Ear to the ground

“Dad, Dad, Dad. Look, pole dancers, Dad.”

– A local 6-year-old sharing his favorite part of the Snowdown Parade with his father

Tug of Weather

In just two weeks, winter and spring will be vying for supremacy over Durango. The inaugural “Tug of Weather,” a local spin on Ground Hog Day, is set for March 1. Durangoans are encouraged to sign up and take part in the battle of the seasons.

The “Tug of Weather” will pit winter sports enthusiasts (skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers) against the boys and girls of summer (rafters, cyclists and hikers) in an official “tug-of-war.” The grudge match will meet on E. Second Ave. in front of Steamworks and the festivities get under way at 5:30 p.m.  

“Typically at the beginning of March, spring could be right around the corner, or we could have six more weeks of winter,” said Bob Kunkel, executive director of the Durango Business Improvement District. “Encouraging a local ground squirrel to emerge and check for his shadow didn’t quite fit with the Durango mentality. Festively-dressed sports enthusiasts competing for bragging rights in a fun-filled athletic event is, however, right up our alley.”

Winter Team Captain Sven Brunso, of Durango Mountain Resort, and Spring Captain Alex Mickel, of Mild to Wild, are currently assembling teams of 12 (six men and six women) to tug on the 100-foot rope. The best two of three tugs take the win. Community teams are also encouraged to take part. Already there are rumors of matchups between city and county, ski school and ski patrol, firefighters and cops.

“We want to encourage the entire community to come out and either say adios to the winter doldrums or celebrate shushing through the snow for a few more weeks to come,” said Kunkel. “One thing Durango does best is rally together in celebration. This is one more reason to do so.”

Participation in the “Tug of Weather” is free but advance signup is required. Call 375-5067 or email pamg@downtowndurango.org to get your tug on.

Skijoring rides again

Winter is going nowhere fast in Silverton. In honor of the white stuff, the second annual Silverton Skijoring Festival is stampeding into town Feb. 12-13.

Skijoring mates skiing and cowboying, as teams comprised of horse and rider tow a skier down a 250-yard, snow-packed course. The skier is required to go over three jumps and gather six rings before crossing the finish line. The fastest, cleanest ride down Silverton’s Notorious Blair Street wins.

The festival coincides with Silverton’s Snowscape celebration of winter, which includes a snowmobile parade, a winter golf tournament, a cardboard derby sled race, and ski races at Kendall Mountain Ski Area.