Arapahoe Basin's Full Moon Snowshoe Dinner Series has expanded to include a New Year's Eve dinner and an uphill event.

With the first of Arapahoe Basin’s five dinner events behind us, I figured it was about time to post the dates of the remaining four. Really, I was just procrastinating on registering for the January event and wanted to secure our spots before I shared with the rest of the world. And with the March 19 Dolomites dinner already sold out, I had good reason to wait.

2011 Arapahoe Basin Full Moon Dinner Snowshoe Series [Read more →]

Anyone who travels in the backcountry should think about attending the CAIC Benefit Bash on Saturday, Nov. 13 at the Breckenridge Riverwalk Center.

What: CAIC Benefit Bash
When: Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010
Where: Riverwalk Center in Breckenridge, Colorado
Cost: $25/person includes entry, food, two drink tickets and a door prize ticket

Just last Friday, the Summit Daily News ran a photo of a longtime local catching early season turns on Loveland Pass. It’s a slim start to what becomes an extremely popular backcountry spot, one that’s several times slid enough to cover Highway 6. Once the snow really flies, backcountry junkies begin hiking Summit County’s big peaks in search of powder.

Colorado and Summit County see large numbers of winter backcountry users and according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), avalanche deaths in our state account for one-third of all avalanche deaths in the United States. The CAIC began as an avalanche forecast and warning center and today they focus on “minimizing the economic and human impact of snow avalanches on recreation, tourism, commerce, industry and the citizens of Colorado.”

In addition to working to keep roads open and providing backcountry forecasts and observations, the CAIC offers educational seminars, classes and workshops. Nonprofit organization Friends of the CAIC produces events and initiatives to support the CAIC’s backcountry program and overall avalanche awareness and education. The end result? Friends of the CAIC Benefit Bash. It’s a great party for a great cause. http://friendsofcaic.org

Nighttime and sunrise are two scenic times to snowshoe in Summit County, Colorado.

One of the most popular posts on the site so far has been the Black Mountain Lodge Full Moon Snowshoe Dinner piece. So I decided to pass on a few of my favorite spots for full-moon snowshoeing and let folks know about a few group tours in surrounding counties. And, of course, you can always snowshoe or skin up the ski slopes at Summit County resorts. Just make sure to contact them regarding rules for uphill traffic.

A Few Spots for Moonlight Snowshoeing in Summit County, Colorado [Read more →]

Morning views while skinning the slopes of Arapahoe Basin, Colorado

Now that Eric and I have been skinning/snowshoeing at local resorts a few times a week, I’ve definitely picked some favorite uphill runs. The end goal is to finish the Imperial Challenge, so in order to make it before the time cutoff, I want to make sure my lungs and legs are ready for the long skin.

For those outside of Summit County, Colorado, the Imperial Challenge is a Breckenridge event that involves a winter bike ride and skinning/snowshoeing some 3,000 vertical feet; it finishes with downhill skiing/snowboarding.

Our skinning and snowshoeing has thus far involved groomers at the local resorts – everything in Summit County, Colorado except Copper. Once we go there, I’ll add more skinning info. In the meantime, below are the best groomed skinning routes, at least according to the Zerowins. [Read more →]

Drying out the skins after a journey up Peak 9 in Breckenridge, Colorado

Route: Top of Peak 10 via Sundown, in Breckenridge
Start: Beaver Run
End: 9 Restaurant
Season: Winter, silly

In winter I work on the mountain at Breckenridge, and the one thing I can never complain about is the view. Our shack sits halfway up Peak 9, with the town of Breckenridge, Colorado spreading out below. To the east, we have excellent views of Baldy and beyond. [Read more →]