Local ski areas make improvements

Local ski areas make improvements

Oct 27, 2001

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

Ski/snowboarding season is still about a month away from starting in Southwestern Colorado, however the local ski areas are getting ready.

Durango Mountain Resort (Purgatory) announced proceeds from Benefit Day on Nov. 21, the day before the official opening of snowboarding and ski season, will go to local organizations non-profit benefit groups (Southwest Colorado Cares Fund) helping with the Sept. 11 tragedy. Also benefiting will the San Juan Mountains Association.

Skiers can hit the slopes for only $10 per person. Benefit Day in the past has raised as much as $20,000 for non-profit groups since 1994. Durango Mountain Resort also has donated more than $100,000 to local groups.

"The events of that date impacted all of our lives," Bob Kunkle, DMR senior vice-president, said. "Durango Mountain Resort and the San Juan Mountains Association welcome this opportunity to show our support, to provide our community with the opportunity to act directly to aid the victims and rescue (recovery) workers involved in that great tragedy, as well as to voice unity for our nation in this difficult time."

The mission of the SJMA is to enhance personal and community stewardship of natural, cultural, and heritage resources on public and other lands in Southwest Colorado through interpretation, information, education, and participation. Programs range from cultural site stewardship protection, wilderness conservation, and improvements and maintenance.

Telluride Resort recently made a large expansion. For starters, we're proud to announce the Grand Opening of Prospect Bowl, an additional 733 acres of new terrain that nearly doubles the size of the ski area, making Telluride the premier winter destination in the country.

The infusion of $12 million into Prospect Bowl tops off an unprecedented $50 million in capital improvements over the last five years, making Telluride truly one of the finest ski destinations in North America. Three new Dopplemayer high speed detachable lifts open Prospect Bowl breathtaking views and expansive terrain to skiers of all abilities. From groomed paradise for beginners and intermediates to steep chutes for the not-so-faint-at-heart, Prospect Bowl transforms Telluride into a week-long skiing experience.

Prospect Bowl’s terrain varies from gentle rolling slopes to challenging steeps. The vertical rise is from 3,250 feet to 3,530 feet. The northern exposure in Prospect Bowl creates greater snowfall averages. With the new terrain, the Telluride Resort will offer guests 22 percent beginner, 38 percent intermediate and 40 percent intermediate/expert terrain. The $14 Million in on-mountain improvements for the winter of 2001/2002 including three new high speed Dopplemayr lifts, trails, snowmaking, lift buildings and guest amenities.

Telluride, located about 60 miles north of Cortez on Colorado Highway 145, plans to hold opening day on Nov. 20 In preparation, Telski mountain operations crew will start making snow within the next week or so, weather permitting.

While the new terrain in Prospect Bowl opens on Dec. 20, a grand opening celebration will be held from Jan. 10-13, 2001. The action pack weekend includes headliner concerts, spectator events, expo areas, après ski parties, and more. Guests can join in the festivities with the Prospect Bowl Package which includes three nights lodging and two days of skiing starting at $180/person (subject to availability and restrictions, tax not included). For more information call ResortQuest at 800-525-3455 or visit www.telluridelodging.com

Wolf Creek Ski Area, located at the top of Wolf Creek Pass on U.S. Highway 160, will open Horseshoe Bowl this year. It will offer skiers a variety of trails and superior snow conditions. Horseshoe Bowl has approximately 200 acres of glade tree skiing.

Improvements include extensive trail work along the 1,600 acres. That included tree stump removal, replanting trees, relocating some trees, weed control, rock removal, and clean up of deadfall and undergrowth. More specifically, Park Avenue, Summer Days, Simpatico, and Coyote Loop received a general manicure. Two parking lots were paved with asphalt.

The Ski and Sport Swap will be held from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 3 in the Dolores High School Commons. This is the first year of a planned annual event.

Equipment should be dropped off from 4-7 p.m. Nov. 2.

For more information, phone 882-7288, extension 361 or 749-2393.

Now if only Mother Natural will help out with some SNOW.