February 6
Companion Rescue Workshop
Join Colorado Avalanche Information Center patrollers from A-Basin and patrollers from neighboring ski areas, Feb. 6, for a day of classroom instruction and hands-on outdoor scenarios on how to make solo and group avalanche rescues. The workshop is limited to 50 participants with backcountry experience and includes an introduction to the newest equipment and technology, beacon and probe techniques, deep burial and strategic shoveling techniques, search pattern organization and implementation, rescue, extrication and evacuation, emergency care and sled building techniques. Visit arapahoebasin.com or avalanche.state.co.us to learn more.

February 8
Wildlife in Winter Hike
Join Boulder County volunteer naturalists, Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Caribou Ranch Open Space for a free hike in the high country to learn about the many ways that wildlife survives winter. Participant will talk about hibernation, dormancy, migration, and strategies for animals that are active all winter long as well as look for signs of wildlife activity, including tracks, scat, and browse marks on trees. Bring drinking water, clothing and boots suitable for a moderate two-mile hike in snowy, cold and windy weather. Ski or hiking poles are also recommended due to icy trail conditions. For more information, contact Larry Colbenson at 303-678-6214 or lcolbenson@bouldercounty.org or visit http://www.bouldercounty.org.

February 13
Charlie’s Place Valentine’s Zombie Party
No Valentine’s Day Party is complete without a zombie or two. That’s what Friend’s of Charlie’s Place thought when they chose Friday the 13th for their party. Stop by the Vintage Moose, 123 16th Ave. in Idaho Springs, on Feb. 13 from 6-9 p.m. dressed as a scary Valentine and be entered to win prizes. “Last year we did this event on Valentine’s Day and thought it might be fun to switch it to the day before,” Clear Creek County Administrative Assistant Donna Dee said. D-Double-J Reagon’s dance music, dogs and cats (hot dogs and Kit Katz) and a pet supply sale table are also included. Call 303-668-0924 or e-mail focp292@gmail.com with questions or to volunteer of contribute and visit http://www.charliesplaceshelter.org or http://www.friendsofcharliesplace.org to learn more.

February 14
Loveland’s Mountaintop Matrimony
Loveland Ski Area’s 24th Annual Marry Me & Ski For Free Mountaintop Matrimony, Feb. 14, is one of the ski area’s most popular events of the year. It is for couples getting married or renewing their vows and takes place at noon sharp outside the Ptarmagin Roost Cabin, elevation 12,050 feet. Couples are required to sign-in the morning of the event and must be at the Ptarmagin Roost Cabin by 11:30 a.m. the morning of the event. The ceremony is a “mass wedding” done for all couples at the same time and lasts approximately 30 minutes. At the conclusion of the ceremony, all participants and guests will ski or snowboard down the mountain for a casual after party with cake, music and prizes. Participating couples that pre-register will be eligible for the “2 for 1” lift tickets and food specials the day of the event. Wedding cake, raffle tickets and beer coupons will be provided complimentary for pre-registered couples. Couples are encouraged to dress in appropriate “ski-wedding” attire as there will be a prize for the best dressed couple. For more information and to pre-register, visit skiloveland.com.

Valentine’s Dance at Golden Gate Grange
The Golden Gate Grange, 25201 Golden Gate Canyon Road, hosts its annual Valentine’s Dance, Feb. 14 from 8-10 p.m. Enjoy dancing, refreshments and live music. Back by popular acclaim, Magic Moments will entertain with hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Pre-ticket sales are $10 per person and tickets at the door are $12.50 per person. The public is invited to attend. For information or tickets, call Elle or Rich Phillips at 303-277-1933 or Phoebe or Neil Reese at 303-277-1742. Visit http://www.goldengategrange.com for more information.

Valentine’s Day Dinner & Music
Blue Owl Books, 176 Hwy. 119 in Nederland, presents a Valentine’s Day Dinner, Feb. 14 at 6 p.m., featuring live music by Silas Herman and Mackenzie Page of Gipsy Moon. Dinner includes meat or veggie lasagna, salad, roll and butter and dessert. The evening is $20 per person. Call 303-258-3695 with questions and reservations or contact the store through Friends of Blue Owl on Facebook. Visit http://www.blueowlbooks.com for additional details.

Valentine’s Day Book Signing & Shop Sale
Hotel de Paris Museum, 409 6th St. in Georgetown, welcomes author Connie Primus, Feb. 14 from 1-3 p.m., for a book signing of “Victorian Visitors at the Hotel de Paris in Georgetown.” All item in the shop will be sale and tea and sweets will be served. To learn more, call 303-569-2311 or visit http://www.hoteldeparismuseum.org.

February 15
Cupid’s Revenge Snowshoe Race
The Cupid’s Revenge Snowshoe Race, Feb. 15 at 10 a.m., is Winter Park’s first annual four-mile, timed snowshoe race utilizing the new Yankee Doodle Trail by Hideaway Park in the old Idlewild Ski Area. Race entry is $20 per person and proceeds benefit the Grand Foundation. Awards will be given for the fastest male and female. To rent free snowshoes for the race, visit, Alpine Ski, Sun & Sport, Christy Sports or Epic Mountain Sports in Winter Park. Hideaway Park, located in downtown Winter Park next to the Winter Park Information Center, 78821 US Hwy. 40. Call 970-726-4118, e-mail visitorcenter@playwinterpark.com or visit http://www.playwinterpark.com to find out more.

February 21
Peak to Peak Classical Concert Series
A Peak to Peak Concert Series events takes place on Feb. 21 at 3 p.m., at Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church, 2000 Ptarmigan Trail in Estes Park. The concert includes piano duets by Madison Casey and Diane Roehl; the Rocky Recorders, which includes Kathy Bowers, Joan Buhlman, Naomi Clifford, Marti DeYoung, Steve Pearson and Mark Richards; and the VIOLAtions, featuring Kathy Bowers, Kathy Hornbein, Marti DeYoung and Claudia Hook. A reception follows and a $10 suggested donation— which goes directly to the performers—is requested, although any donation will be accepted. Additional concerts, sponsored by the Allenspark Community Cultures Council and the Oratorio Society of Estes Park, are scheduled for March 14, April 18 and May 16. Visit http://www.theoldgallery.org for additional information.

2nd Annual Cabin Fever Festival
Colorado State University Extension in Gilpin County presents its second free Cabin Fever Festival, Feb. 21 from 1-4 p.m. at the Gilpin Community Center. The event features a cartooning workshop with George Blevins, snowshoeing (weather permitting), “How to Avoid Getting Caught in an Avalanche” workshop, “Winter Bird ID & Feeding” workshop, Kids Hawaiian games and crafts and much more. Visit http://www.extension.colostate.edu/gilpin or call 303-582-9106 to learn more.

February 23
Pioneers of the Peaks: Local Climbers Who Made History
Estes Park Museum and Estes Valley Library have partnered to preserve the stories of Estes Park’s legendary mountaineers in a monthly series celebrating 100 years of Rocky Mountain
National Park. “Pioneers of the Peaks: Local Climbers Who Made History,” Feb. 23 at 7 p.m., is a talk featuring the evolution of mountain footwear presented by Steve Komito who has spent 43 of his 73 years in Estes Park. He has devoted his career to the repair and maintenance of mountain footwear in keeping with his passion for the mountain sports of hiking, climbing, and skiing. Komito characterizes his occupation as “helping to keep boots on the ground or on slippery slopes and unlevel playing fields.” Other upcoming talks include Training in Rocky Mountain National Park with Harry Kent on March 30, A Ranger’s Mountain Rescues with Keith Lober on April 27, The Art of Mountaineering with James Disney on May 18 and Surviving a Fall on Longs Peak with Nathan Dick on June 29.

February 28
Skyscrapers-Past, Present & Future
The Art Center of Estes Park presents a free presentation of “Skyscrapers-Past, Present & Future” by Chuck Benson, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. It will introduce the “skyscraper style” of the 1920s to 1940s such as the iconic Chrysler Building & Empire State Building in New York City, but will branch out from there to discuss Chicago skyscrapers along with both the first and second World Trade Center Towers. Skyscrapers in Europe, China, Malaysia and the Middle East—where the tallest and most ambitious of these architectural giants reside and are still being constructed—will also be discussed. Call 970-586-5882 or visit http://www.artcenterofestes.com for more details.

Winter Survival Skills
From the original inhabitants of the Americas to mountain men to modern-day recreationists, people have passed through these mountains (or called them home) for thousands of years. Explore contemporary, historic, and prehistoric strategies for surviving in the Rockies—even in winter at the Winter Survival Skills workshop at Rocky Mountain Conservancy, Feb. 28, with Doug Hill. Participants will begin by discussing basic survival needs for short- and long-term survival situations. Then, will put skills to the test outside by building shelter and making fire amid the snow. Visit rmconservancy.org or call 970-586-0108 x11 to register and learn more.

Originally published in the February 2015 issue of the MMAC Monthly