The Topher's Trees "trail" sign in Topher's Trees at the Mary Jane

“Where have you been skiing?”

The Liftie at the C-Chair asked.  ”Topher’s” was my one word answer, and a mixed look of jealousy and admiration spread across his face.  ”How is it?” he asked as he mentally counted off the minutes to his first ski break of the day.  ”Fantastic” I replied, “Just don’t tell anybody.  I’ve got a full blown case of Topheritis and I’ll be there all day!”

   “Sweet!” was the last thing I heard from him as the old fixed-grip double chair whisked me off from the loading platform to take me to the top.

           “For all those who venture beyond this point…

                          you shall not be alone.”

reads the caption beneath the “Trail” sign erected by the family and friends of Christopher “Topher” Sendroy in the trees at Mary Jane that now bear his name.  Topher died tragically in a tree well in his favorite patch on February 11, 1995 at the young age of 26.  His Head skis are crossed in an “X” permanently affixed to the tree where he passed away on that snowy February day.  And below his skis a bronze memorial plaque mounted on a beetle-killed lodgepole pine is visible from the Corona Way “cat-track” at the Mary Jane side of Winter Park Resort.

   Known by die-hard locals as one of the best powder “pockets” at the Jane it’s exact location is rarely shared with tourists or gapers.  If the Winter Park side gets six inches of powder that often means that a foot or more of the fluff has settled into “Topher’s Trees”, and with some of the most extreme terrain that the Jane has to offer it is the place to go when you want to “Get Some!”  Topher’s Trees has rock spires, cliffs, caves and one of the best “mushroom patches” that you can ski at Winter Park. The largest rock outcropping on Mary Jane, “Twiggy’s Rock” (named in memory of Twiggy who lost his life while attempting to huck it) is found there as well.  And although I’m not a very “spiritual” type of person I must agree with the sentiment on the trail sign as I have often felt a “presence” while skiing those steep and deep trees that are now named after “the Raven”.  If you live by Eleanor Roosevelt’s philosophy of “do something that scares you at least once a day” then this is the place for you.  

                           But don’t ask me how to find it because I’m not telling.

This apparition photographed outside Topher's hut bears an uncanny resemblance to a ghostly dove.

Gaz's Gate at the top of Topher's Trees on the Mary Jane at Winter Park Resort, Colorado..

Parry's Peak as seen from the top of Twiggy's Rock in Topher's Trees on the Mary Jane.

Twiggy's Rock as seen from the Mushroom Patch at the Mary Jane.

To join PJ on a trip through Topher’s Trees press play.