SkiChicken.com

I did end up getting season passes at Eldora for the 2013-2014 season. Their opening day is November 22, but considering it is probably snowing there right now… it could be earlier. Some quick notes:
– Since Kids 5 and under ski free, I only ended up getting season passes for my 7 year old and myself. The family pass would have been nice though: It’s a great option.

– This area of Nederland was hard hit in the recent flood. Hopefully skiing Eldora will help that community in some small way.

– With the recent Colorado flood, I was worried the road to Eldora would be closed. But it looks to be opened by mid-October. Plenty of time. And hopefully no delays due to the federal government shutdown.

– RTD actually has daily bus service to Eldora! I’m excited by that possibility, and emailed the schedule to my phone.

For further information, visit: www.RTD-Denver.com / call 303-299-6000. CU students ride FREE! Fare for Routes N & B is $5.00 one way. If you need to continue your trip on another route, please ask the driver for a transfer when you board.

It’s snowing on May Day(typical). And if you are a Colorado Ski Resort that has already closed for the year, you should probably be ashamed. Hang your head low, then suddenly get over it and open back up for the weekend. I’m taking a close look at getting Eldora Season Ski Pass. I’ll likely get the family pass, too. We’ve got some family friends that ski Eldora, and next year is the year we join them! My one question is how much of a nailbiter that road up to Eldora is in the winter… I am afterall a bit of a chicken.

I just took my kids to the Kids Ski School at Loveland Valley. Kids are supposed to have reservations. I called the number and only could get voicemail: I don’t know if it’s a different extension than the 170 “general mailbox”, but that’s what I called into. From the road.On the way up.At a stoplight. Yeah, I’m lame.

Ideally, you should make reservations days before. Ideally, have your kids up at at 8am (9am at the latest, but there I go pushing it again). Despite being late, they took us in and got the kids suited up. I always feel like the ski resort staff and instructors are wiling to go the extra effort, and they sure make the kids comfortable.

The all-day lessons are a hundred dollars a kid, but that includes rental and ticket. I’ve been saving up my money and enthusiasm for years, and had to take the kids!

They really know their stuff at loveland, too: At the rental shop, they put the boots onto the kids for a perfect fit. That’s rare. My smallest son marveled at how the boots made him feel like he was walking on the moon. My oldest son did a great job at staying excited through the process of signup and rental. One tip for parents: Most kids can’t walk fast at all in ski boots. So don’t take off suddenly like I did!

This is the first of a lifetime of ski trips together, and I have looked forward greatly to this day. They are actually on the mountain now as I write this, an I’s better get back out to do my own skiing. 🙂

Ski Conditions / Loveland Valley / Eisenhower Tunnel
It’s blustery and cold up here, but such a wonderful day. We’ve got enough snow to “suffer through”, and the roads are passable.

It’s just a few weeks until Copper Mountain opens. The official day is November 4, 2011. They usually are making snow in October, just to get the slopes ready. Copper Mountain is one of the best resorts to take new skiers. Most people look at where the challenge is, but I find it fun to get new people excited about skiing. Copper Mountain’s lumberjack lift has a plethora of slopes that help beginners relax and improve skills. The lift can take a while, but gives you a chance to check email, enjoy the scenery, or have a good conversation with your newfound ski buddies. Can’t wait!

Does it feel like ski season yet? I recommend you ponder that slopeside, with a song in your heart and powder blowing upon your face. Yeah, I said powder. Apparently, Wolf Creek has received 36 inches of snow in the last 24 hours and they are opening for the weekend. They will be open 9am to 4pm with 3 out of 5 lifts operating. Powder is specifically mentioned in this article over at westword.com. Lift tickets are $33/adult, $19/children & seniors.

I won’t make it over there this weekend, so I sure hope you’ll go. And please collect a little baggie of snow for my collection!

For an excellent list of other ski resort openings, see the list over at Colorado Ski.

Snowmass has announced their opening day!

Ever giggled the whole way down? If you’ve never had the pleasure of skiing at Snowmass, you haven’t lived. It’s premium skiing – an experience you won’t forget. Come November 25, 2010 you can “giggle like a schoolgirl”*.

Check out Snowmass on opening day of the 2010-2011 season, November 25, 2010!

*My buddy Jason came up with that on gunners view.

As I was sifting through the internet tubes, I happened to notice that Loveland HAS OPENED! I could not have guessed any resort would be open this early in the season. Loveland, you have bested me again. Touche.

So if you need to get your ski freak on early, get your freak up to Loveland.

Great article about their opening over at westword:
With five inches of snow last night on top of the snowmaking operation they’ve been running all month, opening day is tomorrow, Sunday October 24. Loveland’s staking their claim as the first ski area open in Colorado for the second year in a row (Maine’s Sunday River got the jump on them yesterday on the East coast). Better yet, they’re predicting a powder day: It’s still snowing up on the pass today.

Or check out this cool video, where the snow actually does like quite enticing:
Alday Productions went up to loveland for the opening day of the 2010 season! so stoked.
http://snowboarding.transworld.net/1000136271/ugc/ugc-videos/opening-day-at-loveland-ski-area-colorado-10242010-2/

Copper Mountain has announced their opening weekend will be November 5 (Friday) through November 7 (Sunday). There is more information on their website. But because you are too lazy to click that link, and/or you want to get all of your ski opening weekend info directly from the Chicken, here it is copied and pasted for your perusal:

Fri Nov 5 – Sun Nov 7
Copper Mountain celebrates Lift Off presented by Sprint, the resort’s 6th annual opening weekend festival. Copper starts the season off right with ski & snowboard movies, demos, après parties and late night music. Past Lift Off music performances include Blackalicious, the Beatnuts and Rahzel from the Roots.
Schedule of Events

Friday, November 5th
1st Après Party of the season along with prizes & giveaways
Coors Tap the Rockies Party: Jack’s 4pm – 6pm
$2 Coors / Coors Light. Win a pair of Liberty Skis plus other great prizes!

Lift Off Movie Tour: Jack’s – 6:30pm
Poor Boyz Productions: Revolver
MSP’s: The Way I See It

Saturday, November 6
Lift Off Movie Tour: Woodward Barn – 6pm
Pirate Movie Production: Hooked
Red Bull: Off the Planet
Level 1: Eye Trip

Lift Off Concert featuring: Lyrics Born & MURS
Copper Conference Center Doors Open 8pm
Tickets $12 at the door or available now at Guest Services.

Sunday, November 7
Lift Off Movie Tour: Woodward Barn – 6:30pm
4 Real Media: DubReel
The new Special Blend, Forum and Foursquare video

Loveland opened today at 9am. They’ve been making snow since Spetember 21, but I’m sure they’ll get plenty more soon! The base on opening day will be 18 inches, which is pretty good. With 3 trails and more than a mile of ski-worthy terrain, it looks like a pretty exciting start to the season.

Copper Mountain opens in less than a Month! Many of the web searches we receive every year ask “When does copper Mountain open for the 2009 season?” Well, there’s your answer.

It looks like they have a big party weekend planned: Their opening weekend festival is called “Lift Off,” and includes a free movie tour and concert. they usually have some pretty great entertainment at these things, so I hope to see you there!