2011-2012 Ski Season set a record for one of the driest seasons on record. Coming off of last year, it was a year that easily could be forgotten if you look at the stats. However, I took my skis along on my 4,000 trip and skied at two new areas in two states (kinda);
- Lookout Pass is right on the border of Montana and Idaho. The lodge has a Montana dining room and one for Idaho. I think most of the skiing is done in Idaho. What's cool is that the elevation is lower so you aren't so challenged to get oxygen like you are in Colorado. Also, most of your skiing is in the trees and they get a ton of snow up there. In 2010-2011, they set some world records. This was very much a family area where kids get free ski lessons until they are 15 years old.
- Whitefish is just north of Kalispell. I skied half a day and unfortunately, there were no snow ghosts and there wasn't any visibility, at least at the top. To add insult to injury, I met a couple in a bar the night before and he agreed to be my guide. We met at the top and I knew right away I was in trouble. Greg had been skiing here for about 30 years or so and he was a tremendous skier, as was his wife. They must have a pretty dim view of Colorado skiers after seeing me that day.
- Copper Mountain in early March. I went with Tamra, Sierra and her friend. Tamra and I peeled off and skied most of the time off of the Super Bee lift. This must've been one of their last powder days. We had a great day and I thought the GoPro captured everything. When I got home, I realized the camera was pointing too far down, so all I got was great footage of a lot of snow whizzing by! Occasionally it was interesting. I had a previous day back in January that was also good. Sky, Jake and I stayed overnight in Gini's condo. It was very nice and we skied in and out. I should say I skied in and out since Jake and Sky met friends in Vail.
Maybe next season will be the one!
- Lookout Pass is right on the border of Montana and Idaho. The lodge has a Montana dining room and one for Idaho. I think most of the skiing is done in Idaho. What's cool is that the elevation is lower so you aren't so challenged to get oxygen like you are in Colorado. Also, most of your skiing is in the trees and they get a ton of snow up there. In 2010-2011, they set some world records. This was very much a family area where kids get free ski lessons until they are 15 years old.
- Whitefish is just north of Kalispell. I skied half a day and unfortunately, there were no snow ghosts and there wasn't any visibility, at least at the top. To add insult to injury, I met a couple in a bar the night before and he agreed to be my guide. We met at the top and I knew right away I was in trouble. Greg had been skiing here for about 30 years or so and he was a tremendous skier, as was his wife. They must have a pretty dim view of Colorado skiers after seeing me that day.
- Copper Mountain in early March. I went with Tamra, Sierra and her friend. Tamra and I peeled off and skied most of the time off of the Super Bee lift. This must've been one of their last powder days. We had a great day and I thought the GoPro captured everything. When I got home, I realized the camera was pointing too far down, so all I got was great footage of a lot of snow whizzing by! Occasionally it was interesting. I had a previous day back in January that was also good. Sky, Jake and I stayed overnight in Gini's condo. It was very nice and we skied in and out. I should say I skied in and out since Jake and Sky met friends in Vail.
Maybe next season will be the one!
Kern,
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine that those guys you met were that much better than you. I always thought you could hang with the best. But then again, I never mastered black diamond runs.
Phil