Rick Langenberg
Finally, the snow bombardment has eased up slightly for area skiers, making travel to hills of pleasure more negotiable.
Still, few “slopesters” are complaining; and the slight dry spell isn’t going to last. At the time of this writing, weather forecasters were calling for several more feet in the Colorado High Country and Ski Land, courtesy of another Pacific invasion.
As a result, the 2024 ski season appears headed for a bonanza record. Unless March turns into a bust for the High Country, which is kind of what occurred in 2023, the current season will hit the record books.
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. And a few of the mountain hubs have now exceeded the magic 200-inch level of total snowfall since the season began.
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, snagged the top snow title and now is netting close to 300 inches of the white stuff. And better yet, Steamboat has now surpassed a 100-inch ski base, a statistic that is relatively unheard of. Don’t get lost in the trees there with their combination of 181 open trails and runs. Steamboat led the pace too in recent snow dumpings, with a nice 18-inch strike over a seven day period.
The runner-up in the snow total category is Winter Park. For those seeking a great several-day getaways, may we suggest Crested Butte or Telluride, based on recent reports. The Butte is definitely in the run for a medal year, showcasing a 65-inch base
Closer to home, all of our nearby favorites, Breck, Keystone, Copper, Loveland and Monarch, are still reeling in snow gold, but didn’t quite get hit as boldly as previous weeks. But this newest storm invasion is bound to change that scenario. Monarch is creeping close to a 200-inch snow total, along with Breckenridge. And last week, Vail became the latest mountain to join the 200-inch-plus snow club and is still sporting 275 open trails and runs. Hard to get bored with that combination.
According to Colorado Ski Central website, our state boasts of 25 (out of 27 resort/mountain areas) now open for skiing and snowboarding. On a statewide basis, and at the time of this writing, 93 percent of the lifts are reported open, along with 95 percent of available runs and trails. That’s not quite as bullish as our most recent report, but still, it isn’t 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-54 Inches, Runs Open 65, Percentage of Terrain Open 97
Comments: The locals’ favorite place for snow; shorter runs than most places, but very convenient. 3 Inches in past 7 days (of this report).
Arapahoe Basin: Snow Base-50 Inches, Runs Open 136, Percentage of Terrain Open 94
Comments: Never a bad day at the Basin; parking sometimes a problem. Pick a day, though, with sun, as sometimes gets really cold. Several inches in past 7 days.
Loveland: Snow Base-51 Inches, Runs Open 93, Percentage of Terrain Open 99
Comments: Another great local gem, pounded with considerable snow and like A-Basin, stays open well longer than other mountains. 15 Inches in past 7 days. Snow total for the year: 171 Inches
Breckenridge: Snow Base-51 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. 11 Inches in past 6 days. Snow total for year: 199 Inches
Keystone: Snow Base-49 Inches, Runs Open 140 Percentage of Terrain Open 100
Comments: Ideal mountain for families and kids. Underestimated for the great amount of tree runs. 8 Inches in past 7 days.
Copper Mountain: Snow Base-59 Inches, Runs Open 155, Percentage of Terrain Open 98
Comments: Probably the best laid-out mountain; great back bowls, although access is sometimes tricky. 7 Inches in past 6 days.
Ski Cooper: Snow Base-41 to 47 Inches, Runs Open 64, Percentage of Terrain Open 100. 4 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-62 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. 6 Inches in past 7 days. Total snow count for this season: 207 Inches
Aspen: Snow Base-39 to 42 Inches, Runs Open 101 Percentage of Terrain Open 97
Aspen Highlands: Snow Base-47 to 65 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-65 Inches, Runs Open 165 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. 11 Inches in past 7 days.
Telluride: Snow Base-47-52 Inches, Runs Open 141, Percentage of Terrain Open 96
Comments: Their blacks are definite blacks, so Plunge down the Plunge run with care. No mountain in Colorado rivals the views at Telluride. 6 Inches in past 3 days, and now a total snow total of 153 inches.
Winter Park: Snow Base-69 to 72 Inches, Runs Open 167, Percentage of Terrain Open 99
Comments: A great mountain and easy drive from Denver if ever up that way. 5 Inches in past 7 days. Total snow count: 247 Inches
Steamboat: Snow Base-68 to 106 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. 17 Inches in past 6 days. Total snow count since season started: 285 Inches
If anyone has information they would like to submit for our ski reports, contact us at editor@mountainjackpot.com.
