Briefs

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jan 31, 2002

It's time again for backyard bird count

Let's count some birds. The National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology are asking bird enthusiasts across North America to participate in the fifth annual Great Backyard Bird Count, Feb. 15-18.

Participants are asked to take as little as 15 minutes on any or all of the four bird count days to count the number and kinds of birds they see. Counts can be taken in backyards, schoolyards, local parks, nature centers, or even out the office window.

Reports are submitted over the Internet, at www.birdsource.org/ gbbc and posted almost immediately, for all to view in the form of animated maps, graphs and charts.

The count is used to monitor changes in the distribution and abundance of birds and determine measures necessary to ensure their protection.

For more information, contact the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at (800) 843-2473.

Visiting Crested Butte, Aspen just got easier

If you've been putting off a trip to Crested Butte because the drive is too long, listen up: United Airlines and Crested Butte Mountain Resort have teamed up to offer round-trip airfare between Denver and Gunnison, two nights lodging, one lift ticket and shuttle service for $199.

A 120-passenger jet leaves DIA at 8 p.m. each day, arriving in Gunnison at 9 p.m. To book trips, call Crested Butte Vacations, (800) 643-9516.

This deal is similar to one offered by Aspen Skiing Company. For $99, skiers and snowboarders can fly from DIA to the Aspen Airport and back.

The price includes round-trip airfare on United Express and a single-day, four-mountain lift ticket. The plane is available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through April 7.

For more information, check www.aspensnowmass.com, or call (970) 925-1220.

Ski Train stokes up for Friday service

The Ski Train begins its Friday trips to Winter Park Resort this week, with a reunion planned for former members of the Eskimo Ski Club. The trips are in addition to the normal Saturday/Sunday schedule, and will continue through the winter season, which ends March 30.

Throughout the 1950s and '60s, the Ski Train was used by many young people. An estimated 50,000 kids who belonged to the club learned to ski when they took the train to Winter Park.

Coach rates are $45; club car rates are $70. For information, schedules and trip availability, check www.ski train.com or call (303) 296-4754.

- Deb Acord; The Gazette