Rocky Mointain High!

[House of Laughter]

Went to visit a buddy in Colorado - in the 12 years he's lived there I never skied - he doesn't ski, so that doesn't help matters.

He had to work Saturday, so I skied -

Have to say, this state is an amazing place. Few shots coming into the pass where the tunnel goes to Brek and Vail. Decided not to ski the Arapahoe Basin and stayed on the Denver side of the tunnel - that traffic is impossible. These shots were taken in the still mode of my HD video camera -

For those of you who went on the recent MR jaunt and think those are "mountains" - think twice.

The trip in:

 

[House of Laughter]

The day stared out very sunny and the mountain was spectacular. Loveland Basin is 13,010ft and the top is even more. Second shot was taken from the lift - was about 1//2 way up the 2 mile long lift

Some shots:

 

[House of Laughter]

The lift was so damn long - amazing how different it is there than here. Shots down the mountain were about 1/2 way down the trail -

 

[House of Laughter]

I decided to go to the top of the mountain - note the weather is changing rather quickly there.

Here you can see there are no "trails" just sticks in the ground with fences where you shouldn't be skiing.

Note how deep the cuts from boarders and skiers are - and also note I was not et at the top.

 

[House of Laughter]

When I got to the top, it squalled like a bantje and conditions were white out - I literally couldn't see 2 foot in front of me. Took me an hour to get down that run.

White out is crazy scary out there -

 

[House of Laughter]

if you've never skied the west coast (or mountain states) you have no idea what you're missing.

In the locals frame of mind, the snow was "fair" and to me it was like skiing on clouds - the East is a joke compared to this local :kiddie: mountain.

House

 

[masterswimmer]

Dude, that looks amazing. I never got to ski the Rockies. Looks like a totally different world. I'm sure you had a blast, even without Manny. More pix and I wouldn't complain. Great job with the camera.

R

PS - bantje??? You mean banshee? lol

 

[House of Laughter]

Yeah, I have a staff member who's name is spelled that way - force of habit.

Unfortunately, this is all I took. Great time - definitely doing it again next year.

House

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

Ahh the powder.....nothing like boarding or skiing out west....Colorodo is great. I have to say my favorite place thus far has been in BC Canada. You have 5000+ elevation without the altitude sickness.... ;o)....Nice Pics...

Thane

 

[E.intheC]

those pictures look great. Must have been exciting. My old neighbor from high school lives out there and is a guide (great job).

 

[House of Laughter]

Thane,

I know - I wanted to go there long agol but that was years ago and a couple kids later -

E, That's a rockin job - wish I had that kind of skill - although the few reef stores I visited out there really sucked

House