We awoke Tuesday morning to thick overcast and an inch of new snow in Glenwood Springs. Compared to the previous 2 days we had an easy drive of 15 minutes up to Sunlight. There was cloud on top when we arrived, but once we got up the lift they were breaking up or rising.
There was no more than an inch new and the groomers were not as smooth as at Powderhorn. There are 3 chairs, though the one that goes to the top starts at the top of the beginner area rather than at the base. Crowds were similar to Powderhorn, enough to fill parking and base lodges but not enough for any lift lines. The direct skiing from the chairs is not much bigger than the the main Take Four terrain pod at Powderhorn, though the vertical is 2,000. Here are the Cassanova Glades between two of the groomers.
And here's Frying Pan Alley, a bump run lower down.
There's lots of challenging skiing far skier's right from the top. But first you ski a long flat on top of the ridge with panoramic views south to Mt. Sopris.
Late in the day there was a sunny break illuminating red rock cliffs near Glenwood Springs.
Defiance was the first run we tried out the far skier's right.
Not far away is a gate leading to several double blacks. Though coverage was better than Powderhorn, we wanted a clear view of what we were going to ski. The first and longest fall line Rapid Transit was excellent.
Just skier's left of that was Heathen, Sunlight's steepest run not yet adequately covered.
Our last run of the day was through scattered trees between the two earlier runs, starting with The Alamo and finishing with Inspiration.
There are several more double blacks skier's right of Defiance, but with blind entries we left those alone. Mid season there would be a lot of challenging skiing out there.
We had a Ski, Swim, Stay package, so we spent an hour or so at the huge hot spring pools in Glenwood Springs after skiing.
There was no more than an inch new and the groomers were not as smooth as at Powderhorn. There are 3 chairs, though the one that goes to the top starts at the top of the beginner area rather than at the base. Crowds were similar to Powderhorn, enough to fill parking and base lodges but not enough for any lift lines. The direct skiing from the chairs is not much bigger than the the main Take Four terrain pod at Powderhorn, though the vertical is 2,000. Here are the Cassanova Glades between two of the groomers.
And here's Frying Pan Alley, a bump run lower down.
There's lots of challenging skiing far skier's right from the top. But first you ski a long flat on top of the ridge with panoramic views south to Mt. Sopris.
Late in the day there was a sunny break illuminating red rock cliffs near Glenwood Springs.
Defiance was the first run we tried out the far skier's right.
Not far away is a gate leading to several double blacks. Though coverage was better than Powderhorn, we wanted a clear view of what we were going to ski. The first and longest fall line Rapid Transit was excellent.
Just skier's left of that was Heathen, Sunlight's steepest run not yet adequately covered.
Our last run of the day was through scattered trees between the two earlier runs, starting with The Alamo and finishing with Inspiration.
There are several more double blacks skier's right of Defiance, but with blind entries we left those alone. Mid season there would be a lot of challenging skiing out there.
We had a Ski, Swim, Stay package, so we spent an hour or so at the huge hot spring pools in Glenwood Springs after skiing.