Topic: Epic Pass

Blink your eyes and the Vail Golf Course is suddenly covered in snow. The golf course is completing its metamorphoses into the Vail Nordic Center and from Nov. 10 to 14, you've got the opportunity to buy a discounted season pass for months of free access to the center's smooth, groomed trails.

Glide into The Vail Nordic Center

While downhill skiing and riding is Vail's big draw, nordic skiing offers a peaceful, more cardiovascular alternative. Although no alpine ski area can beat the deal of Vail Resorts' Epic Pass, the Vail Nordic Center's season passes can provide an entire winter of fitness for less than $100.

Between Nov. 10 and 14, the Nordic Center season passes are $75 for adults, $70 for Vail residents and $40 for students. Beginning Nov. 17, pass prices go up to $90 for adults, $85 for Vail residents and $50 for students. Without a season pass, the fee for daily use of the trails is $8 per person.

The center consists of 17 kilometers of groomed trails for skate and classic Nordic skiing and 10K of snowshoe-specific trails. The center rents classic, skate and telemark skis as well as snowshoes and offers lessons and clinics throughout the season.

The Nordic Center is owned and operated by world champion mountain biker Mia Stockdale and Shane Sluder. The trails are groomed by the Vail Recreation District, which just purchased a new SnowCat that will make for an even silkier glide through the valley. New this season, Happy Valley Grill, a fully operating restaurant inside the Vail Golf Club, will offer homemade soup and cookies at the Nordic Center.

The Nordic Center has not yet determined an opening date, but, with a few more inches of snow, it should be soon!

So much for the balmy weather, but at least Vail's restaurants are still toasty with bargains.

Local Flavor: Bob Dorf Loves La Tour

Vail Mountain is scheduled to open for the season on Nov. 21 and Beaver Creek on Nov. 26. One of the greatest parts in the lull of activity before this happens are dining deals throughout the valley.

Here are some tasty off-season deals (week of Nov. 6):

Vail

Terra Bistro: 50% off dinner entrees.

La Tour: 50% off all entrees, 30% off all bottled wine and an extra 10% off if you show your Epic Pass.

Nozawa: 50% off sushi rolls, 4 p.m. to close Tues, Thurs and Sun, 25% off sushi rolls and entrees all day.

Billy's Island Grill: 50% off dinner entrees (but closed Tues and Wednes).

Bully Ranch: 30% off lunch and dinner food items.

Kelly Liken: 50% off all food, plus selected wine and cocktails.

Da Vinci: 50% off entire dinner menu.

Cucina Rustica: $9.95 three-course lunch.

Campo de Fiori: $36 three-course dinner, choose from entire menu, Tues-Sat.

Avon

Avondale Restaurant: 10% off breakfast or lunch bill.

Beaver Creek and Cordillera

Spago: $48 four-course chef's tasting menu or $78 with wine pairing.

Grouse Mountain Grill: $39.00 three-course dinner from autumn menu and wine discounts.

Mirador: two-for-one dinner entrees and wine discounts.

Edwards

The French Press: 50% off dinner entrees.

The Gashouse: 50% off dinner entrees.

Main Street Grill: $5 lunch specials Monday-Friday, 2-for-1 dinners if you mention Vail Daily ad.

Rick & Kelly's American Bistro: Three courses for dinner for $25.