General Information

The 2006 GSMDCA National Specialty will be held in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado

Nestled in an intimate valley high in the Elk Range of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Snowmass Village is a magical place. Gentle breezes rustle the leaves of aspen trees. Deer graze in the meadows. The temperature rarely rises above 75° and the infrequent rainstorms are short and refreshing. Enjoy nature while participating in the Specialty Events, or enjoy a variety of recreational and cultural activities. Everything that you need for an incredible vacation is within steps of the Host Hotel. Select from many fine dining experiences, shop the many unique boutiques or golf on a challenging 18-hole Arnold Palmer-designed golf course. Just minutes away in Aspen are even more dining and shopping choices. Recreational opportunities abound and the cultural scene is bursting with possibilities.

A welcome from Snowmass Village: You probably know that an alpine summer is a truly spiritual experience. (Think Sound of Music.) But you may not know that Colorado has more sunny days per year than California; that the average humidity hovers at about 2 percent; and that “sleeping weather” can still be enjoyed in August. And Snowmass is the nation’s premier mountain resort for families. It doesn’t get dark until 9 p.m., so you and the kids will have plenty of time to explore the natural beauty surrounding Snowmass Village. We hope you’ll come to know that the true beauty of our community lies in the depth, variety, and quality of its cultural and recreational offerings. Many of our guests tell us spending time here is like taking several vacations at one time

Snowmass Village is nestled amid pine and aspen forests and rugged mountain peaks. Wildflowers cover the majestic mountain and insects are utterly nonexistent. Unlike you, they don't thrive at this altitude.

There are many ways to get out and enjoy the area, including: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Whitewater Rafting, Fly Fishing, Horseback Riding, Snowmass Ski Area Lift Rides, Guided Jeep Tours, Gondola Rides, Maroon Bells tours and hikes, Hot Air Balloon rides, and much more.

The location is the Snowmass Village Resort at Aspen, Colorado (see map below). Snowmass Village is located in the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of 8,100 feet. Snowmass Village is located at the southeastern end of the lush Roaring Fork Valley and 1800 residents call it home. Snowmass Village is surrounded by three wilderness areas - the Maroon Bells/Aspen area, the Collegiate Wilderness Area and Hunter Frying Pan Area. Located in the heart of the White River National Forest, some of the most beautiful mountains in the Rocky Mountains can be found here. Pitkin County was recently ranked third out of 3,141 counties in the nation for quality of life.

Snowmass Village is approximately 221 miles and a 3½-hour drive from Denver International Airport, a major airline hub. DIA has 1,300 flights daily serving all major airlines. The site is only 40 miles from Interstate Highway 70, which is a major highway that is accessible by the east and west coasts. Approximate distances from Denver:

Seattle - 1331	Chicago - 1003	Washington DC - 1676
Los Angeles - 1015	Dallas - 881	Atlanta - 1409

This will be an Independent National Specialty. During the Specialty week the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of the Rockies will host an Independent Local Specialty. There are no all-breed shows combined with these Specialties.

Snowmass Village's climate is characteristic of high altitudes with low humidity and intense sunshine. Sunglasses and sunscreen are recommended for all seasons.

The average high temperature during the day is 73 degrees and the average low temperature at night is 38 degrees. The average precipitation for the month of August is 2 inches.

A word about the altitude:

Increase your fluid intake of water and juices. Carry water during all outdoor activities. Always protect your skin with sunscreen. Carry snacks such as apples, carrot sticks, trail mix, small candy bars or energy bars. Wear layers of clothing that you can put on or take off as needed. Give dogs PLENTY of water and rest.

Satellite Shows: There are back-to-back all-breed shows held in Colorado on the 2 weekends prior to the Specialty week. Members could attend this show on their way to the National Specialty if they are coming from the north or east. The 12/13th of August show is in Fort Collins, CO and the 19/20th of August show is in Greeley, CO. The superintendent for the shows is Jack Onofrio (www.onofrio.com). It is HIGHLY recommended to attend the Greeley show on your way into town to help acclimate you and your dog(s) to the altitude.