Rick Langenberg
The Colorado ski season is heading into prime time, with the near ending of NFL football (isn’t that a relief, no more Bronco defeats) and before our great, world famous slopes get invaded by spring breakers
Conditions are great for our prime mountain slopes, courtesy of another El Nino year that pounds our ultra-high country region, while leaving us rather unscathed, until March and April. On a regular basis, and with the help of local sponsor 315 Survival, your prime local spot for skin tuning, equipment and needed advice. Make sure to pay them a visit, prior to your next trip to the mountain. 315 Survival is located in the Safeway shopping center and sports unique outdoor equipment, and right now is doing some prime ski tuning,
TMJ will publish the most updated reports, based on updates from leading online sources. If anyone has any good ski stories , or tidbits to share with us, email us at editor@mountainjackpot.com.
A couple of requirements: Don’t ever take any pointers from TMJ staff members. I (Rick Langenberg, editor) was fired years ago as a family tour guide after a lost sojourn into the back slopes of Snowmass that almost took on glimpses of Jon Krakauer’s “Into Thin Air” disaster; and then after nearly killing several people in the back bowls of Copper Mountain from excursions that didn’t quite work out. Both are long stories (that would require many beverages of choice to complete).
But don’t waste any time. This is now the best time to ski. Talk to Eric Walker, owner of 315 Survival, and then hit the slopes; tell your employers you are sick, as mid-week trips are the best. Throughout the next few months, we will offer regular reports and needed anecdotes along the way.
Enjoy our many Power Days.
Ski Updates
The following is the most updated ski information as of Sunday morning, regarding some of our favorite mountains, based on the Colorado Ski Country and Colorado Ski Central websites, along with our own analysis. Enjoy.
Monarch: Snow Base-46 Inches, Runs Open 64, Percentage of Terrain Open 100
Comments: The locals favorite place for snow; shorter runs than most places, but very convenient.
Arapahoe Basin: Snow Base-46 Inches, Runs Open 86, Percentage of Terrain Open 86
Comments: Never a bad day at the Basin; parking sometimes a problem. Pick a day, though, with sun, as sometimes gets really cold. 11 Inches of snow in last seven days.
Breckenridge: Snow Base-38 Inches, Runs Open 149, Percentage of Terrain Open 80
Comments: Call in sick during week, avoid Breck on the weekend, but can’t beat the close distance from Teller County and their local happenings. 12 inches of snow in last seven days.
Keystone: Snow Base-37 Inches, Runs Open 122, Percentage of Terrain Open 94
Comments: Ideal mountain for families and kids. Underestimated for the great amount of tree runs. Nearly 20 inches of snow in the last week.
Copper Mountain: Snow Base-43 Inches, Runs Open 155, Percentage of Terrain Open 101
Comments: Probably the best laid-out mountain; great back bowls, although access is sometimes tricky. 12 Inches of snow in last week.
Ski Cooper: Show Base-30 Inches, Lift Open 5 with access to about 63 runs, Percentage of Terrain Open Nearly 100
Comments: Secret gem for telemarketing skiing; and for advanced intermediates, check out the Snowcat tours. Can’t beat the small, family atmosphere, almost brings back memories of skiing before the big resorts arrived.
Vail: Snow Base-55 Inches, Runs Open 181, Percentage of Terrain Open 66
Comments: Colorado’s biggest and most well-known mountain resort. Great, but try during the week due to the crowds. 12 Inches of Snow in last seven days.
Aspen (Aspen, Snowmass and Aspen Highlands): Snow Base-37 to 47 Inches, Runs Open 76, Percentage of Terrain Open 100
Comments: Check out Aspen Highlands for diversion and views from the top. Only crazies at the peak, but you can’t beat the views. Snowmass probably the best mountain in state for blue skiers. 10 Inches of snow in last three days
Crested Butte: Snow Base—45 Inches, Runs Open 115, Percentage of Terrain Open 72
Comments: Rumors abound that the acclaimed T-Bars, access to the Butte’s Extreme Limits Terrain, is now open. Tours are often provided to this section, under guided supervision. Worth checking out, if you are an advanced intermediate-plus skier. Get your snow legs ready. 37 Inches of snow in last seven days.
Telluride: Snow Base-38 to 41 Inches, Runs Open 107, Percentage of Terrain Open 71
Comments: Their blacks are definite blacks, so Plunge down the Plunge run with care. No mountain in Colorado rivals the views at Telluride. Nearly 20 inches of snow in last seven days.
If anyone has info they would like to submit for our ski reports, contact us at editor@mountainjackpot.com.
