Rick Langenberg
The Colorado ski season is heading into its final stretch, as we move into late March and early April. This is a great time to hit the slopes with more deals, even better snow, warmer weather and fewer crowds. How can you beat a combination like that?
Conditions are absolutely fantastic for our prime mountain slopes, courtesy of another El Nino year that has pounded our high mountain areas, while leaving us rather unscathed this year. In fact, weather forecasters are calling this year as the best ski season in the Colorado High Country for regular snow in at least four years. The ski mountains in Summit and nearby areas, such as Breck, Keystone, Copper Mountain and Monarch, have gotten hammered recently, recording double digit numbers when it comes to new snow totals in the last week. Since our most recent report, some ski mountain snow bases have expanded by close to 30 percent.
Based on the most recent reports, Crested Butte, Telluride and Vail emerged as the prime powder gold champs, with a combined strike of more than 60 inches of new snow in the last week. In fact, the Butte resort is continuing to hit the jackpot with close to a 100-inch base for the season. I fact, virtually every ski mountain in Colorado is not reporting stellar conditions.
With the help of local sponsor 315 Survival, your prime local spot for ski tuning, outdoor equipment and needed advice, we are featuring regular ski reports. 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 and is offering new gear for the spring and summer. They were recently named as the Best New Business in Teller County, based on annual contest sponsored by TMJ News.
Don’t waste any time, talk to Eric and 315 Survival and then hit the slopes; tell your employers you are sick, as mid-week trips are the best. If you get into trouble, just blame it on TMJ.
Enjoy our remaining Power Days.
The following is the most updated ski information as of 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-75 Inches, Runs Open 67, Percentage of Terrain Open 100
Comments: The locals favorite place for snow; shorter runs than most places, but very convenient. 16 inches of snow in last seven days.
Arapahoe Basin: Snow Base-66 Inches, Runs Open 145, Percentage of Terrain Open 100
Comments: Never a bad day at the Basin; parking sometimes a problem. Pick a day, though, with sun, as sometimes gets really cold. A great place for spring skiing. 10 inches of snow in last six days.
Loveland: Snow Base-60-62Inches, Runs Open 94, Percentage of Terrain Open 100
Comments: Another great local gem, pounded with considerable snow and like A-Basin, stays open well longer than other mountains. Springtime sometimes the best for a Love Bash. 12 inches of snow in past five days.
Breckenridge: Snow Base-65 Inches, Runs Open 187, Percentage of Terrain Open 100
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. 16 inches of snow in last five days.
Keystone: Snow Base-55 Inches, Runs Open 130 Percentage of Terrain Open 100
Comments: Ideal mountain for families and kids. Underestimated for the great amount of tree runs. 11 inches of snow in the last six days.
Copper Mountain: Snow Base-69 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 five days.
Ski Cooper: Snow Base-49 to 59 Inches, Runs Open 64, Percentage of Terrain Open 98
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. 12 inches of snow in past five days.
Vail: Snow Base-74 Inches, Runs Open 275, Percentage of Terrian Open 100
Comments: Colorado’s biggest and most well-known mountain resort. Great, but try during the week due to the crowds. 20 inches of snow in past five days.
Aspen (Aspen, Snowmass and Aspen Highlands): Snow Base-69 to 107 Inches, Runs Open 76 to 117, Percentage of Terrain Open 96 to 100
Comments: Check out Aspen Highlands for diversion and views from the top. Snowmass probably the best mountain in state for blue skiers. Much better conditions reported at both the Highlands and Snowmass. 9 to 14 inches of snow in last three days.
Crested Butte: Snow Bass-99 Inches, Runs Open 160, Percentage of Terrain Open 100
Comments: 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, as this is an ideal several-day destination place. 25 inches of snow in last five days.
Telluride: Snow Base-70-72 Inches, Runs Open 146, Percentage of Terrain Open 100
Comments: Their blacks are definite blacks, so Plunge down the Plunge run with care. No mountain in Colorado rivals the views at Telluride. 23 inches of snow past five days.
If anyone has info they would like to submit for our ski reports, contact us at editor@mountainjackpot.com.
