I would guess that it has been two years since Steve and I initially kicked around the idea of doing a "big west" ski trip. Of course, due to my occupational circumstance, I have been, sarcastically, fortunate enough to be unavailable for any "big west" winter trips for the 2005 and 2006 snow seasons. Story of my life. This winter season, though, Lady Luck shone upon me and I was finally going to have the chance to scratch my two year itch
It was time to shred.
Shredfest - Day 1
Saturday, February 23rd, 2008
I met Steve and Rich at Denver International Airport where we picked up a rental car. Those first moments in Denver felt something like Christmas. We were all very excited. After a quick quesadilla stop, we pointed the car west and drove. We caught some snow just as we left the city and entered the Front Range. That was a harbinger of weather to come. Our destination was an interesting and small town named Frisco, the sister city of Dillon, just a few miles to the east. Frisco is conveniently situated in close proximity to Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone, Vail, and Beaver Creek resorts. We unloaded all of our gear and grabbed some dinner, before realizing that we were not going to make it to any of the nearby resorts that day. Instead, we ate dinner and fell asleep.
It snowed all night.
Shredfest - Day 2 - Breckenridge
Sunday, February 24th, 2008
That first morning in Frisco was...glorious. The snow had been dumping all night and six inches of fresh pow had buried the parking lot in front of the hotel. We loaded up the Impala and drove to the local Safeway to pick up breakfast and lunch. While at the local Safeway, we got good information about the local ski resort shuttle system, and decided that we would take the shuttle from Frisco to Breckenridge for the day.
Other than saving us a couple of bucks in parking fees, the shuttle really was not all that great.
At Breckenridge we rode the gondola to the true base of the mountain and transfered to one of the high speed quad lifts. We spent most of the morning exploring the groomers around the moutain before getting busy in the trees. After lunch we hit some of the upper bowls, specifically the Imperial Bowl and the Whale's Tail.
The Whale was sick. From the top of the Imperial Lift, you must traverse approximately 300 meters to the top of the bowl. The traverse was too flat and I got stop, so I had to dismount my board and hike. Not cool. That minimal cardio at altitude crushed me. But, it was worth it. Dropping in on the Whale was sick and the run was long.
Steve blasts through a deceivingly narrow chute.
Shredfest - Day 3
Monday, February 25th, 2008
The snow would just not stop. We woke to find a few m
Shredfest - Day 4
Tuesday, February 26th, 2008
We took and easy day at Keystone. I biffed and hit a tree with my left leg. It hurt.
Shredfest - Day 5
Wednesday, February 27th, 2008
Back to Vail to blow away the last pockets of fresh powder hiding in the trees of Blue Sky Basin. I kept it real on the groomers, letting my knee do its thing.
Shredfest - Day 6
Thursday, February 28th, 2008
Things are winding down. Hit Breckenridge for the second time. Hiked to the top of the tallest peak. It was a long ride down.
Shredfest - Day 7
Friday, February 29th, 2008
Last day. Went to Beaver Creek just to say we had been there. Not much going on there.
Shredfest - Day 8
Saturday, March 1st, 2008
Back to Denver. We are out of here!
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