Closest snow to Denver?

[mannix]

Hey all - anyone know where the closest snow is to Denver? I'm REALLY itching to ride my sled - even a road ride, just want to get out and ride the darned thing.

A couple of weeks ago, the shaded portions of Jones Pass Road had almost enough.

Anyone? Steamboat is a bit far, hoping for Jones Pass/Guanella/Vail/????

Thanks!



Iain

 

[ak2co]

nothing yet... really?
i wanna know too.

 

[mannix]

I went to Jones this afternoon for giggles. Saw some snowmobile tracks. Went up a fair bit - past Butler Gulch, past the little parking lot on the right, up to the first left hand switchback.

BARELY enough snow to ride; it is largely snowcovered, but the rocks and dirt are pretty much right there.

It was snowing pretty hard when I left, though.

I'm hoping that the storm on it's way through tonight-Tuesday will put 8-10" down - that'd at least make the road rideable. Not sure about higher up, but from a skier's standpoint, it looks really, really thin - there probably are wind-loaded shots which are skiable, but not too much, yet. I'm probably going to drag the sled up later this week/next Saturday - if the storm adds 6" or more, it is probably worthwhile for a quick road ride. I can't see much beyond that, though.


Iain

 

[skidoochick564]

My friend sent me a picture today from Corona Pass (near Winter Park). He said he was the only one up there and there was 10-12 inches of snow. I would have gone with him but I'm not inclined to wreck my "new" sled just yet.

 

[mannix]

Thanks! Where is the parking for Corona?

On a related note - how bad is it to drive a sled on dirt/not quite enough snow? Naturally, it can't be GOOD for them, but I'd guess the skis and carbides would take the brunt of it.



Iain

 

[Ex-Member]

Thanks! Where is the parking for Corona?

On a related note - how bad is it to drive a sled on dirt/not quite enough snow? Naturally, it can't be GOOD for them, but I'd guess the skis and carbides would take the brunt of it.



Iain

I'm still not sure where that lot is. The one time I went up there to ride, the only road that looked like it on google maps turned out to be a seasonal road that's closed in the winter.

Also, you'll burn up hyfaxs quick doing that. Snowmobiles depend on snow for lubrication and cooling....

 

[skidoochick564]

I've only been up there before the season's really gotten started, so this lot is probably not open year round. From the town of winter park headed up toward the ski resort you look for a small road turnoff on the left. It may actually be easier to see going from the resort into town. Anyway, its Moffat Tunnel Road and you drive up there I think about 5 or 6 miles or so to a "rounded" area, not sure if it's officially a parking lot. We just park there and go on up. It's not a maintained road going up there (at least it wasn't beginning of last season when I went) so make sure you're four wheel drive is working and you've got good snow tires.

Matt went up on his own today and there was enough snow to ride comfortably on the road, but not off trail. I didn't go because going off trail is too tempting to me, so I didn't want to wreck the "new" sled with a stump or rock.

 

[Ex-Member]

Yeap, that's where I tried to go; nothing but a "road closed" sign.

Went up a little further into a neighborhood, but still couldn't find anything.

 

[skidoochick564]

At this time of year, its still open. I'd only give it a couple more weeks though. Grand Adventures (our competitor) does tours up there so the trails get torn to hell and have huge groups of rentals on them after they start running tours on them anyway.

 

[mannix]

Gotit. I only rode 2 miles; less than 100' across dirt (parking lot), the rest of it was snow covered, but for the first half mile up, the skis were banging into rocks - it was 100% white, but not deep enough. I don't think anything got hot.

Looks like a little more fell in the hills - Loveland ski area is claiming 3" more. Not much, but at this point, I'll take it.



Iain

 

[NoCoastNesse]

That side of the MNT faces south too so it gets a lot of sun exposure. I found some decent early season riding just west of Fraser, Ptarmigan Peak Area, northern facing.