Looking forward to getting out here this winter? You’re not alone. And Vail and Beaver Creek have you in mind as well, particularly if you’re bringing the whole family along, or coming out with the buddies in December to catch some early powder. The resorts have made some major improvements and changes to ensure an enhanced experience for as many visitors as possible, especially the little ones. (more…)
With new snow being frequent and deep, there’s no way that the early season this year will disappoint. A storm over the 19th and 20th dumped 12″ at Aspen and 20″ at Beaver Creek. Though the weather is set to warm up in the valley this week, it will undoubtedly stay cold in the high elevations, and with such a thick base already, will make a complete melt unimaginable.
“Winter is officially here after a weekend storm dropped 20+ inches at the top of Beaver Creek Mountain. With Opening Day, November 21, less than one month away, now is the time to get out your skis or board and get ready for the 2007/08 season.”
Photo courtesy of Beaver Creek
Today’s display of invisibility evoked excitement and contentment as one by one, residents of the Vail valley moved to their windows and doors to check out the falling snow. Between the hours of Noon and 3, the snow got heavy, and around 2:30, visibility was 15 feet at best. Now, at 4 PM, the snow is melting off the grass and pavement, but has definitely left its mark on some of the higher altitudes, including Vail and Beaver Creek mountains.
Its already a great autumn for frequent snow. Snow is forecast for the valley this evening, with 1-5 inches possible overnight. Loveland opened a run with a 1000 foot drop yesterday, so now both them and A-Basin are open with 18″ at the base and snow in the forecast not only today but two out of the next four days. With all this excitement it’s hard to wait for Vail’s swap on the 26th and 27th of this month- or for the resort openings next month. New terrain is bound to open at exponetial rates in the next two weeks so long as this weather continues. Let it snow!
Liberty Skis is the Vail Valley’s only local ski-maker, though unlike other grassroots efforts that create a lot of hype for long-time efforts, Liberty has created very little hype, and in their second year of business have staked their claim in the national market. Their product line offers a ski for every intent: back country, all mountain, park and tricks, and even a women’s line. The point is simple: not to be the world’s biggest or most profitable ski company, but to make skis that they themselves would want to ride, designing from the core (bamboo) out, and innovating every step of the way.
Local providers of Liberty Skis are Base Mountain Sports and Recycle Ski and Sport (that’s it!) Their products are also available online in several locations and around the country.
With this valley being a skier’s hub, it seems only natural that a superior line of skis would surface out of the local talent. We wish them the best of success in the 2008 season.. and hey, can we get a pair?
For more information visit the Liberty Skis website or the Vail Daily article that inspired us.
10/10/2007 – Arapahoe Basin (A-basin) opens on the earliest day ever since it became Colorado’s first public ski area with lifts in 1946. Today, A-Basin having received 13 inches new in 3 days, A-basin is optimistic about opening more trails very very soon. This is the official beginning of the ski season for residents and visitors to the Vail Valley, as A-basin is only a short drive over the pass in Summit County, and is one of the first areas to open every year, with Loveland being a close rival.
Now why the “White Ribbon of Death?” Locals who have grown accustomed to fresh powder and wide open spaces refer to the single man-made intermediate slope overrun with every enthusiastic skier available in a 100-mile radius “risky,” especially with torn ACL’s being rampant in the early season. Wish to risk it? We recommend you look before you leap by the mountain’s web cam.