Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Zuma Late Season


Montezuma Bowl has held up exceptionally well this Spring. The skiing has been great and a number of people have been enjoying that area. My favorite Spring snow occurs when just the top inch or so has become soft. I have found a lot of that condition in Zuma during the last week. Keep your fingers crossed, we hope to keep Montezuma Bowl open through June 5.











Zuma Late Season

Montezuma Bowl has held up exceptionally well this Spring. The skiing has been great and a number of people have been enjoying that area. My favorite Spring snow occurs when just the top inch or so has become soft. I have found a lot of that condition in Zuma during the last week. Keep your fingers crossed, we hope to keep Montezuma Bowl open through June 5.



Monday, May 30, 2016

International Freestyle


A-Basin has a long history with freestyle - mogul teams from around the world, especially come Springtime. This Spring was no different with teams from Summit, Vail, Telluride and Steamboat here for training. We also hosted the Chinese National Team coached by Summit County local, Scott Rawles. Previously, Scott had been the US National Team Coach for many, many years. The Korean National Team, coached by Vail local and Olympic Medalist Toby Dawson, also trained here for a couple of weeks. Both Scott and Toby spent many of their younger days skiing, competing and training at The Basin. It is cool to see both Scott and Toby still in the thick of this very exciting sport.











International Freestyle

A-Basin has a long history with freestyle - mogul teams from around the world, especially come Springtime. This Spring was no different with teams from Summit, Vail, Telluride and Steamboat here for training. We also hosted the Chinese National Team coached by Summit County local, Scott Rawles. Previously, Scott had been the US National Team Coach for many, many years. The Korean National Team, coached by Vail local and Olympic Medalist Toby Dawson, also trained here for a couple of weeks. Both Scott and Toby spent many of their younger days skiing, competing and training at The Basin. It is cool to see both Scott and Toby still in the thick of this very exciting sport.



Sunday, May 29, 2016

Festival of the Brewpubs


Another hit. "Festival of the Brewpubs" may be our premier event. It helps that we are having a beautiful day (it snowed last year). The skiing is outstanding. I took a few spins around the mountain this morning and found great skiing everywhere. Today's band, "Jakarta" has the crowd fully engaged.  People are having a ball. 14 mostly Colorado breweries are here sharing their beverages. Chef Rybak's crew has a couple of good food tents. The beer aficionados are smiling. Another amazing Colorado day. Sports. Mountains. Food. Music. Beverages. Friends.





















Festival of the Brewpubs

Another hit. "Festival of the Brewpubs" may be our premier event. It helps that we are having a beautiful day (it snowed last year). The skiing is outstanding. I took a few spins around the mountain this morning and found great skiing everywhere. Today's band, "Jakarta" has the crowd fully engaged.  People are having a ball. 14 mostly Colorado breweries are here sharing their beverages. Chef Rybak's crew has a couple of good food tents. The beer aficionados are smiling. Another amazing Colorado day. Sports. Mountains. Food. Music. Beverages. Friends.





Saturday, May 28, 2016

Goat Dusting


The goats had a little dusting of snow this morning. It was fun to watch the place wake up on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The Beach is active, but not as frenzied as it has been. Several skinners were heading up High Noon and Wrangler. There is a bit of a line to get a "Skier's Breakfast." While the coverage is still exceptional in open terrain, the snow is slowly retreating in the closed areas. I saw a few people wearing shorts. Freestyle and alpine teams are here getting in their last days of winter. The ski racks are starting to fill. The parking crew looks more relaxed. The sun broke over the ridge warming everyone up. Only in Colorado. Only at The Basin.







Goat Dusting

The goats had a little dusting of snow this morning. It was fun to watch the place wake up on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The Beach is active, but not as frenzied as it has been. Several skinners were heading up High Noon and Wrangler. There is a bit of a line to get a "Skier's Breakfast." While the coverage is still exceptional in open terrain, the snow is slowly retreating in the closed areas. I saw a few people wearing shorts. Freestyle and alpine teams are here getting in their last days of winter. The ski racks are starting to fill. The parking crew looks more relaxed. The sun broke over the ridge warming everyone up. Only in Colorado. Only at The Basin.


Friday, May 27, 2016

May 27 Snow


And it is snowing again today. OK, last night's storm did not materialize. That sometimes happens with weather forecasts. It did, however, start snowing again this afternoon. We are not expecting too much to come out of it. The ski day was pretty nice. The Lower East Wall was open and there were great turns to be found in Montezuma Bowl. More great Spring Skiing at A-Basin.







May 27 Snow

And it is snowing again today. OK, last night's storm did not materialize. That sometimes happens with weather forecasts. It did, however, start snowing again this afternoon. We are not expecting too much to come out of it. The ski day was pretty nice. The Lower East Wall was open and there were great turns to be found in Montezuma Bowl. More great Spring Skiing at A-Basin.


Thursday, May 26, 2016

Snowing


Of course it is snowing, it is May 26. We have a "Winter Weather Advisory" in effect until 9 AM Friday morning. The National Weather Service is predicting 3-7 inches of snow tonight and 1-2 more inches tomorrow. We just might have one more powder day. The timing of the storm is perfect. With live music in the Plaza Saturday and Sunday, the Festival of the Brewpubs Sunday, and fantastic Spring skiing, we should have a pretty good Memorial Day weekend.











Snowing

Of course it is snowing, it is May 26. We have a "Winter Weather Advisory" in effect until 9 AM Friday morning. The National Weather Service is predicting 3-7 inches of snow tonight and 1-2 more inches tomorrow. We just might have one more powder day. The timing of the storm is perfect. With live music in the Plaza Saturday and Sunday, the Festival of the Brewpubs Sunday, and fantastic Spring skiing, we should have a pretty good Memorial Day weekend.



Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Lake Reveal - The Goats - Closing Day

Sorry, forgot my camera today. With a little imagination, you can see a depression giving a faint hint of where Lake Reveal is. I also noticed a few mountain goats hanging out at the top of Little Lenawee Peak. Magnificent animals. They amaze me.



We will definitely be open 7 days a week through June 5. There is a chance we will  extend for one or more 3-day weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) after that. Give us a chance to get through Memorial Day weekend and then we will make a decision about extending the season.

Lake Reveal - The Goats - Closing Day

Sorry, forgot my camera today. With a little imagination, you can see a depression giving a faint hint of where Lake Reveal is. I also noticed a few mountain goats hanging out at the top of Little Lenawee Peak. Magnificent animals. They amaze me.

We will definitely be open 7 days a week through June 5. There is a chance we will  extend for one or more 3-day weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) after that. Give us a chance to get through Memorial Day weekend and then we will make a decision about extending the season.

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Summit Stage - Festival of the Brewpubs


Thanks to all of you that rode the Summit Stage this year. Ridership was up significantly and it makes a tremendous difference on so many levels.





The Stage is going to run for one more weekend, this Saturday and Sunday.





Sunday is Festival of the Brewpubs and there is no better day to ride the Stage. Our route, the Swan Mountain Flyer, will be making its usual laps. Avoid traffic and parking issues and ride The Stage.







Summit Stage - Festival of the Brewpubs

Thanks to all of you that rode the Summit Stage this year. Ridership was up significantly and it makes a tremendous difference on so many levels.

The Stage is going to run for one more weekend, this Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday is Festival of the Brewpubs and there is no better day to ride the Stage. Our route, the Swan Mountain Flyer, will be making its usual laps. Avoid traffic and parking issues and ride The Stage.


Sunday, May 22, 2016

Swimwear Parade

I think we have to call the Swimwear Parade a success. Mother Nature was kind and delivered a beautiful, sunny, warm day. The Spring Skiing was so..............A-Basin like. No place says Spring Skiing the way we do. "The Railsplitters" performed an outstanding gig. The plaza was alive with energy. People had some fun.



........And the mountain is in outstanding shape.
















Swimwear Parade

I think we have to call the Swimwear Parade a success. Mother Nature was kind and delivered a beautiful, sunny, warm day. The Spring Skiing was so..............A-Basin like. No place says Spring Skiing the way we do. "The Railsplitters" performed an outstanding gig. The plaza was alive with energy. People had some fun.

........And the mountain is in outstanding shape.




Saturday, May 21, 2016

Pali - Sunday - Last Day


Well, it is time. The last day of the season for Pallavicini Lift will be tomorrow, Sunday, May 22. We have had an outstanding season over there. The cool spring created some Pali bonus time for us. Looking back over the entire year, I enjoyed a number of truly outstanding turns on my favorite run anywhere, The Spine.





Molly Hogan will likely be open another week. We will keep Zuma going as long as we can, hopefully until June 5. We shall see. We are going to have to decide about extending beyond June 5 before too long.





I thought you might enjoy this image of Pali taken by a buddy of mine from a plane about five years ago.







Pali - Sunday - Last Day

Well, it is time. The last day of the season for Pallavicini Lift will be tomorrow, Sunday, May 22. We have had an outstanding season over there. The cool spring created some Pali bonus time for us. Looking back over the entire year, I enjoyed a number of truly outstanding turns on my favorite run anywhere, The Spine.

Molly Hogan will likely be open another week. We will keep Zuma going as long as we can, hopefully until June 5. We shall see. We are going to have to decide about extending beyond June 5 before too long.

I thought you might enjoy this image of Pali taken by a buddy of mine from a plane about five years ago.


Friday, May 20, 2016

Lucky Dog*


That is one lucky dog, getting to cruise around on a great mountain.





I think all of us may be lucky dogs. Getting to hang out, ski, ride, work or play at The Basin is pretty fun. I never get tired of those views or that snow. And the people here are pretty cool too. Good place.





*Note - that dog is on a leash and it is early morning before we are open.







Lucky Dog*

That is one lucky dog, getting to cruise around on a great mountain.

I think all of us may be lucky dogs. Getting to hang out, ski, ride, work or play at The Basin is pretty fun. I never get tired of those views or that snow. And the people here are pretty cool too. Good place.

*Note - that dog is on a leash and it is early morning before we are open.


Thursday, May 19, 2016

Park Scene


Lots of fun still going in the terrain parks.




















Park Scene

Lots of fun still going in the terrain parks.





Wednesday, May 18, 2016

The Wall


Not a bad view of The East Wall.




The Wall

Not a bad view of The East Wall.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Spectacular Morning






 And then some mornings, like today, are just spectacular.