little slower than normal, so Ottawa who was .paddling in the park Thursday I•don't I think we've seen it's true potendaI," Heath afternoon: ~ ~ - ~ :, said. "Not many parks hit a home.run right.away. We ' The original idea'for the park, which opened earlier need to look •how the rivei treats it,'~and make some 'this month, came from the Vail Valley Tourism and Con- refinements: ' ~ - vention's Bureau's Joel. Heath.-Heath paid-the park has Eut kayakers say, e~•en if the park-isn't perfeet, it's ~air~a.ly re,•eiyec;intense izie~i atterti~n from major still alot of~fun. newspapers and television networks. "This is going [o bring the future of kayaking to the ' "The park is: doing exactly what we hoped for. It's' .next level," paddler Tyler Curtis said Thursday. "It's 'bringing in a lot of energy,"Heath said: 'right in the middle of town, and you, can draw larger • Some of the world's top.kayalcers will face off in the crowds" . ~. park Saturday and Sunday during Vail's annual Memo- .. ~ ~ • 'rial Day weeicerid whitewater eeIebration: ~ ~ Matt Zalazrtick covers pceblic safety, EagleCounty - One of the highlights,of the festival for. the profes- . Courts'mid A9on/Beaver Creels He can be reached at sionais is expected to• be the'Teva Pro Rodeo Invitation- (970) 949-0555 ext. ~ .606 or via a-mail. at m~a- ~al,. a whitewater rodeo gpotIighting the park.: laznick@vaildally.conc: ~ ~ ~ i i ~ e r ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Page 3lYVallValley Summertime 2001 . - 9701.9.49rp~vSiv;aj(dall}scorin ; 11~eWat~r ~N~tC11111~ By Donnie Haberkorn ---AP SufilNrker landing on the shoreline of Gore Creek watching white= water action events-galore, surrounded by the European archi- tecture of Vail Village, a beer tent and restaurants steps away, the Whitewater Festival is The" Memorial kicker for locals and vis- itors. In a valley surrounded by the snow-spotted slopes giving [heir melt to the swe]ling creeks, world- class, boaters compete. The First'day of the Whitewater Festival takes advantage of one of '/ail Village's most attractive fea- tures: Gore Creek. If the stretch oF. aver looking up from the Interna- tional Bridge looks a little different from previous years, it's because the new Whitewater Park has been Fnished. This year, in addition to our favorite local rafting companies competing in the team-related chal- lenges and Raft Guide Olympics, professional kayakers will be throwing down whitewater tricks for cash prizes, too. The whole weekend is packed tvith events. Saturday's all-day Whitewater Fast events surround the Gore Creek in Vail Village between the Covered Bride and the [nterna- uonal Btidge. Sunday pumps up the'river vol- !~me on Dowd Chute at Dowd Junc- lion, which can be, accessed by Interstate 70 from Vail Village 7 rules west, exit 171. Eazly parking can be found at Alcadow Mountain and east along U.S. Iiighw,.'py 6. Anothei'exi:ellent:way to beat the tiaffic is:tq:liike pc walk the bike ,path west from the village or West Vail. The bike path follows Gore Creek, and some boaters will be ' commuting to Dowd Chute along- 1 J Annual paddling festival better than ever In a valley surrounded by •the snotiv- . .;~ spotted slopes ~: ~ giving their '~ . Y •~~.: ° ~ melt to the , `~ . swelling creeks, world= ~'' a ~;_ class boaters ~. compete.. ;, F?. 4'.' side [he paved route. Dowd Chute has excellent river- side views for hearty spectators on boaters' right. The. railroad track prizes and cash will be given away. ties serve as path, and the.gritty slag The prize money is nice, but the becomes seating if you forget to bragging rights last ail season. bring something tb sit on. To see it The Raft Guide Olympics lets all, bring a cooler with lunch and the spectators seesomeoftheFinest especially bring water and sun- guides work as a team to pump, screen. There is a break a[ noon stack, cross-dress, and paddle for until i p.m. when the river will be cash prizes. The cross-dress portion closed for safety checks. pits teams against one another :o Last yeaz's events will be hard to dress three members into proper top, but this yeaz's Whitewater,Fes[' whitewater gear and cross the Fnish ,has the Teva Pro Rodeo Invitation- Line fast. al added to the billing. Twenty pro- The Web site www.tevawhite- fessionalkayakers ormore have one waterfestival.com is very complete minute to use-three features in the .with •last year`s standings and• play park to spin tip some points. , descriptions of each event on the Each boater gets two runs, and schedule:. the person with the gtost points will ~ .,,. , The Tyson hole pn Dtiwd:Chuto' be $3;000 richer: That's just out; is a,7 unmistakable feature that has chunk of change rolling down the to be seen from the riverside. Ten river to these talented raft teams feet away on the river, kayakers and and kayakers. A total of $25,000 in . rafting teams demonstrate. finesse, ' Sd1TUP~iDQiY, MAY 26th "Splash Into Summer" Creels-side Party Gore Creels Promenade, Vai1i Villages Fat Tire® Raft Guide Olympics 9:30 am .. Cross Dress -International Bridge 10:00'arrr•' ~Flaft Pump Challenge - lnternatlonal Bridge ' 10:15 am .Raft Stack Challenge -.Internatlonai Bridge Kayak Competition Begins -International BririnP where the rent-a-paddler, i.e. pled with narrow walls and a steep tourist, would surely suffer. Tyson 'gradient, is loud and menacing tikes to pound victims in every con, enough that even thirsty dogs won't ceivable t'ashion and will actually venture down to it to drink. Head- surge :io:r:tniy, hitting kayakers to-head races and unpredictable back upriver. chaos 'make for thrilling spectator The volume of water in the enjoyment. You go there once, Eagle River at Dowd Chute, cou- you'll be there twice. THE fZUEST TO BECOME A~( ~7l Ir meter 'his weekend's (May 26-27) Teva Whitewater Festival at •Vail serves as lnuch more than just the valley's tradi-. tional launch into the.sum- mer tourism season. With the opening of the new Vail 'Whitewater Park on Gore Creek in the heart of Vail Village, the festival servos notice 'the valley is . officially seeking status as a Whitewater Mecca. "The Teva Whitewater Festival and .the Vail Whitewater Park wi'.1 help put us on the international• map for Whitewater," says Ian Andeison of the Vail Valley Tourism and Convention Bureau, host of the annual event. "Vail has really embraced Whitewa- ter in general, and we're trying to position ourselvzs as a Whitewater tvTecca. The long-time locals know already that we have more than a dozen stretches of river in a 60-mile radius, and it's everything. from extreme Class N rapids to flah~~ater float trips. So there's really something for everyone." The whiteWater festival, featuring extreme professional and amateur vas oavisn/an ryas The huge waves of Dowd Chutes otr the Ea91e fliver west of Vaii will play a key :;ae in this week- end's whitewat~- festival. INhi~ewater park put Vail Valley. international kayaking map By David 0, Wi{Hams competition over two days .on Gore Creek' and the Eagle River, seeks to capitalize on a freestyle wave in the sport of kayaking that parallels the free-skiing movement in ski competi- tion over the past five years. But the Whitewater park in Vail, a project with man-made features in Gore Creek that was completed earli- er this spring, is geared toward the mainstream surge in popularity of kayaking around the country. "Right now in our sport a lot of people aze comparing it to snow- boarding five years ago when it was just taking oft;' says Brad Ludden, a multiple. medalist in world junior division freestyle championships and founder of First Descents Kayak Camps for kids battling cancer (which ~~~ll be comins to Vail in August). But Ludden downplays the zxtreme label placed on the recent surge in popularity. "1 icoutdn't say that [heir's much of a push to the extreme side of things; actually the opposite," Ludden says, pointing to the boom in whitewatec parks around the state and the nation. "Things like this Vail WhitwaterPark are what are really spurring the apn,~., Ludden adds that the design of the new freestyle kayaks, much the way ski and snowboard equipment has evolved, is making it much easier to . get imrolved in his sport. "You can go buy a freestyle boat and in two weeks you can be doing all kinds of neat tricks," Ludden says, adding that Whitewater parks then make the spurt more accessible. "It's convenient. If the kids want to get into it, mom can drop them off at the park in Vail and go shopping. "Kayaking used to be such as elite, inaccessible sport; you had to drive Fve hours to some remote place, and it was dangerous. But now we've opened this door thatS made this more accessible." Does be worry that too much popu- ]arity will spots the sport? "I'm a firm believer that if every- body kayaked, the world would be a better place:' He adds that problem areas such as pazking and crowding at access points are issues that can be worked out through compromise and dialogue. As faz as the Vail Whitewater Park' goes, Ludden says it's a great new facility and should be a huge draw for this weekend's evznts and for Vail^s spring and summer tourism picture in general. "It was fun; T was really impressed" Ludden says. Asked about initial feedback from boaters that the course was too easy, Ludden says it could use some tweaking but that such moves would be relatively easy. • "I think it's something that needs to be done. but that's simple no~v that thzy have a park. You've got the Sre WNIiEWAYElt P.4oE 24 _-_ _ _.._.~_-_ _.- _-.--._._ r~ ll~l~ Orr la ~,x S i":;n; ;,,, :?~4 . E -,.,.._ .-:,:c.: ~. ,.. ..~_;:..... . a..:.:;~r E. ~8:•F!-. t.. 57..-`3.:^?~-t _xtT`s!:{c~ ,:z~.~rs. rL aJr_. ~iw ~s Fly,: x"•12 ,~,,.C' i~i A~ef~ ~~S t -. ,-. ~. .. .,,..t~?'rs~?.,n.0;,. :2.,,...,<,:1i.4;.Ys..~:Y`j~t.lxl..~ertr~.. f:.314ara:~~+.•~: /•6`+~®~P William S. S/lvers, M.D., P.C. Michael O'Connell, M.D. "~ aww.AflergyAsfhmaCalorado.}rourmdcom ' Consults at Colorado Mountain j Medical -Vail Frisco Medical Center WHEEZERS, TOO! gppolntments y-800-543-4629 ~~~~~~~ . e . W e& of MaY 2 3-31 . ' S onaored by , . i i r i .ii 1 Vail Conoco ~ Al i ' $2.13' _, 1 p ne Standard ' $2,07 . ® West Vail Texaco $2,pg•. i H ~ I ~ I I Vail Amoco . $2.07 l ~ Yail66 $2.05 • .Eagle-Vail Cafe , $2.05 Shop & Hop • Minturn . $2,05 Shop & Hop -Eagle-Nall $2.05 Wolcott Market $2,07 . Cooley Mesa (Eagle Airport) $1.91 Corky's -Eagle $1.95 Bradley - Glemvood Springs $1.89 r_ Bradley (Lakewood - 5/20) $1.67 'Subax[ up la 10 cenb/gaaon wlUt brai dlscounl ~ Prka 6ased on regular unleaded. Prices as o! Thursday -May 24, 2001 ~a.rtel~:i's l.~eli Breakfast, Deli Sandwiches, Homemade Saup, • Ice Grean~, CateriQg ' Monday • Fdday lam to 4 pm i i i t 1 SatuNay 8 am to 3:00 pm 1-70 Edwards Exit, Northstar Center s1~Z'~r~L~.Y~ NtA,Y 26 ' Teva Pro 'Rodeo Invitational - Vail Whitewater Park, noon Seventeen of the lvorld's best kayakers have been invited to compete in a whitewater rodeo spotlighting the new Vail Whitewater Park. Each boater will have two, one- end-a-half minute runs to~ sholy off their best skills and stunts an the park§ whitewa- ter features it: front , of a panel of judges. The boaters will be competing for 55,000 in cash prizes. - Fat Tire Raft Guide Olympics - Vai! Whitewater Pazk, 9:30 am. Five-person raft teams com- pete in a timed skill event, both on- and o^'-water. This Olympics-style competition features four components: the Raft Pump Challenge; the Raft Stack; the Raft Challenge; and the Cross- Dress. The team with the best cumrtlative time for all four events wins the Olytpics. • "3" Ball Sprint -Vail Whitewater Park, I l a.m. In addition to the rodeo, the pro boaters will paddle next to the amateurs, shoving, pushing and clawing their way to be first across the fin- ish line in the "g" Ball Sprint. A white:v.iter version of roller derby, the sprint will also take place un the new Vail Whitewater Perk. ~'eva h~te~ater Fes~~va~ schedule ~®~ events s~~~~Y~ 1l~AX 27 • Dowd Chute Raft PaddleCross - D04Vd Chute, 1 p.m. To qualify, four- and five- person raft teams paddle a timed, one-mile stretch of the Eagle River through Dowd Chute, a rough, class IV stretch of whitewater. Following time trials, the top nine teams race three at a time down the chute from a "Le Mans" start. The first boat to cross the finish line advances through the brack- eted competition until a final winner is determined. • Perception PaddleCross -Dowd Chute, 1:30 p.m. Amateur boaters are placed within a specific class based on boat length. Following a practice run that must be completed the day of the event, boaters will be placed into brackets containing four boaters. The foty competi- tors will enter the water and race f^r the finish in ahead- to-head format. The winner will advance to the following bracketed round until a Fnal winner is determined. • Dagger Open -Dowd Chute, 2:15 p.m. Apro-amateur version of the PaddleCross, including 17 of the world§ best boaters. -13i! Trail sigfjreporr 'WI~J[TEWATER Far1M Peru 9[' S pieces of the puzzle; now it s "1'm a frrm believer ' just a matter of rearranging that if everybody - •the pieces. It's great it§ a lot ,kayaked, the world of fun, and more than any-' ~ ~ 1 ® ~ thing it's the location." would be a better The weekend is crammed place." with action-packed events ' ® ® and activities, including the -Brad Ludden Fat Tire Raft Guide freestyle kayaker and Olympics; the Teva pro 1~.pICi1 Lodging ~peeia~ founder of Flrst Descents, Rodeo lhviraional; t(te a ka ak cam for kid b y p s at Dagger Open and Perception 1 Ni h gg ~0 tling cancer PaddleCross rvents; and ' post-race public parties with g t r which he likens to a border- o 2 Nights ~Og o0 live music. More than cross event in snrnvboarding. 520,000 in cash and prizes '1t§ going to be full-con- wil]'b d e awar ed throughout taet~• ' 3 Nights $79 0o the weekend-long festival. Additionally, Anderson A,I races are sanctioned says the weather is likel t y o by the ACA (American 4 or m ore ~L(1 (1/1 cooperate again this yea Canoe Aasocia~o ), and making the events even more ' a l~ N 1 htS 1V17 1V1VV g ~ include somr trul s ectator- fan-friendly. • Kitchen in eve roo friendly action. "The bottom line is we '7he entire festival has chose this event because it' ry m • Laundry facilities s been designed to be specie- a waterproof event so we • Free local calls • Hot tub , tor-friendly so that the can always put this thing oq biggest whitewater enthusi- • Friendly, Helpful staff but y.,m„y summer weather ast to someone who§ never always helps," Anderson Per Night,Tnx Not Included, seen a whitewater event can says. "It always seems to get into it," says the Price For 2 Peoplein a one bedroom unit snow an Memorial Day VVTCB§ Ande~on Who's 1472 Matterhorn Circle ° Vail, CO 81657 (970)476-5596 • www.parkmeadowslod e com , weekend, but this year it§ particulazly psyched to see supposed to stay nice:' g . the paddleCross events, ' I ~,L~ THE Vale. Tt3,~-vL / 1VIAY 25-31, 2 001 .~ Kayak 101 It all began innocently enough. Kayakers would find them- selves stuck in "holes" (a frothy spot on the river formed by water being forced back on itself), and would struggle to exit the hole. The more experienced hale riders began to develop moves. to assist in freeing their kayak. Soon, paddlers discovered there was a lot of fun to be bad in these maneuvers and names began to be placed on the tricks: pirouette, cartwheel; blunt, wave wheel, shuvit, loop, to name a few. Competitions sprazrg up around the country, and the term rodeo was used to descn'be an event with a wide variety of competitions: downriver races, slalom, squirt and free riding competitions, and the main event, freestyle hole riding. GLOSSARY OF WHITEWATER TERMS • CFS: Cubic fret per second; a measure of river flow. Cartwheel: To'link two or more vertical ends in a kayak in flatwater or a hole. Eddy: The quiet area behind a rock, pills , or bend in the river. A good place to rest The line where the whitewater meets the quiet eddy water is called the eddyline. Eslrlmo roll: Basic self-rescue technique for kayakers. The paddle and body are used to rum the boat right-side-up after a capsize. Some even do it without a paddle (hands roll). Hair: A river or creek with a combination of high gradient, high volume, and extreme technical difficulty: Hair or hairy are etso desttiptfve terms for any rapid or hole that is pro- foundly frightening or dangerous. Hole: The whitest whitewater This is the area drnvnstream from a drop or rock where there is a boiling action of the ware , with a lot of water being recirculated. Hydraulic: Aka, hole, sousehole, vertical eddy, keeper, reversal. Hydrant ice are cause by water flowing over an obsta- cle and creating a recirculating flrnv. Hydraulics come iu an infinite variety and are a source of amusement and,ur fear for boaters. Pool end drop; Iv1any rivers ere cliataeterized by fairly short rapids interspersed with flat stretches which make res- cue a bit simpler and allow paddlers to compose themselves before the bottom drops out again. Such streams are known as pool and drop rivers, as opposed to continuous. Splat: Ta tntenliunally balance the bottom of a kayak ver- tically against a rock. Surf• To ride a wave on its upstream face or to play in a hole (intentionally or unintentionally). Hale sung is easier tbanwave sung because once you get in the hole, it does all the work. Window-shaded: Unintentional maneuver, whereby the person and kayak, ar other river croft, rotate repeatedly around the long a:cis of the boat in a hole. Usually the rotation, as seen above water, is is an upstream direction. - l~ai[ Tral[ sraJjreporr Da:t DavisfVaa Trek Justin Llepman, left, Max Sullivan, center, and Jared Johnson, all kayakers frdm Steamboat, stop in Vail to check out. the local rivers before heading south to chase the whitewater In Arizona and New Mexico, f ~ ~ t~d ~ 4 ~ r • e~ ,`\h, ,. ,~ ^ b, • .~ - ~ _ _ .. ~... w- ar. ...~~ .art ) .F.•..f A~C~~'Y~IL4ivA` ,{ M1C~4,!i~ } ~~4frv +F~ I f 1.~Vw4 1~3J ~®WmI ®p./~/Y WW®~ ®y ~~~~ ~~/!~ ~YIYWW ~~'/~~rO ~iV ~~ ~W6~i 06• Ron Amass West Vail "It's great to see Vail finally build something that the common man can afford." Pat Dauray ~ Brett Miller Hood River, Ore. Vail • "It's great, but it needs. more "Looks like a lot of fun, and it's water. Excellent location." furi.to watch." • Pete Hinmon _ Edwards . "The park's good except for the rocks below the holes and waves:' ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ r ~ ~ ~ Jessica Marsaw Buena Vista "Needs some more water." lie hi~aer fesi Vail Trail Staff Report Vail's whitewater will be placed in the national spotlight when the Teva Whitewater Festival at Veil is broad- casted to approxitnately 38 million viewers on Fox Sports National Network. The Vail Valley Tourism and Convention Bureau has entered into an agreement with Fox to broadcast an hour-long show of the Teva Wltitewater Festival taking place this Memorial Day weekend, May 26 and 27. The show will highlight some of the world's best kayaking profession- als as they compete for $5,000 cash in the Teva Pro Rodeo Invitational, a whitewater rodeo spotlighting the new Vail Whitewater Park in Vail Villao~. Portions of the program also will feature the weekend§ other whitewater competitions including the Fat Tire Raft Guide Olympics, the "8" Ball Sprint, the Perception PaddlcCross and the Dagger Open. The television network will air the progrm during a primary weekend sports time slot in late June with multiple repeats thereafter, says Vail Valley Tourism Bureau Sponsorship Manager Kimberly Cobb. Cobb says this is one of the first times a kayak rodeo wil] be aired on national tele- visiun, upping the whitewater festi- val's event statute. "National televi- sion will place the whitewater festi- val on the same tiers as Vail S other world-renowned events such as the World Alpine Ski Championships and the Mountain Bike World Championships," said Cobb. "It will show viewers that the whitewater festi• val is a world-clas. event at a world- class sports venue." VVTCB Vice President loei Heath says airing the event will be an added benefit to Vail's sum- mer marketing cam- paign and will allow Vail to show viewers the energy and vital- ity available during Vail's shoulder sea- son. "This is a great compliment to our summer marketing plau as we continue to work hard to posi- tion Vail as the `Ultimate Mountain Playground'," said Heath. "This adds another notch in our belt in diversifying our product and branding Vail as a year-round, wortdrolass destination." Heath says a great deal of credit should be given to the Vail Town Council for building the Whitewater Pazk. `Its amazing what the park has allowed us to do in increasing the energy, interest aad reach for Vail and the event," said Heath. In addition, the program will fea- ture Brad Ludden, a 19-year-old pro- fcssional kayaker and founder of Dan DavisNail Tra71 WHEN KAYAKERS ATTACK: FOX plans to produce a show from this year's whitewater festival competition. First Descents. First Descents is a ice, week-long kayak camp for teenage cancer patients. Using kayaking as a metaphor, the camp will encourage participants to define their fears, face their challenges and overcame even the smallest obstacles in their day-to-day lives. The VVTCB partnered with Ludden to bring the camp to Vail with the first session taking place August 5-12. For reservations or genera! injormatton about the Teva Wl~itetvrtter Festiva! nt Yail, cot:- taet Joe Blair at rile VVTCB at (970) 479-1014, ext. 11. ^ Page A2--The DallyAy, Sunday, May27, 2001 ~ - ~ ~ • ~ ~ 970!949-OS551valfdalfycom SECTIO~l~ .. __ . • WATER alclii5, A4 . • MEMORIAL DAY, A7 ~. ...a • AROUND iHE. MOUNTAINS, A9 May I7, 2001 Kayakers crank through the whitewater Saturday on Dowd Chute. t ........................................................................................................... ... ...._............ li e'': i.~~::,~...._. .~..:~~......~7:'.i.i:1-i::::::il.sa.i(~:.:: i:ii: ii~:iei~i?,)!:~ii: i'v~:-i nn;J+ki~hiir~vlr"t:?e'T.rt-DbA'~f}e'(~ 1. ~ ..trgRA„uc tn-;+? ~t+li~Il 4ili~CAA9'+c~ . .._._...... ..... :.. rr !70/949-0555/vaiidaity.com ~ ~ ~ The Qaily,-Sunday, May 27, 200'1-Page~A3 Kayak fast brings best paddlers to Vail .y RanclyWyrick Daily Staff Writer At a ~ American dollars into the local econom ~ Se¢ R¢sults, page A15 . y. ~ It wasn't that long •ago that the "' ' =' ' During a'-water rights trial in state water court this spring, attor- each other on a trek that resembles • bject of kayaking was to start Sunday's .Schedule , ,• ; - ~ Heys for'the city of Golden' said the professional golf tour, only pstream.and still be alive when ' ' ~• !9 1 p.m.: Dowd Chute Raft,('a ddleCross, Dpwd Junction. kayaking pumps $2 million a year .without the plaid or pretentious- ou got downstream. Raft teams paddle aone-mile course " directly into their local economy, , Hess. Back ih those days, the Pleis- ®T 30 p.m Perception :1'addleCro~s,; Dowd Chute and up to $30. million in additional Because kayakers are working to scene Period of water sports when Amateur boaters compete rrrvanous classes: ` _ spending. make their sport grow and because ie boats ~ were. so big they could ~ ®Dagger: Open;_ Dowcl;;Chut~: ' And kayakers are probably, , .kayaks and the gear that goes with . . aye come with a cruise director s Pro-Am paddlocross with T7 6fahe world`s best boaters - ~. ` 'among the most laid back world-. them have been so vastly improved nd a lounge act, the kayakers were ,, , , .< ,~; `- '. "' class athletes ever to.break a sweat. , thesport is becoriting more accessi- ' ig;~ strong manly 'men, and •when ~ ~• • ~ ~~ • ..,. '' No one -not Shuman, not defend- ble tq more people. ieir fiberglass kayaks tar+gled with ~ Njord calking it second gnly to the Van's whitewater.park cottld ~:ing world champion Eric South= . "Lt's a design revolution " said rock in the riser, a Titanic situa- world •_' championshipss... (Njord ~ .:prohablyhandle the international ` , Wick, not three=time world record K 'Kyle Reardan: K-ayak. magazine's on ensued: ~ ' insisted.he has no last name, sort. of ~ 'champianships•~ow; ::and Shuman ° ;older Tao Berrrt~n, no ore•' = " fun=boy eia'itor, legal 'adviser..and The men .are still .manly; •but ' lake:Gher and lVla~.grina; only with= , satd:~gcal :orgamzei's';are workutg ' , seems to think~they.'re rock stars`oi-~ spiritual guide. "Changes'in kayak rerything:else has changed. ' out the ~ leather britches because '.with those fop: flight .paddlers to ' :demands. that the red M&Ms be equipment are like shaped skis • The boats are about seven feet. ..they shrink.vvhen they, get vret.) • -rnake-i#.better. The• venue is in the.' taken out of the bgwl. They could replacing straight skis. It's rare to - mg..and .weigh. about as..much.as . : "This is. a.major-league event," , middle of town, unlike many other:- .be seen all day Saturday politely see anyone strap on a set of 215s rtional eharnpion~~d U.S. nation-. . said.Shuman, _who was among the event locations that can be two excusing themselves as theycarried anymore:' ' team. ,member Tapya Shuman, : ' ~ . 20 top'international kayakers invit- : • hours away from a residentiah area. , ' aheir .kayaks through the large . .. The same expansion in accessi- - h ich is about as much as tl~v. sgft . . ed:fo•the V3i1 event. "The theory of • ~ , "It's like the rock climbing gyms lrrowd along Gore Creek, headed bility is - also true of whitewater iring•breezc she resembles: •: 'the•local organizers .is to bring in popping up• n• cities .all .over the ~ backto the starting line upstrean:-•, parks..Njord said some of .the Shuman and a couple dozen of ' the best competitors in tha world:', country,"-Shuman said. "People no Besides being • a fan-friendly . nation's.most popular kayaking•is e world s best kayakers are in Vail , Shuman ~ said the. world's best longer have to get in. ths;ir cars and ,group, they're.also generally nice to • in large MidweStern cities, specifi= .r •the,.Teva Whitewater Festival. ' compettbrs~like comin to Vail so drive anywhere to climb:' ~ one another, which works out well • ,calls in WiYcptisin and Indiana . he -local ~ event i5 making a big ' much that they'ie~working with the Besides all the general fun-hav- because they're closer than the cast , ~ where whitewater parks have been • lpression on kayaking s interna- town • and the Vail Valley Tourism ing associated with'an event like the of "Friends." Their liquid' `Lfestyle ~ built. anal. radar screen, with Shuman and Convention Bureau to bid for Teva Whitewater festival, there's leads them all Byer ahe 'globe for It's that' willingness to give a ' id :Kayak magazine publisher the international championships. also the practical matter of injecting nine to 12 months a year,_following . _ ~ See Water, page A9 va~~r om Page A3 • rer a helping hand, along with the Hazing technological advances in luiprnent, that Njord said has :lped make kayaking one of the ~tion's fastest-growing sports. He ud more than 100,000 kayaks are rid annually in this•country, and sev- •al hundred in the Vail area, alone. Brandy McLaughlin has lived in Vail -for 30 years and remembers those old days of 12-foot boats. Her father, Chuck McLaughlin, ran the town's first kayak school on Gore Creek in Vail Village. during •. the ~ 19706. These- days, she's hooked up with a leading kayak: manufacturer sand is glad to ~ see so many new kayakers taking up the. '. sport:she has loved for so long. She. also points -out that, .even . with all the changes in-the gear, . Vail has always been 'a venue:: • . , "The. • old_ -time locals' • will remand you that Gore Creek has . always . been a :whitewater park," • she said : . 570/949-05~5/vaiidaily.coni ~ ~ ~ .The Rally, Sunday, May 27, 2001-Page A15 ~Te :events; sa~ae olci thrills ~.~ °Teva i~e~v~.ter Felt d ~~ ~ wick of the Vail Whitewater Park. ~ Burge outpaddled Courtney Lynch e ®~ ~. • "The first (hole) offers a great place and Shannon Carroll for the win •.~ ~;~, ~ ~~ to do cartwheels. That First rock you "It's aaoss-up as to who got beat . • a-; ~ ~ ~~ 1~~~ ca.n d^ some ^ice rok spins. This ,~-; more, tie sprnters .^.r the "Q„ . last hole down here is awesome. You callers," :~nderson said. `At t:e end ~L'~~1®~• ~®d ,~ ~. can~do whatever you like in it:'• ~ of the day, we didn't damage any- •: • .• :.. ~ Whitewater fans were treated to a , body too permanently:' . ,q ~Sam Flickinger ~ "variety of tricks'thrown by these pad= ' . -Louis Geltinan won 'the men's • dlers, including cartwheels, .pirou- division over Tim Kennedy and Kin- Daily Sporss Edieor . ettes and even a space godzilla nearly caid. VA1L. -The events may have ~ .pulled off by Southwick. As South- - Saturday's:final event, the second of whitewatierraft- hanged, but fans wick explained, 'the space godzilla • annual ' .Fat. • .Tire Raft Guide , ~~ and kayaking saw more of the calls for a boater to head into a hole • Olympics, pitted five-person raft action as in years past ame great - pushing the bow of the boat down " teams-against one another. in a timed , aturday as the Teva Whitewater • s . and starting to:go end over end: A ~evenf with foci components: the raft ' iesdval launched the.unofficial start the boat starts over,.the boater tvtists:: the..raftpump, the cross dress stack; f summer in Vail. • sideways andreaches across with the •" . and the obstacle`course. 1n the end, Three events, featuring some of ' 'paddle and pulls the stein through in Vail's Lakota River .Guides boat led • ie 'world's best' male and female a sideways spin motion:.. . by Math, DoPe.. outpaced .Christy ' le Kayak tional Freest N -~ 2001• ''Day'sTimbeilineTaursaquadforthe :ayakers; showcased the emerging- " h "' ; - - , y a . Tanya Shuman topped the Champion win. Nova Guides; led by Fred Aalto, e new playboating on t port of Tail' Whitewater. Pazlc'along Gore A kayaker spins..in the rpd'eo; competition Saturday in the-.Teva ' , female fi'eId in the ProRodeo Ininte. ~ fiziislied; third; ahead of•Timberline :reek before hundreds of spectators. along Gore Creek. 11Vhitewater Festival on the Vai1.:Whitewater Park ' Kell Liles and Bu Baile Bur a Y ffY . Y g Tours' David Mutori-led boat. , "TFemendous:energy. We could-. , : • • . .• • : ". `: - -+ ' '~~: • -: • ~ ;.: +: . ~ fnished, seEand"and third, ,respec-• : ~ _ The .Teva, Whitewater. Festival .• '.f be.happie~ with rhe'fi~'st day of the of the Andersen id Ian eauval;' s . . :;ale overtime.:Saturday in'the-all-new . top, forcing apaddle.-off between Teva ProRodeo Invitational. Ludden them that Ludden wori to take top ' • - tively. ' , • •" . ' ' Burge improved on that third= . corititiuestoday.rvhen action shifts to .the Class IV whitewater: stretch of . , . : a fail V;a11ey Tourism aid Coriyeiition • and Kincaid outtlueled t15 other. honors. • - place result-in the inaugural " 3"Ball ~: Dowd Chute. Currently running 4 to • lureau (VVTCl3); the host of the kayakers in the stunt- and trick-filled. ~ Kincaid settled for second, while Sprint, 'a whitewater..version of fhe Ghute will test raft teams- 5 feet, eva Whitewater Festival. `"These ao boaters really came out and gave -event. But in the end, the two could- Dan Gavere took third. The group- ~ n't outperform: one anther after ~a• split •$5',000 in•cash for their efforts. bumper cars , where. a 'group of . boaters sprint through~the park while ~ and kayakers in the Raft Paddle- Cross, the Perception Paddle Cross t their all." - pair' ofone-minute, forty-Fve second "My favorite' features were the dying to outmaneuver the " 3" Ball - and the prestigious Dagger Open. World-class pro kayakers Brad runs down th'e whitewater pazk. Lud-. first and the last," said 1999 Men's everything kayakers, -who are doing Action kicks off at 1 p.m. with eazly ,udden and .lay Kincaid put in alit- deri +and Kincaid finished tied at the World Kayak Champion Eric South- - they can to slow the racers down. rounds of the PaddleCross. p P }-# I:~~:I t'r~}'#i#•!l~1411tft}.i4f+~fQ1 jnnf aif'i~ it~lac#6F..s.+aa ha th..ai#it?.+F: a<•C .fit +.•~ - J i°F..~;~ ,*d ' JF,Nd~s"r E'a i`j+'# f i' +"3 F; Y' G~ a'a`PI'` a'ts•>'~'~{4 ~'f'•.!'l Pa c'fi+'• ~ t,4a.,a+ S4 ~. •p{v°i~~- af'} ~+a •:f:jd'iC¢~~~S~Z 1~w{-°- ~p.•Q'1~,~:. f #.. rs-,f. v.•. hsi•.''i g. f. } # )~ '#:C.aiE•~tl:.fi~9'?La L9CNIJ.: t~fS.R6 ¢.tloti h#:i~l~Ll ~y3 ~~aqF ~'9-t+~. 'i'F&n -pr. S~}' k~l..Q~h'1 '( 'F.Q( `F'.!/_ ~-d ~t a tfM.>.iL':iiA>}D'n#ldi.~a'Ef [[iR1 • a ~ ~ S#-. s1~i #s hsa e.#. Ix.f<i9u D Jy L't1'M2CEi '<-a i.4'3. S l.t it t+i.i .r u-c.N•w!-~' ~+s~a~#.•.T .a..i #A'i /'•i.i #i'+#ti ! !.1 1 0 ayakers w~et'n' wild in fail 9te~ater feet ®~ pros9 fare 13y Score ~VVilloughby Special to The L,enver Post VAIL -- After months of expec- tation and uncertainty, the biggest .winner in the Pro Rodeo Invita- tional kickoff competition of the Teva Whitewater Fest turned out to be the new Vail whitewater Bark itself. More than 1,000 spectators lined the banks of Gore Creek through- out the day Saturday to watch~20 of the world's hest freestyle kayakers challenge the new whitewater park in "downriver rodeo" competition. Paddlers were given two runs of two minutes each to perform as many tricks as possible on the por- tion of Gore Creek recently re- vamped for freestyle maneuvers such as surfing, spins and cart- wheels. The top three men and women ~ advanced to the finals based on technical skills, use of features and crowd participation. Former U.S. Junior Freestyle Champion and Junior Worlds silver medalist Brad Ludden of Kalispell, Mont., whipped the crowd into a frenzy erg route to winning.the men's title in the Rodeo Invitation- al,but not before facing off against Dagger Kayaks teammate Jay Kincaid from Eugene, Ore., in a surprise tiebreaker runoff. "I didn't expect to~see a tie, but if there is anyone I'd like to be tied with, it's Jay," Ludden said. "Jay's one of the best athletes I've ever met in the kayak industry, so Thad to resort to getting the crowd in- volved a •little more. He has some amazing moves, so I had to look somewhere else to pick up enough points to win." Both paddlers got creative in the final run, with Ludden stopping along the riverbank at one point to slap high-fives and chug Red Bull with the fans to score a perfect IO in the "adrenaline" category. Kin- caid concentrated more on his tricks, posting the highest technical score among the finalists after pulling out a crowd-stopping "loop" maneuver in which he sub- merged the bow of his kayak while surfing a wave, brought the boat to vertical, then did an aerial front flip~and landed back an the wave. "It's a move I've been working on for a while," Kincaid said. "I had to resort to what I do best and hope my best • would beat Brad's ~~fi~in~ . best, but in this circumstance it didn't.` National freestyle champion Tanya Shuman of Durango took top honors in the women's competition, besting Vail locals Kelly Liles and Buffy Bally Burge with a series of smooth moves. All three of tlie. women's finalists were won ~ over by the Vail course, with Shuman going so far as to suggest it as a potential World Championship site in 2003. "The accessibility of .the. venue is great," agreed Burge. "Usually these contests are in pretty remote places, so you don't get' as much crowd participation. Visually, the course looks a little bit weak, but once you get in there and start playing in it, it's a blast." Several other paddlers echoed the sentiment. "I expected great things, I knew Vail=ran- a -professional event, ~ but ~~ the spectator turnout and'partici- pation has been more than I could ever hope for." The Teva Whitewater.Fest con- tinues with racing at 1 p.m. today on the Eagle River at Minturn. Sunday, May 27, 2001 THE llENtVER POST ~~ ~ FITNESS NEW YORK, NY MONTHLY 803,000 JULY 2001 8~srrelle~ ~ •6991 ,,....»..,..se..,ar: GA cxze,. hc.... ~~ r~atESCAPES - 1 ~ ~ 1 JI-'Ll.I1~LJ' UV LL~IC~~l;~~,tKY U~ ` ~ ~ c `~ ~. ~ ~UT,OF TOWS. , „i~~~k~ ~y E ~ ~~q~,/~~ , ~ 1 '`l )b.)=~d "' ~ ~`. ~ ~ 1 ~yt~ by'Abbie fCOZOIChyk' '' ' r,r;~u`4 ,t:a ~: '• .E,.,,u~, u r ~;•,,' - ~ +tit ~ ~- ~ • ~ ,:gifi• -' ~/R [{ ati T r ~ ti ,~.. vow i :. I~t~~~.r .t f~you h'aveti t p~a'n'ned'a siilnmeF escape yet ~ ~~` '~ ~ c t~ n ybu re note aTo~te •''"Accotding'~ Y'~""ihe~~I~r~vel, "' °~ix ~ ~'~~~+ '~"`' N5 ~ kN{ S~1 J '.~Cl SmF 1 ~WrfJiC E 11> , Irilustr{y tlssoC~ation`ofAtrtettcal~~,17'erci`C^•~.~ '~ m'~ »~,a ~ '~'- +:~;+~ ' , fix, y-ii r >t~; n ~ d ofrtravelers start tp plan, tlietrryaca~-ton wit~t~~7,~~, "' 1 - ~ a month of'departure ~e ve fdunda skew ~f ' ~ greair getaways * tricludmg slci,},,re~'nr't~ (wht~h . '~ a,l;~'~la,1~a~~ ~ f - _ tucr~ into hktng and~f btktri~ haYErls ~7p~, sn~i'~ . ; ~ ' ~~,t : ~ ~' ~ ~~ ~~ ~ `~;" r - mer) ~ de~rt oases<µ-and{ troprChl-t lid~awlys ~"~'' ;Y e,, ~~ ~ . ~q~~~~.~~~' Bec~~use this is their loW season.` deluxe deals ~' '~~ ~4~>r ~ abound. Bonvoyage!, " ~ ~~k~' HIT TNE°'SLOPES ~~ w ~ rti n '"` , ~ ~~ .. . Once the ski seasonLis over, rates at some of the 1¢ `~ most luxilriotts.resorts drop to .a:~rachort~of ,•~~ w_~: ~ .,. ,: .. what they cost:in winter.-Most of the sla f•tins .' " morph into hiking.and biking trails, : nd once- t ~ `" frozen lakes and rivers are perfectifor boating. ~ ~'~ ,~ Good'aptions: Vail's Tivoli hoteIsaud the nearby :new Vail Whitewater Park-a. kayaking paradise a - y:. r'., ' :that's ran ed easy enough for beginners. Rates start at $79 per night. Far reservations, call 800- ~ . . 525-3375. 'The Wyndham Peaks • Resort* 'in ~" :n~,~ Telluride, Colorado, has a luxurious Golden Door c ~.. ~ 2 ~ ~ ,~ Spa right on the property-try the pine-scented - to t `~'° "~,~ W J Y } ,F IS "f F~ 7 ~' _~ t~ .., *Denotes achild-friendly place. •. • ". f •1~~'\ _^_ ` carless vacations follow well-traveled routes K~. Coritirtuedfrorrc P¢ge IG & Astronomy Museum. Resorts Many lazge resorts have free bus service behveen the lodgings and nearby attractions, and they often provide airport shuttles. Walt Disney World: Fly into Orlando, take a shuttle to a Dis- ney hotel and forget you ever owned a car. Disney operates a huge bus system within its exten- sive grounds that takes guests from Disney hotels to anywhere they want to go in the complex. It also runs a monorail between three of its hotels, the Magic Kingdom and Epcot theme pazks as well as boats across some of its l~E:es nrd .. the Disney-MG'vf Studios park. Many non-Disney hotels also operate shuttles to the airport and to Universal Studios and Sea World as well as Disney. alt Colo.: It's easy to fly to Denver or Eagle and grab a bus to the resort. From there on, you don't need a car. You can walk to many destinations or take the free Vail bus, which runs every 15 to 30 minutes. In summer, you can ride the gondola to the mountain- top for grand views, hiking, mountain biking and volleyball. In town, you can kayak at the new IF YOU GO Here'are contacts for compa- nies mentioned in the article: Tour operators:. Maupin- tour: 1-800 255-4266; www. maupintour.com. Globus/Cos- mos: 1-800 851-0728; www.glo busandcosntos.com. Tauck: 1- 800 214-5158; wwwtauck.com. Cruises: Coastal Voyages) Delta Queen: 1-800-543-1949; www deltaqueen.com. Great Lakes cntises: 1-877- 777-4524; wwwgreatlakes cntises.com, Resorts: Walt Disney World: 407-824-4321; wwwdis neycom/disneyworld. Vail: I- 800-525-2257; Fvww.vail.com. Hilton ieacz :343- S~-3fi73; wwwhhisland.com wwwhilton headisland.com. white-water water park or ice- skate year-around. Hilton Head, S.C.: As at Vail, after you get to Hilton Head you can get along fine without a car, provided you're a guest at one of the "plantations," as the major resorts are called. Sea Pines, for example, runs a free shuttle with- in its extensive grounds from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., taking guests to Hazbor Town, the beaches, golf- ing, conference centers and three . villa complexes. Bicycles are popular, and alt hotels rent them. Typical rates are $7 for four hours or $11.50 a day. L'I'i11SeS Of course, you don't take a caz oa a cruise. And most cruise lines provide free pickup and delivery at airports. This year, more cruises are calling at domestic ports. Coastal cruises: 5eveial lines offer cruises that call at such pop- ular East Coast destinations as Chazleston, S.C.; Washington, D,C.; Annapolis and Baltimore, Md.; Philadelphia; New York Ciry; .Newport, R.I.; Boston; and Rar Harbor. Maine. Two ne•v s: ips, Coastal Voyages' Cape May Light and Cape Cod Light, are cruising the region this summer: Great Lakes: More ships than ever are sailing in the Great Lakes this summer, calling at ports such as Toronto, Detroit, Niagara Falls, Mackinac Island and Sault Ste. Marie on 56 cruises. Athree- day sail starts at $430, plus $140 in port chazges; seven-day voyages start at $995; plus $244 in port chazges. River cruises: T}uee paddle- wheelers operate on the Missis- sippi River, running three- to 11- day cruises as far north as Minne- apolis and as far south as New Or- leans. Three-day cruises start as low as $355. On the West Coast, ships ply the Columbia River, vis- iting Portland, the Columbia Gorge, Hood River and other sites. Guided tours You leave the driving to some- body else on guided tours -and also the booking of lodging and restaurants. You're free. to just en- joy the trip. National parks: Cosmos has a 14-day tour that visits many of. the West's most populaz parks - Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, Gre.-td Tet~n,'.i~~t and Grand Car; ~n -for $1,169 per person, double occupancy. Meals aze on your own. Maupintour offers a 12- day tour of .ello•.vstone, Grand Teton, Glacier and Waterton pazks for $2,450, which includes 28 meals. Music, music, music: Cos- mos offers anise-day musical tour that touches at Nashville, Branson, Memphis and New Or- leans for $879. Its upscale sister company, Globus, runs anise-day musical tour for $1,499. Autumn color: Your. guides r know where the best color can be viewed, and you don't have to fight the traffic or worry about ac- commodations, both of which can be difficult to negotiate for the leaf-peeping seasori. Cosmos Tours has an eight-day round trip tour of Boston in Sep- The French Quarter in New Orleans is geared toward pedesfszans, so you won't miss a car. Many other extractions are witltirt waIl:ing distance of the historic neighbor- hood. tember for $879. Maupintour wil take you on a nine-day trig through the Canadian Maritim[ Provinces for $1,570, which in• eludes 19 meals. Jay Clarke is the retired trav- el editor of the Miami Herald. .1 sur~r~~rresorts estled in a secluded box canyon surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks, Telluride's splendor vtiill take your breath away before its 8,750-foot altitude does. The tmvn's mining history is reflected in the Victorian homes, shops and hotels that line the National Historic District of Main Street, preserving the feel of the 1800s. East of town, connected by a gondola that drifts over Telluride's mid-mountain, is Mountain Village, with its five-star hotels, spas and multinvjlion-dollar homes of the rich and famous, such as Oprah Winfrey's. During su7nmer, Telluride hops with festivals. The world- reno~vned Bluegrass Festival (June 21-24) sells out months in advance, and Mountain Fihn (May 25-28) is another big draw. But the best reason to come to Telluride in summer is to get lost in its wilderness. And it has it all-trout filled rivers and lakes and 250 nines of trails mule for mountain biking and hiking. very year, Vail competes with Whistler, B.C., for the top spot in SHI's October Reader Resort Survey. Last year, it won again-and that was just for the merits of its winter scene. Nearby rivers, lakes and abroad range of amenities make Vail an equally great destination in summer. When you're not shopping the European-style pedestrian village, you can hike or bike the mountain's 50-plus miles of trails or hit the links on one of the valley's 16 golf courses. Got an itch to experience something new? Try clay shooting, cattle driving or river rafting. Novice and experienced boaters can test their skills at the new Vail Whitewater Park on Gore Creek. Vail is also a culturalist's paradise with its many dance, art, culinary and music events, featuring some of the hottest jazz musicians, chamber music and full orchestras. This sum- mer, the outdoor Ford Amphitheater is drawing big names, isiting Winter Park only in the winter is like looking at the world with one eye closed: You're missi ng half the picture. Colorado's most laid-back major ski resort is even more homespun in summer. And that's how the locals like it. Lifestyles ofthe Rich.and Famous is just a bad TV rerun in the Fraser Valley, not a community goal. So go ahead, goose your inner child on Colorado's longest alpine slide ($8 per ride). Then join the local adrenaline junkies- whobash the best bumps in the state allwinter-as they pound the 50 miles oflift-served mountain bike trails all summer. Not a cyclist? You aren't lacking options: Hike to the high-alpine Columbine Lake or play the 27-hole championship Pole Creek Golf Club course. The rap against Winter Park has always been its second-rats base area. That's changed with the new village, anchored by the The Less aernbica.lly inclined enjoy slow walks to Bridal Veil Falls, Colorado's longest free-falling waterfall, or pia}'ing a round at the Telluride Golf Club. Here, golfers feel ~zrile as they drive like Tiger Woods on the 9,300-foot-high, l8-hole, par-72 course. Do it all, or just sit back and enjoy the panoramic ~zev<5 and mining town charm, Either~vay, you91 be glad you came. -DnugSabannsh ffi- DON'T MISS Mountain Film celebrates films that showcase wild places, exotic cultures, traditional mountaineering, contemporary environ- mentalissues and dramatic adventures. ® BEST DEAL Starting at $388 per person, get three nights' lodging and your choice of a horseback ride,jeep tour or mountainblke rental. Call 888-601-5678, or visit www.telluride.com/lodging/indexcfm. including The Dixie Chicks and Cajun blues singerTab Benuit. For the younger visitor, Vail's Adventure Camp offers kids (ages 5-12) rack climbing, rafting, mini golf and access to Adventure Ridge atop the Eagle Bahn Gondola. There, kids ~an mountain bike, take a guided nature hike, play Frisbee golf, join a volle_rball game or speed down the mountain on a Thrill Sled. As your kids v`ill attest, ifyou can't do it in the Vail Valley in :;ummer, then you don t need to do it. D.S. ~ DON'T MISS Smooth jazz and an even smoother "Mud Slide" at PlatYl. i BEST D EAL For $499 per person, you can enjoy four nights' lodgfng in a studio condominium with mountain views, afour-day car rental from Denver (includes unlimited mileage) and round-trip airfare to and from Denver International Airport (rates may vary based upon departure city). Not valid July 4_ Call 800-404 3535, or visit www.vailcom, Zephyr Lodge. Here you71 find service vtithout snobbery. Come check out the JVC Winter Park Jazz Fest (July 14- 15), KBCO RockFest (July 21-22) and Rocky Ivfountain Wine, Beer and Food Festival (Aug. 8-Il). Or just sit back and sip a Fat Tire Ale on the Sunspot's summit deck or the riverbank patio ofthe GasthausEichler-then contemplate who's ~tiiser: you or somebody fighting the crowds at one of Colorado's "name-brand" resorts. -G.T. ® DON'T MISS The "Vllhat's That Pipe?" tour, aone-hour walk of the historic water diversion and railroad protects that helped create the resort Cc~t $5. Call 970-726-1616. ~ BEST D EAL With the Mountain Bike Madness package, you get two nighty lodging, a twaday hike rental and a lift pass for $186 per person. Call 800-729-5813, or visit www.skiwinterparkcom. $ICI ~ Ai~yiJUr^_ 2007 ( 51 r e s o r r"~~ "`~~ cl Y~" What better way to spend a glorious summer-day than mountain biking; . playing frisbee or just taking in the . ; exquisite views-atop Vail Mountain? Ride the Eagle Bahn gondola up to Adventure Ridge for an_>. entire day of outdoor fun including irhrill-sledding tours, mountain biking, vol- ` leyball, horseshoes and Disc ;;0 Golf, and for kids, orienteer- ing lessons and the Dino,: Dig for fossils and dinosaur ~~ bones. On Friday evenings, ` ' ' <~ those .in the 21 and u P. a ~ crowd: c n enjoy {ive music '/~i- and drink specials while he s t e e sun - s ov r the .majestic ~ ' Gore Range: Open-mid June ' . through Labor Day. Tukets `~ for the gondola are $15 for the day including mountain bike hauling. Call 970.476.9090. vai L ~va lley YOU RUN THE EUSINESS, THEY RUN THE OFFICE The fastest growing trend in today's high-tech business world -executive office suites and virtual office memberships -has become a reality for Vail Valley pro- fessionals at the new White River Executive Center (WRFC). This impressive new facility provides clients with elegantly furnished individual or shared full- and part-time, short- and long-term office space with global communication capabili- ties, asix-person conference room, and astate-of--the-art 16-person multimedia executive board room. Reception and other business and telecommunications support services are available from WRECs dedicated and experienced team of professionals. 90 Benchmark Rd, Avon, 970.748.5000, www.wrcenter.com. WHITEWATER RUSH=`.: Located; in the-Gore Creek from the 'Covered'. Bridge. to •the ~Triternatiorial Bndge,.,the new Whitewater Perkin the hea-~ of.V.ail Village serves as both a'world-cldss venue for kayakers :and a family 1'riendly;creek side'gark. To'create the creek's pool drop features that form a green wave, a 6reaking wave, and~a`hydraulic hole; exist~ng:rocks were moved?.and new:boulders were added,'simultanebulsy enhan.~ing the fish habitat acid ecosystem iri-the creek.. For • additional informatign, call 970 479.1394.: a Garden EspeC~all~ for K1ds This summer you can enjoy the multitude of family-onented activities at the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens along Gore Creek. Make a point to visit the new Children's Environmental Garden, a miniature version of the Vail Valley, which pro- vides an environment for kids to learn about the Local landscape through talks and demonstrations by naturalists in the shaded ampitheatre. The journey through the garden begins on a serpentine pathway which winds through wetlands meadows and rock outcroppings that illus- trate the native plants responses to aspect, slope, and altitude. Call 970.476.0103 or visit www.betty- fordalpinegardens.org for informa- tion and a schedule of talks and events. TOWN OF VAIL(% Department of Public Works & Transportation 1309 Elkhorn Drive Yail, Colorado 81657 970-479-2158 Fax: 970-479-2166 www ci. vail. co. us Gore Creek Promenade Pedestrian Bridge Replacement Options January 2, 2002 Backctround The Town of Vail recen#ly hired two consultants to inspect the pedestrian bridge at the Gore Creek Promenade. There was some concern as to whether the bridge was designed to handle the large pedestrian loads that occur during special events on Gore Creek. Many times the bridge has had in excess of one hundred people lining it's rails. Without the original design drawings of the bridge, it is impossible to determine the exact load limit of the bridge, however, using what is known about twin tee construction, it was estimated that the bridge could safely handle approximately 30 pounds per square foot, or approximately 50 people. The bridge is currently in good shape and in no danger of collapsing under typical daily loads. In addition, during recent special events, access to the bridge has been restricted, allowing only announcers and judges in order to avoid overloading. However, the bridge capacity is still far below current standards, and restricting access has been difficult. The bridge. also happens to be a premier viewing platform for these special events. Current pedestrian bridge standard use the following capacity ratings: Standard: 85 1bs/sf High: 100 1bs/sf Lonco, Inc., of Denver was selected to provide the Town with options for either strengthening the existing structure or constructing a new one. The following pages outline the options provided by Lonco, Inc. ~~~ RECYCLEDPAPER O tions • Options A though F assume using the existing bridge abutments • Town of Vail Staff recommends Options A, E, or H A. Leave the bridge as is Advantages: • no cost Cost: $0 Disadvantages: • must remain closed to public during special events • existing railing is unappealing and blocks views of creek • very difficult to work on third structure of water park B. Leave bridge, replace railing Cost:. $30-40,000 Advantages: • bridge becomes more attractive • low cost Disadvantages: • must remain closed during special events • very difficult to work on third structure of water park C. Strengthen existing bridge Cost:. $60,000 (with new rail, add $30-40,000) Advantages:. • medium cost • strong enough for special events Disadvantages: • enhances bridge strength but only obtains 75% of preferred strength. Will require some monitoring during special events • still have an old superstructure with a limited life • difficult to work on third structure of water park D. Replace with new "Twin-tee" Cost: $90-$110,000 With concrete deck and new railing Advantages: • medium cost • strong enough for special events • aesthetically better with new rail • can enhance third water park structure more easily Disadvantages: • still have a "twin-tee" in highly visible area • difficult to construct due to weight of concrete *E. Replace with steel rolled beam Cost: $90-$110,000 With concrete deck and new railing Advantages: • medium cost • strong enough for special events • much easier to construct than new "twin-tee" • can enhance third water park structure more easily Disadvantages: • less aesthetically pleasing in basic form, however, there are various opportunities to mask the beams using the railing or by other methods * Note: this option is recommended by Lonco as the most cost effective and easily constructed option. F. Improvements to aesthetics of Option F Cost: $10-30,000 • different decking (wood, patterned or stained concrete) • stone columns on bridge corners • screening of steel beams (wood, artwork) G. Completely replace bridge and abutments Cost: $250-350,000 Advantages: • probably: most. aesthetically pleasing option • could remove concrete slab from stream bed • could create an architecturally pleasing landmark • could be advantageous to water park Disadvantages: • expensive • difficult construction location • much longer construction schedule (3 months) H. Completely remove bridge (~ maybe abutments) Cost: $20-40,000 Advantages: • opens up views of Gore Creek and International Bridge • low cost now and for the future • could expand existing streamside ampitheather and seating • could remove concrete slab from stream bed • could be advantageous to water park Disadvantages: • community attachment to bridge • great viewing location for special events MEMORANDUM TO: Vail Town Council FROM: Bob McLaurin, Town Manager RE: Town Manager's Report DATE: January 8, 2002 1-70 NOISE Please find the attached letter to Jim Nall, the Traffic Engineer for Region 3, from Greg Hall. As outlined in the letter, we are requesting specific actions to deal with the short term impacts of I-70 noise. As indicated in the letter, the document with this letter was sent November .19th and we .have not yet received a response from the Department of Transportation. I-70 REAL TIME VIDEO As you may have read in the Vail Daily several weeks ago, the Town of Breckenridge has implemented a real time video system within. the City of Breckenridge. This system allows users to see first-hand traffic conditions at a variety of locations along the I-70 corridor. Last week we me# with the company that provides this and they are exploring the possibility of implementing this concept within Vail. We do not at this time have enough information about this system to make a recommendation. NEW YEAR'S EVE As indicated in my phone message to you on New Year's Day, in my judgment the New Year's Eve curfew was a great success. Estimates of the crowds in the Village ranged between 2000 - 3000, with 3000 at peak immediately before midnight. The crowd was well-behaved and appeared to be largely destination guests. Ridership on the buses was approximately 32,000, which was 10,000 down from the previous year. Most importantly, however, there was no damage to buses or drivers, as has been the case in the past few years. As indicated in the paper, there were approximately 12 arrests, 5 of whom were juveniles for possession of alcohol and the other arrests were-also alcohol related. Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the evening was ticket sales to the concert, as we sold approximately 1100 tickets and needed to sell 2500 to break even on the event. We are at this time compiling .total costs for the evening. We will have those for you in the near future. Thank you for your support with this effort. I believe that while controversial, this action was critical in maintaining the reputation of Vail as afamily-oriented resort and for protecting private property and maintaining public safety in the pedestrian villages. UPCOMING ITEMS: January 15, 2002 -Work Session Dale Harpe, 10 year anniversary Florian Busch, Jr. - 15 year anniversary Mike Vaughan - 20 year anniversary Board of Appeals Interviews Discussion of Recreation Agreement between VRD and TOV outlining responsibilities relating to the Bubble. Recognition of holiday staff#ree decorators. January 15, 2002 -Evening Meeting Berry Creek 5t" Update __----- TOWN OF VAIL~y Department of Public Works & Transportation 1309 Elkhorn Drive Yail, Colorado 81657 970-979-2158 Fax: 970-479-2166 www ci. vail. co. us November 19, 2001 Mr. Jim Nall Region 3 Traffic Engineer Colorado Department of Transportation 222 South 6th Street, Room 100 Grand Junction CO 81501 Re: Vail I-70 Noise Dear Jim, The Town of Vail has been studying the effects of I-70 with regard to noise within Vail for the past year. The current corridor exceeds the FHWA limit for noise. Enclosed is a copy of our report. Knowing any type of permanent solution is a ways off and requires substantial resources, we are concentrating on more short term solutions. The following are our request to address I-70 noise in the short term: • A reduction of the current speed limit of 65 mph within the town limit (MM 182-MM 172). • The restriction of the use of engine brakes on I-70, within the town limits. Understanding there is a concern for safety which we share, we request to begin the restriction at MM 181.6, the location where the 45 mph restricted speed limit off of Vail pass is lifted. This occurs in Region 1. This letter is copied to Pam Hutton, as well with regard to the same request to be considered in Region, 1. The third item is to conduct an experiment using Type 4 barriers to limit the effects of tire generated noise. We would like to place temporary Type 4 barriers along both an uphill (WB) and downhill (EB) section of I-70. These temporary installations would be placed on the existing pavement width for a length of up to 1000'. This requires a reduction of the paved shoulder during the experiment. The temporary barriers would be placed in accordance with the MUTCD and CDOT design standards. The locations we are interested in are EB MM 172.2-172.7, and MM 173.6-174.1, WB 174.1-173.6 and 173.1-172.9. I hope we can find a suitable location within these parameters ~~~ RECYCLED PAPER We will monitor the results both before and after. If favorable results are obtained we would request permanent barriers replace existing Type 3 barrier and install additional barriers per required design standards in those locations the Town of Vail has discussed the issue of vehicles leaving mainline I-70 and impacting the frontage roads in Vail Thank you for assisting us with our short-term solutions. We look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely eg H Director of Public Works and Transportation CC: Pam Hutton, Owen Leonard, Jeff Kullman, Bob McLaurin ,,sue- ~~ ;~ ~. t ~; Silverthorne I-70 to DIA Eisenhower West Portal CDOT Real-Time I-70 Video Distribution Video Switcher at CDOT Tech Operations Center T-1 Circuit Vail Cable Head-End Or PEG Access Point Full-Motion Video Distribution Over Vail Public Access Channel Hill ...,~ c«r- w „r -_`` ''~j_~ Georgetown .. 4 ~ ~4 1 {'E `'G , V P - ~ Empire (40 & I-70) y I - .. `'~'-~ - 'ik{ .~: .. t,~~ ~' Idaho Springs Twin Tunnels ©Alpine Vista Productions 2001 19 December 2001 Eisenhower East Portal Copper Mountain CDOT I-70 Video System for Town of Vail Capabilities: - Full-motion I-70 TV video, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. - Available via PEG Channel. Budgetary Cost: Non-Recurring - Total stand-alone system setup cost (non-recurring): $28,000 - Savings due to utilization of Breckenridge system: 4000 $24,000 - Option: Ruggedized, transportable, environmentally protected TV monitors for the parking lots cost $3,400 each. These are in addition to the non-recurring project cost above. Recurring - Monthly stand-alone recurring charge is $2,800 per month. - Monthly recurring .charge due to utilization of Breckenridge infrastructure is $2,'~b0 per month. - Monthly recurring charges consist of point-to-point T-1 carriage, facilities/equipment charges, and the operation and maintenance of the system (including hardware at CDOT's Technical Operations Center, Alpine Vista and your head-end Growth: - Insertion of road/travel conditions text messages. 19 December 2001