Thanksgiving - Colorado Snow?
Nov 6th, 2007, 03:31 PM
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Thanksgiving - Colorado Snow?
My husband and I are considering a trip to Colorado over Thanksgiving. We've never been and we'd like to see some snow. We are considering Vail, Aspen or Keystone. What are our chances of snow? I know the slopes open the week before we get there, but I assume that will be man made snow?
Nov 6th, 2007, 03:47 PM
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We are long pass manmade snow. There is not much skiing on man made snow ever. It has been snowing heavily in the mountains. Baring an unusual warm up, you should have good snow at least through the blue slopes. The steep chutes and some bowls will not have enough snow. Keystone opened last week and Breckenridge this weekend. You will be in good shape.
Nov 6th, 2007, 04:44 PM
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Every year is different for how much and when the snow begins. The first year we went snow skiing we went at Thanksgiving. We went to Winter Park. They had 4 lifts running and you could see a lot of the grass. We didn't know the difference and had a good time. This year seems to be off to a good start, so you'll probably have a blast.
Nov 8th, 2007, 07:33 AM
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Past man made snow? In Summit County it is all man made snow right now. Though "real" snow in the forecast. Keystone and Vail will be your best bet at that time. Aspen is lower / warmer and does not get good snow until later in the season.
Nov 8th, 2007, 09:25 AM
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Coski, you missed the point. Very little skiing is actually done on "man made snow," First, it isn't snow flakes, it is ice particles. The idea is that you use the man make ice/snow to build a base so that when it first snows you don't have to compact that snow to make a base. Six inches of fresh snow on the base provide pretty good conditions in a hurry. Now the fresh snow can get skied off in a hurry and you are on the ice base. That is what is happening now. We had good snow in October but so far very little in November. However, the weekend forecast looks more promising.
It used to be that we didn't get into the full swing of skiing until close to Christmas because we had to rely on early snows to build the base. Then the no snow winter of 81-82 changed the game. Now everyone has snow making equipment and the push is to be in full swing by TG. Got to pay for those expensive snow guns.
It used to be that we didn't get into the full swing of skiing until close to Christmas because we had to rely on early snows to build the base. Then the no snow winter of 81-82 changed the game. Now everyone has snow making equipment and the push is to be in full swing by TG. Got to pay for those expensive snow guns.
Nov 8th, 2007, 01:59 PM
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Becca, after reading your post again I was wondering if you ski?
If you are not skiing then I would go with Vail, if your budget can handle it. More to do at that time of year for non-skiers than Keystone. Keystone does not really get going with other activites till December.
November typically is a snowy month, but so far not so much. But know that our weather changes fast. The past 2 Thanksgivings have seen lots of natural snow. Keeping my fingers crossed for the same this year.
If you are not skiing then I would go with Vail, if your budget can handle it. More to do at that time of year for non-skiers than Keystone. Keystone does not really get going with other activites till December.
November typically is a snowy month, but so far not so much. But know that our weather changes fast. The past 2 Thanksgivings have seen lots of natural snow. Keeping my fingers crossed for the same this year.
Nov 9th, 2007, 08:29 AM
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All the slopes provide ski lessons and easy slopes. If you want to take lesson you should go to a second tier resort. Aspen and Vail are certainly great resorts and with great beginning slopes but you pay the price for their name. Keystone has a good reputation for beginner skier. In fact Keystone has had some marketing problems with the perception that they were too easy, too groomed, too orientated to the beginner. You would do equally well at Copper or Breckenridge. I actually learned to ski at Loveland which would be even cheaper. In those days there was no Keystone, Copper or Vail. My sons learned at Copper and I thought they had the best beginners program at the time but that was nearly 20 years ago. And there is nothing wrong with Winter Park. Stick with the Summit Cty resorts and you will have a good experience at a fair price.
Nov 9th, 2007, 02:11 PM
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I know someone would try to show how smart they think they are by saying that Aspen is a not a beginners mountain. I did not say that either. And technically there is no Aspen Mountain, it is Ajax Mountain. My reference was to the Aspen Resort complex -- all four mountains. Buttermilk is generally viewed as the beginners mountain and Snowmass is excellent as well. And beginners can ski Ajax Mountain.
Nov 10th, 2007, 02:51 PM
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How smart they think they are? Excuse me, I was just trying to help Becca who has never been to Colorado. I find that a lot of people who aren't from CO have only heard about Aspen and Vail and think they are THE places to ski. You mentioned Aspen specifically when you said, "Aspen and Vail are certainly great resorts and with great beginning slopes". Since Becca mentioned they are beginning skiiers, I thought it important to point out that Aspen is not a beginning mountain. And by the way, I prefer Snowmass if we're talking about the area.
Nov 10th, 2007, 08:07 PM
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yale, What fmpden was trying to point out was that Ajax Mt at Aspen, is never referred to as Aspen. Aspen encompasses a number of ski areas (including Ajax)but also Buttermilk and Snowmass both of which are suitable for beginner and intermediate skiers. And while beginners can ski Ajax, they would be much better off at any of Aspen's other areas.
Nov 12th, 2007, 07:51 AM
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Becca, then I would go with Keystone to learn. They have 2 "beginner" areas. For adults I like River Run ski school. You take the Gondola up to the learning area and get the great views. (For kids I like Mountain House, the beginner area is at the base so warmer and easier to watch the kids though not the views at the top.)
frmpden, must you always argue?
frmpden, must you always argue?
Nov 12th, 2007, 08:32 AM
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NO, I just believe in accurate postings. But that probably means I am arguing with you. And if you find that any of my postings are inaccurate, please correct them. Sometimes my memory fails me or I make the wrong conclusions but it will not offend me if you do.
Becca, may have to change my opinion about snow at TG. We started well in October but nothing in November. Getting a little snow today and, hopefully, it will pick up by TG. We are will behind the snow pattern of last year at this time.
Becca, may have to change my opinion about snow at TG. We started well in October but nothing in November. Getting a little snow today and, hopefully, it will pick up by TG. We are will behind the snow pattern of last year at this time.
Nov 14th, 2007, 11:14 AM
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Well, I can certainly see how a novice can get confused about Aspen Mtn vs. Ajax Mtn vs. Aspen/Snowmass Resort.
Personally, I don't think Yale's initial one-sentence interjection was of much help to the OP, but I can't agree that "technically there is no Aspen Mountain" or that "Ajax Mt at Aspen, is never referred to as Aspen", either. The official resort web site calls it Aspen Mountain.
Personally, I don't think Yale's initial one-sentence interjection was of much help to the OP, but I can't agree that "technically there is no Aspen Mountain" or that "Ajax Mt at Aspen, is never referred to as Aspen", either. The official resort web site calls it Aspen Mountain.
Nov 15th, 2007, 06:13 AM
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fmpden, since you asked...It is still all man made snow. While your lecture was interesting it was just plain wrong. Right now and well into December in Summit Country you will be skiing on man made or machine made snow. to suggest that we are "long pass" man made snow is very misleading. Reading your post many would conclude that there is an abundance of natural snow. Even the resorts admit that we are skiing machine made snow
Snow Conditions - Mid Mountain (As of 5:30am)
Total 24 hrs Last 48 hrs
0"/0 cm 1"/3 cm
Past 7 days Snow Conditions
1"/3 cm Machine Made
As to the Aspen debate. You were the one that suggested "Aspen" would be a good mountain for beginners.
back peddle all you want you are the one who post inaccurate information
Snow Conditions - Mid Mountain (As of 5:30am)
Total 24 hrs Last 48 hrs
0"/0 cm 1"/3 cm
Past 7 days Snow Conditions
1"/3 cm Machine Made
As to the Aspen debate. You were the one that suggested "Aspen" would be a good mountain for beginners.
back peddle all you want you are the one who post inaccurate information
Nov 16th, 2007, 02:23 PM
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Relax! No need to fight over the little things. The OP doesn't even ski, so she won't know the difference between real and man-made snow, anyway! ;-)
However, on a serious note, Steamboat Springs won't be open at all over Thanksgiving. And Vail, which was supposed to open today, pushed their start back to next Wednesday. Neither were on the OP's list, but it shows how short of snow the high country currently is.
However, on a serious note, Steamboat Springs won't be open at all over Thanksgiving. And Vail, which was supposed to open today, pushed their start back to next Wednesday. Neither were on the OP's list, but it shows how short of snow the high country currently is.
