The Sunshine Express
An independent, regional news, arts, and entertainment monthly, with a fresh focus on good news, fun happenings, business promotion, and positive energy. Serving over 19 communities in 11 Southwest counties on the western slope of Colorado.
100% Solar Heats Pools At 'Chipeta Solar Springs Resort' - 2011 December/January
“CHIPETA SOLAR SPRINGS RESORT” - Ridgway, CO
HOT NEWS... Voted as one of Colorado’s Top Ten Inns, the newly renamed
“CHIPETA SOLAR SPRINGS RESORT” is opening its outdoor pools to the public
year round and will join the many Western Slope hot springs attractions that
make Ridgway and Ouray famous for their outdoor thermal water pools.
This fall, the Chipeta Lodge, already awarded “Green Hotel” recognition,
invested heavily in an expansive solar collector system. The Chipeta’s
30,000 gallon swimming pool and its new 20 person soaking pool are the first
pools in Southwest Colorado to have 100% solar heating capability; the main
pool’s temperature will be 100 degrees with the soaking pools at 104
degrees. Also this spring, the Chipeta plans to drill wells to tap into the
Uncompahgre Valley geothermal water under their property to offer both “hot
springs thermal pools” and “solar thermal pools”.
Also new for this winter, and to further enhance the Chipeta’s guest
experience, the thermal pools have been converted to “light salt water”,
which eliminates chlorine odors and harshness, and imparts a healthful, soft
touch to the skin. To complement the new solar hot pools at the resort,
there are also 2 community hot tubs, a sauna in the round, and a eucalyptus
steam room, all open to the public. The thermal pools, soaking tubs, and spa
facilities will be open daily this winter from 9A to 9P, with the grand
opening scheduled for December 10.
Chipeta guests and locals enjoy its “award winning Spa”, featuring massage,
aromatherapy, facials, yoga classes, sauna, steam room and Ridgway’s only
complete fitness center. The new “solar thermal pools” will make this
already top-rated Spa Resort a must for health conscious travelers and will
most certainly enhance the Chipeta’s reputation as a premier wellness center
and lifestyle destination.
“Chipeta Solar Springs” is located on the scenic San Juan Skyway, between
Telluride and Ouray, convenient for locals’ day trips, and making it the
perfect long weekend, relaxing getaway for residents of the Front Range and
Western Slope looking for a memorable “off the beaten path” experience. The
Chipeta is “Colorado’s Best kept Secret”!
The Chipeta Solar Springs Lodge has twenty five Southwest style, boutique
hotel rooms and condos, which provide attractive accommodations for
overnight guests enjoying nearby skiing & snowboarding and the new thermal
waters pools, hot soaking tubs, spa and wellness facilities. The adobe
constructed Lodge is famous for its unique guest rooms, many with fireplaces
and private balcony hot tubs. The Chipeta’s atrium is an indoor botanical
garden, and its Great Room, Kiva and Fireplace Rooms provide cozy areas for
conversation with a cup of java, a glass of wine or relaxing with friends
and family. Also enjoy the gourmet Four Corners Café (seasonal) and the
poolside café which will serve juices, smoothies, espresso, tea and healthy
snacks.
Ouray County is noted for the largest number of commercial hot springs and
thermal water attractions in all of Colorado. In addition to the existing
surface hot springs and geothermal wells that provide hot water for Ouray
and Ridgway’s numerous thermal water pools, the new pools of the Chipeta
Lodge add a new twist on how Mother Nature provides thermal water in "green
mode” for Ouray County outdoor recreation.
This solar alternative energy approach to producing thermal water adds
another dimension to how the County’s recreational facilities are enhanced
while, at the same time, reducing the region's carbon footprint. The Chipeta
Solar Springs Lodge is proud to join other Ouray County thermal water
facilities in providing "green attractions" for visitors to and residents of
the San Juan and San Miguel Mountain region.
The Chipeta Resort is a short drive to Telluride, Silverton and Ouray for
skiing, snowboarding, nordic skiing, snowshoe treks, snowmobiling and sleigh
rides, so plan to come visit this Winter and rejuvenate the mind and body in
their solar hot water pools, soaking tubs and spa facilities.
HOT DEALS... To celebrate the grand opening of their new Solar Thermal Water
Pools, Chipeta Solar Springs Resort will be offering special “Lodging and
Spa Packages” this Winter, along with the best Telluride and Silverton
skiing, snowboarding, and winter sports “Stay and Play” deals on the Western
Slope.
For more information: Roger Gardner, 303.929.9099 or roger@chipeta.com or
www.chipeta.com
(See
the front page...)
