Wide open pow turns at Graham’s.
It’s been quite the start to the snow season up here, at least in the northern mountains of Colorado. It seems like it’s been snowing more days than it hasn’t since mid-November, and Vail already has 62% of its terrain open as of December 16th. I can’t recall the Back Bowls opening this early in recent memory, nor can I recall wishing I owned a snow blower more than I have this month. With snow seasons in general being pretty hit or miss these days, needless to say, we’ll take it.
On one of the nicer weather days of the month thus far Rick and I loaded up and took his sled out to a distant corner of Vail Pass known locally as Graham’s Glade. We had the place to ourselves and spent the better part of the afternoon there lapping low-angle terrain of the partially-treed variety.
Deep trenching even for Rick’s sleigh, a testament to the amount of snow that’s already accumulated back here. Just beyond this point we spent the better part of 40 minutes cutting a mid-sized tree out of the road, after which we got the sled stuck twice. Definitely earning those turns.
Finally at our destination and ready to ski, we clicked in and dropped in. The snow was light, soft, and most importantly, bottomless…
Rick on the first lap.
Then on the way back up for more.
We estimated each run to be 600 to 700 vertical feet, but the short length made for a relatively painless skin back to the top. With the sun out in full force and nearly zero wind to speak of, it was an ideal day for taking pictures.
The goods on lap 2. Photo by Rick.
Scoping things out.
Onto lap 3 as the hour grows late.
Despite wanting to stick around for more we knew with the long journey out we’d risk running out of daylight if we did. But not too shabby of a day out there with plenty more like it to come I’m sure. Seems like the season’s just getting started.
A look back at Notch and Holy Cross in the distance on our way out. Photo by Rick.
Happy turns and be safe out there…