To get an event listed in the weekly calendar, send your information to OEcalendar@denverpost.com or fax 303-866-9004 (attention Outdoor Extremes). Please be sure to include a contact number for verification.
AVALANCHE AWARENESS
Friday-Sunday, Feb. 17-19
Level I avalanche course; two-day, one-evening course; introduction and review of avalanche phenomena, travel techniques, decision-making strategies and avalanche rescue; classroom and mountain-based sessions; Friday, 7-9:30 p.m., all day Saturday and Sunday; $195; at Estes Park. cmsschool.com/home.asp
Friday-Sunday, Feb. 24-26
Avalanche 1 class; topics include recognizing avalanche terrain go/no-go decision-making and rescue techniques; for those new to travel in avalanche terrain or those in need of a skills tuneup; skills required are intermediate skiing/riding skills, or travel on snowshoes, and the ability to travel in the winter backcountry for at least four hours; $220; Friday- Sunday class (snowshoers only) at Boulder/Indian Peaks, Feb. 24-26 class at Boulder/Rocky Mountain National Park. alpineworldascents.com
Feb. 16-19; March 16-19
Avalanche 2 class; topics include avalanche formation and release mechanisms, snowpack formation and metamorphism; prerequisites: completion of Alpine World Ascents Avalanche 1 course or equivalent, strong intermediate skiing/riding skills, and the ability to travel in the winter backcountry for at least six hours; $350; Feb. 16-19 at Boulder/Berthoud Pass, March 16-19 at Boulder/Rocky Mountain National Park. alpineworldascents.com
Feb. 18
Avalanche Refresher class; a review of the avalanche phenomena at the Level 1 standard and further deepens skills, knowledge and confidence in decision making when traveling in avalanche terrain; prerequisites: completion of Alpine World Ascents Avalanche 1 course or equivalent, strong intermediate skiing/riding skills and the ability to travel in the winter backcountry for at least four hours; $110; at Rocky Mountain National Park. alpineworldascents.com
Avalanche Assessment Mentoring Tour; full-day skill tours devoted to slope and snow stability assessment; $120; at Rocky Mountain National Park. cmsschool.com
Feb. 19
Avalanche Rescue class; learn or refresh rescue skills to prepare for an avalanche accident; fine-tune the use of beacon, shovel probe and optimize organization of your group; $55; Nederland. alpineworldascents.com
March 3-6
Level II Avalanche Course; four-day course emphasizes field observations and documentation; covers snow stability analysis and the forecasting process; formal snow-pit observations and recording guidelines emphasized; primarily field based, with some classroom sessions; for ski and mountain guides, ski patrollers and serious backcountry enthusiasts; $410; prerequisite CMS Level I Avalanche Course; Estes Park. cmsschool.com
CLIMBING
Friday-Sunday
Ouray Ice Weekend with Women’s Wilderness; by the Women’s Wilderness Institute; learn the basics of ice climbing in a one-day clinic; how to use crampons and ice tools, practice techniques required to climb on both low-angle and steeper ice, and learn about safety considerations; no previous ice-climbing experience necessary; $395. 303-938-9191
CYCLING
Mountain and road
Ongoing
Road rides each weekend in south metro area hosted by the Highlands Ranch Cycling Club; intermediate to advanced; two to five hours; helmet required; free. highlandsranchcycling.com
Gunnison Valley Mountain Biking instruction and tours; private, groups, ladies only, half day, full day or custom; fees vary; Gunnison/Crested Butte. 970-275-0485
Road ride each Saturday morning led by the staff of Bicycle Pedal’r bike shops in Highlands Ranch; 20 to 30 miles; weather permitting; open to all intermediate and advanced riders. bicyclepedalr.com.
March 3-6
Moab Skinny Tire Festival; a fundraiser for the Lance Armstrong Foundation; in its sixth year; a four-day festival built around daily bicycle tours; professionally guided group rides through Arches National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Canyonlands National Park and the Colorado River corridor. 435-259-2698, skinnytirefestival.com or LAF.org
HIKING
April 18
Wilderness Trekking School; Colorado Mountain Club’s beginner hiking school; learn basics of mountaineering and hiking; begins April 18, includes five weekly lectures and five weekend field days; $80, 7 p.m.; at American Mountaineering Center, in Golden. 303-279-3080 or cmc.org/denver/schools_hiking_wts.aspx
RUNNING
Ongoing
Niketown Running Club, meets in front of downtown Denver store Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m., year-round rain or shine. Includes stretches and runs or walks from 3 to 7 miles. Your choice, your pace. 303-623-6453 or nikerunning.com
Saturday
Valentine’s Massacre 3-mile Beverage Prediction run; 10 a.m.; entry fee is two cans or bottles of something to drink – redistributed to prediction winners; at bottom of Little Park area of Grand Junction. 970-256-9000
Sweetheart Run; one of Loveland’s oldest races; a 4-mile loop around Lake Loveland; at Loveland High School, 920 West 29th St., in Loveland; 9 a.m.; $10 to $20. lovelandroadrunners.com
Sunday
Valentine’s Day 5K; dogs welcome; at Washington Park, 1700 East Louisiana Ave., in Denver; $13 to $23; 9 a.m. coloradorunnermag.com
Feb. 18
Do Your Heart Some Good/Sweetheart 5K run/walk; 10:30 a.m.; $12 to $17; Fruita Civic Center, 325 East Aspen. fruita.org or 970-858-0360
Feb. 25
Snowman Stampede 10- and 20-mile races; the third race in the Winter Distance Series; series consists of progressively longer races to help runners maintain fitness through winter; 10 a.m.; $30 to $40; Cherry Creek State Park, Aurora. coloradorunnermag.com
March 4
Canyonlands Tuneup 10K; a flat, paved road run; at Fruita Civic Center, in Fruita; $5 to $10; 10 a.m. 970-260-4612 or 970-245-4243
March 12
18th annual Runnin’ of the Green 7K; also a 2-mile walk; course through LoDo and the Platte Valley; start at McCormick’s Fish House and Bar, 17th Street and Wazee Street, in Denver; also a block party with bagpipers, live music, step dancers and food. 303-694-2030 or bkbltd.com
March 25
Dialysis Dash 5K run/walk; at 2748 Crossroads Blvd., in Grand Junction; $15-$20; 9 a.m. 970-434-3376
Nov. 11
Mesa State 37K Rimrock Run; gate-to-gate through Colorado National Monument; starts at the park’s east entrance, in Grand Junction; 8 a.m.; limited to 400 entries. rimrockrun.org, 970-256-9000 or 970-243-4055
TRIATHLON/DUATHLON/BIATHLON
Feb. 25
Gold Run High Alpine Triathlon; a bike ride on snow, a snowshoe run and a ski race; 10 a.m.; at the Gold Run Nordic Center, 200 Clubhouse Drive, Breckenridge. 970-547-7889
SAILING
Wednesday
Winter Racing Seminar at Brooklyn’s; program to be announced; free; 7-9 p.m.; at 2644 West Colfax Ave., in Denver. rmsail.org/educatio.htm or simpson@cattle-fax.org
Saturday
Junior Chalk-Talk; for young sailors interested in racing; program and location to be announced; free; 1-3:30 p.m. rmsail.org/educatio.htm or rtaylor@informationtools.com
Feb. 25
Iceberg Cup Sailing Regatta; hosted by Cherry Creek Marina and Yacht Club; ice- and weather-dependent; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; at Cherry Creek Reservoir. cherrycreekmarina.com or toddbrophy@ricochet.com
March 8
Winter Racing Seminar at Brooklyn’s; program to be announced; free; 7-9 p.m.; at 2644 W. Colfax Ave., in Denver. rmsail.org/educatio.htm or simpson@cattle-fax.org
March 11
Junior Chalk-Talk, for young sailors interested in racing; 1-3 p.m.; free; location and program to be announced. rmsail.org/educatio.htm or rtaylor@informationtools.com
March 18
Race Management Seminar; “SailWave” computer scoring discussion with Tom Downing and Joe Beierl; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; at Cherry Creek Yacht Club, in Greenwood Village. rmsail.org/educatio.htm or tmdata@comcast.net
SKIING/SNOWBOARDING
Ongoing
Over the Hill Gang guided skiing days; through April; for intermediate or better downhill skiers and riders 50 years and older; Mondays at Vail, meet at Bailey’s Coffee House in the Adventure Ridge Building in Eagles Nest at the top of the Gondola, 9 a.m.; Mondays at Arapahoe Basin, meet inside the base lodge at 8:45 a.m.; Tuesdays at Breckenridge, meet at the Bergenhof on Peak 8 at 9 a.m.; Tuesdays at Snowmass, meet at the Ullerhof Restaurant, 10 a.m.; Wednesdays at Winter Park, meet inside the Balcony House at 8:45 a.m.; Thursdays at Keystone, meet at the Summit House at 9:10 a.m.; Friday’s at Loveland, meet at Loveland Basin cafeteria, 9 a.m.; Sundays through Fridays at Steamboat, meet at the ski school, 9 a.m.; $50 membership. othgi.com or 719-389-0022
Thursday-Friday
Prime Time skiing seminar; program for skiers over 50; two days of instruction, with video analysis; for intermediate through advanced skiers; $220 for class; class with lift ticket is $298. 877-576-2754
Friday-Sunday
Burton Demo Tour; at Breckenridge Ski Resort, Peak 8; try out boards and compete in a park jam. 970-453-5000 or breckenridge.snow.com
Saturday
Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge; a free race open to competitors of all ages and abilities; dual giant slalom race for skiers and snowboarders. 970-476-6797, ext. 109
Saturday-Sunday
Roxy Park and Pipe Snow Camp; a two-day camp for female riders ages 13 and older; open to intermediate and advanced riders who want to develop skills; $160 for lesson, $238 for lesson and lift. 877-576-2754
Inaugural 24 Hours of Sunlight; endurance race for all ages and abilities, hike/skin up Sunlight Mountain Resort and ski or board down for a 24-hour period; teams and solo divisions; benefits the Heuga Center for MS; Sunlight Mountain Resort, Glenwood Springs. 24hoursofsunlight.com
Feb. 17-19
Butte Bi-Ski Rally; all abilities welcome, including those who never have bi-skied before; hosted by the Adaptive Sports Center for people with disabilities; includes individual instruction, video analysis, lift tickets, equipment, lunch and transportation; at Crested Butte base area. adaptivesports.org
SNOWSHOEING/CROSS COUNTRY SKIING
Ongoing
Steamboat Ski Touring Center Masters Program, Wednesdays through Feb. 22; sessions focus on training, technique, ski prep, nutrition, fluid intake, goal setting and tips; Silver Master Program, $60; Gold Master Program for $200; 5:30-7 p.m; at Steamboat Ski Touring Center, Steamboat Ski Resort. steamboat.com or 970-879-8180
Guided snowshoe tours through the forest and meadows of Granby Ranch; weekends; hike duration and endurance varies based on participant interest and ability. granbyranch.com or 888-850-4615
Friday
Grand Huts Progressive Ski/Snowshoe Dinner; an artisan-style dining tour of Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Tabernash on cross country skis or snowshoes; lighted trails beginning at the adventure center; 5K total; hors d’oeuvres, soup, salad, main course, dessert, drinks and live music and dancing; $50 to $55 adults, $15 to $20 children. devilsthumbranch.com, 970-726-5632 or 800-933-4339
Saturday
Owl Creek Chase 25K; a 25K freestyle cross country ski race from Snowmass Cross Country Center to Aspen Cross Country Center; USSA sanctioned race and part of the Super Tour NorAm series, North American Cup marathon series and the Colorado Cup; 10 a.m.; $35 to $45; at Snowmass Cross Country Center, 0239 Snowmass Club Circle, in Snowmass Village. utemountaineer.com or 970-925-2145
Beaver Creek Snowshoe Adventure Series; a 5K run/walk and a 10K competitive event; 11 a.m.; $20 to $25; five-event series; at McCoy Park in Beaver Creek. bcsnowshoe.com
Free Swix Waxing Clinic; at Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Tabernash; 11:45 a.m. 970-726-5632, 800-933-4339 or devilsthumbranch.com
Sunday
Caribou-to-Bald Mountain Snowshoe Hike; by the Indian Peaks Group and the Sierra Club; through the historic silver mining district; begins at Caribou, climbs 1,500 feet to Bald Mountain; 5-mile route. 720-837-0074 or bill.campbell@rmc.sierraclub.org
Screamin’ Snowman 5K/10K Snowshoe Race and 1-mile fun walk; a mix of singletrack, groomed ski trails and fresh powder; also the 2006 high school state championship snowshoe 5K; at the Nordic Center at the Eldora Ski Area, in Nederland; 9:45 a.m.; $10 to $25; some loaner snowshoes available. racingunderground.com
Feb. 14, 24, March 4, 15
Snowshoe and cross country ski outing; transportation, lesson, rental and trail pass package from the Frisco Nordic Center; 12-year-olds and older; meet at the Carson Nature Center in Littleton; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; $19 to $44. ssprd.org/nature, 303-730-1022 or 303-347-5999
Feb. 18
Butch Cassidy Ski Chase; 15K freestyle, 5K novice and 3K kids race; on the trails at Faraway Ranch; 9 a.m.; at Faraway Ranch, in Telluride. telluridetrails.org
Feb. 25
Second annual Full Circle Family Fun nordic ski races; 2.5K children, 5K and 10K open; all races on groomed trails at Tennessee Pass Nordic Center, near Ski Cooper, 8 miles north of Leadville; giveaways and silent auction; benefits Full Circle of Lake County Youth and Family Services; 10 a.m.; $8 to $20. mineralbelttrail.com or 719-486-2400
The Devil’s Thumb Ranch Creek Chase 15K/30K Freestyle; race and tour divisions; costumes welcome; 10 a.m. devilsthumbranch.com, 970-726-5632 or 800-933-4339
Feb. 26
Meadow Mountain Snowshoe Hike; by the Indian Peaks Group and the Sierra Club; a six-hour, 7-mile snowshoe climb to the summit of Meadow Mountain (11,632 feet), with a 3,000-foot elevation gain; south of Allenspark; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 720-837-0074 or bill.campbell@rmc.sierraclub.org
Third annual Leadville Loppet; 22K and 44K skate and classic nordic races on Mineral Belt Trail, through historic Leadville Mining District; 10 a.m.; start at Colorado Mountain College soccer field; $25 to $50. mineralbelttrail.com or active.com
March 1-2
PSIA clinic with video tape analysis; classic, skate and hill skills; level I, II and III; PSIA membership required; $148; 10 a.m.; at Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Tabernash. psia-rm.org
WINTER ACTIVITIES
Friday-Sunday
Mancos Mush/Silverton Slush dog sled race; part of the San Juan Stage Racing Series; for mid-distance racers and mushing fans; 125- and 85-mile races; 30- to 50-mile legs on first two days, 25-mile final leg; on trails from Mancos to Silverton; begins in Mancos, 18 miles west of Durango on U.S. 160; races start at 9 a.m. sanjuanstagestop.com
SKYDIVING
Ongoing
Mile-Hi Skydiving Center; open for all skydiving operations, Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. through sunset; tandem jump prices, $189; accelerated free-fall, $279; experienced skydives jump prices, $23 up to 12,500 feet, and $16 to 4,000 feet. 303-702-9911 or info@milehiskydiving.com
LECTURES, CLASSES
Ongoing
Maps, Compasses & Orienteering class; a U.S. Geological Survey-hosted map, compass and orienteering class; expert instruction for orienteering skills; free; 1 p.m. Friday at REI Denver flagship store, 1416 Platte St. rei.com
Today
Culinary Cycling Circus through Italy discussion; with chef Jay Witlen of Jay’s American Bistro; topics cover a bicycling and culinary tour of Italy; 7 p.m.; at 415 North Mason Court, in Fort Collins; free. ExperiencePlus.com
MISCELLANEOUS
Feb. 28, March 1, 4
Best of Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour; movies on mountain sports, mountain culture and environment; 7 p.m.; at Boulder Theatre on Feb. 28 and March 1; at Paramount Theatre, 1631 Glenarm Place, Denver, on March 4. rei.com
