Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snowshoeing

[Jeff]

I think it's Skiing magazine, saw it today.

I haven't gotten a SKI magazine in ages, I should have gotten one by now. Don't think the subscription's else.

[CrewDust]

Getting close maybe only a month before the early bird areas open.

[Jeff]

I hope. The earliest I've seen in CO is Nov. 1 for Keystone and one other. Given the summer weather, the only area I give a chance to make that date is Loveland because of where they are (juuuust east of the Continental Divide) more than anything else.

Although I believe Timberline in OR is about to close for 3 weeks like they do every year, and then open right back up.

Killington in VT doesn't count if they open early. The most obnoxious resort on the planet "let's put all our ski guns on one run so we can be cool and the first to open in the east." Doesn't cut it with me, you gotta have at least one trail for all ability levels open to be really open.

[Jeff]

Targeted opening dates, at least in Colorado:

http://skicolorado.org/

Pleasantly surprised that A-Basin is trying to open in mid Nov. May be tough since they just got snowmaking, and not as much as they'd like.

[Dr. Wankler]

Sorry to interlope where I don't belong, since I haven't X-country skied in 8 years or so, but... some of you Nordic types -- especially those doing your pre-season conditioning -- might like a book I just finished. It's by Bill McKibben, and it's called Long Distance: A Year of Living Strenuously. A couple years ago, between writing projects, he decided to take a year off and devote himself entirely to conditioning, and then spending a full winter competing in various Nordic events. It zips along, it's funny (also sad, as his physical improvements are contrasted with his father's failing health). But if you're a fan of Nordic skiing, this would probably be a great read (he doesn't specifically compare nordic skiing to soccer in the US, but if you're a fan of soccer, you can make the connection).

(And if X-country skiers tend not to like this book, I'd appreciate hearing their critiques).

[Jeff]

No problem, in fact if you have more to offer, post away. I hope to X-ctry this winter, but it all depends on natural snow.

[Jeff]

Farmers Almanac says:

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/sh/weather/stories/nat-weather-166890920020916-070946.html

[Jeff]

Heavy showers forecast for the Denver area today. The good stuff: snow as low as 9,000 feet. Lower than nearly every ski run. Now that snow obviously won't hold since the ground isn't cold enough, and temps in many mountain areas have hardly hit freezing overnight. It's a nice comforting thought nonetheless.

[CrewDust]

I've been looking at the snow pics all day.

[Noonan]

I just got an email from a friend and Copper Mountain is offering 4 days for $69. There are a couple of blackout dates around the holidays but otherwise it looks like a great deal.

[Jeff]

It went down from $79? I'll have to go find out when the Copper Wagon's coming near me. Even if I already have the Colorado pass, I don't want to limit myself.

[Jeff]

I sent in the paper for the $69 pass yesterday. I LOVED Copper when I went last year so I'm psyched.

Apparently the Winter Park/Copper pass is still up in the air. The Intrawest essential takeover of WP was approved, but I guess there are still snags to be worked out.

http://skicolorado.org/ still has Loveland targeted for an October 19 opening, but since overnight lows in the area are just now starting to hover below 30, I doubt it.

[FearM9]

Well we at REI have started putting out our very limited selection :eek: of XC and telemark skis. K2 has a new design on one of their skis..I think the Piste Off...anyhoo it has this cool bluish Hawaiin theme going. LOVE IT!!!

[Jeff]

The foothills of Denver, not just the mountains, may get a bit of snow Thursday. I hope it's a sign of things to come.

[FearM9]

Originally posted by Jeff
The foothills of Denver, not just the mountains, may get a bit of snow Thursday. I hope it's a sign of things to come. The weather forecast may be calling for some snow in the upper elevations here in Idaho..I am guessing more like in the central Idaho region instead of my neck of the woods although the lows for this week are hovering in the 30s. So I guess Bogus could get some dusting here and there. We'll see though.

How is everyone's preseason conditioning coming along? Mine is good. It could be better. Today did a ton of lunges and squats. The downtown YMCA is starting up their ski conditioning classes. I'm into like week 4 of mine I think.

What sucks though is that I'm carrying 187 pounds on my 5-8 body. I've gained several pounds since last winter. :rolleyes: This is gonna make XC skiing a bitch the first couple of times out unless I could drop back about 10 pounds or so between now and the start of the season. Highly unlikely.

[Jeff]

I still go to the gym, went hiking today (small 5 mile trip with a couple semi-tough switchbacks. I started the squats that I should have done all summer (one year I'll learn) but had to stop since I strained something. It's now better, so they resume tomorrow, and circuit training on Thursday.

Snow alert, for the most part northeast of the ski areas, but snow nonetheless:

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/weather/severeweatheralerts/svr_COZ036.html

I'm doing a short local hike to Lookout Mountain Saturday morning rain, sun, snow, or wind.

[FearM9]

Today in the mail I just received my NEW 2002-2003 Bogus Basin Ski Pass. They redesigned the passes to hopefully eliminate fake passes. The new ones have a hologram on 'em.

But I still don't like my pic on there. :rolleyes: I look dopey :D.

[_chachi]

i leave for 2 weeks and my favorite thread is still going strong! brings a tear to my eye.

i'm not quite ready for winter yet. still a lot of mountain biking and hiking left to do. on sunday, i completed a 8 mile journey in the na pali coast on the hawaiian island of kauai. absolutely stunning! i'll try and post photos later this week.

[Jeff]

Originally posted by FearM9


But I still don't like my pic on there. I look dopey.
You're supposed to look like a bit of a clown in those. :) I usually either look enraged or stoned in mine.

Anyway, it's quite nippy here in Denver, just barely over the snow temp line. It felt good going out for a couple minutes at lunch. I also have some hiking left, going on Saturday actually.

[tcmahoney]

Good news for Jeff: 20 inches of snow in Aspen and more on the way, according to the Weather Channel.