The type of powder we have right now could be more appropriately referred to as "poudre" because it's so wonderfully light and delicate. No offense to the french.
It's what so many people call "champagne" powder. But we can't call it that. Steamboat has the rights and I don't want to get in trouble.
Here's how the snow has stacked up so far this season:
Last 7 days: 24" December: 77" Winter to-date: 107"
Keep it coming!
Just a reminder- you can follow us on Twitter for updates in real time!
2010 is rapidly approaching! And just when I finally got myself trained to write 2009 on my checks....sheesh.
Here's the full schedule of everything going on up here for New Years:
Ski & Ride all day! Lifts 9am-4pm
Dinner at the Sunset Grille 4-7pm Italian style buffet $12 adults $8 ages 4-10 Under 4 are free!
Music by Record Setters 4-8pm
Rail Jam 5-6pm Watch 20 of Powderhorn's top skiers and riders compete. Located between the Base Lodge and Skier's Union/Inn at Wildewood.
Torchlight Parade & Fireworks 6pm Our instructors and ski patrol snake down the mountain with red torches while fireworks blast over the mountain culminating with the "Fire Ring Jump of Death". If you've never seen this show, come check it out! No need to be a skier to enjoy this.
Dinner & Party at the Skier's Union Cafe & Bar Dinner: 3 seatings from $25-35 per person. Call for reservations 970-268-5163. DJ and party following dinner.
A few monks (yes that's what I said) came to ski early this week. They LOVE the snow and come to Powderhorn this time every year. He's not hurt, just hanging with the redcoats.
Santa was spotted delivering toys out on the slopes....or he was just carrying that bag to make it look like he was working.
We got a big fat Christmas present wrapped in white...
And the park crew just got a nice jump built on Maverick with a perfect backdrop of a snowy valley
Maverick got a new board for Christmas and was spotted all over the mountain yesterday breaking it in. Here's his picks for the week:
Run:Powderkeg is soft right now and diving in and out of the trees on either side is always fun.
Food: the snow is so good I've been eating on the go for max ride time. Any of the sandwiches-to-go from the Trader Cafe or Sunset Grille are great. There are different sandwiches all named after different ski runs.
Gear: These last 2 days I've been loading up in the morning on hand warmers in the Alpine Trader. They're only $2 and make my day a million times better!
Feature: I got to test out the new step-over jump on Maverick! I figured since its on my signature run I should get first crack at the jump. Never mind the fur left behind in the landing. Next stop: Freeriders camp starting January 10.
Apres: tasting the local flavor with a Palisade Red Truck beer from the Sunset Bar.
Aren't face shots just about the best thing ever? They make grown men giggle like wee-little girls. We got it today!
There's a cloud camping out on the mountain, still dumping snow. Also making visibility a little interesting. There are skiers in these pics somewhere...
What do you get a ski area for Christmas? That's easier than buying for your Twilight obsessed pre-teen.
SNOW!
Looks like we could collect 8" of new snow by Christmas morning. What a nice gift! After you unwrap that new board, get it to the mountain ASAP! You can register your new equipment daily at Guest Services. This provides the Mesa County Sheriff with information on your new toy in case something should happen. We have extra staff working after Christmas just to help deter those grinches that would try something so cruel. While this is rare, be smart, lock up your stuff! Locks are available in the Alpine Trader.
Maverick has been out doing his usual "research" and has submitted his favorites for the week:
Run:Redeye on the West End. A fun, wide groomer with soft snow and lots of twists & turns.
Food item: the sweet fries at the Sunset Grille mmmmmm!
Gear: anything by Dakine on the giant glove wall in the Alpine Trader. They have sizes big enough for my hooves.
Equipment: thought I'd teach myself a thing or two and rented a telemark ski package. Turns out I should probably just take the Tele Clinic this Saturday.
Apres: a nice cold Odell Cutthroat Porter at the Sunset Bar. I also joined the pint club for my new PH glass and deals all season.
Protein: a bison burger over at the Skier's Union Cafe & Bar. Thank god they don't serve moose!
This is a first hand report from the marketing office- conditions are GOOD! Its hard for many of us to be in the office right now when good turns are to be had just outside. The snow is soft and fun to carve. If you haven't been out yet, make plans to get here this weekend!
The season is in full swing now! We're hitting the ground running with fun events for you and your family. Here's the rundown for December:
This Saturday the 19th Breakfast With Santa 8-10am Sunset Grille Bring the kids for a breakfast buffet with Santa, then look for him out on the slopes later in the day!
Christmas Eve Service Join Alpine Resort Ministries at 7pm in the Sunset Grille for the annual Christmas Eve service.
December 27th 1-2pm Terrain Park FREE TRYOUTS for the New Year's Eve Rail Jam We're changing things up this year! The feature on New Year's Eve will be pretty unique, something you haven't seen at Powderhorn before. In order to compete you MUST tryout. Tryouts are free and open to everyone. The park crew will select the top 10 skiers and top 10 snowboarders. The New Year's Eve Jam costs $10 with prize packs for winners. The tryouts will take place on a standard/existing park feature. Please DO NOT tryout if you cannot attend the New Year's Eve event.
December 31st Torchlight Parade & Fireworks Show Dinner Buffet at the Sunset Grille New Year's Eve Rail Jam It all begins as the mountain closes at 4pm. Grab dinner in the Sunset Grille then watch the Rail Jam at the base area. The torchlight parade & fireworks will begin at dark. This is the most unique event in the Grand Valley, don't miss it!
It's finally here! This gang of hardcore kids got here at 5:40am to catch the first chair privledges. I guarantee many of our employees weren't even awake yet.
It's time to start our new weekly blog by our mascot, Maverick the Moose. His job consists of skiing, eating and generally goofing off. So each week he'll give us the rundown of his favorite things around the mountain. I have to type it for him though, those hooves aren't keyboard friendly!
Run: Bill's Run is groomed and going to the be the best warm up run for the 2009-10 season.
Breakfast: cinnamon roll at the Sunset Grille. A moose needs carbs for skiing powder!
Lunch: the world-famous sirloin fillet burger at our new Skier's Union Cafe & Bar hit the spot.
Gear: Got myself a new O'neill jacket at the Alpine Trader. It's pretty colorful, can't miss me!
Apres: Bailey's and HoCho (hot chocolate) at the Sunset Bar warmed me up nicely.
And a special treat, Maverick wrote us a little poem...
Twas the night before Opening Day, and all through the house
Everyone was stirring, and planning with their spouse.
The skis were placed on the car with care,
In hopes of scoring Powderhorn's first chair!
Ski Patrol & Slope Maintenance have done a great job managing all this snow. We'll be opening 75-80% of the mountain on Saturday. Here is the projected list of open terrain:
Bill's Run Maverick Equalizer Lower Equalizer Yoohoo Powderkeg Showdown Harold's Way Quickdraw Racer's Edge Wonderbump Peacemaker Greenhorn Looky Looky Dude Whistle Pig Bottom's Up EZ Redeye Snowcloud Sweet Misery Hooker Cow Camp Tenderfoot
Tentative: Cannonball Bear Claw
Lifts: 4/4 Terrain Parks: 1/2 (3 feature line) All services open
A lot of people have been asking on here what to expect from the terrain park crew this year. Well, I finally have some answers for you.
For starters, the parks will be located in the traditional areas. On opening day you can expect at least a 3 feature line to include boxes and wall ride. Every Friday throughout the season the park will have 1-3 new features. Something fresh every weekend!
We're planning a lot of great events. First off, the New Year's Eve Rail Jam. This competition will be very different from those in the past. Click here for the details. If you want to participate, you gotta plan ahead! Open rail jams, slopestyle, kid's only comp and some goofy stuff are all in the works. Information on that to come.
Take a moment this weekend to say hi to Joe Pope, our new park manager! Joe has 10 years of park building experience. We're going to see a lot of great things from him.
Snow makes us giddy. It's like we're all little kids again! With all of Grand Junction basically shut down, it's a miracle we all made it to work today. So far we've received 24" of snow and it's still snowing HARD.
Digging out
We'll be making a decision today so check back for an update!
Old Man Winter is throwing our first winter test at us.
Can we handle it? OH YEAH!
This is when it gets real interesting for us at Powderhorn. We've done a great job preparing all departments for a possible early opening. So now, we just look out the window and watch it snow. Hoping for the best.
We have a meeting at 1pm tomorrow to discuss the possibility of opening on Thursday (one week early). It all depends on what this storm does today and tonight. There's a lot of wind, so it's not accumulating right now as much as we'd like. If Thursday is a no-go, we'll see what the storm does the rest of the week and begin talking about an early opening on Saturday.
We're obsessively watching the forecast hoping to see lots of flakes popping up. And, looks like that's exactly what's happening! We're paying close attention to a storm rolling in on Sunday. If it brings the snowfall we need, we'll open early. A decision whether or not to open on Thursday, December 10th will be made on Tuesday the 8th. We'll post info on the website, blog, Twitter, Facebook....generally the whole world will know.
Mountain crews have been working hard making snow every night at the base area. We're ahead of schedule there. The guys have also been inspecting every area around the mountain. Right now, we'd need a good 2 foot storm to fill in the upper half of the mountain. Hey, it could happen....remember last year? Powder opening. Wouldn't that be nice again?
Did the very mention of Christmas shopping just make your heart beat a little faster? And bead of sweat roll down your face?
Yeah, it does that to me too.
We have some easy ideas for your snowsliding friends and family!
- Lift tickets are available for purchase in Grand Junction at Board & Buckle, Gene Taylor's Sporting Goods, Traz Snow & Skate, and Sports Authority.
- Plus Cards are available through December 31st. It's $50 for the card and they'll get $7 off every lift ticket, 5th day free, and an entire week of free skiing in February.
- Gift Cards are also available. You can purchase them in any amount and they can be used for lift tickets, food, rentals, lessons, and merchandise. To order, call 970-268-5700.
- The Alpine Trader will be open as soon as the mountain opens and offers all the new Powderhorn apparel, goggles, outerwear, bags, hats and other gifts. If you're a season pass holder, show your pass for 10% off!
