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.
Sacrifices on the Mountain – an Ode to Parenting
Spaulding Bowl at Copper – Helen Olsson
As parents, we often find ourselves doing crazy things for our children. But someday, those sacrifices will translate to epic skiing or riding with the family in Colorado Ski Country.
My Cold Right Foot
I was skiing the vertiginous pitch Aspen Highlands’ Temerity, 1,690 vertical feet of 28-degree pitch, and every right-footer turn I took was a little less awesome than my left footers. Two weeks before, in the lodge at Winter Park, my son’s Booster Strap had broken. He’s a ski racer and for racers—or any skiers who want control and transmission of power from boot to the ski, which I think is really, probably everybody—Booster straps are key. So, his broke, and naturally, I kicked my boot up on a chair, like a horse ready to have its horseshoe replaced. He unscrewed the screw at the back and relieved me of my right strap.
At that moment, it struck me that as parents, we do the craziest things for our kids. We’d do anything. We’d donate a kidney if we had to. We’d take a bullet. In the grand scheme of sacrifices, losing a little control on my right footers wasn’t really that big a deal. Although, it also meant I didn’t have a boot heater battery on that right boot either, because of my Hotronic battery affixes to my Booster Strap. So I also had a cold right foot.
A couple of weeks later, my son got a new strap and returned mine to me. But he’d lost the little rubber washer that protects the strap from the screw. That’s the thanks we get. (Shout-out to the helpful fella at Eldora’s tune shop for finding me a loose snowboard binding washer to sub in.)
Skiing with a giant Teddy Bear – As Promised – Helen Olsson
And then there was that time I promised my daughter I would ski with a giant bear if she would just do one more year of ski team. I was so sure she would forget about the promise by the end of the season. She didn’t. So I packed Fudgie, a tan 3½ foot tall bear into my Kelty baby backpack carrier, and I skied a day at Copper Mountain. I looked like an idiot. But a promise is a promise.
Sometimes the thing we do for our kids is wearing a Day-Glo headband that says “Send it Jerry!” – Helen Olsson
That day at Aspen Highlands, on the side of the racecourse, my friend Will took off his helmet and donned a super dorky florescent headband that read “Send It Jerry.”
“What’s up with that?” I asked.
“I promised my son I would wear it while I watched the race,” he told me. Seriously, I think our kids might be messing with us.
Will’s wife, Kim, told me about the time they hit a deer driving to Telluride, totaling the car. Their two kids were racing, and they didn’t want to miss it, so they convinced the tow truck driver to ferry them to Telluride. They would deal with the car later. A few years later, on the way to Crested Butte, they hit another deer—literally while talking about the Telluride deer incident. I think the deer might also be messing with us.
When my kids were small, I’d pull them and all their gear in a sled to get them to the bottom of the bunny slope at Copper. Packing the snacks, warming up tiny fingers, picking them up when they fell, over and over. Those days, the sacrifice was not being up in high alpine, in Spaulding Bowl or Resolution ripping.
My brother Pete told me about deciding to teach his two toddlers to ski—with his beginner wife in tow. “It was a nightmare. I’d have one on the magic carpet, and the other one would be crashing,” he said. “I was totally outnumbered.” And then his youngest pushed the big red emergency button on the magic carpet. “Because, you know, it was a big red button.”
Okay, some perspective. We make sacrifices so that our kids will fall in love with skiing and snowboarding–and so that they aren’t screen-timing it every minute. We still have both kidneys, and we haven’t (yet) had to take a bullet. These sacrifices are hardly monumental. And on top of it all, there has been a tremendous payoff. Now we can stand on top of Highlands Bowl with our teenagers and just try to keep up with them on the way down. We can hike Tucker Mountain at Copper, and they might even carry our skis for a spell. And, get this, after I drove four hours (just a few weeks ago) from Winter Park to Eldora and back in a day to drop my son at a ski practice—which He. Could. Not. Miss.—that child went out into the cold garage and tuned my skis. And that brought me joy.
A Few Must-Do’s This Spring Ski Season
Eldora on a Colorado Blue Bird Day
Spring Forward
Spring break and ski resorts can conjure up images of Solo cups, swimsuit-clad skiers and rowdy pond-skimming events. At Colorado Ski Country resorts, however, spring takes on a side as soft as the snow, as family-friendly activities abound. Whether you want to take the kids to one of the most incredible spectacles of racing in the world, jump into Olympic-grade trampolines, or catch live music (and a few Mardi Gras beads), the Rocky Mountains have you covered—no swimsuit required.
Aspen Snowmass
Tamara Susa -Aspen Snowmass
The standout of this spring’s offerings at Aspen Snowmass is the NASTAR National Championship, which was first held here at the Spider Sabich race arena in 1998 and now makes a triumphant return from March 24 to 28 after a tour of numerous American resorts. It’s the Olympics of recreational racing, with perhaps even more fanfare as athletes aged 1 to 95 take on the Blue Grouse racecourse. It’s fast-paced fun, and a good chance to meet famous pacesetters Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Laurenne Ross and Marco Sullivan, among others.
Copper Mountain
Curtis DeVore – Copper Mounain
With 24 lifts, nearly 2500 acres of skiable terrain and more than 140 marked trails (half of which are beginner or intermediate), Copper has your family covered for spending spring break exploring seemingly unlimited options on the hill. Plus, the mountain received 98 inches of the white stuff last March—the snowiest month of the winter. But Copper’s also cool because of its wide array of alternative activities. Ride the Rocky Mountain Coaster, terrorize the tubing park or take the team uphill with the latest trend of skinning to the summit. But the shiniest spring break at Copper has to be the Barn at Woodward, a 19,400-square-foot indoor playground of foam pits, Olympic-grade flybed trampolines and BMX training zones, to name a few of the head-spinning features.
Steamboat
Steamboat Ski Resort
Besides its world-famous Champagne Powder, Steamboat has plenty of high-spirited events that require no spirits to enjoy. Laissez les bon temps rouler at the mountains’ Mardi Gras celebration that kicks of February 22: kids can pick apart tiny crustaceans at the crawfish boil, collect beads, see street performers, cheer on a parade and get their faces painted. Instead of NOLA, it’s snow-LA. Also, every Saturday in March from 3:30 to 5:30 means live music at the base area.
Winter Park
We’ll skip the planes and automobiles, please, and take the train, instead—namely, the Winter Park Express that bypasses 1-70 for a scenic tour through mountain passes and 31 tunnels, including the 6.2 mile Moffat Tunnel (yes, the length of running a 10K). From Friday through Sunday, the Amtrak train departs Denver’s Union Station at 7am, arrives right at the Winter Park lifts at 9am, and heads back to Denver at 4pm. Snag a seat in the bi-level Superliner Sightseer Lounge for onboard snacks and drinks and floor-to-ceiling views of the Rockies.
Ten Easy Ways to Make the Most of a Powder Day
Steamboat Resort
By R. Scott Rappold
If you’re at a Colorado ski resort, you’re already having a good day. Just ask the 13.8 million skiers and snowboarders who visited a Colorado Ski Country USA resort last winter.
But there are challenges to being way up in the Rockies in the dead of winter: blinding snow, bitter cold, other skiers tracking up the powder that is rightfully yours.
Anyone who skis as much as this reporter (101 days last winter) has a bag of tricks, little things they do to deal with the elements and have a better day on the snow.
With a major storm bearing down on the Rockies this weekend and the promise of big snow totals, I decided to share some of my tips for surviving the nastiest weather and making the most of your powder day.
Make first chair
I recently skied Wolf Creek with a friend who has been skiing her whole life and is frankly a much better skier than me. She needed a ride up and I told her we’d be leaving at 7 a.m. sharp.
“Early bird, huh?” she said.
“Early bird gets the worm,” I replied.
It was her first time ever making first chair. I’ve since seen her several times up there bright and early.
That’s because, on a powder day, first chair is where the magic happens. To be the first person to plunge down a blanket of untouched snow is about as close as you can get to floating while staying Earthbound. Do it once and you’ll find yourself getting up earlier and earlier on cold winter mornings.
Have a ski quiver
The days of having a single set of skis or a single snowboard for all conditions are long over. Whenever I ski I have all three of my sets in the car because you never know what the snow is going to be like until you get up there.
I have my Head Kore 93s as my go-to, all-mountain skis that do well in any conditions. I have my Ski Logik Ullr’s Chariot, a wider and heavier ski that shreds the powder like nobody’s business but can still handle the chop in the afternoon. And I have my Rockstars, massive, 120-mm underfoot, rockered and light as a feather, for the days when it’s dumping and refills are free.
I’ve been known to ride all three sets in a day. My wife says I’m obsessive. I say I’m practical.
Avoid the lines – ride smaller lifts
When I used to ski Colorado’s larger resorts like Copper Mountain or Steamboat, I would take advantage of the fact you can get 3,000 vertical feet in a run if you go all the way to the base. But why was I spending so much time in line?
The base area quad chairs (and larger – I believe I’ve ridden an 8-seater in my time) is the fastest way to get up the mountain and get the most vert, but I no longer ride them except at the beginning of the day. I like the smaller, slower and more isolated chairs that take you to more remote terrain and untouched powder.
For example, when I ski Copper Mountain, I ride up on the American Flyer, a high-speed, six-person chair that even has a plastic bubble to protect you from the elements. Then I skate over to Sierra chair, a three-seater that takes you to some great steep terrain. When the back bowls open I spend the rest of the morning on Blackjack and Mountain Chief, both old two-seaters.
I can’t recall ever waiting in line on any of those.
Make sure you can see
I see it all the time: someone is in the lodge by 10 a.m. on a stormy day because they can’t see. That’s what happens when you have goggles designed to filter out the sun and snow on a day it’s dumping.
Most goggles these days come with interchangeable lenses, or they should. Low-light lenses are scientifically designed to help provide definition on the worst days.
Because any powder lover will tell you the worst days are the best days.
Keep goggles from fogging up
Another problem many skiers face on the stormy days is goggles fogging up. Heavy breathing and perspiration (it is an action sport, after all) trap warm air in the goggles, which causes ice when it meets the frigid air outside.
Avoid the fog by not tucking your ski mask into the goggles. And don’t put your goggles on your helmet – the heat from your head will just make it worse.
As any ski instructor will tell you, those goggles should never be anywhere but on your face.
You should also apply anti-fog material to your goggles every few days to help fight the ice.
Keep your phone alive
Modern smartphones are notoriously susceptible to cold temperatures. I’ve watched my iPhone drop from 90 percent life to 10 percent on a single lift ride.
So how are you supposed to take pictures, find your friends or email your boss that you’re home sick if your phone is a dead brick?
I like to use a peel-off foot warmer, sold in most grocery stores and other general retailers here in the colder regions. Just put it against your phone in a pocket of one of your inside layers.
Bonus: They’re also good for keeping toes warm, though not the most comfortable thing to have in a ski boot.
Pack the car the night before
I’m always amazed when friends show up late to the ski area because they had to load the car in the morning.
Except for ski boots, which should never be left out in a frigid trunk, everything else can be loaded the night before. Get your food and drinks together. Set out your ski pass. If it’s snowing, shovel the sidewalk the night before.
Because getting to the ski area as early as possible should be your goal.
See Tip Number 1 above for supporting evidence.
Don’t tighten your boots too much
Yes, we all like tight boots while riding, since having an ankle sliding around can make for sloppy turns.
But too-tight boots also cut off blood flow, and skiing can be no fun when you can’t feel your toes. So leave a little wiggle room.
Stay hydrated
Yes, this is one of the most important things you should do while exerting at high elevation, but it’s also easier said than done.
I’ve never found a ski hydration pack that doesn’t freeze on the nastiest days. Blowing in the hose each run may help but Mother Nature always wins. You could put it under your jacket, though it will make you feel constricted and make you look like the Hunchback of Summit County.
I like to bring a tiny plastic water bottle and just put it in my pocket. Anything too big will make your balance awkward and hurt on a fall, so I use a cleaned-out cough syrup bottle. Just a sip every now and then and refill every time you take a break.
Take breaks
It’s tough to stop when the snow is pounding and you’re getting fresh tracks every run, but we’re all human and need to warm up and rest sometimes.
If you’re at a larger resort, duck into a warming hut or upper lodge every few hours. At a smaller ski area, ski down to the base and take five. Being cold and tired is when mistakes happen, which is when injuries happen, so listen to your body.
Scott Rappold
R. Scott Rappold is a journalist with more than 20 years of experience, including 10 at The Colorado Springs Gazette, where he wrote about skiing, hiking, camping and all the things that make Colorado great. He is now a full-time ski bum who writes when he needs money for beer or lift tickets. He lives in Colorado’s beautiful San Luis Valley. Read more of Scott’s stories here.
POWDER ALERT – MAJOR Snow Heading to Colorado.
Loveland Ski Area – Casey Day
Have you dreamed of skiing or riding in shoulder-deep powder?! How you dreamed of skiing or riding on soft, fluffy snow? What about carving your way through feet of fresh. first tracks on a ski hill?
Good news, your time is coming!
This weekend, February 7-9, will be an AMAZING time to get out in Colorado Ski Country. A major snowstorm is expected to drop FEET of snow in most areas. Let’s talk about specifics so you can plan your weekend accordingly.
TRAVEL
Travel will be near impossible at certain times over the next few days. Thursday and Friday are looking to be the worst travel days as heavy snow will be occurring almost consistently. Mountain passes are also expected to see wind gusts up to 60 mph creating white-out and blizzard-like conditions. I’m assuming some mountain passes will be closing due to the nature of this storm.
It is recommended that you carpool or use public transportation as much as possible to get to and from the mountains this weekend. Most ski areas offer shuttles from towns close by and the benefit there is that the towns normally sit at lower elevations where the snow may not be as bad. Look into the Winter Park Express train that brings you to and from Winter Park Resort from Downtown Denver. You can also use the new Bustang service which provides daily weekend trips to Arapahoe Basin, Steamboat Resort and Loveland Ski Area.
Please plan ahead for tough travel. Remember the new traction law that is in place this year. Use the Colorado Department of Transportations website to check road conditions ahead of time. You can also follow and accidents and road closures that may be occurring.
The National Weather Service in Boulder will provide you with updated forecasts for areas like Denver, Steamboat, Winter Park and Loveland Ski Area.
The National Weather Service in Grand Junction will provide you with updated forecasts for areas like Grand Junction, Aspen, Telluride and Powderhon Ski Resort.
The National Weather Service in Pueblo will provide you with updated forecasts for areas like Colorado Springs, Wold Creek and Monarch Mountain.
You can support Andy, Colorado Ski Country USA’s resident meteorologist on Facebook and Twitter for more weather and ski information across the state.
FORECAST
February 5-7
Thanks to a screaming Jet Stream above us, ample amounts of Pacific moisture are funneling into Colorado. The Jet Stream provides energy and carries along moisture and those two combined creates snowfall. Also, the mountains of Colorado are so tall that they impact snow. Orographic lifting is when you get lift in the atmopshere due to the topography. All of these together will provide the mountains with a very big snowstorm.
Steamboat, Howelson Hill, Winter Park, Arapahoe Basin, Loveland, Copper, Cooper, Aspen (All Mountains), Sunlight and Monarch
All ski areas listed are under a Winter Storm Warning for 1-3 feet of snow. This will start overnight into Thursday morning and continue through Saturday morning. Northwest facing slopes may see significantly more snowfall than forecast due to the trajectory of the winds and that orographic lifting that was aforementioned.
Echo, Eldora, Powderhorn, Silverton, Wolf Creek, Telluride, Purgatory, Hesperus, Granby Ranch, and Kendall Mountain
All ski areas listed will be receiving snow in this period as well but not advisory or warning criteria. Most areas can expect 2-8 inches of fresh snow over the next few days. Travel will be difficult as well but they may not be as severe as areas in the Winter Storm Warning.
February 9-11
Another round of snow is expected during this period. This time, the southern mountains will receive more snow. Early estimates are calling for the possibility of 5-15 inches of snow during this period. For the north-central mountains, roughly 4-10 inches of snow can be expected. This forecast could change as we clear up some of the data and get closer to the actual date.
February 13-20
More signals of intermittent snow can be expected for this period. This far out, it’s hard to distinguish storms but there are signs of consistent light to moderate snow totals for mountain locations.
This will all add to our above-average snowpack but will also lead to an increased risk for avalanche danger for a prolonged period of time. Snowpack as of January 31, 2020 is sitting at 109 percent of average on a statewide level. This number is expected to increase with the amount of snow that is expected over the next two weeks. We have also seen a reduction of the severity of drought in some mountain locations thanks to the snow that continued to fall in the High Country.
GET THE DAILY SNOW REPORT
Enjoy the upcoming snow that we are about to see here in Colorado. It’s going to be amazing and the conditions are going to be superb. If you want to stay updated on the snow report that is updated DAILY from the ski resorts themselves, sign up to receive the snow report email that you can modify to get sent to you when you’d like.
If you are out and about this winter, tag Colorado Ski Country USA in your Instagram and Facebook posts! We love to see you enjoying our backyard and would love to feature your photos on our social media platforms. You can also use the hashtag #AMountainForEveryone to get featured as well!
Andy is Colorado Ski Country’s Communication Coordinator. He is also a trained meteorologist with over 6 years of experience working most recently as a broadcast meteorologist.
Loveland Dry Gulch Snow Cat Tour Project
