EMSC
Well-known member
Another quick 'Kid Stoke' TR.
Finally felt like winter the past week with Eldora getting a bit under 2 feet in the early part of last week and then another foot from the current storm cycle over the weekend. So things have definitely softened up except for the rare but occasional patch here or there (at least on the lower mountain). I'm not sure if it was because of cold or if a ton of Super Pass holders were trying for early AM powder, but I can't ever recall so many cars heading down the canyon with skis on top at 11:30am. We've been heading up trying to arrive right around noon-ish since plenty of cars with little kids in tow leave the parking lot by noon making for easy pickings for front row parking in the beginner zone part of the lot. It's quite nice to have to only walk 10 feet to the lift when you know you are only going to be there for ~2 hours with Jr.
Temps were chilly, maybe 10F and with flurries. We hit the 'big' chair down there (Sundance) for multiple runs down the steepest pitch over on the lower mountain. Jr's coming along with keeping his hands forward and making turns instead of straight-lining in a wedge. He still can't quite figure out how to get up by himself when he falls, but is doing pretty good with short 'uphill' pitches in the lift lines or etc... He also can get himself on the lift most of the time. Lots of progress and I think that while he could probably do a run on the upper mountain no problem, I think I'm better off working with him down lower on shorter runs for more overall practice and focus; on runs and lifts he's seen and is comfortable on. I already know that I can get some excitement worked up and take him on the upper mountain sometime in March or toward the end of the season.
Interestingly, other than my 2 days at Beaver Creek for World Champs, I have yet to ski anything other than the beginner zone of Eldora. The hard work now should pay off in spades in future seasons. Possibly even by next year, when he turns six.
Finally felt like winter the past week with Eldora getting a bit under 2 feet in the early part of last week and then another foot from the current storm cycle over the weekend. So things have definitely softened up except for the rare but occasional patch here or there (at least on the lower mountain). I'm not sure if it was because of cold or if a ton of Super Pass holders were trying for early AM powder, but I can't ever recall so many cars heading down the canyon with skis on top at 11:30am. We've been heading up trying to arrive right around noon-ish since plenty of cars with little kids in tow leave the parking lot by noon making for easy pickings for front row parking in the beginner zone part of the lot. It's quite nice to have to only walk 10 feet to the lift when you know you are only going to be there for ~2 hours with Jr.
Temps were chilly, maybe 10F and with flurries. We hit the 'big' chair down there (Sundance) for multiple runs down the steepest pitch over on the lower mountain. Jr's coming along with keeping his hands forward and making turns instead of straight-lining in a wedge. He still can't quite figure out how to get up by himself when he falls, but is doing pretty good with short 'uphill' pitches in the lift lines or etc... He also can get himself on the lift most of the time. Lots of progress and I think that while he could probably do a run on the upper mountain no problem, I think I'm better off working with him down lower on shorter runs for more overall practice and focus; on runs and lifts he's seen and is comfortable on. I already know that I can get some excitement worked up and take him on the upper mountain sometime in March or toward the end of the season.
Interestingly, other than my 2 days at Beaver Creek for World Champs, I have yet to ski anything other than the beginner zone of Eldora. The hard work now should pay off in spades in future seasons. Possibly even by next year, when he turns six.