SPORTS: Skiing Rocks

Dismal Snowpack Takes A Toll In The High Country

Story and photo by Reid Neureiter | For the GPHN

Snow and ski conditions in the Colorado mountains have been described as some of the worst in recorded history, with meager snow totals leaving icy, rocky trails where skiers would normally be experiencing soft powder.  

John Dapper, a Park Hill resident who is a dedicated downhill skiing enthusiast, usually tries to get his first turns in by November. But this season, he delayed skiing until Valentine’s Day weekend, when he ventured out to explore Breckenridge’s meager offerings.  

“It looked like October conditions,” said Dapper, who brought his rock skis (older skis that he does not mind tearing up by hitting rocks or tree limbs). 

The slopes on Friday, Feb. 13 were “twigs and rocks,” he continued, “and after three inches of snow fell overnight on Friday evening, it was twigs and rocks covered with some snow.”  

Keystone finally opened its popular high-altitude Bergman Bowl to skiers in early February, but dirt, rocks, and tree limbs were prevalent when this reporter visited on Feb. 7.   

Reports are mounting that mountain communities are suffering because of reduced visitation this year due to lack of snowfall, with Vail Resorts reporting hotel bookings down 20 percent in Western states. On the bright side, a late-February snow dump brought some needed relief.

And, because fewer people are skiing and boarding this year, the traffic snarls on I-70 have not been as bad as usual.