EMSC
Well-known member
A unique opportunity to ski Beaver Creek presented itself for yesterday so I made sure to partake and get my second day on snow since baby came 6 weeks ago.
An interesting experience to be sure. I got to test out some K2 Apache Recons, skied with a guided group, had some good lunch at one of the on-mtn 'cabins' and go to the 'Crystal grotto' music show. All in all a solidly good and tiring day. Skiing wise things are most decidedly thin in the central mtns still (34" reported base), but 6-8 inches of new this past week to soften things up considerably, plus light to moderate snow through most of the day (4" of new in 24hrs reported by them this am, probably ~2" of that came during the ski day). My guided group hit steeper terrain and some glades including Royal Elk off Grouse chair. The steepest stuff was a bit rocky but the single diamond pitch stuff only had a very small handful of rocks to avoid. Again, the 6-8" of new making a world of difference in softness and ski-ability. With Beaver Creek not seeing all that many expert skiers, there ware still many short sections of accumulated fresh snow to get a few turns at a time through - though only on lower angled stuff. The steeper stuff was still too sketchy to trust that 'untouched' wouldn't be a rock pile underneath. The groomers are still somewhat scratchy by afternoon, especially on the most heavily used trails getting down to the base area. Though many of the less skied groomers up on the hill were rather decent considering how dry the last 4-5 weeks have been in central Colorado.
Some fun discussions during the day included the base and snowfall being reported by various central colo resorts. Notably: that it was felt that Beaver Creek has at least as much snow as Breck, yet a ~20" difference in reported base depths (this coincides with my personal feelings as well - that Breck way over-reports); that Vail opened a lot of terrain way earlier than it should have this year in order to try to win the 'most open acres' game. However Vail has gotten much more snow recently than any other area in the central mtns and clouds have hung over it for many days in the last 2 weeks when no clouds in the sky either east or west of vail/vail pass. So I guess Vail would be the top choice for snow right now. A storm with 6-12" is supposed to hit today through Monday as well, so maybe the big dry spell is beginning to end.
As for my ski demo? Since I'm a bit out of shape at the moment (my quads sure felt it by the end yesterday!), Not certain I'm most qualified to tell. However the Apache's did pretty good on the groomers for a non-race ski. They skied good in the glades (I had 177cm length), but only OK at best for me in the bumps. I had to ski the bumps slower than my usual, but I think that's partly because I'm used to a really stiff ski under foot.
They are really pushing the fly in and rent aspect. For me, the rental was quite a breeze. Order on-line, pick them up at the rentskis.com store literally about 30 feet away from the base of the centennial lift (right next to Starbucks just before the final escalator). About 3 minutes to pick up and 30 seconds to drop them off. Given the special circumstances I don't know what they charge (I need to look that up online at some point). But for short weekend trips or less price sensitive folks (I'm guessing at the probable price here), it would sure eliminate one of the big hassles of flying to ski (rentskis.com has a number of locations all over colo and western north america). Plus you'd trade $ from bag fees to what are probably better maintained skis (for many folks out there anyway. which using rentals could itself big a big advantage in a low snow year like this). Though as always, bring your own boots... Too critical a piece of equipment to rent those. Sorry for the 'advert' aspect, but I thought it was interesting enough to mention and I've just started thinking about some potential benefits/negatives to this. If you are from Florida and ski one week a year, why buy all the gear? why NOT just rent skis & poles? saves hassle, spreads costs over time instead of a big one time purchase, you're always on the latest & greatest and well maintained gear, etc... Doesn't apply to to very many that use these forums, but I could see a number of situations where it makes sense.
Then there is the 6 weeks in the making 'Crystal Grotto' up at top of the Centennial lift. Basically a double humped ice cave with ice instruments built inside (see the pics below). Costs $10 to see a 30-40 minute concert inside of it. Kind of neat and definitely unique. I video'd one song, maybe I'll get it up on Admin's video server soon... Just keep in mind Beaver Creek's marketing tag line is 'Not Exactly Roughing It'.
What else did I learn? That the public actually can park for day skiing up in the village in two parking garages (I never paid attention before as I'm a cheapskate on parking whenever possible). Though it'll cost you $33/day to do it (vs free lots down in Avon). That there is some solidly good glade skiing and little competition for the best glades. The reminder that BC is spread out just as much as Killington back east. For me, too much traversing between some sections. Fortunately for me those sections requiring traverse (beaver run and arrowhead) are the least interesting skiing (for me anyway - great for intermediates over that way though).
Anyway, even though 'I didn't exactly rough it', I was plenty tired at the end of the day.
Now we'll have to see just when my next 'get out of the house' present comes...
An interesting experience to be sure. I got to test out some K2 Apache Recons, skied with a guided group, had some good lunch at one of the on-mtn 'cabins' and go to the 'Crystal grotto' music show. All in all a solidly good and tiring day. Skiing wise things are most decidedly thin in the central mtns still (34" reported base), but 6-8 inches of new this past week to soften things up considerably, plus light to moderate snow through most of the day (4" of new in 24hrs reported by them this am, probably ~2" of that came during the ski day). My guided group hit steeper terrain and some glades including Royal Elk off Grouse chair. The steepest stuff was a bit rocky but the single diamond pitch stuff only had a very small handful of rocks to avoid. Again, the 6-8" of new making a world of difference in softness and ski-ability. With Beaver Creek not seeing all that many expert skiers, there ware still many short sections of accumulated fresh snow to get a few turns at a time through - though only on lower angled stuff. The steeper stuff was still too sketchy to trust that 'untouched' wouldn't be a rock pile underneath. The groomers are still somewhat scratchy by afternoon, especially on the most heavily used trails getting down to the base area. Though many of the less skied groomers up on the hill were rather decent considering how dry the last 4-5 weeks have been in central Colorado.
Some fun discussions during the day included the base and snowfall being reported by various central colo resorts. Notably: that it was felt that Beaver Creek has at least as much snow as Breck, yet a ~20" difference in reported base depths (this coincides with my personal feelings as well - that Breck way over-reports); that Vail opened a lot of terrain way earlier than it should have this year in order to try to win the 'most open acres' game. However Vail has gotten much more snow recently than any other area in the central mtns and clouds have hung over it for many days in the last 2 weeks when no clouds in the sky either east or west of vail/vail pass. So I guess Vail would be the top choice for snow right now. A storm with 6-12" is supposed to hit today through Monday as well, so maybe the big dry spell is beginning to end.
As for my ski demo? Since I'm a bit out of shape at the moment (my quads sure felt it by the end yesterday!), Not certain I'm most qualified to tell. However the Apache's did pretty good on the groomers for a non-race ski. They skied good in the glades (I had 177cm length), but only OK at best for me in the bumps. I had to ski the bumps slower than my usual, but I think that's partly because I'm used to a really stiff ski under foot.
They are really pushing the fly in and rent aspect. For me, the rental was quite a breeze. Order on-line, pick them up at the rentskis.com store literally about 30 feet away from the base of the centennial lift (right next to Starbucks just before the final escalator). About 3 minutes to pick up and 30 seconds to drop them off. Given the special circumstances I don't know what they charge (I need to look that up online at some point). But for short weekend trips or less price sensitive folks (I'm guessing at the probable price here), it would sure eliminate one of the big hassles of flying to ski (rentskis.com has a number of locations all over colo and western north america). Plus you'd trade $ from bag fees to what are probably better maintained skis (for many folks out there anyway. which using rentals could itself big a big advantage in a low snow year like this). Though as always, bring your own boots... Too critical a piece of equipment to rent those. Sorry for the 'advert' aspect, but I thought it was interesting enough to mention and I've just started thinking about some potential benefits/negatives to this. If you are from Florida and ski one week a year, why buy all the gear? why NOT just rent skis & poles? saves hassle, spreads costs over time instead of a big one time purchase, you're always on the latest & greatest and well maintained gear, etc... Doesn't apply to to very many that use these forums, but I could see a number of situations where it makes sense.
Then there is the 6 weeks in the making 'Crystal Grotto' up at top of the Centennial lift. Basically a double humped ice cave with ice instruments built inside (see the pics below). Costs $10 to see a 30-40 minute concert inside of it. Kind of neat and definitely unique. I video'd one song, maybe I'll get it up on Admin's video server soon... Just keep in mind Beaver Creek's marketing tag line is 'Not Exactly Roughing It'.
What else did I learn? That the public actually can park for day skiing up in the village in two parking garages (I never paid attention before as I'm a cheapskate on parking whenever possible). Though it'll cost you $33/day to do it (vs free lots down in Avon). That there is some solidly good glade skiing and little competition for the best glades. The reminder that BC is spread out just as much as Killington back east. For me, too much traversing between some sections. Fortunately for me those sections requiring traverse (beaver run and arrowhead) are the least interesting skiing (for me anyway - great for intermediates over that way though).
Anyway, even though 'I didn't exactly rough it', I was plenty tired at the end of the day.
Now we'll have to see just when my next 'get out of the house' present comes...
