There's this place...

It's off-season. It's a good time to go. And so, we have. To the ocean to the west. Until Election Day, when we hope to fight our way back into town through waist-deep snow piled up against the door. Pardon the interruption in our humble service of providing a glimpse into the daily local conditions here. And please look for further glimpses through the coming ski season. We expect great things.

Capital and Daly standing bright and tall

It's almost a cliché view. But it can still stop you in your tracks on any
given morning. Like a magnet, the peaks beckon one to abandon rational plans
tied to town and toss on the pack and start walking.

Elements in place for postcard weekend

It's a sunshine blue-sky day with a high of 59. Crisp and clean and bright. Should be an even nicer day on Saturday, with sunshine and a high of 67 per the National Weather Service forecast. And just as nice on Sunday. A perfect weekend in the Colorado high country?

Aspen Mountain's misty shawl

It is the kind of day that calls for a wood stove, a book-lined study, a big fleece blanket, a cup of tea, and nowhere to go. It's the kind of day when fabulous ASPEN! is really just a little town tucked up a narrow valley, in a place it probably never should have been built in the first place (right in the meadow next to the river). It's the kind of day where you hope it's snowing up high, cause it is sure raining in town.

Ethereal Tuesday morning on the Burn

The fall weather continues to be generous with snow. Just when it appeared as if “hot and dry” was back home for the off-season, another snow shower snuck in this morning. Clouds were ethereal (def: resembling spirit, impalable; of unearthly delicacy and refinement) over Snowmass at mid-morning, revealing the results of a consistent pattern of little snow storms. Such a pretty morning it was, the sky washed clean and a warm breeze wafting through the valley. Bits of sun and shade dancing through the day. Sorry to get Colorado lyrical on you, but it’s all true. Let’s hope the moisture continues right up to Turkey Day. At least the next few days look wet, as there is a “slight chance” of rain and snow showers in town after midnight Tuesday, again on Wednesday night, and then again on Thursday. More autumn base building underway.

Regular off-season day

Yes, this is a bit more like it. Sure, we've gotten some snow up high, but no one should be deluded into thinking that we're really all that close to ski season. It is just another normal, pleasant off-season day here in the valley, with work being done to get the hill in shape. Nothing wrong with that, especially as it is rare to see a snowflake in town much before Nov. 1, when snowmaking on Aspen Mountain is scheduled to begin. In addition to today's little bulldozing session down the middle of Nell, there is lots of work going on at the base of the mountain, just off the slopes. Roofers are scrambling over the top of the Little Nell, where the snowmelting system is being replaced. And the facade of the North of Nell building is also getting an upgrade. The base area should be looking sharp by ski season, which is still over seven weeks away. Patience, grasshopper, patience...

Sumptuous fall day in the iconic West End, where we're deep into off-season.

It may be freezing at Coors Field, but it is nothing but nice here on the Western Slope.

Somewhere in the middle distance - covered slopes

Seems to be a pattern developing here, something to do with snow on the ground. Seems like a bit more snow fell yesterday, leaving at least one peak looking attractive in the distance. But even though Loveland and A-Basin are both now "open," Aspen/SM remains a ways off. Still, for Oct. 9, it’s impressive. Weekend weather looks okay, with temps at 50 degrees in town and a “slight chance” of rain and snow on Sunday morning. Eastern Utah looks fairly attractive, weather-wise, with a high of 72 and clear skies.

Wet snow falling steadily in Aspen Thursday afternoon.

At a certain point, even this guy is going to want to get out of the weather. Heavy flakes were falling at 2:45 p.m. with snow beginning to stick on Nell, although not on the sidewalks. This was an aggressive little snowshower, though, especially for Oct. 8. "It's dumping" is not something you normally hear this time of year. Weather forecast calling for scattered snowshowers through tonight, but not calling for much accumulation. Supposed to be sunny and 50 degrees on Friday.

Skiing Loveland Wed. am

"The Colorado ski season bounded to one of its earliest starts ever this morning with Loveland Ski Area opening its chair lifts to skiers and riders," according to Colorado Ski Country USA. "At 9:00 am this morning, with its lifts in motion and an 18-inch base, Loveland became the first ski resort in North America to open for the 2009-10 season. Snowmaking teams at Loveland have taken advantage of cold temperatures and ideal humidity conditions over the past several weeks. They started making snow on September 21 and have made snow or received natural snow most days since then. The accumulation has led to their current packed powder conditions, with more snow expected in the coming days." Photo courtesy CSCUSA.

Still fall

Meanwhile, back in Fat City, it's a warm and pleasant day, this mellow Wednesday. Warm enough for shorts and t-shirts at least around noon. The sun was out and the best options for the day were hiking and biking. The fall colors are still eye-catching east of Aspen as the Roaring Fork whispers through the landscape.

Bowl, with snow.

Fascinating, isn't it, that white paint job? Nothing like a new coat in early October to get the blood moving a tad quicker. It started out cold and crisp on Tuesday but by mid-afternoon, it was quite pleasant sitting in the sun. Town is quiet, but not dead. Still a pleasant time to be in the Rockies.

Tuesday morning Wall coating

Shots taken of the ski areas with empty land in front of them have a unique appeal. It's as if the ski area was just floating out there. On Tuesday morning, Roberto's looked darn near skiable, although it almost certainly was not. Still, there was enough snow laid in there to add definition to lines that have been blurred all summer. Gets those wheels turning...

Snow up on Independence Monday

SkiCo courtesy photo by Jeremy Swanson, who evidently went up the pass today to find out how much snow had fallen. Looks like winter up there. Still snowing at 1:15 p.m. in town on Monday. The Pass picture should be good information for anyone wondering if they should still drive over the pass today. Sure, but take the snow tires.

Monday mid-day snowflakes falling at the base of 1A.

No, really. It is snowing. Cold. Gray. The works... While the flakes are hard to see in the photo, as of 12:15 it was snowing steadily in downtown Aspen. Sun Valley got 17 inches over the weekend and Utah got a pretty good coating as well. Pretty early snowfalls for ski country. But, okay, we're in! Tuesday should end the little snow party, though. It is supposed to be sunny with a high of 50.

Winter in the forecast?

We don't want to make too big a deal over the use of the word "snow" in the National Weather forecast, but there it is again. For Monday, "a chance of rain and snow showers before noon, then a chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 50." Okay, that's not going to bring much: "new snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible, " says the weather service. But still, we're talking about "snow." Monday night will be "blustery," with a 30 percent chance of snow showers and low in town of 26! It warms up, a little, through the week, but just keep focusing on those four letters s-n-o-w.

Crisp and clear here

Saturday comes as a beautiful fall Colorado day, full of promise and optimism. Out you go now to put one foot in the front of the other. The sunshine is a respite after winter’s first two feints, which put enough snow on the ground to move the elk herds. More gray and cold weather is apparantly on the horizon. Make hay today.

Loveland snowmaking ops Thursday

Photo courtesy of Colorado Ski Country USA, which reported today that Colorado resorts are taking advantage of the cold temperatures and ideal humidity conditions to make snow." Copper, A-Basin and Loveland are now all making snow and the latest storm dropped either a dusting or a couple of inches. Last year, A-Basin and Loveland both opened on October 15th. "This was the first time Colorado had two resorts open on the same day for the season," CSCUSA says. Copper Mountain is slated to open on November 6th.

Snowmass, First Day of October, 2009-2010 season. SkiCo photo by Jeremy Swanson

East side base layer?

Probably not. But inspirational, nonetheless. A cold front blew a dusting of snow clear down to mid-Nell last night and the upper slopes had what appeared to possibly be actual potential coverage. It may be a fall illusion. Sunny and cool is the forecast for Friday and then mostly cloudy and still cool on Sunday.

Dusted pumpkins