[Editor’s note: The Gems & Brews Tour was a two-week ski pilgrimage by Bryon Dorr in February 2013 devoted to sampling some of the best small mountain resorts, fine craft beers, spirits and food across Colorado. The tour was a collaboration betweenColorado Ski Country USA andExploring Elements, with the idea to give a small taste of what you can expect when exploring these spectacular Colorado gems. Be sure to check out the full Gems & Brews Tour Eldora report with great images fromExploring Elements here.]
Eldora has long been known as the locals resort for the Boulder and greater Denver area. The mountain offers great scenery, quality snow and a friendly local vibe. Since Eldora offers some of the best snow making in the state, with 100% groomed trail coverage, you can expect great early season snow and for the resort to open almost every year the Friday before Thanksgiving.
The grooming is exceptional at Eldora, making those fast wide-open groomer runs so much fun. Experienced riders will want to explore the Corona Bowl area with its steep moguls and secret wooded pow stashes. Brians Glades are not to be missed, as the run offers up some of the most enjoyable, well spaced, coniferous tree skiing youll find anywhere. Eldora is also known for its great college, racing, kids and womens programs, as well as catering to big groups.
The Eldora Nordic Center is another great way to get outside and enjoy the snow. Be sure to take in the views from the Peaks Lodge and unwind after a day on the slopes enjoying a local brew at the Corona Bowl Bar before heading out to sample the vast food and drink options available in the surrounding area.
Eldora Apres Ski Hot Spots:
Wild Mountain Smokehouse & Brewery (http://wildmountainsb.com/)
Avery Brewing (http://averybrewing.com/)
Boulder Beer Company (http://www.boulderbeer.com/)
UpSlope Brewing Company (http://upslopebrewing.com/)
Best Of Gems & Brews Tour 2013 Awards:
Best Groomer: Jolly Jug to Sunset at Eldora is just a fun cruiser run with enough turns and features to keep things interesting. The exceptional grooming at Eldora makes laying ruts in the corduroy that much more fun.
Best Snowmaking: Eldora offers modern high tech quality snow making that covers 100% of their groomed terrain.
Best Nordic Skiing: Eldora has 40km of trails and is the most visited Nordic Center in Colorado.
Best Saison- Boulder Beer (http://www.boulderbeer.com/) A Honey of a Saison
Best IPA- Avery Brewing (http://averybrewing.com/) Indian Pale Ale
Best Lager- UpSlope Brewing Company (http://upslopebrewing.com/) Craft Lager
Best Pub Grub- Wild Mountain Smokehouse & Brewery (http://wildmountainsb.com/)
