Aspen, Colorado

March 11-18, 2006

By Ski Nazi

Note: Ski Nazi refers to a good day skiing as anything more than 10,000 vertical feet; a great day is 15,000.

 

We arrived home from Aspen Saturday evening about midnight.  I skied six days and was pretty worn out and to top it off Irene and I both picked up a nasty cold somewhere in Aspen. 

 

On the first day out (Aspen mountain) there was residual snow from the previous days so the bumps and trails were in pretty good shape and we took advantage of it (17,500 vertical).  During the night it started snowing and continued on throughout the second day so that morning armed with the knowledge that the Elk Camp area (at Snowmass) is really nice when it snows (all blue cruisers and difficult to get to from other areas on the mountain) I went there accompanied by 6 others from the club, took a couple of slow lifts up and it did not disappoint.  The snow was virtually untouched when we arrived at the top of the mountain and was at least 6" to more than a foot in places.  We stayed there the entire morning tearing it up and it was a blast.  I thought about you and how much you would have enjoyed boarding these trails (nice separation in the trees) but the skis would have been just as good or better (racked up 18,860 verts).  This was probably the best powder day I've ever had.

 

The third day brought the sun and we went to Aspen Highlands (the land of steeps) but the snow on the bump runs (single blacks) was scraped off so they were not that good and the snow had started to set. When we went to the top we went out on the new observation deck constructed adjacent to the ski patrol shack and watched the skiers and boarders hiking to the top of Highland Bowl and that was a spectacular scene. Since that hike (~ 45 - 60 minutes) was out of the question in addition to my lack of capability we opted for the groomed cruisers which were nice so we made a day of it (18,980 verts).  On Wednesday we were back at Snowmass but I can't recall the conditions on that day but we did get in 15,110 vertical. 

 

The sun was out in full force on Thursday so it was back to Aspen mountain again and I skied with a different group of people who move pretty quickly so we got in 20,840 vertical.  Got into Glade 3 off Gentlemen's Ridge which turns into a double black before dropping into Copper Bowl but the sun had done its thing so the snow was stiff and crusty which did not lend itself to good turns so we just traversed into the bowl.  On Friday the weather was mixed but the troops opted for Snowmass since there was going to be a St. Patrick's day fest on the mountain.  I skied with Irene this day but the flat light was causing her problems so we quit early but still got in 9,470 verts.

 

With the exception of catching a cold, it was a fine week of skiing.

 

I'd like to go back to Utah at the end of the month if anyone is interested.  Alta is still my favorite place since the snow there is probably the best around and it seems to stay in good condition longer.  Please let me know if anyone can make the trip.