Springtime in the Rockies means all activity options are on the table

Weekend pursuits could range from powder skiing to golf

By David O. Williams
Real AspenApril 26, 2012
Everything from hiking to biking to golf to baseball and, yes, even powder skiing, could be on this weekend's activity list in Colorado. A fast-moving storm may dump up to six inches of new snow on the few ski areas still open, but then things improve as the weekend moves along.

So the ambitious Coloradan could hit Breckenridge, Loveland or Arapahoe Basin for some fresh turns, then head to one of eight national parks and monuments in Colorado offering free entry through Sunday. Or play 18 holes at the newly revamped Eagle-Vail Golf Club starting on Saturday.

National Park Week runs through Sunday, with entry free at many national parks and monuments around the country, including eight in Colorado: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado National Monument, Dinosaur National Monument Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Hovenweep National Monument, Mesa Verde National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rennick and Max Williams at Broken Arch in Arches National Park on a recent free entry day.
David O. Williams

As for skiing opportunities, Loveland Ski Area is closing a week earlier than scheduled because of a low snowpack and record hot temperatures earlier this week. Slated to close Sunday, May 6, Loveland is now shutting down Sunday, April 29. The ski area along Interstate 70 on the Continental Divide is offering $30 adult lift tickets to anyone who shows a 2011-12 season pass from another ski area.

According to Opensnow.com, it could be a powder day at Loveland on Friday.

“As cold air works in behind the storm, snow levels could descend below 10,000 feet later Thursday night and some mountains could see more than 6 inches of snow, all the way from the San Juans up north to Rocky Mountain National Park,” the weather website reports.

Some of that should still be left at 9 a.m. on Saturday, when Breck reopens for the final two days of its 2011-12 season. Breck, celebrating its 50th anniversary season, is offering $50 adult lift tickets Saturday and Sunday and free gondola parking to anyone who doesn't already have a Vail Resorts season pass.

Vail Resorts is trying hard to get people to buy or renew Epic Pass products by May 13, offering a sweepstakes entry for a chance to win 50 free nights of lodging – a $40,000 nod to Vail's 50th anniversary next season.

There will still be skiing this season even after Breck and Loveland shut down on Sunday. Arapahoe Basin will be the last ski area to close – as it is every season – shutting down its lifts on Sunday, June 3, if all goes according to plans.

“We are planning on closing June 3. We also plan on remaining open seven days per week until then,” A Basin COO and President Alan Henceroth wrote on April 17. “Is that an absolute answer? Probably not. Keep in mind, we had an excellent snowmaking season in October, November, and December. All of that snow is still out there.

“I feel pretty confident that we are going to make it. Only time and the weather will tell. A couple of more decent storms and we should be in fine shape.”

Last ski season, when a record amount of snow fell, A Basin stayed open until the Fourth of July weekend. The record low snowpack this season has made things challenging for ski resorts, but hiking and biking trails are opening up and drying out much earlier than usual.

And for people seeking something far more sedentary, consider hitting the Colorado Rockies home stand against the New York Mets in Denver starting Friday night.

That's the beauty of Colorado. The boys of summer often find themselves overlapping with the last vestiges of winter.


comments: 3 Comments on "Springtime in the Rockies means all activity options are on the table"

wills – Feb. 19, 2022, at 1:43 a.m.

JNVST Navodaya Result 2022 Class 5th Class 6th 9th 11th Latest Option List, Marks JNVST Navodaya Result 2022 5th Class 6th, 9th, 11th Class (Released) Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Examination JNVST Navodaya Officers Announced 5th Class 6th, 9th and 11th Class Admissions. Navodaya Result 2022 Telangana So They Effectively Led The Placement Tests for 9th and 5th Class 6th Classes on Second February 2022 and 5th Class 6th April 2022. Candidates who Have Taken the Entrance Test are Enthusiastically Holding on to Know the JNVST Navodaya Exam Result 2022, The 2022 Result From the Official Webpage Where Understudies can Download Navodaya Vidyalaya. Furthermore, The JNVST Navodaya Choice Rundown we Have Recorded is 2022.

SwayerScott – March 28, 2023, at 6:18 a.m.

Springtime in the Rockies offers an incredible variety of activities to choose from. From skiing the powder to taking a leisurely bike ride, there is something for everyone to enjoy. real estate for sale Armuchee This weekend, the forecast calls for up to six inches of snow in some ski areas, so if you're an ambitious Coloradan take advantage of the free entry to one of eight national parks and monuments. If you'd prefer a round of golf, why not check out the newly revamped Eagle-Vail Golf Club? No matter what your ideal weekend looks like, Springtime in the Rockies has something for you.

Ariel – April 20, 2023, at 1:10 p.m.

Weekends with healthy sports can also sit and play Sonic exe together to have happy moments together.

COMMENT
Comment Form Info  Comment Information
Real Aspen encourages you to post comments on our articles and blogs. Logged in email is required for monitoring purposes. Your email will not be published and will not be distributed to any third-party. Abusive, obscene, profane, threatening, libelous or defamatory comments are prohibited. By posting a comment, you agree to this policy and our terms of use. To report an abusive posting, please contact us.

To make a comment, please log in or create an account. This helps us prevent spam and other malicious attacks.

Please log in to comment

 

Create a user account to comment

Snow Report

  24hr snow mid dpth snow cond.
A-Basin n/a n/a
Aspen n/a n/a closed
BC n/a n/a closed
Breckenridge n/a n/a closed
Buttermilk n/a n/a closed
Copper n/a n/a closed
Crest. Butte n/a n/a closed
Eldora n/a n/a closed
Heavenly n/a n/a closed
Highlands n/a n/a
Howelsen n/a n/a closed
Keystone n/a n/a closed
Kirkwood n/a n/a closed
Loveland n/a n/a
Monarch n/a n/a closed
Northstar n/a n/a closed
Powderhorn n/a n/a closed
Purgatory n/a n/a closed
Silverton n/a n/a closed
Ski Cooper n/a n/a closed
Ski Granby n/a n/a closed
Snowmass n/a n/a closed
Steamboat n/a n/a closed
Sunlight n/a n/a closed
Telluride n/a n/a closed
Vail n/a n/a closed
WinterPark n/a n/a closed
Wolf Creek n/a n/a closed
More Weather Reports
VIDEO GALLERY
Vail powder day snow snake
Airing it out at Crested Butte
Feb. 17, 2011 Surprise 14 inches of Fresh Powder