Christmas Week at Wolf Creek

As much as I love powder, sunny days are good for the spirit! Above is the vista beyond the Knife Ridge, with Alberta Peak rising to the immediate right. If you double click on the image, you will see a larger version.

I was hiking out to ski Montezuma Bowl and met a very nice couple from Nederland, CO. A small town west of Boulder, CO - Nederland is now most famous for the "Frozen Dead Guy". Google it - you'll find some entertaining reading!

Turns out - Marianne, Bill and I have several mutual acquaintances - small world syndrome sets in again. These two were headed out to Alberta Peak on telemark skis - and seemed ready to take on any challenge.

While I waited at the bottom of the mountain, to take a few runs with my friend Teresa Scott (who was still out teaching her afternoon "private lesson" with ski school), it was impossible to ignore the "howling" Wolf Pups. The pups are the youngest students on the hill - but certainly not the quietest! As they approached the lift - I simply asked "Can these wolf pups howl?" Without audio, here's the response...
Merry Christmas to all of the howling wolves out there!

Three days of snow...

The storm which has pounded Colorado and New Mexico for the past several days, deposited 40 inches up on the slopes of Wolf Creek Ski Area in less than 3 days. This photo taken at 1pm yesterday, looks like it's taken at sundown...the clouds were that thick.

Needless to mention - the skiing and boarding has been incredible. I haven't taken more photos, as the light has been dimmed by snowfall - and I haven't stopped skiing long enough to get the camera out of my pack. The snow depth here at Wolf Creek is now 74" - as that total grows, the trees start to look shorter!

Driving back down the pass toward South Fork, I waved at each of the CDOT plow drivers, thanking them for a job well done. They really work hard, keeping this stretch of highway safe for travel.

(a local tip: when Wolf Creek Pass does close due to weather, it's usually closed on the other side...WE can get to the ski area, while the folks from Pagosa Springs wait for the road to reopen. hee hee)

Beautiful sunny blue skies here in South Fork today - just may have to go snowshoeing a bit later.

12-18 Another great Monday - 10" of Powder

As I drove up to the ski area this morning, it was hard to resist taking this photo. The snow helps to accent the geologic drama created by glacial wanderings down this canyon.

Wolf Creek Ski area got another 10 inches... And this is only the first wave of snow we are due to see this week. There is a very large system pumping in moisture and heading northeast from Los Angeles. That is colliding head-on with a cold front dropping from the north. A weather condition known to powder hounds as "serendipitous".

As a self appointed tested of snow quality, I'm pleased to report that the tree shot in this photo was as good as it looks. Can't imagine finding snow like this at 2:30pm, untracked, and lift accessed at one of the larger resorts.

Check back tomorrow for a report on the "big storm" that is brewing. Hopefully the New Mexico ski areas will finally see the snow that they've been waiting for.

12" of Fresh on Monday

While South Fork received about 3 inches of snow last night, up at Wolf Creek Ski Area, it added up to 12 inches of sparkling, light powder.

I was the 5th person up the Alberta Lift this morning and as you can see, none of the 4 ahead of me had yet touched this line under the lift. The consistancy of the snow today was the stuff dreams are made of. Suffice it to say - the mountain was populated with a lot of "smiley faces"!

At lunch, I met several of the many school kids from nearby Monte Vista who were greatly enjoying their ski day. They were more than eager to tell me what awesome skiers they are. When one of the young ski area employees went out to "snowblow" the restaurant deck, he aimed the snow chute to blast away from the building. The area of blowing snow was instantly jammed with laughing, tumbling, shrieking kids! They sure were "in their element".

By 2:30pm, it was snowing lightly again - and at 3 it was coming down pretty hard. As a self appointed snow tester, I'll try to get back up there tomorrow to assure that the quality is up to local standards.

Toward the end of the day, I shared a ride up the lift with Larry from Juneau, Alaska. His "home ski area" there is Eagle Crest. Although his trip to ski at Taos, New Mexico was thwarted by the lack of snow, he has just discovered Wolf Creek - yup - another smiley face!

Wolf Creek - Saturday afternoon

Got up to the mountain late today, but still in time to get in 2 runs on the "Fun Race" course. There was a very good turn out for the first race of the season, with the ages of racers ranging from 4 to 60+. The 4 year old, a local youngster named Alden, was gung-ho to race - and his mom says she thinks he'll be pretty good, once he learns to get up by himself after he crashes on the course! By the time I met up with him, he was content to play in the snow at the starting area. Psst - hey Alden - here's a tip - the helmet strap goes under your chin, not your nose!

The whole atmosphere at the race arena is very low key. All ability levels are welcome - skiers and snowboarders alike! Everyone is just there to have a good time - and Tyler and Sean, the "race crew" fellows, keep everything moving along smoothly.

There will be a bit of a break in the race schedule, due to the Christmas holiday, but racing will resume on January 6th. To see the schedule for the season, go to:
http://www.wolfcreekski.com/events.asp

Come join us for one of these events - no entry fee - no pressure - just plain fun!

12/09/2006

Welcome to South Fork Photo Blog -





On this page, I'll be posting photos of South Fork and various activities in the area. Check back later - today is the first "Fun Race" of the season at Wolf Creek Ski Area. Should be a great day - the skies are brilliant blue, temps are mild and the snow is perfect!

Ski photos will be posted later - in the meantime - here's a picture of one of our neighbors. This was taken from my office window. The Ponderosa neighborhood in South Fork boasts "abundant wildlife" - no kidding!