Telluride Photos

Why can't they start out on the right foot?

2008-11-06T20:24:00.000-08:00

The Telluride Ski and Golf Company is reporting 24" from the recent storm. I'm not saying this is impossible, but I do find it VERY hard to believe. Up in Ophir, we received about 10-12" in town ... maybe 14-16" up high (haven't heard any reports though); however, it was very windy so there are variable deposits which probably do total over 2 feet, but there are also spots with next to no snow at all. Maybe Telski measured a drift, or maybe there was a local cell which kept giving ... but I doubt it (too much wind).

Wolf Creek is reporting 14"
Aspen is reporting 16"
Red Mountain Pass 11"
Crested Butte's ski area website isn't publishing snow reports yet.

There was about SIX TO EIGHT INCHES (tops) of new on the ground in the Town of Telluride this morning! Typically, this would translate into about 12-16 inches up high on the ski mountain. I'd guess around 12-14 is probably realistic given the profile of this storm.

So, we're missing about a foot between reality and Telski's report. Again, I could be mistaken, or it could simply be a matter of where the snow is being measured (i.e. large drift).

I can't really prove this, but based upon the regional reports and from what I saw on my deck and around Ophir, I'm fairly convinced the Telluride Ski Company is doing quite a bit more than overstating things.

I've seen REALLY strange things happen in terms of snowfall differentials withing a 30 mile radius. I remember one storm where Rico received something like 3-4 feet, while Telluride (about 30 miles away) got only about 12". So, it can happen ... but this storm was just WAY TOO WINDY - most spots in the area will get about same amount of snow. The big differentials normally happen during a really wet storm ... where cells linger and just stall out over a spot and keep dumping. It was far from the case on Wednesday. Again, I think they're measuring a large snow drift.

Maybe there's a sense of pressure at Telski to make this season work out given the economic down turn (bookings for lodging were down 20%), capital expenditures (new lift), and high lift ticket prices ($92 per day). If I lived in New York and made travel plans based on this preliminary information and later found out it was simply not true, I'd be furious.

Ultimately, I hope independent website which report (or at least verify) snow via first hand assessment will keep the "official" snow reports in check.

Again, it could still be true.

Telluride Ski Area Lift Ticket Prices Now $92 For Single Day!

2008-10-29T10:56:00.000-07:00

Lift tickets at the Telluride Ski Area will now cost visitors $92 per day! While there are certainly deals to be had on multiple day passes and via online purchases, this marks a new high (or should I say "low") point for skiing at Telluride.

Not only does this price out many locals and regional folks who would like to ski or snowboard at the ski area, it also smacks of elitism in so far as creating a barrier to utilize what is essentially National Forest lands.

When and where will it stop?

It's possible this coming winter season at Telluride will prove to be costly for both visitors and Telski (Telluride Ski and Golf Company): the ski company may actually suffer tremendously if the economy remains unstable and tourists don't have much in the way of discretionary income ... resulting in a significant decline in skiers. Accorinding to current data, bookings at loding establishments are already down 20% from last season ... and there's still plenty of options to book rooms over the holidays (a bellweather of sorts).

Telski has also recently invested a lot of cash into a new lift -- Revelation Bowl -- as well as two new on mountain dining options ... which probably puts them in a position of needing cash flow. Season passes were raised by 20%, up to $1,200 (early bird). On the other side of the equation, retro-bonuses for Telski employees were unexpectedly axed at the end of last season. So, maybe they'll have sufficient cash to cover the shortfall.

Nonetheless, it'll certainly be interesting to see how things pan out.

Another Telski Rant

2008-10-23T15:17:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with (currently primary) Raynaud's disease as of this summer. I experienced many symptoms starting about a year ago, but they progressed and kind of leveled off this past spring. We'll see how things progress this winter ... since cold weather makes things worse.

As far as my ability to snowboard, I was definitely affected last season; however, it was more of a nuisance with an occasional severe flare-up which caused me to stay away from snowboarding for a day or two. Mostly, it would be one of my big toes which would incur some sharp pains ... similarly on my very lower shins.

I'm hoping (and praying) that I'll be able to at least be able to participate at this level for the upcoming season, but it's still a big question mark. Sadly, "career" may be over and my Bonfire shell may have to be raised up into the rafters along with all my boards ... only to serve as decoration and a memory of what once was!

However, my demise has yet to come to be. This is where the "problem" with Telski comes into the picture. I have 8 days left to take advantage of the early bird rate of $1,200 for a season pass. I just called their office this morning and asked if I was unable to continue (with a doctor's note) to snowboard at some point in the season could I get a pro-rated refund? The answer was yet, but it would be a CREDIT! This would be fair enough if blew out an ACL and knew I'd be back up next year, but if I can't make it this year chances are I won't be able to EVER snowboard again. I was told I could use the credit for golf.

I don't believe there was a "credit only" policy in the past. This seems very unfair to me, but I suppose there will be some who will tell me to quit whining and be glad Telski is willing to give me SOMETHING! There are actually quite a few Telluride Ski and Golf Company apologists out there these days with respect to bad policy ... it's unfortunate, but to be expected.

If I'm forced to play golf (and rub elbows with those who pass one another Gray Poupon), I may have to print up some creative custom t-shirts to exercise my first amendment rights.

How I am voting on local ballot measures

2008-10-13T08:57:00.001-07:00

The upcoming election has four local ballot initiatives which ask voters to approve spending measures for various capital improvements. The short answer: I'm voting NO on all measures.

Since I live in Ophir, I am unable to vote on the ballot item with respect to fixing the spur -- which is a Telluride specific item.

Across the board, while I believe some projects are more "worthy" than others, I do not feel this is the appropriate time to increase the tax burden of both residents and local area businesses. The world/national/local economy is currently on a precipice of sorts; we are in unchartered waters with an unknown outcome.

Instead of increasing taxes, I believe it's time to re-evaluate our priorities and tighten our collective belts.

Telluride Trail Closed To Mountain Bikers

2008-07-25T15:51:00.000-07:00

According to a report by the Telluride Daily Planet published 7/25/2008, mountain biking will no longer be allowed down the Telluride Trail (dirt switchback access road from the top of the San Sophia gondola station down into town). There will be a forest service agent posted at the top to enforce this ban. According to the story, conflicts with hikers / Telski and general dangers are the primary reasons given for the closure.

If I had to bet a large sum of money, I'd probably say Telski is taking a conservative legal position on this issue and was able to pursuade the National Forest Service to this end. People who point it on a bike will undoubtedly be subjecting themselves to bodily harm, and some may even be a danger to others.

A more jaded possibility would be that this is the initial phase of a pre-meditated plan which ultimately sees mountain baking down t-trail rise from the ashes as a pay-per-use activity and another source of revenue for Telski.

As an avid hiker (who doesn't mountain bike a whole lot these days), I rarely have any bad encounters and generally support mountain bikers. I see Telski's (conservative legal) position, but would have hoped they found a multi-use solution; which I do believe exists.

New Waterfall Canyon Hike

2008-07-02T09:16:00.001-07:00

... at least it's new to me! After running into Larry R. and Brian M. a couple weeks ago in Waterfall Canyon, we were looking at some elk way up high in the sunshine above tree line on the eastern ridgeline of the mouth of Watefall canyon. I asked about whether or not there was a trail to get up there, and they said yes & in fact was one of the best hikes around Ophir. I didn't get exact directions, but was told the trail head is on the east side of the Opus loop and actually dead ends; requiring one to bushwhack it along the ridgeline.

So, I first started out by hiking to the east Ophir bridge and took an immediate left ... I hiked about a 1/10 of a mile before approaching what was either a natural cave or old mine on the right with what looked to be tailings on the left (north) ... all near the beaver ponds. I couldn't find any distinct trails from this point on, so I backtracked and continued up the Opus trail. Eventually, I found smaller single track heading east. I stayed on that which climbed steadily along the mountainside. Eventually there was an old tram station with a mine probably very nearby (tailings present). I continued on another 1/4 mile or so and eventually came to the major drainage in between Swamp and Waterfall canyons. The intersection of the trail I was on and the drainage was basically just a wide choke with scree on either side of the water ... which I hiked directly up about another 1/4 mile or so (I believe continuing on the trail would've brought me to Swamp Canyon.). I reached a slight plateau and noticed what was either human or elk trail cutting back west. Knowing the switchbacks I was after were back west (and possibly on the west face of the target ridgeline), I proceeded. The trail is almost certainly an elk trail ... saw plenty of elk tracks as well as some bear tracks. I basically had to bushwack a traverse across the mountain side. Nothing too technical, but a fair amount of needling through relatively heavy foliage was necessary. I could look to my right (north) and occasionally see landmarks on the Ophir valley floor ... so I was able to track where I was east - west. Eventually I wound up on a very well defined elk track on the target ridgline: so I was now at the mouth of Waterfall canyon (the canyon now being to my left [south]). The elk trail decended quickly on to what was clearly an old mining road, even though it was fairly well grown over by foliage.

I finally found the trail I was seeking and proceeded up, but was fairly well spent in terms of my feet condition ... so only made it up a few switchbacks (which were fairly long). I was amazed to be able to peer downvalley and almost "around the corner" of the Ophir Needles! It's kind of the ultimate relief for the often claustrophibic feeling of living in the Ophir valley. I did not see Sunshine Mountain, but I imagine if I were to go up higher it would all come into view. Waterfall canyon was also seen from a different perspective; from the east, but much more immersed in so far as everything being "right there" in front of you. Jane's and the other popular backcountry routes were all visble as well. I imagine sunrise must be excellent; sunsets as well ... especially when there's a cloud ceiling which allows sunlight to pass through and illuminate the often colorful sky.

4th of July crowd has been steadily pouring into town

2008-07-02T08:04:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure of the total numbers, but the 4th is typically a relatively large crowd for Telluride. Starting in the morning with the impressive military jet flyover, the festivities officially commence with the traditional parade down mainstreet. There's always lots of local kids in costumes & floats, as well as some of the protest variety ... which apparently have ruffled the feathers of some out of town visitors in the past who may be seeking a more sanitized brand of patriotism. Still, I don't think the politics of some will keep visitors from visiting the impressive box canyon which is home to Telluride. Immediately after the parade is the town picnic in Telluride Town Park, complete with all the hokey games (bobbing for apples, potatoe sack and three legged races, catching fish with bare hands in big pool, etc.). Fireworks usually start 9pm or so and is normally an excellent show. I'm particularly a fan of the sounds which boom, echo, and reverberate throughout the valley; they really go right through you. It's also particularly interesting to see the fireworks from up at a higher vantage point on Tomboy Road (north end of town). Many folks setup shop along Tomboy and are treated to almost eye level fireworks display.

Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Full Swing

2008-06-20T10:25:00.000-07:00

As the Summer Solstice quickly approaches, the Town of Telluride is fully immersed (or overrun) by the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. The 35th anniversary festival has produced an excellent line up which includes a closing act tonight by a reunion of Leftover Salmon. My favorite performer, Peter Rowan, will also be playing this afternoon. The weather has finally turned for the better over the past week with more typical June summer days. It'll be interesting to see how the rest of the summer's weather unfolds given the epic winter (snow and cold) we've just had!

Aspen Mountain Re-Opens For Skiing & Snowboarding

2008-06-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

I was pleasantly surprised (but not floored) to read that Ajax is currently open this weekend for skiing and snowboarding on limited terrain! Still contemplating making the 4hr+ drive early in the morning tomorrow, but the limited hours (10am - 1pm) makes it kind of difficult to leave at 6am and get in my full nickel's worth. I don't know if I'd want to leave today and have to be immersed in the summer tourist season and high prices (there's a food and wine festival going on now)? So, we'll see. Lift served access is still an option in June!

Would the Telski ever do something like this? I've lived here since '95 and have NEVER seen any sort of extension of the ski season, so I'm not holding my breath. While I haven't gotten an up close look, my guess is that lifts 4 & 9 are probably both sitting pretty good in terms of snow near the top stations with decent pathways coming down. Even if it's sketchy today, it was probably very doable in mid May.

So, what does this all say? Has Aspen come full circle after its build out? Is Telluride still just keeping it's head down and putting one development foot after another without any regard for the soul which has kept this town together? Will it take a complete gutting of the community before Telski offers up the goods? Cynical? Maybe. But we've been dropped many a clue over the course of Dave Riley's tenure at the helm of Telski .... the delayed opening of lift 9, removal of automatic end of season retro bonus for Telski employees, and even the opening of new hike-to terrain tells a certain story if you read between the lines.

Still dwelling in Telluride about the season pass

2008-06-13T15:10:00.000-07:00

Although I certainly don't wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat thinking about the rate hike on the season pass for the upcoming season in Telluride, when it does cross my mind I get somewhat depressed and kind of angry.

For the most part, I'm a true believer in the purity of the free market ; however, when it comes to the utilization of limited public lands as a substantial foundation for a private interest to seek financial gain, I think there needs to be a certain level of regulatory controls and oversight. I'm all for a business making healthy profit, but I do believe fair and reasonable access to public lands ought to trump the former.

Aside from my underlying philosophical notions, the price increase is something which most people in town are just flat bummed out about. The cost was high enough at $1,000 last year ... let alone $1,200 this season if you're able to swing the early bird rate. Otherwise, you're shelling out $1,850 regular rate for adults. By comparison, a season pass at Arapahoe Basin is $309 for 2008/2009. If you live in Summit County Colorado, you can ski or snowboard all season (which lasted until June this year) for about 1/4 the price of Telluride. Granted the lift lines and parking can get insane at A-Basin, but you can still get in your days skiing or snowboarding by being selective of times and such.

Given how difficult it is to stay afloat financially in Telluride, it's hard to break away from work to get in your days on the mountain. As the cost of living in town continues to rise, the average local will have to work more and play less to get the equation to balance out. Sometimes it involves making compromises in one's life. I'm lucky enough to be able to juggle my hours, so I can make it work for the most part. Many locals will hang on to a job over the years which pays well (but typically has a ceiling on earning potential) and offers the time or flexibility to get in their days skiing ... but they're still JUST getting by. So, $200 increase on a season pass is a big squeeze! If they raised it $200 this year, what will it be next year? Or, in five years?

While Telski employees receive a season pass as part of a compensation package it may see they're unaffected, but in reality may still adversely affect some individuals. At $1,200 passes will be harder to come by with employers other than Telski, so you may think twice about quiting your job as a lift op or at the ticket window. I'm sure plenty of Telski employees are happy with their positions, but many may now feel more "stuck" than ever. Combined with the surprise removal of a guaranteed retro bonus last season, it seems morale may be a bit on the downside.

I understand the need for a business to adjust it's fees periodically, but typically this is done in the context of the broader free market. While there may be both national and regional competitive fores operating, it may be said that the Telluride Ski and Golf Company is operating as a monopoly on the local level. This position directly affects local's ability to access public lands in a fair and reasonably manner as well as live within a local economy which isn't unduly influenced to its detriment.

Telluride Season Pass Rate Increase & Local Economy

2008-06-11T08:24:00.000-07:00

While the Telluride Ski Resort season pass rate increase affects those of us who independently purchase a pass, I believe it also has a signicifcant impact on the local and regional economy.

If you're gonna be a ski bum, you've got to have a pass. Receiving a season pass from an employer as part of a compensation package is a coveted benefit to those individuals who are seeking to "live the life" at a major ski resort. So, unless you get a pass from an employer, you're forced to buy it outright ($1,198 early bird or a whopping $1,850 after Nov. 1, 2008).

Last I checked (I could be wrong here), the merchant program offered by Telski was something to the effect of $700 (which would probably be $850 this year) for a merchant pass; however, it requires a substantial contribution to the local "airline guarantee program". I believe this contribution is somethere in the neighborhood of $500-$1000. There are price breaks for larger companies with more employees. I'll eventually obtain the exact figures and terms for a more detailed analysis. Nonetheless, it's safe to say most average sized merchants in town are forced to ante up at almost the full pass rate in order to obtain passess to hand out to their employees as a benefit.

On the other hand, Telski can virtually print out an unlimited number of passes to distribute to their employees as part of a compensation package. This fundamental dynamic provides Telski a significant competitive advantage over other merchants in so far as keeping overall expenses down. It follows that an increase in season pass rates translates into a greater advantage in so far as many local businesses being squeezed that much further to offer up a competitive compensation package. In an overall inflationary/recessionary environment, this advantage that Telski enjoys becomes even more pronounced.

So, what are local area businesses to do in order to hire and retain qualified employees? It seems their faced with one of two choices:

1.) Discontinue their involvment in the merchant pass program and let their employees purchase a pass independently. This option is somewhat risky in so far as possibly losing out on those employees who are using a pass as a "deal breaker" in terms of whether or not the job is worth taking. The employer can mitigate this by raising wages, but if the employee is smart they'll do the number crunch as applied over time. Assuming an employee will net 80% of gross earnings, one would have to gross $2,220 in wages to pocket that $1,850 for the pass. Moreover, the employer may also be shelling out an additional 10-20% in taxes on the backend. So, while it's true that many employers are willing to implement creative and innovative ways for their employees to get their hands on a pass, the numbers don't readily add up in regard to increasing wages.

2.) The other option would be to simply ante up more cash for season passes in order to remain competitive in the local employment sector. What does this do? It decreases the bottom line for the employer and tightens the already shrinking margins. It may also increase the cost of goods and services to the end consumer; contributing to inflationary pressures. Given the already high cost of living in Telluride, where many locals work multiple jobs and barely get by, we'll start to see even greater cost of living hardships. Many locals may find it difficult to continue to live in Town and move away.

The trickle down effect of Telski's pass rate increase will probably be incremental, it nonetheless will have tremendous ripple effects over time. If wages don't keep up with the cost of living, we may see more and more workers communiting from towns further away such as Montrose & Cortez. We may see more vehicles on the already deteriorating roads which lead into and out of Telluride. However, with the cost of gas on the rise, local area businesses will have a difficult time providing wages which mitigate travel expense. Still, Telski can print up passess as if they had a license to print money in the basement of their headquarers ... so they may be more successful in luring regional workers who are interested in a pass.

Of course, all of the above scenarios assume the local economy will not implode, but I would argue there is a limit to how high Telski can raise the price of a season pass and not have virtually all of the dominoes knocked over. Crested Butte found itself in a quite a situation a few years back when something on the order of 18-21 businesses closed their doors over the course of a 12 month span. The underlying reasons may have been different, but the potential exists here in Telluride for a similar mass exodus of viable essential businesses.

It's interesting to note the National Forest Service will require impact studies (mostly environmental) with respect approving development activities within NFS boundaries; however, it seems Telski (as a current leasee and existing operator) is immune from current economic impact evaluations in terms of how their operational price points affect the local and regional economy. Should the NFS have oversight powers in perpetuity? This is somewhat of an ideological question, but I think it deserves consideration.

More On Season Pass Rate Hike

2008-06-04T07:35:00.000-07:00

Nobody likes to pay more for what they've been used to receiving ... especially a significant rate increase (20%).

Although the ski company quietly released their price increase on a Friday (akin to how it's done in politics) and is overshadowed by the news of the Colorado Supreme Courts decision to allow the Town of Telluride to complete the eminent domain taking of the Valley Floor, they will undoubtedly receive some flak when this news gets back on the radar of the locals & businesses who purchase season passes in advance.

The ski company will probably cite several reasons as to justify a rate increase. My guesses are as follows:

1.) There has not been a significant rate increase in a number of years.

2.) Expansion of hike-to terrain up to Palmyra Peak and further access up the Gold Hill ridgeline; necessitating more avalanche control and additional patrol resources.

3.) The ski are will expand it's available terrain via Revelation Bowl with a new lift dropping into Bear Creek.

4.) New snowmaking and grooming equipment.

Most, if not all of the above possible reasons for a price increase reflects a more aggressive marketing posture for either increased future returns on ski area operations or with respect to the potential sale of the ski area to a new buyer down the road. Yet locals are being compelled to subsidize infrastructure build out and more aggressive marketing WITHOUT BEING ASKED. I do not recall receiving a ballot or questionaire as to my preferences? Nor, do I recall sitting on the chair lift and hearing about any visitors receiving the same (one can only wonder what the price of the single day lift ticket is going to be for next season?).

Let's not take our eye off the ball here: the ski area is essentially a steward of public lands via a lease of the majority of land within the ski area boundaries from the National Forrest Service.

Of course there's an inherent financial risk to being party to such a contract and the ski company ought to be able to have a certain degree of autonomy in so far as steering a course which is most economically viable; however, how far can they go?

more later ....

Ski Company Raises Season Pass Rates

2008-05-31T09:09:00.000-07:00

Just received a newsletter from the ski company indicated a significant (by all metrics) rate increase on season passes in Telluride. The adult pass rates are as follows:

Early bird: $1,198
Regular: $1,850

The early bird rate represents an approximate increase of $200 from the previous rate of about $995 (20 percent increase).

The ski company announced an expansion via the implementation of the Revelation Bowl lift which drops from the Gold Hill ridgeline partially down into Bear Creek. Obviously, this sort of capital improvement would require a significant expenditure. One can only conjecture if the current season pass rate hike is a means to fund this capital improvement? Similarly, the removal of the auotmatic retro-bonus to employees at the end of the season last year is suspicious on this same count.

... just wanted to publish the facts and limited conjecture for the moment. More later ...

Today Is The Last Day Of The Season

2007-04-08T06:56:00.000-07:00

I actually said my "goodbye's" to the mountain yesterday ... since all the data pointed to it being the last soft day - which might turn out to be the case. I's currently 8am and snowing pretty hard. I assume it's in the thirties at ground level in Ophir here, but is most certainly below freezing higher up. So, looks like the snowpack will settle up. For the day to turn out better than simply a "dust on crust" day, it's gonna need to keep puking big-time for the remainder fo the day or turn sunny and warm sooner than later. Nonetheless, I'll probably strap in and get in a last lift-served ride on the mountain in Telluride.

Yesterday, I definitely was getting a little frazzled on my last lift ride up through the thunder and lightning. In fact, it was my last ride up for the day ... since they closed the lifts (temporarily) and I decided to call it a day after getting in a few quality slush runs.

As it is, we're riding/skiing on "borrowed time" in the sense that the mountain was closed at this time of year last season. Our extended closing date of April 8 is six days past the closing date of Aug. 2 of '06 ... so it was definitely rewarding to alter my mindset to this perspective and pretend Telski - out of the goodness of their hearts - opted to keep the mountain open after it closed. This is always a rumor at the end of the season when the snowpack is good, but I've yet to see it ever happen .... with the exception of Aspen Mountain re-opening in May about 5 years ago (which by the way was the first time I was able to snowboard on the mountain - they didn't have much choice to let us knuckle-draggers take part).

Anyhow, the snow has defininitely intensified during the time it took to write the above ... so who knows? It might be a legitimate powder day this afternoon!

Aside from a herniated disc, the season is been fairly good - even in light of a relatively low number of days logged (@64 if I go up today).

There will be more hike-to turns and hopefully a trip out to A-Basin later in the spring ...

Mountain In Decent Shape

2007-03-27T20:01:00.000-07:00

I was up for a few runs yesterday and took advantage to surf the springtime slush. All-in-all, the mountain is doing fairly well at the end of March. There are a few noteable run closures:

- Stumper
- O'Reileys
- Sully's Gully
- Apex Glade

I'm not sure of the status of lift 8 runs?

Of course, all of the above have signficant southern sun exposure and melt quick. I think there's still a couple paths down Sully's and O'Reileys, but they're both far enough gone for patrol to call it at this point. Kind of funny though, there's no ropes though ... still, they'd be difficult lines at best. I think you can get in some decent lines on the lower portions of Apex if you traverse right past the old lift line (but not staying too high).

So, looks like Milk Run and Cookskin are the two remaining challenging springtime slush runs and are both doing fairly well ... although Milk Run definitely has the advantage of having snow blown onto it early in the season.

I didn't get up to lift 9 or Gold Hill, but it's a safe bet from my last time out on Sat. that they're both doing very well. Lifts 4 & 5 is also in good condition. Who knows about Prospect? Although I did hear about the new terrain opening up higher up the ridgeline.

Apparently there's a system coming through, but we'd need a lot to cover up the exposed rocks and so forth. Although, I do believe there was second life breathed into the mountain late last season.

This Blog could've been "SaveMilkRun.blogspot.com"

2007-03-26T07:09:00.000-07:00

Before I launch into what might be perceived as a rant, let me firsts thank Jeremy on lift maintenance for rectifying a an equipment failure I suffered last week at the top of lift 7. I lost a not on one of my binding straps and he happened to have a replacement screw and nut to allow me to have a "real" final run of the day down Milk Run - let alone more safely. Thanks again Jer!

Now to Milk Run: it's been a sore spot for me ever since I put "2 and 2 together" while sitting on the bench in front of the Coffee Cowboy and noticed a straw column decending down the center of Milk Run during the late Spring (early Summer) a few years ago. I knew something was up, but the full impact of what was going down didn't weigh in until the subsequent season started next fall. Telski was going to groom Milk Run and cordon it off into an alpine race venue.

Let me say right off that I'm all for individuals pursuing their passions; be it official alpine or freestyle competition or simply free-riding for fun. Moreover, I understand everyone has their agenda in so far as shaping the landscape in so far as getting from A to B in pursuing their particular passion. What I'm not a fan of is a process which does not allow all parties to voice their opinion in so far as shaping such policies. In other words, the transformation of Milk Run into a groomed alpine race venue seemed to be a unilateral decision - lacking public input. The latter is no surprise - even in light of the use of public lands (NFS), but to me it's akin to domolishing a landmark such as Wrigley Field or Penn Station.

In subsequent posts, I'll go into greater depth regarding reasons why, but for now let me explain why the Milk Run of old was a jewel on the mountain:

Telluride Ski Area is a very dichotomous in terms of the type of terrain: either long steep sustained bump runs or long sustained flat & mostly sub-cruisers. For reasons I'll explain later, the ski company has long opted to groom what they deem as suitable steep runs to provide more advanced intermediate terrain (I believe to cater to their target market - which is profiled to purchase real estate). The "old Milk Run" was somewhat of an anomoly in that it wasn't super steep, yet was definitely not flat ... thus the bumps which evolved were more tame but still challenging. In fact, the old Milk Run bumps were probably ideal for freestyle competition.

However, what set the old Milk Run apart from ALL OTHER RUNS ON THE MOUNTAIN is the tranformation into "hero bumps" on either powder days or spring slush days. The sun exposure is one of the most intense on the mountain -- easily bringing the run into the realm of softedness by 11am in mid-March. The natural countour of the run allowed a variation of tight bumps on rider's right into more "GS bums" on rider's left ... with a compromise down center left. Top-to-bottom lift 7 runs were the real deal & a spring time ritual; connecting with either "Stumper" or "O'Reilly's" at the very bottom. If it wasn't spring, it was "mopping up" territory on a powder day.

This was taken away. I can't let go. More later.

For now, this afternoon, I'll probably try to make lemonade out of lemons.

Spring Powder Day

2007-03-22T12:53:00.000-07:00

Wasn't quite sure what to call the 5" overnight & 1" yesterday we had received; on one hand, it's definitely a notch above dust on crust, yet it's also not quite an all out powder day. Nonetheless, it's still a powder day.

With a herniated disc, my back isn't very strong these days and is very suseptible to further injury. So, today was a day where I could normally use brute force to correct the typical surprises which invariably arise due to the hard underlayer when trying to get the most out of the powder-like conditions. However, my back simply can't deal with getting totally thrown out of position. So, I called it quits after two runs ... there was just too much temptation to try and push it into higher gear. Trying to think ahead to next season (and enjoying the summer).

Still, nice to be able to ride lift 9 under good circumstances this late in the season. Hopefully, we'll get some bigger dumps to breath new life into what I call home base.

Half Day, But Not Half Price

2007-03-06T11:24:00.000-08:00

My brother and sister-in-law will be visiting shortly and plan to ski for three days. While I hope they are able to get in a full three days, typically either weather or exhaustion will cause a slight change in plans. This is where a half day ticket might come in handy, but unfortunately the Telluride Ski and Golf Company does not charge half price for a half day ticket.

As of today, the 2006/2007 price for a full day ticket is $79 while the price for a half-day ticket is $68 ... which is about 86% of the price of a full day ticket. A half day starts at noon. Given the lifts start at 9am and close at 4pm, the half day ticket allows for lift access approximately 57% of the day. So, there's approximately a 30% discrepancy of the half day ticket price and the amount of time available to access the lifts in relation to the full day ticket price.

I called the Telluride Ski and Golf Company's ticket office today to ask why the half day ticket is not half price. The answer I received was essentially that it's a common/standard practice in the industry to not charge half price for a half day ticket.

Aside from an inflated regular lift ticke price, I don't believe the pricing of a half day ticket (at 86% of the full day ticket) is a fair practice.

Something's Happening

2007-02-27T17:07:00.000-08:00

I'm not exactly sure what, but the wind is definitely whipping up and blowing (new) snow in Ophir this evening; it was also snowing in Telluride this afternoon. Heard rumors of snow accumulation in feet; however, my motto has always been "I don't believe it until I see it".

I have an MRI on my lower back scheduled for tomorrow in Montrose. Something just isn't right after 4.5 months from my initial injury ... so I figured it won't hurt to find out more precisely what the issue might be. The scary part is possibly finding out that snowboarding will cause more damage & that I should stop. On the other hand, it would be great to know the true condition of my back as well.

In any case, if there's more than a couple inches in the morning, I'll try and make it out to wait in line at the bottom of lift 8 ... since iff I can walk, I can surely dance!

Domain Name Registration Transfers & Network Solutions

2007-02-26T20:38:00.000-08:00

I haven't attempted to transfer a domain, let alone from Network Solutions, in quite some time. So, the advent of authorization codes (apparently in October of 2006) was a new experience for me. Basically, it's necessary to unlock a domain and retreive authorization codes to allow a domain to be "released" from the current registrar. It's an added security measure which adds another layer of protection. Seems logical enough given the problem of domain name hi-jacking.

It also seems logical for registrars to try and keep your business and pursuade you to stay with their service and not transfer. Network Solutions has taken this position to entirely new level; all 4 Network Solutions' representatives I spoke with on the telephone asked me why I wanted to transfer the domain. I made the mistake of answering the first three time and finally realized it's best to cirumvent the conversation on the fourth occassion. I realize they're just doing their jobs, but at least one of the reps couldn't take no for an answer and almost made me beg, plead, and apologize to get what I needed (instructions to obtain auth codes).

Moreover, I couldn't find any information within Network Solutions' help/support section detailing how to transfer a domain to another registrar.

I'm sure other registrars will scratch and claw to keep you within their realm too, but I can't speak from experience yet on this count. What I do know is that leaving Network Solutions is akin to trying to find the exit or clock at a casino.

Snow Reports (on Tellluride Ski and Golf Company's website)

2007-02-25T16:12:00.000-08:00

The snow reports on Telski's website have generally been very accurate this year; however, their website does not include a timestamp associated with the reports. Given the lack of a timestamp, and the fact that Telski will often increase the value under the "24 HRS" report during a storm cycle, it can be very difficult to accurately determine how much snow has fallen after the lifts have closed until the moment the lifts start running the following morning.

I know this might not seem like a big deal, but sometimes it could easily mean the difference between 2 inches and 6 inches ... which might dictate the use of different equipment.

I believe the lack of a timestamp allows Telski to advertise the greatest snowfall values possible. In a very competitive market, it can be huge to have a report which reflects a 24hr period which rolls backwards and can be adjusted at any moment. For instance, an 8" total @ 3pm in Telluride compared with Crested Butte's website is only displaying 3" (as reported at 6am vs. 3pm) might make it appear as if Telluride received more snow, but it's possible Crested Butted may have received twice as much snow ... yet wasn't able to report it on the website until the following morning. Sometimes a potential visitors is on the cusp of making a decision to travel to one resort or another and such reports might tip the scales.

I applaud Telski for this competitive posture, but they really don't need to conceal the timestamp at a cost of depriving locals (and current visitors) a consistant means of assessing the true state of affairs.