Four Corners ski areas finally receive some snow

Four Corners ski areas finally receive some snow

Dec. 14, 2000

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

After more than two weeks without snow falling in the Four Corners area, two storms dumped various amounts over the higher terrain.

"The season has been great so far! We've received a steady series of storms that have dumped heavy snows across the state," a Colorado Ski Country USA representative remarked. "After having a couple dry years in a row, we are hoping for a near normal snowfall this winter and so far the report seems to be right."

Telluride Resort received four inches at the bottom and an inch or two more at the top of the mountain. Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort received about a foot over the past 72 hours. And Wolf Creek Ski Area received 15 inches from the storms.

Ski Hesperus received several inches of snow but that was about it.

Telluride Resort, located about 65 miles north of Cortez on Colorado Highway 145, reports 37 inches at the mountain top and 38 inches at mid-mountain. The recent storms have allowed the resort to open 52 of 67 runs for 92 percent of the mountain now open. That compares to 76 percent of the mountain open last week. All 12 lifts are operating.

Wolf Creek Ski Area, located east of Pagosa Springs at the top of the Wolf Creek Pass on U.S. Highway 160, reports 60 inches at the summit and 60 inches at mid-mountain on all-natural snow. A total of 50 trails are open (100 percent) with six lifts operating. The Water Fall Area is open but Alberta Peak and Knife Ridge were closed for the past couple days but could open depending on current weather conditions.

Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort, located about 25 miles north of Durango on U.S. Highway 550, reports 37 inches at mid-way with 38 inches at the top on man-made and natural snow. The resort is now 97 percent open.

The inaugural day for Purgatory’s new high-speed six-passenger lift, orginally scheduled to open Dec. 15 was postponed because of construction delays. It is expected to open Dec. 22.

"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."

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.

Hesperus Ski Area is not open. It must depend on all-natural snow.

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

Another storm is expected to move into the Four Corners area by late tonight, Dec. 14, and linger into Friday. However, most of the moisture is expected to go north. The National Weather Service is predicting 3-5 inches for the mountains through the night with snowshowers for Friday, Dec. 15. Another shot at moisture is expected on Sunday, Dec. 17.