Vodka Shots, 12-inch Wieners, and a Giant Mechanical Bull

Red Dawn

Pravda (970-968-2222), the first Communist-inspired pub in skidom, has injected some spice into Copper Mountain’s stale nightlife. Besides the usual libations, it offers 40 different vodkas behind the bar. (A four-shot sampler sets you back just $12.) And though the design theme is strictly Soviet era-KGB-style bouncers guard large, riveted metal doors; and the walls, lighting, and velvet curtains are all red-the atmosphere feels refreshingly glasnost. “The bartenders were all beautiful,” says local Greg Shoenfeld, who attended the April opening, “dancing on the bar, pouring shots down people’s throats. It was a pretty goddamn good time.”

Sweet Ride
Next time you’re planning a pub crawl in Steamboat, be sure to reserve Alpine Taxi’s (800-343-7433) tricked-out 17-seat party bus. “It’s got a mirrored ceiling, leather couches, and a full wet bar,” recalls bus veteran Nichole Abbott. “It’s fit for a Playboy Bunny.” Rent it with a driver ($100 per hour), or tune in to Steamboat’s KMFU. Contest winners ride in the bus to concerts (this September it’s The String Cheese Incident at Red Rocks; visit kfmu.com for details).

Brew Basin
Despite great spring conditions-a five-foot base and an open East Wall-only a few folks were on the slopes during A-Basin’s Festival of the Brewpubs this past May. Not that we blame them. Just $13 bought would-be skiers unlimited refills from 50 kegs of microbrew; local band Opie Gone Bad and a D.J. served as entertainment; and, because slush bumps and beer cups are a painful combination, A-basin posted security guards at the Pali lift. “No, occifer, there’s no ale in my Camelbak.”

Dog Eat Dog
“We just hoot around and do goofy tricks,” says Glen Plake about his annual six-resort Wild, Wild Hot Dog Tour. We don’t know what “hoot around” means; it’s the hot dog-eating contest that’s worth noting. Take last year’s stop at Sierra-at-Tahoe: Champion Jordan Sugerik inhaled a 12-inch, condiment-free wiener in 42 seconds flat, and then whistled “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” spraying the lucky crowd with a copious amount of chewed beef and soggy bun parts. Now that’sa hoot.

Eight Seconds
For his 30th birthday party, held at Sugar Bowl this past June 14, downhiller Daron Rahlves rounded up 250 rowdy friends, including Shane McConkey and Brad Holmes. To this combustible mix he added the lethal combination of unlimited Red Bull and vodka-and a mechanical bull.

“Everybody was in their best redneck cowboy get-ups,” attendee Kim McFadden says.

“McConkey had a huge water gun, and there were only a few tussles toward the end of the night.” One lucky local, who rode the bull more than 30 times, was left with two bloody palms, two sprained wrists, and two heinously bruised inner thighs.

Botox Martini
39 Degrees Lounge, Aspen Inspiration
Taut-skinned (naturally?) beautiful Aspenites.Ingredients
2 ounces Stoli Razberi1 ounce Cranberry Juice1 ounce Red BullDirections
Mix and shake Stoli and cranberry; top with Red Bull.Garnish
1 smooth cherry1 wrinkled cherryPARTY FAVOR
We expected Quebec’s Ice Hotel to stick to the frozen theme at its new bar, but the ice shot glasses go beyond the call. To ensure chilled sips for après skiers from Monte Sainte-Anne, they plan on drilling 25,000 shooters this year. (icehotel-canada.com)