The powder days just keep on coming. Just when it seemed like we were settling into a dry spell we are hit with 3 large storms over the last two weeks! The first storm started at the end of the X-Games. If any of you watched the final night you saw the snowboarders struggling to get above the lip of the halfpipe because the snow was accumulating so fast! Following that we had another storm that brought about 20 inches and we are getting it again now! Snowmass reported 7 inches last night bringing the 7 day total to 41 inches. The base at Snowmass has reached 92 inches while the base at Highlands is 114 inches! It is getting redundant hearing the long time locals say over and over that this is the best winter they have ever seen. December and January were both record snow months and February is off to a huge start. If you don't have a trip booked for March yet, book it! The spring skiing this year promises to be amazing with such a great base. I just spent the last two days at Keystone for the ONSnow demo show where we ski and ride next years gear and I've got to tell you, the conditions there aren't nearly as good as they are here! Frequently Summit County is the winner in the snow race but not this year! All anyone in the industry is talking about is the great snow at Aspen/Snowmass and how they are all doing what they can to get over here. It was nice to leave there and come back here to another powder day (even though I am in the shop.) Anyways, I'm back to work so I can go make a few runs at lunch!
Dan
Hello from a freezing cold Aspen, Colorado. We had a pretty modest snow week with only 10 inches falling during the week (modest compared to the rest of the winter I should say) but the cold temps have kept the snow in great shape. Most of last week the temperature was in the single digits and it warmed up to the low 20's on the weekend. We have received a little snow today and its supposed to keep going through tonight so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. It's X-Games week so ESPN has all their equipment set up at Buttermilk for what should be another exciting year of events. Some highlights are Thursday night with the skier pipe final and Sunday night with the snowboard pipe final. This is always a great week to come ski because so many people are here for the event that the slopes are relatively empty. With no huge powder days to report, I'm going to take a second to mention on the manufacturers that we carry, High Society Freeride Co. High Society is a local company that makes skis and snowboards, both of which we carry. The ski comes in a 171 and a 179 and is a twin tip. Many people are scared away by twin tips, but you don't have to be riding in the park to ski a twin. The ski is a midfat ski and is a great way to explore the mountain. It is great in the bumps/powder but still cruises well. We also carry both of their snowboards, the Twilight and the Empire (I own the Empire). I definitely recommend trying out a pair next time you are in town.
Think snow!
Dan
Hello from sunny Aspen! We have had 3 bluebird days in a row and I can't remember the last time that has happened this season. We had a couple of small storms since my last report that resulted in about 20 total inches over the week. Thursday and Friday were both good powder days and I hiked the bowl Friday afternoon and found knee deep snow in the G-zones. We have already received more than the monthly average for the month of January in the first 13 days! The total for the season is just under 14 feet and we haven't even hit March yet which is traditionally our snowiest month. With the sunny weather lately the groomers have been fast and fun. Trade in those fat skis for more of a carver like the K2 Crossfire, Rossignol Z5 or the Volkl Tigershark 10 ft. Looks like more snow later in the week, talk to you then!
Dan
I'd like to start off by saying Happy New Year and thanks to everyone who visited us over the holidays! As usual it was a very busy Christmas for us at Incline and we are thankfully recovering right now before the next rush of visitors come to Aspen. For those of you who didn't make it over Christmas you missed great conditions. Fortunately, they don't appear to be ending anytime soon! January started off with a bang with over 50 inches in the first 9 days! Yesterday we had 10" fresh in Aspen and 7" in Snowmass. Couple that with blue skies and it made for a great day on the slopes. It was my first day riding since Christmas day and I took advantage by riding from 9 till 3:30 which I don't do too often. I am pretty sore today! While I was disappointed the Hanging Valley Wall never opened we found great lines on High Alpine as well as the Big Burn all day long. I finished up on Bull Run over on the Elk Camp lift and was still finding fresh lines at 3 pm! The base has reached 71 inches in Snowmass and 84 inches at Highlands! The weather man is calling for snow showers the rest of the week so I will keep you posted. Wider skis is the name of the game right now and the Rossignol B83 as well as the Salomon Fury have been great options lately. For you snowboarders out there come check out the High Society Empire to help you cruise through the powder.
Think snow!
Dan
Merry Christmas from Snowmass! Santa brought 12 inches of fresh snow today! I skied Snowmass today and found fresh powder all day long on Elk Camp and in the Powerline glades off of the Big Burn. Colder temperatures and the holiday kept the crowds down. Friday night also brought about 6 inches of snow bringing the seven day snow total to 31 inches. We have received over 7 feet of snow this month! The base in Snowmass has reached 50 inches and Aspen Highlands is approaching 60 inches. With the great snow conditions and fresh powder lasting for days look to our demo ski package to explore the mountain. The new Rossignol B83, Volkl Tigershark 12 ft., and the Salomon Fury would all be great choices on the powder days we have been experiencing. If you are looking for more of a cruiser ski the Rossignol Z5 and K2 Crossfire are tons of fun on the groomers. Ladies, we have women specific skis from Volkl, Rossignol, and K2. The Volkl line is new for us this year and we've had great reviews from the early season customers.
Merry Xmas and see ya on the slopes!
Dan
Welcome to another year of skiing/snowboarding at Aspen/Snowmass!! I will be updating these reports regularly so check back for new reports! After a slow start to the season early December brought two very large storms! The weekend of the 1st and the weekend of the 8th brought over 30 inches of snow.... a piece! We have also had some smaller storms mixed in between those as well. This year went from the worst opening I can remember to the best opening I can remember in 8 days time! Currently Highlands is the leader with a 49 inch base while Aspen and Snowmass have 30 inch and 40 inch bases respectively. 99% of Ajax is open while 57% of Snowmass's expert terrain is open and 99% of the intermediate terrain is open. As the Holidays roll in look to Highlands for great cruisers and steeps as well as less crowds. Some of the best turns I've had so far this year have been on the Lift 1A side of Ajax and in Steeplechase at Highlands. Come by the shop to demo some of our great new gear from Volkl, K2, Rossignol, Salomon, and High Society. Also, if you are looking for a great xmas gift check out Chris Davenport's new book, Ski the 14ers. It is a coffee table book with lots of photos and stories documenting all 54 Colorado "14ers" that Chris hiked and skied in one year.
Think Snow and have a Happy Holidays!!
Dan
