Ski Report
Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving! We have much to be thankful for in Aspen, top to bottom skiing, good snow conditions and plentiful sunshine!
Monday Morning freshies
I wasn't the only one who noticed that we got 8" fresh at Aspen yesterday afternoon and last night. There were about 50 people in front of me in the line at the gondola 15 minutes before it opened this am but it was all good because we were about the only 50 or 100 people on the whole mountain! Got fresh turns on the face of bell and the back of bell. Spar Gulch was as buttery as its been all year, it was very fast this morning! Supposed to get another couple of inches this afternoon. Highlands and Buttermilk opened this weekend. Highlands reported 13" this morning! The bowl should be skiing fantastic. Lots of additional terrain has opened at Snowmass with the Elk Camp, Alpine Springs and High Alpine lifts all running. All of bell mountain in Aspen is rumored to be opening today, gotta love it!
World Cup
The womens world cup is underway today in Aspen. Vail local Lindsey Vonn is the American favorite. The course starts on Ruthies and continues down through Aztec. It is an overcast day, the course should be skiing fast. Hopefully we see some records and some American victories!
Finally some warmth
We've had highs around 30 degrees all week with lows in the teens which has felt quite nice. This am it was -4 but it has warmed up to 25 here at lunch time. We are supposed to stay in this pattern until Tuesday when there is snow in the forecast. Hopefully we get a good dump and then it clears out for everyones holiday travel plans!
We like to snowboard too
Its all about reverse camber in 2010... Lib Tech Skate Banana, GNU Danny Kass, as well as the women specific K2 VavaVoom! The VaVoom and the Skate Banana are both winners of a Good Wood test from Transworld Magazine, the leading snowboard mag in the industry. I should also mention that Transworld ranked Snowmass as the #1 resort in North America.
One Week In
The mountains have been open for a week and we are still enjoying top to bottom skiing in Aspen. The snow has eluded us but the temps have stayed cold enough to make snow so the mountiain is holding strong. There are definitely early season conditions out there but if you follow the sun the snow has been nice. It looks like they are calling for a small amount of snow tonight and tomorrow followed by very cold temperatures-high on Friday of 18! We possibly have another storm system moving in Sunday/Monday and hopefully we'll get a good dump!
AVSC Day
On Wednesday before Thanksgiving Aspen Mountain will be open to benefit the Aspen Valley Ski Club. The cost of the lift ticket is $35 for adults. If you are planning on visiting for Thanksgiving come in a day early for an extra day of cheap skiing! AVSC is a group that helps young kids in the valley get into skiing and snowboarding by offering instruction and equipment for the less fortunate. Come help support!
winter storm warning
We've had a few small storms that have dropped some snow but we have our first winter storm warning of the year beginning at 6pm tonight, October 27th and running through Thursday morning. Keep your fingers crossed!
Aspen Store Remodel
We have completely remodeled the exterior of our shop in Aspen, be sure to come check it out this winter, we think you'll be impressed!
Feels like winter out there
Temperatures have plummeted and we have received our first "measureable" amount of snow in town. Its 2 days before Halloween and the streets and grass are covered in snow while the snow continues to fall outside. The SkiCo also fired up the snow blowers last night which is substantially earlier than they usually start making snow. Storm should push through today and then we get a little break before another low pressure is due to come in at the end of next week. Less than a month till the season, bring it on!
K2 Obsethed
If this weather is an indication of things to come you are going to want to come check out the K2 Obsethed. Named after pro skier Seth Morrison this ski is fat for the pow and has rocker in the tip and tail. This means that the ski bends up at the tip and tail instead of staying straight. This helps you float when you are ripping down Ajax on a big powder day. The ski has plenty of sidecut so it still handles well on the hardpack. If you want an effortless pow day and to ski what the locals ski, come rent the Obsethed!
Proper Boot Fit
Skis get all the glory but having the right boots can make or break your day on the slopes. We carry 6 different models of boots to do our best to fit you the best we can! We carry boots from Nordica, Tecnica, Dalbello, and Salomon. A ski boot should fit tighter than your street shoes should. A common mistake is wearing a boot that is too big. Just because it feels cushy when you are trying it on in the store doesn't mean it will be great skiing! Always buckle the top buckles first to get your foot set back into the heel pocket of the boot. Next buckle the top buckles. This seems elementary but it makes a difference! Test the boot by giving a slight lean in to the front of the boot. The toes should make contact with the front of the boot while standing up straight and should back away slightly when you lean forward. This helps you keep your weight over the front of the skis which is the proper skiing position. Be honest with the ski tech who is helping you with the boot fit, don't be afraid to ask questions! Taking the time to get the boot fit right the first time is much better than having to come back in after a few hours of skiing to switch boots. Remember, most boot problems come from having your boots to big, not from being too tight!
High Society
High Society Freeride Company is a ski and snowboard company based out of Aspen, Colorado. Next time you are at the gondola look around, you will see an abundance of locals skiing and boarding on their gear. I ride a Twilight which is one of their snowboards. We have the Twilight and the Empire available to rent in the shop and on the ski side we have the FR which is their freeride ski available to rent. These guys are our friends but we don't carry their gear for that reason, we carry it because they are quality skis and snowboards-come check em out!
One Week Away
It is officially one week till the gondola gets cranked up! I'm not sure if they will open Aspen top to bottom but I have heard reports that the top of Ajax as well as Snowmass are in real good shape. Had a friend hike up to the middle of the Big Burn in Snowmass and he said there were 2 feet up there! In case you missed, we had a storm Friday and Saturday last weekend that dropped about 14 inches in town so you know it hammered up top. Its been cold all week so the snowmakers have been working overtime. It was 3 degrees on Monday morning waiting for the bus for work, brrr! We are putting the closing touches on our preseason work and we are looking forward to renting some skis and boards!
Snow!
3 fresh inches today at Aspen and Snowmass! Doesn't sound like a lot but every little bit counts early season. The snow is much softer today than its been. Winter has also came in with COLD temps. Right now at 1:30pm it is 12 degrees in town. It was -10 this morning when I was headed into work, brrr!!
Forecast Looking Good
This morning, dec. 6 we received 3 inches of fresh snow with more on the way. Its been snowing off and on during the day today and most reports have us getting between 8-14 inches over the next 2 days. Everyday in the 7 day forecast says snow that so that is a good sign! Wind is picking up which is a good indication that a bigger front is moving in. Aspen Mountain opened Copper yesterday and more terrain will be opening as we get more snow over the course of the week. Saturday the 12th is opening day for Highlands and Buttermilk. The snow is getting better and the slopes are vacant, nows a good time to get out here to do some skiing!
World Cup
Another year of the womens world cup will be hosted in Aspen on the 28th and 29th of November. The race track is starting to take shape-gates are up and they were grooming the course this am on my way to work. The course starts halfway down Ruthies and works its way down to the bottom of lift 1-A. Nothing like the site of a grooming machine in action on a sunny cold morning to get you excited for ski season!!
Cold and snowy
7 fresh inches this morning at Aspen/Snowmass! The wind is blowing hard and snow continues to fall at a rapid pace. Forecast calls for another 4-6 inches today and 1-3 more tonight. High tomorrow is 10 degrees but later in the week we finally get some relief and the temps will rise all the way to the mid 20's! Look for more terrain to start opening at Aspen and Snowmass this week with the new snow. Highlands and Buttermilk open on Saturday as well.
Top to bottom skiing
Just heard on the radio that Ajax will be open for top to bottom skiing for the opener! Typically only the top of the mountain is open and you have to download on the gondola. Thank you early snowstorm and cold temperatures!
Thigh Burn!
I was pretty proud of how strong my legs felt for early season until today. First true powder turns of the year and I was dying out there! 10" and counting, still dumping in Aspen!!!
More snow
4 days till opening day and SkiCo is reporting 5 new inches in Snowmass and 4 in Aspen. There were 2-3 inches in town this morning and the temps remain cold. Forecast calls for some sun and warmer temps around the low 40s for the opener which should make for some nice opening day skiing. Every inch counts this time of year as they grooming machines are busy packing down the base which they are reporting to be 30 inches in Snowmass. Can't wait for Thursday!
Another powder day!
The storm has subsided for the moment and it left behind 15" in 48 hours at Snowmass and 9" in Aspen. The sun is trying to peak out and I'm guessing it will be another empty day on the slopes with the temperature hovering around -10, fourth record low in the last two weeks! Nothing keeps the snow fresh like cold temps. Bring your neck gaitors and hand warmers! More snow looks to be on the way later today and into tomorrow, will keep you posted!
Fall in the Roaring Fork Valley
Fall has made its presence known with moisture abound the last 2 weeks. The yellow leaves came and went quickly. Just about the time we were about to hit the peak some storms came in and blew all our leaves away. Oh well, that means one step closer to winter!! We have been receiving rain/snow mixes in town all week with snow on the upper mountains. Bell Mountain in Aspen is all white and I got a glimpse of Elk Camp at lunch in Snowmass and it looked like winter up there! If you don't believe that its been winterlike up here check the fact that the Colorado Rockies had a baseball game canceled last Saturday-due to snow!! Anyway, all the new equipment is showing up and we have lots of work to do to get ready for you guys to come see us this winter. Heres to a good season!!
Hot New Skis for 2010
A few of our favorites that we have been taking out of the boxes this week... Nordica Helldiver, Volkl Mantra, K2 Explorer, Rossignol Avenger 82, K2 Obsethed, Salomon Fury. This list can go on and on. Bring on winter!!!
