2022-23 Aspen/Roaring Fork Valley Conditions

**Leshphilling77** · 01-05-2023, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by skaredshtles

We've had good luck staying down-valley a bit. Drive up to the Brush Creek PnR in the a.m. and just catch the bus to wherever we're skiing. I mean - it still ain't "cheap" but nothing is any more...

place I've stayed at in basalt is like $100 more a night now it looks like

**Truckee Joe** · 01-05-2023, 09:39 PM

It was nice to see the sun today. Forecast looks good also.

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**alpinevibes** · 01-05-2023, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by Buster Highmen

What? And associate with the hoi polloi?

Hey! We’re up here too

Tomorrow should be good in the afternoon and great for Saturday morning. Sunday Bowl laps ftw

**hutash** · 01-05-2023, 10:47 PM

Fuck ski vacations. While ski in ski out is nice to have, I enjoy slumming with the down valley plebs.

My wife and I rolled into GS last night and skied Snowmass today, and quite enjoyed it. Snow quality was good, but not great and while she cruised the blue groomers (as is her style), I snuck off and found a few stashed. Fun mountain, but local beta or experience must go a long way here, as with most mountains.

We are here for a couple of days, and not sure where we will be tomorrow. Not sure what the weather is doing, so any local advice is appreciated, and if anybody is out and about who wants to show a California skier around he would appreciate it.

**Shredhead** · 01-06-2023, 07:53 AM

I blew my knee up a couple of weeks ago, walking on a slick floor with Yak Tracks. Don’t be that guy!

I’d love to ski with you guys, but I’m mostly coasting out at Snowmass early, until I can get it replaced.

Aspen’s changed, but it’s still a great place. I envy all you guys raising families here and keeping it real.
Any of you need a sponsor for the Elks, let me know.
Still lots of characters hanging at the bar and it’s a great organization.

**Buster Highmen** · 01-06-2023, 08:47 AM

Bummer C. I'm on the last bits in my right knee as well, grade 2 and 3 tears.
Aspen is great, so much good skiing and good times due in my experience to you and Dr. Scientists crew.

Heal well.

**Wes Mantooth** · 01-06-2023, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by hutash

Fuck ski vacations. While ski in ski out is nice to have, I enjoy slumming with the down valley plebs.

My wife and I rolled into GS last night and skied Snowmass today, and quite enjoyed it. Snow quality was good, but not great and while she cruised the blue groomers (as is her style), I snuck off and found a few stashed. Fun mountain, but local beta or experience must go a long way here, as with most mountains.

We are here for a couple of days, and not sure where we will be tomorrow. Not sure what the weather is doing, so any local advice is appreciated, and if anybody is out and about who wants to show a California skier around he would appreciate it.

Snowmass takes a bit more work than the others but has some fun stuff in the gated areas if you explore around. I’d recommend Ajax as the most accessible steadily fun terrain that’s good in all snow conditions, so maybe a good spot to go today before this storm comes in. Highlands does best with a bit of new soft snow since Deep Temerity can get pretty blown out so could be a good call tomorrow or Sunday if we get some new snow. The bowl almost always has good snow though

For the storm the snow stake cams are your friends, just keep in mind the Ajax stake gets wind effected and often under reports while highlands and Snowmass stakes are more protected

**Percy Rideout** · 01-06-2023, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Shredhead

I blew my knee up a couple of weeks ago, walking on a slick floor with Yak Tracks. Don’t be that guy!

I’d love to ski with you guys, but I’m mostly coasting out at Snowmass early, until I can get it replaced.

Aspen’s changed, but it’s still a great place. I envy all you guys raising families here and keeping it real.
Any of you need a sponsor for the Elks, let me know.
Still lots of characters hanging at the bar and it’s a great organization.

Dang i was wondering why i haven't seen you out there much since our 15"+ day skiing together. That was a good one. Heal up.

Ladyfriend and i will be skiing Saturday/Sunday and happy to shred with a couple of of town mags around our hills. PM if interested.

**alpinevibes** · 01-06-2023, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by hutash

We are here for a couple of days, and not sure where we will be tomorrow. Not sure what the weather is doing, so any local advice is appreciated, and if anybody is out and about who wants to show a California skier around he would appreciate it.

If she's mostly on groomers Snowmass >> Highlands >> Buttermilk >> Aspen would be the hierarchy of groomer friendly mountains. We've got snow coming all day today, so today should be nice and tomorrow will be pretty good, but get the local+powder crowd; looks to be sunny Saturday and Sunday.

If you're skiing the next three days and want to maximize your skiing: Highlands today, Aspen tomorrow and then your pick sunday. Highlands should be pretty quiet and still plenty of soft with refills. Tomorrow will be great, just a few more people. I think Aspen is easier to ski and appreciate, for a first time, with sun - which really benefits the gondola, the Sundeck and Bonnies. Aspen has some groomers but the quantity of options for a blue skier is limited. The upside is that you can combine groomers+expert terrain pretty easily for you,

If you're skiing the next three days, but want to protect your legs a bit: Buttermilk today: it's small and mostly blues, but there are some fun pistes and trees on Tiehack, and no one skiing. Then Highlands tomorrow for a fuller day and your pick Sunday.

Can't really go wrong and it's easy enough to combine mountains into a split with the buses too.

**Toadman** · 01-06-2023, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by alpinevibes

If she's mostly on groomers Snowmass >> Highlands >> Buttermilk >> Aspen would be the hierarchy of groomer friendly mountains. We've got snow coming all day today, so today should be nice and tomorrow will be pretty good, but get the local+powder crowd; looks to be sunny Saturday and Sunday.

If you're skiing the next three days and want to maximize your skiing: Highlands today, Aspen tomorrow and then your pick sunday. Highlands should be pretty quiet and still plenty of soft with refills. Tomorrow will be great, just a few more people. I think Aspen is easier to ski and appreciate, for a first time, with sun - which really benefits the gondola, the Sundeck and Bonnies. Aspen has some groomers but the quantity of options for a blue skier is limited. The upside is that you can combine groomers+expert terrain pretty easily for you,

If you're skiing the next three days, but want to protect your legs a bit: Buttermilk today: it's small and mostly blues, but there are some fun pistes and trees on Tiehack, and no one skiing. Then Highlands tomorrow for a fuller day and your pick Sunday.

Can't really go wrong and it's easy enough to combine mountains into a split with the buses too.

Surprised that Highlands is before Buttermilk for groomers. I have often wondered on a pow day, if Buttermilk would be a fun place to hit for some easy pow laps, or do they just groom that whole mountain after a storm?

I've been to Aspen/Snowmass 3 times in my life and have yet to ski Buttermilk. But planning to be out there in mid February, so thinking one day with the wife, who is a solid intermediate corduroy aficionado might be worth checking out.

**dcpnz** · 01-06-2023, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by Toadman

Surprised that Highlands is before Buttermilk for groomers. I have often wondered on a pow day, if Buttermilk would be a fun place to hit for some easy pow laps, or do they just groom that whole mountain after a storm?
.

The Highlands groomers are awesome - big, wide, some steeper, some rolly. Lots of fun early when they’re virtually empty or if you’re looking for a break from the other parts of the mountain.

Tiehack is the sleeper pow day spot - plenty of fun terrain and trees to poke around in and noone there to track it out.

**alpinevibes** · 01-06-2023, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by Toadman

Surprised that Highlands is before Buttermilk for groomers. I have often wondered on a pow day, if Buttermilk would be a fun place to hit for some easy pow laps, or do they just groom that whole mountain after a storm?

I've been to Aspen/Snowmass 3 times in my life and have yet to ski Buttermilk. But planning to be out there in mid February, so thinking one day with the wife, who is a solid intermediate corduroy aficionado might be worth checking out.

Yes, Tiehack is a definite draw for uncrowded early pow laps on soft days and it has a following of a few rippers and old timers on those days. No crowds, no bombing to wait for, just a swarm of uphillers (funken) who have swooped in at 7am and got real first tracks.

On non pow days Tiehack is great for quick morning groomer rips or some afternoon turns; free parking across from the lift. The view from the Cliffhouse are nice; great place to grab a drink on a sunny day.

I think Buttermilk and Highlands pretty close draw with groomers, but Highlands gets my vote for less people on them, more variety, more vert and scenery.

**Toadman** · 01-06-2023, 04:09 PM

Thanks for that beta. Much appreciated!

**Truckee Joe** · 01-06-2023, 04:58 PM

Went to Highlands today. Wow what a different place. Really liked the way the whole mountain skis. Did 2 bowls laps. And I even got to see the way down on one of my runs. Definitely skied much heavier than a few days ago at Ajax, and had a faint crust if you were on the wrong aspect. I think I'll be spending most of my week left here at highlands.

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**funkendrenchman** · 01-06-2023, 04:59 PM

FYI, if it snows overnight, Tiehack will not be groomed. The groomers on the rest of the mountain are just ok.

**skaredshtles** · 01-06-2023, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by Truckee Joe

Went to Highlands today. Wow what a different place. Really liked the way the whole mountain skis. Did 2 bowls laps.

Not sure what you skied in the bowl, but if you didn't end up over in the G's, try to get over to those. Some great skiing in that zone.

**hutash** · 01-06-2023, 09:09 PM

Thanks for all the info, it is why this place rocks. We had a fun day poking around Aspen My. Viz wasn't great, but all the trees all the way to the top makes for good bad light skiing. I would have been puking from vertigo with this light in Mammoth. Met a local on the gondi who showed me around and did some turns outside the ropes.

Planning on hitting Highlands tomorrow and hope to at least hike the bowl once...can't come all the way to Aspen and not drop into it. If anybody will be out there give me a shout. 805 four six nine 1907. Not sure if we will be here Sunday or heading SLC, but the wife is having fun, so there is a chance.

**Truckee Joe** · 01-06-2023, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by skaredshtles

Not sure what you skied in the bowl, but if you didn't end up over in the G's, try to get over to those. Some great skiing in that zone.

Ya I’ll be heading there first thing tomorrow. I only dropped into b-fore because the viz got good so couldn’t pass that up. I found that aspect good when I was in the Olympic zone.

**gretch6364** · 01-06-2023, 11:36 PM

First…I am a couple deep and a gummy, so this may be a ramble.

To all the mags posting about knees…heal up and I guess make the best of it. Sucks ass…hope GR and Shred and anyone else is back out ripping soon.

Next…fun to read perspectives from visitors. Thanks for sharing. It is fun to reflect on how lucky we are and think about what we get out of each individual mountain. Very lucky to have four distinct personalities all so close and on one pass.

I am DVT here in Basalt and I have young kids, so Snowmass gets a lot of our days. As the kids are getting older…that seems to be shifting to Highlands due to lessons, etc. Buttermilk was the start when they were just starting.

Ajax gets some of my alone time days and when I am out for lunch laps wiggle in the downtown office or working a Saturday away from the family and getting out a bit during the busy season.

Lately, I have been reflecting on how big Snowmass actually is. Many times I simply forget. It is so easy to get from one side to the other…even bottom of Two Creeks to Bottom of Campground in only two lift rides (there and back). Maybe once you understand timing of the lines and the fact that even the longest are only about 10 minutes…it just feels smaller?

It’s fun because you can hit so many different zones during a day or lap specific aspects…it’s a sort of hidden gem among the locals. Super popular with the tourist…but most of the good local skiers are on Highlands and Ajax…so the hardest terrain at Snowmass seems to retain good snow. Do tourist ever even go down campground? Maybe stop at the runs you can get back over to Sam’s.

Ajax is like a puzzle at times…if you know which way the wind was blowing overnight and you know the mountain well enough…you know where to ski and some of the shots on that mountain…maybe not as long as highlands…have a different feel. So many steep pitches that have tight terrain…rocks and humps squeezing you…it is lovely and everyone has their own little favorite spots to hit after or during a storm.

Highlands, to me, is always an adventure. Maybe because I skied it less the last couple years then the others…but it feels…small but mighty (where Ajax feels much bigger then it’s acreage total). Oly is short but steep with good snow at times (feels like an area for next expansion down to the bottom). Then moment, stein, thunderbowl, boomerang, temerity…a lap or two in the bowl (I stay away from steeplechase most of the time, but south castle is good). Temerity can get conditions where it feel like a chore to get all the way down.

I guess I take for granted that if you ski all of them…everyday on the mountain can feel different then last. Different sections, different lifts and different terrain…but at the same time, you get to know it in this intimate way that part of everyday is familiar with some of the same spots…many times places you ski the same time each year as they fill in.

I am always cutting into trees with no tracks and many times stuck in the thick. It’s funny how you find the same openings each season.

Many mags will find this a joke….but I pushed to hit 20 days by end of 2022, and this weekend will be 23 and 24. My legs feel great, snow has been amazing so far…stoked to hit 50 to 60 this season.

More important, the 5 and 7 yo are at almost 15 so far. Been so much fun.

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**alpinevibes** · 01-07-2023, 07:47 AM

Yeah dude, nice work hitting 20. No joke at this phase of life!

Nice upside reports across the the board this morning! Should be a stellar day and weekend!

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**Shredhead** · 01-07-2023, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by alpinevibes

Yeah dude, nice work hitting 20. No joke at this phase of life!

Nice upside reports across the the board this morning! Should be a stellar day and weekend!

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Nice light to medium density snow, evenly distributed across the Mountains. Should bring the lower pitches into play. Look for SQR to pop today and maybe Trainors tomorrow.

Stay safe!

**Foggy_Goggles** · 01-07-2023, 08:45 AM

Down Valley Trash?

**alpinevibes** · 01-07-2023, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by Foggy_Goggles

Down Valley Trash?

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**JaytaeMoney** · 01-07-2023, 05:22 PM

I had a fucking awesome time on Ajax today. That is all.

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**gretch6364** · 01-07-2023, 05:25 PM

Alpine…I need a couple of those stickers…lol.

Today was a ski date with the wife while both kids were in ski school at Snowmass. Grabbed a last minute res at Sam’s.

The snow today was….just perfect. So light and fluffy in the morning. My wife has been on some wider powder skis lately and it has really improved her confidence over her black pearls Rossi Saffron 7). Tomorrow is exactly 1 year for tearing her ACL and today was the best I have seen her ski since. Was just a perfect sunny day on the slopes.

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