One of the coolest things about the Snowmass mammoth/mastodon site is how close it is to the Snowmass Ski Area. While standing in the bottom of the Ziegler Reservoir, surrounded by tusks and bones of ancient elephant-like creatures, one can look up and see the unloading platform on the Sam's Knob lift. While it appears the site is rare on a number of fronts, we're betting no other mammoths have been found this close to a ski area. The other cool thing about the site is how it sits on what's known as "the divide," which splits the Snowmass Creek valley from the Brush Creek valley. The Ziegler Reservoir site is a sunken depression set on this knob. It's in the sun and out of the wind. It's got a defensible view of the Brush Creek valley and is steps away from the Snowmass Creek side of the area. A great place for a base of operations, whether one is an elephant or a hunter of elephants. We're hoping signs of those hunters show up as the experts dig in at the site this week...here are more photos.
10.31.2010
Snowmammoth Mountain
One of the coolest things about the Snowmass mammoth/mastodon site is how close it is to the Snowmass Ski Area. While standing in the bottom of the Ziegler Reservoir, surrounded by tusks and bones of ancient elephant-like creatures, one can look up and see the unloading platform on the Sam's Knob lift. While it appears the site is rare on a number of fronts, we're betting no other mammoths have been found this close to a ski area. The other cool thing about the site is how it sits on what's known as "the divide," which splits the Snowmass Creek valley from the Brush Creek valley. The Ziegler Reservoir site is a sunken depression set on this knob. It's in the sun and out of the wind. It's got a defensible view of the Brush Creek valley and is steps away from the Snowmass Creek side of the area. A great place for a base of operations, whether one is an elephant or a hunter of elephants. We're hoping signs of those hunters show up as the experts dig in at the site this week...here are more photos.
10.30.2010
The pretender
It’s Halloween Eve 2010 and there are already ski tracks up on Ajax. Here’s a picture of some figure-8s laid down this morning on some nice frozen corduroy at about 10 a.m. Took the Jeep up the backside and skied a few laps down Silver Dip, then skinned back up to the Sundeck. It’s not the real thing, but it’s close enough to pretend ... - Lo Semple.
10.29.2010
Snow varmits, we are
Nice sunny day in Aspen on this Friday before election day. Hills are still white, but it is pretty warm and pleasant out. Good day for a little poking around.
10.27.2010
10.26.2010
This just in from Lorenzo Semple: "Here’s a picture of Lift #7, aka 'The Couch' on Ajax. I decided to walk up Aspen Mountain this morning to see what the fuss was all about. As it turns out, the SkiCo is telling the truth. There’s a foot of fresh snow up there, and there are snowmaking operations going on as well. (Little brother is watching you!) The mountain has an eerie apocalyptic feeling. Lifts running without any skiers on them, deserted mountain restaurants, deer walking around, and such. I’m going back up tomorrow morning."
10.25.2010
Early snow pounds Aspen
It's pretty impressive, really, the amount of snow that has fallen since early Monday morning. Got to be three inches in town with temps now having fallen to 27 degrees. The forecast, for Aspen proper, is for another 2 to 4 inches today, another 3 to 5 possible tonight, and another 2 inches of snow on Tuesday. That's a pretty good fall storm. Many trees, still colorful, are groaning under the weight of the moist snow, which came in with temps in the 40s and is now freezing fast under a steady wind. The roads are extra slick now and likely to be in full skating rink mode by noon. Highway 82 over Independence Pass was temporarily closed just after 10 a.m. this morning. It was scheduled to be closed for the winter on Nov. 7. It may re-open before then. But the way it is dumping right now, dunno about that. In any event, we recommend hunkering down today. Good day for the hobbit hole with tea and biscuits.
As of 9:45 Mon, several inches of fresh snow at base of Two Creeks.
10.24.2010
Think: Ski Swap = Killer Closing Day
“Fashion, turn to the left
Fashion, turn to the right” David Bowie
Is it too early to start getting ready for the Highlands Closing Day extravaganza? Never. This years’ 56th annual Ski Swap benefitting the Aspen School District’s Outdoor Education program is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 30th from 9:30 am till 1:00 pm at the Aspen High School. It's a great place to start looking for your retro outfit, as well as anything else you may need for your quiver. Have something to sell? Pick up your tags at Alpine Bank immediately, it’s going to be a busy week….There may well be some jaw-dropping retro outfits for those lucky enough to get there early and take advantage. Look for the neon colors, which always stand out in the Bowl. - Lo Semple
It's official: people are sliding on snow in Colo.
A shot by Dustin Schaefer of opening day at Loveland. Second year in a row that Loveland claims the "first to open" title. “Once again, Colorado leads the nation in opening for the season,” said Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter in a statement released by Colorado Ski Country USA. “It is a pleasure to welcome tourists from across the nation and globe to our state. We are open for business in one of our most recognizable and successful industries.”
More snow on the way...
Downtown Aspen is not covered in snow this morning, but the road to Independence Pass is a bit dicey, according to PitCo authorities. And the real storm is still apparently heading our way. Here's this morning's weather message from the National Weather Service. Have to say, we like it!
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO 610 AM MDT SUN OCT 24 2010
...MAJOR EARLY SEASON WINTER STORM EXPECTED TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT...
.A POTENT EARLY SEASON WINTER STORM WILL MOVE ACROSS EASTERN UTAH AND WESTERN COLORADO TONIGHT AND MONDAY. MOIST SOUTHWEST FLOW AHEAD OF THE APPROACHING STORM WILL BRING WIDESPREAD RAIN AND HIGH- MOUNTAIN SNOW BY EARLY THIS EVENING.
AFTER MIDNIGHT...A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL SWEEP THROUGH THE AREA OVERNIGHT AND MONDAY MORNING ...BRINGING A BURST OF HEAVY SNOWFALL AS TEMPERATURES PLUMMET BELOW FREEZING.
THE SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH MONDAY EVENING. IN ADDITION TO THE SNOW AND COLD TEMPERATURES...STRONG WESTERLY WINDS WILL DEVELOP...WITH WIND GUSTS EXCEEDING 50 MPH AT TIMES...ESPECIALLY OVER THE HIGHER MOUNTAINS PASSES.
Excellent, my friend, excellent ... unless of of course you are driving, flying or hunting ... although snow on the ground can help a canny tracker.
10.23.2010
Loveland to open Sunday, Oct. 24 at 9 a.m.
Loveland's communication guru Dustin Schaefer just sent out some pics he took and says Loveland is good to go on Sunday. You do know where your boots are, don't you? And the snowtires are on, right?
WE LOVE THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
Just in from the Junction bureau:
"...MAJOR EARLY SEASON WINTER STORM APPROACHES SUNDAY NIGHT AND WILL LINGER THROUGH EARLY TUESDAY...
"AS ONE STORM EXITS THE REGION...A MUCH COLDER AND STRONGER STORM SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP OVER THE WESTERN UNITED STATES. THIS STORM WILL MOVE ACROSS EASTERN UTAH AND WESTERN COLORADO SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY...BRINGING STRONG GUSTY WINDS...HEAVY RAIN AND SNOW AND MUCH COLDER TEMPERATURES.
"SIGNIFICANT MOUNTAIN SNOWFALL IS POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM...ALONG WITH WIDESPREAD BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. SNOW LEVELS WILL DROP TO AS LOW AS 5000 FEET BY EARLY TUESDAY.
"HUNTERS TRAVELING INTO THE HIGH COUNTRY SHOULD PREPARE FOR COLD AND WET CONDITIONS THROUGH AT LEAST WEDNESDAY."
10.22.2010
Four to six in the forecast
Well, this is sweet. The National Weather Service is calling for 4 to 6 inches tonight and Saturday at higher elevations. And the Service is suggesting that "travelers should take extra precautions as this is the first appreciable snow of the season." And they are warning that "hunters camping in the backcountry should plan on cold and wet conditions and dress appropriately." Temps are going to be in the upper 20s through the 30s. Cool. Here comes winter. It is always nice when it dumps before Halloween. Gets the whole ski town machinery lubed up. - BGS
What do the cranberries tell you?
How can you tell ski season is nearing in Aspen, Colorado? By going to the local market and looking in the produce section, that's how. When you see bags of fresh cranberries on display, it's almost time to start making turns.... That means it's time to get the skis out of the shed this weekend, put the boots on and walk awkwardly around the house while watching the Broncos on TV, try the outfit on, do some stationary tucks and visualize the upcoming season. See the skier....be the skier. - Lo Semple.
10.21.2010
Copper opens Sat for race training
The good folks at Copper Mountain have laid down enough snow to open for race training Saturday, Oct. 23 and sent out some photos by Forrest Miller to prove they've got the goods on the hill. The ski area says it will open to the public on Friday, Nov. 5. Aspen and Snowmass are slated to open, as per usual, on Thanksgiving. Soon come, brah, soon come.
10.13.2010
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