Ear to the ground:

“We took three runs and had two bloody Mary’s. The bar was really fun.”
– The latest ski report, as told from one neighbor to another

Head for the hills

Looking for a reason to leave the men and kids behind while you and the ladies sneak away for some turns? Well, perhaps there’s no better time than this Sat., Dec. 13, which happens to be “International Women’s Ski Day.” And, if you needed ever more incentive, it also coincides with Purgatory’s season kick-off party and Backcountry Experience’s Demofest.

Sponsored by K2, Womens Ski Day is a chance to unite female skiers to celebrate skiing and “the power of female camaraderie by having fun on and off the slopes.”

And what better place to sis-down than at Purgy’s, which in addition to having delicious bloody Mary’s, will also offer booty-shaking to the Pete Giuliani Band from 2:30- 5:30 p.m. Ska will be giving away one of its signature Ska/Venture Snowboards, and in case you can’t quite shake the fam, there will be kids activities, s’mores and face painting to keep them busy.

In addition, DMR will be holding a drive for gently used winter gear all weekend.

Be sure to save some legs for Sunday, which will be Purg’s first Locals Benefit Day of the season. Discounted tickets are $45 for adults; $32 for teens (13-17); $25 for kids (6-12); and $35 for seniors (65+). To get the deal, skiers must present the Locals Day coupon (p. 2) or download one at www.SkiPurg.com/benefitday. Or, go full hog and buy a four-day locals Day pass for $125 at either the DMR Bodo Office or the ticket office at the mountain. 

In addition to saving on lift tickets, Locals Day ticket purchasers save 30 percent on day care at the Bear’s Den as well as 10 percent at Purgatory Sports and Alpine Chic.

This year’s beneficiaries are: Second Wind, Our Place, Durango Early Learning Center and Durango Education Center.

Cookies for a cause

If you’re looking for a way to give this holiday season and also satisfy that sweet tooth, stop by the bake sale this Sat., Dec. 13, at Frosty’s Holiday Craft show in the old Bayfield Middle School. Heather Poulton will be offering a variety of goodies by donation as a fund-raiser the Durango Derailers Children’s Hospital of Colorado fund. The fund provides local families with sick children financial assistance for travel back and forth to Denver – a program that helped Poulton’s family two years ago.

Started in 2012, demand for the Derailers’ fund has grown exponentially. Every day in 2013, a family from received assistance from the Derailers for transportation, food and lodging. For the first half of 2014, that number nearly tripled. More than $100,000 has been raised over the past two years, but more is needed.

To find out more or donate, go to www.durangoderailers.com.