Nothing new to see on this trip, just getting some vertical in! Did add 7 ski resorts bringing the total to 32.
For fun, some of the past trips to Colorado:
1998: Durango to visit Yeti and mountain bike.
1999: Breck, Vail and Winter Park
2001: Aspen, Breckenridge and Keystone. Sorry for the jean shorts.
2011, 2014 and 2015...no good pics.
DISCLAIMER
-You just can't capture the immensity of ski resorts. A shot looking up from the base isn't able to see how far back and high it goes.
-Pictures don't show steepness accurately. Everything I skiied was at least 60 degrees. Really.
Friday, March 6th, 2020
Flying in over Nebraska, "Is that a flag? Or just a coincidence how fields were plowed?" Still stirred patriotism!
Welcome to Denver!
Got the rental SUV and in 3 hours was at Arapaho Basin.
Vertical: 2,530
Summit: 13,050 feet (3rd highest in North America)
# of Trails: 147
Skiable Acres: 1,428
Latest Closing: 8/10/1995
24% double black, 49% expert, 20% intermediate, 7% easy
Lift Ticket: $82
A-Basin is considered a skier's mountain.
No resorts, no fine dining, no spas. Just serious mostly above timberline skiing.
"The Beach" is the legendary stretch of prime parking lot.
Mid-mountain.
Being above timberline provides stark vistas.
Looking up Powerline.
See Keystone way in the distance?
Just one big playground!
Bathroom break. Nope, don't stop to eat, a protein bar is enough.
Just kept skiing and exploring.
See the skiers? Yeah, the bowls are big.
A few trees....
Slopes are getting congested.
4PM, lifts are closed.
Have skied Breckenridge and also been there in summer.
It's a neat town, so wanted to amble about.
Saturday, March 7th, 2020
Have only been to Aspen in the summer. Started driving around the neighborhoods wondering how much $$$$.
Hiiii!
Take an old western mountain town and make it upscale.
And a ski mountain looming above adds a nice touch.
Zucchini Nut Muffin made it on my favorites list and then a healthy Glorious Acai Bowl at a cheery cafe.
Waiting for the gondola to open.
Rode the gondola up with a couple of good guys. One was an older guy living in Aspen who said he started out a ski bum, retired a ski bum and has been going there since 1946.
Vertical: 3,267’
# of Trails: 76
Miles of Trails: 64
Longest Run: 3 miles
26% double black, 26% expert, 48% intermediate, 0% easy
Lift Ticket: $164
Looking north.
Looking south.
Aspen to the left, gondola to the right.
Another view of the town cradled in the mountains.
Guess who has a new idea for a fence for his yard....
Proof I was there!
Took the free bus to Aspen Highlands.
Aspen Highlands
Vertical: 3,635’
# of Trails: 118
Miles of Trails: 84
Longest Run: 3.5 miles
65% double black, 12% expert, 23% intermediate, 0% easy
Mid-mountain.
Double diamonds at Temerity peak.
Looking down at a mid-mountain lodge and lift.
Back in Aspen to wander around and people watch in 60 degrees. See the day in the fur coat? She had so much Botox her face wouldn't move.
Downtown Basalt.
Take some off the sides please.
Dinner at Wienerstrube.
The last thing I remember before passing out.
Sunday, March 8th, 2020
Coloradough. Get it??
Historic Carbondale.
Village Smithy and keeping it healthy with Tofu Scramble.
Parked in a remote lot and took the bus to Snowmass.
Snowmass Village.
Aspen Snowmass
Vertical: 3,267’
# of Trails: 96
Miles of Trails: 150
Longest Run: 5.3 miles
34% double black, 17% expert, 43% intermediate, 6% easy
It ended up being my favorite resort of the trip.
Mid-mountain.
Looking at Big Burn.
Just a smidgen. Skiing all day and not even a chance of repeating anything.
Bathroom break. Yep, just a protein bar later for lunch.
Snow + Powder + Atmosphere of Trees = Fun
Taking the lift up to Big Burn (11,835'), the snow started coming down heavier and an intense wind pushed the lift chairs. At the summit it was low visibility.
Three light layers including Patagonia, TNF and Helly Hansen kept me toasty. Thumbs up for today's technical wear!
Loved it.
At a lower altitude it cleared up.
It was fun to dance in the light powder.
Three peaks over at Elk Camp peak you can see Maroon Bells, the famed mountains outside of Aspen.
The southernmost part of the complex.
Elk Camp Lodge and lift.
Another bus ride to,
Buttermilk
Vertical: 2,030’
# of Trails: 44
Miles of Trails: 21
Longest Run: 3 miles
5% double black, 21% expert, 39% intermediate, 35% easy
Wide open.
At the peak looking at Aspen Highlands.
Too many people.
Much better. Room to breath.
In Glenwood Springs took a hike to...
Potter's field and Linwood Cemetary.
In 1887 Doc Holliday came to town with hopes the springs would help his tuberculosis. It didn't, he died at the age of 36. Since the burial spot is unknown, this is the ceremonial gravesite.
Glenwood Springs has some handsome homes.
Instead of an overpass being made unsightly, they made it into it's own little district.
The iconic Hotel Colorado and Glenwood Hot Springs.
Since 1888, visitors have been soaking in the 122 degree Yampah spring.
Hotel Colorado's construction started in 1891 and it opened in 1893.
Loved it!
One of the three greatest men of the 20th Century stayed at this hotel several times.
Walked the halls of all 5 floors looking at the wonderful old pictures and reading the captions.
Dinner at a 1953 stand.
Monday, March 9th, 2020
Have always thought stretches of I-70 are among the most scenic in the country.
Eagle
The posh Beaver Creek.
Beaver Creek
Vertical: 3,340’
# of Trails: 150
Longest Run: 4.8 miles
5% double black, 12% expert, 43% intermediate, 16% easy
Lift Ticket: $194
The skiable area is 5 miles wide.
At mid-mountain looking up Beaver Creek Mountain.
These guys were great. They were all over the base and at each trail map by the lifts. He told me he skied 58 miles the day before.
Cocooning as the clouds moved in. Plus my Merrell hat wasn't that warm.
That tunnel is a magic carpet cover for the for beginners.
Walk into any mountain side lodge (just using the bathroom, $25 for a salad?) and you are greeted by these ladies wearing cowboy hats and smiles offering tissues from a silver box.
Lakespur Bowl
Lakespur Bowl looking at Beaver Creek Mountain.
Part of Grouse Mountain to right.
Gulp.
Being artsy.
Arrowhead Village base, the westernmost end of the resort.
Bachelor Gulch.
Bachelor Gulch Mountain.
Place to myself.
Last run.
Went over to Avon to shop. I mean, it's an outdoor enthusiast's shopping bonanza!
Supergreenie- kale, spinach, kiwi and I forget what else.
Frisco
Foote's Rest Sweet Shop was the city hall and post office. Got some ice cream.
Tuesday, March 10th, 2020
Log Cabin Cafe. Great service and an omelet made of ham, green chilies, onions and cheddar cheese served with homemade salsa and grits.
Keystone Village.
Keystone
Vertical: 3,128’
# of Trails: 128
Longest Run: 3.5 miles
49% expert, 39% intermediate, 12% easy
Lift Ticket: $144
Getting on the gondola at 8:30.
At Dercum Monntain heading to North Peak.
North Peak
On North Peak looking at The Outback. Snow was icy on this end.
Anyone missing a bra?
Heading back to Decrum Mountain.
Mid-mountain facilities and lifts.
Terrain Park. Got some wicked air.
Think I might head home, too crowded.
Last run.
On route 6 heading back to the Interstate drove past A-Basin. Full circle.
Snowing at the summit of Loveland Pass.
Idaho Springs.
Beau Jo's has been a tradition for 20+ years.
Love their mountain pies, but the cauliflower crust is only available in the prairie pie. Yeah, mountain pies are much better. But no carbs with the cauliflower crust!
