Rick Langenberg
The Colorado ski season is heading into its final stretch, as we move into the last days for most popular resorts. The Masters golf tournament in Georgia and Easter have almost has come to symbolize the near end of downhill ski time in the High Country–at least for most normal folks.
But fret not, there are a handful of areas that will remain open for an extended period, such as A-Basin, Loveland, Breckenridge and Copper Mountain for those who don’t want to retire their downhill legs for a few months. And yes, spring skiing is an ideal time, with warmer temperatures, still great snow (at least on sunny days) and more happy people and no crowds. Spring skiing is my favorite time to hit the mountains, as it is often too muddy for golf. Guess I have turned into a fair-weather outdoor buff.
Conditions are still relatively good, with Vail getting the gold medal in the last week or so for total snow bombardments. As for closures, Crested Butte and Telluride have ended the 2023 snow season; which is too bad, as they featured stellar seasons with eye-bursting snow totals every week.
Make sure you visit Monarch this week, as their closing date is set for April 16, along with Keystone and Ski Cooper. Vail, meanwhile, will be shutting down later this month.
Insiders are calling the ski conditions in the Colorado high country as the best ever in five years. This is the product of another El Nino year that has pounded our high mountain areas, while leaving us rather unscathed this year. So don’t delay your trip any longer. This is the product of another El Nino year that has pounded our high mountain areas, while leaving us rather unscathed this year.
On a regular basis this season, and 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 and outdoor 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, including some great hiking boots. They were recently named as the Best New Business in Teller County.
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.
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.
Colorado Ski Report
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-70 Inches, Runs Open 66 Percentage of Terrain Open 99
Comments: The locals favorite place for snow; shorter runs than most places, but very convenient. 3 inches of snow in last five 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 seven days.
Loveland: Snow Base-64-65 Inches, 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. 4 inches of snow in past four days.
Breckenridge: Snow Base-62 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. One inch of snow in last 72 hours.
Keystone: Snow Base-53 Inches, Runs Open 119 Percentage of Terrain Open 92
Comments: Ideal mountain for families and kids. Underestimated for the great amount of tree runs. 2 inches of snow in the last four days.
Copper Mountain: Snow Base-66 Inches, Runs Open 155, Percentage of Terrain Open 115
Comments: Probably the best laid-out mountain; great back bowls, although access is sometimes tricky. 4 inches of snow in last four days.
Ski Cooper: Snow Base-49 to 59 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. One inch of snow in past five days.
Vail: Snow Base-64 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. 8 inches of snow in past five days.
Aspen (Aspen, Snowmass and Aspen Highlands): Snow Base-61 to 94 Inches, Runs Open 76 to 98, Percentage of Terrain Open 100,
Comments: Most diverse slopes, ranging from Blue gems at Snowmass to Aspen’s killer hills. About 5 inches of snow in last seven days. No report from Aspen Highlands.
*Telluride and Crested Butte resorts have closed for the season.
If anyone has info they would like to submit for our ski reports, contact us at editor@mountainjackpot.com.
