Rick Langenberg
Is there such a phenomenon as too much snow and powder, and too much fun on the slopes?
Apparently not, as for those who wanted to bypass the Super Bowl and trade ski thrills for Taylor Swift closeups received a nice reward recently. Super Bowl LVIII may have set record viewership records, but don’t tell that to the throngs of slope-goers who headed to their favorite mountains of pleasure, instead of witnessing the so-called greatest game on earth.
Colorado ski hills continue to experience a hefty pounding, as the 2024 season appears headed for a bonanza record.
In fact, reports are even abounding about some acclaimed massive ski hubs experiencing a complete 100 percent slope and trail availability for the first time in years.
The only big questions still deal with travel access to the high hills.
As for gold showing titles, we are starting to sound like a broken record, but Steamboat, outside Steamboat Springs, one of the last of the legendary ski towns, is shattering snow records, and now is netting close to 300 inches of the white stuff since the season began. Don’t get lost in the trees there. Telluride also made a valiant showing with a 20-plus-inch bombardment, based on our most recent report. So, Plunge away, if you want to enjoy a great getaway. Hope you have better luck on the infamous Plunge run than Editor Rick, who years ago was forced to walk down this infamous slope.
And Wolf Creek, if you can find it, got walloped with another 40-plus inch week, with a snow base that is getting close to the 100-inch level.
But you don’t have to travel far to get a glimpse of real ski bliss. In fact, all of our neighboring hills, such as Monarch, Breckenridge, Keystone, Loveland, Copper, Ski Cooper, Vail, Winter Park, and more, are faring quite well for this time of year. Winter Park, in fact, is snagging a close runner-up spot in total snow amounts.
According to Colorado Ski Central website, our state boasts of 26 (out of 27 resort/mountain areas) now open for skiing and snowboarding. On a statewide basis, and at the time of this writing, 94 percent of the lifts are reported open, along with 97 percent of available runs and trails. Not too shabby.
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. 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 received regarding some of our favorite mountains, based on the Colorado Ski Country and Colorado Ski Central websites, along with our own analysis. Enjoy.
*We have included recent snow bombardments, based on the time of this reporting.
Monarch: Snow Base-55 Inches, Runs Open 65, Percentage of Terrain Open 97
Comments: The locals’ favorite place for snow; shorter runs than most places, but very convenient. 14 Inches in past 6 days (of this report).
Arapahoe Basin: Snow Base-46 Inches, Runs Open 130, Percentage of Terrain Open 90
Comments: Never a bad day at the Basin; parking sometimes a problem. Pick a day, though, with sun, as sometimes gets really cold. Got hit with 6 inches in past 6 days.
Loveland: Snow Base-44 Inches, Runs Open 91, Percentage of Terrain Open 97
Comments: Another great local gem, pounded with considerable snow and like A-Basin, stays open well longer than other mountains. 6 Inches in past 6 days.
Breckenridge: Snow Base-48 Inches, Runs Open 187, Percentage of Terrain Open 100
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. 9 Inches in past 6 days.
Keystone: Snow Base-46 Inches, Runs Open 140 Percentage of Terrain Open 100
Comments: Ideal mountain for families and kids. Underestimated for the great amount of tree runs. 11 Inches in past 6 days.
Copper Mountain: Snow Base-52 Inches, Runs Open 152, Percentage of Terrain Open 96
Comments: Probably the best laid-out mountain; great back bowls, although access is sometimes tricky. 11 Inches in past 6 days.
Ski Cooper: Snow Base-38 to 44Inches, Runs Open 64, Percentage of Terrain Open 100. 8 Inches in past 7 days.
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. 5 Inches in past 7 days.
Vail: Snow Base-57 Inches, Runs Open 275, Percentage of Terrain Open 100
Comments: Colorado’s biggest and most well-known mountain resort. Great, but try during the week due to the crowds. 8 Inches in past 7 days. Total snow count for this season amounts to 188 inches.
Aspen: Snow Base-36 to 41 Inches, Runs Open 95 Percentage of Terrain Open 91
Aspen Highlands: Snow Base-44 to 59 Inches, Runs Open 118, Percentage of Terrain Open 97
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-58 Inches, Runs Open 160, Percentage of Terrain Open 97
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. 11 Inches in past 6 days.
Telluride: Snow Base-52-58 Inches, Runs Open 129, Percentage of Terrain Open 89
Comments: Their blacks are definite blacks, so Plunge down the Plunge run with care. No mountain in Colorado rivals the views at Telluride. 20 Inches in past 7 days, and now a total snow total of 153 inches.
Winter Park: Snow Base-67 to 72 Inches, Runs Open 155, Percentage of Terrain Open 92
Comments: A great mountain and easy drive from Denver if ever up that way. 10 Inches in past 6 days. Total snow count now at 222 inches.
Steamboat: Snow Base-61 to 93 Inches, Runs Open 181, Percentage of Terrain Open 100
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. 19 Inches in past 7 days. Total snow count since season started: 250 inches.
If anyone has information they would like to submit for our ski reports, contact us at editor@mountainjackpot.com.
