Chair Lifts Turning in Colorado
This morning, the 2008-09 season officially gets underway. Both Arapahoe Basin and Loveland opened a lift at 8:30 a.m., mountain time.
Unless I open up the wallet to make the trip there, my first tracks won't be for another month, at least. In the Midwest, most places don't open until Thanksgiving Day or so.
Early-season riding is another one of those benefits of living near or in the mountains.
But here's a question: Is early-season riding worth the trouble? I would prefer for ski areas to open later in the fall and stay open later in the spring. Many mountains close up shop due not to lack of snow, but lack of (enough) customers.
But it's hard to blame ski areas for following their market. And the market prefers early opening. Come April, most riders and skiers are ready to move on to gardening, golf, fishing and other pursuits, even if more daylight hours and softer snow make for good conditions on the slopes.
Unless I open up the wallet to make the trip there, my first tracks won't be for another month, at least. In the Midwest, most places don't open until Thanksgiving Day or so.
Early-season riding is another one of those benefits of living near or in the mountains.
But here's a question: Is early-season riding worth the trouble? I would prefer for ski areas to open later in the fall and stay open later in the spring. Many mountains close up shop due not to lack of snow, but lack of (enough) customers.
But it's hard to blame ski areas for following their market. And the market prefers early opening. Come April, most riders and skiers are ready to move on to gardening, golf, fishing and other pursuits, even if more daylight hours and softer snow make for good conditions on the slopes.
Labels: A-basin
posted at 10:37 AM
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