Snowmass serves up a mass of snow

Snowmass, Colorado

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

14+ Inches of fresh powder beckons skiers and snowboarders from the Elk Camp Chair at Snowmass, Colorado.

Following a week of unseasonably warm temps and no snow, Old Man Winter returned with a vengence to the Colorado Rockies.  Over fourteen inches of powder came down on Snowmass refreshing and replenishing the snowpack that had suffered during the early appearance of Spring.  Road conditions on 82 from Glenwood Springs to Aspen were horrendous but those willing to brave the dicey drive were rewarded with untracked powder and uncrowded runs.  The first few chairlift rides were chilly with near blizzard conditions but by 11 a.m. the clouds parted, the wind died down and skiers and snowboarders were suddenly granted a surprise bluebird powder day.

The morning starts off blustery but turns to bluebird before noon.

While the Cirque remained closed for the day the ski patrol did open the areas below the Cirque Headwall including AMF and Gowdy’s by 11 and the Hanging Valley Wall shortly thereafter.

The clouds begin to part as skiers begin the trek out to the Hanging Valley Wall, Snowmass.

Fresh snow blankets the mountains surrounding Snowmass, as seen from the top of Elk Camp.

A straightliner does his best Brett Barrus impersonation at Snowmass, Colorado.