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SKIING
NORTH AMERICA & THE COLORADO ROCKIES THE FOUR MAIN SKI REGIONS OF NORTH AMERICA For destination skiing--areas where there are plenty of slopes, accommodations, and good transportation access, consider four regions of North America: 1) Colorado Rocky Mountains: exits. This region was selected for the Winter Olympics--of 1972, but the state's citizens were in an environmental snit at the time and rejected the opportunity. The Colorado snow is the dry powder of legend, but because of the high altitude (think how this relates to breathing) and the distant inland position, snowfall is not so deep as nearer the western U.S. coast and therefore true powder skiing (in which the ski is on a bottomless or at least soft spongy base) is less common than the legend indicates. Because of the high altitude, temperatures are likely to be cold, but this makes winter rain almost unheard of--unlike the coastal states where that occurs. There are many fine ski areas arrayed along Interstate 70 west of Denver, as well as to that highway's north and south. Because of the lesser snowfall amounts, ski areas here have developed extensive snow-making, and this plus the cold weather gives more certainty to the quality of the snow for skiing throughout the winter, and less uncertainty to one's winter vacation plans. For descriptions of the individual ski areas of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, click here. 2) Whistler-Blackcomb in British Columbia, Canada: exits. These are immense mountains with ski runs of all sorts including glacier runs, couloirs, powder, deep fresh snow; and sometimes with intense snowstorms in the upper slopes plus fog and even rain down lower, with ice or slush there. The area has a maritime Pacific climate with low altitudes and the weather can control your experience from outstanding to a vacation disaster. Yet it is often ranked by the skiing public as one of America's best winter ski resorts and is obviously worth the gamble to many. 3) Lake Tahoe area of California-Nevada. Here was the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, centered at Squaw Valley: exits, only one of many fine large ski areas in this region: Alpine Meadows: exits, Northstar: exits, Diamond Peak: exits, Sugar Bowl: exits, Heavenly Valley: exits, Kirkwood: exits, with the smaller areas of Soda Springs, Donner Ski Ranch, Plumas-Eureka, Mount Rose, Boreal Ridge, Sierra at Tahoe, Tahoe Ski Bowl, and even more. The Sierra Nevada mountain range here is at mid-altitudes, which means you can breathe a bit more easily than at the higher areas of the Rockies, and temperatures are generally warmer than in the Rockies. The Sierra Nevada does get hit by intense winter storms that drop snow measured by feet rather than inches, and these may close roads and lifts but can make for up-to-the-waist powder skiing, sometimes dry and sometimes wet, the latter known as "Sierra cement". Rain can and does fall on the new snow and even erodes the pack or turns it into ice when the temperature drops. Other times the skies will be dry for over a month as skiers pray for snow, but ski in shorts in the California sunshine, edging for ice early in the day and gliding on wet corn snow later. Additional ski areas in the Sierra Nevada include these that are south of Lake Tahoe: Bear Valley: exits, Dodge Ridge: exits, Badger Pass: exits, and Sierra Summit: exits. Farther north is Mount Shasta and farther south in the Los Angeles region are still more. On the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada is mammoth Mammoth Mountain: exits and its sister resort, June Mountain. 4) Salt Lake City-Park City area of Utah. This is such a great ski region as to be the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics. Resorts include Alta: exits, Park City: exits, The Canyons: exits, Snowbird: exits, Solitude: exits, Deer Valley: exits, and more. Brian Head: exits is near Cedar City, farther south. Being inland and with ski areas at higher altitudes, the snow is probably the driest of the four North American regions and the snow here often piles deeply. Of course when the snow is so soft it must also be deep in order to build up enough when packed to cover the hard quartzite rocks of the local mountains. Other ski regions of North America: Jackson, Wyoming: exits and nearby Grand Targhee, Idaho: exits; Big Sky, Montana: exits, Taos, New Mexico: exits; Sun Valley, Idaho: exits; Mount Bachelor, Oregon: exits and Mount Hood, Oregon; Mount Baker, Washington; and New England areas such as Stratton Mountain: exits, Stowe: exits, and others. In addition, there are ski areas in the Midwest, East and even the South. In eastern Canada are areas such as Mont Tremblant: exits. We have listed mainly the bigger destination resorts which would attract longer-distance skiers. For a more complete listing of ski areas in North America and throughout the world, go to skicentral.com: exits. THE MAJOR SKI AREAS OF THE COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAINS Judging by the devotees of Colorado's various ski areas, each ski area is the best. That's why there is a place in the market for them all. We humans tend to favor the familiar. Nevertheless we make an attempt here to describe each so you can select the area you would prefer if you are new to the region or are curious about trying a ski area new to you. Four of these ski areas are within a few miles of each other in Summit County: Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, and Keystone. All the Summit County areas are at high altitudes, so consider the effect on your breathing. All these are linked with shuttle buses and three--(Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, and Keystone (and to a degree, Vail/Beaver Creek)--have interchangeable lift tickets, as do Copper Mountain and Winter Park. The Summit County, Vail/Beaver Creek, and Winter Park/Mary Jane ski areas are accessed by shuttle service from the Denver International Airport or by car, mostly via Interstate 70. Arapahoe Basin (Summit County): exits. Known as The Legend, one admirer opined that in fact God had not made the world in 6 days and then rested on the seventh, as suggested in the Christian Bible's Old Testament. He said God had saved the seventh day to concentrate on making just Arapahoe Basin! The Basin is an area at high altitude with many extreme runs into couloirs, off cornices, through steep tree-slopes and down avalanche chutes. And so its reputation is as an area for expert skiers. It is that, but it also has beginner slopes, and intermediate terrain even from the highest lifts. Because of its high altitude, breathing and even being well may be an issue for lowland visitors. It can be cold and/or windy. In storms, you can experience white-out conditions (when both sky and snow become white and you lose perspective and sense of balance), but then you can ski the lower slopes and stay where trees give a sense of place. But in milder weather or when the sun is out, views of the mountain scenery are spectacular. Lifts are older and slower, but the season lasts late--into June often and even until August 14 once. Earlier in the season, the steeper slopes may not yet have enough snow to cover their rocks but with snow-making to add base, the intermediate runs can be a delight with the colder powder of this high altitude. No accommodations are here, only lunch service, but runs finish at or near the day-lodge, making it easier to find your skiing buddies or kiddies. Construction of a lift to serve new terrain in Montezuma Bowl is expected to begin in summer 2007. Arapahoe Basin also operates Bear Valley: exits in California. This web-site's developer, Bill Jones, ski instructor is authorized to teach at Arapahoe Basin: click to book a lesson from Bill. Aspen areas: exits. Four major ski areas are at or near the old mining town of Aspen. Abundant accommodations, classy shopping, and night life are here and at nearby Snowmass Village. Aspen Mountain has varied terrain, Aspen Highlands has abundant expert slopes, Snowmass is good for all levels, and Buttermilk has terrain for beginner and intermediate level skiers. There is an airport at Aspen with scheduled commercial service. Beaver Creek. See Vail/Beaver Creek below. Breckenridge (Summit County): exits: Some years more skier days are recorded at Breckenridge than at any other U.S. ski area. It's a major area with 4 peaks (called 7, 8, 9, & 10 for their positions along the Ten-Mile Range ridge), lots of lifts, varied terrain with gentle beginner slopes and outstanding expert ridges and bowls and chutes. The top of the highest lift is 12,840 feet altitude (advanced and expert terrain only). International ski races and freestyle and snowboard events are held at Breckenridge. At times this ski area lives up to its nickname Breckenfridge and at others Breckenwind, so be prepared with appropriate clothing, goggles, sunscreen, etc., but there are strategically-placed day lodges at several of the lift tops and bases for on-mountain warmups. The lift layout takes time to get in mind and has daunted some in the past, but a new peak-interconnect lift and improved signing make the slopes skier-friendly. A new gondola from town to the slopes eases both access to the mountain and egress from it at day's end. The nearby town has abundant accommodations and a quaint "pseduo-historic" architecture with plenty of dining and apres-ski activities. Breckenridge is part of Vail Resorts: exits. This web-site's developer, Bill Jones ski instructor, is authorized to teach at this area: click to book a lesson from Bill. Copper Mountain (Summit County): exits. Here is another fine Colorado ski area with abundant lifts and terrain that naturally segregates the skiers by ability level. Excellent extreme skiing bowls are present and these often have powder snow that is new or has stayed cold enough to behave like new. There is outstanding terrain for beginners to learn. Accommodations and restaurants are near the lift bases. The area is operated by Intrawest: exits the company that developed Whistler-Blackcomb Ski Area in British Columbia and which operates several other resorts as well including Winter Park in Colorado and Stratton in Vermont. Crested Butte: exits. Slopes here include degrees of difficulty for all, with both beginner areas and challenging slopes. Extreme skiing competitions are held here. Crested Butte's mountain scenery is awesome on clear days, especially from the on-slope day lodge. The modern town of Mt. Crested Butte sits at the mountain base, and a few miles away are the quaint buildings of the early Crested Butte mining town , both now providing plenty of dining, lodging, and apres-ski activities. Keystone (Summit County): exits. What is special about Keystone? It has an advanced-beginner slope that is a bit over 3 miles long. Keystone is also known for abundant intermediate runs. And in recent years it has added lifts to bump slopes on North Peak and others that extend into "outback" areas of advanced terrain including small bowls where one can come as close to enjoying the (shared) solitude of nature as can happen at any downhill ski area. Keystone makes lots of snow to ensure quality of experience, and has a reputation for quality machine-grooming of its runs. There are conveniently located accommodations, and apres-ski life has expanded at the developing River Run base area. This is the only area in the region with night skiing (selected nights during principal season). Most of Keystone's runs are more sheltered than those at other Summit County ski areas because almost all of Keystone's runs are lined by forest. Sno-cat skiing is offered, subject to conditions. Keystone is part of Vail Resorts: exits. This web-site's developer, Bill Jones ski instructor, is authorized to teach at this area: click to book a lesson from Bill. Steamboat: exits. Here is another massive Colorado ski area, this one some 90 miles north of Interstate 70, and with a nearby commercial airport. Skiers of all ability levels find slopes here to enjoy, and the snowfall here is usually more abundant than at most other Colorado ski areas. The base altitude of Steamboat is a bit lower than at other Colorado ski areas, making breathing easier but also producing slushy snow sooner at season's end. Accommodations are plentiful at the resort and in the nearby town, where there is a natural warm-spring municipal pool and shops and restaurants. Snowcat powder skiing is provided nearby, a less expensive alternative to a helicopter skiing vacation. Telluride: exits. In the southwestern corner of Colorado is an old mining town with a fantastic modern ski area, having great beginner and expert terrain and everything in between. On clear days, the views west into the adjacent desert and east into the ski area and town's glaciated valley are worth riding the lift just to see. Accommodations are plentiful, as is night life. Helicopter skiing can be arranged. There is an airport on the hill above town. Vail/Beaver Creek areas: exits. Vail Mountain is the biggest ski area in the United States, with some 5,600 acres--for some skiers an awesome opportunity to explore and for others, overpoweringly large. There is great bowl skiing, although some bowls face south and at times especially in later season catch enough sun so their snow gets heavy. To prevail, just ski the storms or get out soon afterwards before the sun has warmed the snow. Or, pick the best spots of the day; you'll have plenty of choices. Terrain is varied, with plenty of intermediate and advanced to expert terrain, and the town of Vail can respond to almost any need. The Vail Ski School is probably the largest in the country, with some 1200 full- and part-time instructors, and is a standard-setter. Beaver Creek is an alternative to Vail for those who want slopes that are usually less populated or are looking for expansive beginner terrain (on the upper part of the mountain). Yet Beaver Creek has also hosted world-class downhill races and has steep-steep bump runs appropriately named for birds of prey. Vail/Beaver Creek areas are operated by Vail Resorts: exits. Travelers can fly into Denver International Airport and take a shuttle to Vail or come in to the Eagle County Airport, which is nearer but with fewer connections. This web-site's developer, Bill Jones, ski instructor, is authorized to teach at this area: click to book a lesson from Bill. Winter Park/Mary Jane: exits. How many cities have their own snow park, especially one as large as the combined Winter Park/Mary Jane ski areas? Although an hour and a half away from Denver, Winter Park is one of that city's parks! On certain days, you can even take the ski train from downtown Denver to slopeside. Another of Colorado's high-altitude ski areas, Winter Park is also a large, varied area with terrain to please all. Snowstorms may leave a bit more here than is typical for other Colorado ski areas, and there is a handy ski town. While many expert skiers enjoy the bumps of Mary Jane the most, others find plenty to do on the runs at the older, more-comfortable-to-them Winter Park section of the ski area. Intrawest, owner of Copper Mountain, also operates Winter Park. Additional, smaller, ski areas are in the central Rockies, each with its own character and fans and all worth a visit: Eldora: exits, Loveland: exits, Powderhorn: exits, Ski Cooper: exits, Monarch: exits, Wolf Creek: exits, Sunlight: exits, Ski Durango: exits and Sol Vista: exits . For more information on Colorado ski areas, go to www.skicolorado.com: exits This "Skiing the Colorado Rockies" page last modified 03/08/2007: \SkiMyBest\skicoro.htm. Copyright 2007 © William R Jones. |
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