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Copper Mountain, Ski Colorado

March 31, 2018 by Admin 1 Comment

Hit the Slopes Here on Your Next Vacation

Whether you slip your boots into skis or a snowboard the important part is where you get to ride. When in Colorado and the Rockies a top choice is Copper Mountain Resort for lodging, entertainment, dining, and of course the trails. The views from the top of Copper Mountain are absolutely stunning. I could have spent all day at the top if it wasn’t so fun going back down!

Copper Mountain is just 75 miles from Denver and a great balance of size, navigability, and easy travel. With three central locations or villages there are plenty of options to approach the mountain. They have more than 140 marked trails to keep everyone in your family occupied.

The trails breakdown as 21% beginner, 25% intermediate, 36% advanced, 18% expert. Keep in mind certain levels leave from one village or another so be prepared to keep track of everyone, but there are buses to take you anywhere you need to get on the ski resort. If you are looking for multiple days of skiing and snowboarding fun this is the place. The shear size of the resort and number of trails means there is always a new path to master.

Copper Mountain Tubing Hill Colorado There are so many more activities than just skiing to offer during your visit to Copper Mountain Resort. Some are snow going like the tubing hill, or the outdoor Rocky Mountain Coaster, and the iceskating pond. When you are ready to get out of the cold, but still want some thrills it is time to hit Woodward Copper. Their Woodward Barn is designed as an action sports training ground! Indoor ski and snowboard training, trampolines and foam pits, skateboards, scooters, and bikes are all options for private lessons with their amazing instructors or just take the intro, then sign up for free time. You can find out all about it in our post HERE.

Staying at Copper Mountain makes your visit one seamless adventure. We stayed at Copper One in the Center Village and could not have been happier. Being right in the center of restaurants, bars, shops, and most importantly a ski lift made everything wonderfully simple. The little details are sometimes the most delightful, covered parking, nearby equipment rental pickup (in the case of Copper One and performance rentals from Camp Hale we just went downstairs in our same building and they even stored it for us overnight, though our room came with a locker we figured this was just easier), heated walkways to keep the ice away, these are just a few of the bonuses.

Copper One at Copper Mountain in Colorado

View from our room in Copper One of Center Village

The rooms are lovely, exactly what you might expect from a ski lodge in decor. Having a home away from home with a kitchen and fireplace after a long day on the slopes makes a big difference when it comes to relaxing and enjoying your vacation to the fullest.

Copper Mountain Resort has plenty of tasty options for when you are ready to refuel. Meat eaters will love Eagle BBQ, while sushi cravers can grab seafood creations at Storm King Lounge or warm up with some ramen. Sweet treats? The items for offer at Mountain Top Cookies and Crepe Shop are so innovative you can’t leave with just one. I highly recommend the s’mores cookie. Fancy night out? The C.B. Grille fits the bill. My favorite, not to be missed, is Toast & Co.which is open for breakfast and lunch and I rave about in full detail HERE.

French Toast at Toast & Co at Copper Mountain Colorado Eat, drink, and have a great stay at Copper Mountain Resort while enjoying the natural beauty of the Rockies. Favorite parts of the visit, 1- Tubing Hill – this is so much fun. You can go down solo or in groups while hanging on to each other which is a blast. 2- Center Village – Being in a fun all access ski village. We loved stepping out on the balcony and hearing the music playing and watching the outdoor fires from the nearby bar. 3 – Woodward Copper – because jumping into foam pits is just that much fun.

To plan your trip to Copper Mountain visit their site at Coppercolorado.com or find them on Social Media – Twitter – Facebook – Instagram

Filed Under: travel, Uncategorized Tagged With: Colorado, colorado travel, copper mountain, copper mountain colorado, ski resort, skiing, snowboarding

Woodward Copper at Copper Mountain

March 29, 2018 by Admin Leave a Comment

For Those Looking to Take Adventure to the Next Level

Copper Mountain Resort in Colorado, just over an hour from Denver, is already known for great skiing and snowboarding and now they have even more to offer. They are home to one of the Woodward centers that specializes in pushing the limits of what you thought you were capable of. Woodward Copper is a year-round skiing and snowboarding facility with an nearly 20,000 ft indoor space for physical activity. All levels of experience are welcome, and by the time you are done even just with the introduction you will have tried things you might not believe.

You maybe familiar with Woodward as a company, they offer classes and camps in action sports (skateboarding, bikes, parkour), gymnastics and cheer, snow (skiing, snowboarding), and the digital arts. There are locations across the US and one in particular for those embracing winter sports, Woodward Copper and the Woodward Barn at Copper Mountain.

With classes and camps both outside on the mountain and inside at their training facility Woodward Copper has options for all adventure lovers. It starts with their introduction at the Barn. When you enter the building the first startling thing you might notice is all the bodies ten feet up in the air either flying off ramps with skateboards into foam pits or bouncing on Olympic-grade trampolines. Scooter riders cruise around while kids and grownups of all ages take part in supervised activities. My first thought was, huh, I am going to be doing some of that…

I came in with a little bit of experience rolling around, but mostly a yoga practitioner, where your feet don’t leave the ground much, and this is definitely a place where people fly. By the end of the night we were bouncing off the trampolines into the foam pit. If you bring your ski or snowboard boots experiencing their indoor training to work up to jumps and tricks is also on the list for the Intro session. From there the sky is the limit and just how brave you want to be.

Their teachers are great and super encouraging. The goal of all their work is progression, but not in a pushy or pressured way. The atmosphere is very cool and relaxed which I definitely enjoyed. The Woodward Barn is a great opportunity to spend some energy burning time indoors if the weather is super cold and you don’t want to spend the whole day on the slopes, or take one of the Woodward classes outdoors and get into the on snow application of the skills you learned at the Barn.

Kids will love the experience and can go solo or you can make this a family activity and all get involved. They have private lessons in snowboard, ski, skate, scooter, BMX, mountain bike, trampoline and tumbling if you have an area or skill you would like to improve on. In the end, don’t be intimidated, just get yourself out to Woodward Copper the next time you are visiting Copper Mountain Resort for some safe fun that will push you to the next level.

PS. Wear tight socks… Mine kept getting sucked off in the foam pit and I was not the only one fishing for loose footwear. Read Have Sippy Will Travel’s full feature on Copper Mountain HERE.

Find out more on the Woodward site – Campwoodward.com or at the Copper Mountain site – Coppercolorado.com

See more on Social Media – Twitter – Instagram – Facebook

Filed Under: fitness, Uncategorized Tagged With: Colorado, copper mountain, copper mountain colorado, fitness, skiing, snowboarding, travel, traveling, visit colorado, woodward, woodward copper

Toast & Co. at Copper Mountain

March 27, 2018 by Admin 2 Comments

A Must Stop when Skiing Copper Mountain Colorado

When every item on the menu looks so good you can’t chose, you know you are in the right spot. Toast & Co. at the Copper Mountain Resort in Colorado is the dining destination not to be missed. Located just outside the main square in picturesque Center Village you can walk right over from the slopes then hop right back on a lift and keep riding. They only serve breakfast and lunch so don’t wait too long or you might miss out for that day.

All of the options we tried at Toast & Co were amazing and trust me we were repeat visitors. French toast, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, steak and eggs… how can you pick between pumpkin ginger cakes and caramelized pineapple pancakes? Or between the BBA sandwich, thick cut bacon cherry wood smoked, fried egg, bacon aioli, greens, roasted tomatoes, avocado on a telera roll, or the Chuck’s sandwich, a toasted pretzel roll, crispy prosciutto, scrambled eggs, Swiss cheese and a Beemster Gouda sauce? Come on!

I know you are dying to hear what we did finally pick. (PS. we took both of the above mentioned sandwiches to go and thoroughly enjoyed each, but since I am partial to avocado I would say the BBA was my top pick.) Alright enough suspense. I sat down to the Amaretto French Toast which sounds amazing right off the bat and just gets better. Made from slices of moist fresh banana bread this french toast is then dipped in an Amaretto custard to deepen the flavors. A soft mountain of Chai spiced whipped mascarpone is a decadent addition. Perhaps my favorite detail is the candied pecans for that final sweet crunch.

To balance out that sugary delight I confess to stealing some of my friends marinated beef tenderloin steak and eggs. The meat was medium rare as advertised and melt in your mouth delicious. The house chimichurri sauce they put on took this dish to the next level. Eggs, toast, and potatoes finish off this dish which might sound pretty standard, but they were anything but. I am usually a pass on breakfast potatoes, if I am going to have the carbs I choose the toast. The potatoes at Toast & Co. changed my mind completely, worth every carb.

They also have a full bar and great coffee drinks to get you moving and compliment whichever tummy filler you prefer. Toast & Co. has everything you could want. I adore that they are “Colorado Proud” and use products from our local Colorado companies. Also that all of their eggs are 100% cage free/non GMO/free range eggs from nearby Denver. Now how can you pick anywhere else to eat while visiting Copper Mountain Resort? Ski/snowboard the mountain to build up your appetite then sit down for a great meal at Toast & Co.

Read the Toast & Co Menu – Here

Visit Copper Mountain’s Site at Coppercolorado.com or find them on Social Media – Twitter – Facebook – Instagram

Filed Under: food, travel, Uncategorized Tagged With: Colorado, copper mountain, copper mountain colorado, eat colorado, food, food review, ski resort, Toast & Co, travel colorado

Ski Monarch Mountain Colorado

March 21, 2018 by Admin Leave a Comment

Ski Independent, Embrace Family Fun

See what real Colorado skiing and snowboarding is like outside of the resorts and take a trip up to Monarch Mountain.

Whether you are local or traveling in to get your share of winter fun, skiing/snowboarding is a great adventure for all ages and skill levels. There are a lot of things to consider when looking for the perfect destination and Monarch Mountain is a great match for the top items on my list. Plenty of varied levels of ski terrain, natural snow (Monarch receives more than 350” of natural snow each year), one lodge (makes it easy to keep track of all the members of your group), short wait times, affordable prices, and quality food make an ideal mix of family friendly fun.

For the newbie skier like myself there are great class options offered at Monarch’s Ski + Ride School, whether you want to separate or even take a family lesson. Parents might consider sending the little ones off to learn while they get some runs in or brush up on technique with expert help. The covered magic carpet and learning area was great, with plenty of room for classes while still being accessible for independent riders. This section was ideal for those working their way up to the lift.

Your littlest ones even have their own section to get the hang of things. Starting as young as 3 your munchkin can begin to get their ski or board legs under them. Monarch Mountain has group lessons that are kids only, grouped by age and experience or if you are looking to be hands on try the Mini & Me program that introduces children, ages 3-6, to skiing, while the grown up gets tips from an expert. There is also a children’s center with indoor activities to take breaks in.

Once you hit the mountain the action is non-stop. There are long runs at all levels from all over Monarch, but a highlight is getting to the top of the mountain and straddling the continental divide while looking out over the San Isabel National Forest. You can go up and visit the metal Monarch, or Peak Locator for a breathtaking destination. Turn this little butterfly and she will let you know exactly where you stand and the local landmarks you are looking out over. From there coming down the mountain is a choose your own adventure of green, blue, or black to get back to the base.

Since we have a big gap in ski proficiency in my family so having a good mix of advanced and beginner runs was one of the first items I looked for. The breakdown is 22% Green (easiest), 27% Blue (more difficult), 37% Black (most difficult), and 11% Double Black (extreme) at Monarch Mountain. As the most beginner in the group that made me happy. Traveling with a speedster I also wanted to keep everyone on the hill for a while so Monarch’s longest run is 1 mile and the mountain has a vertical drop of 1,162 ft. to keep my thrill seeker occupied. Keep in mind that your base elevation is 10,790 ft. so you might be short of breath if like me you are coming from sea level, but there is nothing like looking out at all of that natural beauty to inspire your soul and body.

For all you dare devils out there that want to go higher, meet the Cat. You can hop in one of these bad boys for a tour or take it up beyond the ski lifts for the really extreme stuff. You could hike up part of that way too into the part of Monarch Mountain known as Mirkwood, but trust me the Cat Skiing is where it is at for views and going outside the beaten path. With a longer Cat Skiing tour you get to eat lunch in an exclusive mountainside yurt and explore 1,635 acres of expert terrain.

When you are ready to eat there are a few options, the Sidewinder Saloon for a sit down meal, the Gunbarrel Cafeteria for grab and go quick eats, and the Java Stop for your caffeine kick. Early morning is great at the Java Stop. They serve Brown Dog Coffee, the freshest locally roasted coffee and espresso for those that are passionate about their morning joe. If a Bloody Mary is on the menu I have to mention the carnivore. It is a spicy meat lovers dream (yes, you do really see a slice of bacon, a piece of steak, and pepperoni in this spicy libation), that is breakfast and a cocktail all in one at Elmo’s Bar, a full service western style watering hole. There are options for all tastes and budgets at Monarch.

Monarch Mountain is a drive in ski and snowboarding destination, but parking is free and there are nearby spots to rest between trips to the slopes. Local towns like Salida, a super cute and fun town to visit when in the area, offer accommodations for your trip and other exciting activities. If you are coming in from Denver it is just under three hours, and about 2.5 hours from Colorado Springs. Picking the right location can go a long way to enhance everyone’s experience so think about what will make your trip. Monarch Mountain is a perfect place for great winter sports without resort fees and commercial mark-ups.

Find out more about Monarch Mountain on their site skimonarch.com

You can also follow Monarch Mountain on Social Media – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

Filed Under: travel, Uncategorized Tagged With: Colorado, colorado travel, monarch mountain, monarch mountain colorado, salida, ski colorado, ski travel, skiing, snowboarding, travel, winter sports

The Fritz, Salida Colorado

March 18, 2018 by Admin Leave a Comment

Small Plates, Great Big Flavor

Don’t read that wrong, The Fritz in Salida, Colorado has options of all sizes, but they are known for their deliciously tempting variety of small plates on the menu. Literally every person we spoke to in town recommended The Fritz as a place to enjoy heart and tummy warming favorites and each had a personal favorite small plate to recommend. So our approach to the menu was to give as many as we could a try and I confess we were successful and left more than satisfied.

We hit the Fritz after a long day of skiing at nearby Monarch Mountain and with embarrassingly noisy stomachs. Options like Tuna Sashimi & Poached Prawn’s which are served with crispy onion, pineapple Ponzu sauce, and jalapeño jam were instantly eye catching. Our first pick, this dish was a cool treat for the palate, refreshing and light with a nice spicy heat giving each bite contrast and depth.

Pick 2: Brussel sprouts tantalizingly prepared with an orange reduction, walnuts, parmesan, and brown butter. On a cold winter night this is comfort food at its best. I am always a sucker for the warm richness of butter on my vegetables, but the addition of the orange reduction, the sharp flavor of the parmesan, and the crunch of the walnuts took this dish to the next level. It also came highly recommended by our ski instructor.

Pick 3: As suggested by our awesome waitress the Grilled Romaine with dates, pears, Manchego cheese, and finished with a creamy avocado dressing. I nearly stabbed my dining partner with a fork to get the last bite. A mix between a cooked greens and a fresh salad, this is a unique approach I have not had before and thoroughly enjoyed. Plus anything with dates! Which brings me to our next selection and which comes neck and neck with the grilled romaine as my favorite…

Pick 4: Bacon Wrapped Dates! Stuffed with Gorgonzola cheese, hazelnuts, and red wine gastrique this could have been sweet enough to serve as our dessert, but the cheese and other flavors tempered the sugary date to perfection. I can not recommend this highly enough.

To close our meal at The Fritz we had the tough decision of one more small plate or pie… when I saw the baked Portobello Ravioli with marinara and basil pesto dropped off at our neighbors table and they raved about it the decision was made. Hot melty cheese, the portobello flavor of the ravioli filling, and the bite of the pesto is something I would enjoy any evening.

When you find yourself in Salida make sure to drop in at The Fritz for a relaxed atmosphere and some divine food. I definitely had the energy to hit the slopes again the next day after refueling here.

Find out more on their website – TheFritzSalida.com

Or on Social Media – Facebook – Instagram

Filed Under: food, travel, Uncategorized Tagged With: Colorado, food, monarch mountain, restaurant, salida, the fritz, the fritz salida

LA Travel & Adventure Show

February 25, 2018 by Admin Leave a Comment

Where in the world do you want to travel to next?

Whether you are planning a trip or just a travel enthusiast the Travel and Adventure Show is a must. Meet wonderful representatives from destinations near and far while getting travel tips from experts, and experiencing some of the culture. Camel rides, live music, and costumes make this a colorful event enhanced by the fascinating information at the different booths.

Want an adventure close to home? The Travel and Adventure Show is a perfect place to get a taste of all the destinations nearby too. There are shows all over the country, this one was in Los Angeles and I was impressed by all of the local travel opportunities. There are so many fun trips within driving distance it was eye opening. It was also a geography lesson finding out about all the nearby counties and their attractions. Mammoth Lake, San Bernardino County, the town of Buellton all caught my attention.

New Destinations added to my “To Visit” List?

Tonga – The Kingdom of Tonga is an unspoiled Pacific island nation. They offer attractions like swimming with the whales, scuba diving, snorkeling, and more in pristine natural beauty.

The Azores – This Atlantic chain of islands is one of Europe’s best kept secrets. Part of Portugal, though autonomous, this is a location recognized for its commitment to the environment. With nature reserves and other protected lands this is an opportunity to support conservation efforts.

Taiwan – The country is gorgeous, they have so many interesting cultural activities that this destination has moved up on my list.

2018 is my year to travel, so who is with me? You don’t need to go far, find a local museum or festival, try a new restaurant and check out the shops in a town you have never been to. Embrace adventure where you can, if that means visiting another continent, country, state, or county, whatever works for you. Let the Travel and Adventure Show inspire you.

Check out their website – Travelshows.com or find them on Social Media – Twitter – Facebook – Instagram

Filed Under: travel, Uncategorized Tagged With: azores, california, taiwan, tonga, travel, Travel and Adventure show, travel show

ScotsFestival at the Queen Mary Giveaway!

January 25, 2018 by Admin 4 Comments

Kilts are not required, but are encouraged… Comment and Enter Below

The 25th ScotsFestival is taking place at the Queen Mary in Long Beach California this February 17-18 from 9am-6pm and we are giving away 4 General Admission Passes for opening day! Food, fun, and family activities are all on the agenda with live music, dancers, and the Scottish Highland Games. If your only connection to Scotland is Braveheart than this is the perfect opportunity to get an authentic feel for the culture and the history.

So what are the Scottish Highland Games? They consist of some activities you might be familiar with and others that might sound strange. Putting the Shot is similar to what we do in track and field today, but then the Scotts start throwing the interesting stuff. The Caber Toss – a large pole, The Hammer Throw – an actual sledgehammer, The Sheaf Toss – throwing a burlap bag of straw with a pitchfork. Who doesn’t want to check that out?

After watching the athletics you might want to put yourself to the test. ScotsFestival comes complete with a sixty-foot obstacle course FEAT OF STRENGTH. No joke. You can see where you stand after competing against your peers and rising to the challenge. I am for sure going to give it a try! For the little ones there is a whole section of kids activities to enjoy so everyone can get involved in the games.

There is plenty to see and hear with piping competitions, drums, dancing, and at night the Greyfriar’s Pub for live entertainment and a few cold pints. The athletic displays are more than just those involving pitchforks and sledgehammers. The dancers are there to compete as well with the Highland Fling, the Sword Dance, and the Scottish Lilt.

Food and other venders fill the rows of the Scottish Market offering traditional wares and tasty treats for visitors. You can take home your very own kilt or other authentic garb so when you come back again next year you are ready to rock it. Find out more at the Queen Mary site – Queenmary.com or on Social Media – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

So one more time – Enter here to win 4 General Admission Tickets for Saturday February 17th to the Queen Mary’s ScotsFestival in Long Beach California. Be sure you are close enough to travel to the Queen Mary before you enter! Giveaway ends February 13th.

Leave a comment on the post and enter below!
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Filed Under: giveaway, Uncategorized Tagged With: california, events, giveaway, Queen Mary, Scotsfestival

Shop for Your House – Holiday Gift Guide

December 21, 2017 by Admin Leave a Comment

Consider something new this Holiday Season, shopping for your house like it is someone on your list. Why not? Treat yourself to a nice new look in the bathroom, bedroom, or kitchen. Heck if you want to go a little further add each room to your gift giving list! These are the places you spend time every day so take a little time this holiday and embrace making each room what you want it to be and add some luxury to the every day.

Here are a few items that you might not think of as Holiday purchases, but why wouldn’t they be…

GelPro Anti-Fatigue Mat – This item is great for any number of people on your list, yourself included! You spend time standing different places in your house so do it in comfort. Whether you are thinking about this for the kitchen or even the garage, anywhere you stand to work should have an anti-fatigue mat to support you and help your back, knees, and feet. What I love about this company is how many design options there are as well as the fact that the product is made in America. Read our full review here.

Zenhaven Mattress by Saatva – Treat your bedroom to a new mattress this Holiday! You spend so much of your life in bed, you deserve to be as comfortable as possible. There are a lot of mattresses on the market, both online and in stores, but Zenhaven is a top choice for anyone looking for affordable quality. They have a number of different options with their different lines, Saatva Mattress, Loom & Leaf, and Zenhaven. Their products are hand crafted in America and delivered to your door. For more details you can check out our review here.

Laguna Beach Textile Company – Bath and Beach Towels – Dress up your bathroom with a little luxury. You pick out soft comfortable clothes so make sure you are doing the same for your towels. Quality towels last for a long time, get used every day, and really add something to the bathroom. Or if you are a fan of a larger towel upgrade your beach towels. There are some great options at Laguna Beach Textile Company. You can see details in our full review here.