I’ve been in Bethlehem twice, and I saw Muslim worshippers going into the Church of the Nativity to honor the baby born in Bethlehem. Jesus is appealing to Muslims.

In a Bethlehem café, along with other pastors and church leaders from the Vail Valley, I met a distinguished-looking Middle Easterner. In a deep, dignified voice, he said in beautiful English, “I am Mansoor. I am a Muslim, and I am a follower of Jesus!” People want to follow Jesus.

All through the Holy Land I saw thousands of worshippers from all around the world coming to honor Jesus. They came from India, Africa, South America, Europe, North America and many other places. People are attracted to Jesus, and they want to honor him.

The baby born in Bethlehem is an attractive person to Christians and non-Christians alike. Some say he was a good man. Others think he was a rabbi or teacher or an enlightened master with some great ideas. Others say he was a prophet, and many believe he is the divine son of God. But for a person who never held an office, wrote a book, led an army, or did very much associated with worldly greatness, the baby born in Bethlehem has won a worldwide following of admirers.

Jesus never denied that he was a teacher, a prophet, or a good man, and he accepted worship. Jesus was a friend of the common man, the rich man, the educated man, the illiterate and the marginalized, the fallen and the broken. He appealed to all classes. Jesus can appeal to us all.  

So, when I meet someone who holds a favorable view of Jesus, whether they be atheist, agnostic, Muslim, New Ager, Jew, black or white or whoever, I rejoice because we have at least one other thing in common in addition to our humanity: We appreciate Jesus.

And then, I trust God to lead all of us into a greater understanding of who Jesus is. Only God can do that. In Matthew 16:16-17, when Peter confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the son of the living God, Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon. For this was not revealed to you by human reason by but my father in heaven.”

And so, I can relax and enjoy the person for who they are and enjoy peace and friendship with them at whatever level of faith and understanding they have. I will respectfully share with them why I believe as I do, but I also believe that Jesus is alive right now and actively involved in drawing people to himself. He is fully capable of appealing to people without my coercion.  

The author, Max Lucado, very closely and beautifully and poetically expresses my personal beliefs about the baby born in Bethlehem. Lucado writes, “He who was larger than the universe became an embryo. The light of the universe entered a dark womb.  He whom angels worship nestled Himself in the placenta of a peasant. And he who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl. God as a fetus. Holiness sleeping in a womb. The creator of life being created. God was given eyebrows, elbows, two kidneys, and a spleen. He stretched against the walls and floated in the amniotic fluids of his mother. God had come near.”

Luke 2:7 says, “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Max Lucado continues: “All of God was in the infant. Mary didn’t know whether to give Him milk or give Him praise, but she gave Him both since He was, as near as she could figure, hungry and holy. Joseph didn’t know whether to call Him Junior or Father.  But in the end called Him Jesus, since that’s what the angel had said and since he didn’t have the faintest idea what to name a God he could cradle in his arms. Angels watched as Mary changed God’s diaper. The universe watched with wonder as The Almighty learned to walk. Don’t you think their heads tilted and their minds wondered, “What in the world are You doing, God?”  Or better phrased, “God, what are you doing in the world?””

I am deeply touched by the thought that Jesus, the all-powerful son of God, loved me and my fellow man so much that he willingly humbled himself, came to earth as a baby, grew into an adult, and gave his life so that we could be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life. These are the great, glad tidings of Christmas! This is why so many are attracted to Jesus.

And so, friends, with whatever level of faith and understanding you have about Jesus, and with whatever amount of desire you have for greater faith, hope, love, and for peace on earth, ask the Creator of the Universe, the Spirit of Truth, the God Who is Love, to reveal himself to you and give you ever greater insights into Jesus, the baby born in Bethlehem. God will answer your heart’s cry.

Christmas blessings to all.

Dan Matney is the pastor at New Life Assembly of God in Avon. Email him at pastordanmatney@hotmail.com.

My favorite “Star Trek” movie is “.” It tells the story of a man, Kahn, who is so consumed by the need for vengeance that he winds up destroying himself and all of his followers. The parallels between the movie’s storyline and our present situation, marked by the political trajectory of Donald Trump, are undeniable.

Donald Trump remains an enigma to me. I have never understood his popularity and probably never will.  Over and over, he does things where I think to myself, “he has surely crossed the line this time.” Yet, every time, either nothing happens, or, in some cases, he becomes even more popular. I think to myself, what if any other politician proposed terminating the constitution, , or openly says he “.” What about a politician caught on tape telling election officials to and “find” enough votes for him to win?

If Joe Biden, or anyone else in office for that matter, said these things there would be hell to pay, but not for Donald Trump. He remains the overwhelming favorite to win the Republican nomination and is for president.

If elected, Trump has made it clear that “” are key priorities for him — including the weaponization of the Department of Justice against his enemies. I think of it as “The Wrath of Trump” scenario as it reminded me so much of the movie. For those who read my columns regularly, you know I am not a big Biden fan but, while I may not agree with him on many policies, I do believe that he is a decent and honorable person doing what he believes is best. Most importantly, he respects the Constitution and the democratic process.

It is perplexing that many Republicans continue to prefer a candidate who prioritizes his own personal objectives over the well-being of the nation. There are solid candidates, like Chris Christie and Nikki Haley, who have conservative values but will not seek to undermine the Constitution or our democratic principles. Additionally, their chances of success in 2024 are far better. It seems like a win-win to select a candidate that reflects your views and is more likely to win while also getting stable and principled leadership.

Regardless of political differences, the risk of placing someone in the highest office who lacks respect for democracy and the Constitution is a genuine concern. Our fundamental values must be non-negotiable, serving as a litmus test for the suitability of any presidential candidate. Our democracy, though robust, demands our vigilance against those who would undermine its essence.

Our democracy is not fragile, but it does require one simple thing from us. It requires that we do not allow anyone who would seek to undermine it into power. As the movie illustrates, the desire for vengeance only leads to destruction. The cautionary tale extends beyond our borders, as seen in Russia’s trajectory. The initial promise of democracy in Russia gave way to the destructive leadership of Vladimir Putin. The desire for vengeance mirrored in both the movie and real-life politics, leads inexorably to ruin.

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While diverse viewpoints are inherent in any democracy, there must be a unanimous agreement on preserving our democratic foundations. Sacrificing our freedoms for perceived personal gain is a perilous path that, as history demonstrates, only leads to destruction. As responsible citizens, we must safeguard our democracy from those who would exploit it for their personal agendas.

I hope that when people consider the potential consequences of “The Wrath of Trump” presidency, it will serve as a cautionary tale, urging us to prioritize democratic values over personal agendas for the sake of our nation’s future.

Mark Lewis, a Colorado native, had a long career in technology, including serving as the CEO of several tech companies. He’s now retired and writes thriller novels. Mark and his wife, Lisa, and their two Australian Shepherds — Kismet and Cowboy, reside in Edwards.

“This comment period offers the public an important opportunity to participate in the evaluation of this requested withdrawal,” said Rocky Mountain Regional Forester Frank Beum. “This requested withdrawal of the Thompson Divide area is in response to a strong interest from a diverse stakeholder group, including hunters, ranchers, conservation groups and local governments.”

Last year, the Biden administration announced steps to conserve the Thompson Divide area due to broad concerns about its important wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities, grazing lands, and clean air and water. If the withdrawal is approved, the requested action would pull 224,713 acres of USFS and BLM-managed lands from settlement, sale, location or entry under the public land laws; location and entry under the United States mining laws; and leasing under the mineral leasing, mineral materials and geothermal leasing laws for up to 20 years, subject to valid existing rights.

USFS and BLM will host a virtual public meeting from 6-7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 18. The meeting will include a short presentation explaining the requested withdrawal and draft environmental assessment, a question-and-answer session and information on how to submit public comments.

Register for the virtual public meeting at bit.ly/4878ZFV. To request accommodations or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Olivia Blake at 970-200-6195 or olivia.blake@usda.gov.

More information about the requested withdrawal and how to submit comments is available at fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63679. Comments on the draft environmental assessment should be directed to USFS and will be accepted through Jan. 8, 2024.

“Her friendships throughout the community know no bounds and she brings those friendships with her to council,” said Council member Jonathan Staufer.

“Frequently, the business of government and politics get drowned out by discussions of business and finance. Jen is always there to remind us that, at the end of the day, everything we do is about people and people care deeply about this community and what happens to it,” he added.

²Ñ²¹²õ´Ç²Ô&²Ô²ú²õ±è;—&²Ô²ú²õ±è;²¹±ô´Ç²Ô²µ²õ¾±»å±ð Kevin Foley and Kim Langmaid — completed her most recent term on the Town Council in November 2023. It’s the first time in 18 years that Mason hasn’t served on a town board or council.

Coming to Vail

Mason officially moved to Vail in 1994, following her parents who had moved here during her freshman year of college in 1989.

However, even before moving to Vail full-time, Mason began working in customer service in Vail during the summers at the town’s welcome center. She quickly began to know “where everything was and what it was in town,” she said. At this time, she also spent a lot of time at her mom’s coffee shop, which existed in the Vail Transportation Center where La Cantina sits today. It was there that she met most of her friends.

In 1994, she took a full-time job as a host at the resort, one she referred to as “the best job on the mountain,” Mason said.

She worked there through the 1999 World Ski Championships where she first became aware of the Vail Valley Foundation.

“I really wanted to work for them. And so, I took a job at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in 2001, hoping that it would turn into a full-time job,” Mason said.

And it did. Mason started full-time with the foundation later that year, where she worked for 18 years until moving to the Colorado Snowsports Museum in 2019, where she now works as the executive director.

Going for government

It was during her time with the Vail Valley Foundation that Mason first got a glimpse at the power of local government and her voice within it.

Mason had been serving on the town’s Art in Public Places board since 2005, and in 2015 she went to the Town Council as a citizen. Working at the Ford Amphitheater, Mason dealt firsthand with a confusing bus route and single stop at the park. So, she suggested that the town add another bus stop to ease the confusion.

“And they did it, I was just blown away. I never thought it was going to work,” Mason said. “I realized you really can make a difference.”

It was this experience as well as former Council member Jen Bruno that inspired her to run for council in 2015. Mason had always viewed Town Council as a job for retirees, but seeing how Bruno balanced her Town Council service with other committee positions, her business and her family showed Mason that it was possible to do it.

“When I first started, (Town Council) didn’t have so many worker bees, but that’s changed, which is so cool,” Mason said. “I’m so excited for this new council because I feel like everybody on the council has a job and they work. I love that.”

Mason was elected to Town Council in 2015 and ran for re-election in 2019.

“I had zero agenda,” Mason said. “I just love where I live, and saw this as a good way for me to give back.”

Plus, it was an easy transition for her, because she knew a lot of people in town through her role with the Vail Valley Foundation and working with the World Ski Championships.

During these eight years, she believes that her approachable nature — and being a “worker bee” — made her a valuable asset to council.

“People felt comfortable telling me how they felt. I’m easy to talk to, so I got lots of feedback from the community,” Mason said. “I feel like I was a good listener to people.”

Her fellow council members agree. Travis Coggin, who is now serving as the town’s mayor, served on Town Council with Mason for six years. Coggin said that “working in the heart of town, she was always in the know.”

“Jen was always approachable and happy to chat with anyone,” he said.

In those eight years, it’s the council’s progress on housing that Mason said she is most proud of. Specifically, she sees the development of the Chamonix neighborhood — which happened early in her first term — as well as the accumulation of town-owed, deed-restrictions as the biggest contributions.

As the new Town Council is seated, it’s what Mason hopes “they continue looking at creative ways to find and build workforce housing.”

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“I’m super excited because I feel like new people bring new perspectives,” she added.

To Coggin, Mason’s specific legacy on the council will be seen in her advocacy for the Art in Public Places Board as well as in her work to preserve the skiing history of the town and mountain.

However, her service was clouded slightly by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing legal battle with Vail Resorts over Booth Heights. Both of which brought division to the community, Mason said.

Still, with both challenges, Mason said she learned that all she could do was vote with her heart.

“I’m voting with how I feel is right, and that’s all I can do,” Mason said. “And whether or not people saw it that way — some people did and some people didn’t — that was hard because it was very dividing.”

As Mason steps back from her service with the town for the first time in 18 years, she’s not sure how she’ll fill her newly found free time yet. One idea she’s playing with is starting a program to cultivate new leaders from the younger generations in the community. However, no matter what is next, Mason will miss working with and being so connected to the town.

“The town of Vail is the best employer in town and has the best staff,” she said. “They really put together a phenomenal team and that’s what makes Vail more fun.”

This year, across the state, 91,346 individuals made 237,722 donations to 3,682 organizations on Tuesday, Dec. 5. The donations totaled $54,216,361.

Eagle ¾Ã¾ÃÈȾ«Æ·ÊÓƵapp Gives — the local collective bolstering the collaboration, fundraising capacity and awareness for nonprofits in the valley — raised $1,464,391 for the 56 participating nonprofits on the annual day of giving. The funds came from 4,645 donations from 2,314 individuals.

“The unwavering support and generosity from our community of donors is in direct correlation to the strength of our nonprofits in action right here in Eagle ¾Ã¾ÃÈȾ«Æ·ÊÓƵapp,” said Brooke Skjonsby, executive director of the Vail Valley Charitable Fund.

The local collective started in 2010 to increase the fundraising capacity of the participating organizations. In the past 13 years, the collective has only grown — not only in the number of participating organizations but also in the level of support the collective provides to the nonprofit sector in Eagle ¾Ã¾ÃÈȾ«Æ·ÊÓƵapp.

The amount raised this year on Colorado Gives Day is on par with the amount raised in previous years and brings the total amount raised since 2010 to around $13.5 million.

This support from the community is “truly remarkable,” said Grace Anschutz, the director of development and marketing for the Eagle Valley Community Foundation.

“What makes it even more special is the fact that 2,331 individuals, couples, and families went above and beyond by donating to more than one nonprofit,” Anschutz added. “Knowing that our causes resonate with so many and that individuals are committed to supporting multiple nonprofits, is heartening. It truly reflects the community’s dedication to making a positive impact on various fronts.”

Marleen Bosch Hopkins, the director of resources for the Mountain Valley Horse Rescue, said that Colorado Gives Day as well as year-end giving represents “our most important time to receive the funds to continue our mission.”

“This day gives a tremendous boost to the year-end giving and after so many years of its existence supporters know this is the best day to give to make your donation go further with the incentives and prices from Colorado Gives Foundation and FirstBank,” Bosch Hopkins said.

For Mountain Valley Horse Rescue, the funds in December are critical for the organization’s ability to “help more horses in need of a safe place to land for the next year and years to come.”

“We have grown in size and now have the facilities to help more horses, so now there is even more need for operational donations in order to take care of the horses in our care, help them towards adoption so that more horses can come into the ranch and start their journey of hope,” she added.

The 56 nonprofits that comprise the Eagle ¾Ã¾ÃÈȾ«Æ·ÊÓƵapp Gives coalition are diverse in size and cause — supporting everything from basic human needs, environmental sustainability, the growth and development of local youth and more. But, coming together as a collective, they can lean on one another, collaborate and boost everyone’s mission.

The support from Colorado Gives Day not only supports the work the nonprofits do financially but also acknowledges the efforts of local organizations.

“It is amazing to be acknowledged for our efforts, and though that isn’t why we do what we do,” Skjonsby said. “We do what we do because it’s meaningful and impactful work that truly makes a difference in the lives of locals in the valley who need it most. I am humbled, honored and eternally grateful to be a part of it all.”

Like all companies and businesses in the community, the past few years have brought challenges with rising costs, workforce retention and more. 2023 was no exception.

The Eagle Valley Community Foundation — which addresses food insecurity and provides health and wellness resources — has seen these challenges firsthand with the individuals that it serves with The Community Market, MIRA and Elevar.

“2023 continues to be a challenging year for our community; we at Eagle Valley Community Foundation are seeing an over 60% increased utilization in services,” Anschutz said. “Funding from the COVID era is running low, prices are soaring and The Community Market is feeling the squeeze.”

As such, the financial support from the annual giving day provides “a critical lifeline” for the organization, Anschutz added.

“Our neighbors could really use a helping hand right now and on Colorado Gives Day our community showed up with that helping hand,” she said.

It’s a reminder that regardless of the challenges, Eagle ¾Ã¾ÃÈȾ«Æ·ÊÓƵapp can come together and continue forging ahead with solutions.

“Receiving this level of support is both humbling and inspiring. It fuels our passion to continue our mission and reinforces the belief that positive change is possible when we come together. We are immensely grateful for the community’s trust and generosity,” Anschutz said.

The Bird Count originated from the efforts of conservationists trying to change the culture of the 19th century. During the late 1800s and early 1900s there was a hunting tradition called the Christmas Side Hunt in which small groups would team up and compete for who could come back with the most animals. The Side Hunt targeted any animals that they could find.

This was not all for waste, as the winter time was easiest to keep meat fresh, but the side hunt was certainly exploitative. As the 19th century was coming to an end, many influential environmental leaders began to question the traditions of the past such as the Christmas Side Hunt. Conservation and preservation of wild places and living things began to gain more attention.

These changing attitudes inspired Frank Chapman, an ornithologist from New England, to . It was an alternative holiday tradition where the community would go out and count birds rather than hunt them. On Christmas Day, 1900, 27 people in 25 areas, from New Brunswick, Canada, to Monterey, California, took time out of their holiday to

One hundred and 24 years later, birders all around the Americas still participate in the annual tradition. In recent years the Christmas Bird Count has brought more than 70,000 people out to count more than 64 million individual birds of over 2,500 species.

The annual Christmas Bird Counts data has been used in over 300 peer-reviewed studies and is used to inform land managers of trends in bird populations over time. This long dataset can also be used to learn about how climate change and human activity are affecting the population and distribution of birds. Recent studies have shown that the number of birds in North America has . This is a loss of about 29% of the 1970s abundance.

The Christmas Bird Count is a massive effort that relies on the support from local organizers and community members to come out and help tally birds within a 15-mile radius circle. Eagle ¾Ã¾ÃÈȾ«Æ·ÊÓƵapp hosts two circles, one centered on Eagle and the other on Dotsero.

These circles are broken down into smaller segments where small groups of about four people go and survey. Results are compiled and submitted to the National Audubon Society. The Christmas Bird Count is a great way to come together as a community and help add to a body of scientific knowledge. You do not have to be an expert birder to participate.

Riley Gaines is the community science and hiking coordinator at Walking Mountains Science Center. He enjoys watching birds but needs to practice his identification skills.

Radamus’ two-run time on the Stade Olympique de Bellevarde course was 2 minutes, 16.76 seconds. Marco Odermatt (2:13.93) claimed a dominant win as Marco Schwarz (2:14.91) and Joan Verdu (2:15.25) rounded out the podium.

“Val d’Isere is the most challenging and demanding giant slalom of the circuit so it was a tough welcome back to the circuit,” Radamus told U.S. Ski and Snowboard. “However, it was awesome to get one under the belt and to come away with the top-10 was great.”

Radamus had the 10th-best first run and 16th-fastest second run.

“I wasn’t thrilled with either of my runs,” he continued. “I have a lot of work to ski the way I know I can on race day. We will go from the toughest track on the circuit to the most fun, so looking forward to that.” 

Radamus was fourth in the GS at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and fourth in the Alpine Combined at the 2023 World Championships. He also was part of the gold-medal winning U.S. squad in the team parallel event at those championships.

Johnson, Owens and Lemley impress in Idre Fjall, Sweden

Tess Johnson took fourth in Friday’s World Cup mogul competition in Idre Fjall, Sweden as five Americans placed in the top seven.

Olivia Giaccio took the final podium spot, followed by Johnson, Jaelin Kauf (fifth), Liz Lemley (sixth) and Hannah Soar (seventh). Johnson and Lemley are both former Ski and Snowboard Club Vail athletes. Fellow SSCV alumna, Kai Owens, placed 12th on the day as defending Olympic gold medalist Jakara Anthony won for the second-straight week.

“I tried to keep things simple and focus on my process and execution run after run; it was sweet to have things pan out results-wise,” Giaccio told U.S Ski and Snowboard. “I’m very proud of the effort and process focus I’ve been putting into my performances.”

Johnson and Lemley posted the scores on Friday, respectively.

“I’m really thrilled with my performance here in Idre Fjall. A 4th and a 5th is great, but I’m more stoked with how I’m skiing, and how my body and mind is feeling,” Johnson stated in an email to the Vail Daily on Saturday.

“I have been having so much fun this season with our women’s team and I’m really grateful to be healthy. The course was new this year which was exciting — steeper, longer and bigger! It made for some great runs and I’m so proud of my team for their skiing and hard work.” 

Vail-born Jaelin Kauf, who won back-to-back World Championship silver medals last February in Bakuriani, Georgia, took the win in Saturday’s dual moguls event.

On Saturday, she made the trip worth it.

The 28-year-old skied a clean top section out of bib No. 3 and held on at the bottom to claim her fourth World Cup downhill win. Shiffrin bombed the Corviglia course in 1 minute, 28.84 seconds to hold off Sofia Goggia, the downhill champion for the previous three seasons, by just 0.15 seconds. Federica Brignone (1:29.01) rounded out the podium.

“I’m always wondering, should I be going to do the downhill, should I just focus on super-G and also get GS and slalom training. I really want to make it worth it,” Shiffrin said, in quotes provided by the U.S. Ski Team, after her record-extending 91st World Cup win and third victory of the 2023-24 season.

“So of course being on the podium is incredible and if does end up being a victory, then that’s pretty special.”

“My run was maybe not so clean as other downhills I did in the past,” said Goggia, the winner of Friday’s super-G. “But anyway I’m happy (all) the same because even with the mistake and with dirty lines, I’m still second.”

Goggia, who had five wins and three second-place downhill finishes last year, was not surprised by Shiffrin’s skiing. The Italian was impressed with Shiffrin’s stamina while the pair trained downhill last April.

“I knew that she (Shiffrin) could be really the one to beat today,” Goggia said. “She has already won some downhills in her career, and Shiffrin is always Shiffrin — you can also expect that she comes first.”

Shiffrin also recorded downhill wins in Lake Louise (2017), Bansko (2020) and Courchevel (2022). On Saturday, she posted the fastest time in the first and second split.

“You had to push. I really did,” Shiffrin said before adding that it was “helpful” to have skied the course last year — where she placed and on the final day of the weekend). “I knew what to expect and that experience helped so much, so I’ve been more calm this week learning the downhill track again.”

Shiffrin said the biggest challenge she faced was trusting that if she didn’t ski the perfect line, she could “still dive into the turn with confidence.”

“Normally with downhill, I sometimes struggle to ski the course very fluidly. I try to ski the perfect line, but then somebody else skis something different, so I always feel like I’m chasing it,” she said. “And today I kind of forgot about that part and just focused on the skiing.” 

Shiffrin’s wide turns toward the bottom allowed Goggia to snatch the win.

“I felt very good with my skiing but on the very end I had one small mistake,” Shiffrin continued. “I wasn’t sure if the rest of the run was good enough to kind of be fast with this — and you kind of can’t see it, but I was losing some time at the bottom. Just watching Sofia was like, ‘I have a chance to win this race if she’s not perfect on it.'”

In the end, that’s exactly what happened. The 2018 Olympic downhill gold medalist was only the 10th and 15th fastest through the final two sectors.

Brignone, fresh off back-to-back GS victories in Tremblant, Quebec, last weekend, skied perhaps the cleanest run from Bib No. 1.

“I’m really happy about my performance, I did everything that I wanted to do,” the 33-year-old, who finished fifth in Friday’s super-G, said. “I was smooth on the flat parts and aggressive on the turns — that’s what I was looking for yesterday and I didn’t find it.” 

The Italian is currently the closest challenger to Shiffrin in the overall standings. The American has 620 points, 195 clear of Brignone. Shiffrin also leads the slalom and downhill disciplines, is third in GS and sits fourth in super-G. When asked if her win meant she might consider chasing the downhill globe, Shiffrin laughed.

“I don’t think I can even try for (the) downhill globe if I’m still racing slalom. It’s just not possible,” she said before pointing out the upcoming World Cup schedule: another super-G in St. Moritz on Sunday, followed by a downhill and super-G in Val d’Isere, France Dec. 14-17 and then a night slalom in Courchevel, France on Dec. 21.

“It’s a quick switch. That’s when it starts to get pretty exhausting, but if I have good momentum, then mostly it’s just exciting. I don’t expect to really be winning downhills all the time, so I’m just happy with the day.”

Shiffrin did say, however, she’s always enjoyed watching skiers who push in every event.

“But it’s very difficult and the schedule is basically impossible to do every race and succeed all the time. It’s a lot of racing,” she said. “Right now, the way the schedule works, I think more people don’t want to do every event. More people will probably specialize.”

One reporter asked Shiffrin if she’d consider speaking with FIS about tweaking the schedule to allow for athletes to more easily contend in all four disciplines.

“Yes and no. It’s a little bit a conversation that’s happening, but over the years it’s not a lot of interest to change how many races there are,” she said.

“Normally if anybody from my team is saying something then it’s like, ‘well you can choose to do less; then it’s not as hard.’ And I mean, I guess that’s also an answer. I think it’s really exciting to watch people race in anything. For sure it’s hard and challenging.”

Steven Nels Wickum, a father, brother, friend, and accomplished musician, passed away on Wednesday, November 15th, 2023, in Sunset, SC.
Steve, the eldest of six children, grew up in Palatine, Illinois. He graduated from William Fremb High School in 1971 and attended Arizona State University. Eventually, he became a master electrician and the owner of Mirage Electric which lit up decades of professional ski and snowboard events, Vilar Performing Arts Center shows, and Food Network competitions.
Described by lifelong friends as a natural athlete, Steve was the first high jumper in Illinois State history to successfully execute the “Fosbury Flop.” His passion for skiing began at the family A-Frame in Michigan, where his natural talent flourished. In 1980, Steve moved to Minturn, Colorado, alongside his childhood friend Brad, where he began a nearly 45-year life and legacy in the Vail Valley.
In the 80s, Steve and his friends formed “Westwood,” the long-time house band for The Red Lion. Later in life, he brought his musical talents to Beaver Creek, playing alongside Shannon Tanner where people began to lovingly know him as “Wingman.” Steve was a consummate performer and brought joy to countless families and thousands of friends.
He was a loving father and would do anything to help and protect his family and friends. Despite his better judgment, Steve was a steadfast Chicago Bears fan. He loved nothing more than to cook a big meal before a football game and share it with his family. Animals loved him, and he loved them, especially his dog Gracie.
Steve eventually moved to his 100-acre wood in Sunset, South Carolina where he and Gracie continued to do what he loved. Everywhere he went, he made friends who turned into family. He was a huge man, with an even bigger heart and he will be missed dearly by his family and friends.
He is survived by his immediate family Cindy, Annie, Jack & Gracie; his brother Dave, and sisters Kathy, Nancy & Susie. He was preceded in death by his parents Marvyn and Carolyn Wickum, and his brother John. A celebration for Steve will be held in the new year, an announcement will be made at a later date.

Steven Nels Wickum, a father, brother, friend, and accomplished musician, passed away on Wednesday, November 15th, 2023, in Sunset, SC.
Steve, the eldest of six children, grew up in Palatine, Illinois. He graduated from William Fremb High School in 1971 and attended Arizona State University. Eventually, he became a master electrician and the owner of Mirage Electric which lit up decades of professional ski and snowboard events, Vilar Performing Arts Center shows, and Food Network competitions.
Described by lifelong friends as a natural athlete, Steve was the first high jumper in Illinois State history to successfully execute the “Fosbury Flop.” His passion for skiing began at the family A-Frame in Michigan, where his natural talent flourished. In 1980, Steve moved to Minturn, Colorado, alongside his childhood friend Brad, where he began a nearly 45-year life and legacy in the Vail Valley.
In the 80s, Steve and his friends formed “Westwood,” the long-time house band for The Red Lion. Later in life, he brought his musical talents to Beaver Creek, playing alongside Shannon Tanner where people began to lovingly know him as “Wingman.” Steve was a consummate performer and brought joy to countless families and thousands of friends.
He was a loving father and would do anything to help and protect his family and friends. Despite his better judgment, Steve was a steadfast Chicago Bears fan. He loved nothing more than to cook a big meal before a football game and share it with his family. Animals loved him, and he loved them, especially his dog Gracie.
Steve eventually moved to his 100-acre wood in Sunset, South Carolina where he and Gracie continued to do what he loved. Everywhere he went, he made friends who turned into family. He was a huge man, with an even bigger heart and he will be missed dearly by his family and friends.
He is survived by his immediate family Cindy, Annie, Jack & Gracie; his brother Dave, and sisters Kathy, Nancy & Susie. He was preceded in death by his parents Marvyn and Carolyn Wickum, and his brother John. A celebration for Steve will be held in the new year, an announcement will be made at a later date.

But when Ullr Festival kicked off Thursday, Dec. 7, one woman who partook in this year’s successful bid to break the world record for the longest shot-ski was not just celebrating winter — she was also celebrating her 99th birthday.

Maxine Eldridge traveled from her home on Grand Island, New York, to Colorado to visit her daughter Deb Lesinski, a Breckenridge resident, and join in the Ullr Fest activities that happened to coincide with her 99th birthday.

“You have no idea how much we’ve all looked forward to this,” Lesinski said. “We all have our ridiculous viking hats. I just love it.”

At 99, Eldridge exuded a jolly energy tinged with cleverness. While she was not a woman of many words, she made up for that with her humor, cracking jokes with Lesinski and her other daughter, Sandy Stahl, during an interview Wednesday.

An employee of the U.S. State Department during the 1950s, Eldridge traveled the world before meeting her husband, a Marine, while in Tiran, Iran, and raising a family. 

Eldridge used to visit her daughter in Breckenridge more regularly, but that has gotten harder as she has become older and needs someone to travel with her. Still, Eldridge likes visiting Colorado, “Because they’re here,” she said, pointing to her daughters, “They can tell me all about my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren.”

Why participate in a shot-ski at age 99? 

Well, Eldridge said, “Because I can do it.” 

And because “I like bourbon,” she added.

This year was not Eldridge’s first time participating in the Shotski at Ullr Fest. In 2021, when Eldridge was 97 she also participated. She hopes to participate next year too, when she turns 100 around the time of the festival.

Despite being neither a skier nor a Summit ¾Ã¾ÃÈȾ«Æ·ÊÓƵapp resident, Eldridge nonetheless said she has a place in her heart for winter and the snow Ullr brings each season.

“I like winter,” Eldridge said. “In fact, I wouldn’t live anywhere where there isn’t a change of season.”

Stefanie and Spence Neubauer welcomed whisky enthusiasts to their tasting room just north of downtown Minturn in the Meadow Mountain Business Center this summer. They also had a booth – complete with a secret speakeasy door that led you into a back room for tastings – at the Minturn Market, but they knew they wanted to grow.

The tasting room, which was cleverly decorated by Stefanie to mimic the look and feel of a Scottish distillery, was a cozy place to try a dram of their products, but, the Neubauers soon found it was a little too cozy, as in small.

“We quickly realized that it would be too costly to retrofit it to become the state-of-the-art, sustainable distillery we have always dreamed of. So, we thought it would be wiser to pivot before we put a lot of money into the current location,” Stefanie Neubauer said.

The couple wanted to keep the business in Minturn proper since they live there, raise their children there and feel at home there.

“In Scottish tradition, we have named our whiskies after the area they come from, so our whiskies are named for the geography of this very special area. Dowds is the blend of two rivers and two whiskies, Gilman is named for the old ghost town perched along the route to Leadville and of course we have a whisky named Minturn,” she said.  

When the Neubauers learned that there was an empty lot available on Main Street, they knew they had to go for it. The lot was where the Mountain Pedaler Bike Shop was once housed.  

“That building had so much character and charm and was really a town favorite. When it was demolished in 2019, a lot of locals, us included, hoped something fun or interesting would take its place,” she said.

The lot remained empty for years and this was appealing to the Neubauers because it was a blank canvas.

“We can build our new distillery from the ground up with sustainability in mind at every turn – from the drains to the plumbing and electrical layouts. But we also plan to honor the memory of the older building. We don’t have any formal plans yet, just our daydream of what we want the new building to look like,” she said.

The design they’ve sketched out actually draws a lot of inspiration from the old Mountain Pedaler building. The windows flank the centered door, the top tower juts out, the lines around their mayfly logo are above the door and they even hope to bring back the flower boxes. 

On the side of the building, they hope to have a very small and discrete laundromat. A laundromat, you ask. Yes, a working laundromat, but it actually has a strong nod to Minturn’s heritage.

This is a nod to the bootlegger history of Minturn. Hank Elliot was a prominent local who ran a dairy operation and could discreetly deliver milk and “other beverages” to his customers during prohibition. Hank’s whiskey still is actually at the Eagle Country Historical Museum in Eagle. 

Hank’s Bootlegger Laundry will open into the tasting room via a secret speakeasy door. You’ll just need to pull on the box of detergent on the shelf to trigger the lock. Who knows, doing laundry could actually become a fun, social event in Minturn.

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All fun aside, the Neubauers realize that it is important to have people who care about Minturn’s future building anew and preserving the character of downtown.

“For a long time now, the Minturn downtown area has been almost wholly owned by absentee landlords. But that’s beginning to change as local businesses have started to buy the buildings they’re in. The Minturn Saloon, Alpine Kind and Sunrise Minturn all have local owners who really care about the community and are committed to making Minturn a successful tourist destination,” she said. “Now, we will be the next business to be owned and cared for by people who live here and who have an interest in this very special town’s character.” 

The day the Neubauers took over ownership of the lot happened to be the 90th anniversary of Prohibition being repealed, which was Dec. 5, 1933.

“We thought it was serendipity that our closing date fell on Dec. 5th, the 90th anniversary of the end of Prohibition. What whisky company doesn’t celebrate Repeal Day?”

“As the founder of Suntory Whisky once said, ‘Whisky is an elixir that would bring people closer together and kindle happiness in their hearts,'” she said. “We want to do the same thing here in Minturn, but unlike Hank Elliot, we have the luxury to do it legally.”

A “dangerous snow squall” was located near Vail, moving northeast at 30 miles per hour.

People in its track should expect intense bursts of moderate to heavy snow with winds gust of 30 to 35 mph. Travel will become difficult and potentially dangerous in the area and along Interstate 70 between mile markers 166 and 190.

Join ON THE HILL host Sean Naylor for a Friday powder day in Beaver Creek and see what’s in store for the weekend.

In 2023, the Colorado River Drought Task Force was established. Its purpose is to develop recommendations for legislation that provide additional tools for the Colorado Water Conservation Board and to collaborate with the Colorado River District, the Southwestern Water Conservation District, and other relevant stakeholders in the development of programs that address drought in the Colorado River Basin and interstate commitments related to the Colorado River and its tributaries through conservation of the waters of the Colorado River and its tributaries.

This task force, chaired by Eagle ¾Ã¾ÃÈȾ«Æ·ÊÓƵapp Commissioner Kathy Chandler-Handler, is wrapping up months of work, including program vetting and research to discussion and consensus building. The recommendations and potential solutions to the drought and river management are in their final stage, with a final report due to the state on Dec. 15.

These solutions need to ensure that Coloradans have enough water to grow local food, support healthy rivers and wildlife, ensure ample, clean drinking water and provide for the outdoor recreation that is a foundation of our economy. This task force has the opportunity and responsibility to put Colorado first and create proactive, responsive, flexible and locally managed solutions.

Local in-stream flow — or more simply put: water in the river — is crucial for our recreation-based economy, wildlife and aquatic life, and for the incredible vistas that our community values. These flows can have water rights associated with them, but they’re junior to many others and not always possible, as some streams may be over-allocated.

One solution to low stream flows that has been proposed by Orla Bannon, with Western Resource Advocates, would amend the instream flow temporary loan program statute. This would allow the owner of a decreed storage water right to loan water to the Colorado Water Conservation Board to preserve or improve the natural environment to a reasonable degree on stream reaches where there is no decreed instream flow water right.

While recognizing that Colorado and the Upper Colorado River Basin currently use far less than our allotment of water, we are still facing unprecedently low stream flows that strain local fisheries and the “Outstandingly Remarkable Values,” like our world-class recreation opportunities and unique flora and fauna.

Though efforts to reduce water use and increase efficiency (such as those spearheaded by local water providers, Eagle River Watershed Council and others) exist and will help our communities and our rivers, more work is needed. We anticipate that it is going to take industrial and municipal conservation at a much greater scale, along with state legislation that allows the water saved to stay in the stream. Flexibility, like an amendment to the instream flow temporary loan program proposed by Bannon, would go a long way to protect our rivers.

Rivers must sustain future generations, allowing for the economic opportunity, experiences and incredible natural value that we are fortunate to enjoy today. The Colorado River Drought Task Force will convened in Denver on Thursday, Dec. 7, to carry forward its final recommendations that will be sent to lawmakers. We have an opportunity to change antiquated management and mitigate undesirable future conditions on the Upper Colorado — it’s time to put an emphasis on protecting our rivers by ensuring we have the flexibility to keep water flowing.

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For more information about the Colorado River Drought Task Force, visit . Thank you to state representatives Dylan Roberts, Perry Will, Marc Caitlin and Speaker Julie McCluskie for sponsoring this legislation, and bringing solutions for the Colorado River into the conversation.

James Dilzell is the executive director for Eagle River Watershed Council. The Watershed Council has a mission to advocate for the health of the Upper Colorado and Eagle River basins through research, education and projects. Contact the Watershed Council at 970-827-5406 or visit .

East West co-founder Harry Frampton said he’s “delighted” by inclusion on the list, but not terribly surprised.

“Within reason, we want to be the employer of choice,” Frampton said. “From a good business standpoint … we’ve implemented a lot of programs to do that.”

Frampton noted that East West in the past five years or so has done a lot to improve the culture of the company.

“A lot of people have worked really hard to do that, he said.

The magazine notes perks at the company include a four-week sabbatical after 10 years of service, as well as four-day company weekends in winter and autumn, as well as ski passes and access to fitness centers. There’s also access to a private boat for those at the firm’s offices in Charleston, South Carolina.

The Outside profile describes East West as a “real estate and development company” with just 60 employees. But, Frampton said, the company’s hospitality division, East West Hospitality, employs 1,500 people or more just in the Vail Valley.

A at the Borders Lodge in Beaver Creek advertises a starting pay of $20 to $21 per hour, and benefits including paid time off and sick time, health insurance, a 401(K) plan and a $500 referral program for recommending new employees to the company.

The benefits and perks have had an effect, Frampton said. The company once had an annual turnover rate of roughly 35%, he noted. That turnover number is now around 20%, Frampton added. A lot of that turnover is hard to limit since many hospitality employees are younger people who are in the valley for just a season.  

Goodban’s troubles with the law date back to June 2022, when he was arrested twice. The first arrest came on June 6 when Goodban was charged with four counts of violating a protection order. He was then arrested again on June 19 and later charged with two counts of second-degree assault of a peace officer, one count of violating a protection order, and one count of disorderly conduct.

In that incident, police were called to Goodban’s residence after a neighbor accused him of banging on their adjoining walls and yelling racial slurs. Avon Police Officer John Mackey arrived on the scene and said Goodban was taken into custody without use of force, but later refused to move.

Goodban then “lunged with his forehead forward in a manner exacting to headbutting,” Mackey wrote in the police report. “Mr. Goodban then looked to me, lifted his left leg and struck me in the right leg, just below my knee.”

Goodban was arrested two more times in August 2022, first on Aug. 16 when he was later charged with two counts of violating a protection order, and again on Aug. 26 when he was charged with four counts of harassment for insults, taunts or challenges.

Goodban was arrested again on May 9, 2023, and charged with two counts of harassment, one count of aggravated intimidation of a witness or victim, one count of the bias-motivated crime of knowingly placing a victim in fear, and one count of violation of a protection order.

Goodban has been in the court’s custody since his May arrest, and in September, he was found incompetent to stand trial. All of his cases are now on hold until he is found competent, a process which could take months.

During a competency hearing on Nov. 17, Goodban told Judge Jonathan Shamis that he was frustrated with the competency restoration process.

“This shrink … she doesn’t pay attention to detail,” Goodban said. “She’s trying to say my dad has a skin disease? I don’t think so. It’s called tardive dyskinesia which means you have uncontrollable shakes. It’s hereditary. You have me shaking right now just looking at you.”

Goodban attempted to approach the bench several times.

“I’m going to walk up to the front and get my dismissal,” he said.

“There is no dismissal for you,” Shamis responded.

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As Shamis attempted to inform Goodban of his situation, Goodban repeatedly interrupted, saying “case dismissed.”

Shamis concluded the hearing by ordering a second competency evaluation for Goodban.

Goodban was found guilty of the second-degree assault of a peace officer charge following a jury trial in June, but was later found incompetent to stand trial on his other offenses. As a result, he has not yet received sentencing for the assault charge, a felony that could see him facing two to eight years of incarceration.

Shamis said he was concerned about Goodban facing a prolonged incarceration while waiting for his competency to be restored.

“He is in the black hole of having now been convicted while competent, not being entitled to a bond, but being in need of desperate services, of which the prosecution has not given him immediate access to,” Shamis said.

Shamis said if the court submits a request for Goodban to receive mental health services, he will rule on it immediately.

“If there is a mechanism for me to order those services, I will absolutely do so,” he said.

The on-ramp to eastbound Interstate 70 in Eagle closed due to a motor vehicle slide-off as of 2:50 p.m. and reopened shortly after 3:30 p.m.

This story will be updated.

“Unfortunately, in this sport, it’s a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if,'” said Emma Resnick, a fifth-year member of the U.S. Ski Team’s D-Team.  

Being sidelined for two-straight seasons — as Resnick has — is a little unique.

The former Vail Mountain School and Ski and Snowboard Club Vail Alpine skier tore her ACL in August of 2021. She returned to snow the following April, only to fracture her tibia and fibula that November. The 2020 Youth Olympic Games fourth-place finisher in the GS was finally back on snow again this July, just in time to join the D-Team in New Zealand a month later.

“And now I’m feeling good,” she said during the team’s recent media day at Copper Mountain, the site of her second injury. As Resnick road the lift to practice on the run that ripped her 2022-23 season away from her, she read texts from teammates sending her positive vibes on the anniversary of her crash.

“The mental hurdles definitely affect me. I’m one to hone in on that,” Resnick said. “I think just kind of leaning on my teammates has been great.”

Fellow SSCV alumni Kaitlin Keane and Kjersti Moritz rode the comeback train this off-season, too. Having teammates navigate similar injury odysseys has helped Resnick with her own.

“We’ve all been injured kind of around the same era. (We) help each other out with just saying, ‘hey let’s look at the silver linings,'” Resnick said. “This is a time that you have forced away from skiing, but what can you do with that time?”

The Dartmouth skier made a to-do list.

“Stupid things — like get my wisdom teeth out,” she said. “But it was things I had the time to do that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

The first injury — albeit unexpected — was admittedly less stressful, partially because its regularity within the Alpine community allowed Resnick to see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

“It was like, ‘ok, everyone has their time where, unfortunately, they have to battle injury and rehab.’ But so many others have been through this. … I’m just going to be another one,” she said.

“The broken leg was definitely a much harder injury to tackle.”

Traversing unfamiliar territory for the less-common ski injury felt more nerve-racking, Resnick said.

“Regrowing your bone is different for everyone, so the process for that is just a little more unpredictable,” she continued. “Even though they say the recovery can be faster, it’s almost harder in a sense because you don’t know how it’s going to go.”

She leaned into her freshman classes at Dartmouth, relishing the rare opportunity to just have a “normal” year while still staying in touch with her teammates on the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association (EISA) circuit. Mentally, she said there were low points.

“No doubt (I) had some struggles saying, ‘wow, I don’t know if I’m really ready to make this comeback. It’s so much effort,'” she said of the recovery process, which “took a bit longer than expected.”

“But it worked out really well. I’m so happy to be back and I’m so happy I pushed through the recovery and the dark parts where I was pretty unsure of my future in the sport.”

During the 2 1/2 years away from competition, Resnick said whenever she’d try to visualize skiing or “what she should be doing on the course,” she’s pictured her sister, Allie.

“I know her skiing better than my own at this point and I love watching her ski,” Emma said of her sister, the “When she does well, it’s so exciting. I love supporting her. I think we have a strong culture of cheering each other on even though at the end of the day we’re put against each other.”

Resnick’s NorAm tech season kicks off Dec. 13-16 in Tremblant, Quebec. She said she’ll return to Dartmouth in January for her EISA carnival debut, but continue racing NorAms.

When asked what a successful season would look like, she replied, “To be honest, this year already is a success. Like, training, and really feeling like I’m back in the environment where I can push it to the next level without fear is a huge milestone.”

Still, there’s a few carrots to chase. The NCAA championships come to Steamboat Springs Mar. 6-9.

“That’s close to home,” she said. “I’ve grown up skiing around there and so I think it would be really cool to find success there.”

But for the most part, coming off another injury, the victories are manifested mentally.

“For awhile there it was just about feeling ok. I have a rod in my leg now, it’s definitely a bit different than it was before — getting used to the feeling of my skis on again was the first kind of battle,” she said.

“But now I’m feeling really good and want to just keep getting faster.”

The eastbound and westbound lanes at West Glenwood were closed between 10-10:30 a.m. Friday due to the crash but have now reopened both ways.