Thread: Berthoud Pass 2011-2012 Observations, Conditions and Stoke

hope it's bacon filled...

I know everyone is reluctant to divulge the secrets of the locals-only double-secret stash that is Berthoud Pass, but how was it?

It's after dinner now, come on.

Thanks for the full-res stuff PappaG, and for the link Lindahl. I'd be surprised if the skiing was any good up there. Maybe about 6" in Georgetown, and the Loveland cam wasn't showing a whole lot more. I know orographics can do weird things, but I'd find it hard to believe there was much more than 10" up there.

(hoping to be proved wrong of course)

No bacon for dinner but lots for breakfast tomorrow. Ok, here you go.

It was a good day up there for Early October. I got there about noon. Only saw a couple small groups of snowboarders, and one other skier. My first lap, there was 8-12" of very fluffy snow covering the grass on the East side (W face), with very light winds below treeline. Above treeline the wind was out of the NNW, and had created some nice drifts on the leeward side of the willows. I found a few drifts that were 2' deep near the top of Mines Peak. I hit lots of stuff on my first lap, not much on top and not much down low but quite a bit right at treeline. I sat around for a while to let the wind, which had now increased slightly and was out of the NW, do it's thing. By my second lap at 2:30 there was 12-14" consistently with drifts to 20". Above treeline, the wind had thickened things up and the snow was much more supportive. I was able to make quite a few turns (from the summit of mines to treeline) without hitting anything, still LOTS of very, very thin spots everywhere. Tomorrow could be fun, especially if it's blue. Just be ready to hit a ton of rocks, and don't go below the summit of the pass, only about 6-8" down low.

Here are some photos

Some stuck people in the lot.


A big drift up top.


Thin down low.




The sun popped out as I was driving away.


Edit: Here's a self portrait from this afternoon. Pardon the piece of ice on the lens.

^^^
Awesome, D.

Originally Posted by skiingislife

It was a good day up there for Early October.

Thanks for the beta. Motivated us to head up this morning. Thin, but we managed a few deceptively decent shots:

I got a few good turns...

^ Hey, I think we arrived at the parking lot right as your steezy posse was coming down. Pics coming up.

What's left of Fall


Good to see this again


Kitten Mittons


Now somewhat forgotten, but nevertheless obligatory Point


Nate aka Spaceman Spiff


5th turn and 10-15th core shots of the season


I think this is one of bamboocoreONLY's friends

Nice work.... Saw the coverage and opted for a hike up to Russel. Nice day up there...

@bigkuba I didn't know anyone I was with, just met em in the lot. I saw you come down as I left, don't think I heard any complaints today...

who's gonna be up weds/thurs? things are looking good

I'll be up there tomorrow around 8am to poke around before work.

Tom, let's coordinate. Would like to get up there a little sooner than 8am though... would ideally be there by 7, dick around until about 10.

Bamboo, I'll be there in a Silver CRV.

I'll likely be there tomorrow afternoon with the gf. Silver CR-V or white Suby.

Tempted to go to Jones Pass, instead, since I'm thinking coverage might be better there, but it'd be a long skin in if they get as much snow as it sounds like.

I'll also be there around 7ish, red suby and a bright yellow suit that'll wake you up if your coffee doesn't

I'm hoping to make it up for a dawn patrol. White acura, red coat.

I'm gonna shoot for an dawn patrol too... white GMC with mucho ski racks, purple pants, tele.

Alright, I can't keep track of all you fashonistas! How about park on the east side of the lot towards the hut around 7am.

Originally Posted by Poop*Ghost

Alright, I can't keep track of all you fashonistas! How about park on the east side of the lot towards the hut around 7am.

Doesn't help that I have outerwear schizophrenia.

watch your tib-fib's. There is basically no snow right now.

Is anybody going to Loveland Pass tomorrow? I'm prolly there between 7-10 am.

SheRa,sorry to burst your bubble,but this is BERTHOUD Conditions.It doesn't snow on Loveland pass.If you promptly get to Berthoud at 11 am,find the white jeep with two southerners and we will find the goods!(Or at least what is good for now.

So far, 12" at 5am per snotel. And it's snowing an inch an hour! I can't wait to get up there this evening! Morning peps, send in the reports. And yes, i'm worried about my tib/fib. I've already blown them up once!

well buddies convinced me to be a lame ass and go to a basin with them. I'll be up there tomorrow though, leave some for me!