By Shannon Lukens.
Heavy, strong winds rolled through Colorado, including the Yampa Valley, late Wednesday and Thursday morning. Trees were down, power lines were damaged, and power was out in different areas through Routt County, including the Strawberry Park area in Steamboat Springs, Oak Creek, and Milner. Yampa Valley Electric crews worked around the clock to make the repairs necessary to get power back.
Photos courtesy Steamboat Resort.
Steamboat Resort also experienced high winds at the ski area, throughout Wednesday evening. Several trees fell and crews are working to get them removed over the next few days. Please avoid any work crews if you see them at the mountain. Spokesperson Maren Franciosi says there were no closures or impacts to the mountain on Thursday. “Much of the reason for that is due to mitigation work, specifically around our lift lines, over the summer months.”
More on the Story — Power Outage alerts from Yampa Valley Electric
File photo.
There is supposed to be an agricultural prescribed burn at Pastime Ranch at Thorpe Mountain today. This is on the northeast side of Thorpe Mountain in the area of Route 14 Yellow Jacket Pass.
Those needing food for the holiday season can receive some food at a Pop-up Mobile Food Pantry Friday afternoon. It’s organized through Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp., in collaboration with Food Bank of the Rockies, Boys & Girls Club of Northwest Colorado, Heart of Steamboat Church, and Yampa Valley Community Foundation. All community members are invited to drive by and get food, from 3-5 p.m. Friday afternoon in the Meadows parking lot in Steamboat Springs.
More on the Story — A Pop-up Mobile Food Pantry is Friday, Dec. 19, for anyone in the Yampa Valley Community
It is a very busy weekend… Here are some events going on, which are on the Events Calendar on our website.
The local performance of the Nutcracker is at 6:30 p.m. tonight and Saturday at Steamboat Springs High School. Tickets are on sale at Elevation Dance Studio.com Link to tickets
Photo courtesy Tania Coffey.
The Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic has some of the best regional, collegiate, and nationally ranked skiers from across the United States, and 15 countries, competing at Howelsen Hill today and tomorrow. The night slalom is tonight with the women at 5:30 p.m. and the men at 6:30 p.m. Races continue throughout the day Saturday. It’s the 24th year for the Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic in Steamboat Springs. All are invited to grab some cowbells and watch the skiers competing.
Friday, December 19: Howelsen Hill – Slalom
- Run 1: Women 1:30 p.m. and Men 2:45 p.m.
- Run 2: Women 5:30 p.m. and Men 6:30 p.m. – America’s Night Slalom and festivities.
Saturday, December 20: Howelsen Hill – Slalom
- Run 1: Women 9 a.m. and Men 12:30 p.m.
- Run 2: Women 11 a.m. and Men 2:30 p.m.
Yampa Valley Foods is hosting their 2nd Annual Holiday Market, presented by the Community Ag Alliance. It’s from noon to 4 p.m. this Friday and Saturday, Dec. 19-20. There are many gifts and foods from local producers in Northwest Colorado. Yampa Valley Foods is at 35 11th Street in downtown Steamboat Springs.
The Moffat County Library in Craig is hosting Holiday Story Time at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19. Holiday stories will be read and all kids and families are invited. The library is at 570 Green Street. 970-824-5116.
Holidays in the Rockies is at the Depot Art Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. It’s a holiday tradition with artist vendors featuring fine art, handmade goods, crafts, food items and unique gifts.
Holidays in the Rockies from Steamboat Creates
Santa Claus will be at his Santa House in Civic Plaza from 10 a.m. to noon. Saturday, Dec. 13. Civic Plaza is on 10th Street between Lincoln and Oak, next to the Steamboat Springs Fire Station.
Then Santa heads over to the base of Steamboat Resort, jumps on a horse, and makes his way to the stage for the Santa Saddles Up Party. That’s from 12:30-3 p.m. Bring the kids so they can meet Santa.
Then stick around for the Holiday Drone Show from 5-6:30 p.m. at the ski area base.
A Young Adult Hanukkah Party is at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, for those in their 20s and 30s. RSVP at HanukkahSteamboat.com for location information. Learn more and RSVP at www.hanukkahsteamboat.com
On Sunday…
The Hanukkah, Festival of Light, also known as Eight Nights Of Shred, is at the base of Steamboat Resort at noon, on Sunday, Dec. 21. Join the lighting of the Snowboard Menorah, and enjoy hot chocolate and jelly donuts.
The 2nd annual Chanukah Street Festival and Grand Ice Menorah Lighting is from 4-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, on 6th Street between Lincoln Ave. and Oak and on the lawn of the historic Routt County Courthouse. Enjoy latkes, donuts, hot cocoa, apple cider, face painting, crafts and more. It’s free and all are welcome. Find out more at JewishSteamboat.com
A Blue Christmas service for individuals who have experienced loss will be held at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 846 Oak Street. The service is to support individuals who are grieving or feeling down this holiday season. Northwest Colorado Health’s Hospice program is hosting the service in partnership with local faith-based communities, and it is open to anyone in the community. For more information, contact Dr. Jo Anne Grace at 970-846-8319 or visit northwestcoloradohealth.org/events.
The first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere is the Winter Solstice, and that’s this Sunday, at 8:03 a.m. to be precise. The winter solstice is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight throughout the year, making it the “shortest day” of the year.
In high school sports…
The Steamboat Sailors Boys Basketball team has a game Friday night against Centaurus on the Front Range.
The Sailors Girls Basketball Team has a home game at 12:30 p.m. Saturday against Fort Lupton.
The wrestling teams from Steamboat Springs, Moffat County, and Hayden high schools are at the Warrior Classic in Grand Junction.
The Hayden Girls Basketball team is in Lake County Friday (3 p.m. Dec. 19), and the boys have a home game against Olathe at 5 p.m. Friday.
The Moffat County Boys and Girls Basketball teams are at the Palisade Tournament this weekend.
Check out what’s happening in the Yampa Valley on the Community Calendar on our website.
For the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline, call 970-824-1918.