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Colorado 2018-19 Colorado Weather and Stoke
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I had a nice couple of hours at Eldora this afternoon. The lines were obnoxious so I didn’t get much skiing in but it was good to be out. My boot heaters were extremely rude and failed on me in temps around 12 degrees so I just ordered new ones. I’m jumping from the Hotronic ship and trying Thermic with the remote control.
Breckenridge today, if anyone wants to join me.
Broken Compass après.
Broken Compass après.
With all this deep early season snow, I’ve seen a lot of people getting out and skiing the closed resorts. Do people follow usual backcountry protocol when doing that (ie pit tests, beacons, buddies)? Or is that overkill when keeping it to greens and blues?
You should treat them exactly like you treat any other backcountry. If you are comfortable without pits/beacons/buddies on mellow terrain in backcountry otherwise, closed resorts are no different. But many closed resorts have lots of lurking down wood, surprising amounts of avalanche terrain, and limited cell service should something go wrong.
Personally, I never head out in backcountry terrain without a beacon, shovel and probe. It is just a habit I never want to break. But I have been known to ski solo, terrain that I know well and is mellow enough to, for my risk profile, do so safely.
As for pits. Pits can tell you not to ski something. But never that something is good to go. Many people over rate their efficacy. A dozen small hasty pits or handsheers is probably more useful then one big pit.
Good point about pits.
Yeah, I would treat it like bc too. Out of curiosity, what equates to “mellow” enough to ski solo? Below 25° (With a stable snowpack and no steep terrain above)?
The visible front side of Vail is totally tracked out!
Snowpack in Colorado is mostly mid winter like in most zones that have good snow right now. That means junk snow at the ground of most slopes facing N to E in the compass with a variety of slabs / crusts above. All that = Persistent Slabs which are deadly. So, me personally I avoid all slopes that are 30º or more. I generally stay in slopes 25º or less. That is plenty steep to get a lot of speed even in deep powder.
Even a small slope can slide and bury you so be weary during approaches and traverses. Road cuts can be traps. Distance is your friend so just veer away from any steep slope that fits the characteristics mentioned above. Give them plenty of space.
The huge risk is not worth it. There are always line choices that will keep you MUCH safer.
Regarding the resorts, MOST runs at ski areas are well below 30º steepness. Know which spots are not and you are good. The comments above apply as well.
Snow doesn’t have a chance in Colorado.
This NOAA video is the best explanation of El Nino and La Nina and how it is expected to impact CO weather.
WinterOutlook_2018-2019.mp4
WinterOutlook_2018-2019.mp4
That's correct! a 30% chance of increased moisture for the southern region but otherwise, its pretty neutral.
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- Jul 3, 2016
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I wouldn't worry about Luv. They were on the news again today talking about how they are 40"+ better than last season and the only other season in recent years to come close to what a good start they are having this season was back in 1995. It will be interesting to see how much snow we get this weekend. I think right now they are going with a repeat of last weekend.
Here is a snipit of the 9News story by Matt Renu
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Breck opened Horseshoe Bowl today, serviced by 6 Chair. Some people hiked up a bit but most just skied Contest or traversed across. I did a run in Outlaw, one in Brill's and one down the main line. Two of those runs ended with veritable powder in Porcupine (the area below Horseshoe proper and above Columbine.)
Lots of avy debris from Patrol.
Contest didn't slide but got used up fast. This is right down the middle (skier's left of Brill's) There were a couple of lanes through the avy debris. This wasn't one of them. There is a large block of snow with a guy standing on it below. Porcupine is the area below/behind the trees in the middle.
Looking back up. Ya, that's Martin. T-bar was spinning but not loading.
Looking south.
Baldy.
Lots of avy debris from Patrol.
Contest didn't slide but got used up fast. This is right down the middle (skier's left of Brill's) There were a couple of lanes through the avy debris. This wasn't one of them. There is a large block of snow with a guy standing on it below. Porcupine is the area below/behind the trees in the middle.
Looking back up. Ya, that's Martin. T-bar was spinning but not loading.
Looking south.
Baldy.
OMG.
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- Sep 11, 2017
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Alright Pugsters in CO. Got a week booked at timeshare in Avon 1-8 December (not close to LL, but free). Gonna pick up my LL pass and ski three days there and a day at Ski Cooper. With all your vast knowledge of early season CO and the vibes you're getting so far this year, where should I buy a day ticket to for my 5th ski day? A-Basin ($65 on liftopia including a bloody mary) Copper? Keystone? Walk across to Beaver Creek? First trip of the season, so not looking for too much black stuff, but mainly looking for blue cruisers to get my legs back into the game. If I'm driving more than an hour, I'd probably just make the trip down to Monarch as it's Powder Alliance too. Your suggestions are appreciated!
Abasin.
But keep your eye on Sunlight. They may open early and are on the Loveland pass. Right now opening day is the 8th, which could be fun. It's an easy drive from Avon, no traffic, and a cool local mountain.
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