EMSC
Well-known member
Had a Halloween party sat night (involving Lamborghini's which is always a nice touch 
So I didn't exactly start early. Met up with Patrick at about 12:30 to get in a half day.
Loveland has basically 2 trails open off of Chair #1. One green (though a bit steeper than many/average greens I see, IMO), one blue square. For the most part, conditions are firm (it is primarily man-made), but with enough soft surface layer in most areas to keep things decent. If it were regular season these conditions for Colorado would be described by locals as 'icy' - even though it is not even close to icy by eastern standards, it's just hard pack which is easily biteable by sharpened edges. Similar to surface conditions that the majority of eastern ski days are spent skiing (IMO).
Anyway, a warm sunny day with afternoon temps probably hitting low 40's. So a couple of sections - one area on the green trail, and the flat stretch at the bottom leading back to the lift softened up into spring/corn snow, but the pitch and direction (due N) of the trails keeps the snow winter like on the vast majority of what is open.
There is just enough natural laying around that patrol is ski cutting the steeper trails under the chair - primarily when retrieving dropped gloves and the like.
Patrick & I skied relatively relaxed getting in ~13 runs for the afternoon (@ 1K each). Crowds were moderate and while occasionally crowded trails/sections, really not bad - wait a few seconds and then go. As typical, starting around 2:30 the short lift line began dwindling as well. I was surprised how just having that second option to ski down kept things just fresh enough mentally for a half day of skiing. Didn't get any pics of us skiing (only had my cell phone camera), but below are a couple shots.
So I didn't exactly start early. Met up with Patrick at about 12:30 to get in a half day. Loveland has basically 2 trails open off of Chair #1. One green (though a bit steeper than many/average greens I see, IMO), one blue square. For the most part, conditions are firm (it is primarily man-made), but with enough soft surface layer in most areas to keep things decent. If it were regular season these conditions for Colorado would be described by locals as 'icy' - even though it is not even close to icy by eastern standards, it's just hard pack which is easily biteable by sharpened edges. Similar to surface conditions that the majority of eastern ski days are spent skiing (IMO).
Anyway, a warm sunny day with afternoon temps probably hitting low 40's. So a couple of sections - one area on the green trail, and the flat stretch at the bottom leading back to the lift softened up into spring/corn snow, but the pitch and direction (due N) of the trails keeps the snow winter like on the vast majority of what is open.
There is just enough natural laying around that patrol is ski cutting the steeper trails under the chair - primarily when retrieving dropped gloves and the like.
Patrick & I skied relatively relaxed getting in ~13 runs for the afternoon (@ 1K each). Crowds were moderate and while occasionally crowded trails/sections, really not bad - wait a few seconds and then go. As typical, starting around 2:30 the short lift line began dwindling as well. I was surprised how just having that second option to ski down kept things just fresh enough mentally for a half day of skiing. Didn't get any pics of us skiing (only had my cell phone camera), but below are a couple shots.
