Arapahoe Basin, 05/12-05/13

[eaf]

Guess, where I am staying! Another ghost town for sure, perhaps even more so than Silver Inn, but that's one of the best parts.

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

13 minutes ago, eaf said:

Guess, where I am staying! Another ghost town for sure, perhaps even more so than Silver Inn, but that's one of the best parts.

Looks like the base of keystone...have fun. Get to ABasin early for a good parking spot..the lot fills up fast..especially since they’re the only place open. 

[eaf]

You're correct, it's Buffalo lodge at Keystone. And I'm hoping to get to Basin 15min to opening.

[eaf]

Lifts are spinning, ticket office is closed. And the place looks like a Shawnee from here.

[eaf]

But what makes this place different from Shawnee us that people are climbing up on their own before the lifts are officially open. Wow. Could've waited another 5...

[eaf]

Ahahaha, I got fooled. The mountain opens at 8:30, not 8. And I was like: why is it 5 minutes to opening and the ticket office is still closed?! Well, the Monsters are now immortalized as second in line to Black Express.

Edited May 12, 2018 by eaf

[eaf]

Apparently a famous place this is. It's common to see international teams training this time of the year (like China or Korea), race practicing is in progress, and Mikaela Shiffrin is frequenting ABasin too.

Edited May 12, 2018 by eaf

[Shadows]

You dont have any problem fitting in there eaf.

[eaf]

Damn. Fast and firm, both with a "super" qualifier.

[eaf]

This is quite different from Loveland. The speeds are such that without constant speed checking I'm on the verge of losing control.

[eaf]

Sometimes I feel I'm in Courchevel

[eaf]

Last weekend terminal sunburn plus extra dry Aspen air has wreaked havoc to my face. It's beautifully sunny and warm now, and I have to ski covered top to bottom. Ugh.

[eaf]

Oh shoot, it's not so warm on the other side, and the headwind is tremendous! Guess who is happy to wear a gaiter now?

[eaf]

Wow, what an amazing place overall! Much less straightforward than Loveland, with many interesting groomers.

There is actually less snow and thinner coverage than in Loveland, which is kinda sad, the whole thing with Loveland closing earlier makes no sense now. They said something about this having to do with park contracts, but still.

And to whoever skis this in spring like me, head over to the back slopes first thing in the morning. That's where the snow gets mushy first.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Keep the reports coming while you’ve been shredding the gnar I was getting my haircut and eating free samples at the grocery store. 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I think Loveland closes earlier due to their lease with the national forest service.  Loveland received more snow than ABasin several storms..microclimates. When you leave ABasin today you should make a right out of the parking lot instead of a left and drive a few miles up the road over Loveland pass for great views and pictures.  

[RootDKJ]

Nice pics eaf 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

2 hours ago, eaf said:

Sometimes I feel I'm in Courchevel

That ticket checker  when scanning my ticket gave me a thumbs up because he could smell my skunk weed and pipe through my jacket.  

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

 

Pretty much every spring day at ABasin is gaper day there.  You can ski 50 mph into the lift line at ABasin. Not much of a runout the flats are mid mountain.  

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

If you’re still in Montezuma bowl go right it’s sort of a scenic run. Also even though you probably don’t like the bumper terrain on the Pali face you can still take the Pali lift and ski stuff to lookers left back down to the lenawee or Norway lifts. 

 

How much money was the two day lift ticket??

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Eaf there’s a new invention called sunscreen. 

[eaf]

GSS, why didn't you tell me this was a Jerry place?? Time to checkout dining options.

[eaf]

Hmm, then maybe not..

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

3 minutes ago, eaf said:

GSS, why didn't you tell me this was a Jerry place?? Time to checkout dining options.

Everywhere is a Jerry place. Even Jackson hole.  That rope tow is new. You used to have to skate and poll a little to get to Montezuma bowl from the top of the Lenawee lift. I’d either eat at mid mountain get a brisket sandwich or go to the bottom and eat at taco truck. 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

4 minutes ago, eaf said:

Hmm, then maybe not..

She looks at least 17 and a half