On To Ramrod

Last night, the snowmakers moved to Ramrod. Several of the same snowmaking hydrants used for High Noon are also used for Ramrod. We simply move the fan guns to the east and point them in a different direction. 

We are optimistic for the week. Our snowmaking is linked to streamflow. The higher the streamflow, the more water available for snowmaking. We are forecasted to see sunny, warm days and clear cold nights. During the day, much of last week's natural snowfall will melt, raising the streamflow. With cold nights, we will convert that increased streamflow into increased snowmaking.

October 2014 Ramrod Snowmaking 

Wonderful First Couple of Days

The first couple days of the season have been fantastic. Opening day skiing was fun. We threw a great party in The 6th Alley for The Basin crew. The enthusiasm and excitement for the season was super high. The snowmakers spent Friday and Saturday nights buffing out High Noon. Just as we hoped, lift line, parking and crowd issues were non-existent. What a good way to kick off the season.

Funniest Thing On The Internet

There was a lot of very hysterical stuff on the internet yesterday. Someone called me Alan Petty Henceroth. I assumed that was because Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were my favorite band of all time. 

This meme, pulled off Keystone's Facebook page, by far gave me the biggest laugh of the day.

We Are Opening Today

The race to be the first to open in Colorado and the country is always a treat. Vail has announced that Keystone is opening tomorrow. I know Loveland is right on their tail. Congratulations to both resorts.

We are proud to announce that we will open Black Mountain Express today, Friday, October 11, from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM. There will be $15 lift tickets, $5 beers and $5 apres ski dishes in the 6th Alley. Starting tomorrow, we will be open with normal operating hours. Mug Club sales begin Saturday.

Our team has done an extraordinary job making snow, grooming snow, getting the annual tramway licenses, hiring staff, training staff, etc. etc. etc. We have been having fun. I can't wait to get my skis on. As I write, the cat drivers are putting the finishing touches on the snow. The lift ops and the ski patrollers are getting their gear in order. The staff gets an A+ for this one.

Today we will be hosting an extraordinary Friday Afternoon Club. Come join us for a few turns, a quick bite and a beverage with friends. Ski season is here. Thanks so much for being part of Arapahoe Basin.

Cats On The Hill

.....And last night we had another brilliant session of snowmaking. The snowmakers have shut down the system. They are pulling hydrants and moving fan guns. Scotty and Dorse are back in their cats dozing up piles and spreading the snow. I am pacing everywhere, trying to avoid bugging the employees as they get their operations ready to open.

This is going to be a fantastic weekend.

We Are Going To Open..........Soon

I am not exactly sure when, but we are going to open very soon. The snowmaking crew is raging, totally capitalizing on this tremendous weather event. Can't wait to see the place in tomorrow's morning light.

A Very Big 24 Hours

Right now it is snow nicely. The air temperature is dropping precipitously. The relatively humidity is high with all the snow so the wet bulb temperature is similar to air temperature. Currently, that air temperature is 17 F at mid-mountain, but expected to continue to drop all day. These are ideal conditions.

We have had some good snowmaking weather over the last week. The next couple days will be VERY, VERY, VERY good snowmaking weather. By Friday morning, The Basin will be a very different looking place. 😆

Temperatures Are Nosediving

About noon I walked High Noon with Louis. While the trail isn't ready today, we are getting much closer. The forecast looks COLD. Starting about 8 tonight, the temperatures are going to nosedive. We may see temperatures below zero. We should have incredible snowmaking weather for at least 48-72 hours. Add some decent snowfall Thursday. That is going to put us right in the "ZONE."  I suggest looking at the webcams first thing in the morning Thursday. I am usually a pretty calm guy, but I am starting to get excited.