Me:- 57 years old, just retired from managing my company, an advanced intermediate. Been coming out to Summit County (from Alabama) for the last 6 years for 1-3 weeks every winter. This year, I decided I wanted to do something different. So, I'm hitting up places I've never been including some of the GEMS of Colorado.
Day 1 ((Monday, Jan 14) - Sat in dentist's chair for 2 1/2 hours getting a crown. Left Huntsville, AL at 11:30 am CDT driving my F150 4WD supercab and made it as far as a rest stop just before Salina, KS at 11:30 pm. Didn't feel like spending money on hotel to just be unconscious, so just wrapped myself up in the down sleeping bag and slept in the back seat. Got a GOOD 7 hours sleep.
Day 2 (Tuesday, Jan 15) - Made it to Silverthorne, CO about 3:00 pm and checked into Luxury Inn and Suites for $99 night. Nice hotel with great indoor hot tub and pool.
Day 3 (Wednesday, Jan 16) - Went to Ski Cooper just north of Leadville, CO. Nice local mountain with 2 non-high speed lifts. Terrain isn't steep, but 2-3 inches of soft on top made some great carving runs. This is a great place to learn or to have just an easy day. It was definitely uncrowded. But I don't think it's steep enough to enjoy good powder here. Was a good place to warm up for the trip though. Lift ticket was $56. Left Ski Cooper and went to Glenwood Springs and stayed the night at Glenwood Springs Cedar Lodge for $60. Was a nice clean room and the property had a great indoor hot tub and heated pool.
Day 4 - (Thursday, Jan 17) - Went to Sunlight Mountain just outside of Glenwood Springs. This place had awesome terrain for every ability level. There are no bowls, but 2000' vertical and NOBODY here (< 75 cars in the parking lot). Lots of groomed trails, bumps, and tree skiing. Was a bluebird day and views are amazing. Lift ticket is a reasonable $65. Was VERY pleased with this mountain and wondered why there aren't more people skiing here. This truly is a Colorado GEM. They boast that powder lasts for days as there are no crowds and this seems to be true. While skiing, found out that they have a bed and breakfast right at the base. Got a room for $80 night spur of the moment. Started snowing around 3:00 pm and they are expecting 6-12" by Friday afternoon.
Day 1 ((Monday, Jan 14) - Sat in dentist's chair for 2 1/2 hours getting a crown. Left Huntsville, AL at 11:30 am CDT driving my F150 4WD supercab and made it as far as a rest stop just before Salina, KS at 11:30 pm. Didn't feel like spending money on hotel to just be unconscious, so just wrapped myself up in the down sleeping bag and slept in the back seat. Got a GOOD 7 hours sleep.
Day 2 (Tuesday, Jan 15) - Made it to Silverthorne, CO about 3:00 pm and checked into Luxury Inn and Suites for $99 night. Nice hotel with great indoor hot tub and pool.
Day 3 (Wednesday, Jan 16) - Went to Ski Cooper just north of Leadville, CO. Nice local mountain with 2 non-high speed lifts. Terrain isn't steep, but 2-3 inches of soft on top made some great carving runs. This is a great place to learn or to have just an easy day. It was definitely uncrowded. But I don't think it's steep enough to enjoy good powder here. Was a good place to warm up for the trip though. Lift ticket was $56. Left Ski Cooper and went to Glenwood Springs and stayed the night at Glenwood Springs Cedar Lodge for $60. Was a nice clean room and the property had a great indoor hot tub and heated pool.
Day 4 - (Thursday, Jan 17) - Went to Sunlight Mountain just outside of Glenwood Springs. This place had awesome terrain for every ability level. There are no bowls, but 2000' vertical and NOBODY here (< 75 cars in the parking lot). Lots of groomed trails, bumps, and tree skiing. Was a bluebird day and views are amazing. Lift ticket is a reasonable $65. Was VERY pleased with this mountain and wondered why there aren't more people skiing here. This truly is a Colorado GEM. They boast that powder lasts for days as there are no crowds and this seems to be true. While skiing, found out that they have a bed and breakfast right at the base. Got a room for $80 night spur of the moment. Started snowing around 3:00 pm and they are expecting 6-12" by Friday afternoon.