Tag: Snow

Categories
Featured Sports Travel

Ice, Ice Baby

Hotel Telluride

By Michael Capbianco

Photogrphy courtesy of Telluride Tourism Board

IT’S A COOL MORNING in the alpine city of Telluride, Colorado. I’m sitting in the lobby of the Hotel Telluride doing an equipment check before preparing to climb up a frozen waterfall. It’s almost time for the featured event of Two Picks and a Prayer, an adventure package designed to showcase Telluride’s world-class ice climbing. The lobby’s knotty pine walls, embroidered pillows, and plush furnishings feel like European chalet meets the Old West. The ice climbing guide from San Juan Outdoor Adventures gives the go ahead, and we load into the van to head off to nearby Ames Valley—a location famed for both its ice climbing, and the origins of electricity. Ames was the site of the first commercial plant to produce Alternating Current (AC) for industrial use. After a short hike, we arrive at the base of the Lower Ames Falls.

Hotel Telluride
  • Snowmobiling through Beaver Park
  • Hotel Telluride

Two Picks and a Prayer introduces beginners to ice climbing, and our half-day adventure starts with some training. With a bit of coaching and concentration, I adjust my climbing technique quickly, feeling more comfortable with the idea of suspending myself vertically against a solid sheet of ice. As the cheering of support grows more distant my confidence increases—the glory of the summit is near. Pushing my nerves aside, I finally arrive at the top and I’m greeted with a spectacular view, a brisk wind, and a tremendous sense of accomplishment.

Two Picks and a Prayer is one of many experiences offered by the Hotel Telluride. The hotel has the vibe of a Victorian luxury resort, with rooms styled in what could only be called western chic. When guests aren’t preparing to head off to the ski slopes or ice wall, they can enjoy chef Chad Glidewell’s delicious fare in the West End Bistro, lounge in the hot tub, indulge in a spa treatment, or help themselves to an afternoon batch of freshly baked cookies. Each of the 56 rooms at Hotel Telluride offer a private deck and view of the surrounding mountains, and pets are welcomed with a gift of homemade organic treats on arrival.

Preparing for a day of Heli-skiing
Ice climbing at Lower Ames Falls

Telluride sprang up in the 19th century because of a nearby silver mine. It’s a year-round sport paradise, but is famous for its ski slopes and for having the largest collection of 14,000-foot peaks in North America. The quaint city of only 2,600 residents looks like a movie set. As I wandered around I was sure that someone was about to scream, “Cut!”

After exploring the town, take the free gondola up to the Mountain Village to take in the views from above. Tours are available at Wagner’s Custom Ski factory. You can join the skiers defrosting at the Telluride Distilling Company, or rent a fat-tire bike and ride to Telluride Brewing Company. Don’t miss their famous Face Down Brown Ale. I was still enjoying my ice climbing adrenaline rush, so I chose to take a wild ride on a snowmobile through Beaver Park, offered by Telluride Outside.

  • Furry friends enjoying the gondola to Mountain Village
  • The lobby of Hotel Telluride

While Telluride is known as a ski resort getaway, there’s plenty to do aprés ski (or INSTEAD) as well. When you are finished with one of the action-packed adventures offered by Hotel Telluride, you can check out the city’s numerous dining options, browse locally made items in the shops, or learn about the area’s history at the Telluride Historical Museum, where you can immerse yourself in the story of the gold rush, or see their collection of artifacts from the local Ute heritage.

Whether your goal is to scale an ice wall or sink into an outdoor hot tub with a cocktail in hand, Telluride is the perfect destination. DT

Categories
Fashion Industry News

NYC Luxury Brands And Retailers Make a Difference During The Snow

snow

NYC Luxury Brand And Retail Market Make a Difference During The Snow
Photo: Courtesy of nymetroweather.com

 

The snow may stop Manhattan, but not luxury brands and retailers. They have used the blizzard as an opportunity to make a difference and help out the NYC community. With people worried about power outages and reduced transportation, brands and retailers have been predicting less foot traffic and sales in the luxury capital of the world.

Due to this, the luxury industry is surprised to see consumers braving the weather and coming out to stores. To say thank you, brands have decided to increase their assistance to make a memorable and positive impression on these consumers. Brands and retailers hope these consumers will remember their customer service and hospitality when the storm comes to an end. “Luxury is about the relationship between the brand and the customer,” said Gustavo Gomez, director of research and methodology at Envirosell, New York.

The higher levels of service makes for a better relationship, translating to brand loyalty in the future. If customers associate the brand with helping them out despite the blizzard, they’ll think of their positive experience. On the other hand, poor service will risk losing the customer, especially if they do not consider the chaos of the blizzard-like conditions.

This blizzard is likely have some economic impact, similar to the blizzard of 2010 leaving 11.2 million consumers housebound. Retailers have worked to minimize negativity by reminding consumers about the amenity of online shopping. Before the storm picked up yesterday, many brands recognized the weather in the Northeast. This caught their consumer audience’s attention and showed that they care.

Some brands had some fun with the idea of being snowed-in. Moët & Chandon shared a Facebook post saying, “To stocking up before the storm,” with a photo of a bottle of their Champagne in the snow. Marc Jacobs shared the advice, “Don’t panic” on a knit hat and a snow emoji via Twitter. Barneys NY also had some fun and showed reassurance through Twitter with its essential shopping list of wine and shoes, which was linked to an ecommerce page. Luxury brands and retailers to the approach to remind consumers to stay safe, all while simultaneously driving sales.

-by Deirdre McAndrew

Categories
Living Uncategorized

Surviving the Snow

Surviving the Snow
Photo: Courtesy of Neowin.com

 

Most of us New Yorkers don’t expect wintry mixes to last beyond the holidays and tend to underestimate the severity of storms. With an iconic blizzard in the making, it’s important to dress correctly and prepare accordingly, because surviving the snow is the hardest part. Blizzard-like conditions affect what we wear, what we eat, and how we get around, especially in Manhattan. DOWNTOWN has many helpful hints when it comes to getting through days like these. We hope this will help you stay warm, well-fed, and safe!

Staying warm and fashionable can be a difficult combination to achieve. Luckily, many brands offer gear that will help you make a statement on snow-covered streets. The most important of winter gear is a winter jacket. Short jackets may seem trendy, but having one that reaches your knees or ankles will make all the difference.  Jackets with more coverage also tend to be waterproof, windproof, and contain a hood. Popular brands include Zara, Canadian Goose, North Face, and Woolrich. So, if your jacket doesn’t include any of these ammenities, I would run out and buy on while you can, you will not be disappointed!

Luckily, a long, puffy coat is easy to accessorize. Uniqlo offers Heat Tech Everything! Their heated leggings and long sleeved shirts are thin enough to fit beautifully under jeans or dress pants. Worried about taking of your gloves off to text or check directions? Luckily, tech-friendly gloves exist! These gloves allow for you to access the touch screen on your phone, without exposing your hands to the cold. Winter hats, ear warmers and wool infinity scarves allows for complete coverage, while still look presentable as you comb the snowy city. Don’t forget your feet, head-to-toe-warmth is key! Regular leather booties aren’t going to cut it in this weather, so resort to boots that are both waterproof and warm. Hunter Wellington boots allow for great grip, no leaks, and warm fleece boot-liners for extra cold days.

Now that you’re dressed to perfection, make sure you are prepared for the blizzard itself. Stay warm with a reliable heat source, stock up on food and water, have backup lighting, and don’t forget to make the best of it! This is the perfect time to finish the book you started in the summer, get paperwork done without any interruptions, organize your closet, or try out the recipes on Pinterest you have been meaning to try for months.

To make a snow day even more enjoyable, make sure you’re technologically prepared, especially if you anticipate losing power. Make sure your electronics are charged, for the sake of both entertainment and communication purposes. Now is the time to go out to the store to purchase a phone charging battery stick and candles galore, because these will become your light, communication, and internet sources. Have logins to HBO Go, Hulu Plus and Netflix as ready as the endless layers of sweaters and blankets. Most importantly, have someone. Whether it is a family member, pet, best friend, or significant other, you don’t want to experience cabin fever. What better way to get snowed in than with people you love? Body heat and good company are the necessities during a blizzard.

-by Deirdre McAndrew

 

Surviving the Snow
Photo: Courtesy of huffingtonpost.ca

 

Categories
Living Uncategorized

How to Spend a Snowy Saturday in Manhattan

Photo: Courtesy of new-york-city-winter.jpg

Photo: Courtesy of new-york-city-winter.jpg
Photo: Courtesy of new-york-city-winter.jpg

Beating the winter blues is always tough, especially on the weekends when you don’t have a good enough reason to leave your bed. Luckily, having a wonderful city like Manhattan at your fingertips puts a positive spin on the outlook of a cold and snowy winter. Rather than falling into seasonal depression, embrace what you can do during your winter weekends in Manhattan! If you are feeling cooped up in your heated home, and are looking to be active outside, take advantage of the many ice rinks in the area! The South Street Seaport has a beautiful rink and a great location right near the water. The festive lights and decorations, reasonable fares, skating lessons, the opportunity to purchase a membership pass, or ability to make group reservations, creates a pleasing atmosphere for skaters of all ages and abilities.

If you are trying to avoid the cold, what better way then to stay indoor and informed? Spend the day at on of Manhattans many museums trickled throughout the city! It is easy to dedicated a few hours or even a whole day to admiring the exhibits in museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the American Museum of Natural History. If you are the type to be overwhelmed with the size of museums, shoot for a smaller scale one, such as the Lower East Side Tenement Museum or the Frick Collection. Although smaller in comparison to other NYC museums, they always offer fascinating collections that can keep you busy and out of the cold for hours.

 

Photo: Courtesy of NYC Insider Guide
Photo: Courtesy of NYC Insider Guide

 

Although a boat tour seems seasonally inappropriate, being inside a warm boat is a much better way to experience the greater Manhattan area. You’ll get the feel of being outside without experiencing the intensity of the windchill. Take this time to relax and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you during winters in Manhattan.

A cold winter in New York City is one of the best times for shopping, especially considering all the post-holiday sales that offer great savings. Although the Madison Avenue shops are always a good decision, they also make for a cold shopping trip. If you want to stay indoors and cover as much shopping ground as possible dedicate your spree to hours in the fabulous NYC department stores and the Shops at Columbus Circle.

Beat the winter blues with a Broadway play or musical! There’s no better way to shed your layers of warm clothing and winter accessories off to sit down and relax for a few hours. Whether it is a nighttime show or a matinee, you are guaranteed to have a great and warm time. If you don’t feel like spending the money on tickets to Broadway, but like the idea of warming up in a theatre, catch a movie! Warm Up at the Village East Cinema for a relaxing time and affordable ticket fares! Between winter activities, admiring what the city has to offer, appreciating the arts in Manhattan, and retail therapy, snowy Saturdays are sure to become one of the best and most productive parts of the week!

-by Deirdre McAndrew