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 please no more future coach reports) and before our great 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 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 from excursions that didn’t quite work out. Both are long stories that require many beverages of choice to complete.)
But don’t waste any time, talk to Eric Walker, owner of 315 Survival and then hit the slopes; tell your employers you are sick, as mid-week trips are best. Throughout the next few months, we will offer regular reports and needed anecdotes along the way. Just don’t blame any falls on TMJ reports.
Enjoy our many Power Days.
Ski Updates
The following is the most updated ski information as last weekend, 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-41 Inches, Runs Open 67, Percentage of Terrain Open 100
Comments: The locals favorite place for snow; shorter runs than most places, but very convenient. 28 Inches of snow in last seven days.
Arapahoe Basin: Snow Base-47 Inches, Runs Open 114, Percentage of Terrain Open 79
Comments: Never a bad day at the Basin; parking sometimes a problem. Pick a day, though, with sun, as sometimes gets really cold. 10 Inches of snow in last five days.
Breckenridge: Snow Base-44 Inches, Runs Open 180, Percentage of Terrain Open 96
Comments: Call in sick during week; try to avoid Breck on the weekend, but can’t beat the close distance from Teller County and their local happenings. 10 inches of snow in last four days.
Keystone: Snow Base-41 Inches, Runs Open 130, Percentage of Terrain Open 100
Comments: Ideal mountain for families and kids. Underestimated for the great amount of tree runs. 21 inches of snow in the last six days.
Copper Mountain: Snow Base-47 Inches, Runs Open 155, Percentage of Terrain Open 100
Comments: Probably the best laid-out mountain; great back bowls, although access is sometimes tricky. 19 Inches of snow in last six days.
Ski Cooper: Snow Base-26 to 40 Inches, Runs Open 64, Percentage of Terrain Open 100
Comments: Secret gem for telemark 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.
Vail: Snow Base-58 Inches, Runs Open 197, Percentage of Terrain Open 72
Comments: Colorado’s biggest and most well-known mountain resort. Great, but try during the week due to the crowds. 29 Inches of Snow in past six days.
Aspen (Aspen, Snowmass and Aspen Highlands): Snow Base-37 to 42 Inches, Runs Open 76, Percentage of Terrain Open 100 Percent
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. Much better conditions reported at both the Highlands and Snowmass. 10 Inches of snow in last three days at Aspen.
Crested Butte: Snow Bass-53 Inches, Runs Open 115, Percentage of Terrain Open 72 Percent
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. 29 Inches of snow in last seven days.
Telluride: Snow Base-44 to 50 Inches, Runs Open 131 Percentage of Terrain Open 87
Comments: Their blacks are definite blacks, so Plunge down the Plunge run with care. No mountain in Colorado rivals the views at Telluride. 38 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.
