Rick Langenberg
Get those ski legs loosened up, as the 2024 season is starting to sizzle, especially in certain revered and rarely frequented sections of the Colorado alpine world. So, if you want to take a little excursion, this is the time for such as trip. Just don’t blame us for too much powder.
Nope, conditions are still not as good as 2023, regarded as a record season at least for the first couple of months, but ski conditions are rapidly improving, based on recent reports.
And remember, Colorado is the undisputed ski capital of the world. So, it’s hard to have a bad ski day, unless you want to concern yourself with national and local politics and social media reports. So, stay away from such gibberish and hit the slopes.
According to Colorado Ski Central website, our state boasts of 24 ski areas now open for skiing and snowboarding. On a statewide basis, and at the time of this writing, 87 percent of the lifts are open, along with 71 percent of available trails. For major resorts Aspen Highlands is probably leading the race with 84 percent of its trail area open for downhill plungers, with Keystone boasting of 72 percent and Breckenridge recording about 60 percent. Vail, meanwhile, is proclaiming a 43-inch-plus base with more than 240 trails open. No excuses for boredom there.
So, it’s probably fair to give Vail the gold again among major ski players closer to our home.
In addition, unusual slope and ski mountain winners are reserved for more rarer finds, such as Wolf Creek in Mineral County, which is now featuring a 56-inch-plus base and tons of new snow. Powderhorn in Mesa County is recording a 54-inch base, while Steamboat, in the more northern section of Colorado, is sporting base totals, ranging between 42 and 65 inches. This marks the second year in a row that Steamboat has dazzled the ski arena.
Snow invasions in the state have really struck some areas, while leaving certain parts of the state untouched. Welcome to Colorado.
On a regular basis, and with the help of local sponsor 315 Survival, your prime local spot for skin tuning, equipment and needed advice, we will provide regular ski reports. Make sure to pay them (315) 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 News will publish 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. Rumor has it that TMJ Editor Rick Langenberg 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. Don’t believe anything Rick has to say, unless you want to lose a limb or two.
Instead, talk to Eric and 315 Survival and then hit the slopes; tell your employers you are sick, as mid-week trips are the best.
Enjoy our many Power Days.
Ski Updates
The following is the most updated ski information we have received 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-28 Inches, Runs/Trails Open 60, Percentage of Terrain Open 90
Comments: The locals’ favorite place for snow; shorter runs than most places, but very convenient.
Arapahoe Basin: Snow Base-24 Inches, Runs/Trails Open 117, Percentage of Terrain Open 11
Comments: Never a bad day at the Basin; parking sometimes a problem. Pick a day, though, with sun, as sometimes gets really cold.
Loveland: Snow Base-22 Inches, Runs/Trails Open 29, Percentage of Terrain Open 31
Comments: Another great local gem, pounded with considerable snow and like A-Basin, stays open well longer than other mountains.
Breckenridge: Snow Base-28 Inches, Runs/Trails Open 110, Percentage of Terrain Open 59
Comments: Call in sick during the week; try to avoid Breck on the weekend but can’t beat the close distance from Teller County and their local happenings.
Keystone: Snow Base-25 Inches, Runs/Trails Open 103 Percentage of Terrain Open 72
Comments: Ideal mountain for families and kids. Underestimated for the great amount of tree runs.
Copper Mountain: Snow Base-31 Inches, Runs/Trails Open 125, Percentage of Terrain Open 88
Comments: Probably the best laid-out mountain; great back bowls, although access is sometimes tricky.
Ski Cooper: Snow Base-16 to 22 Inches, Runs/Trails Open 43, Percentage of Terrain Open 67
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-43 Inches, Runs/Trails Open 242, Percentage of Terrain Open 88
Comments: Colorado’s biggest and most well-known mountain resort. Great, but try during the week due to the crowds. Snow reports are great there for this time of year.
Aspen (Aspen and Snowmass): Snow Base-27-28 Inches, Runs/Trails Open 96, Percentage of Terrain Open 100
Aspen Highlands: Snow Base-27 to 37 Inches, Runs/Trails Open 102, Percentage of Terrain Open 80
Comments: Check out Aspen Highlands for diversion and views from the top. Snowmass, meanwhile, is probably the best mountain in state for blue skiers.
Crested Butte: Snow Base-29 Inches, Runs Open 96, Percentage of Terrain Open 60
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.
Telluride: Snow Base-27-28 Inches, Runs/Trails Open 86, Percentage of Terrain Open 59
Comments: Their blacks are definite blacks, so Plunge down the Plunge run with care. No mountain in Colorado rivals the views at Telluride.
Winter Park: Snow Base-37 to 39 Inches, Runs/Tails Open 137, Percentage of Terrain Open 82
Comments: A great mountain and easy drive from Denver if ever up that way.
Steamboat: Snow Base-42 to 65 Inches, Runs/Trails Open 171, Percentage of Terrain Open 86
Comments: A great ski town if you want to take a several day excursion, and unbelievable tree skiing, just don’t take a tree limb with you during a crash.
If anyone has information they would like to submit for our ski reports, contact us at editor@mountainjackpot.com.
