Seven Falls fundraiser.
Seven Falls, located near Colorado Springs, is participating in a fundraiser benefiting Christmas Unlimited through Friday. It is open from 5 to 9:30 p.m. and admission is $4 per person. The falls are best viewed from the Eagle’s Nest Observation platform — accessed by the elevator located inside the mountain. Or, take the 224- step stairway. The 1-mile drive to view the waterfall winds along South Cheyenne Creek between steep cliffs covered with pines and rock formations. During January and February, Seven Falls is open at 9 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays, with the last ticket sold at 4:15 p.m. Admission is $9.25 adults, $5.75 children ages 6-15; free for children under age 5. 719-632-0752, ext. 205, or .
Winter trails near Carbondale.
The Spring Gulch Nordic Trail System, located 7 miles west of Carbondale, offers 12 miles of groomed cross-country skiing trails. Pick up a copy of the trail system map at the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, 981 Cowen Drive, Ste. C. Dogs are not allowed on Spring Gulch Nordic trails. A 5K, dog-friendly groomed course for skate skiers, classic cross-country skiers and snowshoers can be found in Redstone, 18 miles from Carbondale. For information on Spring Gulch Nordic Trail System, call 970-963-1890; for information on the Redstone skiing/snowshoeing area, contact Avalanche Outfitters at 970-963-1144.
Breckenridge snow-sculpting contest.
The 2011 Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships will be Jan. 25 to Feb. 6 in Breckenridge. Sixteen teams from around the globe will compete, including Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United States. New for 2011 is an eco-friendly LED lighting system that will add to the artistry with color washes during viewing week, Jan. 20 through Feb. 6. Sculpting begins at 11 a.m. Jan. 25 with a shotgun start. Teams work through the night to hand-carve sculptures. Judging commences at 10 a.m. on Jan. 29, with awards presented for first, second and third place at an awards ceremony at 3 p.m. Jan. 30. There also will be designations of People’s Choice, Kids’ Choice and Artists’ Choice awards. or 970-453-2251
Estes Park winter festivals.
The second annual Estes Park Winter Festival will be Jan. 14-17. The family festival partners with the 16th annual Winter Trails Day Jan. 15 in Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Park Winter Festival activities are at Jesse Parrish’s Interactive Castle in downtown Bond Park, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 15 and 16. It features an ice maze, snow slide and interactive snow and ice games for children. Adults can watch Jesse Parrish create intricate ice carvings; kids and adults can both enjoy chili tasting. Cost is $5 per person, free for children under age 3. Pony and horse carriage rides are an additional $5 per person. Visit the heated tent in Bond Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 15 and 16 to taste selections from Colorado wineries and microbreweries while listening to live music from Kelly Aspen, ‘Ol Skool and Mira Conoway and the Dennis Tobias Band. Cost is $20 for wine and beer tastings and includes a keepsake commemorative glass. On the evening of Jan. 15, there will be six hot-air balloons glowing with light at the free Hot Air Balloon Glow at Stanley Park Fairgrounds. (This event is weather-dependent). There will be a chili cook-off on Jan. 15. Each day at noon, there will be a town-wide scavenger hunt. Pick up clues at the Bond Park Cabin or Estes Park Visitor Center. From 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 14, there will be ghost stories and cowboy poetry by the fire at the Historic Crags Lodge and free hot cocoa, s’mores and a dessert bar.
The Winter Trails Day activities will be from 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Jan. 15, Activities include trying complimentary snowshoes; free informational clinics with educational stations on winter-activity basics, safety techniques, nutrition and hydration tips, conditioning exercises and more; and an igloo. info@EstesParkWinterFestival.com, 800-44-ESTES
Compiled by Andrea Labak
