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Gifts for the mountain-dwelling dad

Jennifer Geisman
Daily Correspondent
Special to the Daily

Dads come in all assortments. Some are short, some are tall. There are older dads and novice newbies. And, some are cool, while others are embarrassingly NOT-so-cool. Regardless of what category your dad falls under, giving him a traditional tie (snore) is not winning you any brownie points. Our Father’s Day gift guide caters to the alpine-dweller and will surely bring a grizzly grin to dear-old-dad’s face.

The great outdoors



A true statement about dads in the Vail Valley is that they relish the fresh outdoors. Featured at the GoPro Games in Vail this weekend, Gibbons Slacklines ($74.99-$99.99, Gorsuch) will make your family summer expeditions memorable. Slacklining is the act of balancing along a narrow, flexible piece of webbing, which is low to the ground and usually anchored between two trees. A new bike to kick off the summer is perfect for dad! Raleigh Bikes’ Detour City Sport DLX ($1,100, The Kind Bikes & Skis in Edwards) has a suspension seatpost for comfort, 700c (622 mm) wheels for faster speeds, a belt drive for greaseless operation, and an internal Shimano eight-speed drivetrain for minimal maintenance.

If your waterlogged Pop likes to be knee deep in natural H2O, fly-fishing is a must on his agenda. The Redington Topo Outfit ($195.95, Gore Creek Fly Fisherman or Minturn Anglers) makes alpine fishing simple because it takes the guesswork out of your gear. A complete outfit with rod, reel, line, extra tippet, nippers and even a box of six flies, the Topo Outfit is available in one size and is ideal for catching fish out of back country lakes and high mountain streams. As dad makes his way to the backwoods, equip his fishing adventure with Fishpond’s Westwater Boat Bag ($219.95, Gore Creek Fly Fisherman or Minturn Anglers). The TPU welded fabric is water resistant and has durable zippers to keep water out and gear safe and dry. The Westwater Boat Bag comes with adjustable compartments inside, so type-A dads can customize how they organize their equipment.

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Marking your territory during golf season is something all dads are familiar with and the Tin Cup Golf Ball Marking Stencil ($19.95, The Uptown Store in Minturn) allows dad to do just that (but without the mess!). The customized golf ball marking stencil creates personalized balls by tracing the desired logo or design with a fine-point Sharpie marker.

Staying hydrated during the summer is rule No. 1, especially in high altitude. Keeping your parched Pa from drying out before the end of his hike doesn’t have to be a showdown when he’s well equipped with the Vapur Anti-Bottle ($11.99, Lionshead General Store). This foldable, reusable, freezable and attachable alternative to disposable water bottles is 100 percent BPA free, 100 percent made in the USA and dishwasher safe.

From trail to tavern

After a rigorous hike up Vail Mountain, dad and his grizzly bear buddies will be ready for local libations. Although the Red Lion isn’t a fancy joint, proper attire will get you in the door and ensure quick service. Dad will look like his own version of mountain chic when he struts his stuff in a pair of Horny Toad Wai Walker Shorts ($69, Ptarmigan Sports or The Vail Racquet Club Pro Shop), which are designed to accommodate the outdoors on sunny days and through swift mountain downpours (they dry on the spot) as well as the final stop on your trail, the village watering hole. Whether Dad is on a sunrise or sunset hike, The North Face Sumnter Jacket ($180, North Face) gives him the right amount of warmth, is practical and looks super stylish.

When dad is tooling around town or biking up to Copper Mountain, socks can make or break his good time. Darn Tough Vermont socks ($15 to $17, Valbruna), known for being durable, functional and fashionable, are first-rate for hikers, runners, bikers or just hanging out. Match them up with the Vasque Breeze 2.0 GTX hiking boot ($159.99 Gore-tex and $139.99 non- Gore-tex, Ptarmigan Sports), a snazzy mountain man boot that is tough, breathable and light. Not a sock guy? Dad will love Ahnu’s Reyes III ($100, Ptarmigan Sports) sports sandal.

Things to do

Father’s Day weekend is buzzing with activity. Treat dad to an all-American flick with a CinéBistro gift card or movie tickets for Riverwalk Theatre in Edwards or Capitol Theatre in Eagle. It’s opening weekend for the summer’s much anticipated “Man of Steel”!

The Bookworm in Edwards is hosting “Dad’s Drink Free” on Father’s Day. With the purchase of food, dads get a free coffee, bottled drink, beer or wine. Favorite crepes to try include Green Eggs & Ham ($7.50), Don Quixote ($8.50) or the Lonesome Dove ($8.50).

R&R

And, finally, at the end of the day, pamper Dad with an afternoon snooze in a DoubleNest hammock ($69.95, Ptarmigan Sports) and then toast to the summer season with a glass of Segura Viudas Reserva Heredad ($25, Alpine Wine & Spirits).


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