Smowing already and snowmaking in Colorado! October skiing?

[CWHappyRN]

I am sharing this news. I skied last year in October midweek, it was great! Not bad at all. Cheap airfares and hotels, rental cars too. We were two eager ski patrols to catch some early runs!
Subject: Winter Has Arrived at Loveland
To: cwoodward@cp.csudh.edu
5 Inches of Fresh and More on the Way!

9-21-06

Snowmaking White Out
and Natural SnowWWWWWWWWWWWW storming until Saturday!
9-21-06



Time To Get Your Pass

9-21-06



No Lift Line

9-21-06
September 21st, 2006

Snowmaking Update

It Has Begun!

Wax those skis and sharpen your edges 'cause the snow is flying! The air is cold and crisp up here at Loveland Ski Area, just the way our snowmakers like it. Last night the guns were fired up for the first time this season and winter has officially begun. If that weren't enough to get you excited, a big storm that is pushing across the mountains dropped 5 inches of natural snow overnight and forecasters are calling for it to keep falling through Saturday. Visit http://www.skiloveland.com to watch the snowmaking progress and check out the web cams to see how much snow we get.

At Loveland we pride ourselves on the quality of our snowmaking, so you will find the best early season skiing here. With full, side-to-side trail coverage and a minimum acceptable base of 18 ", you can leave the rock skis at home. We have been the first in the nation to open 6 years running! Keep you fingers crossed that this year will be year number 7! Think snow!

There's Still Time to get your Season Pass and 4-Paks!

Don't procrastinate! Get your season pass or 4-Paks now because Loveland will be open before you know it. Not to mention that these great prices will not be around forever. Pass products and 4-Paks can be picked up at any of the ski shows attended by Loveland. Click Here to see a full list of ski shows. You can also order over the phone by calling 303-571-5580 Ext. 136, or online at http://www.skiloveland.com.

'06 - '07 Season Pass Pricing

New Renewal
Adult (23-69) $279 $253
Young Adult (15-22) $259 $235
Child (6-14) $139 $127
Under 5 FREE FREE
70+ $49 $49
Midweek $189 $172
4 - Paks $99
NEW! Military Pass $99
NEW! Military Child Pass $59

*Prices valid until 11-20-06.

Ski Show Special!

Save $10 on 4 - Paks when you purchase from the Loveland tent at any of the ski shows we are attending! That's right, 4 unrestricted Loveland lift tickets for only $89! Stock up now because this deal expires on 11-20-06. 4 - Paks are not available for purchase at any Loveland Ticket Offices. Sale price only valid at ski shows attended by Loveland Ski Area. Check out the full schedule of ski shows that Loveland will be attending by Clicking Here.

New Military Pass

Loveland would like to show our support for the troops by offering all active duty military personnel and their direct dependents a special deal on Loveland Ski Area Season Passes. Enjoy a full season of great skiing with all the perks of a regular season pass at a fraction of the cost. Valid military and dependent family member IDs must be presented at time of pass purchase. Military season passes must be purchased at Ski Shows attended by Loveland or at the Loveland Ski Area Ticket Office. Online and phone orders will not be accepted. Click Here for all the details. Loveland will be attending the Front Range Military Winter Expo at the USAF Academy on October 21st from 9am - 2pm at which the Militarty Pass can be purchased.

 

[Tony Crocker]

Current issue of SKI has a feature article on Loveland's early season snowmaking push.

Loveland sees value in marketing visibility of being the first to open in North America the past 13 years. Same article said that since A-Basin installed snowmaking 4 years ago it's likely to be a competitive race going forward.

As a result Loveland sells 1/3 of its annual total lift tickets before Christmas. They stop snowmaking in December and let nature take its course after that. They do a good job with the snowmaking but it's important to remember that the above timberline terrain doesn't have it and often doesn't get covered until January.

The most interesting part of the article was about Loveland's early season snowmaking crew. They are from New Zealand and were described as "the best in the world" as they work long hours and most of them are in their 30's and have many years of experience. They work at home May-August, Loveland September-early December, and go to Europe after that.

I would have been very skeptical of that "best in the world" line before, but after my day at Coronet Peak (article said some of the Kiwis were from there) I was quite impressed. Supposedly half of Coronet's snowbase was manmade but surface conditions were a very uniform packed powder and not what you would expect with that mix. The bottom of Treble Cone did have the hardpack and/or thick granular snow that is common in high traffic base areas with snowmaking.