Tuesday 01-31-17

This morning was the warmest so far. At 7am, it was 26 degrees under partly cloudy skies. By 8am, we were already on our way to Keystone to try and get first chair. We didn't get first chair but was able to get the fourth chair. It was an enjoyable ski day. Most of the runs had very few if any other skiers. And with the runs all groomed, it was GREAT. After our day skiing, we returned home and watched the Kite Skiers. Today was the first day that the wind had picked up in the afternoon. We saw as many as 15 kites going in all directions. Some traveled more than 1/2 mile out onto the lake. At that point, you hope the wind doesn't die down. Temps in the afternoon reached the low 40s. A lot of snow melting going on. Forecast is for 4 more days of above average temps. 

Monday 01-30-17

While we had water this morning, the service road was still closed and trucks were parked at the end of the street. The temp started around 14 degrees and quickly jumped into the 20s. We went to Copper Mtn and the parking lot was packed. For a Monday this was unusual until we skied to Central Village and found a ski show had taken over the entire village. Vendors from many Ski manufactures were showing off their stuff and offered skiers to try out their skis. You could take several runs and then try out a different pair. As long as you skied West or East village, you didn't run into many people or lift lines. The ski day ended with temps climbing into the high 30s. The forecast calls for 5 more days of the same. I have included 5 more pictures from the Ice Sculpture in Breckenridge including my favorite - The St Bernard.   

Sunday 01-29-17

This morning we awoke to a knock and a sign on our door. Water was going to be turned off at 10am, maybe in the evening and maybe tomorrow morning. At least we had water in the morning, the sun was out ad temps were already in the teens. After church, we decided to go to Breckenridge and see the Ice Sculptures. Thinking that the traffic would be BAD, we went to Breckenridge via the Summit Stage from Frisco. It is a free bus service and takes less than 1/2 hour.  The bus lets you off about 2-3 blocks from the Ice Sculptures. The town was very crowded and we were glad we took the bus. I think the weather pattern is changing. More sun than clouds today. The forecast doesn't have any snow or cold for the next 5 days.

Saturday 01-28-17

Well there was a lot of excitement this morning. Even though it warmed up to 5 degrees at 8am, there was a water main break that send water flowing. The town thought the shut off was located in front of our condo. They brought in a front loader that moved snow around while a maintenance man held a "sniffer" to find the exact location. After using a torch attached to a butane tank,  they were able to open the plate and then shut the valve. But it wasn't the right one. They then moved about 300 yards further down and found the right one. The only problem, they couldn't shut it all the way. At 11am, there was still a small stream of water flowing from the break in the pipe. Many of the local roads are closed off. While we weren't going skiing this morning, we read the newspaper and found some interesting facts. The snow fall thru January was as follows:

Arapahoe Basin: 214 inches (350-inch seasonal average)

Breckenridge Ski Resort: 198 inches (353-inch seasonal average)

Copper Mountain: 191 inches (304-inch seasonal average)

Keystone Resort: 191 inches (235-inch seasonal average)

Loveland Ski Area: 223 inches (422-inch seasonal average)

Many had already received more than 1/2 of there seasonal average, with March and April being there snowiest. Looks like the snowpack will hang around for a LONG time.

Friday 01-27-17

Well it didn't warm up this morning. At 6am, it was -15 degrees and at 8am, it climbed up to -10. However, around 9:30am, the sun came out behind the clouds and by 10am it was +1 degree. We agreed that we wouldn't go skiing until +5 degrees, and at 11am it reached it. We went to Copper Mtn again and we thought the parking lot would be empty. But I think because it is a Friday and a start to the weekend crowd, it was packed. Once on the slopes, the cold didn't really bother us. The sun kept us warm. We skied about 2 hours and decided to have a late lunch over at the Bee lift. The cafeteria there, has a great balcony to watch skiers coming down. Around 3pm, the wind started to pick up and we called it a day. Returning to the car, the temp gauge said it was only 6 degrees. So it really didn't warm up. For dinner we went to the Blue Spruce Inn in Frisco for Happy Hour drinks and appetizers. The weather forecast for the next few days is a warming trend. Lets hope so. 

Thursday 01-26-17

Well I thought it would be warmer and I was wrong. The temp was below ZERO (-1) at 7am. We had a dusting to 1/2 inch of new snow overnight and the sky was overcast. As we were having breakfast, we debated going to the Rec center and exercise there. But around 10am, the sky brightened and even though it was still around zero, we decided to go to Copper Mtn to ski. Travelling over the Dillon Dam road you had mountains of snow on either side. And when we got onto the highway, the signs said that the passenger traction law was in effect from Copper to Vail. We get off right at Copper so this didn't have any effect on us. As we turned into the parking lot, you immediately noticed how empty it was. Again with the temp and it being a weekday, we had the slopes to ourselves. However, the temp took its toll on us and after several runs we went back to the cafeteria and had a HOT Chocolate and decided to call it a day. The high for the day at Copper was 5 degrees. Once home we were extremely tired and COLD. Even though it was Dam Brewery Thursday night, we stayed home and had Chicken soup and watched TV. Maybe tomorrow it will warm up.

Wednesday - 01-25-17

This morning was the coldest morning since we have been out here. It was 4 degrees and overcast skies. No new snow overnight, so no cleaning of the car. We went to Copper Mtn and enjoyed the perfect snow conditions. Because of the temp that I don't think it went above 9 degrees and it was a weekday, very few skiers showed up. I think there were more snow trucks removing the piles of snow than skiers. You know went there isn't any snow boarders in the boarders park, you know it is toooo cold. Around 1pm, the wind started to pick up and the chill factor dropped, so we called it a day. Before we returned home, we had a hot lunch in the cafeteria. Wednesday night is Pug Ryan's Happy hour night. We enjoyed chicken wings and a couple of wines and beers. Lets hope tomorrow is a warmer day.

Tuesday 01-24-17

Overnight we received another 1 inch of snow. The morning started with overcast conditions and a temp of 8 degrees. The sun was in and out all day with occasional snow. The snow pile was back moving the overnight snow around. I think he is running out of places to put the snow. After breakfast, we went to ski at Keystone. All of the trees are loaded with the new fallen snow. The snow boarders park was groomed and ready to go. It almost makes you want to try it. Along with the park, all of the trails were well groomed. We skied about 2 hours and returned home for lunch. Staying home tonight to get ready for a big day tomorrow.

Monday 01-24-17

Last night again we had about 4 inches of new snow and it continued to snow much of the day. We hesitated going skiing but around 10am we decided to go to Keystone. When we arrived it was only snowing lightly. Conditions were starting to improve and there were more people than I expected. The daily non-discounted rate is $136 which makes it one of the least expensive of the nearby resorts. Lunch though is expensive. A cheeseburger is $12.50 and a hot dog is $8 dollars. After taking a few runs, we decided to go home and have a hot chocolate.  We played with Benny in the snow and he enjoyed it. The snow started to come down a little heavier in the afternoon. As we were getting ready to go to the Dam brewery, it was really snowing. Rt 70 was closed both ways for a while. We received an additional 4 inches. Forecast is for more snow tonight and tomorrow.

Sunday 01-22-17

Last night we received about 1-2 inches of fresh power. While resorts west of Vail Pass, Vail and Beaver Creek received 6-10 inches and resorts east of Vail Pass Keystone and Breckenridge, received 3-5 inches of snow. After breakfast we went snow shoeing at Keystone Ranch which highlights a collection of old time x-county skies. We had to make sure we stayed on the trail which wasn't very wide. Off the trail, you quickly sank into 3 feet of snow and the trail wasn't always clearly marked. We snow shoed about 2 hours and then went to a new restaurant - Sause - on the Blue for happy hour and watch the GreenBay/Atlanta game. We had $4 red wines and $3 beers. We also ordered a pizza for $7 and rice balls for $5. Food was excellent. The interesting thing about this bar was all of the liquor bottles are stocked on high shelves above the bar. I am sure we will be going back.

Saturday 01/21/17

Today it was a mostly overcast day with occasional snow showers. The temps started this morning in the low teens and only rose into the low 20s. For us it wasn't a ski day. We mainly read the local newspaper, where info on the inauguration was found buried on page 25. Not many Washington DC political stories are found in this newspaper. After lunch we just walked by the lake. We did see one kite skier on the lake. After our walk we went to several stores to stock up on food and other items. Forecast calls for light snow thru tomorrow morning.