It has snowed in Colorado! The past three days have seen the biggest storm, by far, to hit the mountains of Summit County all season. Unfortunately, Keystone, which had been starved for snow throughout the season, was already closed. Friday morning, Arapahoe Basin reported 16 inches of fresh snow overnight, and CGeib and I headed up Loveland Pass to check it out. The lower parking lot was full by 9:00, and the line on the Pallavicini lift was already filling the maze when the lifts opened. To avoid the lines and get some fresh powder, we skied the east side of the mountain for several runs. Snow was still pounding, and the upper mountain, above treeline had near zero visibility. The wind had scoured the ridgelines and wreaked havoc with the snow, pushing it into heavy drifts and wind ridges, made more challenging by the whiteout conditions. But down in the trees and gullies below, the snow was deep and soft! Eventually, we decided to take our chances in the Palli lift line for a few runs. Even with the crowds, we still found a few fresh tracks in the trees of the Alleys. We ran into pretty much the entire Nordic team from PSIA-Rocky Mountain, spending a day playing before the Spring Fling over the weekend in Vail (the final days of the season).

CGeib tearing it up at Arapahoe Basin, Friday, April 17, 2009:

A dog, waiting patiently outside the lodge...

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An awesome day! And it continued to snow hard all day long. My car had the better part of another foot of snow on it in the parking lot when we got back to it, and needed three people to help push it out.

The next morning--Saturday--The Basin reported another 17" and I-70 was closed from Denver to Vail. Unfortunately, they reopened the highway just in time for me to drive to Vail for the Spring Fling. The skiing was excellent in Vail, too, although they received only a small fraction of the snow that fell at Arapahoe.

Today (Sunday) is clear and sunny, and promises to be one of the best days of the season!

Best regards,

Bob

Thanks for sharing the great photo's. I'm jealous.

Save some for next month.  Please. 

   forget the snow----Magnificant dog!

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfydog 

 

 

   forget the snow----Magnificant dog!

My thoughts exactly.

Nice pictures! That's the slr?

I see cgeib got a new coat. I'm don't know why he's not testing his CDX skis though...

Wow, thanks for the nice pics!

I'm really happy you finally got the snow you deserved!!!

Looks like a good reason to use an avalanche cannon  

why, oh why do i have to live in maine?

I was there too. We heard the cannon going off several times while in Zuma Bowl.

In nine seasons here, 40 days a season, I'm rating it #2.

S

Chris, that's some amazing skiing.

Bob, you should let Chris take photos now and then.

Sounds like you had a great day.

Mike 

I thought you'd like that dog, Newf! I took a few more pictures of him--will post them when I get a chance (they're on another computer). He was cool--completely covered with snow, waiting silently outside the door to the bar at the end of the day.

Well, we closed down Vail today. It was a perfect ending to the season--cloudless blue sky for most of the day, with fresh snow. They did not get nearly the amount of snow that Arapahoe Basin got, but it was still fine skiing. It's tragic to see these ski areas close with such awesome conditions. We're down to just Arapahoe Basin and Loveland now--although Aspen Highlands will reopen for next weekend.

Best regards,

Bob

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Barnes 

I thought you'd like that dog, Newf! I took a few more pictures of him--will post them when I get a chance (they're on another computer). He was cool--completely covered with snow, waiting silently outside the door to the bar at the end of the day.

 

Well, we closed down Vail today. It was a perfect ending to the season--cloudless blue sky for most of the day, with fresh snow. They did not get nearly the amount of snow that Arapahoe Basin got, but it was still fine skiing. It's tragic to see these ski areas close with such awesome conditions. We're down to just Arapahoe Basin and Loveland now--although Aspen Highlands will reopen for next weekend.

 

Best regards,

Bob

I was thinking the same thing as we left Montana a few weeks ago. 

I'm really happy that you guys are getting the snow you richly deserve!

Shall we assume that there will be some Loveland and A-Basin Trip Reports forthcoming?

OHH MAAANN!!   Looks great. I was up on Thursday with only 6-8 inches and it was very fun, fresh tracks all day in Zuma and thru Miners Glade and Half Moon Glades.  But no where near the amount of snow on Friday and Saturday.  Couldn't get up over the weekend as there is a new bumpbaby at home with two older girls wrecking havoc all weekend long.  How was Sunday? Anybody want to chime in?

I probably saw you there THursday ... during those times one could actually see. Where are Half Moon Glades? 

Quote:

Originally Posted by bumpdad 

OHH MAAANN!!   Looks great. I was up on Thursday with only 6-8 inches and it was very fun, fresh tracks all day in Zuma and thru Miners Glade and Half Moon Glades.  But no where near the amount of snow on Friday and Saturday.  Couldn't get up over the weekend as there is a new bumpbaby at home with two older girls wrecking havoc all weekend long.  How was Sunday? Anybody want to chime in?

skiers right of Lenawee lift, between West Gully and Dragon.  Further right is cabin glades.  I still have my bright red pants so I am quite visible.  Most of the time I was in Zuma and Miners Glades, with my last four runs up front.  bd

A few of us were there on Sunday, Chick-a Boom-Boom! what a great day!!!!

East wall opens with a ton of Smiles!!!

Pictures to follow in the PM, got to get back to work, check back tonight!

Ah. I made a  lone track up on one of the runs off the cornice (Jump, maybe?) that stayed visible from the chair for a while. It was red underneath. And still very hard and chunky -- probably why I was the only idiot to try it. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by bumpdad 

skiers right of Lenawee lift, between West Gully and Dragon.  Further right is cabin glades.  I still have my bright red pants so I am quite visible.  Most of the time I was in Zuma and Miners Glades, with my last four runs up front.  bd

Geib rock’n red gives the contrast that really pops on those shots.  Nice.

On Sunday Basin’s Patrol finally opened up the East Wall after a bunch of blasting just after lunch.  Like a shot everyone headed over to the North Pole hiking gate to boot up over the high ridge or streamed across the lower East wall traverse to drop down.  It was hilarious to watch riding up Lenawee…the infamous frantic panic scramble to set an untouched line    Alta6 and I decided to avoid the conga-line and work the less traveled steps up Willy’s wide to launch from upper East Wall for first lines.  Those steps up were a grind but we found the best fluff of the year on the way down.  Legend stuff always at AB 

Quote:

Originally Posted by bumpdad 

OHH MAAANN!!   Looks great. I was up on Thursday with only 6-8 inches and it was very fun, fresh tracks all day in Zuma and thru Miners Glade and Half Moon Glades.  But no where near the amount of snow on Friday and Saturday.  Couldn't get up over the weekend as there is a new bumpbaby at home with two older girls wrecking havoc all weekend long.  How was Sunday? Anybody want to chime in?

Congratulations!!! 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Vertical 

A few of us were there on Sunday, Chick-a Boom-Boom! what a great day!!!!

East wall opens with a ton of Smiles!!!

Pictures to follow in the PM, got to get back to work, check back tonight!

I'll get my popcorn ready. 

Sorry for the delay,

3" new report for the day, 36"-38" past 72hrs. Crisp Blue sky!

Zuma Bowl in the am, Don & Mark up High.

 Betsy, Tracy, Mark & Don.

North Pole.

Who's on 1st?

  Yes it was worth the Hike!

Alta 6 earning the Turns for the last run!

   Thanks Gang for a great time!

Thanks MrV........Anyone throw Bklyn a birthday party?  Today is her day!

Man I am getting the fever again I hope Ragin can talk the misses into it

Great pics Bob me and Ragin are thinking of comming out 14 th to 17 th if we we make it we'll 

 try to hook up for a few runs 

Two words.

YOU BUMS!

I was at Killington two weekends ago for my last shot at it this year.  Cold, wind blowing to beat the band, and fresh New England Powder.  You know the type that is blue, glossy, and loud on the edges.

Man, what did you guys do to deserve that dump?  Wish it was here.  Of course everything is closed so we couldn't take advantage of it even if it wasn't 60 degrees with green grass showing.

Remember to go back on a hot day in August and look at these pics! Great TR, glad you got some.

I'm quite jealous. It looks like you had a really nice ski day.

I haven't even had a day in skiing more than 10cm of fresh snow (that's 4" of powder) this whole year. I hope the canadian rockies get more snow next season cause this season kinda sucked to be honest.