Ear to the ground

“Snowdown encourages respect for private property and discourages the use of alcohol and drugs during Snowdown events.”

-The extremely fine print in this year’s Snowdown Disco-Do It! brochure.

Suds Appreciation 101

Do you mix up your barley wines and bocks? Know anyone who thinks Pabst is on par with Paulaner? Well, there’s new hope for those of us still trying to cultivate an appreciation for that noblest of fluids – beer.

The Durango Adult Education Center and the Carver Brewing Co. are partnering and shedding a little light on the mysterious art of brewing. Together, they are presenting a two-part beer appreciation series.

Carvers Head Brewer Erik Maxson (see page 24) will take participants on a carbonated tour of beer. The series covers beer’s history, its brewing process, different types of beer and matching beer with food. Students will examine lager beers and their subtle differences in color, aroma and taste. Participants will also sample at least six types of bock beers, including Carver’s X-Rock Bock.

The first class will be held Wed., March 22, from 5: 30 to 7 p.m. The second part of the series follows later that month, and the cost is $25 per class or $40 for both classes. Pre-registration is required.  

The Durango Adult Education Center is a private, nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to providing educational resources for adults, seniors and youth in the Durango area for 18 years. For more information, call 385-4354.

Vallecito tracked up

Better late than never is the story on the east side of Vallecito Reservoir. The cross-country trail system has reopened courtesy of a little help from Mother Nature, grooming donated by the Pine River Valley Nordic Ski Club and cooperation from the San Juan National Forest. 

The family oriented trail system offers 10 kilometers of classic and skate-skiing trails accessed by driving across the dam at the south end of the reservoir on County Road 501. The trail system begins on Forest Road 602 at the entrance to Old Timer’s Campground. Parking is limited, and Forest Road 602 is snowpacked. The trails are freshly groomed for weekends.

The trails are maintained entirely by volunteers, and donations should be considered mandatory. A few bucks out of your pocket cover gasoline and equipment maintenance. A sign board with donation box and map have been posted at the entrance. Donations can also be mailed to Pine River Valley Nordic Ski Club, 111 Vallecito Drive, Vallecito Lake, CO 81122.