Ear to the ground

“Those two are clearly amateur beard-growers.”

- One Durangoan’s comments after seeing a couple of patchy and poorly trimmed winter beards

A little appreciation for the locals

Durango Mountain Resort is going back to the early ’80s this week and asking the local community along for the ride. For the first time in decades, lift tickets will be only $25 on Mon., Jan. 16, for the resort’s Locals Appreciation Day. The only catch is that you have to clip the coupon on the back page of theDurango Telegraph you are holding in your hands.

In addition to cheap tickets, DMR will also offer ski and snowboard rental packages at discounted prices. Coupons for the $40 lift ticket/ski package and $45 lift ticket/snowboard package can be found in theTelegraph as well. Once again, coupons must be presented at the Purgatory Main Ticket Office or Purgatory Rentals on Jan. 16 to receive the discounts. If you space out, pay a visit to the Telegraph rack between the coffee shop and the deli in the DMR plaza.  

In conjunction with Locals Appreciation Day, the annual Pray for Powder Clambake will take place in hopes of bringing more winter storms to the area. Steamworks brewers will be on the Purgy’s deck from 2 to 4 p.m. serving suds and steamed clams for just a buck. The afternoon event will feature a live DJ and lots of giveaways. Proceeds from the Pray for Powder Clambake will go to the Adaptive Sports Association. 

A little support for the Iron Horse

If your mind is on riding the passes instead of praying for powder, you’re in luck. It’s never too early to start training for late May’s Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, and Durango Mountain Bike Camp, the Durango Parks and Recreation Department, and the Durango Sports Club are offering a little incentive.

The Iron Horse training program begins Jan. 16 and includes spinning classes with special instruction on using your heart monitor, achieving peak performance, eating to ride, stretching, road bike etiquette, riding base miles, bike-fit analysis, proper saddle and clothing options, workout assignments, cadence and gearing analysis, group riding and more. In April the class participants will begin riding on the road. Several weeks before the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, the class will “ride the passes” with support. Every member of last year’s class successfully finished the Iron Horse.

For more information on the training program, log onto www.ironhorsebicycleclassic.com or call 259-4621.