Dave's Blog

Hi Dave,

Another great gesture for your customers!  I continue to follow your blog and it continues to reinforced why Telluride will remain my area of choice for my trip out west.  Telluride is clearly focused on the skier/snowboarder experience and I, for one, value that significantly.

I also agree with you that the employees of Telski deserve a large thanks from all of us.  I have to say that from the lift operators to the ticketing agent to the waiter and waitresses,  everyone was friendly, pleasant, and helpful.  

Though I won't be able to visit Telluride again this year, I am still appreciating my trip this February and look forward to my next visit.

Thanks again,

TK

Dave's reply: Hi TK, thanks for recognizing the Telski staff. They rock. Thanks also for your support!

Thanks so much, Dave!!  I'm so excited!!

Dave's reply: Hi Beth, We're happy you're happy :) and hope you get the opportunity to get several days in!

Dave,

Thank you, thank you, thank you!  What fantastic news and wonderful gesture to the community to extend the ski season.  We are thrilled!  Would you, please,please,please - consider adding lift 6 to the mix?  There's nothing like skiing 6 on a sunny spring afternoon!!

Dave's reply: Sorry, you'll have to be satisfied with 7 and 9. It will be great though!

Dave,

This isn't April 1st, so this must be real!!  This is a fantastic idea, and I sincerely hope this gets the publicity it deserves and that it is successful financially so that you can do it again next year.  A big thank you!

Gary

Dave's reply: Hi Gary, Always great to hear from my friend in Ouray! I'm hoping people don't brown bag and that they spend some time up at the new "snow beach" we're going to create at Giuseppe's. That will help the whole concept along! Bring lots of folks from your neck of the woods! It would be so great to see people actually show up in force for April skiing.

Woo hoo end of season company party on the mountain 4/6 for my crew is now official. Thanks Dave and promise to spend some money at Giuseppe's!

Dave's reply: Awsome, they deserve it I'm sure. There are so many fantastic people in Telluride, Mtn. Village, and at Telski that did a great job this season. I'm sure lots of businesses are going to do what you're planning. Enjoy!

Hey Dave, thanks for another great move. You've done an amazing job putting Telluride on the map, and creating a first class ski resort.

Although the Telski boss gets a lot of grief from the locals (don't take it personally, its been going on for many years before you arrived), many of us really appreciate your willingness to try new things and change things for the better.

Our family is planning on staying in Telluride during the spring break and this news is very exciting. We'll be up on Chair 9 every day and will be hanging out at Giuseppe's for lunch and apres ski (no brown baggin', we promise). You just delivered a fantastic vacation gift to the locals.

Keep up the good work. Thank you for all the progressive changes over the last few years.

what a great saturday morning surprise

Dave's reply: Happy to please!

Bravo on another great call Dave.  Thanks so much.

Dave's reply: You're welcome!

See Dave? It's not so hard to get the local population behind you. All you have to do is "throw a bone" to those that live and work here once in a while! Simply adding two lifts for an extra week will earn Telski huge PR dividends.

Keep going with this newfound philosophy... Open up terrain when it's ready (not just for Christmas tourists), get the town side open earlier, award employee their promised bonuses, hire friendly locals rather than rude imports, give them better deals on lift passes and food, etc,...

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

Dave's reply: Thanks for the input Will. I think our operational practices are progressive, but we're always rethinking them to try and find that balance. We're working on a snowmaking improvement plan that would substantially improve the speed of opening the north side in early season. The new Performance Bank Review (PBR) bonus system is going to be funded this spring. I don't agree that our foreign staff members are "rude". That's a generalization that doesn't pass the smell test. We did improve the discounts for food for our employees this season.

Have a great weekend on the slopes!

For as many years as I can remember the ski area has left small moguls on the left side of The Plunge run but in the last few weeks the groomers have cut down all of the moguls on the Plunge.  I don't know if there is a particular reason for this but I have always appreciated the half grooming on this run with the opportunity to ski as many moguls as I like and then bail out onto the groomer.  At the very least a 20 yard strip on the left side would be appreciated.

Dave's reply: Hi Sam, I am aware of this. We were developing a very thin spot on the first steep pitch and the winch cat operators needed the snow on the left to push to skiers right. It was a decision we made for the quality overall. I agree with you that when we feel we have the snow in that area we should do what you're talking about. Thank you.

Hi Dave, are you no longer doing the SkiGreen thing?

Dave's Reply: Hi Park, thanks for your question, green practice is one of our top priorities. Our relationship with SkiGreen came about through our partnership with Clif Bar, a leader in environmental awareness and practice. As part of Clif Bar’s program with us, they provide wind energy offsets for the power used by our Village Express lift (4) each season, and they chose to purchase through SkiGreen/Bonneville. As one of our core company goals, we operate as a responsible community as well as environmental partner, and asked Clif that we purchase the wind credits locally. Clif agreed, and we now work with the area San Miguel Power Association. We asked Clif if they were interested in remaking their lift signs that have Ski Green logos, but they were fine leaving them as-is in that it would continue to provide SkiGreen exposure as one of their partners, and offer guests the opportunity to purchase green tags on their own from the site.

We continue to green more lifts and programs each year and act as a regional and industry leader in environmental programs – you can find all this on a direct link from the Homepage of our site under the Mountain.

Don't know where the "rude imports" idea came from.  ALL the on mountain folks have been great this season, as in all the 20 + years I have been skiing Telluride. Perhaps people get what they give.  Bill

Dave's reply: Hi Bill, I'm not sure where that came from either. I agree with you, we've got the best of the best staff this season. Thanks for recognizing them.

Reminder to all out there!!!!! Last year Telluride got 50 inches the week after the ski area closed. the thought gives me chills. No more last week slack country for gate skiers. Now we are gonna have to earn those turns....here's a link to get everyone pumped....www.youtube.com/watch

I too will be spending my money at guiseepes  partying with the incredible people of telluride for this "unprecedented event"

Is gondola closing as scheduled with this new decision in place?

Nice work Dave.

Dave's reply: Hi Scott, Thanks for your blog comment. Yes, the gondola will be closing as scheduled. So, that means the MV folks will have to drive or ride the Goose over to Coonskin.

How about some pictures of the hard working Telski team?  I love your blog and the photos but haven't seen any new ones lately.  Those of us who aren't there every day never tire of seeing the resort and mountains.

Dave's reply: Hi Julie, Thank you - you're right. I need to get out and grab some pictures. I wanted to yesterday but went backcountry skiing with my daughter instead, which was a wonderful experience.

Thank you for listening to the people.  Your latest changes have been great.  Now bring on the snow.

G

Dave's reply: Hi G, Thanks for you kind comments. We definetly do listen. It's hard to make everyone happy (because there are conflicting opinions on many things) but overall the input does generate positive changes. That's been demonstrated over and over again at Telluride Ski Resort. Enjoy!

If there was enough snow would it be possible to keep open the hoot brown park with access from the gondola?

Dave's reply: Sorry, The gondola is not scheduled to operate that week. It is shut down for annual maintenance.

Hey Dave, your post has answered all of my questions about the extended season except for two.

Will ski school be offering lessons from 4-6 to

4-12-09?  Will the nursery be open?  

Thanks!  

Dave's reply: Thanks for your question. The ski school will be offering lessons, but the nursery will not be open. If you have additional questions, you can reach Fred Rumford, Director of the Ski and Snowboard School at frumford@tellurideskiresort.com

howcome only 9 and 7???????????

Dave's reply: Our skier visits will drop and won't support running a bunch of lifts. This is a way we can reduce the losses but give folks some great terrain to end the season.

I love the new hours and the extended dates but I would

not travel here just to ski lift 9 if you want to get skiers from other resorts to come here 14 needs to be in the mix maybe even 12 but 14 is a must highest elevation best late snow and terrain maybe next year.

Also how about lift 8 instead of 7 much better access and the bus can get people over from carhenge.

Dave's reply: Hi SSS. I think I covered the issues in the blog post. Sure, we could run more lifts, but that wouldn't really work this time of year. Our plan is to provide some great skiing and fun for whoever is still around. If people don't see the value in skiing the Spiral Stairs, Plunge, Bushwacker, etc., then I guess they won't come.

I predict there will be a group of very happy people enjoying what we are offering :)

Dave,

Thanks for keeping the front side open for another week!  Assuming we have snow, it should be awesome.

On a completely unrelated note...

Would you PLEASE consider making it mandatory for all T-Ride skiing employees (e.g., patrol and instructors) to wear a helmet while on duty?  They represent the mountain, and what I read today on posts about Natasha Richardson's injury, most people think it's "uncool" to wear one.  Since when is it cool to drool out of one side of your mouth when a helmet COULD have saved your injury?

Dave's reply: Hi Amy. Thank you for your blog comments. For those who are unfamiliar with your post, information can be found at http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090317/film_nm/us_britain_richardson

We encourage people to educate themselves on the issues regarding the choice to wear a helmet. Here is some information that may be helpful in making the decision: http://www.lidsonkids.org/faq.asp

HI Dave,  Do not understand the people who are whining that not enough terrain is open for the extra week.  Opening that extra week is obviously very good business publicity but is also a great deal for local skiers.  You will not make much money from pass holders after all.  The terrain off 7 and 9, 9 especially, is some of the best any place.  These whiners remind me of spoiled kids at Christmas complaining they did not receive enough presents.  From my standpoint they can come and enjoy the week but if they choose not to so much the better - shorter lift lines and fewer people on the mountain.  Thanks for this extra week, Bill

Dave's reply: Hi Bill, Thanks for your comments. I'm thinking like you, its great!

I think the extended season is great but I assume there will be no grooming.  Also is there any plans to allow dowloading on lift 7 if the snow gets too sketchy towards town?  

Dave's reply: Hi Beth, we will be grooming the Chair 9 pod as usual. Downloading on 7 will be allowed too. 

Forcing people to wear ski helmets?! Are you kidding? I always wear one but mandating common sense is always a lame idea! Live and let live! Sheesh!

What's next? Banning 5 ft. tall trophy wives from driving oversized SUV's?

Dave's reply: This is also a state that doesn't require a helmet while driving a motorcycle. 

Is the rest of the back side 12,14, 6, 5, 4,and 10 not run because of money issue as well as it is on national forest land and is leased to the Telluride ski and golf resort and due to elk migration in the prospect area

Dave's reply: People stop coming in the late spring. We're running 7 and 9 for the fun of it. It's not a USFS issue. 

hey dave,

Good call on extending the season, I am looking foreward to getting some good slush turns in, eventhough lifts 7 and 9 are the oddest lifts on the mountain I still love them.  I also heard rumors that you are going to tear down the Hoot Brown park early? is there any truth to this? I hope not that would be so sad.  I have also heard that there might not even be a park next year? If this is the case I could promise you that I would not buy a season pass like I have been doing for years and years past.  then the memorial to Hoot Brown right above the park would mean nothing and be a big insult to his memory.  I hope there is no truth to these rumors becaust this year Telluride has had some of the best jumps they have ever had.

Please proove me wrong dave,

TGOOD

Dave's reply: We're going to have the parks next year - I'm not sure where that rumor came from. 

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Alessandra

Dave's reply: Thanks for joining us!

Hi Dave:

Thanks for the thermometers and for another great year of skiing Telluride.  I also want to thank the staff for their service and professionalism.

Oh, and thanks a lot for the extra week on 9.  That is way cool.

Dave's reply: Hi Doug, Owe it all to the great Telski staff! Thanks for your blog comments. 

Man, I really wish there was a little advanced warning on this.  Spring break on the east coast always coincided with the week post telluride closing.  Please give a little more advanced notice next year.....great idea nonetheless

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

Are the safety bars on 9 going to get fixed?  I read that you haven't been hit by one, but i got cracked in the head AGAIN yesterday.

Dave's reply: Hi Lou, we talked with the manufacturer and they are going to send us some weights that should help. Thank you.

Dave--Thanks for focusing on the skiing here at telluride. I applaud your efforts, namely keeping 7 and 9 open for another week. Only running these 2 lifts totally makes sense. If you decide to do it again next year (hopefully), maybe you could give us more notice, as a lot of families had already made plans to leave town that monday or tuesday, as it is spring break. Our kids would have loved to have skied during their 1st week of spring break, as would my wife and I. No complaints here, just making a point. Should be a great scene up there that last week. Thanks again for focusing on the ski experience. It will pay off in the short and the long term.

Dave's reply: Hi Steven, thanks for the input. We'll see how it goes this year.

AAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I'll be in Philly April 7-12. I am SO bummed. At least I get one more day though!

Dave's reply: Oh no!

Dave,

     I'm curious on your thoughts about how much snow might come from this storm, and with the weather appearing to dissipate to clear skies from friday and saturday, what the possibilities of black iron and palmyra opening up?? Thanks for your input

Dave's reply: Hi Ski Bum, I'm sorry but I'm out of town and can't predict with accuracy. I do know that our patrol will act with speed but with safety in mind, as they do so well!

Hi Again Dave-

Will you guys be doing anything this summer to allow you get the gold hill 1 "goat trail" to the aprons open next year? In talking with ski patrol, I was told that it didn't work so good this year, and they were only able to open it maybe 10 days. Thanks again for all you have done for the ski area!

Dave's reply: We are talking about extending it further this summer. The guys ran out of time last fall.

Dave,  we are back for a nice long weekend of spring skiing.  I have been reading about the grooming reports and wanted to weigh in.  Yesterday's reports showed that Marmont and Plunge were groomed.  I am not sure of the defination of groomed, but they certainly had not been groomed withing the last day.

Seems to me when you say groomed, I am going to assume they were groomed the night before.  Of course that may not be your defination.  

maf

Dave's reply: Yes, when we say groomed it means groomed the night before. Sometimes we groom on swing shift and it snows after midnight though.. When that happens we should not say groomed though. I'll talk to the staff about that. Thank you.

Hi Dave, my last post to you dissappeared.  You may have opted not to show it.  Oh well.  I was told there is a town by-law which states lift 8 has to be open if lift 9 is open.  Is this true?  I would personally love 8 open.  It would be easier then driving over to 7.

side note - love the later hours.  Snow is so much better.

I've been coming here for 26 years, seen lots of changes.  The mountain is finally something I'm proud to bring my friends to.  Well done.

Dave's reply: Hi Jennifer, Sorry for the late reply, I've been out of town. We have no requirement to run 8 when 9 is running. We felt 7 was better than 8 due to the terrain. Sorry for the hassle :(

Thanks for your kind comments. We'll keep at it!

Dave,

Yesterday, for the first time in my skiing career, I needed the ski patrol.  I took a pretty hard fall on  my head (luckily I wear a helmet) and my ski partner said that I was prettty confused for a few minutes.  Two patrollers responded, Ryan and Stephanie, and checked me out.  I want to compliment them for their professionalism and thoughfulness.  Great work!  I feel fine today and am going out to enjoy the new powder!

Gary

Dave's reply: Glad you're okay Gary. Thanks for recognizing Ryan and Stephanie too!

Hi Dave,

How does the year look financially for Telluride?  I think the new terrain is wonderful and truly believe that the mountain is growing into a world class resort.  This is largley due to your leadership, with a little help from the unique location of Telluride.  I am wondering however how healthy the resort is financially considering the ugly economy (how much debt did you incur from the expansion this past summer for example??)

Dave's reply: Hi Stephen, We were doing pretty good this ski season and then things dropped off more in March. We'll be okay though. We did some restructuring last summer (eliminated some positions that were duplicated), which helped.  We're always fine tuning how we operate. But, our company has a long-term view, unlike some of the other ski resorts across the country. Thanks for asking.

Wonderful that you will be open to celebrate my brother, Doug Greene's major birthday tomorrow - April 2nd!!!  Telluride is family to him and I'm sure it will be a great day.  The young 'uns better watch out 'cause he'll ski 'em off the mountain!

Dave's reply: Hi Runt, Enjoy and Happy Birthday to Doug!

yeah dave ! great idea on extending the season w/7&9 .as a 20 year local , i really appreciate the gesture & i hope others will as well .

on a side note ;do you know that Telski is the only ski area with snowbiking in the USA to discrimate against bikers by barring them from fixed grip lifts ?

(from roger the usa brenter rep)

do you know that TASP uses snowbikes for some of their adaptive skiers ?

do you know that many skiers with knee problems are using snowbikes now because it's much easier on their knees ?

please consider using the extendo-week as a trial period on lifts 7 & 9 for snowbikes . it would be an ideal time for this , as there will be few tourists & probably no liftlines . i have alot of freinds who bike & who bike here that feel unjustly denied fair access to the great terrain on 6,9,14,15 etc.. some of us have been going to Copper mtn. & Keystone every spring solely to bike , & we've never had any problems with their fixed grips including ancient doubles that are not slowed down .

please use this ideal period to let us prove that snowbikes are not a problem & actually expand skiing options & opportunities for all our guests .

                             thank you ,Stovepipe

Dave's reply: To be honest, I really haven't looked into this much. I remember talking with the operations folks who felt it was best to limit the snowbikes to the detachable lifts for loading, unloading, etc. I'll talk with them again and try to learn more. Thanks.

i have not seen the gold hill 1 goat trail up close & personal , but have heard that its very rocky & rarely open . is it possible that some astro-turf or rubber matting might solve much of this problem ?  NM

Dave's reply: The staff is going to continue working on the goat trail this summer when the snow melts. It needs to be extened a little further. It's a worthwhile project.

the Revelation lift is a fantastic new asset to the ski area that offers a unique ski experience unlike the rest of the mountain .

but aren't you pretty darn embarrassed that the newest lift has to be run well below normal speed (slower than all the other fixed grips) to keep from knocking skiers over ?

how can Poma inc. , with many decades of lift design & construction, screw up so badly & not follow proper on/off ramps spec.s ?

i sure hope you intend to completely resolve this problem with earthwork this summer to give adequate space/fall for the ramps, maze & offload area .                                  thanks , stovepipe

Dave's reply: I met with the President of POMA on this last week. We can easily correct it next summer. I had to make the decision to take a bull dozer up over the snow and do the work last December (destroying the base up top) or waiting until this coming summer. Obviously, I chose the later. We'll get the ramp dialed in this summer.

Dave,

I had an excellent time this past week at the mountain. I will absolutely make my way back here sometime in the future.

Dave's reply: Hi Kevin, thank you so much. Hope to see you soon on the slopes of Telluride!

Dear Dave,

My family was here for the past week; 14 of us.  I am so thankful for the way they were given the "red carpet" treatment.  We had people in ski school both adult and children; they loved it.  For the adult he claims it was "the happiest moment of his life."  He was terrified to try skiing and very apprehensive to the idea.  After finally being convinced, he had a full day private with Kenneth Edmondson and I think it was a way of changing his life.  For that, I am truly grateful.  We will bring his family back for more visits in the future and I imagine he will convert many of his friends to do the same.

My brother spent most of his time in Revelation Bowl which was the perfect place for him; advanced but not scary and amazingly beautiful.  

At one point, my mother thought she had left her wallet in the Hop Garden the night before her plane flight.  Ryan Mackey (my husband) called Elizabeth Howe who immediately made some very important phone calls to open the restaurant after hours to get her purse so she could have it in time for an early morning departure.  As we headed for the village to pick up the purse, it was found in the house we were renting.  We called off the team of people who reacted at the drop of a hat to help out a guest in need after hours.  I felt terrible at having called these people during their personal time but at the same time incredibly impressed at their selflessness in helping my mom.  She was very worried that she had lost her purse knowing she had to fly out the next morning, your executive team was there for us and for that I am truly grateful.  My family had an amazing trip; all 14 of them.  The ski area terrain was beyond impressive,the restaurants delicious, and the service unmatched.  Their experiences will bring them and their friends back for years to come.

Many thanks for a great family reunion ski trip,

Cari and Ryan Mackey, Jean and Robert Dohnal, David, Kim, and Tori Dohnal, Darcie, Anton, Alek, Nadia, and Eva Sharapov, Kevin Dohnal,Brett Dohnal, and my dogs. :)

Dave's reply: Hi Cari, Thank you so much for your kind blog comments. There are so many great people in the ski and golf company, that work so hard, and it is wonderful when they get recognition like you have done here. Thanks again!

Hi Dave,

Had a great time at Telluride.  I was a little disappointed that Revelation Bowl was not open every day, otherwise the service was outstanding.  I am looking forward to my next visit to Telluride.  The new terrain that has been opened since the last time I have skied here has made the skiing experience here so much better!!!

Sincerely,

Dave

Dave's reply: Thanks for your kind comments Dave, and thanks for choosing Telluride for your vacation! We hope to see you back again soon!

My experience with snowbikes is very limited...tried em-liked em...BUT I feel they leave a very dangerous groove in the snow.  I've been knocked unconscious twice in my over 50 years of skiing ad I'm just glad they weren't riding snowbikes!

Dave's reply: Thanks for the feedback Swede.

Dave,

Wow, how nice of you to ask everyone to recognize the staff for the great job they did this year.  That way you don't have to do it yourself.  Every year we hear how great the staff was and every year telski finds a way to screw them over.  I have an idea why not do something for the staff other than hosting some weak party in which they have to spring for their own drinks.  Actions speak louder than words Dave.

Dave's reply: Hi Shady. That's very harsh. Just because we don't roll out the kegs at the end of the season doesn't mean we don't care about our staff. I am very appreciative of all the hard work our staff put out this season.

I've been in the ski business for many years and have seen a lot of interesting things happen at end-of-season parties.

I've never been a fan of end-of-season beer parties, especially after the Ski School Supervisor was killed at an end-of-season party at a ski area in Summit County (crashed head-first into a propane tank when sliding down a half-pipe on a tower pad with a couple other drunk employees, and when the paraplegia accident happened at a California ski area on a jump that was built by the employees outside the base area bar, or when I saw snowmobiles stolen out of the maintenance shop at my own resort and rolled in the beginner area right outside the windows of the bar where the party was going on, or when the ATV's were stolen from the maintenance shop.

It's just not how I like to finish off a fun and enjoyable ski season... It really has nothing to do with the cost of the kegs.

Does that make me a jerk? Or, maybe a CEO who cares?

Hey Dave:

This last "bonus" week has been a real treat. I hope the program can be continued in the future, with increasing skier days as a tradition that can be planned for takes hold. I do think the mountain could be doing a modestly broader grooming routine. Nothing on lift 7 the last several days. With variable snowpack this is even more of an issue. Ideally you'd alternate between Plunge and Bushwacker on 9 and Coonskin and Milk Run on 7 every night. Knowing this protocol in advance will encourage traffic.

Dave's reply: Toby, I looked into this. It seems they are rotating Plunge and Bushwacker with the winchcat but just doing T-Trail, Bail Out, and Easy Out off 7. They thought they could rotate in Coonskin on the nights they do Bushwacker with the winch. Thank you for your input.

Thanks for a great season Dave!

Dave's reply: Thank you for your support Will. Have a great summer!

Will Telluride Ski Resort have a super pipe next winter?

Dave's reply: Not planning on it. Don't like the locations. We've got some other projects that we're focused on right now.

Thanks for an incredible ski season Dave.

Telluride now has the best terrain in Colorado, by far. I skied almost exclusively in RB, BIB, GH, and PP this season, as well as many days in BC. Telluride is a completely different resort than it was just a few years ago, thanks to your changes.

I saw you in BC this year. It's nice to have a CEO who cares about a good powder line!

Was that a kick ass party at Goronno last Sunday or what?!!! Your staff there is the best, as well as the lifty crew this year. Wow, did you give them all happy pills this year?

Dave's reply: Hi ST, thanks for you support. It makes everything worthwhile to hear kudos from a loyal customer. The Telski staff and mgmt. team has done a wonderful job as we've expanded and improved the Telluride Ski Resort experience. Thanks for recognizing them.

Awesome, then I'm not going to be living in Telluride next winter.  I've been in Telluride 13 years, and I think it's so lame that you won't build a halfpipe.  There are so many locations that would work really well, but I guess that isn't the image you want for Telluride.  That is pretty weak of you, and I know plenty of people who will be bummed!!!  I bet you won't post this, but I just don't understand your reasoning for not having a halfpipe!  I can pick out at least five locations for a pipe, easily.  But whatever, you probably won't listen anyway.  

Dave's reply: Then tell me one place that is 18 degrees consistent, south to north facing, 400+ feet long, 100 feet wide, with snowmaking located at the top, no side hill, that doesn't significantly conflict with traffic flows. That's what it takes. It doesn't exist without significant tree removal and grading. Thank you.

Hi Dave,

I live in the area, and was wondering if people are allowed to snowshoe/ skin up and ski the mountain once it's closed next week? I've done this many times at other resorts in the past in Colorado and Utah. Thanks.

Dave's reply: We don't disallow it in the spring. But, please be careful as we have snowmobiles and snowcats running around doing work that may not expect to see people, especially on break-overs or blind corners. Thank you.

Hi Dave,

A GREAT year! Got to T'ride three trips this year for 15 days of skiing...it was not nearly enough! Two of the Telski ski instuctors that I've gotten to know have suggested that I look into becoming an instructor, so I would appreciate any advice or info that you can offer me.  I am very serious about this and ski instructing would be the fulfillment of a dream!  I feel that I would be very competent to teach from Levels 1 to 4 or 5.

What can I do now to get ready and apply for next season?

Thank you and your staff for the great skiing!!!

Dave's reply: Hi Jim, Please feel free to contact our Ski and Snowboard School Director, Fred Rumford at frumford@tellurideskiresort.com Thanks for your passion toward Telluride!

Hi Dave,

First off, thanks for the great year.  Your vision has helped make Telluride a skiers resort rather than a real estate sales oriented resort of the years past.

I did have some close calls where ski runs cross.  At another Colorado resort, I saw some signs that warned of skiers crossing.  The generic SLOW signs do have their place, but a warning where Gold Hill traffic is crossed by skiers accessing Prospect would help.

Dave's reply: Thanks for your input Buttinski, I'm glad you had a great year.

Did you sell the super pipe cutter?

Dave's reply: No

My daughter is a TSR guest services worker and there she was in the photo of Guiseppe's at the end of season party! What a treat to find her photo! As a parent a  thousand miles away from her child I've enjoyed this blog all season long. And I've lost this girl to Telluride...she'll be back next year for her third season. She went to Mt. Hood and Mt. Bachelor in late April and was highly unimpressed with both...she's spoiled...she loves Telluride.

Dave's reply: Hi Katy, You'll have to come visit sometime!