The white stuff is finally falling but not nearly quick enough for me. Idaho gets a decent amount of snow but Steamboat is a gold mine. Every time I check the snow report, the resort is getting more snow. That sets us "MusicFesters" up for a great time in January. If you plan on hitting the mountain to do a little skiing, or boarding, there are a few things I feel you should know.

• There is no such thing as a day off during MusicFest.  Don’t overdo it on the first day because you have been in "snow withdrawals." Play it smart, you've got five more days of music, snow and fun.

• Even if you don’t feel like you are the most coordinated person out on the slopes, stick with it! I know a lot of people come from Texas where mountains and snow are limited, so while you are at one of the best resorts, take advantage of it. Especially when you get hooked up with lift tickets through MusicFest reservations. Paying full price for lift tickets in Colorado sucks!

• Finally après ski (I use ski as a general term, not hatin’ on the boarders out there). The definition of après ski varies, but I’m giving you the official Music Fog definition. Après ski means you head to the bar directly off the slopes. Boots and all. You’ll be the badass of the crowd. Bear River is perfect for participating in this tradition, plus you get to soak up some great music.

Disclaimer: Don’t be that guy in a t-shirt when it’s 5 degrees outside. Bundle up everyone! I’m talking long johns, thermals, coats, REAL winter coats. You may think you can drink with your "beer jacket" on but don’t. Ladies, I know you have your cute PT’s (party tops) but you can still look cute with layers on.

You might see me out on the slopes, living it up! Maybe in a ridiculous outfit one day, maybe being a badass in Bear River, who knows! Like I say, go big or go home and MusicFest is the time to go big!

-Sheila

If you are a ski junkie like myself, the champagne powder at Steamboat Springs is a high like no other snow can give you. If you are a music junkie, consider yourself satisfied during MusicFest because there is so much music, your head will spin.  And if you are a decent human being, friends will always surround you, even if you don’t know them just yet. If you meet all three criteria...get ready!

Like many people, I made the road trip with a bunch of friends. We loaded down two SUVs and hit the road. Once there, we went big and didn’t stop until we went home. First morning we hit the slopes for some “Freshies” aka newly fallen snow. Oh man, like skiing in heaven. I do recommend the Bloody Mary’s in the bar at the top of the gondola. Delish!

My whole trip is set on two things: cause some trouble, and have too much fun.  By trouble, I don’t mean serious trouble, but fun things that aren’t necessarily kosher.  I almost got myself kicked out of the Grand one evening after the concerts and I would say the majority of body prints in the snow banks were a result of us rowdy kids from Idaho. If you saw a guy in a ridiculous blue one-piece ski suit and an American flag bandana, I’m sorry. He was with us. 

Once you hit the concerts at the Grand Ballroom, the Big Tent etc, you find yourself making friends with the people around you; at least I did. My girls from Idaho have a goal: cultivate sincere friendships. We made tons of friends, even if it were for a brief time.  It’s pretty special to find people like fans of Americana Music. Our friends at Galleywinter just celebrated 10 years, MusicFest is in its 25th year and Music Fog enters its second year. Friends, here’s to you!

So, who wants to be one of my newest friends and get me from the Hayden airport to the mountain? Please? I’ll make Idaho grown, tater tots! Heck, I’ll even throw in fry sauce.

-Sheila

The Music Fog crew is preparing for The MusicFest in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Sounds simple enough…but you would marvel at the various alternate plans we have considered to get there.

It is akin to those old WWII movies that feature the “War Room” where troop movements are monitored on a large glass map in the middle of the room. There are uniformed men and women swarming around the map with long wooden sticks, pushing toy soldiers, tanks, airplanes and supplies around on the map. All of them are smoking. Some are yelling on telephones to god knows who. That is what we look like right now.

Plan A: Get on a plane and fly to Denver. Then take a Go Alpine taxi up the mountain to Steamboat. Total cost (with equipment) One bazillion dollars.