Mountain Sports Club Blog

The spring ski and snowboard season continues to be great across the country. It may have been an uneven start to the season in certain parts of North America but it certainly is in full swing still. We had the chance to ski at Copper Mountain and Loveland this past weekend. The snow started to soften around 10:30 - 11:00 but you had to pay attention to what direction the slope was facing (referred to as aspect of the slope in certain circles) as the angle of the sun significantly affected how soft different runs were.

Saturday was St Patrick's day and the base of Copper Mountain was jamming. Not only had the mountain rocked all day, the village celebration was now about to kicking in by the time w made it to the bottom of the hill. Live music was being served up by the Samples a favorite son band from Boulder, Colorado. The sun was shining, the beer was flowing and smiles were everywhere. On days like this we savor spring and look forward to sqeezing out all the great spring days we possibly can go and ski or ride.

One reminder for this weekend and those heading out to the high country the next several months. The high bowls and peaks that were North facing at both areas still had soft silky winter snow from an earlier storm during the week. At Loveland we rode the Ridge chair and traversed high and far left to find the soft goods. It was about a 20 minute trek, but well worth the effort.

A couple of hot little spots we found this weekend were:

• Backcountry Brewery in downtown Frisco - We have beed here several times and the beer is always great. A selection of seasonal beers, a wide range from Pale ales, browns, great stout and prters microbrews and a full menu await anyone who enters. The surprise was on Friday night. A Friday night Happy Hour - $1 pints, and 2 for 1 appetizers. 4 of us had 3 appetizers and 4 rounds, we got out of the brewery with a $40 tab. That was one of the best evening happy hours I have seen in ski country on a Friday night in years.
• Farley's Chop House - Main Street Frisco Colorado. It had been years since I had eaten here, but I will be back sooner. We rolled in on Saturday night of St Patty's expecting a long wait. Surprise a seat and full menu at the bar as we walked in. Impressive menu with seafood, plenty of steaks and an affordable yet complete wine list. Both of us ordered the Lamb Tendorloin and it was excellent, this was served with a Cilantro/Sour Cream mashed potatoes which gave it a little of the green color for the day and offered a unique and flavorful potato serving. Not to be forgotten was a fantastic turkey and andouille sausage soup that was to die for. The food was very good and the atmosphere was enjoyable. We had expected a crowd and found Main Street Frisco and the two establishments we visited to be laid back and not over the top as I suspect was the case in some of the other the resort towns.

New merchants adding member benefits:

• Crystal Lodge - Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia Canada
• Red Rooster Inn - Glenwood Springs, Colorado
• Colonel Spencers Inn - Campton New Hampshire
• Nordic Inn Condominiums - Loon Mountain New Hampshire
• Snow Visual - Satellite prints and posters of top mountain resorts

With spring time comes mountain run off and the rivers are filling up for rafting and kayak enthusiasts. We are pleased to announce we will be adding over 70 new rivers listings with members being able to book online raft, kayak, canoe trips, clinics, instruction and single to multi day vacations and outings. Book with our partner RiverRaftTrips.com and get to the river of your choice. Over 26 years of river experience, based in Boulder Colorado and booking with experienced outfitters all through the western United States.

Check out these new merchants and the savings they are extending to Mountain Sports Club members. Not a member, register now.

Dateline December 16 & 17, 2006

Location Copper Mountain, Colorado

You can feel that the holiday season is upon us as the resorts receive the initial wave of holiday visitors. Our family joined the march for one last weekend in the Colorado central Rockies, before the holiday rush. Copper received 5 inches of new snow yesterday and they are calling for additional snow showers the next several days. It should cover the rocks starting to show on the steeper runs and soften snow across the mountain. The local paper announced that all the Summit County resorts continue to open new and steeper terrain just in time for the holidays.

After a day on the slopes on Saturday we gathered at Endo’s in the village for après skis drinks. Given we have 3 young boys and our friends had 2 as well it was key to find a place that has pool tables, video games, foosball and room for all to enjoy. Endos is conveniently located and fits the bill. Plenty of tasty local micro brews and traditional beer from which to choose ones favorite libation.

Saturday night Copper kicked off their holiday celebration with En Fuego. This celebration included fire jugglers, torchlight parade, fireworks and a variety of entertainment in the Village. The Village environment has proven to be a huge step in creating atmosphere and ambiance at Copper. With bonfires and entertainment throughout the village it was a warm and festive atmosphere.

Sunday morning we awoke to light snow showers that softened the snow and provided a very good ski day for Sunday. We have developed a pattern of jumping on American Eagle and heading straight to Sierra Chair (S Chair) to ski Union Bowl. Today was no exception. We were greeted with soft wind blown underneath with a couple of inches of new snow on top. The back side going into Gold Digger and down to Timberline proved to be untracked after several descents down different lines in Union Bowl.

Later in the morning we made the decision to hike the 10 minutes above the chair lift to Julies Vision. The run was simply great. The initial turns were broken soft powder followed with untracked lines. One section we skied had the old debris of an earlier avalanche from control work making portions of the untracked a little stickier and trickier. While we did not make it over to Spaulding Bowl, friends of our reported it was open and spectacular skiing as well. Plenty of soft powdery snow to be had for all who venture that way.

With snow and snow showers predicted for most of the balance of the week, Copper Mountain and the Colorado Rockies are a great choice for skiing and riding this holiday vacation. There is abundant snow and terrain open for everyone.

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