Issue #8/2025-26

Skiers, here is report Part Two from our trip to Colorado in February.

We visited five large resorts in Summit County covered by Ikon Pass: Copper Mtn., Winter Park, Arapahoe Basin, Steamboat and Eldora. I sent you the photos from Copper and Winter Park, already.

As we stayed close to Copper and Arapahoe-Basin, we planned to visit them most often. And we did spent 4 days in Copper Mtn., indeed. And every day there was better and better! And snow kept coming! Slowly at first, but more and more!

As for A-Basin, it was only open at about 20% of its full acreage, which is not huge to begin with, about 1,400 acres of skiable terrain all. So, we didn't have high expectations, not at all. But we were surprised by a good availability of most of the front of the mountain, and most of lifts running! True, the off piste terrain was not inviting at all - windswept and really hard pack, possibly ice in places. Still, the Black Mountain Express & Lenawee Express, Pallavicini (Pali) & The Beavers lifts were all operating, opening mostly groomed trails in this very challenging mountain.

The back bowl - Montezuma Bowl, wasn't available, unfortunately. Its access tow rope lift - Lazy J Tow - which acts as a horizontal connector - allows skiers and riders to get from the top of the Lenawee Express (Front Side) over to the top of the Zuma Lift (in Montezuma Bowl) without having to "skate" or trudge across the flat ridge - was closed, too.

A lot of fast skiing, then, but not enough terrain. True alpine views, though!

Then another day in Copper Mtn. As I said better! Some snow fell down and made everything nice and pretty!

I forgot to mention what happens in our club - CMSG - the Sunday River, ME trips are going strong on, in the East Coast. I got reports of very good conditions after strong blizzards and a lot of fun! Ski Week was a success and following weekend, too. Now it is time for Burke Mtn. trip and next two Sunday River trips in March.

I should also mention our skiers having fun in all these distant places - Chamonix & Val d'Isère, France, Alyeska, AK, Killington, VT, Ischgl, Austria, and Big3 (Lake Louise, Sunshine Banff and Norquay) he iconic trio of resorts in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada!

Here are the photos from Arapahoe Basin and Copper and other iconic mountains. Copper is always my favourite destination, even with back bowls closed it has a plenty of diverse terrain. And solid, mostly groomed snow provided lot of good, fast skiing. Some fresh snow was like butter on the toast! We went back to Dillon very satisfied, indeed. TBC...