CONTEST HOME  |  SUBMIT AN ENTRY  |  WINNERS  |  RULES  |  PRIZES  |  SHARE THIS PAGE

Colorado Gems: Hottest Ski Tips Contest

The Colorado Gems are some of skiing and snowboarding's best-kept secrets. We want you to share your Hottest Tips about any of Colorado's Gems with us. A Hot Tip may be about a run, the best chair to ride on a powder day, a hidden hut, the best apres spot, a parking tip, the best sandwich at a restaurant, a place to stay or anything that's an inside line to nailing your trip. For sharing your tips you could be handsomely rewarded. In 200 words or less, share your hot tips, stories, photos or dreams about any of the Colorado Gems.

Each month one Hot Tip, story, photo or dream about a Colorado Gem ski area will win 4 lift tickets to a Gem resort.

The Grand Prize winner will receive a Colorado Gems Road Trip package including a pair of lift tickets to each Gem ski area, $400 in Hertz rental vouchers, 1 pair of Icelantic skis with bindings, a Colorado Ski Country Columbia ski bag and a Colorado Ski Country Columbia jacket.

SUBMIT AN ENTRY

14 8 8 3 5 32 16 7 5
select

96 Entries

  • Ski Cooper is my old stomping ground where my dad taught me how to ski. I also began racing Buddy Werner and in-between race runs my friends and I would always hit up Timber Bash on the back side of the mountain. Few people would venture into the trees so this run was a nice little hide-away where we could practice turns and jumps but still maintain control. I miss the ol' days!

    Holly (27 months ago )  |  View Ski Cooper Entry  |  View All Ski Cooper Stash Tips

  • SWEET TREE SKIING at Ski Cooper! Cooper ISN’T just for beginners… we enjoyed 4 fun tree runs for advanced skiers (and many more runs) – Peek-a-Boo, Treasure Trove, Corkscrew and Powder Keg were the tree runs- the first two are not on the trail map, but are marked by yellow banner signs in the impressive pine trees. 20+ years skiing in Colorado and I’d never gone to Ski Cooper before- SO GLAD I WENT! Also liked the local wildlife info lift tower signs and historical info & photos about the 10th Mountain Division. Even though it was Monday, several runs were freshly groomed & in great shape. Slopes empty- employees friendly. T’was a sweetheart of a Valentines Day skiing there today. (A special Valentine’s bonus was meeting a nice man on a lift and skiing several runs with him…)

    Glad I got the GEMS card- enjoyed Sunlight and Powderhorn last year. More GEMS areas to come! Probably Monarch and Sol Vista next. Arapahoe Basin for sure.

    NOTE (DON’T PRINT): Am over 35 but didn't want to submit real age. Can provide. If you post my entry on line- please only put Carolyn not my last name, which is Hime.

    Carolyn H (Revised) (27 months ago )  |  View Ski Cooper Entry  |  View All Ski Cooper Stash Tips

  • Sweet tree skiing at Ski Cooper! Cooper ISN’T just for beginners…we enjoyed 4 fun tree runs for advanced skiers (and many more runs today) -– Peek-a-Boo, Treasure Trove, Corkscrew and Powder Keg- the first two are not on the trail map, but are marked by yellow banner signs in the impressive pine trees. 30 years skiing in Colorado and I’d never gone to Ski Cooper before. Also liked the local wildlife info lift tower signs and history info/photos about the 10th Mountain Division. (It is a super area for kids, seniors and anyone in-between on the other runs.) T’was a sweetheart of a Valentines Day skiing there today. (A special Valentine’s bonus was meeting a nice man on a lift and skiing with him…)

    DO NOT PRINT THIS NOTE: I'm over the age I listed but didn't want to list my real age. Will provide if needed. If you post my entry on-line- please only put Carolyn not my last name which is Hime.

    Carolyn H (27 months ago )  |  View Ski Cooper Entry  |  View All Ski Cooper Stash Tips

  • Looking for powdery chutes after Pali is all tracked out? Cos of wind loading coverage on the east side of Montezuma Bowl can be spotty sometimes so my tip is to head for Standard and International, they're skier's left getting off the Pallavicni lift. Here wind loading works in your favor and this part of the mountain is a real maze of chutes through the trees so there's dozens of ways to make your way down which helps keep things fresh and exciting.

    Jeff Williamson (27 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • If it's a warmer day or hasn't snowed for a while, my gem tip is to head to Echo Mountain! I mean, not every day can be a powder day. Other places might be icy and scraped down; Echo, because of it's location, will probably be enjoying spring conditions. And who wants to eat it on terrain features on ice? The softer snow at Echo is definitely the place to hit park features, especially if you're not very good like me.

    Jeffrey Steen (27 months ago )  |  View Echo Mountain Entry  |  View All Echo Mountain Stash Tips

  • Getting to lifts #4 & #8 (where the best bowl terrain is) at Loveland can be a hassle. Most people take the main lift (#2) which is slow and made worse by beginners constantly falling. Skip the main lift #2 and take this route (pictured) off lift #1 where you get to lift #4 by cutting across Turtle Creek and Creek Trail. It doesn't look like it on the trail map but it's all downhill, no skating required!

    daniel gonzales (27 months ago )  |  View Loveland Entry  |  View All Loveland Stash Tips

  • If it's not windy, the top of the mountain and the back side is where you wanna hang out ALL DAY! There's usually less people, and the ride is AMAZING!

    Erika Reyes (27 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • For epic powder just an hour away from Denver hit up the Mountain-Goat-Traverse to the Bierstadt run in Montezuma bowl at Abasin. The traverse is kind of tricky, and you'll need to follow it all the way back, but you'll be rewarded with untracked powder for as many runs as you can handle. For an even better time, stay skier's left to the Lightening Trees. It's hike back, so you know it's untouched!

    Video evidence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikYigLHwyAc

    Robert Tadlock (27 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • My favorite memory is when I went skiing at Monarch Mountain! I have been skiing at many other places but I love my experience at Monarch Mountain the most!

    Emily Jordan (27 months ago )  |  View Monarch Mountain Entry  |  View All Monarch Mountain Stash Tips

  • the best lift to ride is the Panorama lift. It's warm since it's in the trees and accesses my favorite expert runs. Mirage is my favorite run since it's half moguls, half groomed, that way my family can ski with me on the same run even though they don't like the bumps. There are blue and black runs side by side to the same lift that we can meet up at and ride up together.

    Lisa Timpson (27 months ago )  |  View Monarch Mountain Entry  |  View All Monarch Mountain Stash Tips

  • I visited Powderhorn during Martin Luther King weeknd in January 2010. As an expert skier, I found the Blue/Black side of the mountain to be EMPTY, even on a holiday weekend. No competing for space on the slopes, and very empty in the awesome glades/tree runs. Rarely, we saw a skier or snowboarder there. I enjoyed it so much that I am returning there this February for a GEMS weekend (Sunlight/Powderhorn/Cooper) - my "big" ski trip of the year. I can't wait, and I hope for a powder day to have those runs and trees ALL TO MYSELF! The views of the Book Cliffs are a real bonus too. And people are friendly!

    (P.S. I am a long time passholder of the Copper and Vail/Colorado Pass too.)

    Cyndy Gal Scholz (27 months ago )  |  View Powderhorn Entry  |  View All Powderhorn Stash Tips

  • A-basin has the best scenery, great welcoming staff and is less crowded then other resorts!

    martin unzeitig (27 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • The ingenuity of skiers at Abasin is unfounded. Last season I broke two buckles off my ski boot and the patroller who stopped to help whipped out a spare power strap from his pocket and suggested a quick fix in lieu of the buckles. Not only did it work, I skied the rest of the day on it, and was able to fix my boot at my home shop. Abasin and its employees are GEMS.

    Chris Keenan (27 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • A Basin as most of the frequent visitors call it is a 64 carat gem. (http://www.standard.net/topics/agriculture/2010/08/26/carolina-farm-yields-64-carat-emperor-gem) Not only does it have incredible advanced terrain but you can get the BEST Bloody Mary as the base that I have ever had. Whether it's a powder day and you venture out to the Montezuma Bowl for some face shots, or it's sunny day in May and you decide to relax at the beach and throw one on the barbie you always know that Bloody Mary will be there waiting for you at the end of the day to greet you with deliciousness!

    Lauren Arnold (27 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • The Denver snowboard scene is progressing like crazy with the availability of Echo Mountain. Just a short drive from downtown, this place offers a very wide variety of hits, jibs, rails and boxes. Echo teams up with some of the industry's heavy hitters to have a great mix of unique features unlike anything else in Colorado.

    Tim Sorenson (28 months ago )  |  View Echo Mountain Entry  |  View All Echo Mountain Stash Tips

  • no crowds equals killer skiing.

    Justin Williams (28 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • So when u get off the zuma lift, make a hard right, follow the....waaaaaait a minute...you almost tricked me there. I'm not telling you this!!

    Knarf (28 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • My family skies at Monarch on average 2 weekends a month and have for the last 4 seasons. The reason we have stayed with Monarch is because it is a small, friendly resort that we can afford to bring the family to have fun without breaking the bank. Our tip is to buy the season pass. It really is great value for the money. You can go up and ski for a few hours and once everyone is getting tired, we can head down the hill. You don't feel like you have to stay longer even after getting tired, sore or hurt just because you paid a lot for a one day pass. Plus there are so many other discounts and benefits that come with that pass. We have used days at Purgatory in the past with our Monarch pass. And another fun thing we have tried is snowmobiling and with our Monarch pass we get a 20% discount! What a savings on so many fun winter activities and places to play in the snow!
    The other tip I have is "get lessons"! It is also money well spent. I have seen...

    Debbie Crosby (28 months ago )  |  View Monarch Mountain Entry  |  View All Monarch Mountain Stash Tips

  • Stop at CJ's Chicago Dog's in Downtown Evergreen on your way back to Denver. Everything there is delicious but go with the Giant Gyro for an orgy of flavor. 27985 Colorado 74
    Evergreen, CO 80439

    Bryan (28 months ago )  |  View Echo Mountain Entry  |  View All Echo Mountain Stash Tips

  • you can park in the 1st lot and a very short walk to the lifts and then you can ski right to your car. on a pow day get over to the east ridge for excellent steep tree skiing.

    ken mcfall (28 months ago )  |  View Sunlight Entry  |  View All Sunlight Stash Tips

  • If you are going to go out of bounds late in the day, don't leave your car in the resort lot or the patrol will be waiting for you.

    Caleb MacCready (28 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • the skiing is awesome

    Shawn Knutson (28 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • Colorado mountains are the prettiest in the world

    Duane Thompson (28 months ago )  |  View Monarch Mountain Entry  |  View All Monarch Mountain Stash Tips

  • Stay warm; dont rock the lifts

    Alexandra Martini (28 months ago )  |  View Ski Cooper Entry  |  View All Ski Cooper Stash Tips

  • For Ski Cooper and any of the other Colorado Gems, be sure to wear your quality ski goggles and forego the cheapies.

    Dawn Thilmony (28 months ago )  |  View Ski Cooper Entry  |  View All Ski Cooper Stash Tips

  • Stay warm; dont rock the lifts

    Alexandra Martini (28 months ago )  |  View Ski Cooper Entry  |  View All Ski Cooper Stash Tips

  • The lodge always has the best apple cider that is guarantied to refresh you for a couple more runs.

    Lallo Vigil (28 months ago )  |  View Monarch Mountain Entry  |  View All Monarch Mountain Stash Tips

  • get enough sleep and protein

    Eva M Mack (28 months ago )  |  View Monarch Mountain Entry  |  View All Monarch Mountain Stash Tips

  • Pay attention while you are running fast on the flats. You can catch an edge and break a leg. I know!

    rees fullmer (28 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • Here's a tip on how to beat the I-70 traffic and head to Loveland for a great day of skiing. Wake up at the butt-crack of dawn (5:30 or so) and be on the road by 6:00am... head straight for Loveland. Get there early and fill yourself up with breakfast in the lodge- the crew at Loveland make some of the best breakfast this side of Snooze in Denver. The stack of pancakes is enough to feed four. The Skiers Sandwich with bacon? Forget about it. All this for half the price of breakfast at the big resorts... start your day off right. Get up there early enough and I just might tell you where this picture was taken at Loveland. :)

    Steve (28 months ago )  |  View Loveland Entry  |  View All Loveland Stash Tips

  • I am haunted by the voices...they track me down behind my desk pleading with me to go back. Looking at the current snow report, I second guess the early season pass I snagged at Wolf Creek while Mirkwood and all of the powders that be stir my memory. Monarch....my true introduction to what a gem of a ski area is. The best tip I can offer is to explore this mountain to the fullest with your inner child leading you and discover what it and the surrounding area has to offer. That little voice in your head will be begging you to return as well.

    Brian (28 months ago )  |  View Monarch Mountain Entry  |  View All Monarch Mountain Stash Tips

  • Mirkwood Basin at Monarch is a gem all alone. The hike keeps the traffic down and the powder fresh. But the stash is between Mirkwood Bowl and Southbound. Most everyone passes this up or drops down to soon. It starts with huge powder turns and ends with perfect fluffy tree runs. If you’re up for the hike you can get freshies all day. And if you need to clear your head, shred into the trees below the Lobo. A stash hut can be found if you aim for the clouds.

    Jose Garcia (28 months ago )  |  View Monarch Mountain Entry  |  View All Monarch Mountain Stash Tips

  • Small but sweet I LOVE A-BASIN...only it's more than what it appears to be and here's my proof!

    jeff nach (28 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • After a great day of hitting secret gems at Sol Vista... and a sometimes harrowing trip up and down Berthoud Pass... we always make a point to stop at the Lewis Sweet Shop in Empire. You've never had a malt or milkshake THIS good. Overflowing cups that make a small feel like a large. Some of the best "off the menu" burgers you'll ever have...partnered up with some salty goodness french fries. All of this and some great personalities within one little building in the town of Empire.

    Kim Greason (28 months ago )  |  View SolVista Basin Entry  |  View All SolVista Basin Stash Tips

  • Love the pass

    J Reinhardt (28 months ago )  |  View Loveland Entry  |  View All Loveland Stash Tips

  • Never ski'd it but my daughter says it's the best in CO and she's ski'd them all

    John Reinhardt (28 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • I try and get up to monarch mountain almost three times a week because of the powder! this is truely one of colorados hidden gems because of the all natural snow, close knit community of skiers and easy access. You are on the snow and lifts quicker than any other colorado ski area. My tip would be to take the panorama lift up to high anxiety on a powder day and instead of taking the line straight down the middle go just to the Left of the tree divider. and there are some excellent technical rock drops and/or tight lines that one could really bit his/her teeth into for some more advanced skiing. I would also say on a good powder day to Hit up the tree run that runs along the right side of the panorama lift it dosnt get much better than that. the trees are spaced perfectly apart with a nice 40-45 degree slope. and great untracked POW!Monarch is a ski area where you can be on the lift with someone and see them at the bar afterwards. Its not crowded and there is no ego here. If you want a great day on the mountain...

    Joshua Young (28 months ago )  |  View Monarch Mountain Entry  |  View All Monarch Mountain Stash Tips

  • Great snow at Echo Mountain

    Thomas Welch (28 months ago )  |  View Echo Mountain Entry  |  View All Echo Mountain Stash Tips

  • I love Araphoe Basin, the snow is the best!

    sharon cerrone (28 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • Echo Mountain is the most beautiful ski area and has the best snow.

    mary stroup (28 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • 3 Words, Ted's Secret Stash. One run through the trees with 4 wooden jibs. Two "up jibs" 1 A frame and 1 rainbow jib. That and Deans glade on the West side, skiers right of Desperado. Oh and and and 10$ night skiing EVERY Saturday night 5-8pm! Full park under the lights

    Jon Kohlwey (28 months ago )  |  View SolVista Basin Entry  |  View All SolVista Basin Stash Tips

  • Arapahoe Basin is so beautiful and offers something for every skiier

    angela saxton (28 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • I have great memories of skiing Arapahoe with my brother!

    douglas saxton (28 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • Your going to need a rental car no matter where you ski so get one ahead of time and don't forget to wear something for your lips SNOW BUNNIES

    Mary Gunn (28 months ago )  |  View Loveland Entry  |  View All Loveland Stash Tips

  • Get an early AM flight to DIA, grab your rental car as fast as you can and haul @ss up to Loveland. Change clothes in the parking lot and you still a have few good hours of skiing. I have done this several times, coming in from PA and then spending a week somewhere in CO.

    Douglas Corwin, Jr. (28 months ago )  |  View Loveland Entry  |  View All Loveland Stash Tips

  • Areapahoe Basin has some great and challenging terrain without the crowds of some of the bigger resorts.

    Agnes Pohl (28 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • Arapahoe Basin is the best ski area in Colorado!

    timothy saxton (28 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • Absolutely beautiful and great pack.

    robert blevens (28 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • If you want to create memories that will last a lifetime, take your kids skiing to Loveland. It is the perfect size for beginners and the price is perfect. My boys totally love this place!

    Doc Poteet (28 months ago )  |  View Loveland Entry  |  View All Loveland Stash Tips

  • If you want to create memories that will last a lifetime, take your kids skiing to Loveland. It is the perfect size for beginners and the price is perfect. My boys totally love this place!

    Doc Poteet (28 months ago )  |  View Loveland Entry  |  View All Loveland Stash Tips

  • If you are taking someone who is not as good as you skiing stay on the slopes they can do, do not take them on the Black diamonds. This is advice my husband needed when he took me.

    Teia VanHorn (28 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • Loveland is close to Denver and has Great contitions.

    Doug Penzien (28 months ago )  |  View Loveland Entry  |  View All Loveland Stash Tips

  • February is the month for dependable deep powder at Monarch. Mirkwood doesn't open until 10a.m. at the earliest and often later for avi control. With each ride up Breezeway to see if they've opened the gate to Mirkwood, if they haven't then traverse left over to the Outback and start your day floating some excellent open faces up high and through the trees below. When Mirkwood opens start climbing. When there is loads of snow the cliff areas to the right in East Trees, Staircase, and Lodgeview will be skiable. Then rip, shred, and tear, and catch be air.

    Ken Vanatta (28 months ago )  |  View Monarch Mountain Entry  |  View All Monarch Mountain Stash Tips

  • SKISKISKI
    SKI EVERYDAY.!
    Ride hard live easy

    Tom Theiler (28 months ago )  |  View Loveland Entry  |  View All Loveland Stash Tips

  • Go early, so you can park in front. Take the 1st lift that you see on the left tkaes you to Richards Run a nice intermediate run I do this one all day, Its my place at Loveland!

    Theresa Joyce (28 months ago )  |  View Loveland Entry  |  View All Loveland Stash Tips

  • Arapahoe Basin is lovely, but you really must try them all!

    sue ostergard (28 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • Enjoy the snow don't risk hurting yourself.

    Steve Scott (28 months ago )  |  View Loveland Entry  |  View All Loveland Stash Tips

  • Don't let you husband teach you how to ski. Invest in a real instructor.

    Kathy Scott (28 months ago )  |  View Loveland Entry  |  View All Loveland Stash Tips

  • My favorite secret about Monarch is a sneaky little run called "Pinball." The turnoff is hidden in the trees and a local needs to show you where it starts. Then you bop up and down, side by side, through this fun little run.

    Shannon Lukens (28 months ago )  |  View Monarch Mountain Entry  |  View All Monarch Mountain Stash Tips

  • I've heard a lot about it, but haven't been there yet.

    Joe Kershenbaum (28 months ago )  |  View Powderhorn Entry  |  View All Powderhorn Stash Tips

  • When people think of skiing in Colorado, the first places that come to mind are Breckenridge, Vail, and Copper. Granted places like that are great but if you are looking for someplace truly special, head south to Monarch Ski Area.
    There powder is overwhelming, lift lines empty, and skiing is very affordable.
    Monarch Mountain is located only two hours south of Denver and just outside of Salida. Monarch Ski Area will amaze and surprise you. It really has it all. From backcountry terrain in Mirkwood Basin to a terrific ski/board school to wide open groomers, Monarch has all a person is looking for in a ski area. The place has a vibe that is unmatched anywhere else in Colorado, go there and it is either dumping snow or gorgeous and clear. Never have I been there and seen terrible conditions and I have made the trip from Northern Colorado more than a dozen times.

    Luke Faulconer (28 months ago )  |  View Monarch Mountain Entry  |  View All Monarch Mountain Stash Tips

  • In a state where the very worst skiing is absolutely outstanding, my hands-down favorite is Loveland. The terrain is expansive, the staff is friendly, and the slopes are always carefully maintained and patrolled. You can't beat the trails served by the number six lift, ranging from superb cruising on Keno, to an eye-watering schuss down through Forest Meadow, beginning at the highest point from which you dare start. Loveland is actually two areas in one. Parking is ample and free, and the lift tickets are reasonably priced. No high pressure four season resort, just great old-time skiing, with modern facilities, since 1937. I'll see you there.

    Jim Bower (28 months ago )  |  View Loveland Entry  |  View All Loveland Stash Tips

  • After recharging at the BML with the most excellent pulled pork sammy, some more runs through the Alleys and a Super-Pali-Wag lap. Then, the 6th Alley for a Pug's Pali Pilsner with the always classy A-basin bartenders.

    John Catrambone (28 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • On a powder day or the day after a recent snow fall head over to west ridge. Next there are about four pitches on the first roll over after the traverse head fall line into the trees on the right of west ridge from above find your line and ski down to about fifty feet above where the trees get really close then traverse out and hit the cliff fall line down next to the island of trees.

    Ray McDermott (28 months ago )  |  View Eldora Entry  |  View All Eldora Stash Tips

  • Stick to the lifts on the upper half of the mountain; there is little to no need to go back to the bottom other than your car. From tree runs to a natural halfpipe, mogul fields and a daunting hike to Loveland summit, A-Basin is as serious a destination as its local make it out to be. Add to that the absolute BEST sweet potato fries I've ever had, and you've got yourself a winner.

    Tim Z. (28 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • when you come up to eldora and you are late(or just not that early)the parking guy will tell you to park in a spot.note if your spot happens to be less then 20 yds away this does not appliy to you. so any ways they will try to put you in a bad spot but instead of getting kicked out because you argued just nonchalantly say "im going to skier drop off"which you are not so once you get close to the chair lift parking start looking for empty spots you will usually find one less then 1 minute away from the chair.

    max klein (28 months ago )  |  View Eldora Entry  |  View All Eldora Stash Tips

  • Its close to the Denver Metro area, its lift tickets are cheap, it offers night skiing 3 times per week, and it has both a terrain park & advanced glade skiing/boarding area. Plus the lodge even serves as an ideal mountain event/wedding/etc. venue. Don't believe me? Check out these views (http://www.echomt.com/groups-and-events/weddings-and-receptions)!

    Josh Rudin (28 months ago )  |  View Echo Mountain Entry  |  View All Echo Mountain Stash Tips

  • Don't miss Italian Underground In glenwood springs great food reasonable prices

    dale trone (28 months ago )  |  View Sunlight Entry  |  View All Sunlight Stash Tips

  • On a powder day, when the masses head back to Corona, check out the front side for all-day powder stashes (but you'll have to figure out for yourself where they are).

    Kathy Parker (28 months ago )  |  View Eldora Entry  |  View All Eldora Stash Tips

  • it may be a little smaller than some of the other places but almost no one there knows how to find the snow, let alone ski it. if you go look in any trees you see and you'll find something to get happy about. i was there between xmas and new years and gettle's glade (i thinks that's the name) was practically untouched. and it's only $65. if it gets a little crowded go to the other peak and there is some fun terrain for later in the seaon when there's more snow.

    Keaton Britt (28 months ago )  |  View SolVista Basin Entry  |  View All SolVista Basin Stash Tips

  • At Loveland, hike 10 minutes to the top of Super Bowl on the Ridge. Don't drop in, but continue through two gates to reach Wild Child. It's short, but is also some of the rowdiest terrain in the Front Range. Cornice airs to straightlines, hanging snowfields, doubles, or just send the main cornice as big as your balls will allow. If that's not your bag, ski down the ridgeline a short ways to Porcupine Saddle and enjoy rarely tracked, mellow pow turns.

    Jeff (28 months ago )  |  View Loveland Entry  |  View All Loveland Stash Tips

  • Close to town, rarely crowded, how can you go wrong at the Love. If you are handicapped they have hands down best handicapped parking. The Trees under/around chairs 4 & 9, contain powder stashes until the late afternoon. Best thing... shortest drive and not have to go through the tunnel!

    Loni Sue Sullivan (28 months ago )  |  View Loveland Entry  |  View All Loveland Stash Tips

  • The trees between Jolly Jug and Powderhorn are nicely spaced and have a really nice pitch to them. The area is not called out on the trail map but has some beautifully spaced trees, a rarity at that resort where the trees are often tight.

    Greg Strom (28 months ago )  |  View Eldora Entry  |  View All Eldora Stash Tips

  • hit up the Tennessee Pass Cookhouse!! It's a great way to really feel what Colorado is all about. After Ski Cooper, they are just up the pass. You hike a short distance to the yurt and have one of the best meals Colorado has to offer deep in the woods. Make a reservation before heading out though. The drive up Battle Mountain pass is a trip through history too.. Gilman mine, Red Cliff, Camp Hale, etc. This trip has it all!

    David Marks (28 months ago )  |  View Ski Cooper Entry  |  View All Ski Cooper Stash Tips

  • Zuma lift provides great awesome to powder stashes in the trees. Get back there early to get great powder off of the cornices skier right of the lift.

    Kristin Turner (29 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • For those interested in both experiencing an affordable CO mountain as well as learning about CO history, I highly recommend skiing/boarding at Ski Cooper in Leadville. The Tennessee Pass views are spectacular, the staff is always warm & friendly, and the snow + varied terrain are top notch. Plus the lodge & base area contain great pictures & writeups of the WWII 10th Mountain Division training grounds; the lodge is even included on the US National Register of Historic Places. The hallowed grounds of Ski Cooper should be experienced by all; a true Colorado Gem in more ways than one!

    Josh Rudin (29 months ago )  |  View Ski Cooper Entry  |  View All Ski Cooper Stash Tips

  • Vanquished to the Front Range, without a mountain home, I set out to find my new stash in early December 2010. With the Epic Pass as my mountain meal ticket, I began my search. Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone and Beaver Creek are fun mountains, but lack that certain something that I had become accustomed to while living in southwest Colorado. I yearned for the type of thigh burning, face shot producing turns that had become my norm in the steep San Juan’s. The answer, it turns out, was nearer than I knew.

    Arapahoe Basin, “The Legend”, is a big, cold, gnarly, steep mountain. It is a no frills, local friendly badass sentinel appropriately located away from the nearby tourist traps. Though I am just getting to know my new mountain home, I can share with other newcomers a few good words of advice. Lap the Pallavicini lift early on powder days. The skiing is consistently steep in the zones served by Palli. You will find your stash somewhere between Gauthier and 13 Cornices. After ripping Palli, go to the Black Mountain Lodge, order a pulled pork sandwich with sweet potato fries and transport yourself from central Colorado to western North Carolina.

    Jason Tubbs (29 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • About halfway down Bill's Run, switch over to Lower Equalizer. The run in between is my secret powder stash. Even on busy days I can usually find some fantastic powder!

    Sarah (29 months ago )  |  View Powderhorn Entry  |  View All Powderhorn Stash Tips

  • Diversion to Hooker/Lower Snowcloud. There is a section right under the lift that just fills with awesome pow. Maybe not a "secret" stash, but my favorite place to go on a Powder Day!

    Julie (29 months ago )  |  View Powderhorn Entry  |  View All Powderhorn Stash Tips

  • Just a short hike off the main lift..look for the tall pine.

    Charles Trout (29 months ago )  |  View Powderhorn Entry  |  View All Powderhorn Stash Tips

  • From the Basin over to Loveland has to be the best skiing and riding ever! It is always epic and has some of the best views on earth.

    John Hightower (29 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • A Basin rocks!!! Feels like a small mountain, skis like a big mountain. First things first, parking; if its a powder day and you didn't arrive super earlier (7:30am) your best bet for parking is the Last Chance parking lot trying to stay as close to hwy 40 as possible. This parking lot is far away from the lodge, but you can walk 50 feet across hwy 40 and put your skis on, at the end of the day you can ski right to your car. If you get here super early then you'll want to park in the Early Riser lot front row. Once on the mountain go straight to the Pallavicini chair. My favorite run on the mountain is Timber Glades to the Rock Garden, steep trees and soft snow!!! If the East Wall is open I recommend the 20 minute hike up to the 1st and 2nd Notch. These 2 trails are not on the map, but when you get up top follow the signs directing you to these chutes. In Montezuma Bowl the best bet is Bierstadt to Lightning Trees, theres always good left over powder on these...

    Johnnie Kavanaugh (29 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • ABasin doesn't have any secret stashes ... as a matter of fact the snow there sucks and they don't have any good lines. GO TO KEYSTONE! That is the best resort in Colorado! Gnarly terrain, the best snow, and never any crowds!

    Stash this (29 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • Hit the trees under the Lawnee Mountain Lift where West Gully splits off into two runs. The trees look closed off from the lift but if you enter from the top, it's usually open. I'm hesitant to even share this here, since A Bay is so overcrowded already but some sweet gems are to be had in there. Don't bother if you can't ski steep gullied trees!

    Nick Green (29 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • Deeep...

    Zach Gray (29 months ago )  |  View Eldora Entry  |  View All Eldora Stash Tips

  • Eldora, Known for its tree riding. Late on a Pow day look for freshies on Skier's left of Placer trees, and the middle of Klondike trees. Late day pow runs are not outta the question

    Devin Fritz (29 months ago )  |  View Eldora Entry  |  View All Eldora Stash Tips

  • Skiied Sunlight today. Snow came perhaps 48 hours ago. Half of Sunlight's blues were powder even some listed as groomed were powder as they only groomed 1/2 the run. I have found same at Ski Cooper days after a storm many runs still have powder.
    The secret is for powder ski the GEMS they don't get skiied out for many many days.
    PS I think rules link isnt right icelandic isnt lsited as a sponsor and entry needed to be submitted by Jan 2010

    dale trone (29 months ago )  |  View Sunlight Entry  |  View All Sunlight Stash Tips

  • Short but sweet! Between Scudder and Challenger runs I can always find a few nice pillows and sweet tree turns.

    Nathan Gubel (29 months ago )  |  View Arapahoe Basin Entry  |  View All Arapahoe Basin Stash Tips

  • A place called 3 Snags in Mirkwood Basin. Steep, deep, and perfectly spaced trees.

    Eric Ramsey (29 months ago )  |  View Monarch Mountain Entry  |  View All Monarch Mountain Stash Tips

  • I have a stash. A place I go to first thing every time it dumps. It is slightly hidden, but not really. It sits just off Red Eye on the West End. Somehow I manage to get first tracks, even though I can only ski weekends. It has the most perfectly spaces trees and the perfect pitch. I know others know of my stash, but somehow I am always the only one playing there. It is where I dream, it is my peace, my solitude, it is...my stash.

    Nola Svoboda (29 months ago )  |  View Powderhorn Entry  |  View All Powderhorn Stash Tips

  • The best kept secret about Solvista is that they offer FREE night skiing on select Saturday nights throughout the winter! My favorite memories are cruising the trees under the lights! Skiing trees in the dark is a rush, so don't forget the clear or orange goggle lenses! A real treat after skiing is sitting around the outdoor fire pit at the base with a warm cocktail.

    Not only is Solvista great for night skiing in the winter, but they boast an amazing system of mountain bike trials in the summer. Truly a real gem!

    Meghan Morrissey (29 months ago )  |  View SolVista Basin Entry  |  View All SolVista Basin Stash Tips

  • off trail skiing from snowcloud to hoolagan or lower snowcloud...its the best

    jeremy (29 months ago )  |  View Powderhorn Entry  |  View All Powderhorn Stash Tips

  • With its wide open spaces you would think there would be no where to hide at Loveland...
    Head up chair 4 though and cut back under the lift line...
    the Fail Safe trees as well as the scrub trees - skiers left - will always provide you with the sweet, fluffy, white, goodness you need.
    I love loveland

    JJ (29 months ago )  |  View Loveland Entry  |  View All Loveland Stash Tips