Catch Up, Anyone?

It's been a quiet start to the new year around Breckenridge. Maybe the negative degree temperatures even before wind chill have contributed to that. It has been miserably cold the past couple of days, but it seems to finally be warming up.

We had an incredible start to the ski season- we were graced with powder day after powder day until the week before Christmas. It has tapered off a bit recently and the storms have been favoring the southern part of the state as they normally do early season, but we're hoping for a change in the jet stream that will bring us some big storms from San Francsico. Last night six inches hit us and hopefully more is coming in the next couple of days.

 

A picture from the resort this morning

In other news, we've hired two new employees who now feel like a part of the family.

When Peter walked in to pick up an application we chatted for a little while and he turned out to be a mini Greg. He has spent his youth and college days playing soccer and his summer whitewater rafting. If there are two things Greg loves in life, it's soccer and rafting. Peter was an instant in.

Peter and Susan checking out his white elephant gift

Historically we are a one girl in each store type of business, and you know, I kind of like it. But this year Greg met Lindsey and she was in. Next door at the Main Street Outlet we hired two girls also- it's pretty great to have more female energy around the company.

Lindsey has the moustache on along with the girls from the Outlet- Sara and Averi

Our company grew this summer as we partnered with Columbia Sportswear and opened the Columbia Breckenridge store, located at 108 S Main, across the street from Downstairs at Eric's. We lost one of our own to the Columbia store. Brett moved down to co-manage the shop with Timmy from the Outlet. It was a great move for him and a great loss for us. We miss him everyday. Luckily he still stops in for a quick chat most days. Since we opened Columbia our holiday party grew to the point that we almost didn't fit in front of the fireplace for our annual picture.

The party was just as good as last year's- the food was incredible, the gifts were hilarious and it's always wonderful to spend the time hanging out together outside of work. This year after the party we took over The Motherloaded Tavern for a couple of hours and then we had the urge to dance, so we made our way to Liquid Lounge, where we got some pretty sweet pics.

Love this one of Jeff

This has been a pretty great season so far- lots of snow (soon we will be thanking Ullr for his generosity), great new hires, and a wonderful holiday season.

Boones Farm, Snuggies, and the Colorado Flag

The North Face and Main Street Outlet crews gathered together to celebrate the holidays before the crowds descended.

The night was a good night.

The Boones Farm was arguably the hit gift of the night.

There were many Boones drinking pictures, unfortunately, this is the only one I have.

The Snuggies, however, were a close second.

What couple wouldn't want matching Snuggies to wear cuddled up on the couch together?

We all agreed the fleece was top of the line. The North Face should really pick up on this line.

The White Elephant gift exhange also included an Emu boot stuffed with Marker Spring Gloves and a bottle of liquor.

As well as two homemade Colorado hats.

We aren't simply materialistic drinkers, however.

It was a quite enjoyable to spend the evening together outside of our stores, though I must say, we all missed the store dogs, Japser and Lulu.

Luckily Andy received a picture of them.

Greg and Jacque are the beaming parents of the pups.

Some gifts were stolen.

Exhibit A: Anna opening a homemade Colorado hat, which I, two numbers later, stole from her.

Exhibit A1: Me looking quite proud with my steal.

Some gifts,

were simply consumed.

Friends joined us who, unfortunately, no longer live here.

Austin (the Rocky Mountain rep for The North Face corporate) and his girlfriend, a much enjoyed friend, Ashley.

You can see her daily on RSN

Wives joined in the fun:

Pete and his wife Jenny, with Bill and Anna

Husbands came too.

Dean and Tam-a-lam-a-ding-dong, the office manager

When the evening closed, we pretended we liked each other and gathered close.

Then us young folk took over Ullr's.

Though we had to sit in the snow in front of our award winning Snowflake Challenge Snoopy House first.

At Ullr's, tallboys and general ridiculousness ensued.

Need I say anymore?

The North Face Breckenrige Christmas party - 2007 style

Thanks Tony for the great post! I think that very same morning you were enjoying the always awesome Ore Bucket, I was working not skiing. Today I met up with my friend Caroline randomly on Peak 8 and ventured over toward Peak 7. We didn't enjoy the same powder that Tony found the other day, but the runs were smooth and fast. See, Caroline has this little spinal cord issue and she is taking it easy these days. I had no problem hanging out with this fabulous gal on the groomers and loved catching up for the first time since last winter.

As you know, all of us kids at THE NORTH FACE BRECKENRIDGE had a Christmas party last week here in town, and we painted it up as usual! I am an idiot and my camera was on the "slow exposure" setting, making some of my pics a little blurry......you'll get the idea. Watch how the night progresses!
So we get a shuttle from town up to the mountain lodge where we meet up with our adult friends......

Greg and Jaque enjoying delicious appetizers while we all mingle.......


Austin and Ashley just being cute........


We play white elephant, my gift was Jack. Well, I stole it from Shaun at the end cause its my favorite!........


Don't worry, Katie and Tony made it through the night. They were just sad cause they didn't get my fruit basket in the white elephant game. Sorry guys, maybe next year!.........


Steve and Susan, making it all possible and also looking pretty cute...........


Katie, Kelly and Christina.....I don't know what to say........


OK, were on the shuttle again, heading to town with full bellies. Tony looks warm and you wont miss him because he has reflective logos on his Prism Optimus........


I don't think Shaun likes this kind! I thought everyone liked Jagger?!



I better stop here. Until next time folks, thanks for checking in!