After visiting five ski resorts along the powder highway in British Columbia in the winter of 2009, this time we decided to tackle a road trip through the Wild West of Colorado. Fully equipped, we boarded the plane in Munich and landed a good 17 hours later in Grand Junction, in the west of the highest state in the USA.
The big advantage of tiny regional airports: less than ten minutes after landing, we had already stowed all our skis and luggage in the trunk of the rented Jeep. The road trip could begin. We first headed east on Interstate 70 to Glenwood Springs, where from one second to the next the snowstorm announced by the weather forecast began. It wasn't all that bad, after all, we had just traveled this far to get as much powder as possible. Shortly after midnight, we finally reached our first destination in wild SnowFlurry: Aspen, Colorado. The welcome gift in our cosy room with its own fireplace made our first night at almost 2500 meters above sea level even sweeter.
At breakfast in the lovely hotel, we immediately realized that we had come to the right place. Waiter Walley was already discussing the best bowls and powder runs in this weather with the seven guests in the breakfast room. As Aspen has a total of four ski resorts, we gratefully accepted the local's tip and hopped on the bus marked Aspen Highlands right outside the front door.
Aspen Highlands
The Highlands basically consist of just four lifts, but mainly open up steep terrain. We started our Colorado ski experience at the Cloud 9 lift with a good 30 centimetres of fluffy fresh snow on the slopes prepared the evening before. Exactly the right mood for what lay ahead of us. "Why or Why not" were not the next questions, but the names of the two steep unprepared routes leading down to the Olympic Bowl on the right. On the first short hike to take a photo, I was really pumped - no wonder at an altitude of over 3,500 meters.
As is common in American ski resorts, every meter, whether on a piste, between trees or on wide slopes, has its own name. Garmisch and St. Moritz are not only popular destinations for freeriders in Europe, but the runs of the same name in the Aspen Highlands are also really fun.
Towards the afternoon, we learn that the Highland Bowl, which is considered the absolute highlight of Aspen, has been opened after massive blasting. However, you have to work hard for the best runs. The ascent to the summit takes a good thirty minutes, but you have to complete it before 2:30 pm to catch the Deep Temerity chairlift for the way back. As the storm was lashing the snow into our faces from the right-hand side, we probably needed considerably longer on this first afternoon. Zero visibility, but a meter of fresh snow instead.
With a cry of joy, we plunged down the flanks of G4 and G5. Steep, white and unbelievably powdery, what better way to imagine the last run of the first day. Of course, we treated ourselves to an original Colorado Flat Tire beer before letting our tired legs regenerate in the hot tub on the terrace of our hotel.
Aspen Snowmass
Second day, second ski resort - after all, we wanted to explore Aspen's freeride potential. Snowmass, the largest of the four ski resorts, was Walley's tip for the day. As the sky was still not even thinking about stopping the snowfall, another twenty centimetres of fresh snow had fallen overnight. Fortunately, we had a local rider, Kendyll, who agreed to show us the best runs in Snowmass.
We started with the eternally long Village Espress up to Sam's Knob. While the Zugspitze run was still easy for us, Powderhorn, the northernmost run in the area, was already making us sweat. After all, even the snow masses of the last two days could make the huge moguls disappear completely.
When the visibility at the summit improved around midday, we didn't hesitate for long and headed up to Big Burn, the highest lift point in Snowmass at 3607 meters. The Rock Island and Buckskin runs are true paradises for cliff pillow lines. Last but not least, there was the Hanging Valley Wall, the largest freeride area in the region.
A short traverse with skis on our shoulders, a few turns through the steep entrance gully and we were already inside the expansive bowl. According to the piste map, we had a good 10 different variants to choose from. Not particularly challenging, but of epic width and variety. No wonder we took the rickety old chairlift "High Alpine" three times in total to get to know at least a few lines through the unique Aspen Trees of the Hanging Valley.
Yes, the two snowstorm days in Aspen were really good for a start. Luckily it's supposed to keep snowing, then the sun is on the cards. For now, we're throwing ourselves on the road over McClure Pass towards Crested Butte.