Goin' Skiing...

After exams and school was pretty much over for another year, we managed to hit the slopes again for a well needed break. This time, four of us were able to make it up to Wolf Creek, Colorado, one of our favorite places to go. On the last occasion, the weather was very cold with blizzard like conditions for most of the skiing time, however, the weather cooperated very well with amazing sunny and warm condtions. There wasn't much snow, but it was still early into the season so that was expected, but we still managed to have lots of fun in the mean time.

We stayed at one of the closest places you can stay to the ski mountain. The Wolf Creek Ranch Ski Lodge which we have stayed at several times in the past. It has both cabins and a streetside motel, this was the first year that we weren't able to secure a cabin, but the motel worked out just fine as well, and was probably best since we just stayed 3 nights.


At Wolf Creek Ranch Ski Lodge

The lodge is situated right in the middle of Wolf Creek Pass, with mountains on both sides and the Rio Grande river right behind the property. It's really a pretty scenic area.

Mountains and Pallisades outside



More mountains on the way to Wolf Creek Ski Resort

Kristi got a new green ski coat for Christmas.


Here's the two of us going up the ski lift to the top of the mountain.


Kristi and Wes


The View from the top really is quite amazing, I wish I would have taken the time to get some more pictures, but here's one of the four of us. Sam, Wes, me and Kristi.



One of the things that I like so much about Wolf Creek is how varied the terrain is. There are your usual runs that are trails bordered by trees on both sides, but then there's also alot of really open terrain with no trails that you can pretty much choose where and how you want to ski it. You can ski down the same area 10 different times and get something new out of it, especially if you're into skiing trees and through non groomed terrain.



One Run in particular gave us a good challenge, "Windjammer", starts out with a very steep grade with moguls, some 3 feet high. It then levels out and ends with several jumps, hills and a gully that can catch you off guard if you're not in control. Below, Kristi found the gully by accident. You can also see Wes up in the top right trying to avoid it.


On the way back up to Alberta Peak... It's not a very tall mountain--elevation wise, but it is spread out quite a bit with also an extensive backside area. So there's still plenty to see and ski.



Flags flying at the base area representing the states they get the most skiiers from. Good to see Texas strongly represented.



We only had 2 days of skiing, but I think it's safe to say that we made the most of it. Everyone had fun and stayed safe, and of course looking forward to next year already!