December 2008 - Posts
December 28, 2008
Hi Folks,
After a string of snowstorms that set a new record for snow received during the month of December, the sun has now arrived and the mountain is skiing as good as ever.
The ski patrol wrapped up their work on boundaries and avalanche control today in Revelation Bowl, so the lift will open tomorrow morning - December 29. I took the picture below this afternoon. As you can see, the bowl is looking great:
With beautiful sunny weather forecast for the next few days, I hope you have the opportunity to enjoy Telluride!
Feel free to post a comment or question, we love to hear from you! To do so, just scroll down to the dialog box, type away, and hit submit. I'll reply promptly.
Kindest regards,
Dave
December 27, 2008
Hi Folks,
Over 113" of new snow this month sets an all-time record for December. Now, the sun is forecast to come out much of this week, and it's time to enjoy the best ski conditions imaginable!
Below is a picture taken this afternoon of Elizabeth Howe, Executive Director of Resort Operations. She's standing on the See Forever run with the new Revelation Bowl and lift in the background. Thanks for all you do EH - you rock. The Ski Patrol team is intending to complete avalanche control work tomorrow morning in Revelation Bowl. The Ski Patrol has done an outstanding job through this never-ending chain of powder storms in December and deserve a huge THANK YOU from everyone! Once the boundary lines are reset and the bottom terminal maze area is prepared, we'll open this incredible bowl once again for your enjoyment:
Alpino Vino, the long-awaited and much anticipated Northern Italy Dolomiti SuperSki inspired wine bar, is scheduled to open to the public on Tuesday, December 30. Below is a picture of the beautiful stone building, which is located on the See Forever ski run just below the top of Gold Hill Express:
Besides presenting a large selection of Italian and other worldly fine wines, Alpino Vino will also serve wonderful antipasto plates with a selection of fine cheeses, cured meats and a number of interesting accompaniments. Additionally, soups, pannini, and dessert chocolates will amaze and satisfy. You'll have to check out this very exciting new addition to Telluride:
The skiing has been absolutely amazing. Below is a picture taken from the See Forever run just above Alpino Vino:
Below is a picture of the bottom terminal of the new Revelation Lift, and the new overlook deck:
Below is a picture of the Plunge. It's skiing very nice:
And don't forget Apres Ski at the new Hop Garden in Mountain Village:
We hope you have the opportunity to get some turns in at Telluride in the near future. With record-breaking snowfall, two new restaurants, new grooming equipment, a new chairlift and alpine bowl, two new luxury hotels opening this winter, the most beautiful mountain range you'll find, and award winning guest service, Telluride is clearly "Unmatched in North America"!
Please feel free to post a comment or question. To do so, scroll down to the dialog box, type away, and hit submit. I'll reply promptly.
Kindest regards,
Dave
December 16,
Hi Folks,
Yes, Yes, Yes. The snow just keeps piling up with the promise of even more as a series of storms are lined up one after another to our west. The base coverage and snow quality is really good at Telluride Ski Resort:
As a result, all chairlifts will be in operation Friday, December 19 with fantastic snow:
Also, the north side (including Telluride Trail) will open Friday with a great base. The grooming crews are letting the snowmaking piles on T-Trail cure before pushing them out Thursday night. This process is called "leaching". In the world of snowmaking, a small amount of leaching time will result in a much softer surface than if we were to push the piles too soon. Our philosophy is all about creating a super high-quality product for our skiers and snowboarders.
All mountain restaurants will also be opening December 19th. Gorrono Ranch and High Camp are already open. One exception: Alpino Vino, our new on-mountain wine bar, is scheduled to open next week.
The new Hop Garden has been very well received - check it out at the bottom of Village Express (now open for breakfast, lunch, apres ski, and dinner).
Additionally, Dinner Sleigh Rides are offered at Gorrono Ranch each Friday and Saturday night starting this weekend through March. If you have never tried this, it's a must. Of course the best fine-dining dinner restaurant in Telluride is Allred's, located at the top of the St. Sophia gondola station. To make reservations for the Gorrono Dinner Sleigh Ride or Allred's, call 970-728-7474.
The conditions at Telluride are over-the-top good this year:
Airline tickets into Telluride and Montrose recently dropped significantly and several hotels are also offering some great deals. For more information call Telluride Resort Reservations at 1-800-778-8581. Also, please feel free to contact me directly at driley@tellurideskiresort.com if you need any assistance or have any questions.
Please feel free to post a question or comment on the blog. We love to hear from you! Just scroll to the bottom, type away in the dialog box, and hit submit. I'll personally reply promptly.
Have a great holiday and join us in Telluride this winter!
Kindest regards,
Dave
December 10, 2008
Hi Folks,
It was a historic and great day for Telluride. The new Revelation Bowl and Lift opened!
Lots of people showed up for the ribbon cutting today:
The USFS attended the ribbon cutting too. I'd like to thank Judy Schutza - District Ranger, Cory Wong - Director of Recreation, Scott Speilman - Snow Ranger, and Kathy Peckham - Recreation Specialist. Without their support and hard work, this would not have been possible:
The view from the new Bear Creek Overlook Deck is stunning. As you can see, we had quite a turn out for the first day:
Happy people soaking up the experience:
I'd like to thank Jeff Proteau, Sr. Vice President of Resort Operations and Planning for his excellent work this summer on the construction project. Also, Kenny King - Lift Maintenance Manager, Pat Ahern - Ski Patrol Director, Jason Rogers - Ski Patrol Manager, Brian Kelly - Trail Crew and Grooming Manager, Greg Stobb - Equipment Operator, Rob Johnson - Equipment Operator, and many others who worked very hard through the summer and fall to make this possible. Additionally, I'd like to thank Tom Clink - Sales Director for Leitner-POMA, and the entire Leitner-POMA constrution crew.
Of course, we all owe great thanks to Chuck Horning, Owner of Telluride Ski and Golf for investing and believing in this great community and resort. Thank you Chuck - this is a big deal and it wouldn't have happened without your vision and support.
Please feel free to post a comment or question, we love to hear from you! Just scroll down, type away in the dialog box ,and hit "submit". I'll personally reply.
In this time of stress due to the economic climate from coast-to-coast, sometimes it becomes important to simply enjoy all that we have. Today, Telluride made life just a little bit better for everyone who enjoys the great sports of skiing and snowboarding.
Kindest regards,
Dave
P.S. Picture taken late this afternoon - overlooking the Town of Telluride from the See Forever Run. Telluride - Unmatched in North America:
Monday - December 8, 2008
Hi Folks,
A healthy storm moved in Sunday night which is pounding Telluride today. This, combined with extensive snowmaking progress the team has accomplished, allows us to now open significant terrain for the 08/09 ski season this week. I'm really excited about the quality of the base now.
As you may know, we are currently running the Chondola and Village Express, with several gentle runs that have excellent snow.
On Wednesday, December 10th we will open Polar Queen Express, Prospect Express, and Gold Hill Express. The Ski Patrol Dept. will be working and evaluating the runs typically accessed off the west side of Gold Hill Express. They will decide Tuesday and/or Wednesday morning if those runs will open on Wednesday, or at a later date based on their avalanche control evaluation. In any event, the See Forever run off the top of Gold Hill Express will be open all the way down to the Village Express pod, and the skiing will be absolutely fantastic in Prospect Bowl:
With respect to Revelation Lift and Bowl, our tentative plan is to open it for the first time at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday. This will depend on the ski patrol's evaluation and control work Tuesday for avalanche potential in the bowl. If patrol opens the bowl, it won't be before 10:00 a.m., Wednesday. We're planning a ribbon cutting at the bottom terminal. At that time, yours truly and the Forest Service will be making a few speeches. I promise, we won't blabber on too long =D but, there are some people who deserve a few kind words (and thanks from the community) and we should all be there to show our appreciation for a job well done. After all, this is a pretty big deal.
Below is a picture Craig Sterbenz took in Revelation Bowl a few days ago before the latest storm moved in Sunday night. Craig is our veteran snow science expert (thanks for the picture Craig). You can see the winchcat working in the lower left corner. You can also see that the patrol got some avalanche control results (from their explosives) in the skier's left part of the bowl. Although I wasn't up there today, I was told it was a total white-out blizzard this afternoon on the upper mountain. Revelation Bowl is a natural snow-catcher as it's on the back side of Gold Hill from the prevailing winds. It's still dumping powder tonight, so Revelation should be incredible. By Wednesday, the forecast calls for partly cloudy skies. Can you imagine how nice that would be?
Also, we're opening the Gorrono Ranch mid-mountain restaurant on Friday of this week. This is one of the most wonderful restaurants in ski country:
The intimate High Camp Warming Hut, located at the top of Prospect Express, is also opening Wednesday:
Additionally, the Hop Garden is having a "Grand Opening" this Friday. The US Snowboard Cross and Skier Cross Teams will be here from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Olympic gold medalist Seth Wescott, Olympic silver medalist Lindsey Jacobellis, X-Games champion and four-time Olympian Casey Puckett, World Cup icon and X Games champion Daron Rahlves, four-time X Games gold medalist Nate Holland, Jeep King of the Mountain champion and snowboarding legend Shaun Palmer, and World Cup winners Nick Baumgartner and Graham Watanabe will be on hand at the Hop Garden to sign free "Revelation Bowl" posters. Come join us!
The New Belgium folks will be there giving out swag Saturday from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm and we'll be offering $2 Fat Tire Beers from New Belgium on Friday and Saturday, all day. The Hop Garden was patterned after the great beer gardens of the Alps - check it out.
I feel so relieved with this latest storm. Thank you, Ullr Norse God of Winter. Thank you.
Feel free to post a blog comment or question; we love to hear from you! Just scroll down to the bottom, type away in the dialog box, and hit "submit".
See you on the wonderful slopes of Telluride soon! This is going to be a season to remember.
Kindest regards,
Dave