Colorado April Pt. 2 -- Monarch, Copper

[davidski]

I arrived in CO on Monday night and skied mostly off Loveland Pass and Berthoud next two days -- Monarch was reporting the highest storm totals so I went there on Thursday morning -- I also wanted to try to ski off the pass there -- wisely chickened out, for now



When you drive up you go from cowboy badlands to high mountains in about 15 minutes, these pictures are about 5 miles apart













skinning up left of that tramway to drop back thrugh trees to Hwy 50 is a goal for next year,











Here is that whole area viewed from the runs at Monarch







Monarch is fantastic, similar to Loveland, maybe a little more "Baptist" , but still a great vibe. Also Monarch has spectacular trees, LL not really (Loveland Pass has killer trees)













And a variety of Bowls













And Mirkwood. Once again I had one of those lucky moments, I did not want to hike it but finally decided I should but at 2:30 I hit the gate and patrol was about to rope it, he let me in and the snow mobile that was towing him to the top said I could jump on the back -- that's actually my first sled ride

















That night I stayed at the Simple Hostel in Salida, a little funky even for me but nice people, not at all sketchy,; I also stayed at the RockyMountain in Frasor, it is still a model; both places were so empty that my cheap bunk turned out to be a private room; again, lucky



Driving out It was brilliant bluebird morning and the collegiate range which was shrouded invisible on my drive down was in full spectacular glory.

















So pretty I took a detour, there's a cave in there I would like to see, don't know a thing about it, never even heard of the chalk hills before. I also talked to two different people who'd stayed at the Mt. Princeton hot springs. It looked like a good couple get away place













Then BOOM came Fremont pass and the real storm was commencing and after that Copper was great

[davidski]

So it snowed a lot at copper but went bluebird in the afternoon, all conditions in one day

































Coppers random trees between the blacks are really hard, and I'm not doing Union meadows alone again (maybe) But Enchanted Forest, start to finish is one of the best runs you could ever find



















Got last chair on Sierra







Toasted the trees and finished on some groomers



















Great trip, wish I could have stayed for the storm thru the weekend

[Zeus]

As always, I miss the storm by a week. Nice work, D.



Ditto on Enchanted Forest (just make sure to hit both Upper and Lower). And c'mon, Union Meadows is awesome...

[davidski]

Union is awesome but I was struggling in there a couple of times, and me all ****y thinking I had tree skiing down pat, I found myself looking down instead of ahead at the gaps, always a bad sign

[Droogie]

Great stuff!



When will Monarch announce all of the 13-14 partners next year? Next year you also get 1 day at Copper, Winter Park and Steamboat, but I am not sure if others are coming on board. I wonder if any midatlantic places I fancy will partner up. The price did go up. I think early season was only $309 last year. Now it is $399. Still a great deal.

[marzski]

Looks like fun trip and well worth it. Thanks for sharing the pics!

[pagamony]

nah, that can't be a ski report, not with pictures like this one. Must be some kind of sasquatch hunt. Hope you laid some tracks on that.

[davidski]

I did, and a small part of the slope followed me, which made me feel nmportant

[THA HATTER]

Always wanted to catch copper on a good day. knew it had a lot of potential. unfortunately both times i've been there its been groomer, no snow, park days.



Looks awesome!

[GrizzlyEnton]

i hope there were tools in that backpack to get bushmill techie.



For an elder statesman still getting after.