Dave's Blog

Telluride Ski & Golf CEO, Dave Riley, discusses all things Telluride.

November 26 - Opening Update

Hi Folks,

Progress continues in order to get the resort ready to open this Friday, November 30th.

The snowmaking team relocated several guns yesterday to the upper pitch of Village Bypass extending to the top of Chair 4 and are making great progress:

Groomers are dozing out huge snowmaking piles near Gorrono Ranch:

One of the new Prinoth 350s is showing its stuff:

Other cats are grading the runs level, blading and track packing Village Bypass:

And finally, even more cats are putting down the final corduroy surface with the tillers. This is a picture of Boomerang - and it's looking really good:

A team of patrollers are ski packing the steeps off Chair 6. Tomorrow, we'll have the winch cat rolling the steeps up at Chair 14. This is all to preserve and prepare the base so we will have a good chance of opening some advanced terrain soon.

Village Bypass and Boomerang will be the only trails open on November 30th (and the small magic carpet for Children's lessons). Those runs will have a very well prepared surface which you should enjoy. We're now going to move snowmaking guns over to Misty Maiden and will focus on that area. We also will be blowing snow under the Chondola.

The weather models are talking about a slight chance of snow mid-week with a better chance over the weekend. Tempuratures look good for snowmaking all the way through.

Let me know if you have any questions or comments - feel free to post!

Thank you - Dave

 

 

 

Comments

Alyan Minshall said:

so what are YOUR thoughts on the snow this weeked how much do YOU thing you guys will be reciving

Dave's reply: 1 inch over Tuesday night into Wednesday and 6+ inches Friday night into Saturday. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it :)

# November 26, 2007 6:54 PM

Michael N. said:

Hey Dave,

Im very excited about the opening date and I am very happy about the snow conditions. I have one question though, when you guys open what runs are going to be open? Im guessing Lift 4 but maybe conditions will be good. And if it is just lift 4 opening when are the others opening? Just wanted to know because I might be coming up there mid-December and I don't just want to go if Village Bypass and Meadows are going to be the only ones open. Thanks

                                          -Michael

Dave's reply: Hi MIchael, I see you have another post down below. I'll answer there if that's okay.

# November 26, 2007 6:59 PM

chris Ernst said:

hey Dave,

this is Uncle E, announcer for the Jeep Tour and the X-Games....how secure are you feeling about the Jeep event happening Mid December?

Do tell?

thanks,

E

Dave's reply: Howdy Uncle E, you're going to put me on the spot on my own blog huh? :)

I'd say that we're still in the game. That's what my crystal ball says anyway.

# November 26, 2007 7:15 PM

Patrick Veteto said:

Dave,

Daily progress photos are great.  For all of us who are out of state, it helps to know what is going on.  Any snowmaking or grooming on the Lift 5 or Lift 10 runs?  Sundance is my favorite.

Thanks.

Pat

Dave's reply: Hi Patrick, Misty Maiden and the Chondola are the next priority areas. Hopefully we'll also get some snow before the weekend is past!

# November 26, 2007 7:19 PM

bc said:

Hi Dave,

Here's an epic idea -- how about opening the mountain this Wednesday instead?  We locals have been counting down the days since the end of summer, and the Telluride kids, grades K-8, have no school on Wednesday due to parent/teacher conferences.  You can do it!!  The kids (big and small alike) would all be doing the happy dance!  Give us a chance to celebrate the mountain opening, before the week-end warriors are upon us.  We all work hard for those season passes!  Whatcha think (I know, unfortunately).  It's a good idea, tho!  

Dave's reply: We're working to open as quickly as possible bc :-)

# November 26, 2007 7:19 PM

Michael N. said:

Hey Dave,

  I am very excited for you all over in Telluride I bet your going crazy. I understand you are opening 2 ski runs on the 30th, and when are you opening to rest, if conditions are pretty good. I was just wondering because me and my family were thinking about coming up their in mid-December and I want more than Meadows and Lift 4 to be open.

  I really like your blog on my behalf and I fell very informed even when im down in West Texas (where as you know snow is rare).

  I also hear you guys got new snowcats which is ok but you could spend the money on something better, because last year the snowcats worked fine and were perfect, but it does not matter I should not bother you.

 Thanks a lot Dave and with hope the snow will come. -Michael N.

Dave's reply: Hi Michael, I would be very - very - very surprised if all we had open was Chair 4 and the Meadows by the middle of December.. Keep the faith!

# November 26, 2007 7:22 PM

Nancy said:

Thanks for the updates and pictures.

Wondering who I can talk to regarding the ski college which had been scheduled for next weekend.

We're doing the snow dances to Ullr!

Dave's reply: Hi Nancy, I'm not sure what your question is. Please feel free to send me an email at driley@tellurideskiresort.com and I'll make sure you're in the right hands. Thank you!

# November 26, 2007 7:26 PM

ryan said:

what runs could be open on lift 6

Dave's reply: none right now. we need more of the good stuff on the classic steeps of Chair 6 :)

# November 26, 2007 8:13 PM

Chris said:

What are the next trails scheduled for snowmaking?

This blog is really great!

Dave's reply: Hi Chris, Glad you enjoy the blog -- I do too. We're moving the guns and focusing on Misty Maiden and the Meadows. We'll then focus on routes around Chair 5 and 6, as well as on the north side. Stay in touch.

# November 26, 2007 8:38 PM

Anita said:

Hi Dave,

My husband and I are enjoying your blog. We're travelling over to Telluride from Melbourne, Australia, in February next year so it's great to see your photos!

Cheers,

Anita and Phil

Dave's reply: Hi Anita and Phil, I'm glad you enjoy the blog - I have fun putting it together too!

# November 26, 2007 10:54 PM

mickey said:

Hey Dave!

Word on the street is that ski school has on mountain training on Wednesday.  It would be sick if we could all share the snow!  Suprise us and announce it on KOTO around 7:00 am Wednesday.  We'll be tuned in!

Dave's reply: Your wish has come true Mickey - see new blog post.

# November 26, 2007 11:11 PM

Bill James said:

We enjoyed visiting Telluride this past holiday (it was our 5th Thanksgiving visit in a row)-- even if the mountain was not open to skiing.  Stayed with family in our Mountain Village home -- Telluride was truly beautiful with fresh snow, then clear days and full moon nights -- even if the skis did not leave the garage.  Sorry we will not be there for opening day!

I am curious however, I heard a rumor that changes are planned for Gorrono's ranch.  I am concerned -- I think the place is perfect (though the line through the smoke house/grill can be slow at times.) I'd hate to see it go too upscale. The Saloon is great along with the outdoor entertainment.  I always thought the food was great and price point pretty good.  I'd hate to see the ski school excluded and I'd hate to see a trend towards something that would be welcomed at Aspen, Vail or Deer Valley.  Can you shed some light on the plans (if any)

Incidentally your web site and Blog are great, and thanks for the new terrain!

Bill J.  

Dave's reply: Hi Bill, We are changing the menu and it will be slightly more expensive due to better ingrediants. We're not going to go too far though, just improve the quality of the food, which is something many people have suggested to me. Not to worry..

# November 26, 2007 11:22 PM

Alyan Minshall said:

i love ur reply i got a pretty big chuckel when i read it well i will let you know that the small but surely MINSHALL family is preying for that fluffy white thing that comes around during the winter and probabily the last question for a while with that total of seven plus inches would any thing else open like are there some runs that dont have the snow machines that only need very little snow for them to open like any other runs off of chair 4

Dave's reply: You're correct, some runs that are smooth and not too steep require less snow to open with good conditions. We'll just have to evaluate it as it comes.

# November 27, 2007 12:36 AM

Jason said:

Dave,

I have a trip planned for the weekend of Dec. 7th, and was wondering if you think we will have any steep stuff to ski.  What are the chances of getting any slopes open on Chair 5 and 6 by then? Also, how much natural snow do you need to get the high stuff open?   Just looking for a realistic opinion.  

Thanks for keeping everyone informed.

Dave's reply: Hi Jason, I can't predict the weather that far out (although I wish I could). I can say that we'll move quickly once we get the snow.

# November 27, 2007 9:39 AM
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