So, a mutual friend of ours, who isn't very cool (he can't figure out how to sign up for Pugski), but still cool enough to consult weather data on the internet, takes a look at what is heading to Wolf Creek. This past Saturday, 11/28, he sees the tea leaves and calls me. I call @SkiNurse @SBrown @Drahtguy Kevin @dean_spirito and three out of those four fine folks decide to road trip. Kevin decides to go to a boot fitter (only to find out his boots are just the way they should be; he then sets some kind of record for colorful language); this ends up being a good thing, because Kevin is a big guy with big skis, so it leaves more of the pow for us. It's a bad thing for Kevin, but LOL...
The evening of Sunday, 11/29, we caravan to South Fork, CO to the Allington Inn. Half of the caravan arrives in a timely manner, the other half stops to chat with local law enforcement along the way. Twice.
The Allington is nice, but isn't the Welshly Arms: while it has a hottub, it does not have archery, nor does it have spiced lamb shanks, or jackrabbit haunches.*
The next morning, we go to Wolf Creek to ski. Wolf Creek is an interesting place. It has nearly as much vert from the parking lot, to the ticket office, to the restrooms, to the lodge-with-the-cafeteria-and-bar, and finally to the chair by the lodge, as the whole of skiable terrain. After negotiating slippery stairs, we boot up and head to the chair right by the lodge.
Skiing happens <see subsequent posts for pics, video, and commentary>.
The plan after the happening skiing is to either head home, or head to Summit County to ski at Copper or sumsuch. Neither of those things occurs; instead, we stay in the area, leaving South Fork for Pagosa Springs (the weather tea leaves tell us not to leave, so we stay).
Turns out Pagosa Springs is lovely. As in "how much is real estate around here?" lovely. We eat at Riff Raff (excellent), and stay at the San Juan Motel. The San Juan Motel is equal parts brilliant (they have a cabin with four beds, perfect for lots of non-significant-othered skiers), and a bit frustrating (less-than-mediocre breakfast, and the circuit breakers in the cabin popped. Thrice. And that's because the, uh, 'vintage' electrical system couldn't handle the three space heaters that are the sole heat source for this spacious, tin-roof cabin on a single-digit night...).
In the morning, we wake up, head to the mediocre breakfast, look in, grab a cup of mediocre coffee, leave, and then get a very nice breakfast at the Pagosa Baking Company & Cafe. We drive back to Wolf Creek.
Skiing happens, again <see subsequent posts for pics, video, and commentary>.
Conclusion: I love Wolf Creek, warts and all. It has fantastic terrain (see caveats in subsequent posts), fantastic snow, fantastic staff, a fantastic cafeteria, and a fantastic bar with a killer beer selection. Just be sure you tip the fantastic staff, and not the douchebag front office (c'mon, Wolf Creek, you're better than this!).
Footnote: the drive from Denver metro area to Wolf Creek/Pagosa Springs is freaking beautiful.
* http://www.hulu.com/watch/68224
The evening of Sunday, 11/29, we caravan to South Fork, CO to the Allington Inn. Half of the caravan arrives in a timely manner, the other half stops to chat with local law enforcement along the way. Twice.
The Allington is nice, but isn't the Welshly Arms: while it has a hottub, it does not have archery, nor does it have spiced lamb shanks, or jackrabbit haunches.*
The next morning, we go to Wolf Creek to ski. Wolf Creek is an interesting place. It has nearly as much vert from the parking lot, to the ticket office, to the restrooms, to the lodge-with-the-cafeteria-and-bar, and finally to the chair by the lodge, as the whole of skiable terrain. After negotiating slippery stairs, we boot up and head to the chair right by the lodge.
Skiing happens <see subsequent posts for pics, video, and commentary>.
The plan after the happening skiing is to either head home, or head to Summit County to ski at Copper or sumsuch. Neither of those things occurs; instead, we stay in the area, leaving South Fork for Pagosa Springs (the weather tea leaves tell us not to leave, so we stay).
Turns out Pagosa Springs is lovely. As in "how much is real estate around here?" lovely. We eat at Riff Raff (excellent), and stay at the San Juan Motel. The San Juan Motel is equal parts brilliant (they have a cabin with four beds, perfect for lots of non-significant-othered skiers), and a bit frustrating (less-than-mediocre breakfast, and the circuit breakers in the cabin popped. Thrice. And that's because the, uh, 'vintage' electrical system couldn't handle the three space heaters that are the sole heat source for this spacious, tin-roof cabin on a single-digit night...).
In the morning, we wake up, head to the mediocre breakfast, look in, grab a cup of mediocre coffee, leave, and then get a very nice breakfast at the Pagosa Baking Company & Cafe. We drive back to Wolf Creek.
Skiing happens, again <see subsequent posts for pics, video, and commentary>.
Conclusion: I love Wolf Creek, warts and all. It has fantastic terrain (see caveats in subsequent posts), fantastic snow, fantastic staff, a fantastic cafeteria, and a fantastic bar with a killer beer selection. Just be sure you tip the fantastic staff, and not the douchebag front office (c'mon, Wolf Creek, you're better than this!).
Footnote: the drive from Denver metro area to Wolf Creek/Pagosa Springs is freaking beautiful.
* http://www.hulu.com/watch/68224
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