Filed under: A-Basin, Colorado, Snowboarding | Tags: A-Basin, arapahoe basin, Colorado, Snowboarding, winter
Last week I got my Epic Pass in the mail and I think that’s when it hit me: summer is over, fall will soon be here, and A-Basin opens in a month and a half.
Sure, attempting to ride the man-made, icy, “white ribbon of death” that only ascends halfway up Arapahoe Basin’s scenic front side comes with it’s fair share of hazards. The conditions are obviously less than ideal, half the front range tries to descend onto one run, and the legs are not fully conditioned to make split second turns at a moment’s notice. Add this to the usual festivities in the parking lot that A-Basin is known for, and one would be tempted just to wait until the “big boys” open a month later.
However, it is the idea that early season at A-Basin represents that drives excitement. The season is almost here. Winter, our White Knight, is imminent. Even when half the mountain is still brown and rocky, you get images in your head of endless powder days. Even when the lift lines are packed, you think of solo weekday runs when you own the mountain. Even when some of your friends decline your offer at early season turns, you remember the camaraderie and experiences shared on the mountain slopes.
It is the idea of what can be attained and what is possible that makes early season so exciting. It is the idea of feeling free while sliding the snow. It is that pure ecstasy that rushes the senses when gravity pulls you downhill. It is the awe that strikes us after every steep line that is attempted.
Early season at Arapahoe Basin is not about the conditions, it is about getting reaquainted with an old friend. And I for one, can’t wait to make up for lost time.
Filed under: A-Basin, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Colorado, Keystone, Snowboarding, Vail
I officially have myself a boarder babe.
On Saturday, McNeill and I taught Chloe and Missy how to snowboard at Breckenridge. It was a trying, frustrating experience, but we kept our patience, and the girls thrived and really enjoyed it. Missy enjoyed it so well, she decided she liked it better than skiing, which she’s been doing for two years since we moved out here. Personally, I’m ecstatic. I’ve always dreamed of being able to go riding through the snow with the gal I love. Chloe also enjoyed her time on the mountain, meaning our new mountain crew is a gang of snowboarders. Now we just have to get Missy new equipment….
While not thrashing it on the mountain, Missy has done a great job compilling the mountain of information I’ve thrown at her and put together a terrific Ski & Snowboard Section to www.daveandmissy.com. This wealth of information can be used as a resource for vacation planning and research. We have included a snow report and snow forecast, as well as current Colorado highway conditions. On top of that, we have mountain stats for our five main mountains, A-Basin, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Vail. Each mountain we profile includes a link to it’s official snow report, web cam, and terrain status.
We’ll try to update the mountains we profile as quickly as possible. I could do a write up on Crested Butte and Monarch since I only visited them last year, but too much time has passed since I’ve visited mountains such as Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Streamboat for my write-up to be relevant. As I keep notching more of the 26 resorts in Colorado off my list, the more info we’ll supply. Keep checking back for updates, and I will reference major updates here in Chicalorado.
Think Snow!
I awoke this morning to a pleasant surprise. When the weatherman said snow was heading our way, I expected a light dusting in Denver. I was wrong.
Today was the first day of the season where the weather created adverse driving conditions around the city. My usual 20 minute commute turned into 40 as I allowed 50 yards distance between cars for braking as I slid on occassional ice patches. The visibility at times was two cars in front of you. Not exactly ideal.
Sitting at my desk surrounded by windows, how could I not think about the weekend? Of course I had to check the snow report for all the ski resorts. A-Basin reported 12 inches while Loveland reported 22. Unfortunatley, my five mountain pass isn’t valid at Loveland, but I’m not complaining. Twelve inches at A-Basin will be just fine. Think it’s not snowing that hard? Take a look at A-Basin’s Web Cam (as of 10am 10/26/06). 
I started thinking about the early risers and locals riding through the fluff at A-Basin right now. Their exuberant faces and plastered smiles shining like a beacon while they weave effortlessly and gracefully through the snowy fields of white. Jealous isn’t a correct term, bitter hits the nail on the head.
How can I be expected to concentrate when the main reason I dreamed of moving to Colorado for is falling all around me outside my window? How can I work when the only thing I can think of is gliding through waist deep powder with the urgency of a feather in the wind? I can hear the deafening silence of falling flake and the slow crunch under my board. I can close my eyes right now and imagine that feeling, that weightless buzz, that childhood giddyness, that startling freedom, that sensation you can only get from surfing the angelic cold.
Last year, I can only remember riding once in the month of October. This year, I’ll probably get three sessions in, with two of them being powder days. This season has gotten off to a quick start like none other. It’s gonna be a great winter. I can’t wait. Oh yeah, it’s here.
I notched up my second day of the season this Saturday. I couldn’t believe I was riding a powder day in October. It’s gonna be a great winter.
Filed under: A-Basin, Backpacking, Baseball, Beaver Creek, Blogroll, Breckenridge, Camping, Chicago, Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, Colorado, Denver, Football, Keystone, MLB, Music, NFL, Politics, Snowboarding, Sports, Vail
Welcome to Chicalorado. It’s pronounced Chi-ca-lo-rad-o. I came up with it trying to think of what to call myself. As much as I love Denver and the state of Colorado, I’m still a Chicagoan at heart. I don’t want ketchup on my hot dog, my accent is still prevelant, and I root for the Bears and Cubs.
Whether it’s snowboarding at Vail, backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park, catching a concert at Red Rocks, sports, or anything else, it’ll probably be here. I wanted to chronicle the tales of a Chicagoan living in Colorado. Here are my tales.
