Even at this early stage of a Colorado ski season, the palpable stoke induced by the endless prospects of a Rocky Mountain winter has bled beyond the confines of mere anticipation. It’s time to take action.
That, of course, can be a tad problematic, given the current snow conditions in our state. And after a series of stellar early-season snow years leading up to the untapped winter of 2009-10, it’s equally challenging to remember that we haven’t even made it to Thanksgiving yet.
Patience, grasshopper. Winter is still four weeks away.
But as the majority of Colorado’s major ski areas awaken from their offseason slumber this holiday week, it’s a prime opportunity to consider your approach to the season. Better stated, it’s time to make a plan of action.
Because, let’s face it, the options still are pretty slim out there at the moment. You won’t be hiking Highland Bowl or cat skiing Chicago Ridge this week. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t plan your approach in the interim. Otherwise, you might just miss out on the opportunity when the lightning-quick chaos of the real ski season blazes on by.
For some, that means a few more hours at the gym, getting that overdue tune on the boards or taking inventory of the gear you will need to enjoy the outdoor elements. Hopefully the budget lift passes have been procured along with seasonal housing, so you can spend time thinking about more important elements that go into an unforgettable ski or snowboard season.
The following list is by no means designed to outline the ultimate winter. Different stokes for different folks, right? But it offers a few considerations that could make the difference between superlative and status quo.
Just add snow.
The bucket list
There are a few things every Colorado skier should do at least once.
1. Heli-skiing at Silverton. The single best addition to ski season last year is available a la carte.
2. Take an avalanche awareness course. It’s way more fun than it sounds. (The Colorado Avalanche Information Center offers a comprehensive list of available classes on its website: ).
3. Go backcountry skiing. After you get educated, practice what you learned. Skin up a mountain. Take a hut trip. Ride Loveland Pass under a full moon.
4. Ski the Birds of Prey downhill course at Beaver Creek. Find out for yourself why it’s considered one of the world’s best. Cap it off by completing the Talons Challenge (Jan. 23).
5. Try pond skimming. An annual rite of spring in snow country.
Must-see events
The Olympic Games may be in Vancouver this winter, but several qualifying competitions will take place right here.
1. Birds of Prey World Cup. Beaver Creek (Dec. 4-6). The only men’s race stop in the United States.
2. U.S. Snowboard Grand Prix. Copper Mountain (Dec. 10-13). The first of three halfpipe events used to determine the U.S. Olympic team.
3. U.S. Snowboardcross Cup. Telluride (Dec. 17-20). Second qualifying race for the Olympic snowboardcross and alpine race teams.
4. Winter Dew Tour. Breckenridge (Dec. 18-20). It has nothing to do with the Olympics, but it includes big-name pipe skiers as well as snowboarders.
5. Olympic Freestyle Ski Trials. Steamboat (Dec. 23-24). Winners will go to Vancouver to compete in moguls and aerials.
* Winter X Games. Buttermilk (Jan. 28-31). Not an Olympic qualifier, but the last stop for riders before they head to Canada.
Learn it
No need to start at the top. Beginners can learn the basics at user-friendly slopes such as Ski Cooper, SolVista (Granby Ranch), Sunlight (Glenwood Springs), Buttermilk or Loveland Valley before taking it to the next level.
Earn it
The best way to find the goods is to get your hike on.
1. Highland Bowl, Aspen Highlands.
2. Gold Hill Chutes 6-10, Telluride.
3. The Ridge, Loveland.
4. Tucker Mountain, Copper (optional cat ride).
5. Peak 7 Bowl, Breckenridge
*All of Silverton Mountain and Crested Butte’s Extreme Limits.
Best of
New additions: Despite the economy, a few areas have reason to celebrate.
• Purgatory/Durango is unveiling its “Legends” expansion, 125 acres of new expert terrain that brings the total to 1,325 acres.
• Aspen Highlands continues to add expert trails around the Deep Temerity lift at the base of Highland Bowl.
• Breckenridge debuts its new base area at Peak 7 this winter.
• Keystone’s new skier bridge makes River Run more fun.
• Still haven’t skied Vail’s Blue Sky Basin? It turns 10 this year.
If the skiing isn’t great
Ask an Aspen Mountain ambassador to escort you on a tour of the shrines to Jerry Garcia, John Denver (left), Marilyn Monroe, Elvis and others.
Cheap is good
A few ways to take the sting out of ski season.
• If you don’t need a mega-resort, the $10 Colorado Gems Card from Colorado Ski Country USA pays for itself in a day and offers too many discounts to list.
• Loveland’s frequent-user Pass Card offers discounted tickets, plus some free days.
• Buy three nights lodging in Steamboat and ski free until Dec. 18. Winter Park will give you two free tickets for every two nights lodging you book until Dec. 18.
• Carpooling is good for free parking at Aspen Highlands (four or more) and discounted parking rates at Arapahoe Basin. Two or more driving adults can pick up a carpool parking permit at the Aspen airport and park free in town all day.
Where to ride
The hit list. Colorado’s world-class terrain parks include the Peak 8 Freeway at Breckenridge, Copper’s Catalyst, Crazy T’rain at Buttermilk, Keystone’s Area 51, all of Echo Mountain and the rarely crowded Snowmass Park in Aspen. Don’t just stand there, jib something.
Cruising. Well-groomed snow is like a foot massage with your boots on. Find Colorado’s best corduroy at Vail, Beaver Creek, Buttermilk, Snowmass and (surprise) Crested Butte.
Steeps. When you want to turn the pucker factor up to 11.
1. Crested Butte’s Extreme Limits
2. Telluride’s Palmyra Peak
3. Silverton Mountain
4. Arapahoe Basin’s Upper East Wall
5. The Cirque at Snowmass
Deeps. If you prefer to ski with a snorkel.
1. Wolf Creek (465 inches a year)
2. Silverton (400)
3. Loveland (400)
4. Steamboat (350)
Enjoy the view
While you can’t really go wrong anywhere in the Rockies, the scenery at Telluride, Powderhorn (Grand Mesa), Aspen Highlands, Purgatory/Durango, Arapahoe Basin and Ski Cooper is top shelf.
Scott Willoughby: 303-954-1993 or swilloughby@denverpost.com
