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Events this week with Huck

Thank you for your interest and support of Huck Adventures. We are hard at work prepping our app for launch and can’t wait to roll it out to you!

In the meantime, you can find us at a couple events this week around Denver.

Outdoor Retailer: Snow Show from Jan. 30 – Feb. 1

Huck Adventures will be at Outdoor Retailer Snow Show this week in Denver and will be sharing videos from the event on our YouTube channelInstagram, and Facebook–so check it out for a sneak peak of the latest gear, gadgets and clothing. And if you’ll be in attendance at the event, stop us and say hi. We’ll be the crew wearing black Huck t-shirts!

Movement Climbing Gym Jan. 28 and Feb. 1

Huck will be at Movement Climbing Gym “Focus on Fitness” events this week, including their kick-off from 5-8 p.m. on Jan. 28 (at 1155 W 5th Ave, Denver) and Friday Fun Day Finale partyfrom 5-8 p.m on Feb. 1 (at 1155 W 5th Ave, Denver). They will have classes and demos all week long and lots of chances to win prizes. And you won’t want to miss the party Friday night with “DJ D-Vinyl,” free beer from Olympia, and free kombucha and Hey Day Cold Brew. If you come out either night, stop by the Huck table to say hi and for a chance to win Black Diamond FreeWire Quickdraw Quickpack (value $80).

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CWHemp.com

8 Tips for Driving I-70 in the Winter

If you’re heading to a Colorado ski resort via I-70 this winter, the road conditions can put a serious damper on your ski plans.  

Between the winter weather, mountain roads, occasionally heavy traffic and frequent road closures, you’ve got to plan ahead. Here are our tips for tackling it safely.

1. Follow Traction Laws

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has very specific laws for driving I-70 during winter. To start, there’s the Traction Law), which states that “motorists must have either snow tires, tires with the mud/snow (M+S) designation, or a four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicle.”

Not sure if your ride qualifies? Look for the M+S or M&S on the sides of your tires. They won’t guarantee that you won’t get stuck, but they’re required by law.

2. Know the Passenger Vehicle Chain Law

In particularly rough winter conditions, CDOT has taken it one step further with the Passenger Vehicle Chain Law.

This law requires that all passenger vehicles driving on I-70 “have chains or an alternative traction device (like AutoSock),” but only when winter conditions are particularly severe. Anticipating a difficult drive? You can prepare by purchasing tire chains or an AutoSock. Otherwise, you risk racking up a noncompliance fee of anywhere from $130 to $650. Check with CDOT before your trip to properly prepare for road conditions.

3. Be prepared for emergencies

This might be common sense, but you’ll want to stock your car with the basics: a shovel, jumper cables, a jack, and a spare tire, to start. And in case you end up temporarily stranded, it’s a good idea to bring bottled water, non-perishable snacks (think granola and protein bars) and extra blankets. For a full list, check out this vehicle emergency supply kit checklist from the Red Cross.

4. Check I-70 road conditions

Before you leave, you can visit the CDOT Road Conditions site for a live feed of your route and up-to-date information on delays along I-70. If you’re taking the interstate further west, the Oregon Department of Transportation offers a similar service in TripCheck.

Once you’re en route, you can even use the CDOT mobile app to check for updates along the way.

5. Take an appropriate vehicle

All-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles will handle best on I-70’s mountain roads in the winter. If you’re renting a car, you’ll ideally be looking for a truck or SUV with four-wheel drive and all-season tires.

6. Weigh down your car

Packing your luggage and supplies at the back end of your car will help weigh down your back tires and prevent skidding. Not packing much luggage? Consider throwing sandbags in the trunk of your car (or bed of your truck) to prevent accidents.

7. Keep a full (or nearly full) tank

Again, keeping plenty of gas in the tank is sort of common sense. But if you’re driving on I-70 in the winter—and especially through Colorado and the Rocky Mountains—the benefits of keeping the tank full are two-fold.

To start, that full tank will help weigh down your car and give you more control on icy roads. Plus, in the event that you find yourself stuck, you’ll have plenty of fuel to keep yourself warm while you wait for help.

8. Drive conservatively

Finally, you’ll want to amplify those standard driving best practices: leave extra stopping room, avoid using your brakes on icy roads, take uphill and downhill passages slowly, and give yourself plenty of time to make your trip. If you have a long route, consider finding hotels along the way to break it up with convenient stops.

Another tip: the Eisenhower Tunnel is the highest point along I-70, with the westbound lanes following steep descents at the end of the tunnel. Even 4WD vehicles are prone to skid off the road on these downgrades, so take extra precautions around this area to drive slowly.

There you have it—our top eight tips for safe I-70 winter driving.  If you’ve driven I-70 through Colorado (especially in the winter) and have any other tips for ski season commuters, let us know! Otherwise, safe travels and happy skiing!

CWHemp.com

About the Writer:

Dylan York is an Ohio-based writer who splits her time between the Midwest and anywhere with good hiking and diving. She blogs about Latin America, budget travel, and overpacking at Everywhereish.com.

Cheap Food Finds in Colorado Ski Towns

Colorado ski towns are notoriously diverse, but one thing that rings true is that they can be expensive. Whether you’re planning a visit to ski in the winter or raft in the summer, we’ve found the cheapest food options to help you stay on budget, from $1.84 for a single scoop of ice cream to $12.95 for a cheesesteak and fries. Here are the best cheap eats in Aspen, Breckenridge, Telluride, Steamboat Springs, and Vail.

Aspen

Zane’s Tavern

https://www.zanestavern.com/

308 S Hunter St #2, Aspen, CO 81611

(970) 544-9263

In a ski town that skews a bit more upscale, Zane’s Tavern remains a classic dive. This sports bar is where you’ll find the locals, and they always have a game on. The order here is a Philly cheesesteak with fries or tater tots for $12.95.

Big Wrap

http://places.singleplatform.com/big-wrap-the/menu?ref=google

520 E Durant Ave #101, Aspen, CO 81611

(970) 544-1700

Big Wrap may always be busy, but it’s by far the best and quickest lunch spot in Aspen. Don’t let the line deter you, you’ll need a minute to go over the eclectic menu. Items like the Hail Caesar and To Thai For are among the favorites, and the price is right at $7.30.

Bamboo Bear

http://www.bamboobearrestaurant.com/

730 E Cooper Ave, Aspen, CO 81611

(970) 710-2094

Bamboo Bear is a small but mighty asian restaurant, serving a menu of Vietnamese and Thai-influenced dishes. Here, you can try a selection of things without breaking the bank, including spring rolls for $2, dumplings for $6, and a killer bahn mi for $12.

Breckenridge

Soupz On

http://www.soupzon.net/

422 North Park Avenue, Breckenridge, CO 80424

(970) 547-4797

Soupz On is a beloved lunch spot that’s perfect for dine-in or grab-and-go. Their soup menu changes daily, but expect a nice range of options like chicken pot pie, meatball marinara, and Thai shrimp tom yum. The meal deal comes with bread and a cookie for $8.95.

Above the Blue

421 S Main St, Breckenridge, CO 80424

(970) 453-3062

Above the Blue, also known as Red’s to the locals, is a food stand with the best cheap eats in Breckenridge. They have a short-and-sweet menu that has something for everyone, including a coney dog for $4, frito chili pie for $5, and a gyro for $10. Bonus: they are open late-night.

Crepes a la Cart

crepesalacarts.com

307 S Main St, Breckenridge, CO 80424

(970) 771-3411

The ideal apres ski treat is a sweet or savory crepe from Crepes a la Cart. This place has a ridiculously huge menu of topping mashups from classic nutella to chicken florentine, and many items are under $8.

Telluride

Steamies Burger Bar

http://www.steamiesburgers.com/

300 W Colorado Ave Suite #1B, Telluride, CO 81435

(844) 843-2867

Located in the heart of downtown, Steamies is a top-rated burger joint that serves their patties steamed rather than grilled or pan-fried. For just $6.25, you can get a classic single with american cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and our signature housemade steamie sauce.

Steamboat Springs

Lyon’s Corner Drug & Soda Fountain

http://www.lyonsofsteamboat.com/

840 Lincoln Ave, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487

(970) 879-1114

Lyon’s Corner Drug & Soda Fountain feels completely stuck in time, and we wouldn’t change a thing. This drug store, gift shop, old-fashioned soda fountain hybrid is where you’ll find a single scoop of ice cream for $1.84. They also serve diner classics like grilled cheese and BLTs for under $6.50.

Skull Creek Greek

https://www.skullcreekgreek.com/

635 Lincoln Ave, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487

(970) 879-1339

The best value in town is at Skull Creek Greek. At $7.50 for a pita and $10.50 for a plate, you can choose from heaping helpings of roasted lamb or falafel and three different kinds of tzatziki sauce. For something a little sweet, get the life-changing baklava for $3.

Off the Beaten Path

https://www.steamboatbooks.com/

68 9th St, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487

(970) 879-6830

A lovely independent bookstore and coffee shop, Off the Beaten Path is a cozy winter reprieve where you can pick up games, cards, puzzles and more. While coffee may seem like the name of the game here, we love the wine and local brew selections for under $5.

Vail

Moe’s Original Barbeque

https://www.moesoriginalbbq.com/lo/vail/

616 W Lionshead Cir, Vail, CO 81657

(970) 479-7888

Just feet away from Vail Mountain, Moe’s Original Barbeque is a super chill, local spot serving Alabama-style barbeque to the masses. The pulled pork sandwich with two sides (see: baked beans, cornbread) and a drink clocks in at just $10, making it an easy and delicious choice for lunch or early dinner (they close at 6 p.m.).

The Red Lion

304 Bridge St #1, Vail, CO 81657

(970) 476-7676

For award-winning chili in Vail Village at $5 a cup, look no further than The Red Lion. This hot spot is known for its live entertainment, with musicians performing daily. It’s a little cozy, so it can get crowded, but you won’t mind one bit.

Yellowbelly

2161 N Frontage Rd W #14, Vail, CO 81657

(970) 343-4340

At Yellowbelly, it’s all about the fried chicken. This counter service restaurant is perfect for a casual meal, and the hot-and-fresh white or dark meat tenders are just $5.50. They also have incredible scratch-made slides for $3, including a ton of healthy options like citrus quinoa and seasonal veggies.

Have another cheap eats spot? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list.

About the writer:

Christina Cherry is a travel publicist and writer with a knack for last-minute trip planning. When she’s not on the road, she’s in hot pursuit of the world’s best pizza or tending to her houseplants. Keep up with her work at cherrycreativestudio.com and follow along on her blog at everywherewithcherry.com. DM slides also welcome at @everywherewithcherry.