Snow is forecast to finally help out local ski areas

Snow is forecast to finally help out local ski areas

Dec. 9, 2000

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

There may be some relief in sight. After more than two weeks without a snowflake, a winter-like storm with cold temperatures should be moving into the Four Corners area by late Monday.

Actually some snow could fall today, Dec. 9, from another system coming out of the Pacific. But only scattered snow showers are forecast for today and Sunday, Dec. 10.

But Arctic air and moisture associated with it is moving down from Canada. It was forecast to start arriving by Monday night, Dec. 11, but now it is forecast to come through the Four Corners area late Tuesday, Dec. 12, or Wednesday, Dec. 13, according to the National Weather Service.

But right now, any news is good news for skiers.

Telluride Resort, located about 65 miles north of Cortez on Colorado Highway 145, reports 25 inches at the mountain top and 22 inches at mid-mountain on fair-to-good conditions at the top and early-season conditions at the bottom on man-made and natural snow. A total of 43 of 67 runs are open (76 percent of the mountain) and 11 of 12 lifts operating.

Wolf Creek Ski Area, located east of Pagosa Springs at the top of the Wolf Creek Pass on U.S. Highway 160, reports 54 inches at the summit and 42 inches at mid-mountain on all-natural snow. A total of 50 trails are open (100 percent) with six lifts operating. Conditions are good at the top and fair at the bottom.

Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort, located about 25 miles north of Durango on U.S. Highway 550, reports 28 inches at mid-way with 33 inches at the top on man-made and natural snow. The resort is now 97 percent open. Conditions are fair at the top with early-season conditions at the bottom.

The inaugural day for Purgatory’s new high-speed six-passenger lift has been postponed because of construction delays , according to a news release from the resort.

"The good news is that the superlift will be open prior to the Christmas Holidays as planned," Bob Kunkle, senior vice president of Durango Mountain Resort, said. "While we’re disappointd about missing the Dec. 15 target date, we’re pleased that construction is 99 percent completed and all looks well for the state-required tests and inspections."

Mike McCormack, vice president of mountain operations, emphasized the complex nature of lift construction.

"This is a multi-million dollar project with a tight schedule — six months from engineering to completion. Lift parts were manufactured and delivered from all over the world, too. We’re very close to completion right now but we can’t rush the final steps leading up to a successful lift opening and operation."

The next several steps involved the last phases of assembly and the all-important tests and inspections.

An opening ceremony, with a ribbon cutting and dedication of the lift, will be at 9 a.m. Dec. 22. The public is invited to attend. The superlift is 6,553 feet long and runs at 1,000 feet per minute. It stretches from Purgatory Village to the summit, serving the resort’s most popular beginner, intermediate and expert terrain as well as the Powderhouse Restaurant and the snowboard halfpipe and terrain park.

There is some good news, though. The Columbine Station beginner area, thanks to snowmaking, opened Wednesday, Dec. 6. Evening operations at the area, including the Alpine Snowcoaster tubing hill (set to open Dec. 22), is set to start Dec. 15, depending on snowmaking production. "First Things First" beginner lessons and Kids Ski & Snowboard School classes will start being held at Columbine Station’s terrain. The Skiway access trail from Purgatory Village to the lower parking lots will open for the season, as will the Columbine Station ticket office and the Columbine Station cabin restaurant and deck.

Lift no. 7, the "Graduate Lift," which links the Columbine Station and lower parking lots with the main slopes, will also begin operating today, according to information from resort officials.

Hesperus Ski Area is not open. It must depend on all-natural snow. Snowcover has gone down recently because of the mild weather lately.

The Chicken Creek Ski Area (cross-country), located just north of Mancos, has some snowcover but more is needed.