Ski season to officially open Tuesday at Telluride

Ski season to officially open Tuesday at Telluride

Nov. 18, 2000

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

The Telluride Ski Area will open its lifts for Donation Day this Tuesday, Nov. 21, and all net lift ticket proceeds will go to Telluride’s ski and snowboard competitive youth programs including the Alpine Racing Team, the Freestyle Team, and the Snowboard Team.

The Telluride Mountain will have more than 70 percent of the terrain open, accessed by 10 out of 12 lifts for the first day of the season.

The Telluride Ski and Golf Company (Telski) is reporting a 28-inch settled base at mid-mountain after the last two winter-like storms dumped nearly 20 inches of new snowfall. Telski reports it plans to open lifts no. 1 (the chondola), 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 on Donation Day. The ski area is located about 65 miles north of Cortez, just off Colorado Highway 145.

Telluride’s Ski and Snowboard School for adults and children, the nursery, and the Gorrono Ranch Restaurant will be also be open. The gondola opens Nov. 20 and will be open for mountain access on Donation and throughout the season.

"The natural snow we received last weekend, comined with our snowmaking crew’s efforts, has made for a good base for opening day and Thanksgiving Weekend," Terry Fernald, vice president of mountain operations for Telski, said. "We plan to have 10 lifts open, which includes the two legs of the gondola, and more than 70 percent of the lift-served skiing terrain in the lift 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10 pods. We’ve received enough snow to open our steepest trails, including The Plunge, Bushwacker, Mammouth, and Joint Point."

On Tuesday only, lift ticket prices are $20 for everyone except children five and under. All season pass and Telluride Card holders will be required to purchase a ticket because it is a donation day.

Early season prices and Ski Free and More go into effect Nov. 22-Dec. 16. Full-day ticket prices are $40 for adults and $22 for children. Skiers staying at participating Telluride properties from Nov. 22-Dec. 16 and again from April 2-15 Ski Free and More by choosing a free day of skiing, ski school clinic, lunch on the mountain, or a half-day of child care for each night they stay.

Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort, located about 25 miles north of Durango, reports eight inches of snow has fallen. The all natural snow depth at mid-mountain is 30 inches and growing.

Purgatory will hold Benefit Day on Nov. 22 with proceeds being donated to a worthy community cause.

Reports from Wolf Creek Ski Area, located at the top of Wolf Creek Pass east of Pagosa Springs, say skiing and snowboarding is excellent right now.

The area opened Oct. 28 after some late fall winter-like storms put down a base of 69 inches with 56 inches at midway. A total of 20 inches has fallen within the past 72 hours. The surface conditions are excellent on powder and packed powder. A total of 90 percent of the mountain is open with six lifts operating. The Water Fall Area, Knife Ridge, and Alberta Peak are all open. The area is open from 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m. daily.

The adult all-day lift ticket is $38 and $25 for children aged 12 or younger.

Ski Hesperus, located about 36 miles east of Cortez on U.S. Highway 160, is not open but has received several inches of snow. That is a good sign because the small area did not even open last year and was only open a few days over the past two years. If all goes well, it is hoped the area will open before Christmas.

The Kendall Mountain Ski Area and Ice Rink, located in Silverton, will open for the season Friday, Dec. 1. The ice rink is open daily whenever there is ice. Use of the ice rink is free of charge. Rental skates are available at the Chamber of Commerce located at the town entrance for 50 cents. The ski area is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. with longer hours for holidays. Prices are $6 adult all day ($50 season pass), children (7-18) $3 ($30 season), and seniors 65 plus $3 and $30. Family passes are available. For details, phone (970) 387-5522.

The National Weather Service is reporting partly cloudy skies this weekend. Perhaps a scattered snow shower may swing by but no big storms. Skies should be clear but cold well into next week. Looking at the 10-day forecast, a storm could move into the Four Corners area by the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend bringing a chance for snow.