SPOTLIGHT ON SNOWMASS
SNOWMASS
History: The name came about when surveyor Ferdinand V. Hayden named a mountain for the mass of snow that accumulated on the eastern side of the 14,088-foot peak in Pitkin and Gunnison counties. The town of Snowmass, which has a population of only a couple dozen people, was settled in the 1880s along Snowmass Creek, which was named for the mountain.
Neighbors: About 13 miles away is Snowmass Village, an outgrowth of the Snowmass-at-Aspen ski resort that opened in 1967. Snowmass Village has a population of about 1,800.
Elevation: Both in Pitkin County, Snowmass is at 6,847 feet and Snowmass Village is at 8,209 feet.
Nickname: Surveyors had considered calling Snowmass Mountain “Whitehouse” because of its proximity to Capitol Peak.
Sources: “1001 Colorado Place Names,” by Maxine Benson; “Colorado Place Names,” by William Bright; “Colorado Post Offices 1859-1989,” by William H. Bauer, James L. Ozment and John H. Willard; U.S. Geological Survey; U.S. Census Bureau
REGIONAL NOTES
OURAY
Gear up for ice-climbing fete
Ouray will be celebrating ice Jan. 10 to 14 as the 12th annual Ouray Ice Festival brings ice climbers, gear manufacturers and their fans from around the world for one of the country’s premier ice-climbing events.
Events over the festival weekend include clinics for beginners to advanced climbers, competitions that can be viewed from across the icy chasm on the south edge of Ouray, slideshow presentations, auctions and meet-and- greets with ice climbing’s elite athletes. This year, a kid’s climbing wall is being added.
Other watchable events for climbers and nonclimbers include an ax-throwing contest and tightrope walking across the gorge.
For more information about the festival, call 970-325-4288 or go to ourayicefestival.com.
PARKER
Women can learn self-defense
The Parker Recreation Center will put on a free women’s self-defense clinic Jan. 23 from 6 to 7 p.m.
The class will be taught by Porter Freeman, director of EAS Body-for-LIFE Challenge. Porter has more than 25 years of martial arts experience and holds a third-degree black belt in tae kwondo. He is a licensed referee, instructor and examiner in taekwondo and a reserve sheriff’s deputy. He teaches nutrition and officer survival at the Jefferson County Law Enforcement Academy.
The one-hour course is open to women 15 and older.
Pre-registration is requested at the front desk of the Parker Recreation Center or by calling 303-841-4500.
CASTLE ROCK
Input sought on public art
The Douglas County Cultural Council is asking residents what type of public art they would like to see in the county.
Residents can choose from:
Public art that incorporates a theme that ties the county together.
Any type of public art (no theme needed).
No public art at all.
Answers should be sent to ksmith@douglas.co.us or faxed to 303-688-1293.
For more information, call 303-660-7358.
