opening day

The snow has not yet?been accumulating here in the Rockies, and so Vail has delayed it's opening until next week.? Vail is among several Colorado resorts (Aspen, Steamboat, and Eldora to name a few) to delay mountain access, as the weather has stayed warm throughout the state.

Many here in the Vail Valley have been enjoying the warm weather by golfing and biking,?while continuing to pray for snow.? Arapahoe Basin and Loveland are 2 resorts that have benefitted from higher elevations, and have been open for weeks.

The weather service says snow may be in the forecast for early next week, so cross your fingers and tune your skis.? See you on the slopes and Happy Thanksgiving!

Following Vail Mountain's glorious opening day by only 5 days, Beaver Creek Mountain's chairlifts will be open to the public tomorrow.? While the resort company has not announced the terrain that will be open, skiers and boarders are already anticipating fresh powder turns.

The weather has been cold and sunny, so some of the southern exposures that haven't been groomed might be a little crusty.? And be sure to ski appropriately, as early season conditions will exist.? (Don't get hurt out there before the season even gets going!)

Opening day reminds many people of their first on-mountain experience, be it on skis or a snowboard.? (see link below)? My own was in the small hills of upstate New York in the early 1970's.? A local park had a rope-tow that took us up maybe 100 feet or so.? The pitch was not overly steep, but to me it was The Hahnenkamm (or Birds of Prey for that matter)? I enjoyed it enough to keep at it for the next 30 years or so, and feel lucky to call the Vail Valley home.