My Favorite Resort - Today …
A wise and reflective skier once noted, “ My favorite ski resort is the one I am skiing today.” Probably true for us all. None the less, I’m here to say, given a few blue sky days, Crested Butte, Colorado might well become your favorite ski resort – for all time.
Here is our recent first hand experience …
We arrived in Crested Butte this past Saturday night. The drive over from 60 degree Denver was beautiful, particularly as we drove down the Arkansas river valley and up over Monarch pass. Approaching Gunnison, the temperature begin to drop – quickly, all the way to 3 degrees. We turned north and 28 miles later, we cruised into the charming Historic District of Crested Butte, with snow piled high, up to eight feet in front of restaurants and shops, and higher still at the stop signs.
We continued on up the 3 mile drive to Crested Butte Mountain Resort, huge snow fields on all sides. A few minutes later we arrived at Mountaineer Square Lodge, an upscale condominium development and new “Village Center” with underground parking below significant retail space on the first floor, and spacious, well designed lodging above. Our unit, number 412, a one bedroom, two bath residence – was remarkable for it’s size (larger than many two bedroom units I have seen of late) as well as for it’s useful design and luxurious touches. We had a balcony looking into the courtyard, a deep jetted tub, two showers and a modern slate and stainless steel kitchen. Lodging here, you might find yourself saying, “I could live here”.
That first night we were looking for light fare for dinner. Room service would have been ideal – but that was one feature Mountaineer Square does not offer. Instead, we discovered Trackers Bar & Lounge, located on the second floor of the building. Trackers offers ‘take out’ and take out we did. A couple of tasty burgers, a tossed salad and a bottle of merlot later, and we were ready to settle into an easy chair and watch the gas fireplace, or one of two plasma TV’s and relax from the journey. Tomorrow we ski.
To be continued.
Labels: Colorado, Crested Butte
Keystone Is Bigger, and skis much, much better than you might imagine.
Another surprise directly ahead …
On our drive to the west from Denver we have already passed the historic town of Georgetown and the landmark skiing of Arapaho Basin. Now we descend from over 12,000 feet to the relatively low elevation of about 9,600 feet, when on the left you see impressive, yet not glitzy, Keystone Resort.
This place has a lot to offer a lot of different types of skiers. The reason can be found in the three mountains that comprise the skiing portion of this multifaceted resort.
Durcum, the “front mountain”, the only one you see from the highway, looks pretty gentle. It’s about 2,400 vertical, and much of this peak is designated as Green and Blue terrain. So warm up here – and take advantage of the night skiing, Wednesday – Saturday. It’s included on your daily lift ticket
You can have a blast at night, with almost no one around, skiing in a tuck from the summit down a groomer called Schoolmarm. Take it non stop to the Gondola (just don’t miss the Durcum Dash cutoff – or you end up at Peru Express. Time yourself. Hop the Gondola for a quick, out of the wind dash back to the top. Try it again, set your line and carve the turn. Or … take the Peru Express back up the mountain - and in two minutes you are cruising along under the stars in total, and I mean total, darkness. It’s a unique experience – at least in the west where night skiing if rare and the sky is generally clear. Try it.
Next morning, take that same gondola. But this time ski down the back side of Dercum to the Santiago Express – and on up to the top of North Peak, elevation 11, 660. OK, this is a different world – all stronger pitch blue and black terrain here. There are over a dozen challenging descents – and when you are done with this frolic, ski down Anticipation to the base of the Outback. Mountain number three, who would have guessed.
Take the Outback Express to the summit of the third and final Keystone peak, elevation 12,200 feet. Now it’s almost all Black terrain, with glades, and bumps and a notable lack of grooming! Is this Keystone? You bet. This resort can be gentle, yet fun, challenging but not intimidating if that’s what you seek – or downright difficult, particularly for those willing to hike a bit.
Did you say hike? Yup, Keystone has “above and beyond the lifts” terrain as well. In bounds, but out of sight. The Bergman and Erickson Bowls above North Peak, also the North and South Bowls - and the Wombat Chutes all above the Outback. All black terrain as you might imagine. But not Double Black, so try it.
There is so much more to Keystone than meets the eye. And the skiing is just the start.
Next time, lets take a look at the lodging and dining options. That’s an eye opener too.
Labels: Colorado, Keystone
Ski Copper Mountain this Martin Luther King week-end.
SNOW ALERT:: If you've been watching the news, you know that Colorado has been getting hammered with storm after storm, and the conditions at Copper are great! We've received nearly 11 FEET of snow this season, and there is more in the forecast this week.
If you haven't made plans for MLK weekend, it's not too late! We have great Ski Free, Stay Free lodging and lift packages for you, starting at just $115 per person, per night. This includes the Beeline Advantage lift ticket, giving you first chair and V.I.P. access at our most popular lifts all day long. And kids 12-and-under ski and stay for FREE.
In addition to all the great skiing and riding, don't forget about the tubing hill, dinner sleigh rides and FREE snowcat skiing on Tucker Mountain. Copper is your winter vacation destination.
* Rate based on double occupancy in a silver hotel room. Advertised price based on availability and subject to change
Just one word: P O W D E R !
Need I say more. E P I C conditions out West.
U n b e l i e v a b l e Skiing.
Have you seen the snowfall totals in Tahoe?
Clear your calendar and call in sick. Time to go skiing.
You have NO excuses.
We can get you out here with 24 hours notice.
January low season rates are in effect. Heck, I think we should charge more for thes conditions.
PLEASE- Get out here and get some turns in.
