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In Glenwood Springs, the off-season is like a neon Pabst Blue Ribbon sign with a short in its fuse.
Sometimes it's off. Sometimes it's on.
"There is no offseason. We end up doing a double-hat season. (In the late fall) people are still doing biking in Fruita and Moab, and we already have employees going skiing in Loveland," said Tom Jankovsky, owner of Sunlight Mountain Ski and Bike Shop. "There's not really an offseason anymore. It's like springtime - it becomes a little bit of both. It's a good crossover."
November's unpredictable weather doesn't have to limit the variety of outdoor activities in and around Glenwood, said Jankovsky.
"There are all these great things here to do around you, without the summer crowds," Jankovsky said. "You could go biking or to the pool - pretty much anything to do with staying outside and having fun."
Other offseason options include: fly fishing, hiking, hunting, kayaking, playing tennis, rock climbing and watching football (possibly followed by a pick-up flag football game).
Jim Griffin, who has been working temporarily at the Sunlight Mountain Ski and Bike Shop to earn his season pass, recalled days of a real offseason in the area.
"When I moved to this valley in '70, when the slopes would close, that was it," said the Glenwood Springs resident. "Construction would even stop. They don't do that anymore - now they work year-round. Now we have dedicated construction business groups whose employees don't work in the tourism industry like at ski shops in the winter. Ski shops didn't have anything to sell in the summer."
With attractions such as the Hot Springs Pool and the Iron Mountain Tram, Glenwood Springs offers more diversions during the late fall offseason, Griffin said.
"Glenwood Springs never was an offseason ski town," he said. "Not like Aspen and Vail."
Not all businesses avoid the offseason pinch. Chris Vogt, co-owner of Colorado Canoe and Kayak with Brian Wright, said his store will be trimming down its hours, but will remain open for business throughout the winter.
"We're hoping we can keep kayaking in people's minds for the Christmas season," said Vogt, a member of the Snowmass Ski Patrol.
Although water temperatures dip this time of year, Vogt said kayaking can still be a popular sport for paddlers addicted to the white stuff - whitewater, that is.
"Everybody's trying to get in shape for skiing," Vogt said. "It's really the offseason, but we still get people in here who are going on trips. We have gear that can really keep you warm in the winter."
Along with cardiovascular activities such as skiing and snowboarding, Vogt said hula hooping is something a kayaker can do that's great for the roll.
The C-to-C or Eskimo roll, that is.
Contact April E. Clark: 945-8515, ext. 518
aclark@postindependent.com
Sometimes it's off. Sometimes it's on.
"There is no offseason. We end up doing a double-hat season. (In the late fall) people are still doing biking in Fruita and Moab, and we already have employees going skiing in Loveland," said Tom Jankovsky, owner of Sunlight Mountain Ski and Bike Shop. "There's not really an offseason anymore. It's like springtime - it becomes a little bit of both. It's a good crossover."
November's unpredictable weather doesn't have to limit the variety of outdoor activities in and around Glenwood, said Jankovsky.
"There are all these great things here to do around you, without the summer crowds," Jankovsky said. "You could go biking or to the pool - pretty much anything to do with staying outside and having fun."
Other offseason options include: fly fishing, hiking, hunting, kayaking, playing tennis, rock climbing and watching football (possibly followed by a pick-up flag football game).
Jim Griffin, who has been working temporarily at the Sunlight Mountain Ski and Bike Shop to earn his season pass, recalled days of a real offseason in the area.
"When I moved to this valley in '70, when the slopes would close, that was it," said the Glenwood Springs resident. "Construction would even stop. They don't do that anymore - now they work year-round. Now we have dedicated construction business groups whose employees don't work in the tourism industry like at ski shops in the winter. Ski shops didn't have anything to sell in the summer."
With attractions such as the Hot Springs Pool and the Iron Mountain Tram, Glenwood Springs offers more diversions during the late fall offseason, Griffin said.
"Glenwood Springs never was an offseason ski town," he said. "Not like Aspen and Vail."
Not all businesses avoid the offseason pinch. Chris Vogt, co-owner of Colorado Canoe and Kayak with Brian Wright, said his store will be trimming down its hours, but will remain open for business throughout the winter.
"We're hoping we can keep kayaking in people's minds for the Christmas season," said Vogt, a member of the Snowmass Ski Patrol.
Although water temperatures dip this time of year, Vogt said kayaking can still be a popular sport for paddlers addicted to the white stuff - whitewater, that is.
"Everybody's trying to get in shape for skiing," Vogt said. "It's really the offseason, but we still get people in here who are going on trips. We have gear that can really keep you warm in the winter."
Along with cardiovascular activities such as skiing and snowboarding, Vogt said hula hooping is something a kayaker can do that's great for the roll.
The C-to-C or Eskimo roll, that is.
Contact April E. Clark: 945-8515, ext. 518
aclark@postindependent.com
