Montezuma Bowl Opens Wednesday

The recent snow has been a tremendous boost for us this week. Montezuma Bowl will be opening Wednesday morning. A big chunk of the bowl from Bierstadt on the East to at least Long Chute on the West will be open totalling at least 17 trails and 200 acres. I have spent most of the last three days with our Mountain Operations staff skiing and working back there. This is Zuma's third season and it might be the best opening yet.

Here are some insider tips for places to ski:

Groomed Runs - Try either Columbine/Shining Light or Upper Larkspur/Independence. We put up some new snowfences last summer and the cat drivers were able to capture and push a great deal of snow. The trails coming off the top are simply groomed to perfection.

Powder - Northern Spy is the ticket. You have to slide across a narrow, slightly bony traverse, but once you get there it is amazing. This mini-bowl is wide open with good snow coverage. I took the time (actually several times) to verify its quality for you. You will love it.

Steeps - Long Chute is awesome. Most of the ground surface in Long Chute is soft tundra and the skiing is always good in there. It is a long, leg burner. Keep your eyes on Max, Groswold, and Durrance. I am not sure if those will open Wednesday, but there aren't far behind.

Adventure and Glade Skiing - Head for the 14'ers. This past summer our trail crew cleaned up the glades and really improved the skiing and riding in there. Yesterday I skied Bierstadt and the new lines are awesome. These runs are not for the faint of heart and require some work for your turns.

I know some of you have been holding out for more snow. As I write (Sunday afternoon) and look out my office window, it is dumping. The time for waiting is over. Yesterday I snuck in a couple of Pali runs. The skiing has really come around. End your hold out and get on up here. Powder days are best served with an early start. Hope to see you soon.