sibhusky

They always close Hellroaring Basin (which has the "best" skiing, but the worst lift) on March 31, at least since I've been here. And, I think it makes sense that the "back" side close as well, the habitat is similar. But...the front? We're allowed to hike for two more weeks after closing, does that sound like they are worried about bears? No, the real reason is they've told the employees since last year that a certain day is the last day. Many of the employees DO have other jobs lined up and there's a handful of South Americans who have already left. So, while I believe that if they polled their employees and did some shuffling of jobs that they could run Chair 1, it might be tough to keep open the restaurants and stuff. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM, THOUGH, IS THAT IN SPITE OF OUR PHENOMENAL CONDITIONS, THE PLACE IS EMPTY. On Monday and Wednesday, for instance, I heard that the total number of people was in the mid-400's, which includes people like me who have season passes. Unless all the tourons are getting shitfaced in the bar, you can't keep paying the salaries of all the employees. Yesterday was busier, but you'd still ski right on the chair at any of the lifts. I'm guessing there might have been 700 people yesterday. And, who is showing up for ONE day midweek? You got it, locals, aka season passholders. It makes for longlasting terrific conditions, of course, but it bugs me because I want them to make enough money to stay open longer!

View from The Face today in the PM. Wind blowing, refreshing the slope every run. FABULOUS! East Rim Face:

Our area closes this weekend, i can't believe it, there is over 12 feet of snow at the summit and 6 feet at the base. Today was just about the best ski day YET, deep powder everywhere and just unbelievable on every run. But....it's "grizzly habitat" and supposedly they MUST close because of their agreement with the Forest Service. Driving me NUTS!!!

I've said it before, "The best camera is the one you have with you." I stopped with the SLR-type camera years ago. Too much aggravation carrying it around. It's fine if there is some close up that you planned for, etc., but that's the rare picture IMO. Yeah, I could take somewhat better shots with a better camera, but most shots end up not being printed and blown up these days, most go on computer screens and you don't need hyper good quality for that.

Good grief. I think that "better than" is relative after a certain point. It all depends on your priorities. If you like EATING, like Doug does, well, then I'll grant you that the town of Aspen is a great place to do it. I would certainly say it's better than Bridger. It's even better than Montana Snowbowl.

Looked into Crested Butte, and it's owned by CNL Lifestyle Properties.

Aspen owns Bridger Bowl? Since when? I thought it was a municipal ski area??? As far as I know, it's a non-profit. They don't own Crested Butte either as near as I can tell. Aspen ski co operates Buttermilk, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, and Aspen/Ajax. Where do you get this stuff?

Yeah, Drew Bledsoe can ski pretty well.

It only used to cost $45 each way. Corporate rates, ya see. Now that one interests me... Looks ilke a less steep Windowpane... Just about broke a femur there on Sunday when I forgot I didn't have my powder skis on, took a turn in some tight-ish trees on a slope way steeper than this one here, didn't make turn number two. Did some pinball from tree to tree, now have a bruise about six inches in diameter.

Did you ever try the remote parking lots? We had really good luck with them and they take you right to your car. My link I can't remember which one we used...SkyPark? We would use that when a limo for some reason (corporate rates even for personal trips, of course) wasn't the answer.

No wonder I always used a limo... Was this at Allentown or Newark?

Speaking from personal experience, yes. In spite of putting my arms up in front of my face right before I hit the tree, I cracked my helmet and not my head. Face was a mess, though, because of the goggles-over-sunglasses arrangement I had on that day. It's so much better than being a vegetable which my family had to feed the rest of my life. Will never ski without one again.

As far as steaks go, just because they think they're fancy doesn't mean they can get away with charging $40. I recently reamed a local place for a piece of pricey steak that tasted EXACTLY like what I'd cook in my own oven. Clearly wasn't "prime" beef, etc. I have had better at Ponderosa. And by the way, I've skied Aspen several times (week long visits). It's nice enough but still not worth close to $100 a day. Unless you're looking to bag rich matrons in fox ski jackets, in which case, there's plenty to choose from. I loved the trips I took there and stayed decidedly "upscale" each time, but I don't think it even compares to many other places in CO I've been such as Telluride, Copper, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Arapahoe...I've skied them and many more out there over the years. Overall, I preferred Snowmass to Aspen, larger for one thing. Glad you're having fun, but $100? sheesh. A fool and his money.... I am wondering why you paid $5 more than their website says the advance price is for a 5 day ticket...oh, maybe you included the $5 refundable deposit. I see Jackson is also $435 for five days at this time of year. Lots more to ski there as well. Looks like next season you should get the pay as you go option... I assume that is what Jeff did.

Well, five days here without a pass would be $250 if you bought at Costco and $290 if you bought at the resort ticket window. Or $255 if you bought a frequent skier pass and then the days.

Yeah, a good deal too much. That's practically my season pass.

Couldn't keep up?

FWIW, I hit 50 days today. Haven't quite cracked a million feet yet, but that will be done tomorrow.

Here's a LONG video from the first group of guys. They hit Whitefish and Revelstoke on this trip. I make a very brief appearance, supposedly they have no video of me skiing because they were mostly trying to keep up....

We've had two deaths this year here in tree wells. In the areas I was in today with Pete from Epic, you need a friend along. Action shot from today:

Nice day in Stumptown:

For Doug and Kyle: Today, looking towards Canada. Spent the PM taking EpicSki guy around some more. Took him in Stumptown for some nice fresh powder. Canada wouldn't be the nearer peaks, but the more distant peaks.

Just looking at my Pic of the Day album on Facebook, I'd say 30% of the time we can see Canada. The rest of the time we count the chairs we can see.... Those stats may change as spring comes.

Yes. As the crow flies, it's less than 45 miles to the border.

And, a SkiDiva....Too bad we didn't connect. That Sunday was the best day ever! http://www.theskidiva.com/forums/showthread.php?p=160427&highlight=whitefish#post160427

Yes, let's hear why...