Rifle 3-on-3 basketball tournament

Rifle Recreation’s Alpine Bank 3-on-3 Youth Basketball Tournament will be held on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009 (and Sunday, if needed) at Rifle Middle School. This tournament will have eight divisions, 5th-8th grade boys and girls. Teams consist of 4 players, and the cost is $60 per team. Registration deadline is Dec. 26. For more information visit www.rifleco.org or call 625-2151.

Ice climbing in the Crystal River Valley

The Crystal River Valley near Marble and Redstone is home to more than a dozen ice flows of all difficulties — including Marble Falls, the Redstone Pillar and Avocado Gully.

Hays Creek Falls, near Redstone, offers short and easy roadside ice climbing and is a favorite early-season practice area for locals.

Dryland snow sport training for youth

Accelerate Human Performance is offering dryland youth snow sport training with Kim Lundin. All ski or snowboard competitors from the Roaring Fork Valley are welcome.

Intense conditioning, plyometrics and whole-body-vibration training is included. Class meets on Wednesdays at 5:15 p.m. at Accelerate HPC (1512 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs).

Call Kim at 948-1725 for information or to sign up.

Local cross-country/backcountry skiing sites

Seven miles west of Carbondale is the Spring Gulch Nordic trail system and its 12 miles of groomed trails. All levels of skiers can find trails that will suit their abilities in this system.

Stop by the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce to pick up a copy of the Spring Gulch map.

For backcountry skiing, head south to Avalanche Creek, just off Highway 133. The trail follows Avalanche Creek up a picturesque, steep-walled valley. This is also a good route for snowshoers.