Jan. 3, 2001

TELLURIDE — Wax your skis and boards and head to Telluride for the grand opening celebration of Prospect Bowl, 733 acres of new lift-served terrain that nearly doubles the size of the mountain. The Telluride community toasts a vision 30 years in the making during the weekend long celebration, Jan. 11-13, 2002.

"I believe we can make dreams happen. After 30 years of community perseverance and dedication, we have made the dream of Prospect Bowl a reality," said Johnnie Stevens, chief operating officer for the Telluride Ski & Golf Company (Telski). "A huge thanks to everyone who helped make it happen."

The festivities kick off Friday morning, Jan. 11 at the Expo Area in the Mountain Village Core complete with ski and demo booths, local retailers, and food vendors The Expo Area is open throughout the weekend from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday.

The action moves to the slopes with free giveaways and prizes in Prospect Bowl throughout the day. After hitting the mountain, skiers and riders can kick back at the free Main Street Dance from 3-5 p.m. and groove to the tunes of the high-energy Latin Funk band Cabaret Diosa. Proceeds from beverage sales benefit KOTO, Telluride's local radio station.

Guests interested in a little Telluride trivia should check out the premiere of "Telluride: Ski Mountain, Ski Community" Exhibit at the Telluride Historical Museum open from 3-6 p.m. Chronicling the development of Telluride from a small snow cat operation in 1970 to the grand debut of Prospect Bowl, the exhibit showcases and celebrates the spirit of skiing in this authentic mountain town. Admission is free on Friday with a $5 entry fee on Saturday.

At 6 p.m., over 100 ski school instructors ski from Station St. Sophia to the base of Lift 7, creating a dramatic string of lights cascading down the face of the mountain. After the parade, the action moves downtown for the "Gold Rush"-a variety of special discounts offered at participating bars, restaurants and retail shops (participating businesses are identified by a "Gold Rush" poster in the window). Guests awake Saturday morning to the smell of mouthwatering pancakes, sausages and coffee permeating from the Telluride Conference Center in Mountain Village. With help from the Telluride Ski & Snowboard Club, Bill Blakeman, chef at the Wyndham Peaks, will serve up fluffy flap jacks sure to keep guests coming back for more. The Pancake Breakfast runs from 8-10 a.m. and is $10 for adults, $5 for children. All proceeds benefit the Telluride Ski & Snowboard Club.

After breakfast, excitement runs high in anticipation of the afternoon events in Prospect Bowl. At noon, the action begins as a special guest and local children cut a ribbon strung across Little Rose. The ribbon cutting triggers an entourage of locals, ski school instructors and children skiing down Little Rose while fireworks light up the sky in a collage of color.

Guests gathered at the barbeque off May Girl capture the perfect view of this high energy show. Signage will be placed all over the mountain directing guests to the barbeque from 12 -2 p.m. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. All proceeds will be donated to the Telluride Aids Benefit.

Once nightfall settles in, the skies above Telluride come alive with a vibrant display of color during a not-to-be missed fireworks show from 8-8:30 p.m. Fireworks, shot from San Sophia Ridge, will be visible from both town and Mountain Village. Once the skies settle, guest's head to the

Telluride Conference Center for an action packed night of entertainment. Shawn Colvin leads off the show at 9 p.m., followed by Big Head Todd & the Monsters who will keep guests dancing until midnight. Tickets for the concert are $25 and can be purchased at Wizard Entertainment. Proceeds from the concert are donated to The Telluride Foundation. Doors open at 8:30 p.m.

Sunday wraps up the weekend long celebration with more skiing and riding in Prospect Bowl. Prizes and giveaways will be awarded throughout the day.

In honor of the grand opening celebration, Telluride is offering a variety of unbeatable packages. The Prospect Bowl Package includes three nights lodging and two days skiing for as low as $180/person (subject to availability and restrictions, tax not included). Call ResortQuest at 1-800-538-7754 or visit www.telluridelodging.com.

Telluride has infused $14 million into Prospect Bowl to create one of the most remarkable and unique experiences in ski country. Three new Doppelmayr high-speed quads access a diversity of terrain ideal for skiers and riders of all ability levels. Ute Park Lift (#11), with a ride time of four minutes and a 275-foot vertical rise, serves as the beginner training area. Prospect Lift (#12) accesses intermediate and expert terrain with a five-minute ride time and a 1,050-foot vertical rise. Topping out at 12,260 feet, Gold Hill Lift (#14) covers 1,475 vertical feet in just four minutes and offers intermediate and experts breathtaking views and an expanse of steep terrain. The Lynx (Lift 13) is a surface lift that provides an egress out of Prospect Bowl to Lifts 1 & 10.

Prospect Bowl Grand Opening Schedule of Events:

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Expo Area Opens in Mountain Village Core

3-5 p.m. Street Dance on Main Street w/Cabaret Diosa (Free)

3-6 p.m. "Telluride: Ski Mountain, Ski Community" Exhibit at Telluride

Historical Museum (Free)

6-6:30 p.m. Torch Light Parade from Station San Sophia to Town

All Day "Gold Rush" at retail stores

6 p.m.-close Restaurant food and drink specials

Gondola open until 1 a.m.

8-10 a.m. Pancake Breakfast at Telluride Conference Center

9-4 p.m. Expo Area in Mountain Village Core

12-2 p.m. GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION in PROSPECT BOWL BBQ, Fireworks,

Skiers, and more

12-5 p.m. "Telluride: Ski Mountain, Ski Community" Exhibit at Telluride

Historical Museum

8-8:30 p.m. Evening Fireworks

9 p.m. Big Head Todd and the Monsters with Shawn Colvin at Telluride

Conference Center

Gondola open until 1 a.m.

9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Expo Area in Mountain Village Core

Guests and locals seeking nighttime activities won't need to look any farther than Station Recreation, the new Mountain Village outdoor fun center.

Tubing, sledding, and snow biking are all part of the action packed menu available for all ages and skill levels. Open daily from 4:30-8:30 p.m., Station Recreation is located on Competition Hill, accessed by Lift 2. Station Recreation is $12/ hour for adults and $8/hour for children or guests can spend the entire evening at Station Recreation for $15 for adults and $10 for children. Season pass holders receive 50 percent off the hourly rate while Telluride Card holders receive 25 percent off the hourly rate.

"Station Recreation is easy to get to, loads of fun for kids and adults and can entertain you until your head is ready to hit the pillow!" said Johnnie Stevens, chief operating officer of the Telluride Ski & Golf Company (Telski).

For an extra helping of adventure, snowbiking off the gondola is now available from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays for only $50 (price includes lift access, headlamp, equipment and guide). In addition, racing will be available to the public on Wednesdays during the B League Town Race Series and open to the telluride Ski & Snowboard Club on Tuesday and Thursdays from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Tickets for Station Recreation will be available at all ticket windows in Telluride and Mountain Village during daytime hours and available for purchase at Station Recreation during the evening. The Pizza Chalet and Skiers Union Cafe, adjacent to Station Recreation, will be open to offer guests a place to warm up and enjoy a bite to eat.

For more information, call the Mountain Adventures Department at 970-728-7538. For lodging reservations, call Telluride Central Reservations at (866) 287-5016. Information is also available at www.tellurideskiresort.com

Copyright © 2001 the Cortez Journal. All rights reserved.
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