A unique experience: Sunlight Mountain
Sunlight Mountain Resort is a unique Colorado winter playground that is affordable and family oriented. Sunlight, which will open Dec. 3 for the 2010 season, has hundreds of acres for skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing. Sunlight’s summit on Compass Mountain in the White River National Forest, overlooks majestic Mount Sopris and the awe inspiring Elk … Pikes Peak Colorado Ski Resort
Fresh Powder… Crisp Air… Cozy Chalets… and Warm fires, send your friends and love ones notes with the fun and fast energy of snow skiing. All cards have a blank inside with plenty of space for your messages….
In its heyday, Colorado had more than 175 ski areas operating on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains, and while many of those resorts have shut down, their runs still shelter secret stashes of snow. Pristine slopes await backcountry powder hounds out to discover these chutes and steeps, bunny hills and bumps. Chronicling the history of more than 36 of these “lost resorts,” Powder Ghost Towns provide…
From Chamonix and St. Moritz in the European Alps to Aspen, Colorado, and Lake Louise, Canada, this beautifully illustrated volume features 40 of the most celebrated, fashionable, and diverse skiing destinations in the world. Each resort is treated individually, with the author’s vivid and lively description, handsome color photos, and an information panel that tells readers how to get there, the…
With over 300 inches of champagne powder falling on its slopes each winter, the Breckenridge Ski Resort certainly sees its share of powder days. However, if you’re unfamiliar with the mountain and its terrain, you probably won’t be locating any secret stashes on such days unless you’re spying on the locals as the duck into the trees in search of fresh turns. If you’re headed to Breckenridge this winter, worry no more. This is your guide to skiing Breck on a powder day.
Breckenridge’s upper lifts don’t fire up along with the lower mountain’s, especially after the resort get buried by a snowstorm. Head to the Beaver Run Superchair on Peak 9 for the day’s first chair. Here, take a few warm-up laps through the Peerless trees or drop into the Needles, located off of Volunteer on Peak 9’s north flank. These runs are sure to warm up your legs for the steeper, deeper terrain on the mountain’s upper reaches.
Peak 10 is also a popular early morning destination, with runs such as The Burn, Mustang and Dark Rider providing glade skiing with serious powder turns. Look for natural jumps with fresh landings on Peak 10’s South side. Be sure to keep your speed up near the bottom of these runs, as the long cat track back to the lift can be an agonizing on deep days.
As the day progresses, you’re likely to hear ski patrol conducting avalanche control on the upper mountain with various explosive devices. This is a good sign that it’s time to head for the T-Bar, 6 Chair and Imperial Express lifts. The Imperial Express offers the highest skiing in North America, topping out at an elevation of 12,840 feet above sea level. Here, take in wide open powder turns in above the tree line in open bowls. The nature of their shape collects plenty of freshly fallen snow. Pay a bit of attention to which way the wind has been blowing to find the slopes that have been covered most generously.
A favorite locals’ run is to ski from the top of the Imperial Express to the bottom of Chair 6, a line that provides steep bowl skiing as well as access to some of Breckenridge’s best glades. Arrive at Chair 6 prior to its opening, as Breckenridge residents will be lining up for their turns well before it opens. The lift is accessed via Frosty’s Freeway from the Peak 8 SuperConnect or the Colorado SuperChair.
Finish your day with a hike to the Windows in search of unskied snow late in the day. The Windows are a 10-15 minute hike from the top of the Mercury SuperChair and offer bowls, chutes, glades and steeps. Drop into runs such as Broadway, Twin Chutes and Double Barrel for untouched powder turns and secret glades. Beware the creek crossings as you reenter the tree line and be sure to stay above the streams while traversing back to E Chair for another lap.
As you wind down the day recounting phenomenal turns over a few drinks with your friends, be sure to watch for clouds rolling in to freshen up the slopes for tomorrow. Take a hot tub at your Breckenridge lodging property to loosen up your muscles for another amazing day of skiing and plan the next day’s assault on the champagne powder.
About the Author
Ben Kelly is the owner of Summit Vacation Concierge and can offer expert advice on Breckenridge skiing and snowboarding, lodging, transportation, activities, travel services and more. This article may not be copied, modified or reproduced without a link to the author’s website.
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Fresh Powder… Crisp Air… Cozy Chalets… and Warm fires, send your friends and love ones notes with the fun and fast energy of snow skiing. All cards have a blank inside with plenty of space for your messages….
Shoot the most obscure angles possible when you use the GoPro Suction Cup Mount to attach your GoPro HD Hero camera to your boat, car, or motorcycle. An industrial-strength suction cup (think British spy gear) and easily adjustable mounting system allow you to safely secure your camera to any flat, smooth surface. Not convinced? This mount withstood speeds up to 135mph when tested on GoPro’s F1000…
What is the best suggestion for a place to live in Colorado, fitting my lifesyle?
I am a 21 year old college student and my husband and I have been seriously considering moving to CO in a few years when we’ve both graduated. He is getting his degree to become a theater teacher, and I’ll be getting my master’s to be a librarian. He may later pursue a master’s also. Anyways, based on that info and considering future events such as having children (good school districts for them and jobs for us), where is a good and relatively inexpensive place to live in Colorado? I realize it’s a bit of a tourist state, and would enjoy living in the mountains if we could afford it as we both love snowboarding, but know that these areas can be too crowded in season. We are wanting to move from Austin, Texas to get away from the big city feel and would like a country setting as we both grew up in the country. Neither of us are rich, or plan to be based on the careers we will have, but would like to buy as opposed to renting. Any suggestions you can give would be awesome.
Golden Colorado?
Indoor Ski Resort! Ski Slope Mount The Mall of the Emirates!
Shoot the most obscure angles possible when you use the GoPro Suction Cup Mount to attach your GoPro HD Hero camera to your boat, car, or motorcycle. An industrial-strength suction cup (think British spy gear) and easily adjustable mounting system allow you to safely secure your camera to any flat, smooth surface. Not convinced? This mount withstood speeds up to 135mph when tested on GoPro’s F1000…
This meticulously researched book covers the surprisingly rich history of ski mountaineering and also doubles as a detailed guide to 54 sought-after mountain descents-from New Hampshire’s Mount Washington to Alaska’s Mount McKinley. The route selection is a hit-list intended for all levels of telemarkers, snowboarders, or alpine skiers….
A comprehensive guide to backcountry skiing in Northern Colorado, with more than 100 tours and trails for all ability levels, from novice to advanced to expert….
Front Range Descents is more than a guidebook. It is a celebration of the spring skiing and snowboarding experience…velvety corn snow, sunny days, rushing streams, pine-scented breezes, wildlife and wildflowers. 75 Descents on 54 Peaks * Choose from intermediate cruisers to expert descents. * Each detailed route description will guide you from the trailhead to the summit and back. * 29 …
How can I go skiing if I’m not staying at a ski resort?
This summer, me and my friend are taking a road trip around the U.S. We are planning on 2 of our stops being Salt Lake City, UT or somewhere around Aspen, Keystone or Colorado Springs, CO. We really want to go skiing, snowboarding or snowmobiling in these areas but don’t want to stay at a ski resort, because of expenses. (it wouldn’t be a problem normally, but we’re staying in 8 other cities around the country). I’m wondering, how can me and my friend enjoy the slopes without staying at a resort? Thanks in advance
Can I rent the equipment and go wherever there’s a snow hill? How can I rent the equipment? Get lessons?
if you get a van you can just adjust the seats and sleep in there
Fresh Powder… Crisp Air… Cozy Chalets… and Warm fires, send your friends and love ones notes with the fun and fast energy of snow skiing. All cards have a blank inside with plenty of space for your messages….
In its heyday, Colorado had more than 175 ski areas operating on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains, and while many of those resorts have shut down, their runs still shelter secret stashes of snow. Pristine slopes await backcountry powder hounds out to discover these chutes and steeps, bunny hills and bumps. Chronicling the history of more than 36 of these “lost resorts,” Powder Ghost Towns provide…
From Chamonix and St. Moritz in the European Alps to Aspen, Colorado, and Lake Louise, Canada, this beautifully illustrated volume features 40 of the most celebrated, fashionable, and diverse skiing destinations in the world. Each resort is treated individually, with the author’s vivid and lively description, handsome color photos, and an information panel that tells readers how to get there, the…
Whats the Best place to go snowboarding in Denver,Colorado?
Could you please tell me the best place in the denver area to go snowboarding. I really want to go snowboarding in that area this winter and was wondering were the best place usually is to go snowboarding. Thanks so much.
oh and when is it the best time to go snowboarding like when is it really snowy like out. Thanks you soo much for help in advance!=]
Denver is a flat city. There are no ski areas within the city limits.
Copper Mountain and Breckenridge are the closest ski areas to Denver that offer the full experience. They are a little less than a 2 hr drive, but check goolge maps to get a better estimate.
If you have never been, you might want to try Loveland Ski area. It is closer and cheaper than Copper or Breck, which would be good for a first time rider. Once you learn the basics head to Copper or Breckenridge. When you get bored there its time to hit up Steamboat, Vail, Aspen, Keystone, and then eventually make the long drive for a multi day trip to Telluride!!!!
