Dave's Blog

This is incredible news. Thank you so much for seeing the light and helping the area come closer to realizing it's true potential! This season has been the best ever for me and a large part of it has been all the new hike to terrain and all the options it's opened up. Incredible. Now with the inclusion of the golds and a lift to the top of revelation, I can't wait to be standing at the top of the hilary step wondering whether to drop into Nellie or gold 4 or maybe cut someone's leg off with my lightsaber. I'm so glad I never moved from here. This ski area has so much great terrain to offer it's mindboggling. Thanks again for helping us powder junkies get our fix by opening up more nasty terrain!

Darth

Dave's reply: We'll keep working at it. I'm glad you're enjoying the new terrain. Thank you.

Dave -

I have followed your Blog with interest, and have made note of the recent exchange with individuals that are sensitive to the "Beginner/Intermediate" terrain at Telluride.  I agree with your asertion that we do have abundant terrain for all skill levels; however if I just review the Blog, it appears that you are clearly gearing your communication to the "Expert" or local community.

You frequently discuss issues of "hike to" and "new bowl" terrain, but have not discussed other issues that are of general interest to the Telluride community (locals, semi-local, and visitors alike).

Just an observation - but if you want to ingratiate yourself to the entire community, you may want to broaden your base.  Personally, I think you are doing an admirable job and I like the improvements - so take my comment as constructive.

I look forward to seeing Telluride next weekend and hope that excellent conditions continue.

Dave's reply: Hi Scott, I was thinking the same thing yesterday but had to hike up to the top of San Joaquin bowl for some site investigation regarding the new lift we're working on. While up there, I wanted to carefully look at the potential for Gold Hill again. Since I was there, and snapping pictures along the way, I had the content for another blog so I put it together.

Ski areas are ideally designed on the basis of the bell curve with the greatest amount of terrain devoted to intermediate skiers. Although, a ski area's reputation (and the word-of-mouth) is often defined by how good it's expert terrain is.

Telluride is fortunate to have great beginner, intermediate and advanced/expert terrain!

Thank you for your input. I hear what you're saying regarding the blog :)

Yikes!! Just looked at the weather forcast and for next saturday its supposed to be 51!!!!!!!! Tell me this is not going to stay for long, PLEASE be cold.

Dave's reply: Hi Fritz, I'm not much of a believer in forecasts that far out. We'll see. Anyway, it was almost that warm yesterday and the corn skiing was incredibly good. Today it's snowing nicely!

March is historically the snowiest month of the season but the sunshine sure is nice at Telluride also!

My opinion is probably the same as that of everyone else. Wow! The sooner it is opened the better.  All this new terrain has and is making Telluride even more awesome!  Fantastic job Dave.  Thanks a bunch.  I only have one question/concern.  If I pay for a lift ticket, I have seven hours to enjoy the goods.  Palmyra Peak is tempting, but it will take about two hours or more to reach the peak from the village.  I am finding it hard to justify paying for the ticket so that I can spend hours hiking.  Perhaps some kind of one use ticket at a discounted rate might be possible?  I know of other resorts which have one use tickets for people who want to access the back country and go hiking.

Dave's reply: Hi Chad, There is a big difference between backcountry terrain and in-bounds managed terrain. We're not likely going to lower our prices because our budgets have increased in order to control avalanches and staff patrol in these areas. It cost quite a bit to run it the way we are as opposed to just installing a backcountry gate and putting a sign up telling people to be careful.

We're not a high-volume resort. We focus on high-quality instead. Given that, we can't make it work in the low price catagory. Telluride is a unique resort that offers the best of everything without the crowds. That's what people want and now expect from us :)

I don't quite understand this objection to new expert terrain. It just seems to me that the ski area is now controlling and allowing people to hike up to terrain that's always been there, and been waiting. It's not as if we're riding new chair lifts up to the top of Palmyra.

I mean, am I missing something? Is there some roped-off beginner/intermediate territory that folks desperately want to ski?

Dave's reply: Hi Pat, Interesting points you've made. Thanks.

Dave, In the past 10 years my wife and I have skied all over the world and agree that Telluride is unmatched in North America. We came out in January, flew into Montrose, caught a shuttle to Telluride, it was easy. It's much better than driving to Mammoth to ski with too many people on heavy Sierra snow. We love downtown Telluride at night as well as the free gondola (we stayed at The Peaks in Mountain Village which has a great spa). My wife and I were talking last night after reading your blog and we agreed that we like Telluride much better than all the Utah resorts which are just too crowded with the Salt Lake day skiers. A ski vacation to Telluride is far better than Vail, Sun Valley, Whistler, Aspen, Jackson, Taos, Steamboat, etc. and we've skied them all. Black Iron Bowl is a short, easy hike and we couldn't believe the terrain. We also really like the terrain under Chairs 6,9,12, and 14. As the new CEO you seem determined to make Telluride even better. Keep up the good work. I can't believe you manage this great blog also. Other ski resort CEOs should take note. The staff at Telluride is the best, very helpful. You're going to put Telluride on the "must ski list" around the world with the changes you're making. We will be back next winter and will bring our friends. Hopefully you'll have the new San Joaquin lift installed!

Dave's reply: Hi Jim, Thank you for your kind words. I'm fortunate to be working with great people - thank you for recognizing them! We'll see you next winter :)

We take a vacation each winter to a different ski resort in Colorado and just got back from our first trip to Telluride. WOW, what a ski resort! I like the idea of riding the new San Joaquin lift up, hiking a short distance up to the summit of Gold Hill, and skiing those chutes. That picture of Gold Hill #9 looks sweet! All this new terrain is making Telluride the best ski resort ever!!! We hiked up to Mountain Quail in Black Iron Bowl and had the best time. The snow was sooooo soft! The cordory on the Plunge was unreal. I'll be begging my friends to go to Telluride next winter if that new lift goes in! We couldn't believe how nice San Joaquin bowl looks from the top of Chair 14!

Dave's reply: Lots of passion in those comments! Thanks for choosing Telluride for your vacation. We hope to see you again next season!

Go for it. It's in your permit area and you'll blow the doors off other Colorado resorts. Thanks for pushing the right buttons Dave.

Dave's reply: Hi R.C., Thanks for your comments and support!

Dave, love the blog! I'm so excited for my first experience in Telluride. I'm coming in Friday and I can't wait to see, in person, what all the fuss is about.  Praying for snow!

Dave's reply: Hi j, It's snowing hard out the window right now! Thanks for choosing Telluride for your vacation - you'll love it :)

Dave-

You are doing an absolutely fantastic job at realizing Telluride's full potential! I am completely impressed. Great job.

For too long, Telluride's alpine has been ignored. And it's so obvious.

The terrain you are opening/controling for the first time will make Telluride unique among all resorts. It gives the place a competitive advantage and a reason for skiers to return.

I have some concern about just how easy it will be to access Bear Creek with the San Joauquin lift.  

Traffic should increase a lot in the drainage - especially when you can use the lift system to laps without any hiking. Hopefullyy, there will not be an increase in fatalities.

Dave's reply: Hi Chris, Thank you for your nice comments.

It's my opinion that personal responsibility and common sense are required when choosing to access wild and uncontrolled terrain through any backcountry gate.

Its great to see all the new expert terrain opening. Someday I hope to be skiing it all.  And i think this kind of terrain is really what telluride built its reputation on and what it needs to keep attracting people.  However, I do agree that work on other kinds of terrain would be nice.  I think that the beginner terrain here is excellent.  I learned to ski here and tell my friends all the time that it is a great place to learn.  I think adding the adult magic carpet was a great improvement this year.  When i learned i had to go to the kids one (how embarrasing!).  I also think there is a lot of solid intermediate (single blue) terrain.  However, i would love to see more advanced intermediate (double blue) and what i call beginner advance (single black, groomed) terrain available.   Please don't respond with a list of trails.  Several of them are very short, plus as i live here I am very familiar with whats available.  I just feel like everyone is pretty negative to this guy who would like to see more work on other terrains and to the idea that other types of terrain need to be added!  All the experts that are jumping on this haven't skied this other stuff in years!  And like i said I think all the new terrain is great.  

Dave's reply: Hi Beth, Thank you for your comments. As I mentioned earlier, the ideal ski resort is designed like a bell curve with the greatests proportion being intermediate terrain. I believe in that model. Today, Telluride has exciting opportunities that are available to expand it's expert terrain. It's all sequential and at this point we are in that mode. In the future, we will turn our attention to other projects which enhance the experience for intermediate and beginner skiers again.

Hi Dave,

Way to keep the ball rolling! Your hard working ski patrol was up there bombing it into submission this morning.  I am wondering how you are going to sign and rope the area that you are proposing to open on Gold Hill 6-10?  Your going to have skiers exit the ski area via the backcountry gate and then drop back into the ski area.... or perhaps they will decide to drop into Delta bowl and upper bear creek.  I see a potential problem here with inexperienced and ill-prepared skiers dropping into the uncontrolled/unpatrolled terrain of  Bear Creek.  

Dave's reply: Yes, we're already discussing that and are developing plans to address those issues and others. Some changes in how things are signed and roped would be necessary but it's possible.

Thanks for recognizing the ski patrol's great work too!

Are you serious?  Your killing me.

Dave's reply: ??

Hello Dave,  

I know this has nothing with Gold Hill but what happened with opening Alpino Vino.  I thought it sounded like a great idea.

Robert

Dave's reply: We'd still like to make it happen - ran into some permitting issues though. We'll keep at it :)

Sorry but Telluride is NOT unmatched with it's in bounds hikes in North America.  Crested Butte has much more hikes and palma lifts than telluride.  Plus the runs are longer and much more steeper.  Please validate such a cliam before you embarrass yourself.

Dave's reply: You've got to be kidding...

I've been skiing/ living in Telluride for 18 years, and this year has by far been the best, mostly due to the recent reopening of palmyra/prospect ridge.  The further expansion into revelation bowl and gold hill's 1-10 would further the amazing terrain of Telluride to some of the best in N. America.  The sooner all is open the better in my opinion.  Also I've talked w/ forest service and discussed the implementation of a lower bear creek access gate.  any word on the status of that??

Dave's reply: Hi Erik, We have not initiated a change for a lower BC gate so there really isn't anything to report on that.

dave, please address this for all your advanced intermediate skiers/readers:

SJ Bowl will have the potential to be groomed periodically. this will allow a big swath of "groomed double blue terrain" right down the middle of the bowl. you want to talk about intermediate terrain expansion,... this will be top notch!

dave, keep the momentum going into the next year. build that lift!

thanks for blogging!

Dave's reply: Hi Kevin, We are planning on winch grooming a route down the gut but I think the pitch would still qualify it as an adanced run - much like the Plunge groomed.

Hi Dave!  I have to say props on the idea of opening up more stuff to shred on the west side of Gold Hill.  

I just got back from a comp at Mt. Hood Meadows. I have to say that they had an awesome halfpipe.  Probably one of the best pipes I have ever ridden in my life.  Knowing you come from Mt. Hood Meadows, is there any luck of getting our pipe in Telluride shredding like Mt. Hood's halfpipe.  Our halfpipe hasn't been cut in well over a week.  I know the park crew was busy this past week with the re-build of Hoot park, but I thought at least the pipe might have been cut today.  Our pipe has huge kinks in the sunny wall, and a lump on the bottom of the shady wall.  It's very difficult to ride our pipe in the shape that it is in.  

On the brighter side of things...Props to the park crew on the re-build of Hoot park.  The jumps are sick and way fun to shred!  The statue of Hoot at the top of the park is beautiful too.  Hoot will always be forever skiing in our hearts.  

Dave's reply: The pipe cutter cat has been down. Should be up soon and will get a fresh cut. Thanks Molly.

Keep up the great work! I have been skiing vail, breckenridge, keystone, and other I-70 resorts this year, and I have not seen anything near the caliber of Telluride. No traffic to fight, the best steeps in North America, and the beatiful San Juans. I can't wait to come back home. Dave, I like what you're doing with the mountain and I'm excited to see where you take it in the future.

Dave's reply: Thanks Pete. We're having fun with it all. Telluride rocks. I'm fortunate to be working with a great team - they deserve all the credit!

Hi Dave!  I read in the Planet today, that some of the lifts will be open later due to DST.  Will chair 4 (or access off the Gondola) be open until 4:30 or 5:00, so we can have fun in the park/pipe with the nice Spring days?  Please?  (used to happen back in the day!)

Dave's reply: Sorry, they will close at 4:00 pm but Gorrono will stay open another half hour.

Hi Dave,

I have to agree with the majority that opening the San Joaquin lift will be amazing for Telluride.  I have been coming here for 25 years, since I was 15, and seen many changes. For many years it seemed like the ski area wanted to focus on the Beg/Int terrain. Now, I am proud to bring my ski buddies here a show off and much better ski area. Personally, I'm not ready for Black Iron Bowl, but my friends skied it Monday and loved it. A few years ago I almost sold my condo, but now I'm going to hang on to it so I can keep coming back for another 25 years.

Curiosity question - what is the Tempster House and whose house is perched up on the ridge with the amazing view into Bear Creek Canyon?

Dave's reply: Hi NH Lady. The Tempter House is the house you are referring to. The ski company owns it and it is rented through our property management division - Platinum Properties. It's an amazing place. 

Glad you're happy with what's happening at Telluride!

Dave

Great move on possible Gold Hill runs.  We've been looking up there for years hoping to see that terrain in-bounds. I think that there is and "expert" market not just locals. The new terrain will bring guests to us, just like our easier terrain does.  C.B. is ok, but we are still unmatched in terrain and views.

Rich

Dave's reply: Glad you're enjoying everything Rich. Telluride is "Unmatched in North America" - yes!

Dave - Great stuff going on! I wanted to see if there was ever an opportunity for Beginner/Intermediate open bowl skiing/boarding. My first experience of Colorado skiing was Breckinridge and loved the long open bowls. I understand the terrain might be much different but now board Telluride all the time and am one for relaxed runs. If only there was a Ute Park type area that was higher, a little steeper and longer!!

Just curious!

Dave's reply: Hi Paul, Prospect Basin added lots of intermediate terrain and the groomers work around the tree islands very nicely. In the future, our master plan calls for a lift into Palmyra basin which is between Chairs 12 and 14 below the peak. There is some nice above treeline intermediate basin skiing in there.

Hey Crested Fart guy, Telluride has double black extremes and Crested fill in the blank only has double blacks. We have cliffs,glades and much more. The real person who is making himself look like a fool is you. You should get that confirmed punk. Anyways all your stuff has a lift going to it meaning 2 things, It is not as steep because you cant put a lift up cliffs, and secondly there is no hike-to stuff its all lift acessed, there is like 2 runs that you can hike-to. Get it straight and look at the map. And anyways now I know that crested butte people are rude and liars I am never puting my Salomon skis at a fake hike-to resort.

Dave's reply: I think I'll leave it that that =0

That Crested Butte guy is seriously delusional. Ha!! Probably a little jealous too.

Dave's reply: T-Ride envy?  :)

The resort website says that lifts 1- 10 will be open 'til 4pm.  Awesome!   Does it mean lifts "one through ten" or "one and ten"?

Dave's reply: It means Chairs 1,4,5,6,7,8,9,10. Enjoy!

Dave,

Go Gold Hill!

It's interesting to hear folks asking for more intermediate terrain to be developed.  As a skier who's been pushing my own boundaries for years I've never looked back for more intermediate lines - but now that I think about it, I surely see the value!  

There are some "dead" areas on the mountain that could be opened up for those who are seeking something less daunting than the Palmyra bootpack for new horizons...

What about opening up some of the lines on lifts 10 & 13 that drop east from Sundance and the ridgeline to the access road below?  Or the thick thick woods between the chair 6 access road (above the pond) to the lift 5 area?  Or more open lines gladed in on the front side between chairs 7 & 8?  Last time you and I conversed it was about getting the chainsaws out and glading up some more lines in the trees, and I guess this would be my wish list...  And I was walking my dog the other night at the bottom of 7 and I saw the Forestry Survey flags - are gladed runs on the front side going to be on the menu next season?

Oh yeah, and to the CB haters; I lived there for a winter shooting photos for the Club Med - there is one area that compares to T-ride (but only one).  Go ski the Phoenix/Spellbound bowl if you haven't before.  It's worth fighting over...

Cheers,

NCSF

Dave's reply: Hi NCSF, Thanks for your comments. I'm all in favor of glading and have been in conversations with the Forest Service about it. We're right in the middle of planning the summer work projects at this time and sorting out priorities. I'm not ready to announce everything we're planning on doing yet. The survey flags you see on Stumper on skiers left are for a preliminary layout of snowmaking infrastructure, not glading. You're right, there are many areas that can be worked on to improve intermediate skiing within the area.

Dave,

With all the good snow, why do you close the slopes in early April?

Dave's reply: Hi Don, people stop coming and locals head out on vacation. Given that we are not next to an urban jungle, we just don't have the number of people around that time of year.

Hi Dave,

How many skiable acres would the new lift into San Joaquin Bowl open up?

By the way, I've trekked over there from Denver 3 times this winter...it's worth it!  Keep up the great work!

Doug

Dave's reply: Hi Doug, Thanks for visiting Telluride this winter! San Joaquin Bowl is approximately 45 acres of above treeline high-alpine bowl skiing.

Here is a picture of the upper half:

Since Crested Butte is too lazy to simply look @ the listed mountain statistics from both websites here they are for C.B. as well as everyone else.

Also thank you very much for the lesson in improper grammer usage: "more steeper" -that reminded me of talking to my 5 year old son, "I was more faster than you daddy down the mountain!" I personally appreciate the entertainment! Please -keep it coming!

Telluride Mountain Facts

Skiable Terrain    1,700 Acres (680 hectacres)

Longest Run

  4.6 Miles (7.4 km)

"Galloping Goose"

Total Trails

  92

Trail Difficulty

 24% Beginner

38% Intermediate

38% Advanced / Expert

Total Lifts   17 Total: 2 high-speed gondolas,

7 high-speed quads, 2 triples,

2 doubles, 2 surface lifts and 2 magic carpets  

Vertical Drop   3,530 feet (1,078 m)

Elevation  Minimum:    8,750 ft

Maximum: 12,255 ft (13,320 ft with Palmyra Peek)

Lift Capacity   21,186 skiers per hour

Average Annual Snowfall   309 inches (789 cm)

Crested Butte Mountain Facts

Lift operating hours

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Summit elevation

12,162 ft/3,707 m

Base elevation

9,375 ft/2,856 m

Lowest lift

9,100 ft/2,774 m

Vertical

2,775 ft/846 m - lift-served

3,062 ft/933 m - requires short hike to Peak

Terrain

1,167 acres

Snowmaking

282 acres of terrain covered by 14 of 16 lifts

Lifts

16 total -- 4 high-speed detachable quad chairs, 2 fixed grip quad, 2 triple chairs, 3 double chairs, 3 surface lifts, 2 Magic Carpets

Lift capacity

20,310 people/hour

Trails

121 total -- 23% beginner, 57% intermediate, 20% advanced

Longest run

2.6 miles/ 4.2 km (Peak to Treasury)

Dave's reply: Hi JL, Thanks for the research!

Coming on Saturday can't wait.  I was wondering if you still have NASTAR. If not what happened?

Thanks:):):):):):)

Dave's reply: Hi Fritz, Nastar will be open this weekend. Thanks and enjoy your time at Telluride!

Isn't the early April closing due to agreements with the Forest Service?

Dave's reply: Hi Ken, No - we don't have an agreement like that with the FS.

Dave I wrote a comment a couple of days ago regarding the closing of several mountain bike trails this summer.  It doesn't surprise me that you have decided not to post it on the website.  It was a well-written letter that made valid points.  If you really considered yourself a leader then you would realize that compliments and crtitcisms go hand in hand.  I find it disturbing that you only decide to post comments that favor the job you are doing.  I have decided to take my complaints to the Daily Planet.  I'm also encouraging everyone I know to express their dissaproval of your actions with any and every means necessary.  You will not last here Dave.  I have seen owners and CEOs come and go over the years, and I am certain that eventually the owner will look at this resort as a drain on his income and decide to sell.  That means you will be gone as well.  Don't get too comfortable.  Hopefully soon you will be gone, and we will get someone who understands the locals and has just the slightest bit of vision.  

Dave's reply: Adam, I didn't post your ealier comment because it was rude, insulting, and full of incorrect information. Your comment above is similar. I'm not obligated to give you a forum on my blog for that kind of dialog. Thank you.

What has happened recently? You are taking much more time to reply to blogs and the posts are now coming every 2-2.5 weeks. I need to know the conditions and how it is going over there so I can plan if I want and when to go. Come on Dave let us in on the info.

Dave's reply: Hi Michael, Sorry about the slow down. I've really been consumed over the last few weeks working on projects for this coming summer. Haven't even been on skis..  :(

Conditions look really great though, wish we could both be out there making turns!

We were visiting from Florida and found your mountain fantastic! I've skied for 40 years and this was my first time to Telluride.I loved the moguls on Humboldt and Dew Drop. Getting off chair 6 was a bit tricky though, several people in our group got hit in the back while exiting at the top. One woman got slammed down on her hip and then her head bounced off the ground (no helmet). She's seems to be OK now but she had a massive headache for awhile.

Dave's reply: Hi Susan, That doesn't sound good. What date did that happen please? Thanks for visiting Telluride - glad you enjoyed it overall!

Dave, Congrats on your evident success at Telly....seems like the possibilities are limitless...any chance for reciprocity with your old cascade concrete gang at meadows?

Dave's reply: Hi RB, We have been in discussion regarding some sort of cooperative partnership. Hopefully something will develop. Looks like you guys are having a great ski season also. That's great!

why do people come to telluride and see how beautiful it is and then want to change it or try to make it how they want it. All we really need are lifts that work. Not lifts that break down all the time. Stop all the time, or closed for no apparent reason. Fix and maintain what you got that's all we ask.

Dave's reply: Hummm. I'm pretty plugged in to this and don't see any major difference between the number of stops or maintenance holds at Telluride compared to other resorts. We have put some significant money in the summer maintenance budget for Chair 9 though this year for a replacement of the communications line and system - that should really help the Lift Maintenance staff determine the cause of a safety system stop much faster. Thanks.

So I hear that you are closing the trails this summer to mountain bikers.  Is this long term or just for the 2008 summer?  I hate to hear this.  Not only do the hotels in the area have people come to enjoy the trails local stores make money off of renting mountain bikes to our visitors.  This will hurt local merchants (hotel/retail alike). So many visitors in the hotel I work at loved riding these trails and said it was some of the best they had ridden.

On a positive. Thank you for opening the Peak. Please say the rumors are not true about closing the trails to mountain bikers.

-RR  

Dave's reply: The Forest Service and TSG are both very concerned about the illegal trails and lack of responsible management of downhill / freestyle trails. Cross country riders are not the issue. There was also a concern on our part regarding conflicts with high-speed downhill riders and our summer staff traveling in trucks/ATVs on the Telluride Trail. There are lots of issues.

Our group was visiting from Florida on March 1-8 2008.

Dave's reply: Hi Susan, is there more to your post? Thanks for visiting!

This blog is great and Telluride is great.  It's my first time visiting here from Boston.  I hope to come back again.

I want to comment on Garonno restaurant.  We were there yesterday for lunch.  The food was OK but other stuff was really bad.  Somebody spilled a tray full of food in the cafeteria, and I asked an employee if he could get someone to clean it up, and he said OK and then kept doing something else.

The men's bathroom was in really bad shape.  The sunscreen was empty.  One paper towel holder was empty and the other was broken.  Somebody had thrown up in one of the sinks and that was just sitting there.

Also couldn't you please put some hooks on the wood beams, so people can hang up their ski clothes?

Thanks.

Dave's reply: Oh my gosh, I'm going to investigate this immediately. Thank you.

Susan's comment about her dates in Telluride was in regards to an injury she witnessed ....it's in her previous post......I think you missed that.....

Dave's reply: Yes, thank you for clearing that up!

Are you going to be on your skis next week.  Sounds like some great snow coming our way.

Dave's reply: Hi Fritz, Man, I'd sure like to but the slave drivers have me booked

:(

Adam, I have news for you: Dave will last a lot longer as CEO than you would in corporate America.  Have you ever led by example rather than Monday-morning quarterbacking and taking potshots at those who make tough choices?  You ought to try it sometime.  Palmyra Peak is open, we're talking about San Joaquin Bowl and a bunch of new chutes on Gold Hill being opened in the near future...dreams coming true...and you're complaining about the CEO's lack of vision??  How many CEOs take the time to moderate a forum like this, share their plans for the future, listen to what people have to say, and respond to self-absorbed jerks like yourself?  Why don't you abstain from the bong hits for an evening, let the smoke clear out, and after you pop some Visine in your eyes, share your "visions" with us...perhaps they'll even be more constructive than your rant above.

Dave's reply: Thanks for your support Doug.

Dave, sorry if you though my comments were rude, but I make a valid point.  The trails you have closed have existed for many years, some are decades old.  They don't go through wetlands, and they don't affect the environment.  No more than a heated cart path or condominuim buildings do anyway.  The Ridge trail was designed as a sustainable practicle downhill mountain bike trail.  For years the Telluride Trail was used harmonously between hikers and bikers.  I don't understand how the Prospect trail and the Village Trail are ok and safe, but the Telluride trail and the Ridge Trail are dangerous and harm the environment.  How are resorts like Keystone and Winter Park allowed to build mountain bike parks on their National Forest land and we close ours.  Your remarks about the trail system here don't make sense.  It seems you are receiving disinformation from the forsest service.  I don't know if it stems from a grudge they have with the downhill mountain bikers of this town, or just a general dislike of people on two wheels.  I understand also that the Full Tilt race may not earn a lot of revenue for the resort, but it does earn a lot for the town.  If this town and resort are going to thrive in the future, then we need to have new ways to generate more tourism.  A mountain bike park would bring in people from all over the country.  A biker code could be developed, similar to the skier/snowboarder code in the winter, to insure safety and to insure riders remain on the designated bike paths.  As someone who is generally new to this town you seem to have taken the liberty to deprive many locals of something for which they a great passion.  Mountain biking is our way of life during the ever expanding warm months.  Last summer we saw the creation of two great bike trails.  Before this summer has even begun you have taken away our trails and our hope that Telluride can one day rival other resorts as a mountain bike destination resort.  

Adam

Dave's reply: Hi Adam, thank you for a more diplomatic post than the last. I understand your position - you've made it quite clear. I doubt the downhill/freestyle mountain biking debate is over.

The way I look at it is that the existing downhill use including numerous illegal trails being cut on federal lands as well as on our private lands had to stop. The Forest Service is not happy and neither are we with the disrespect we're seeing.

Maybe, something will come of this that is responsible and long-term in nature. I met with a MV town board member just yesterday over it. We'll see.

Hey Dave,

I was skiing in Telluride the other day and had a rather unfulfilling experience.  I skied the run See Forever with the expectations that I could actually see forever.  Sadly I could only see for like 140 miles.  IT TOLD ME THAT I WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE FOREVER!  What is this garbage?  Quit misrepresenting yourselves.  I want my money back, don't make me take this to court!

-deeply upset and ready to take action

Dave's reply: Truth in advertising!

Maybe we should change the name to Sea of Peaks :)

Thanks for the good laugh!

Hey Doug it's ammusing to me that you automaitically assume I'm a pot-smoking, self absorbed jerk.  For your information, I have worked in the corporate field, and have worked for excellent leaders in the past.  I never criticized his vision when refering to the new terrain he's opened this season.  It is actually refreshing that we have a new areas of the mountain to explore.  However, if you bothered to get off your couch or out from behind your computer screen for a moment, you would realize that our ski season lasts for a mere four months.  I read an article the other day where Dave compares our resort to Whistler's.  The one comparison he left out is that Whistler has pioneered the mountain bike park while we are closing the few trails we have.  So Dave:  sorry about the insulting rant.  Well done this ski season with the new open terrain!  Palmyra Peak is an awesome experience, and I am looking forward to San Joaquin Bowl. I hope you continue this vision for the months when there is no snow. I am also looking forward to summer days riding legal downhill trails on this great mountain.  I recommend that everyone go out an rent a downhill bike this summer so you can experience the joy and challenge this mountain provides during the summer months.  

Dave's reply: Thanks Adam. Enjoy.

More Mountain Bike stuff....good stuff.

www.racemsc.com/.../showthread.php

Dave's reply: Thanks for the link Cath.

Wow.  Incredible stuff.  Dave, I've followed you from Hood to Telluride and have to agree with many what you (and as you reference, the wonderful people you're working with) are doing is exceptional.  Re: the Mtn. Bike issues - time, place and presentation is everything.  That said, a summer / Fall mountain bike park/experience will bring our Family to Telluride throughout the year! Thanks for keeping Telluride special.

Dave's reply: Hi Mitch. Thanks for visiting Telluride and for your nice comments.

Dave-

I take issue with your position on downhill biking.    

It is not disrespectful to build Downhill Trails where miles of land was cleared for skiing. What is disrespectful is Telski's new found disliking for downhill biking.  "Illegal trails?"  Dave, those trails didn't get "cut" as you phrased it, they got built by hand.   How can you phrase it like that?    Telski should be hiring people to build Downhill Trails, not deeming them "illegal".  Why is Telski and the Forest Service ganging up against Downhill Mountain Biking?  Downhill Biking is a million dollar industry.   This is a potential good source of revenue for Telski.  Why doesn't Telski embrace the DH trail building?  

The couple "illegal" trails that were removed were very hard to make and took a long time.  Those trails were built by hand with ramps, wooden platforms, bridges and jumps just like those that can be found on Whistler Mountain in the summer.  People pay $$$ to ride downhill Whister in the summer because they have good downhill trails.  Trails that also were build by hand.    

"Sasquatch" and "Running With Scissors" are now gone forever and we can't ride them ever again.  These "illegal" trails were special, and some people loved them as much as Kant Mak M or Spiral Stairs.  Pro Downhill Bikers, people like Cedric Gracia rode those "illegal" trails.  Putting trails in that circumnavigate steep gullies and hard terrain is very exhausting work.  The "illegal" trails that took months to make were destroyed with chainsaws in an hour.  But millions of trees were cut and much land was cleared to make the terrain that we ski on and enjoy in Telluride.  So how are a few downhill trails a problem when there are acres of cleared terrain for skiing?  Telluride Ski Resort was cut out of the mountainside.  Stands of old growth trees were removed to make way for ski runs during the Prospect Bowl expansion.  But no old growth trees were cut to make the "illegal trails" for downhill biking, the trails were made around big trees.  Downhill Biking is unstoppable and Telski should embrace the sport.  

Check out Steamboat Springs or Whistler for examples of mountains that are doing the right thing when it comes to Downhill Biking.  It doesn't seem right that Telluride Trail gets closed permanently.  

Please don't hate on the Downhill Bikers.  There are many of us in the valley that ride Downhill and if you take away our privileges, we will have no place to ride.  How is it possible that a lawsuit made Telski turn its nose up at Downhill Biking?  One lawsuit from a Plastic Surgeon in California and there is no more Downhill Biking?  The Plastic Surgeon shouldn't have been on Telluride Trail, its advanced Downhill Biking terrain.  

Downhill biking is the skiing of the summertime and just because you may not enjoy it doesn't mean you should take it away from people who love it.  I challenge your perspective on this issue Dave...

Dave's reply: I respect your right to have a different perspective :) Thanks for sharing it.

hey dave,

 I was doing a tour the day before gold hill 6-10 were opened and realizied there may be a few issues with these gates.  While we were traversing down to the wedding chutes we noticed three individuals skiing e-ticket.  Ay first glance we thought it was just a few people who were lost, but when we met them at the falls it turned out to be an instructor and two girls with no avalanche gear!  Are you concerned tourists who are going to ski/ride 6-10 might just drop in to bear creek?  It sure looks better in the creek than it does into the chutes.  The gates and bear creek deserve more respect.  Is there a beacon tester in the future plans for this new terrain?

Dave's reply: Hi Anthony, Was the instructor in a uniform? I would be surprised.

I was in Bear Creek with ski patrol yesterday and we discussed some different sign options. It's already gated with signage at the gate.

Yeah Dave this seems to me to norm!!!

Dave's reply: Got it open. People have been lovin' it.

Dave

What a great season. Here is a link to a great Austrian skier enjoying some of the new terrain.

telluride.plumtv.com/.../herr_jeb_mountain

Jeb

Dave's reply: Hey Jeb, couldn't open it by the link but was able to go to the telluride plum tv website, scrolled down and found it. Classic Jeb work - unreal! I also just saw your clip on the fashion show tryout on Plub TV this afternoon - laughed so hard I almost bust a gut! Great work Jeb!