By Stirling Wade

Best tradition:

Few mascots can match the size of 1,200-pound Ralphie the Buffalo. Brian Bahr/Getty Images

Ralphie the Buffalo. No mascot in the country can match the power and mystique that lies behind this 1,200-pound buffalo. Before the start of every half at a Buffs game, Ralphie storms out onto the field to the collective roar of more than 50,000 Buff fans in what has to be the most fearsome introduction for any football team in the country.

Best place to grab a burrito:

Illegal Pete's on College Avenue. If you want to get a little taste of Latin America while in Colorado, this burrito palace is your best bet. Open until 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Illegal Pete's caters to the weekend crowd as well as the every-day group with a delectable selection of burritos. For $6 you can choose from a variety of tortilla-wrapped meats, but here's a warning: Don't try the extra hot salsa unless you're prepared to wash it down with volumes and volumes of water.

Best place to party hop:

The Hill. There aren't actually any house parties taking place at this business area, but it's your best place to start. Just find the Hill and then fan out in any direction (except toward campus) for a block or so and you'll find the parties. If you aren't the type to find one party and be content, don't worry. There will be plenty of entertainment along the way.

Best sport nobody knows about:

Skiing. This probably isn't that surprising when you consider that Boulder lies at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, but this team flies under the radar nonetheless. What do you get when you combine some of the nation's best skiers with North America's most expansive mountain range? How about 17 national titles, hundreds of All-Americans and 28 Olympians.

Best place to get some skiing in:

Winter Park Resort. Approximately an hour drive from Boulder, Winter Park combines five mountains into one resort to provide visitors with Colorado's greatest combination of traditional downhill skiing, mogul skiing and terrain parks. CU students regularly play "hooky" to enjoy this little piece of Colorado heaven.

Best place to hear some local music:

Dark Horse Bar & Grill. Opinions on this one can vary since Boulder has so many spots to catch local music, but the Dark Horse gets the nod thanks to its laid-back atmosphere and nice viewing area. Patrons can enjoy billiards, arcade games and darts while listening to the music. The food isn't bad either.

Best way to work off those late-night calories:

The Student Rec Center. This is where CU students have been flexing their muscles since 1973. The facility houses multiple weight rooms, basketball courts, a rock wall, racquetball courts and swimming pool. If you can't find something to enjoy here, then you just don't like to work out.

Best place to kill time:

UMC. This student organized center is prime real estate for time wasting. Students gather here every day of the week to meet, eat and relax. Some sneaky students will try to pull out a book, but that exercise proves futile more often than not. With bowling lanes, an arcade and multiple restaurants, the UMC is where homework goes to wait.