Uphill Access Open House

The number of people skinning and snowshoeing up the mountain has been steadily growing over the years. This year, use seems to have doubled, if not tripled, over last year. The activity continues to generate lots of conversation and questions amongst our guests and employees. So, this Saturday, March 3 from 9:15 AM until 10:15 AM, we will be holding an Uphill Access Open House at Black Mountain Lodge. The agenda includes a review of our current policy and an opportunity for guests to ask questions and give feedback to A-Basin staff about current and future uphill access at Arapahoe Basin. US Forest Service staff will also be present and available for questions. Snacks and coffee will be available.

There is an uphill access survey posted on our homepage, arapahoebasin.com, through March 14. I hope you can attend Saturday's session and complete the online survey. Thanks.

Pali Video

Check out this video someone sent me today. It was shot yesterday. I don't know the people that made it, but WOW. Great skier, great line, great snow, great terrain, great skiing. You will like it. This video shows why a lot of people (myself included) think Pali is the best ski trail anywhere.

http://www.youtube.com/v/ThRMlroJtxA?feature=autoshare&version=3&autohide=1&autoplay=1

Powder Day

"7 New, 54" Base, mostly blue skies, west winds, high temperature of 25 degrees. What more could you ask for?

Still Snowing

At 4 PM Ski Patroller Ryan went by the snow stake and reported 4" during the day. It has been snowing heavily since then. I just got off the hill about 6:45. There had to be a couple more inches since Ryan's report. There was a good West wind blowing when I was on the Summit. The forecast for tonight was 1". We already clobbered that. I think Wednesday is going to be an exceptional powder day at the old Basin. I will check in with the morning avalanche forecaster and give another blog update, early. Wednesday is the kind of day that you want to be already standing in the Pali maze when the lift opens. Powder skiing is for early risers.

Morning Snow

It started snowing about report time this morning. The forecast is 3-5" today and I think 2" has already fallen. Looks like there is a break in the storm Wednesday, but snow is forecast the rest of the week. I keep thinking about my runs off Pali Lift yesterday. Buffed and flat down Main Street. How often do you ski that without moguls? Way cool.

Buffed

Had the day off today, but still went out and took a few runs with Rob. The wind has buffed out much of the place. Moguls are mostly absent now on Pali Main Street The Spine, Pali Face, Slalom Slope, Lenawee Parks, and Humbug. Smooth, buttery sailing today. As is often the case with wind, she giveth and she taketh away. A few places got beat up like Turbo and North Glade. Zuma is open. Most of the grooming is skiing pretty well. There are a couple of tough spots. We were very close to some directed skiing in Black Bear and Long Chute, but the wind changed those plans. We did have several big slides in Zuma that covered some rough rocks. All and all we are still gaining. The forecast for the week is impressive, improving as the week progresses.

Zuma Bowl Today

Look to see Montezuma Bowl open about noon today. Great night for the cats and a very nice wind. There might even be a few surprises the next day or two. This one has been a long time coming. Thanks for the wait.

Ride it. Ski it. Love it.

9" New

OK, 9" new. Big wind. It is blowing up Lenawee Face this morning. Good for Montezuma Bowl. You know sometimes Mother Nature is like a benevolent grandmother and sometimes she is a raging &^%$#. Last night she was raging. The tunnel and Loveland Pass are closed this morning. It is supposed to snow and blow all day. It is going to take a while to put all the pieces together. Right now we are at the plowing the lot and trying to get BMX and Pali Lift open phase. We all hope to have good news for you.

Not Quite Enough

The skiing on the front side was outstanding today. The 5" on the back helped, but wasn't quite enough. We had a few hours of strong South winds that didn't help the weak spots in Zuma. The forecast still looks good. Thanks for your patience. I am sorry this is taking longer than you want.

A Decent Storm?

This is good. 5" overnight. 7" in 3 days. The cats were all over the Zuma blue terrain last night. There will be a cat working back there all day. Ski Patrol will be all over the place. More snow forecast tonight. The wind reports are good. GEEZ, this is getting really close. Tim and I are heading back there today. The forecast looks good tonight. I think decision time is upon us.

A Hint of Spring

I always think of President's Day weekend as the first hint of spring. Not really spring, but just nice winter days. Today was a stellar example of that.

Zuma Sunrise

Pretty nice sunrise back there. As I have said a few times, I think we are a decent storm away from opening Montezuma Bowl. Depending on how the weather plays out, the likely stuff to open first is Upper Larkspur, Independence, Columbine, Shining Light, Grays and Torreys. The next trails in line to open would be Black Bear, Long Chute, and maybe MGD. The best chance for snow appears to be Sunday night / Monday. Waiting on these storms is killing me.

Another Update

Today was another gorgeous day at The Basin. Again, I took another lap in Montezuma Bowl. The terrain covered by the snow cats continues to grow. After seeing another 24 hours of progress, I think it is fair to say we are one decent storm away. The upper portions of Larkspur and Columbine are outstanding. Close, Close, Close.

More On Zuma

Took four runs in Zuma this morning. The total snowfall the last six days is 18". That has made a tremendous difference in Montezuma Bowl. The snowcats have made it to the bottom of the lift. To open we really need a good groomed blue run top to bottom. We are getting close to that. The cat drivers have covered a lot of ground. The Patrol has done a significant amount of avalanche work in West Zuma Bowl. Of course the question of the day is "When?" I think I would have to say one good storm will do it now. Let's keep our eyes on those weather forecasts and daily snow reports.

Good Morning Arapahoe Basin

Snowing Heavily

As the crow flies, my house is about 7 or 8 miles from The Basin.. It is snowing heavily at the house right now. Normally, I can see Arapahoe from my kitchen window, but it was totally socked in at dusk. I think a few inches have landed at the ski area already. My fingers are crossed for a good morning snow report. This forecast this week looks very good.

This Is What It Is All About

It is just amazing how much fun people can have with new snow. Everyone was smiling. The North Side is really skiing well. The scene at the top of Pali was way fun. Beacon Bowl was a hit (more on that later). We used the new parking lot for the first time. I took another tour in Zuma and we are much closer. Another storm like this past one and we will be very close to opening that. Today was fantastic. Thanks to all of you that were here. Looks like snow again Sunday night.

8" New

8" new. 13" in 3 days. I love it when the forecast is 1-3" and we get 8". The crew is hard at it this morning. Shovelling, running the Bobcat, plowing, snowblowing, cat driving, you name it, they are running it. The ski patrol is about to start making some noise. This is not a day to miss. Drive safely getting here, but get here. This is going to be a good one. And you can close out the day with the Beacon Bowl party. Time to go to The Basin.

Beacon Bowl and Snow

We have had 5" of snow the last 36 hours. It is snowing moderately right now and the forecasters are predicting a few inches tonight. The skiing and riding is getting better all the time. I think this would be a great weekend to come on up and enjoy the fun.

Speaking of fun, Saturday is the Beacon Bowl. The event has something for everyone including avalanche awareness sessions, beacon clinics, and beacon competitions (both fun and serious). At the end of the day we throw a great party and fund raiser with all proceeds going to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. There will be a raffle, live auction and silent auction as well as beer and pizza. Prizes and auction items include Monarch Snowcat Skiing, New Belgium bike, Ski Logic and Salomon skis, tons of BCA gear, lift tickets to lots of Colorado mountains, Avalung, and lots more. Being a believer in pay to play, I think it is my duty to go to the fundraiser and spend some cash that goes to CAIC. I think that should be your duty too. Come on up, learn a few things, have some fun, get some new gear, and feel good about buying beer and pizza. See you there.