The 2000-2001 ski/snowboard season is just past the half-way point. But there seems to be plenty of good snow throughout Southwest Colorado and the snowiest months of March and April are still ahead. In fact, the National Weather Service is calling for wetter-than-normal conditions for the Southwest with average or slightly below normal to near average temperatures through the period.

A snow storm moved into the Four Corners area last Monday, Feb. 26, and snow continued off and on through Thursday, March 1. And now more snow and snow showers are forecast for today, March 3, and ending Sunday, March 4.

Several events are planned at the two area resorts this weekend and next. At Purgatory at Durango Mountain . The area is hosting the third annual Adaptive Sports Association’s Dave Spencer Ski Classic today and Sunday. The highlight of the weekend is the Classic Ski Race on Sunday, a non-competitive race where five teams compete against their own predicted times predetermined during earlier practice runs. The individual who comes closest to their predicted time will win a trip for two to Breckenridge. A Demonstration Team Competition, where teams create funny skits on skis and demonstrated Professional Ski Instructor’s Association progressions, also is scheduled. For more information, phone 259-0374.

And coming up is the 2001 FreeRide Events Series at Purgatory, March 10-24. A Snowboard cross will be held at Pitchfork Terrain Park on the new Pitchfork/Limbo Rider Cross Course on March 10. A Skier Cross is set March 11 at Pitchfork Terrain Park. Big Air set for Pitchfork Terrain Park on March 17. Halfpipe is scheduled March 18 and Slopestyle Extreme Madness is slated March 24.

The Telluride Town Series Race will be held today and Sunday at Telluride Resort. A giant slalom will be held today on the Gold Hill Competition run while freerider halfpipe competitions are slated at the Air Garden.

There is a Fun Race today and a Telemark Clinic set for Sunday at Wolf Creek Ski Area.

All the Southwestern Colorado ski areas are reporting excellent conditions following nearly a week’s worth of snow.

Wolf Creek Ski Area, which is located east of Pagosa Springs on U.S. Highway 160, is reporting excellent conditions following the recent storms. It has the most all-natural snow in Colorado with a summit snow depth of 130 inches with 118 at mid-mountain. The area, which has the highest base level in Colorado, has received 48 inches in the past seven days. Surface conditions are excellent on powder and some hard-packed.

Hesperus Ski Area, located about 30 miles east of Cortez, has an all-natural base of 63 inches. The area received eight inches of snow earlier this week. Surface conditions are excellent on powder and some packed powder.

Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort, located about 25 miles north of Durango on U.S. Highway 550, has a mid-way snow depth of 72 inches. The are area received 25 inches of snow over the past week. Surface conditions are excellent on powder and packed powder.

Telluride Resort, located about 60 miles north of Cortez on Colorado Highway 145, is reporting 58 inches at the top with 58 at mid-mountain. Surface conditions are reported as excellent on powder and packed powder. During the month of February, Telluride received about five feet of snow.

Chicken Creek Cross-Country Ski Area, located at the end of Millwood Road (County Road 40) northwest of Mancos, is now officially open to the public for free-skate skiing and classic touring. Chicken Creek received nearly two feet and skiing is reported as excellent. Chicken Creek offers nine miles of groomed track with both beginner and intermediate trails with gentle grades.

Chicken Creek is operated by Friends of Chicken Creek, a nonprofit group of volunteers who groom the trails and maintain the facilities. A donation box is located at the trailhead. Maps of the trails are located at the trailhead. Picnic tables are set up along the trail loops. Dogs and snowmobiles are not allowed. Snowshoeing is allowed on the flat tracks groomed for skate skiing.

For more information about the area, phone the Mancos-Dolores Ranger District Office at 882-7296.

Chapman Hill in Durango is open. The hill is mainly reserved mostly for children and beginners, but anyone who wants to ski or snowboard can do so on weekend drop-in days. On Fridays, the slope is open from 4-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays it is open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Lift tickets are $5 weekdays and $6 weekends. Lessons for children and beginners are available. Rentals of equipment is not available at the hill but there are many places in Durango.