Dave's Blog

Hey Dave,

Just wanted to say, ignore the whiny nay-sayers. There's no way to please everyone and you are doing a great job, especially by doing this blog in the first place. I'm sure they would have been even more unhappy if the runs had been open too early and they sucked. Keep up the good decisions, and shame on those of you who have to resort to being nasty rather than expressing your disagreement with civility.

Good Day

Dave's reply: Hi Anon, I will defend anyone's right to express a contrary opinion on this blog but like you, I do expect civility, courtesy, and professionalism in how those thoughts are communicated. Kids are not allowed to talk to each other that way in grade school! What would their mothers think? =0

Anyway, I'm quite comfortable with the decision to hold off a few days on Chair 9, letting more snow fall, grooming it, ski packing it, and then opening. Maybe some people don't mind skiing on dirt and sticks but that will not be the case this year over the critical holiday in the chair 9 pod. It's going to be exceptionally good! Possibly the best opening base ever. I think our visitors, locals, and TSG employees will all appreciate that.

Thanks so much for the info Dave, this is great information as some of my family and I are coming up the 21st from Flagstaff, AZ.  We were getting a little worried that some lifts weren't going to be open. Can't wait to get up there! Thanks again!

Dave's reply: Hi Chris, Glad to provide the facts! You and the family are going to have a great vacation - the conditions are going to be fantastic when you arrive.

Hi dave:

I see that you are getting a lot of snow and we are very excited to get there, its our first time and it looks like a great place. My question is if you expect to be opened 100% for the 28 of december.

thank for the blog and excuse my ortography.

Fernando

Dave's reply: Hi Fernando, First - thank you for choosing Telluride for your vacation! You'll love it.

I can't imagine any reason why all lifts won't be running for your vacation. A few of the super steep runs may be closed due to avalanche danger but that can occur at any time through the season.

Let me know if you need any further assistance. My email is driley@tellurideskiresort.com

Thank you.

Dave,

I am bringing my family from Dallas for a three week holiday to Telluride.  We arrive next week and will stay through New Years!  As our departure approaches, I have been reading your blog and checking the snow reports.

First, we are stoked to be able to spend our holiday at Telluride.  What a great mountain and a magical place.

Thank you for your hard work.  Clearly you are a dedicated professional.  We are sorry to see the occasional animosity from some of the "locals" but we commend you greatly for your positive spirit and can do attitude.

It is really a good buzz to read your blog, see the pictures, and know that many hard working professionals are dedicated to making our holiday safe and enjoyable.

We do appreciate all of your efforts and your blog!

Peace out,

Kyle Pugh

Dave's reply: Hi Kyle, Thank you very much for your kind post. You're going to have a great vacation! Thanks for choosing Telluride. Let me know if you need anything at driley@tellurideskiresort.com

Dave -

First of, your Blog is the reason I'm going to Telluride.  The comments, pictures and overal insightfulness is truly exceptional - I check it three times daily.  So my question is if you think Prospect Bowl and Black Iron Bowl will be open by Christmas?  Also, can you give some more detail on what hike to only zones will be open and when?  Thanks.  All the best.  Keep up posting the pics!

Dave's reply: Hi Brian, Thanks for checking in!

Prospect will surely be open for X-Mas - we're opening it this Saturday! As for the hike-to terrain above the top terminal of Chair 12 along Prospect Ridge (Black Iron Bowl, Palmyra Peak) - that's going to be determined on a day-to-day basis. It's entirely possible that it may open, close, then re-open as time goes by due to avalanche activity. New snow, wind transport, layering, bonding, aspect, temperature, etc. all effect whether the hike-to terrain is open or not.

Bottom line, with the snow coverage we've already received, skiing is going to be fantastic this X-Mas at Telluride. We hope to be able to open the hike-to terrain for everyone and will do so as early and frequently as the Ski Patrol determines.

Thanks for checking in. Travel safe and have a great vacation. Stay tuned to the blog and let me know if you have any questions.

Dave,

What's up with Nordic?  I could not find any information on Mt. Village Nordic trails on the Telluride Resort website. When will the golf course trails be open?  Will the grooming report include Nordic Trails (as it has in years past)?  May I suggest that a link to the Telluride Nordic Association website (www.telluridenordic.com) be included in the Activities and Events pages?

Dave's reply: Hi Bill, We'll update that soon. Thank you.

dave , to a comment left by eric you should be happy jeep/honda are coming!!!! some folks around here live off the tourist/events in this town, i have a family here and we count on the business, I look forward to seeing the events/music! this will help secure these events coming here in the future you should be happy and go buy tickets to help support TELLURIDE!  DAVE OPEN 9!!!!!!---jim

Dave's reply: Hi Jim, We are happy to host the Jeep King of the Mountain Tour. It's a big deal and we're very proud to be a part of the tour. Telluride is a perfect venue for an event like this.

Dear Dave,

I too would like to thank you for this blog. My question is, Why are you not opening up the front side of the mountain (or atleast telluride trail) so people can ski down into town? Do you think by forcing people to download on the gondola, lift 7, or  lift 8 will put too much pressure on those lifts with a potentially very busy weekend?

Dave's reply: Hi Scott, You're right on - we have been making snow at the bottom from Kids Hill down and will be filling in above as quickly as possible. We want to make that ski connection so down-loading is not necessary. That route will be assessed before the weekend. Thank you.

Dave,

 I'd have to say that I am pleased with most of the decisions that have been coming out of the front office at Telski this year. Obviously you're not going to meet everyone's expectations on how this ski area should be run, and no one will be perfectly happy with every decision you make. On one hand you have the locals that pay a great deal of hard earned money for a season pass and want to ski steep terrain asap. Then there's the need to balance that with the needs of holiday people and groups who also spend a great deal of cash to visit.  IMO as a whole you are doing a better job making operation decisions than this ski area has seen in many years.

   One thing to keep in mind is this mountain has great terrain and with that comes the fact that you're gong to get core shots no matter what time of year and regardless of any base depth. As you know upper 9 holds the snow the best on this mountain, but many places on 14 or any south facing runs, you just have to say "**** it" and ski it or stay on upper 9 or groomers. Heck I've gotten core shots on upper see forever with a great base. It's not that people like skiing rocks, sticks, and such, but if you're going to ski most of the terrain on this moutain, it's a fact you're going to hit things you'd rather not. Please keep this in mind, when making some decisions.

 Again, as a whole I think you're doing a good job and just the fact that anyone can stop by here and offer an opinion that will be heard by the front office is one of your interesting additions.

Warm regards, Leon

Dave's reply: Hi Leon, Thanks for pointing that out. I agree with your point regarding core shots. It has to do with the low density of our wonderful snow in this region.

It's interesting you brought this up. I had a person in my office just yesterday telling me that some locals really don't care about skiing on rocks, dirt and logs and that's why they don't understand why we're going to great lengths to build a perfect base in the Chair 9 pod. That helped me understand their perspective - but I did not buy into it.

My theory is that if by waiting a little longer to build a better base before we open the Chair 9 pod - and we create a far better ski experience for the entire season - then it's worth the wait.

In Colorado, the powder still skis nice days after a storm but that also means it doesn't cover as well. As we all know, there are things the ski area operator can do to mitigate this - and that's what we're currently doing in various areas around the resort including Chair 9. These best practices allow for the best of both worlds - great snow and a better base.

While a few people may disagree with me and get upset because of a few early season lost days on Chair 9, I believe far more people will be much happier with the quality of the base conditions over the entire season as a result of our efforts.

Thanks for your post Leon, stay in touch - you have a very effective communication style.

Hi Dave,

Excited to get out there for X-mas.  We are also celebrating my son's first birthday.  Should be fun for all.  Question -- can you recommend day-care and babysitting services?

Thanks.

Keith

Hi Dave Overall I think youre doing OK for a new guy. In hindsight, you probably should have opened 9 last week. A surprise 1-2 day opening for a few days would have cut up and settled the snow nicely.Then close it, let it snow and open it for the AZ/Jeep crowds.Now with the planned opening your going to have a HUGE powder day line and the locals are going to pound the crap out of it. It is a tough crowd youre playing to and unfortunately I think you have lost some good will that will be tough to recap. Nobody will even remember the beginning of this season by closing day, but everybody will tell the story about how you were out ripping up 9 on the cover of the paper but then didn't open it up for the rest of town to enjoy. Anyway, I like this forum.

P.S> Could I borrow your jacket today so I can go check out 9 for myself? I don''t believe everything I read on the internet!

Dave's reply: Thanks for your input Mark.

My guess is that had I implemented the plan you outlined the same people who disagree with how we're approaching Chair 9 now would have complained just as loud about your idea.

The capacity on the trails is measured by the uphill capacity of the lift, with a few extra accessing the pod off 6. The trails will get skied at the maximum capacity on opening day whatever day we open it.

Our staff has been grooming, ski cutting, stomping, and preparing the Chair 9 area for a great season. Sure, I've taken some heat from a few locals for holding off a few days - that's something I'm willing to endure given the objective of building a solid and high-quality base within one of the most important pods at the resort.

As I said in a reply to an earlier post, I'm interested in balancing the needs of several different stakeholders - some of which have competing interests. Those who want to forever condemn me over pursuing a opening strategy which has the interests of skiers at the center are over-reacting, IMHO.

Do you really have the option of opening

and closing backcountry gates? Once those lifts

are open so are the gates.

Dave's reply: Hi Scott, Our boundary management policy with the Forest Service allows us to close areas within the ski area boundary due to hazards such as cliffs, potential avalanche, and no reasonable ski exit routes, etc. We need to make sure our control work, signs and ropes on the route to the backcountry gates are completed. I think it's responsible to allow the patrol to do their work properly. It's quite possible our work will be done in the near future. We'll update on that. Thank you for your interest and question.

Just my opinion but: It seems like a 'soft' opening (1-2 hrs) would do more for a  long term base than just skiing it all off. Anybody who's looked for a ski for more than a minute or 2 can attest to the fact that it doesn't take much to knock the air out and get that stuff setting up. Then we can ski on top of it for the rest of the season.

Dave's reply: Hi Mike, Thanks for the input.

test

Hi Dave,

  Thanks for the reply but your answer doesnt make

sense you cant have the chair open if your control work and ropelines are not in place therefor if

the chair is open so are the gates correct????

Dave's reply: Just talked with the guys. What I said earlier is irrelevant as set up has been completed now (ropes, signs). The gates will be open. Thanks Scott.

A couple of my buddies and I from Flagstaff are coming up on the 17th through the 21st and I am super stoked.  This will be my 4th season as a season pass holder and I have to say I love Telluride and look forward to the season more than anything throughout the year.  

My question is whats the likelihood that lift 10 and that area and all of the Prospect Bowl will be ready to rock by the time of my trip.  

Dave's reply: Hi Andy, thanks for planning a trip to Telluride. Yes, we should have everything open as outlined in the blog, with the possible exception of some steep terrain if patrol holds due to avalanche danger. Travel safe.

hi dave,

first, love the blog. nice work.

secondly, i was wondering what the best telluride backcountry resource is out there. i lived in chamonix for a few years and have a real love of the steep and deep but obviously want to do it safely and responsibly, preferably with people who know the area intimately.

any tips?

thanks a lot!

Dave's reply: Hi Ron, I checked around and was given this company:

Hi Dave,

Thanks for keeping us updated on the lift openings.Here is my concern about the way Telluride operates its boundaries. People have been poaching lift nine terrain and lift seven terrain all week. I have even heard that people where told to ski nine to pack it in(non telski employees.) Ski patrol has even let people ski nine and the front side.  Telluride either needs to open the terrain or enforce its boundaries.

Dave's reply: Hi Michael, I can't confirm that patrol has done that.. There are consequences when the public disregards closures. Thank you for your post.

It would be nice to know if tride trail will be groomed for us boarders as its a long skate over to nine since chair 8 isnt going to be open. still mind boggling why you are not opening chair 8 but opening chair 9. chair 8 is the escalator to chair 9, and nothing more in my opinion.

why not open it tom. its our pow pow gathering spot.

Dave's reply: Hi Jason, Thanks for your question, we're training people. That's why.

Hi Dave!  I've spent the last three days skiing in Telluride and have had a wonderful time.  I respect your decision to hold off on opening up most of the mountain until you feel it is safe and appropriate.  What I'd like to recommend for you to consider in future years if you make the same decisions to stagger how the trails open is to offer a price break.  I know the Jeep event is a very big deal and possibly part of the reason I was only able to ski lifts 4, 5 and 6.  Unfortunately I have to go back to Santa Fe tomrorow. I have had a great time and will certainly try to come back later in the season to experience the rest TMR has to offer.

Dave's reply: Hi Jennifer, Thanks for posting a comment. Noreen and I used to live in Angel Fire, New Mexico in the early 90's. Santa Fe is one of our most favorite towns. We love the food, architecture, and culture of the area.

Regarding pricing, we have been offering early season pricing which ends Friday. To find out more about the various seasons you can click on http://tellurideskiresort.com/tellski/info/lift-tickets.aspx 

Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for visiting Telluride and we hope to see you soon on the slopes!

Dave, with all the new snow is there any chance lift 10 will open a few days early?

Dave's reply: Hi Chris, sorry, we're training this week. Lift 10 will open to the public Saturday. Enjoy!

Dave, when do you plan to open Thrill Hill?  My kids love it when we come out. Thanks for all the great info.

Dave's reply: Hi Tony, sorry to break the news but Thrill Hill is not happeing this year. It was not well attended in the past. Have you tried the Hanley ice skating rink in town? It's very nice and indoor. Another very special experience is horseback riding or sleigh with Rowdy - the kids really like that. Another option is our Children's Ski School. You can find out more at http://tellurideskiresort.com/TellSki/info/kids-lessons.aspx along with Kid's night out which has been expanded this season. Enjoy!

Holla Dave!  I was wondering when you're opening the face side of the mountain?  I hate riding the G down home after skiing.  It sure looks like it's ready to open, and Coonskin looks mighty fine.  

Also will you be putting the snow from the jeep event into the terrain park after everything is done with?  When do you think snow blowing will start for the park and pipe too?  I'm very anxious to hit some bigger jumps!  I hope they get up soon.  Word is that Beck has some nice big jumps up, and it would be nice if Telluride could do the same.  

Dave's reply: Hi La Tina, We're going to make a little snow on Telluride Trail before we open it. Shouldn't take long stay tuned for an update - we want to make it happen quick.

After the JKOM event, we're going to build a holiday park on lower Misty Maiden so we can utilize all that snow. Then once we can we'll move snowmaking equipment to Hoot's and start that process up.

Hi Dave,

I was up today and it was incredible, but I think I'm coming down with a case of acute Chair 9 Powderitis.  I'm wondering if you can write me a note excusing me from work tomorrow?

Dave's reply: Humm, what would I say? "Snowball has a cold"?

Dave

What's the most accurate website for weather?

Thanks for your blog!

Dave's reply: Hi Ben, Wow, I look at a number of different short and medium range text forecasts and weather maps every day. All of them can be found at the NOAA site.

hey i was wondering what the plan for the park is? Like when do you guys plan to have both upper and lower air garden open?

Dave's reply: Hi Adam, see my reply to La Tina above. Thanks.

Dave,

Thank you for your overall efforts to be as transparent as possible RE communicating with the outside world.  This blog alone seems to redefine how ski resorts communciate current affairs, new ideas and plans.  Or course this opens you up to some unpleasantries, but you seem to have the fortitude to shoulder on. Props to you!  

Question:  do you know of any website or resource where snowfall, or base levels, are compared to longer-term (ie 10 year avg) averages?  I would like to know how unusual it is to have a 40 - 50 inch base in Tride currently.  And what is avg for the Christmas week?

Dave's reply: Hi Edarre, I'd have to ask Ski Patrol and get back to you. I'll do that. Thanks.

Dave,wow, so disappointed to hear about Thrill Hill. I hate to break it to my little one - she was so excited to finally meet the height requirement this year. You could possibly help make it up by giving me a good word on Alpino Vino opening.  I got everyone (sans the kids, of course)excited about it, but read about some permit issues. Thanks!

Dave's reply: Hi Maggie, Alpino Vino is not moving right now, in the meantime, we'll improve the wine selection in Gorrono Saloon!

Dave,

Given the amount of ski tracks that come down the north side into town I'm assuming that all those runs are now open?  If not when will we be able to ski down to town without poaching?

Dave's reply: Hi Nick, They are not open (note the rope). We're setting up snowmaking on Telluride Trail and will update soon on when that route will open. Thank you.

Hi Dave.

So funny how all this is going, and I will apologize on behalf of the short-sighted bloggers.  I just moved here 10 months ago, so i don't know how "local" I'd consider myself.  However, having been here only a short time, even I knew to avoid chair 9 this morning.  I went straight to 6 and had the most epic, fun, SECLUDED time I've had yet, this year, on piste.  

I find it unfortunate how some people, who obviously don't know what they're talking about, think that running a resort like Telluride is only about when to open lifts.  

Keep up the good work.  

Hobieman

Dave's reply: Hi Hobieman. It is a bit more complex than it appears :) Anyway, all is good!

Dear Dave,

As I skied some of  the most beautiful powder that Telluride (chair 9) offers w a group of friends, I asked a few locals while waiting in long lines who were also up today a simple question.... What did you ride? The majority of them answered... "CHAIR 9". The answer is striking, almost humorous. I think everyone expected lines, however Between 9 am and 2 pm i skied 5 runs. That would be an average of 1 lap per hour. Abysmal.. How many of those people would have skied into town and therefor by passed the need to ride up to the top of 9, then take the gondola down? Why would you want to eliminate paying customers freedom to sking into telluride off of easy out, or lookout, coonskin, or north shoot? Do you not see that by doing this you mandate people to download which puts more people in lines/chairs/gondola cabins? Is this not the biggest benefit of ski in ski out? Is it true that when 9 broke down for 20 mins today (luckily I was in the sun) telski was forced to go to auxillary power?  Bottom line, if "cats paw" or "easy out" is open less people ride 9 back to the top.... The Solution, let people ski into town now.. To quote a long time local  whom i was sitting next to on that 20 minute delay, "the spirit and excitement of a locals first day on 9, who are friends of Telluride, was bruised today because of the "Chair 9 fiasco" Learn from your mistakes..Get those two pods up and running...And keep up the good work..  

Dave's reply: Hi Scott, I agree that we need to open those routes as quickly as possible and are working to do so. Snowmaking is in process. Chair 9 went down for about 20 minutes today - as you've mentioned - due to an electrical problem that has been resolved. Chairlifts do that sometimes. Sorry for the inconvenience. Thanks.