June 22 - At Least

You probably have seen the announcement by now. We are now going to be open for at least three 3-day weekends, June 6-8, June 13-15 and June 20-22. The snow has held up quite well and people have been showing up to ski and ride. We think we can readily make another three weeks If the snow continue to hold up, we would like to stay open even longer. Who knows, maybe the 4th of July is in the cards. Keep skiing and stay tuned.

June 22 - At Least

You probably have seen the announcement by now. We are now going to be open for at least three 3-day weekends, June 6-8, June 13-15 and June 20-22. The snow has held up quite well and people have been showing up to ski and ride. We think we can readily make another three weeks If the snow continue to hold up, we would like to stay open even longer. Who knows, maybe the 4th of July is in the cards. Keep skiing and stay tuned.

Loveland Pass Open - Both Directions

The rockslide debris has been cleared away. There will be normal access to The Basin from both directions. Thanks for your patience. Every once in a while Mother Nature reminds us where we live and play.

Loveland Pass Open - Both Directions

The rockslide debris has been cleared away. There will be normal access to The Basin from both directions. Thanks for your patience. Every once in a while Mother Nature reminds us where we live and play.

We Are Open

We are open for skiing and riding today. Unfortunately, the road is still blocked between Keystone and The Basin. The road is open and accessible from the East side by Loveland Ski Area. This is no problem if you are heading up from the Front Range. If you heading up from Summit or Eagle County you will have a 15 minute detour through the Eisenhower Tunnel. I suspect this closure will slow business down a bit. Come on up, you just may have the place to yourself.

We Are Open

We are open for skiing and riding today. Unfortunately, the road is still blocked between Keystone and The Basin. The road is open and accessible from the East side by Loveland Ski Area. This is no problem if you are heading up from the Front Range. If you heading up from Summit or Eagle County you will have a 15 minute detour through the Eisenhower Tunnel. I suspect this closure will slow business down a bit. Come on up, you just may have the place to yourself.

Highway Update

There is still some uncertainty about exactly when Loveland Pass will open. In the morning you should have no trouble accessing the ski area from the East side. Hopefully, the West Side is open in the morning. Before heading up check cotrip.org for the latest Highway 6 conditions.

Highway Update

There is still some uncertainty about exactly when Loveland Pass will open. In the morning you should have no trouble accessing the ski area from the East side. Hopefully, the West Side is open in the morning. Before heading up check cotrip.org for the latest Highway 6 conditions.

Rockslide

There is always something going on around this place. Late this afternoon a rockslide hit Highway 6 a couple of miles West of the ski area. While the slide was relatively small, both lanes of traffic were blocked and Loveland Pass is currently closed. CDOT crews are clearing the debris right now. We anticipate a normal opening tomorrow. As soon as I know more, I will post an update.

Rockslide

There is always something going on around this place. Late this afternoon a rockslide hit Highway 6 a couple of miles West of the ski area. While the slide was relatively small, both lanes of traffic were blocked and Loveland Pass is currently closed. CDOT crews are clearing the debris right now. We anticipate a normal opening tomorrow. As soon as I know more, I will post an update.

More Snow Nerd Stuff

Attached is the hydrograph from the "Snake River near Montezuma" (actually it is really in Keystone above the gondola). I have attached the link to get the live version. You can see the stream flow has increased from about 50 cfs on May 18 to 300 cfs just before midnight on May 24. This is a very clear indication that a lot of water is on the move and the flow is accelerating rapidly. With the warmer weather following last week's storm, these spiking flows should only become more dramatic. This afternoon I was able to field test the flows in the Blue River. They are up and very nice.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/uv/?site_no=09047500&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060

This photo of the East Wall shows a lot of small, dribbling snow events. There was a large wet slide in Dog Leg just Northeast of the ski area. The temps have not been below freezing for several days. Our instrumentation on Pali clearly indicates the presence of water. Digging around in the snow also shows us that the areas with less consolidated snow are really soft and loose and wet. Not the greatest.

So this is why the steep stuff is closed. This time of year the best skiing can be found in our less steep, heavily compacted or groomed areas. It is time to enjoy Columbine in Zuma, Norway Face and the West Wall on the Upper Mountain, and, of course, the slush bumps on Ramrod.

More Snow Nerd Stuff

Attached is the hydrograph from the "Snake River near Montezuma" (actually it is really in Keystone above the gondola). I have attached the link to get the live version. You can see the stream flow has increased from about 50 cfs on May 18 to 300 cfs just before midnight on May 24. This is a very clear indication that a lot of water is on the move and the flow is accelerating rapidly. With the warmer weather following last week's storm, these spiking flows should only become more dramatic. This afternoon I was able to field test the flows in the Blue River. They are up and very nice.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/uv/?site_no=09047500&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060

This photo of the East Wall shows a lot of small, dribbling snow events. There was a large wet slide in Dog Leg just Northeast of the ski area. The temps have not been below freezing for several days. Our instrumentation on Pali clearly indicates the presence of water. Digging around in the snow also shows us that the areas with less consolidated snow are really soft and loose and wet. Not the greatest.

So this is why the steep stuff is closed. This time of year the best skiing can be found in our less steep, heavily compacted or groomed areas. It is time to enjoy Columbine in Zuma, Norway Face and the West Wall on the Upper Mountain, and, of course, the slush bumps on Ramrod.

OK, We Had A Little Weather

About Wednesday of this past week, I was watching the forecasts for the weekend. I have to admit I was fairly nervous thinking the storm may wreck the weekend and particularly the Festival of the Brewpubs. Well, Mother Nature gave us all she had this afternoon. There was a point when graupel was falling out of the sky about as hard as it can. The lifts had been closed due to lightning. I stopped right in the middle of the base area. I looked around. People were all around me with their mugs, smiling, talking and laughing. Whitewater Ramble was tuning their instruments and getting ready to start. It was just another typical day at The Basin. It was downright comical. The weather didn't even phase people. That is just the way it is in the mountains. Right now it is snowing fairly heavily, the band is still playing, and the sun looks like it is about to pop out.

The day has been a big hit. Thanks to all the craft brewers that showed up. This was the first time I had heard Whitewater Ramble. They are fantastic. I hope we can get them back some day. If you get a chance to see them play, be sure and do so. Most importantly, thanks to all of you that joined in on the fun. We still have a ways to go this season. I love this place.

OK, We Had A Little Weather

About Wednesday of this past week, I was watching the forecasts for the weekend. I have to admit I was fairly nervous thinking the storm may wreck the weekend and particularly the Festival of the Brewpubs. Well, Mother Nature gave us all she had this afternoon. There was a point when graupel was falling out of the sky about as hard as it can. The lifts had been closed due to lightning. I stopped right in the middle of the base area. I looked around. People were all around me with their mugs, smiling, talking and laughing. Whitewater Ramble was tuning their instruments and getting ready to start. It was just another typical day at The Basin. It was downright comical. The weather didn't even phase people. That is just the way it is in the mountains. Right now it is snowing fairly heavily, the band is still playing, and the sun looks like it is about to pop out.

The day has been a big hit. Thanks to all the craft brewers that showed up. This was the first time I had heard Whitewater Ramble. They are fantastic. I hope we can get them back some day. If you get a chance to see them play, be sure and do so. Most importantly, thanks to all of you that joined in on the fun. We still have a ways to go this season. I love this place.

May 25, 4" New, 73" Base

Today, the weather is all over the place. We have been socked in at times. The sun has popped out a couple of times. It has snowed, rained, and graupled. The skiing is holding up nicely. Groomed runs have the best snow conditions. If you are a sick, gnarly weather guy like me, you love this stuff. These photos were taken about 10 AM Sunday morning.

May 25, 4" New, 73" Base

Today, the weather is all over the place. We have been socked in at times. The sun has popped out a couple of times. It has snowed, rained, and graupled. The skiing is holding up nicely. Groomed runs have the best snow conditions. If you are a sick, gnarly weather guy like me, you love this stuff. These photos were taken about 10 AM Sunday morning.

Don't Forget, Festival of the Brewpubs

Sunday is the day. Come join the fun for Festival of the Brewpubs. A dozen Colorado breweries, Rybak's food, and Whitewater Ramble. The Summit Stage is still running and they have added a couple of extra buses for the end of the day. I encourage all of you to carpool or ride the Stage. Make sure you ski in the morning. See you tomorrow.

Don't Forget, Festival of the Brewpubs

Sunday is the day. Come join the fun for Festival of the Brewpubs. A dozen Colorado breweries, Rybak's food, and Whitewater Ramble. The Summit Stage is still running and they have added a couple of extra buses for the end of the day. I encourage all of you to carpool or ride the Stage. Make sure you ski in the morning. See you tomorrow.

OK, Here's My Suggestion

Here's my suggestion for Saturday and Sunday. Get here first thing. Montezuma Bowl faces South and is soft right away. Head that way for a bunch of runs. Enjoy the rest of the morning riding Black Mountain Express and Lenawee Mountain Lifts. Hang out on the Black Mountain Lodge for a little lunch. Take a couple more runs to wake yourself back up. Head to the base area, find some comfortable shoes, and enjoy the afternoon activities.

Saturday, High Five will be playing some tunes. Take all that in while enjoying some tacos served outside.

Sunday is, of course, Festival of the Brewpubs. Whitewater Ramble will be rocking the house. We will be serving pulled pork sandwiches, turkey legs, tacos and more. A dozen Colorado craft breweries will be serving beer, free as long as you buy the commemorative mug. Always a fun day.

By the way, the skiing was awesome this morning.

OK, Here's My Suggestion

Here's my suggestion for Saturday and Sunday. Get here first thing. Montezuma Bowl faces South and is soft right away. Head that way for a bunch of runs. Enjoy the rest of the morning riding Black Mountain Express and Lenawee Mountain Lifts. Hang out on the Black Mountain Lodge for a little lunch. Take a couple more runs to wake yourself back up. Head to the base area, find some comfortable shoes, and enjoy the afternoon activities.

Saturday, High Five will be playing some tunes. Take all that in while enjoying some tacos served outside.

Sunday is, of course, Festival of the Brewpubs. Whitewater Ramble will be rocking the house. We will be serving pulled pork sandwiches, turkey legs, tacos and more. A dozen Colorado craft breweries will be serving beer, free as long as you buy the commemorative mug. Always a fun day.

By the way, the skiing was awesome this morning.