suggestions for spring ski routes with 6 and 10 year old

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eyost11
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Re: suggestions for spring ski routes with 6 and 10 year old

Post by eyost11 »

http://www.summitdaily.com/news/2177832 ... copper-and" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Loveland also.
Monarch as well
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Re: suggestions for spring ski routes with 6 and 10 year old

Post by pfiore1 »

Erik2 wrote:Do any resorts allow uphill access after they close for the season? I'm betting not, but if any happen to allow it that's a good idea for a low risk way to see how kids do.
As I stated in a previous post, Monarch Mountain doesn't care, I've been split-boarding it for over a decade every spring after their closing date without any issues, even with employees present and watching. I used to work there, I know the owners and employees, and other public skiers have been up there as well after closing day. Just be sure to park outside of the main entrance gate as it closes and is locked around 4pm and you don't want to be locked in. I believe each ski area has their own policies regarding public access to USFS land that is technically public but still under a lease from the ski area, some are more lax than others, some consider it a liability issue, trespassing or snobbery. I would go with the small liberal ski areas such as Monarch, Ski Cooper, etc. but probably not the big ones, Vail, Beaver Creek, Copper, Aspen, etc. Let me know if you have any further questions regarding this, I have a lot of experience split-boarding ski areas after closing dates.
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Re: suggestions for spring ski routes with 6 and 10 year old

Post by Dave B »

bergsteigen wrote:Last year I skinned up Eldora the weekend after it closed.
I thought that, even after closing day, uphill access at Eldora wasn't allowed? Because they are terrible-terrible people...
Double Oh Seven wrote: Loveland normally does. Last year we had good runs on Memorial Day. They closed uphilll access around June 1 I think.
Didn't Loveland close uphill access earlier last year to start prepping for the construction of the Ptarmigan lift? Eitherway, +1 to skinning Loveland, I had a couple of really good days up there last year after closing day.
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Re: suggestions for spring ski routes with 6 and 10 year old

Post by Urban Snowshoer »

Dave B wrote:
bergsteigen wrote:Last year I skinned up Eldora the weekend after it closed.
I thought that, even after closing day, uphill access at Eldora wasn't allowed? Because they are terrible-terrible people...
Double Oh Seven wrote: Loveland normally does. Last year we had good runs on Memorial Day. They closed uphilll access around June 1 I think.
Didn't Loveland close uphill access earlier last year to start prepping for the construction of the Ptarmigan lift? Eitherway, +1 to skinning Loveland, I had a couple of really good days up there last year after closing day.
Loveland is one of the more laid back resorts when it comes to uphill access--they require pass to do it while the resort is open; however, the pass is free. I was last up there about a a week ago and had a good day. I've also been up there after the seasonal closure and they don't really seem to care.
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Re: suggestions for spring ski routes with 6 and 10 year old

Post by bergsteigen »

Dave B wrote:
bergsteigen wrote:Last year I skinned up Eldora the weekend after it closed.
I thought that, even after closing day, uphill access at Eldora wasn't allowed? Because they are terrible-terrible people...
I don't know if they allow it, but a whole bunch of us did it last year. I was going to go today, but just didn't want to risk it. So I went to East Portal of Moffat Tunnel. Long approach (2.6mi) before you even start to get to the good stuff. So probably not good for 2 young boys. Overall 8 miles and ~2K for some nice powder.
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Re: suggestions for spring ski routes with 6 and 10 year old

Post by Urban Snowshoer »

bergsteigen wrote:
Dave B wrote:
bergsteigen wrote:Last year I skinned up Eldora the weekend after it closed.
I thought that, even after closing day, uphill access at Eldora wasn't allowed? Because they are terrible-terrible people...
I don't know if they allow it, but a whole bunch of us did it last year. I was going to go today, but just didn't want to risk it. So I went to East Portal of Moffat Tunnel. Long approach (2.6mi) before you even start to get to the good stuff. So probably not good for 2 young boys. Overall 8 miles and ~2K for some nice powder.
The philisophical question I've always had is: if it isn't windy at East Portal, are you really at East Portal? ;)

You don't mention which drainage you went up, though I'm wondering if it was Heart Lake--it's a long approach but pretty nonetheless. Arapaho Lakes is a bit shorter of an approach and still has good skiing.
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Re: suggestions for spring ski routes with 6 and 10 year old

Post by bergsteigen »

Urban Snowshoer wrote: The philisophical question I've always had is: if it isn't windy at East Portal, are you really at East Portal? ;)

You don't mention which drainage you went up, though I'm wondering if it was Heart Lake--it's a long approach but pretty nonetheless. Arapaho Lakes is a bit shorter of an approach and still has good skiing.
I have always gone to Arapaho Lakes. I've done hikes/snowshoed to the other lakes, but never skied. When I was getting into BC skiing, the Avy danger was glaring red and dangerous, and Arapaho lakes is the safest place my partners or I knew (other than Allenspark). Looking back on my photos, only the first 2 times I went there (2012), did I actually have good weather or see anything.
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Re: suggestions for spring ski routes with 6 and 10 year old

Post by mountainute »

Hey Erik2,

one key note to consider is: it is a good idea to have 2 experienced adults on the trip, if you plan on bringing 2 kids.
My daughter skied real peaks in the Sierra Nevada at age 6 (including ascending, of course), but its good to have another adult to be able to turn around with the younger kid (then 1 year old) when the weather turns sour or even windy.
It is *a lot* harder to mountaineer as the sole adult with two children.
It is not simply the child's ability or drive that matters.

Good luck, mountainute
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