Colorado Blog 2020

The total snowfall yesterday was 3 inches. The morning was overcast and very cold with temps near zero. It didn’t get much warmer all morning and so we didn’t go skiing today. We spent the day doing laundry, grocery shopping and catching up with the local news. One of the more interesting articles is that Dillon is planning on establishing Marijuana lounges. Sounds like a good idea. In the afternoon, we got ready to go to “Happy Hour”. We started at Bagalis’s in Frisco. After we arrived , we found out that they no longer have happy hour on Friday. However we decided to have one drink – one beer and one HOUSE red wine. The bill was $24 - $4 for the beer and $20 for a HOUSE wine. I complained to the bartender and the hostess to no avail. I asked to speak to a manager, but none was around. I told them that they lost a customer forever. We then went to the High Side Brewery where we had a much better time. There was live music, good food and plenty of dogs around to pet. When we got hom...

The morning started with mostly cloudy skies and cold temps. It started around 10 degrees and didn’t get much warmer. However, we still decided to go to Copper Mtm to ski. Again the parking lot was half crowded and the bus stop had no skiers waiting. As we got to the West Village we saw a group of people waiting to get their tickets to stay overnight at Jenna’s Hut in the back country. Copper Mtn has 1 back country hut that sleeps 20 people and costs $35 a person to rent. As we started to ski it the snow started. Snow flurries at first, then increasing in intensity. It continued off and on all day. As we started out for dinner, Dam Brewery first for happy hour, then Arapahoe Café for dinner, the snow was really coming down. There was already 2-3 new inches withg more to come. Tomorrow should be a POWER day.

The morning started with overcast skies but no snow. We went to Copper Mtn and again the parking lot was empty. It appears the best days to ski are Tuesday and Wednesday. The only problem we has was again the Timberline lift which was OOS for about 1 hour. Since this happened yesterday, we knew how to get around this problem. As we skied the different trails, we noticed that the Safety patrol has placed emergency sleds, that bring injured people down, are placed by every trail intersection. This allows them to get to injured people more quickly. It was another good day. As we were leaving we also noticed workers pn top of building trying to remove the snow that has built up. It appears to be a very dangerous job. Tomorrow, it may snow

Yesterday we received another 2 inches of snow during the day. But overnight it became clear and in the morning it was partly cloudy and cold. By mid morning, we were on our way to Copper Mtn. The parking lot was only half full and as we got the lift, we didn’t see many skiers. We started at East Village and as we skied down to the Timberline Lift, we found out why not many skiers were around. The lift was out of service. It was that way for 2 hours. We skied pass and went over to the 10 Mile Trail where there are many new homes. This trail is a round about way of getting back where we started. We were able to get to Central Village and took the American Flyer lift to the Union Creek bowl. We were glad that it was sunny, because as it turned out, we skied for about 3 hours straight. It was a great ski day. Tomorrow, the snow is back in the forecast.

So for about 1 hour this morning it was nice. And during that hour, we decided to go to Keystone to ski. We fond a parking space in the front row and about 20 steps to the bus. We thought we were going to ski ALL day. By the time we got to the lift, snow flurries started to fall and by the time the lift took us to the top of the mountain, approx. 10,000 ft , it was really snowing. We were able to get a couple of runs in and then we called a day. At the Mountain House, where we start, there were very few people trying to take the lift back up. As it turned out, it snowed all afternoon and didn’t stop till around 5pm. Tomorrow it is supposed to be sunny and mild. Lets hope so.

It was a beautiful morning. It was sunny and mild. Out our back window, we could see a line of cars heading up the highway to Keystone. Everyone knew it was going to be a great ski day. For that reason, we knew it was going to be very crowded on the slopes so we decided to go to Breckenridge to see the Ice Sculptures. So after mass, we went to the Frisco transit station to catch the Summit Stage. The trip is about 30 minutes which is about the same if I was to drive, without the hassle of trying to find a parking space. Each of the 15 ice sculptures was a masterpiece and trying to determine the best was very difficult. After walking through the courtyard, we went to the ski lifts to see all of the skiers. It was a mad house. After we returned to the transit station, we went to the Sauce to listen to music and have dinner. It was a long but rewarding day/   

We had a little snow overnight but the morning was sunny and mild. Since we don’t ski on the weekends, we checked out the local newspaper.for events. We found that a local bar in Silverthorne, Angry James, was having a 2 year in business party. Angry James is a local brewery with their own style of brewing beer. So around 1pm, we headed over to join the fun and music. The place was very crowded with many people sitting outside to listen to the music. We were lucky to get seats at the picnic tables that are set up and we talked to many people. The interesting thing is that you can get 3 different sizes of beers.. There is a 5 oz, ½ pint and a full pint size. I had a Pilsner and Glenna drank a bourbon dark beer. It was a great afternoon

It was a Blue Bird morning. While there wasn’t any new snow overnight, the snow sparkled from the day before. We knew it was going to great ski day. As it turned out, we were not the only ones that knew that. The traffic reports were already indicating that it was taking over 2 hours to travel the 40 miles from Idaho Springs to the Eisenhower tunnel. Around 9:30am, we left for Copper Mtn and as we got closer, we knew the resort was going to be jam packed with skiers. There was already several thousand cars in the parking lot and they were sending the overflow across the highway to the Far East area. This was the same situation on Martin Luther King day. As we arrived in the East Village section of the mountain, we were totally surprised that the number of skiers wasn’t equal   to the number of cars we saw. One of the resort instructors told us that they had just opened a new section of the mountain, on the other side with a new lift called the “Three Bears Lift “. This was gr...

It was a Groundhog day. Overnight we had an additional 5-6 inches of new snow bringing the 2 day total to around 9-10 inches. After cleaning off the car, we decided to go to Keystone to ski. It was a good choice. No problem parking in the lot and the lift at the Mountain House was empty. We were able to ski for 2 hours and we ready didn’t see any skiers on the other runs. For lunch, we ate at the Mountain House restaurant. The price for a regular hamburger was $15.50 which I thought was very pricey. After lunch, we went into the Last Lift bar which we have been going to for over 36 years. In fact, the bartender from 36 years ago is still working there. I remember him because he is a Phil Simms look alike. After exchanging conversation, we had a quick drink and returned home. Hoping the sun returns tomorrow.   If so, it will be a great ski day.

We awoke to a snowy and windy morning. Overnight we received about 3 inches of snow.   Temps started out in the high 20s. By mid morning, the snow continued off and on. Each time we decided to try and go skiing, the snow increased intensity. So the only thing we were able to do was do the laundry and go for a walk in the blowing snow. In the evening we went for burger night at the Arapahoe Café. Usually it is VERY crowded but last night, no problem getting a table. As we were leaving the café, it was snowing very heavily and continued into the late night. The unusual thing is that Denver so far this month hasn’t received ANY snow so far this month.

Our condo complex seems to only be a weekend getaway. On Saturday, there were 15 or more cars in the lot. During the week, there has only been 2 or 3 cars with 1 being my car. The good side of this is this allows the snow plow to do a good job. This morning, while we didn’t get any snow overnight, at Copper Mtn,   it snowed most of the late morning and early afternoon. The snow was light and ready didn’t accumulate. We skied many trails and finished at Union Creek Bowl. To our surprise, we found that a bathroom was built last year in the bowl. This location is at 11,400 ft. I guess it must be one of the highest location in Summit County . As we returned home, the light snow continued into the evening. Hopefully we will get a good dump

High clouds started the morning. And because of these clouds, the temps were in the mid 20s to start. Even though it was Martin Luther King day, we still decided to try and go skiing at Copper Mtn. Arriving at the resort, the free parking lot was completely filled. This lot holds several thousand cars. We then tried to get into one of the several pay lots but they were also filled. There was one more chance to find a parking space and that was in a lot they call the Far East which is across the highway. After going there, they were sending us across the lot and no where near the bus stop. We just turned around and went home. The moral to this story is to not try and ski on a holiday weekend. After lunch, we walked around Dillon and then got ready to go to the Dam Restaurant. The story was the same with the skiers we talked with. The weather forecast calls for some light snow starting tonight thru Wednesday.

This morning it was a little colder than yesterday. It started out at + 2 degrees. But with clear skies, it warmed into the high teens very quickly. After mass, we went to City Market to pick up a few things to get ready to watch the NFL play off games. We also caught up reading the local newspaper. Found out the Ult Fest already took place in mid December. It usually happens in January. Also the Dillon Ice Castles already has already started. It began also in December. We decided to watch the KC/Tenn   game at the Red Mtn Grill. It was filled with KC fans and they all left happy. We stayed to watch the SF/GB game. But with SF blowing GB away, we left at halftime. It looks like it will be KC vs. SF on Feb 02. Tomorrow is suppose to be another clear day with temps in the mid 40s.

Saturday morning started out as a cold ( +6 degrees) and overcast day. It stayed that way all day with off and on snow showers. Listening to the traffic reports, the average trip from Denver was 2 ½ hours. I guess it’s the 3 day Martin Luther King weekend that’s bringing the skiers up. We relaxed all morning and in the afternoon we went to Copper Mtn to see the Safety Fest event going on in Central Village . We also noticed the regular non- discounted daily ski pass was $189 on Saturdays. It is cheaper during the week - $149 and on Sundays at $169. If you are going to ski, you must try and find an online discount. The lifts were packed and wait time was 15-20 minutes. After the Safety event, we went to Jack’s to listen to music and have a couple of refreshments. And of course to watch the dancing on the bar. It was a fun evening.

It was a wild weather day. This morning the sun was out with no warning of what was come. There was no wind to talk of. So around 9:30 we decided to go to Keystone. We were able to park in the second row of cars and had easy access to the Gondola. But by 10am clouds quickly moved in and it started to snow. By the time we got to the top, it was white out conditions and it took a lot to make it back down. At the mountain house, we decided to call it a day. Driving back to the condo, it only got worse. By mid afternoon, the wind was blowing around 50 mph and it wasn’t safe outdoors. We stayed in for the rest of the day and evening. We listened to the traffic reports and the normal 90 minute drive from Denver was taking over 4 hours. I am sure the traffic will be the same tomorrow morning.

Today started with a light overcast and stayed that way thru the afternoon. This allowed the temps to stay in the mid 30s on the mountain all day. While there were a few more skiers on the trails, the lift lines were minimum. Most of the skiers were in packs of 6 or more. It appears many of the ski clubs have arrived for Martin Luther weekend. The terrain park is all groomed and ready for the snowboarders along with the roller coaster ride. The tracks for the coaster were being inspected today. We skied for about 3 hours, had lunch at the top of the mountain and returned home by 4pm. Again we are staying home and relaxing. Skiing 3 days in a row takes a lot out of you. Both of us are very sore

The morning sun did its job again. Under a cloud less sky, the temps warmed into the mid 20s from the low teens. So after breakfast, we headed back to Copper Mtn for our second day of skiing. While the parking lot was a little more crowded, the lifts and trails were empty. The snow conditions are good and with the few skiers on the trails, we had a very enjoyable day. We had a late lunch and then we went to JJ’s   Bar in the East Village of Copper Mtn to see the Jerry and Mo show. It starts at 3:30 and ends at 5:30 which is just right for us. After the music ended, we returned home and had a very relaxing evening. In the local newspaper, we saw a full page ad about the Senior Olympics, today was the first day to sign up. Maybe we will look into it.

The morning sun quickly warmed the temps up into the upper tens from the low lows by 9am. It was a blue-bird morning, not a cloud in the sky. We headed to Copper Mtn for our first day of skiing. The parking lot wasn’t crowded and the trails were mostly empty. For the most part, it was a good start. However, around 10:30am, the wind picked up and started to blow around 40 MPH. On occasion there were white out conditions. On our second run down, a gust hit me and I fell with Glenna falling right next to me. It was a lot of fun trying to get up and put our skis back on. This really tired us out. We continued to ski for another hour and called it quits for the day. We had lunch up at the top at the Koko restaurant. After lunch, on our way down, we noticed one of the lifts had stopped running because of the wind. I hope there wasn’t any body on the lift when it shut down. But after about 30 minutes it started up again. We returned back to the condo and decided to stay in tonight. Hopeful...

Monday turned out to be a cloudy and snowy day. Morning temps were around 15 degrees and ended in the mid-20s. In the morning we continued to put things away in the condo and picked up our skis. We also went to Walmart to pick up additional items for the condo. In our parking lot, a video team was taking pictures and video of snowboarders flying down a ramp and down the rails of the stairway. It was fun watching them. In the late afternoon, we got ready to go to the Dam Brewery to meet some of our friends from last year. They were all there. After a lot of talk and a few beers, we returned home to watch the Clemson-LSU football game. It was an exciting game and LSU proved to be the better team. Hopefully tomorrow will be our first day skiing.

We continued to settle in on Sunday. After mass at 10am, we went to City Market to start the process of filling up the refrig and cabinets. I then went over to my friends house and picked up our skis and booths, along with 2 boxes of things we left with them. After lunch, we brought the skis to be tuned up. By mid afternoon, we settled in at one of our favorite places - The Sauce, where we had afternoon cocktails and watched the playoffs again. In the evening, on our way back, we stopped at the marina for a light show. It may take another 1 or 2 days to really get back into the swing of things.