Spring is in our crosshairs. Until the weather improves, stay warm with hot barbecue in the desert, belly-warming wine in the city, or the strongest beer you’ll ever taste in Boulder. And if still in the mood for something wintery, head to Squaw Valley.
By Cannon Kinnard and Nathan Storey
Nissan’s Freeride World Tour: Tram Face, February 26-March 5
Squaw Valley, California
For the first time since 1949, 40 select ski and snowboard freeriders will be given the green light to compete down the near-vertical slope of Squaw Valley Resort’s Tram Face, a jagged outcropping of rock and snow powder that’s been off limits because it’s so dangerous. The freeriders will flip off the face’s cliffs in a game of daredevil one-upmanship. Opening ceremonies are on Thursday, but the three hour fest starts at 9:30 a.m on Friday. This competition is the second leg of a world tour, and riders will have just arrived from competition in Sochi, Russia. Considering the lust with which skiers and snowboarders have eyed Tram Face for the past several decades, this is the biggest event at Squaw Valley since it hosted part of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games.
Accommodations and Travel: Customize your hotel experience (including package deals with lift ticket price reductions) with Squaw Vacations (squawvacations.com). Choose anything from hotels to ski-in cabins to a bed and breakfast. Or go with slope-side lodging at the Village at Squaw Valley (thevillageatsquaw.com). Squaw Valley is 42 miles from the Reno/Tahoe International Airport. Take the Free Reno Shuttle by reserving 12 hours in advance, or take it to a greener level with the Ride Share program, which allows you to catch rides with fellow travelers in the area.
21st Annual Fiery Foods & BBQ Show, February 27- March 1
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Tired of dwelling in the doldrums of winter? Make a move south to Albuquerque and check out the 21st Annual National Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show at the Sandia Resort and Casino Events Center. With over 200 exhibitor booths featuring spicy barbeque, your taste buds will be put to the test. Stop by the Great Grill Off every day at 2 pm, where two teams of grillers will compete in an Iron Chef-style competition ($10 in advance or $15 at the door; fiery-foods.com). Once you’ve had your barbecue fix, hit the casino for some blackjack or take advantage of the 70-degree weather by playing a round on the Scott Miller-designed, 18-hole golf course ($60 per 18-hole round on weekends; sandiacasino.com/pages/golf).
Accommodations: The Sandia Resort and Casino offers special rates for guests attending the Fiery Foods & BBQ Show. Deluxe Guest Rooms go for $159 a night (sandiacasino.com).
2nd Annual New York Wine Expo, February 27-28
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York
Wine savants should head to New York for the 2nd Annual New York Wine Expo. Grab the one-day grand pass ($85 on Friday, $95 on Saturday; wine-expos.com/Wine/NY/Tickets) and sip on 600 wines from 170 different winemakers around the world. Attend the “One Hour Wine Expert” at 6 pm on Friday and follow noted author and lecturer Kevin Zraly as he takes you on a tasting tour of Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. On Saturday hit up “A Passion For Portugal” at 1:30 and meander through the world of Portuguese wine with Michael Weiss, the chair of wine studies at the Culinary Institute of America ($30 for “One Hour” event, $25 for “Portugal” event; wine-expos.com/Wine/NY).
Accommodations: The Hilton Garden Inn Times Square is offering a special rate for guests attending the wine expo (from $265; hiltongardeninn.com).
7th Annual boulder Strong Ale Fest
Boulder, Colorado
Few things taste better in the dead of winter than a tall glass of high-alcohol brew, and Boulder’s Strong Ale Fest, hosted by Avery Brewing Co. and Harpo’s Sports Grill, helps satisfy that thirst. The fest features more than 60 of the finest quality draft beers from across the country, and you can throw back each in two ounce samples or just settle on a favorite and fill up your commemorative mug, which comes with the $25 entry to the event. At the door, you’ll receive 16 tickets, each worth one sample, but if that doesn’t slake your thirst additional sample tickets are two for $1. And unlike every other night, you’re drinking for a cause: all proceeds go to local charities (harpossportsgrill.com/strongale). Take a break from the boozing with a snowshoe or cross-country ski excursion on one of Boulder’s many trails (getboulder.com) or head over to Boulders Climbing Gym for some temperature-controlled action (bouldersgym.com).
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