Issue #7/2025-26

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

We went again to five large resorts in Summit County covered by Ikon Pass: Copper Mtn., Winter Park, Arapahoe Basin, Steamboat and Eldora. All great destination resorts, maybe with exception of Eldora, this mountain has definitely a local vibe. But nevertheless big skiing mountain!

The IKON Base Pass includes 5 days in Steamboat and Arapahoe Basin, unlimited access in Copper Mtn. Winter Park and Eldora. The choice of the mountains was important this year, because the season wasn't too goos as far as the amount of snow received. Only about 50% of typical snow fall on records. But we were quite lucky and the snow was coming after 2-nd day pretty regularly, with a climax of 15" at Steamboat!

Copper Mtn. is easy accessible from highway 70, the main artery in Colorado. About 1.5h from Denver.

When driving remember about the Traction and Chain Law (Code 15 & Code 16).

The Traction Law (Code 15) This is the most common requirement. It is active on I-70 between Dotsero and Morrison (the mountain corridor) every year from September 1 to May 31, regardless of the weather. On other state highways, it is activated only when conditions warrant it.

Requirements:

All passenger vehicles must have a minimum tread depth of 3/16-inch and meet one of the following:

-4WD or AWD capability.

-Winter tires (with the mountain-snowflake icon).

-All-weather tires or Mud and Snow (M+S) rated tires.

Chains or an approved alternative traction device (like an AutoSock) for two or more drive tires.

Passenger Vehicle Chain Law (Code 16) This is a more severe restriction and is often the final safety measure before a highway is closed entirely.

Requirements: When Code 16 is active, every passenger vehicle on the roadway—including 4WD and AWD vehicles—must have chains or an approved alternative traction device installed on at least two drive tires.

There is also Commercial Vehicle Chain Law. But it doesn't apply to our rental cars.

Summary of Fines

Non-compliance: Approximately $130 (including surcharges).
Blocking the Road: If your vehicle lacks the required equipment and you cause a traffic jam or accident, the fine increases to over $650.

We stayed in Dillon, close to Frisco and Silverthorne. We know the area very well, there is everything there, what you can need during skiing vacations. There is a City Market large grocery store with inexpensive gas station, the liquor store, ski rentals and the plethora of big names outlets, offering all goods and services. The free bus service Summit Stage allows you to travel without the car to ski mountains around Dillon.

But most of the mountains have free parking, too. A-Basin requires paid reservations for weekends this season, but it wasn't enforced fully when we were there, because of less snow, less terrain available and resulting in less visitors.

Copper Mtn. and A-Basin are very close to Dillon, about 15-30 min. of car ride. Winter Park and Steamboat are further away, you have to drive about 1.5h to reach them. Check the weather before going, because the high altitude mountain passes are frequently closed during the winter storms.

So, after the first day in Copper, we travelled to Winter Park, then back in Copper, then to A-Basin, back in Copper again, then to Steamboat, back to Copper and Eldora on last day. Quite a marathon! Eight days of skiing!

But skiing was good, sometimes great! We ended up with really nice ski vacations!

Here are the photos from Copper and Winter Park. Copper on this day was more or less East Coast type skiing. Solid, groomed snow cover like on a good day in Sunday River, but the views were spectacular! Simply Rockies!

Then Winter Park. Skiing was better, a bit more snow made all the difference. A lot of fast skiing. We went back to Dillon quite satisfied.