Many of our member resorts have reported amazing snow totals this February already but this February for Copper Mountain was different than they’d ever seen before.
Copper Mountain has received 88 inches of snow falling in February, which equates to over 7 feet in just 24 days. Copper Mountain is experiencing its snowiest February on record. The previous February record was 83 inches in the 1985-86 ski season
Wrangling a group of busy friends into an amazing ski weekend
Purgatory Resort – Eric Berry
No matter how much my friends and I love spending time on the slopes, it can be challenging to get the gang back together. We’re all eager to leave the city behind and spend as much time as we can in the mountains, but as we’re getting older, everyone is developing their own responsibilities and routines.
Some of us are starting families, and we have spouses and children and pets to consider in our weekend plans. Others are buying houses and adding lawn care, home improvements and routine maintenance to our list of responsibilities. Some of us are pursuing promotions with long hours at work, while others are going back to grad school, starting businesses or chasing side hustles. We’ve all got a lot going on, and it’s hard to make weekend ski trips with friends a priority.
But time and again, we find a way to get everyone together and hit the road on Friday afternoon for another great weekend skiing in Colorado. How do we do it?
Here’s my advice for wrangling your friends into a great weekend in Colorado.
Plan ahead. It’s mid-February now, which means we’ve got the amazing Colorado spring skiing season ahead of us, and it’s not too late to make it happen. If you’re eyeing a weekend trip for this season, it’s time to get it on the books, rent a place, and put in everyone’s vacation requests. Even better? Start planning next season. You might need to get next winter’s ski weekends on the books before this one is over to get everyone’s schedule aligned and have first dibs on the vacation rentals.
Speaking of vacation rentals, the key to any good friend’s weekend ski trip is where you stay. No matter your budget, whether you’re car camping in the ski area parking lot or opting for a luxury getaway, having the whole group on the same page about the lodging accommodations is essential. Get together to discuss the options and tally the final RSVP list. My advice? Opt for a place to stay that’s close to where you’ll be skiing – a ski-in/ski-out place or somewhere on the shuttle bus route is your best bet. It can be tempting to cut costs and rent a place further out, but you’ll regret the decision when you’re carting gear and people to and from the car for a long drive to the base of the mountain. And if you can, book a place with a hot tub. Trust me.
I know it can be tough to trade in your precious PTO, but leaving Denver for the mountains on Friday is the best way to start a ski weekend. If you can take the whole day off, it’s smooth sailing. You can leave in the morning, make it to your destination before the Friday evening crowd, and even get some afternoon or evening skiing in. Taking off the second half of the workday and heading up in the early afternoon is also a good strategy. Leaving work at 5pm and scrambling to get on the road will work too. But I don’t recommend waiting until Saturday morning to start your ski weekend. You don’t want to spend any of your prime skiing hours in the car.
Include non-skiing activities in your itinerary. No matter how gung-ho your group is about hitting the slopes, by the end of the third day, you’ll be ready to give your ski legs a break. Luckily, Colorado ski areas offer a wealth of activities to break up your time, including tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing, mountain coasters and unique dining experiences. If you have non-skiing friends or spouses in the group, they’ll have plenty to keep them occupied all weekend.
There are plenty of tips out there for how to plan a great Colorado ski weekend with your friends, but the truth is that there’s no wrong way to do it. The most important thing is that you do it! After all, these will be the memories you look back on when you’re old and gray (and hopefully still shredding).
Kathryn Robinson is a native Floridian who transplanted to Colorado for graduate school and never looked back. She learned to ski for the first time in her early twenties and now she counts down the days until winter. When she’s not on the slopes, she’s working full-time in Denver, hiking, kayaking, or playing with her dog Riley.
The GEMs Card: What Is It?
Echo Mountain – Alec Stowell
Colorado Ski Country USA is all about getting people on the mountain whether you are an avid skier, a beginner, a child or a grown adult, or maybe you just haven’t been on the mountain in awhile. That’s okay! The GEMs card is for you. One of the great ways Colorado Ski Country USA tries to get people on the mountain is by offering a unique GEMS card at an extremely affordable price which gives you great deals at some of Colorado’s favorite ski areas.
So, what exactly is this GEMS card and what does it offer?
Good question. The GEMS card basically offers two different deals, one that may be more ideal skiing with a friend or one that works better for a day on the mountain by yourself. With the GEMS card, you can get two, 2-for-1 lift tickets or two 30% off lift tickets at 9 Colorado ski areas. If you want to use the 2-for-1 deal on a day with a friend or the 30% off discount on a day by yourself, that’s okay too. Arapahoe Basin has a special deal for $79 midweek & $99 weekend lift ticket pricing. This amazing deal is only $42 too, so basically, it’s a no-brainer for those only planning on getting a couple of days on the mountain. You can use a GEMs card two times at EACH of the 10 ski areas listed which means, there’s the possibility of skiing at a discounted rate for 20 days!
The 10 resorts included in this steal of a deal are Arapahoe Basin, Cooper, Echo Mountain, Eldora, Granby Ranch, Hesperus, Loveland, Monarch, Powderhorn and Sunlight.
Arapahoe Basin:
This one is a crowd favorite and one of my favorites because it actually feels like you can ski here all year long. It’s known to have the longest ski and ride season of any mountain in Colorado and sometimes in all of North America and the spring bluebird days are hard to beat. They have terrain for everyone, but it’s especially enticing to intermediate and expert skiers who are looking to get after it. The Beavers and Montezuma Bowl have all you could ask for as an experienced skier – an abundance of steep terrain, chutes, tree runs, and moguls. It also gets some great snow, being that it’s tucked away just over Loveland pass on the Continental Divide.
Cooper:
Cooper is the very definition of authentic skiing, with the softest snow surface in Colorado. Cooper has terrain variety for all abilities, including the finest learning and beginner terrain in the country, up through epic powder, glades, and bumps. Cooper has the friendliest smiling faces ensuring the most family-friendly atmosphere you’ll find. We have no lift lines (unless you consider a couple minutes a “lift line”). We have a ski and ride school that will get you on the snow and having fun or tweak your skills to take you to the next level in our renowned ski and snowboard lessons and clinics. Cooper has plenty of tasty food & bev options in the cafeteria, and an Irish Pub for lunch and apres-ski fun that would make Katie O’Rourke herself blush. And guess what? You can afford it. And you can afford to bring the whole family, too.
Echo Mountain:
If you’re a Denver native or just visiting Denver and want to get a quick and affordable day of skiing in, this is your best bet. Located less than an hour from Denver and off the beaten path of I-70, this is a great mountain to escape to and get some turns in. It’s got beautiful views of the Continental Divide and you don’t have to experience the crowds you face at other ski areas. They also offer night skiing five nights a week, so if you get caught up in the craziness of life, that’s okay – Echo Mountain will accommodate. If you only have a few hours to ski, come for a half-day or the evening. Either way, this hidden gem is a great option for many.
Eldora:
Considering I’m a student at CU Boulder, this destination has become by go-to mountain. Just 45 minutes west of Boulder in Nederland, this mountain is fun for everyone. Their Little Hawk Mountainside is a great place for beginners to get comfortable but also offers a few blue runs for when you’re feeling up to the challenge. Their Challenge Mountain boasts a variety of terrain but is heavily saturated with expert terrain which makes it a great place to go get better. Just a short catwalk from the Alpenglow lift, you can get to the Corona lift which is my personal favorite. From there, you can take your pick from groomed steep runs, intense mogul patches, and tree-runs where you can seemingly get lost at will.
Granby Ranch:
Located just 90 miles west of Denver, Granby Ranch is a family-owned ski resort designed and operated with families in mind. The resort is laid out with two mountains, east and west, each offering different types and difficulties of terrain. While the East side is largely green and blue, the West side offers some more challenging blues and blacks, but all trails lead back to the base area, so family and friends can easily meet back at the same place.
Hesperus:
Just minutes from downtown Durango—11 miles west on Highway 160—Hesperus Ski Area offers 26 trails on 60 skiable acres, with 150 inches of annual snowfall. The double chair takes skiers and riders up to the 8,888′ summit for over 700 feet of vertical. Known as the largest night skiing operation in the southwest, Hesperus also offers tubing, rentals and ski school lessons. Hesperus is also home to the renowned Hesperus Ski Patrol. Did you know they are the only all-volunteer patrol in the state of Colorado?
Loveland:
Loveland has been a Colorado favorite for as long as I can remember. Just before the Eisenhower tunnel on I-70, this ski area wraps around the interstate and offers a great day on the mountain for anyone. Loveland Valley is a completely separate area for beginners, so don’t be deterred if you think this mountain is just for experienced skiers and riders. Loveland Basin is the area for the more experienced skiers and riders, and it offers pretty much whatever you’re interested in. With over 1,800 acres of terrain and bowl skiing to die for, this is just another destination to consider with your GEMS card.
Monarch:
Looking for an authentic Colorado ski area experience? What Monarch boasts in annual snowfall, it lacks in crowds, so you can find ample powder stashes. Receiving close to 350 inches of snow per year, there is normally not a bad time to visit Monarch. With 8 lifts and 53 trails, what could be better to do than explore this GEM.
Powderhorn:
Powderhorn is one of the most family-friendly resorts you’ll find anywhere in the West. Tucked alongside the northern edge of Western Colorado’s beautiful Grand Mesa – the world’s largest flattop mountain – we offer breathtaking views and over 1,600 acres of mountain terrain. Powderhorn’s location provides over 250 inches of light powder snow each year, and 70% of their runs are beginner or intermediate, ideal for any family of skiers or snowboarders. Recent upgrades include the 2015 launch of a new high-speed quad lift – The Flat Top Flyer – that gets you to the top in just 6 minutes!
Sunlight:
Sunlight gives you a full day of skiing for about half the cost of the mega-resorts. You’ll park for free, walk to the lifts, and never stand in line. Without the crowds, the powder lasts for days. All 67 trails lead right back to the lodge where you can stow your brown bag lunch or pick up something hot at the grill.
The overwhelming message here is that you should get the GEMS card because not only is it super affordable and a great deal, but it gives you access to some of these incredible ski areas and memories for a lifetime.
Oh, and it’s not too late to take advantage of this deal for this year either. Sales on the GEMS card are still continuing through the end of February, so there’s no better time than now to get out there and make it happen. There’s still plenty of season left to have a great time for all skiers and riders.
As always, have fun and be safe out there!
Buy One Season Pass and Ski For TWO Seasons At Monarch
Monarch Releases the Wings Pass
Ski the rest of this season and all of next season
Monarch Mountain is gearing up to release its Wings Pass on February 21, 2020. Wings pass holders can ski the rest of this season at Monarch and all of the 2020-2021 season.
The pass is available for Adults, Teens, Seniors, and Juniors.
“You can’t beat this deal! It’s the perfect product for those ready to start skiing independent.” says Marketing Manager Allie Stevens
The pass is valid only at Monarch for the 2019/2020 season but includes all of the partner resort benefits for the 2020/2021 season. A current Monarch season pass has over 100 free days at partner resorts.
For more information visit Monarch at www.skimonarch.com or call at 719.530.5000.
HOLLYWOOD LINES – The Best Runs to Ski and Ride to be Seen
Aspen Snowmass – Tamara Susa
By R. Scott Rappold and Alec Stowell and Andy Stein
It’s hard to believe now, but there was a time when everyone didn’t have a camera and phone in their pocket to show how good a skier or snowboarder they were and the technology to show it to the world on social media.
In the old days, if you wanted an audience, you rode the lift line. It’s where local heroes were cheered and local zeroes, well, they were cheered too. Who doesn’t like to watch a good yard sale while waiting for their turn on the snow? Every Colorado ski area has steep runs off the lift where you can prove yourself or prove it’s time for another lesson.
These runs have become known as “Hollywood Lines,” spots on the mountain where you better go big or go home because there’s a captive audience on the chairlift above. Whether you nail your turns or land that jump so perfectly you belong in a ski movie, or you fail so spectacularly you belong in the blooper reel, the cheers or jeers from the lift will make it all worth it.
Here are the Hollywood Lines at Colorado Ski Country USA resorts. Bring your A-game and your sense of humor.
Arapahoe Basin
Roller Coaster: Pallavacini chair is legendary at A-Basin. You can walk from the parking lot and ride to high above timberline, past some of the steepest terrains in Summit County. Want to prove to the locals that you can hang here? Hop off the chair and jump Pali Cornice and head right down Roller Coaster. This insanely long and steep bump run might chew you up and spit you out, but you’ll go back for more.
Aspen Mountain
1A Lift Line: Before Aspen Highlands, before Aspen Mountain expanded to its current size, everyone skied right into town. The Shadow Mountain Chair accesses this classic terrain, and if you want an audience, ski the lift line. It’s narrow, steeper than it looks, with lots of trees on either side to punish a mistake. As the Aspen Times once said, “If it’s a nice day and the lift is full of skiers watching you, this can become the most difficult (trail) in the valley.”
Aspen Highlands
Deep Temerity lift line: Aspen Highlands is not a mountain for greenhorns. It’s steep, scary and deadly. It’s also where some of the best skiers in the world mingle with celebrities and the super-rich. But the mountain is the great equalizer, and all the money in the world won’t help you if you try to ski the double-diamonds here without the right skills. Highland Bowl is the legendary terrain here, but no chairlift goes that high, so ski the tight trees and steep pitches of the Deep Temerity lift line for an audience.
Buttermilk
Timber Doodle Glade: Outside of hosting the X-games annually, Buttermilk gets a reputation for being the beginner’s mountain of the Aspen mountains. However, the Tiehack express still offers some legendary lines for those searching for some thrill. Stay to your right off the lift and find yourself starting your descent down Timber Doodle Glade where you can crush the steep tree run.
Cooper|Chicago Ridge
Maverick: Cooper isn’t known for its steep terrain, at least it wasn’t until Tennessee Creek Basin opened this winter, the first double-diamond runs here ever. Most of it is heavily forested so nobody can see your exploits, so showboats should head for the T-bar line and ski Maverick, being careful to dodge anyone riding up the T-bar, of course.
Copper Mountain
Revenge: Skiers who love steep drops and open bowl skiing know on a powder day to head directly for the Sierra lift (take American Flyer lift then scoot to the right.) This terrain usually opens early while ski patrol is still conducting avalanche mitigation in the back bowls. The terrain on either side of the chair holds great snow and you can usually get two or three runs of deep freshies. Those who slept in will be jealous when they see your tracks.
Echo Mountain
The Glades: Come on the right day and The Glades will give you the tree skiing experience you’ve been looking for all year. Follow the popular path or carve a line of your own and make your name known here.
Eldora
The Chutes: Take the Corona lift to the top and just a short hike to the right you’ll find yourself heading down Westridge but if you keep to the left you can hit one of the three Chutes. Take your pick and you’ll find yourself on a playground of difficult terrain. Steep moguls and navigating trees are the names of the game here, and once you find your line you’ll keep coming back for more.
Granby Ranch
Bounty Hunter: This is another mountain that gets the rep that you can’t find some intense terrain for those looking for it, but that’s just not the case. Hit the West Mountain and ride Conquest up and you’ll find yourself in an abyss of more extreme terrain. Hang a right off the lift and hit Bounty Hunter and you’ll get thrusted into a gateway of steep terrain. From there, take your pick on how you’ll make the best line of the day.
Hesperus
Upper Face: This small ski area has only one lift, and you can see pretty much the whole mountain from the chair, but to really show off your stuff power down the Upper Face. They’re also one of the few Colorado ski areas to offer night skiing and when it’s snowing in the evening Durango locals know to flock here for fresh turns.
Howelsen Hill
Jump Complex: Generations of Olympic skiers and jumpers have trained at this small ski area in downtown Steamboat Springs, which just happens to have the largest ski jumping facility in North America. Come out in the evening to watch local athletes soar through the air at dizzying heights.
Kendall Mountain
Sunnyside: Tiny Kendall Mountain, located right in the town of Silverton, has one chairlift. Sunnyside, which runs directly under the lift, offers 240 vertical feet of skiing. See how many times you can lap it in a day to impress your friends.
Loveland
Patrol Bowl: Located high on the Continental Divide above the Eisenhower Tunnel, Loveland has some of the best skiing in Colorado for those who like big lines high above timberline. Chair 9 takes skiers all the way to 12,700 feet. This terrain is so steep it often takes a day or even several days after a big storm for it to open, but patience pays off. If you’re lucky to be there right when it opens, go directly left off the chair and drop into Patrol Bowl, a double-diamond cirque with amazing potential for deep powder turns that will make you feel like you’re in a ski movie. Remember, though, people are watching.
Monarch
Sheer Rocks: The name says it all. This narrow, steep trail runs below Panorama lift. Generations of Salida hotshots have been skiing it just for the 10-foot jump directly below the chair. Hit it in early season and you’re bound to scrape a ski, but by mid-winter it’s the perfect pillow drop for those who want to catch some air and impress those older skiers whose jumping days are long past.
Purgatory
Blackburn’s Bash: It takes some work to reach the Legends Express Lift, but it’s worth it for expert skiers, as this part of the mountain has the best black diamond skiing on the mountain. Get there early on a powder day and you’ll be rewarded with a long, sweet line directly under the chair. When it hasn’t snowed in a while show them what a good (or not-so-good) mogul skier you are.
Powderhorn
Mudslide: Take the West-End lift up and follow Tenderfoot to your left until you reach Mudslide. The rare double-black at this mountain is short but sweet and is sure to get your heart pumping. Veer left at the end and find yourself finishing off the run through the Thunder Mountain Glade’s.
Silverton
Mandatory Air: Silverton isn’t like other ski areas. It has only one chair but offers the steepest and deepest terrain in Colorado – 100 percent of it is expert-level terrain. You are required to have an avalanche beacon and for most of the winter, they only allow guided skiing, meaning you’ll be doing a lot of uphill skiing or hiking or paying extra for a helicopter drop. They only offer unguided skiing for a short time in spring, when the avalanche danger tends to be lower. See how big you can send it on Mandatory Air while skiers at the top wonder if they feel like risking their lives following you.
Snowmass
Grinder: Take the High Alpine chair all the way up to 11,852 feet, get off of the lift and go left and look in amazement as you set your sights on this hardcore double black diamond. Not for the faint of heart, this trail is one that will leave your legs burning and the people on the chair lift watching in amazement. If you want to watch people turn down this double black, expert-only terrain but don’t necessarily want to ski or ride down it yourself, no worries, just take a right off of the lift and stroll down and intermediate blue run.
Steamboat
Storm Peak North: If you’re wondering where everyone is rushing to on a powder day, it’s the Storm Peak Express chair. That’s because the terrain just off the lift is some of the most exciting on the mountain, steep and free of trees, where you can make hero lines just feet from the chair – that is, if it’s not snowing too hard for anyone to see you.
Sunlight
Alligator Alleys: Home of some of the steepest runs served by lift access in the state. Currently served by the Primo chairlift, take a left once you get off and follow Grizzly until you find yourself at the peak of the alley. Drop in where you please and experience an intense rush of expert terrain.
Telluride
Dynamo: Skiable cliffs right off the lift? Ride up Gold Hill Express chair, head skier’s right a big, summon your courage and drop in. Whether you nail the jump or it nails you, you’ll probably get a big cheer from the chair. Honorable mention goes to Kant-Mak-M off the Plunge lift, which was the original showboating spot before the resort expanded to its current, massive size.
Winter Park
Freeriders: Winter Park is actually two mountains – the Winter Park side, with its family-friendly groomed terrain; and Mary Jane, a completely different animal, with long, steep mogul runs and huge bowls above timberline. Skiing the Mary Jane side will either make you a better bump skier or send you home to mother crying. Want to see what good mogul skiers look like? Ride the Challenger chair and look down on the Freeriders run.
Wolf Creek
Alberta Face: Wolf Creek gets the most snow in Colorado, 430 inches a year, and when it’s been dumping, skiers in the know go straight to Treasure Stoke Chair for one of the steepest pitches on the mountain. The wide-open expanse of Alberta Face is the first terrain ski patrol blasts, so it’s the first steep terrain typically open, with no trees to hide your exploits if you drop right in. Look up and you might notice later arrivals drooling as you kick up cold smoke in your face.
Don’t forget that these are the “Hollywood Lines” so if people are taking photos and videos of you, just realize that you’ve made it and hopefully are being shared across social media for your amazing turns rather than how good you can yardsale down a mountain in front of everyone.
Forest Service Approves Guided Backcountry Snowcat Tours at Loveland Ski Area
Loveland – A view of Dry Gulch from the proposed southern drop off area.
The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland released its draft decision on Friday, February 7 permitting Loveland Ski Area to offer guided snowcat skiing and snowboarding opportunities in Dry Gulch. The 580-acre area is adjacent to Loveland’s existing permit area north of Interstate 70.
“We are honored to partner with the US Forest Service to offer a unique guided backcountry skiing and snowboarding experience,” said Rob Goodell, COO of Loveland Ski Area. “This special use permit will allow us to expand opportunities for winter recreational use consistent with our 2017 Master Plan and the Forest Service mission.”
Under the expanded special use permit, Loveland Ski Area will be able to offer up to two guided trips per day into Dry Gulch with no more than 16 people on each trip. Snowcat operations will be limited to three designated routes. The area will remain open to the public for non-guided use.
Loveland Dry Gulch Snow Cat Tour Project
A number of monitoring and mitigation requirements will be implemented to protect the area’s environment and natural resources. Among them are that snowcat use will require at least two feet of snow cover, tree removal will be prohibited, compacted snow/ice routes must be broken up at the end of the season, and water quality and fish populations in the area will be monitored to ensure there are no negative hydrological impacts of the permitted activities.
More information about the proposal, including the draft Decision Notice, Environmental Assessment, public comments, and other supporting documents, can be found online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=54196. Publication of the draft Decision Notice in the Fort Collins Coloradoan on Friday, February 7 began a 45-day objection period, during which time those who commented on the proposal may file objections to the proposed activity or certain aspects of it.
Extended Chairlift Hours at Aspen Snowmass
Aspen Snowmass – Tamara Susa
As daylight hours last longer, select lifts at all four Aspen Snowmass mountains will remain open until 4/4:15 p.m. starting Feb. 15 through the rest of the season.
Aspen Mountain will run the Silver Queen Gondola, Ajax Express and the F.I.S. lift until 4 p.m. At Snowmass, the Elk Camp Gondola and the Sheer Bliss lift will operate until 4 p.m. The Village Express will run until 4 p.m. to the top and until 4:15 p.m. to the mid-station. Cloud Nine lift at Aspen Highlands will close at 4 p.m. with Exhibition lift closing at 4:15 p.m. The Summit Express lift at Buttermilk will run until 4 p.m. All other lifts will close at 3:30 p.m.
Mountaintop Matrimony – Loveland Ski Area – Dustin Schaeffer
The Mountaintop Matrimony is for couples (approximately 100 couples) getting married or renewing their vows and takes place at noon sharp outside the Ptarmigan Roost Cabin, elevation 12,050 feet. The Ptarmigan Roost Cabin is located at the top of the Ptarmigan Lift at Loveland Basin. Couples are required to sign-in the morning of the event and are asked to be at the Ptarmigan Roost Cabin by 11:30 am.
PARTICIPANTS AND GUESTS MUST BE ABLE TO RIDE THE LIFT UP TO THE TOP AND THEN SKI OR SNOWBOARD DOWN THE HILL IN ORDER TO ATTEND THE CEREMONY. THERE WILL BE NO TRANSPORTATION UP OR DOWN THE MOUNTAIN FOR NON-SKIERS/SNOWBOARDERS.
Mountaintop Matrimony – Loveland Ski Area – Dustin Schaeffer
The ceremony is a “mass wedding” done for all couples at the same time and lasts approximately 30 minutes. At the conclusion of the ceremony, all participants and guests will ski or snowboard down the mountain for a casual after-party with cake, music and prizes. The runs leading back to the base area from this point are beginner and intermediate. The after-party will start at 1:30 pm at the base of Loveland Basin.
Individual lift tickets will be $89 the day of the event. Guests that pre-register will receive 2-for-1 lift tickets for the event and will be eligible to purchase a lunch package for $15 including an $15 lunch voucher, 2 beer coupons and wedding cupcakes at the reception. These packages will also be available for purchase at morning check-in. Couples can pre-register for the event at https://skiloveland.com/wedding-registration/
Couples are encouraged to dress in appropriate “ski-wedding” attire as there will be a prize for the best-dressed couple. Please keep in mind that The Ptarmigan Roost Cabin is located at 12,050 feet and that dressing warmly is important even on a sunny day. The wedding will not be rescheduled because of snow or cold weather, so be prepared!
Springs Skiing and Snowboard Tips and Tricks
Purgatory Resort – Ryan Nott
Spring is approaching in Colorado, bringing warmer weather, longer days, bluebird skies and outstanding skiing and snowboarding conditions to Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) member resorts. Newcomers to Colorado skiing and riding can take advantage of discounted lift tickets, festive events and dozens of family-friendly activities that will make it easy to spend this spring on the slopes.
Below are some pointers for newcomers and long-time Colorado residents alike to enjoy spring skiing and riding in Colorado:
Learn to Ski or Ride this Spring
For those new to Colorado or new to snowsports, spring is one of the best times of the ski season to learn. Guests will find warmer spring temperatures, plenty of sunshine and a welcoming, stress-free environment. Enrolling in ski school for professional instruction is the best first step for newcomers to the sport and those returning after a few seasons off. Colorado ski areas offer great deals and discounts in the spring, making it easy for visitors to take advantage of the opportunity to learn to ski or snowboard.
Come Prepared for Variable Weather Conditions
It’s always a good idea to account for changing weather conditions in Colorado’s high country. While warmer, sunny spring conditions are common in Colorado, spring weather can turn wintry again unexpectedly. In order to avoid being caught off guard when blue skies give way to
snowflakes, experienced spring skiers and riders know to pack layers and extra gear to accommodate any changes in weather throughout the day.
Consider the “Second Shift” of Afternoon Skiing
During the spring, some of the softest snow conditions can be found in the late morning or afternoon. Second shift skiing also allows for a slower morning and accommodates a busy schedule. Skiers and riders can also find great discounts on half-day lift tickets, freeing up some extra funds for après ski or other adventures.
Not Ready to Hit the Slopes? Not a Problem
For guests who aren’t ready to give skiing or snowboarding a try, or families with both skiers and non-skiers in tow, Colorado ski areas offer dozens of family-friendly non-skiing activities. Don’t miss the chance to ride a mountain coaster, take a guided snowshoe tour, glide across a frozen pond on ice skates, or experience a once-in-a-lifetime gourmet dining experience.
Spring is Prime Season for Après
While Colorado’s spring skiing conditions are world-class, Colorado’s spring après-ski scene is even better. Colorado ski areas offer no shortage of options to occupy skiers and riders after the lifts have closed, from sunny patios and relaxing environments to live music and spring festivals. Instead of hurrying home, spring is the time to kick back and enjoy the mountains with family and friends after an enjoyable day on the slopes.
Don’t Forget the Sunscreen
Skiers and snowboarders should be mindful of sun exposure all season, but it’s especially important in the spring. With blue skies and longer days, sunscreen can help those on the slopes avoid the goggle sunburn that so often afflicts spring skiers and riders. Reapplying sunscreen at lunch is highly recommended.
Find End-of-Season Deals on Gear and Equipment
Spring is the perfect time to stock up on skiing and snowboarding gear, when ski areas and ski shops alike offer end-of-season deals to make space for next season’s inventory. Guests can find bargains on everything from skis and snowboards to soft goods like outerwear, base layers and gloves.
Win A FREE Pair of Skis! #AMountainForEveryone
Loveland Ski Area – Casey Day
The recent snow has us feeling some sort of way here at Colorado Ski Country USA. We think that everyone should have the chance to get up to the mountains and enjoy some skiing!
CONTEST DETAILS
From now through the end of February, whenever you post a picture from a Colorado Ski Country member resort, use the hashtag #AMountainForEveryone ( A Mountain For Everyone) for a chance to win a free pair of men’s skis, women’s skis OR kid’s skis. Only one (1) pair of skis will be handed out.
It’s as simple as just posting a picture and using our hashtag.
Choosing A Winner
At the end of February, the staff from Colorado Ski Country USA will each pick their favorite photo (5 photos will be chosen) from the submissions we receive on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and we will then post each photo separately on each of our social media platforms. Whichever photo accumulates the most ‘likes’ across all of our social platforms combined after one week’s time (7 days) will be the winner of whichever pair of skis they want! So be creative with your photos, capture the great views, the steep angles, the big smiles, the blue skies, whatever you think will capture our attention.
DISCLAIMER
Be sure that we can access your account so that we can send you a message. Those with private accounts may not be able to be reached by us when we try to slide into your DM’s to give you a free pair of skis. You will have three (3) days to respond to our message or else the photo will the next most likes will be chosen.
Loveland Dry Gulch Snow Cat Tour Project
