Merry Christmas from the Wine Country Inn!

"It would be ungrateful not to drink his health. Here is a glass of mulled wine ready to our hand at the moment," -- Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol.

We at the Wine Country Inn raise a glass of wine to your health!

Christmas is a time to celebrate the many blessings we enjoy and the love we share with one another. As we revel in this holiday season, we unite in peace to spread joy and goodwill toward one another.

We wish you and your family the Joy of the Season and hope that the year 2009 will bring happiness and prosperity to you and yours.

Experience a 'Norman Rockwell' Christmas at Palisade Festival

The absolute best of small town life was on display at the Palisade Olde Fashioned Christmas --crisp air, warm food, cheerful, neighborly camaraderie. Here's what local TV station KJCT had to say about this annual event:

"Palisade, Colo. (KJCT)- The wind didn't keep many from enjoying Palisade's Olde Fashioned Christmas on Saturday. Where else can you find local wine, music... and the Town Grouch?"

"Gusts of wind swept over the Bookcliffs and into Palisade, but didn't blow away the fun. Men and women stepped out in Victorian-era clothes, bringing you back to another time."

"We love it because Palisade is such a Norman Rockwell kind of experience."

"Carol Zadrozmy from Z's Orchard brought her jams and jellies with her. Her family-owned business even debuted a new line based on old family recipes, called "preserving the past.""

"Stopping at another booth around the corner, you could find gifts that will truly give back this Christmas.

Lynnae Kochis and Deb White are donating every penny they make to a family down the street that's struggling this holiday season."

"Years ago I was in the same situation, so I know what it feels like. That's what really touched my heart, because I have been there," Kochis said.

"Her neighbor just got laid off and is supporting a family of five."

"We did all this in six days, to try to get them money for Christmas presents. Probably won't be much, but it'll help," she said.

"Cheery snowmen, cookies and hot chocolate-- they made it all from the heart."

"It's a good feeling. It gets you in the Christmas mode, giving," she said.

"You could find more than vendors at Palisade's Olde Fashioned Christmas-- from classic cars to train rides for the kids, and even camel rides."

"Palisade's Olde Fashioned Christmas ended with the lighting of the Christmas tree and a Christmas parade."

'Santaland Diaries' a Hilarious Dysfunctional Christmas Play

The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris will be performed at the Two Chairs Theater Company December 17, 18, 19, and 20.

A hilarious one-man play about the author's experiences working as an elf in Santaland at Macy's department store in New York City. It chronicles everything from his dismay at having to choose an 'elf name', to his questionable co-workers, the quality of the visitors, and his final relief at the end of the season.

Curtain time is 7:30 PM at the KAFM radio room.

Two Chairs Theater Company was created to promote new voices in the theater and bring new experiences to audiences in the Grand Valley by producing original scripts and existing works of merit with an emphasis on providing a theatrical venue for Colorado playwrights.

Colorado Wine Pairings for the Season

Coloradowine.com offers a very condensed guide to pairing Colorado wines with Holiday meals:

The flavors of turkey are really determined by the ingredients of the stuffing or the seasonings and the sauce. For sausage or savory stuffing, look to the exotic flavors of Gewürztraminer to complement. If you are using oysters in the stuffing, the tangy, brisk flavors of Sauvignon Blanc, a flowery Viognier or an off-dry Riesling are delightful. And should you prefer red wine to match a rich brown gravy, the Pinot Noirs from the West Elks area are ideal.
All of these aromatic, lighter wines benefit from the cool nights in Colorado. Cooling off at night preserves the acidity of these delicate varietals, making them the perfect food companions.

Roast beef, lamb or wild game on the menu? Colorado’s intense Cabernets and Syrahs (aka Shiraz) from the Grand Valley are wonderful. Syrah offers lots of black pepper notes to match a heavily peppered recipe. Cabernet Sauvignon with intense dark fruits and tannins cries out for a nice juicy prime rib. The aromas of Cabernet Franc, a close relative of Cabernet Sauvignon, or Petit Verdot, frequently blended with the Cabernets in Bordeaux, are enchanting with the flavor medley in Colorado lamb.

Going vegetarian? The soft fruity notes in Merlot compliment Colorado grown butternut squash or a dried-cherry sauce.

And don’t forget a great Colorado Port for dessert with pecan pie or a Muscat with pumpkin pie.

Holiday Shoppers Special at the Wine Country Inn

The Wine Country Inn is offering a shopper's special through the month of December.

We can make this shopping thing a whole lot more fun!

Shop Till You Drop, Then Relax in Luxury!

* Room Night
* Starting at $79 plus tax*

Great Buys at Palisade Wineries
Galleries and Shops
Retail Outlets in Grand Junction
Wine Themed Items Available in Our Gift Shop
Enjoy Our Afternoon Wine Reception
What a way to go!

*Some Restrictions May Apply. Standard King or Double Queen Room. No Other Discounts Apply

To view more rates and specials, click here.

Serving Up Hot Cocoa and 'The Polar Express'

Palisade Tribune Editor-in-Chief Bob Kretschman has written a fantastic overview of what there's to do around the Grand Valley at Christmas time. He started with a simple local tradition, hot cocoa and the children's classic, The Polar Express.

Writing for the Grand Junction Visitors and Convention Bureau, Kretschman posted under the headline, "Jolly Grand Junction:"

"At Main Street Bagels in downtown Grand Junction, holiday tradition is served by the cup."

"Each holiday season, the store sells helpings of its signature "Polar Express Hot Chocolate," which shop owner Mark Smith says was inspired by the classic Christmas tale for which it is named."

"Smith and his wife, Missy, used to read The Polar Express to their children, and a line in the book describing hot cocoa "as thick and rich as melted chocolate bars" gave him the idea to experiment with such a recipe. Combining three different types of chocolate with cream and other ingredients, Smith has perfected the drink described in the book."

'"We sell a lot of it for the Parade of Lights," Smith says. "We have a line out the door."'

"Main Street Bagels has been serving the rich delight for about a decade, and to some people, it has become as much a part of the downtown Grand Junction holiday tradition as the many events that happen there between Thanksgiving and Christmas."

You can about other Grand Junction Christmas traditions on the GJVCB web site here.

Victorian Afternoon Tea at Wine Country Inn

The Wine Country Inn invites the ladies of the Grand Valley to start a new Christmas tradition. On Sunday, Dec. 23, the 80-room hotel in Palisade will host a Victorian Afternoon Tea from 2 to 4 p.m. for guests and local residents.

“The tea will give the ladies a chance to dress up and bring their daughters and grand –daughters to celebrate the holidays in grand style,” explains Juliann Adams, Event Coordinator. “We will have tea sandwiches and sweet treats traditionally served at high tea. It will be very pretty and genteel, a great way to teach etiquette to youngsters. ”

Adams says the Afternoon Tea will be similar to those offered by historic hotels such as the Brown Palace in Denver, complete with silver service, fine china and linens.

“We hope our guests will enjoy an experience similar to what is offered in large cities, and will make this an annual tradition when they make their holiday plans,” she adds.

Tickets cost $10 per person. Book your reservations today by calling the Wine Country Inn at 464-5777.

The Inn also will be the venue for Palisade’s Olde Fashioned Christmas Tea on Saturday, Dec. 13. Information and reservations for the fund-raiser event are available through the Palisade Chamber of Commerce.

The Wine Country Inn is located at 777 Grande River Drive, just off Interstate 70 at Palisade Exit 42.


Start a New Tradition

A Special Time for Grandmothers, Daughters, Granddaughters

Victorian Afternoon Tea

Where: Wine Country Inn
When: Sunday, December 21, 2008
Time: 2 to 4 pm
Cost:$10 per person
(Event Only, Room Charge Not Included)

Reservations Required: 1-970-464-5777

Please call to reserve

Saturday Kicks Off Palisade’s Olde Fashioned Christmas

Saturday, December 13^th, visitors will enjoy a full day of holiday events in Palisade. “Olde Fashioned Christmas really reflects the true spirit of Palisade during the holiday season,” said event chairman, Leif Johnson.

Festivities start downtown at 11:00 AM. Live entertainment, chimineas and outdoor fire pits will fill the town with warmth and holiday cheer. Activities include kid’s train rides and craft tent, Olde Towne Marketplace, self-guided art studio tours and historic walking tours. The Gingerbread House Contest & Showcase, in the United Methodist Church, runs from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

At 12:00 Noon, visitors can enjoy a tour of the area’s Victorian Homes. Wagon rides, a silent auction, and Show & Shine Car Show begin at noon. The Soup Challenge, featuring eight of the Grand Valley’s top restaurants, starts at 1:00 PM. Santa will greet children of all ages at 2:00 PM.

High Tea commences at 2:00 PM at Palisade’s new Wine Country Inn, with shuttle service available from downtown. At 3:00 PM, guests can enjoy complimentary wine tastings as well as the Palisade Fire Department’s Chili Cook-off. At 5:00 PM, the Peach Queen officially lights the Town’s Christmas tree, followed by the Christmas parade.

Throughout the day, be on the lookout for Palisade’s cast of holiday characters, including the Town Grinch (a.k.a .the Town Grouch), Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Crachit and Tiny Tim, and the Town Crier. Visitors are encouraged to dress in the style of the time.

“Olde Fashioned Christmas has grown into one of Palisade’s premier events,” Johnson said. “We invite you enjoy the festivities and see first-hand the unique feeling that Palisade offers.” For more information, contact the Palisade Chamber of Commerce at 464-7458 or visit their website, www.palisadecoc.com.

Grand Junction's Annual Spirit of Christmas Walk Tonight

Event date: Friday, December 12, 2008, from 5 – 9 p.m. on Main Street

An enchanted evening event, the Spirit of Christmas Walk is a wonderful night of old-fashioned caroling, visits with Santa, shopping and snacking. Dine in any of our fine Downtown restaurants and view the beautiful Holiday Downtown lights and festive window displays. Vote for your favorite window in seven Downtown restaurants.

The Spirit of Christmas Walk features live entertainment on Main Street, a strolling Santa Claus and extended shopping hours with participating merchants who traditionally offer holiday cookies and warm beverages. Performances by Burning Desert Collective (fire dancers), Lisa Lingo, Ric Gaines, Sweet Adelines , Central High School Choir, Pomona Elementary, and other strolling singers and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Creative Avenues is hositng a Holiday fun night for the kids from 6-9 p.m.. Drop kids (ages 3 yrs - grade 8) off while parents enjoy a night in Downtown! $15 for the first child, $10 for each additional child.

Brown Cycles will be sponsoring an "ice" rink in the 500 block of Main Street during the Spirit of Christmas Walk. The synthetic ice rink will be open Thursday (5-10 p.m.), Friday (8a.m. - 10 p.m.) and Saturday (8 a.m.-10 p.m.). Rent skates for $5 at Brown Cycles or bring your own skates and pay only $3.

Road closures:

There are no road closures for this event.

Parking tips:

Main Street parking will fill up fast, but plenty of parking is available in the new Parking Garage on Rood Avenue and off of Main Street on Colorado and Rood Avenues. Parking is free during the holiday season. It’s a good idea to carpool and wear comfortable shoes! Please dress very warmly.

Outdoor Ice Skating Rink on Main Street

Lace up your skates and enjoy a romantic old fashioned outdoor rink in downtown Grand Junction, right here in in the Grand Valley.

Under the headline, "Ice Skate Grand Junction's Main Street This Weekend," Grand Junction Free Press Reporter Marija B. Vader writes:

"Come Thursday, you’ll be able to ice skate on Main Street."

"Chris Brown of Brown Cycles is bringing an ice skating rink to Main Street Thursday, Friday and Saturday."

"Why?"

“Because it’s Christmas!” he said. “It’s in the spirit of the season.”

"The rink glides well with The Spirit of Christmas Walk, the annual Downtown Development Authority event happening Friday night on Main Street. The event involves carolers, hot chocolate and shops staying open late."

"At Coffee Muggers, Grand Junction musician Jerry Colby will unveil his first solo CD, and Just Us will also play."

"Now, people can add Christmas Skate to their Christmas Walk events to do."

"On the rink, the “ice” is actually synthetic, similar to a plastic resin cutting board, so “you could skate in the middle of the summer if you want,” Brown said."

"This rink will be assembled in a few parking places in front of Brown Cycles, 549 Main St., so traffic will continue to flow. The ice on skates works like a knife on a resin cutting board."

"Or like ice, Brown said."

“You can twist, turn and hockey stop. It’s a tad bit slower, but you glide,” Brown said. The more grooves are made, the quicker it gets, and if it’s wet, it’ll work better yet."

"“So when it’s snowing outside, it’s perfect,” he said."

"For $5, people can get ice skates and ice time for half an hour. People who bring their own skates will pay $3 to get on the ice."

"Brown has spent six months researching the idea and putting it into action.
“I have three kids, and they want to skate,” said Brown, who takes his kids to The Glacier, Grand Junction’s ice arena."

"But this rink will be romantic, because it’s outside on Main Street."

“It’s Main Street ... wrap it with Christmas lights, play Christmas music, drink hot cocoa, I’m all over that,” he said."

“It’s romantically appropriate to put it on Main Street in Grand Junction during the holidays,” he said."

"Mike Allen, owner of Toys for the Fun of It, is also a sponsor, along with Main Street Bagels and The Grand Junction Free Press."

“Anything we can do to enhance the experience downtown is a good thing,” Allen said. “People associate ice skating with the holiday season, and I think it’s a good thing.”

Costumes for Nutcracker a Hometown Affair

Sharon Sullivan of the Grand Junction Free Press has written an article about our local holiday production of The Nutcracker.

Under the headline, "Sew It Goes: Grand Junction Seamstress Creates 'Nutcracker' Costumes," Sullivan writes:

"When Ramona Danzo’s sewing machine broke down last weekend, she nearly panicked."

"“To me it was the worst thing ever,” Danzo said."

"That’s because Danzo was finishing up the costumes for tonight and Saturday’s performances of “The Nutcracker” ballet at the Avalon Theater. She started the sewing project for the Institute of Dancing Arts production in June. "

"Danzo, 32, created 60-some costumes, all without a pattern."
"“She figures it all out,” said Diane Revie, choreographer and artistic director of “The Nutcracker” and the Institute of Dancing Arts.'"

'Revie told Danzo what she wanted in the costumes and gave her fabric and pictures to go by, and Danzo ran with it, turning Revie’s ideas into creations."

"“I’m very, very, very picky, and our costumes are very detailed, and she’s just been my right hand,” Revie said. “She’s an amazing seamstress. Spectacular is putting it mildly.”'

You can read the rest of the article here.

Winery Celebrates 1st Annual Festival of Lights for Charity

The 1st Annual Varaison Festival of Lights will ‘light up’ Palisade from Monday, December 15 through Sunday, December 28, 2008. The public is invited to see this magnificent holiday display of Christmas trees and lights. This charity event is a pay-per-view event to raise money for the charity, the Marine Corps’ “Toys for Tots.” The event will be held at Varaison Vineyards & Winery, 405 W. 1st Street in Palisade

“Twenty businesses are sponsoring Christmas trees which will light up our pavilion and really showcase Palisade this Christmas season,” said Varaison Winery owner, Ron West. “The public will see a spectacular display of Christmas trees and lights. Coffee, tea, hot cider, hot chocolate and chili will be for sale with proceeds benefiting the Palisade Fire Department’s new building fund.” Hospitality will be provided by Chapter CD of PEO benefiting women’s educational grants. Wine tasting and wine by the glass available in Varaison’s tasting room.

For more information, contact Varaison Vineyards & Winery at 464-4928 or visit their website at www.varaisonvineyards.com.

25th Annual Parade of Lights

There are plenty of Christmas events in the Grand Valley, a perfect reason to stay and play at the Wine Country Inn. Make the Colorado's Wine Country part of your holiday tradition!

The 25th annual Parade of Lights floats down Main Street before thousands of enchanted spectators. This is the centerpiece of the holidays in Downtown Grand Junction. Thousands of enchanted spectators line the street to watch over 100 floats light up the night on seven blocks of Main Street. The parade starts at 5pm and various community groups, businesses and organizations enter their floats as they compete for cash prizes in various categories.

Be sure to take advantage of free parking in the Downtown Parking Garage for the Parade of Lights. It is located on Rood Avenue between 4th and 5th Streets.

Magic, Wonder on Display in Local Production of Nutcracker

Dreams and adventure abound with the Grand Junction Symphony's first local production of The Nutcracker. With its colorful sets, imaginative storyline, dazzling costumes and local dancers, it's a must-see event for the entire family.

Participating organizations: Western Slope Chamber Music Series, the Institute of the Dancing Arts.

Number of musicians: 40.

Number of dancers: 75.

Style: Traditional with a kid-friendly emphasis.

Choreography: Diane Revie, Institute of the Dancing Arts’ artistic director.

Special performers: University of Colorado and Denver University music doctorate and masters candidate students. Guest dancers Alex Speedie from North Carolina and Alisha Clubb from Nebraska.

Lead dancers: Rachel Worth, Jaime Bourget, Leroy Donegan, Rosemarie Mientka and Alex Speedie.

Length: Less than two hours.

Preparation: 10 years. That’s how long Revie said she’s been building up her dance studio and dancers to the quality she said she thinks “The Nutcracker” deserves. Conductor Tyme Mientka attended dance rehearsals with a metronome and memorized the dancers’ speeds long before the orchestra began rehearsals.

Costumes: Nearly 150 detailed costumes — tiny yellow lollipop leotards to the fantastic hand–stitched beading and sequins on tutus — made by Revie and dance studio volunteers.

Favorite scene: The Grand Pas de Deux, said Howard Revie, Institute of the Dance Arts’ executive director. “It almost makes you cry.”

Performances: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at Avalon Theatre, 645 Main St., and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, (sold out) at the Montrose Pavilion.

Tickets: For the Grand Junction performances: $20 in advance for adults, $22 at the door; $15 in advance for children 12 and under and $17 at the door. Tickets can be bought in advance at Roper Music in Grand Junction, Over the Edge Sports in Fruita, Finishing Touch in Delta, Hardin’s Natural Foods in Hotchkiss and Paonia Farm and Home or online at www.dancing-arts.com. The Montrose performance is sold out.

More information: www.dancing-arts.com or call 256-0775.

Holiday Tour of Homes Benefits GJ Symphony

Come and join us in a Christmas tour of some local homes. Several Grand Valley residents have decked their halls for a fund raiser benefiting the arts.

Under the headline, "Seasonal Sights and Smells, All on Tour," Reporter Melinda Mawdsley wrote in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel:

"Evelyn Brady’s home even smelled like Christmas."

"The scents of cinnamon, vanilla and fresh evergreen followed Brady around like a shadow as she walked from room to room, showing off her Christmas display."

"The Brady Quarter Horse Ranch in Clifton is one of five homes featured in this year’s Holiday Tour of Homes on Dec. 6 and 7, and Brady is taking her spot in this year’s tour seriously."

“'We are just a Christmas family,' Brady said."

"The Holiday Tour of Homes is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Grand Junction Symphony Guild, which helps fund the Grand Junction Symphony and various children’s concerts throughout the year.

"Holiday Tour of Homes tickets are $15 and can be purchased at City Market, Albertsons, Safeway and the Grand Junction Symphony office. Tickets enable people to tour the inside of the homes, which all will be decorated differently for the holiday season."

"At 6 p.m. Dec. 5, there is a homemade soup supper at Holy Family Elementary School. Tickets for the supper are $40 and include a ticket for the Holiday Tour of Homes.
For more information, call 241-8671."

You can read the rest of the story here.

Special Holiday Art Workshop: Merry Making with Mary Mansfield

Palisade's Blue Pig Gallery is sponsoring its very own Special Holiday Art Workshop: Merry Making with Mary Mansfield. The cost is $35 per person.

Add a touch of art to your holiday festivities with your own creation. Bring visiting family or friends and make this workshop one of your holiday get-togethers.

Professional artist and floral designer Mary Mansfield offers this special workshop to learn how to create your own table decorations for all of your holiday festivities. Workshops take place Monday, December 15, 2008 at either 11:00 a.m. or 6:00 p.m. Bring your own components including some of the following items and tools:

• Favorite container – such as soup tureen, ceramic or glass bowl or any low profile container that will hold water.
• Scissors for cutting ribbon
• Large ribbon – 2” or larger
• Lots of different greens as in eucalyptus, bay leaves, fir, juniper
• A few flowers from garden, florist, grocery store or Sam’s Club

Mary will provide a more detailed supplies list when you sign up. Call the gallery to register (970)-464-4819.

Christmas Afternoon Tea at the Wine Country Inn

Afternoon Tea in Palisade! On Saturday, December 13th, enjoy Afternoon Tea at Palisade’s new Wine Country Inn. Take pleasure in fine tea, sweets and savories served Victorian style, in a social setting. Centerpieces are provided courtesy of The Arts & Antiques of Palisade and Purrfect Creations Floral & Gifts. Fine music and the beautiful ambience of the Wine Country Inn complete the venue. Period attire is encouraged, but not required.

The event starts at 2:00 PM and finishes at 4:00 PM. Tickets are $10.00 per person, or $15.00 for an adult and child. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Wine Country Inn, The Arts & Antiques of Palisade, and the Palisade Chamber of Commerce. Purchase of tickets on Olde Fashioned Christmas Day will be available at the Wine Country Inn. Seating is limited!

Shuttle service will be available to/from the Wine Country Inn from downtown Palisade. High Tea is sponsored by the Wine Country Inn, EB Realty, The Arts & Antiques of Palisade, and Mumzel’s.

Palisade Gingerbread House Contest Kicks Off Holiday Season

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than gingerbread houses?

In a special to the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, author Dixie Burmeister wrote about the upcoming festivities at the Palisade Olde Fashioned Christmas, Saturday, December 13.

Under the headline, "Contest Brings Feel of Old Fashioned Christmas to Palisade," Burmeister wrote:

"It all started at a Palisade Olde Fashioned Christmas meeting last year when the vision of building the Gingerbread House Contest to one with many entries and categories came into being and into my hands.

"A Gingerbread House Contest and Showcase just seemed to add the aroma and feel of a true old-fashioned holiday that takes you away from all the hustle and bustle.

"So, off we set with last year’s contest with hopes creating this into an event that adds to the memories of Christmas past, present and hopefully for many years to come.

"Those who entered last year did just that. We were overwhelmed with the charm and beauty of the entries, not to mention the number of participants.

"We interviewed last year’s participants who shared their gingerbread memories, offering hints for first-time builders.

"Frances Blackwelder won first place in adults category last year and was a “first time” gingerbread house builder.

"Blackwelder, who works at Vista Engineering, used AutoCAD software to visualize her plans (yes, modern technology came into play for this centuries old tradition). Then she had her plans cut to scale on mylar.

"Using her pocket cookbook’s recipe for gingerbread, she began making what ended up being four batches of dough, one batch at a time.

"Once the sections were cut and baked, she poured the sugar windows and allowed all the pieces to dry for several days."

You can read the rest of the article here.

Light Up the Season with GJ's Annual Tree Lighting

What better way to celebrate the start of the Christmas season at the Wine Country Inn than attending a good, old fashioned tree lighting ceremony? Typically, this event takes place over Thanksgiving weekend.

In the manner of Times Square, the Wells Fargo Christmas Tree and the rest of Main Street light up to officially kick off the holiday season in Downtown Grand Junction. The tree, located in front of Wells Fargo Bank, 359 Main Street, is lit when Santa arrives to welcome the holiday season and shoppers to Downtown Grand Junction!

Santa visits with the kids while everyone enjoys their favorite Christmas tunes. The event runs from 5 – 6 p.m., with the lighting itself taking place around 5:30 p.m.

Participating Downtown merchants stay open late that evening and debut their holiday window and building decorations. The annual Window Decorating Contest also begins that evening, with stores competing for the People’s Choice Award. The People’s Choice Award winner is selected by members of the public with ballot boxes at downtown restaurants.

Road closures:

4^th Street is closed from the alley behind the Reed Building to the alley behind Wells Fargo Bank to create parking for local media vehicles. The lane closure begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 6 p.m.

Parking tips:

Plenty of parking is available off of Main Street on Colorado and Rood Avenues, in the parking garage on Rood Ave. and in business lots. Parking is free during the holiday season. It’s a good idea to carpool and wear comfortable shoes! Dress warmly!

Powderhorn Ski Opens Dec. 11

Here's what the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel is writing about the upcoming ski season. Under the headline,"Scheduled to Open Dec. 11, Powderhorn Plays to Region," reporter Gary Harmon writes:

"Powderhorn Ski Resort is playing to its base this winter.

"Instead of trying to lure skiers from as far as Texas and California, the resort on Grand Mesa, which is slated to open Dec. 11, is aiming at the western Colorado and eastern Utah marketplace exclusively.

“'We’ve put virtually every dollar' for marketing and promotion into the Grand Valley and environs, Powderhorn spokeswoman Sarah Allen said. 'Our real focus is to tell people, you can ski this year.'

"Most of Powderhorn’s business, 84 percent, is from Colorado, and 74 percent is from the Grand Valley, a clientele that Powderhorn hopes will only grow.

"The national economic slowdown could be beneficial for the resort, she said, because it’s easy to reach by car, and lift prices are nearly half what they are in some of the state’s destinations resorts, such as Aspen and Vail.

"To keep up numbers, Powderhorn, like the major resorts, is offering deals and packages to lure skiers and snowboarders to the slopes.

"And officials are watching the skies.

“'More than 20 years of research says snowfall is the most important,' Allen said."