Ear to the

ground

“He either got electrocuted or was tripping. So we decided to call it a day.”

– Local restaurateur explaining the pitfalls of the day after Halloween and why employees occasionally need to be sent home.

Slow start to the season

Don’t bother waxing up the boards quite yet. Locals may have pegged their hopes on a Nov. 4 opening at Wolf Creek Ski Area, but Mother Nature has some other ideas. The nearby ski area noted for early season snow has postponed its Nov. 4 opening indefinitely.

The ski area has received 18 inches of snow so far this season, not quite enough to fire up the lifts. A long-term forecast completely devoid of moisture has pushed back the opening until who-knows-when.

A little closer to home, Durango Mountain Resort is looking to technology to combat the current dry spell. Courtesy of cool temperatures, DMR fired up the snowmaking on Tuesday evening and is anticipating a Nov. 24 opening.

The resort also has been busy putting the polish on for its 40th winter season and has several upgrades in store. Locals will be happy to hear that long waits at Chair 8 may be over. The resort has sunk $70,000 in repairs, including a new bull wheel shaft and gear box, into the popular triple chair. For the corduroy lover in each of us, DMR has added a pair of snowcats to help reach the resort’s goal of grooming 90 percent of beginner terrain and 70 percent of intermediate terrain every night.

The most noticeable changes have taken place at the Columbine Beginner’s Area, where ground has been broken on the Alpenglow Townhomes. As a result, the Magic Carpet was moved to the base area, and the Snow Coaster tubing hill also was relocated. Change also has landed in Purgatory Village with the opening of Ricardo’s Cantina, Barbershop and Laundromat, a Mexican “family-fun restaurant,” and the arrival of Fuzziwig’s Candy.

Free access

to Durango Betties

Winter has arrived in one corner of Southwest Colorado. The action is ongoing at the Chapman Hill Ice Pavilion, and some of Durango’s favorite chicks with sticks have a big weekend in store for the discerning hockey spectator.

The Durango Betties, a new women’s ice hockey team, will be hosting two hockey games against the Pueblo women’s team this weekend at Chapman Hill. The Betties are currently undefeated and brought home the trophy from the first-ever “Stick or Treat” women’s tournament in Eagle last weekend. Game times are at 9:15 p.m. on Nov. 5, and at 10:15 a.m. on Nov. 6. Admission is free, and there will be a puck toss at each game for great prizes.