Ear to the ground

 “There’s two grow shops and three head shops. It’ll be perfect.”

– A random guy on cell phone in downtown Durango plotting his next business move

Telegraph season

Kris Kringle is throwingDurango Telegraphreaders for a loop again this year. St. Nick will be springing for a full week off for Telegraphers and giving your reading glasses a well deserved rest.

That’s right folks, there will be no paper under your tree on Thurs., Dec. 23. Instead, our editors, sales team, reporters and photographers will be enjoying a well-deserved rest.

The truth is past Christmas editions have also been a little light on content and advertising. Plus, we’ve gotten used to the break during the last few years. As a result, theDurango Telegraphwill once again be taking Christmas week off.

But before you pick up the phone, pick up another publication or pick up on a rumor that we’ve gone out of business, rest easy. We will be putting out a content-rich “double-issue” on Thurs., Dec. 16. That edition will contain all the news, opinion and entertainment you need to weather two weeks of the season in style. We encourage you to give the issue a leisurely holiday read.

However, an early edition also means early deadlines, and theTelegraph will be looking for a little help from its adoring public during these tinsel-filled times. “On the Town” entertainment submissions for the weeks of Dec. 16 & 23 will be due by 5 p.m. on Mon., Dec. 13. Display advertising is due by 4 p.m. on Dec. 13, and classified ads for both weeks will be due Dec. 14 at noon.

Ticket to ride

The era of the ski bum is officially over. Lift ticket prices for the 2010-11 have been finalized, and the price of powder is verging on high-end.

Not surprisingly, Vail is boasting the top price this year. The behemoth is charging $99 for walk-up customers during Christmas Week, Presidents’ Weekend and spring break. At other times, the rate is bargain-priced at $94. Telluride is rapidly closing the gap, charging $98 for a full day of skiing. Aspen is not far behind. The window rate for a two-day ticket is $192, or $96/day. The company has yet to publish its one-day rate.

Durango Mountain Resort is looking positively affordable by comparison. The one-day price of Purgatory is $67 during the regular season and $75 at the “holiday season,” which includes two weeks over Christmas, a weekend each in Jan. & Feb., and spring break. However, DMR has also given ski bums cause to rejoice. The first of four Locals Days is next Sunday, Dec. 19. Tickets are just $40 on Locals Days, which continue on Jan. 9, Feb. 6 & March 6. Local Day four-packs can also be bought for $99.

Purg’s first local day will benefit the Silverton Avalanche School.