EvEry Mountain Has a story

A Colorado Ski Country Collection
E v ery Moun ta in H a s A S t ory
2012–13
PA ST
and
PR E SEN T
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COLORADO
B R A G G I N G
T A B L E O F C O N TE N T S
R I G H T S
CSCUSA RESORTS
04 Arapahoe Basin
06Aspen/Snowmass
10 Copper Mountain
12 Crested Butte
14 Eldora Mountain Resort
16 Howelsen Hill
18 Loveland Ski Area
20 Monarch Mountain
22Powderhorn
24 Purgatory (Durango)
26Silverton
28 Ski Cooper
30 Ski Granby Ranch
32Steamboat
34 Sunlight Mountain
36Telluride
38 Winter Park
40 Wolf Creek
CSCUSA by the Numbers
Skiable
Acres
C S C U S A I N F O R M AT I O N
02 CSCUSA History
42Icelantic
43 Getting Here
44 Hertz / DIA
46 CSCUSA Resorts Map
Every Mountain Has a Story is published by Colorado Ski Country USA,
the not-for-profit trade association representing 21 Colorado ski and
snowboard resorts. CSCUSA is the global voice of the Colorado ski
industry. All information in this piece has been compiled carefully to
ensure accuracy at the time of publication. However, the information
contained herein is subject to change. Visit us online at www.
ColoradoSki.com to order additional copies of this piece.
© Colorado Ski Country USA 2012. No portion of this piece may
be duplicated in whole or in part in any medium without the written
permission of Colorado Ski Country USA, 1444 Wazee Street, Denver,
Colorado 80202.
Cover Photo: Counterclockwise from top right: Arapahoe Basin,
Silverton, Arapahoe Basin, Sunlight Mountain
Average
Vertical Rise
29,426
11,319'
Average
Base Elevation
9,012'
3,684
2,328'
Total
Trails
1,761
Total
Lifts
220
Terrain
Parks
Member
Resorts
Resorts Offering
Bowl Skiing
Resorts Offering
Powder Cat Skiing
Halfpipes
Resorts Offering
Heli-Skiing
Skier
Visits
Visit
ColoradoSki.com
9
Visit ColoradoSki.com for more information.
Snowmaking
Acres
Average
Peak Elevation
8
45
2
21
15
11 Million
With 300 days of sunshine and more than 300 inches of snow per year,
29,426 acres of skiing, 220 lifts and 1,761 trails at 21 resorts,
it’s understandable why Colorado Ski Country USA is the top choice for skiers and snowboarders.
C
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Colorado Ski Country USA Celebrates its
50 th A n n i versary
Great Moments in Colorado’s Ski History
1914
1937
1939
1940
Howelsen Hill, the oldest ski
area in continued use west of
the Mississippi, is developed
Operations at
Loveland Ski Tow
Company begin with
a rope tow powered
by a Model T engine
Monarch Mountain is built as part of
President Roosevelt’s New Deal, later
sold by City of Salida for $100
Winter Park
opens with
Wolf Creek
opens
$1 daily
lift tickets
Mary Jane opens 35
years later
1972
1977
1982
1996
Copper Mountain &
Telluride open
Steamboat hosts
the first ever
International
Winter Special
Olympics
Ski Granby
Ranch opens as
Silver Creek
Colorado Ski
Country USA
starts its unique
and popular 5th
Grade Passport
Program
1998
2000
2002
Crested Butte hosts
the first ever ESPN
Winter X-Games
Silverton opens for
guided tours
Complementary to the 5th Grade
Passport, the 6th Grade Passport
Program is introduced
Aspen’s Buttermilk hosts
ESPN’s Winter X Games, an
event still held at the mountain today
1942
1946
US Army selects Camp Hale
and Cooper Hill (Ski Cooper)
as the 10th Mountain
Division’s training site
1961
Crested Butte opens
Arapahoe Basin opens, with a daily lift ticket
priced at $1.25
1963
CSCUSA is founded to promote skiing
in the Southern Rockies (CO, NM
and WY)
Aspen Mountain opens, boasting the world’s
longest chairlift
1965
Colorado Ski Country’s
signature Gold Pin (pass)
Lake Eldora Ski Area opens (Eldora
Mountain Resort) & Steamboat opens
1966
1967
Powderhorn &
Sunlight open
Loveland Ski Area uses diesel
compressors to become the first
major ski area in Colorado to
have snowmaking
capabilities
is introduced, giving statewide access to all
CSCUSA resorts
2005
2006
Colorado sees
Colorado Ski Country USA launches Learn
to Ski & Snowboard Month during the month
of January
12 million
skier visits for the
first time in history
2010
Colorado Ski Country
USA’s First Class
is launched, a program designed to encourage
new skiers and snowboarders to participate in
the state’s signature sports
2013
Colorado Ski Country USA celebrates 50 years of world-class skiing and riding
Durango Mountain
Resort opens
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A-Basin is widely renowned for its
spectacular setting along the Continental
Divide. Its rugged peaks, spruce forests and rolling
terrain make for extraordinary skiing and riding.
Perhaps most unique is A-Basin’s culture and vibe. The
people here, both employees and guests, are fun, friendly
and welcoming.
A-Basin strives to create an experience different from
other ski areas. Whether you ride your favorite trail,
enjoy a great meal at Black Mountain Lodge, or take in
the incredible view at the top of Montezuma Bowl, the
place feels like home. Its wide range of kids’ programs,
close-in parking and single base area make it perfect for
locals and anyone with children.
ArapahoeBasin.com
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Arapahoe Basin opened in December 1946
with help from Larry Jump and Max and
Edna Dercum. For its inaugural season, the resort
opened with a single rope tow and $1.25 daily lift tickets.
Now at sixty-six years strong, A-Basin is just hitting its stride.
A snow making system, which was installed in 2002,
helps A-Basin compete for the annual title of First Resort
in the Nation to Open.
During the 2007-08 season, Arapahoe Basin opened
Montezuma Bowl, a 400 acre expansion that increased
the ski area’s terrain by 80 percent. A quad chairlift was
installed as part of the expansion and the entire project
was completed with minimal impact to the environment.
Also in 2007, A-Basin opened a new mid-mountain
restaurant, Black Mountain Lodge.
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960
SKIABLE ACRES
109
TRAILS
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10,780'
BASE ELEVATION
13,050'
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The Aspen Skiing Corporation, founded by 10th
Mountain Division veteran Freidl Pfeifer and Chicago
industrialist Walter Paepcke, opened Aspen Mountain
on December 14, 1946. The mountain featured Lift One, and billed
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PHOTO: Aspen Historical Society, Ringquist Collection
PHOTO: Aspen Historical Society, Ringle Collection
7,945'
it as the ‘world’s longest chairlift.’ A legendary resort was born.
BASE ELEVATION
The Aspen Ski Company expanded when they opened Buttermilk in 1958,
and gained its third mountain when Snowmass opened in 1967. In 1993,
the Aspen Skiing Company assumed ownership and operation of Aspen
Highlands, which was founded in 1958 by Whip Jones.
11,212'
PEAK ELEVATION
In 1950, Aspen Mountain hosted the FIS World Alpine Championships,
the first international skiing competition in the United States. Fifty-two
years later, the most watched annual event in winter sports came to the
slopes of Buttermilk as Aspen Ski Company began a relationship with
ESPN’s Winter X Games that is now entering its 11th consecutive season.
AspenSnowmass.com
ASPEN HIGLANDS
118
TRAILS
5
LIFTS
PHOTO: Aspen Historical Society, Aspen Times Collection
1,028
SKIABLE ACRES
PHOTO: Aspen Historical Society, Ringquist Collection
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8,040'
BASE ELEVATION
11,675'
PEAK ELEVATION
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91
TRAILS
21
LIFTS
8,104'
BASE ELEVATION
12,510'
PEAK ELEVATION
AspenSnowmass.com
now
One of the state’s most picturesque towns, Aspen’s
reputation has evolved since World War II into one
that is defined by luxury and elegance. This resort-town
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way of life has attracted people during all seasons, from the beautiful
scenes of summer in the shadow of the Maroon Bells to the extreme
skiing at the top of Ajax in the heart of winter.
Recent and planned additions to the resorts include the $15 million
LEED certified restaurant and event space, Elk Camp, the upcoming
launch of a multi-million dollar renovation to the Westin Snowmass
Resort, and The Little Nell restaurant will undergo a complete overhaul
and remodel.
BUTTERMILK
One of the eco-friendliest resorts in the world, Aspen/Snowmass’ many
renovations and new infrastructure improvements reflect Aspen Ski
Company’s commitment to the corporate-community partnership it has
with the town.
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SKIABLE ACRES
44
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9
LIFTS
7,870'
BASE ELEVATION
9,900'
PEAK ELEVATION
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The U.S. Ski Team Speed Center has made
its home at Copper Mountain thanks
in part to the resort’s state-of-the-art
snowmaking system. Copper is proud to be the
hosting venue for this prestigious training center.
Copper Mountain is also home to Woodward at Copper,
the first year-round indoor/outdoor ski and snowboard
program on the planet. Participants develop tricks in The
Barn and progress them in Copper’s terrain parks.
In 2012-13, visitors to Copper will notice a couple new
features; the new 14 ft. x 14 ft. Super Tramp inside
Woodward at Copper Barn, and a new Alpine Rush zip
line, which runs year-round.
CopperColorado.com
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Copper Mountain welcomed 135 skiers
for its grand opening on December 5, 1972
with 5 ski lifts and 26 miles of trails. All of
Copper’s ski trails were named in a public Name-theTrails contest.
Copper’s snowiest season occurred in 1983-84 when 432
inches of powder blanketed the mountain, extending the
season by a full month.
Throughout its 40 year history, Copper has maintained a
reputation for hosting amateur and professional ski races
and action sporting events. In 1976, Copper hosted the
Subaru U.S. Alpine Championships, the most prestigious
amateur races in the U.S. at the time.
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SKIABLE ACRES
127
TRAILS
22
LIFTS
9,712'
BASE ELEVATION
12,313'
PEAK ELEVATION
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1,547
SKIABLE ACRES
121
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9,375'
BASE ELEVATION
12,162'
PEAK ELEVATION
SkiCB.com
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then
When Crested Butte Mountain Resort
opened in November 1961, the original
owners purchased the resort’s first
gondola from an Italian ski area.
It was scheduled to be the first gondola to open
in Colorado for the 1962-63 ski season, but after
construction delays, Crested Butte lost the race to Vail
as that resort opened its gondola one month ahead of
Crested Butte. Crested Butte’s gondola opened January
25, 1963.
In 1979, the first extreme skiing terrain opened on
Crested Butte Mountain. These new skiable areas were
opened as hike-to terrain only until 1987, when the resort
installed the North Face Poma Lift to give easier access
to the extreme limits.
In 1998, Crested Butte hosted the first ever ESPN Winter
X-Games, which were held at the resort for the event’s
first two seasons.
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Crested Butte is home to some of the most
unique terrain in the country, and is a
resort town renowned for its mountain
flavored events.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort continues to invest
in ways that enhance the guest experience including
installing high-powered lighting that showcases the peak
of Crested Butte Mountain at night. Base area amenities
have been added in recent years such as the Adventure
Park which features lift-served tubing, a rock climbing
wall, a bungee trampoline and a miniature golf course.
Most recently, the resort opened a zipline tour.
Guests look forward to the resort’s Ski Free promotion
that originally started in the early 1990s. Although
there were years without free skiing, the resort brought
back Ski Free on Opening Day 2011, to celebrate its 50th
birthday. The 2012-2013 season will see Ski Free return,
scheduled this year for Opening Day, November 21.
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Lake Eldora Ski Area opened for the 19621963 season with a base lodge, ski shop
and two T-bars. The summer fishing resort in the
Lake Eldora area was established to accommodate an
increasing number of visitors since the discovery of the
area during the brief mining boom in the nearby town of
Eldora in the 1890s. The founding group of Lake Eldora
Ski Area included University of Colorado and U.S. Ski
Team Coach Bob Beattie, whose team trained at Eldora
in preparation for the 1964 Innsbruck Olympics. The
resort’s original trails opened on 480 acres of Roosevelt
National Forest land, and 440 acres of private land were
also purchased to site the base lodge and parking lot. This
would prove instrumental later in the resort’s life, as it is
the current home to Eldora’s Nordic Center.
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LIFTS
9,200'
BASE ELEVATION
10,800'
PEAK ELEVATION
Eldora.com
now
Eldora Mountain Resort, nestled just
beyond Boulder in Nederland, Colorado, is
the classic example of a local ski area. Home
to the University of Colorado’s ski team, and frequented
by students at the university, this backyard resort is a
home town favorite because of the pleasant accessibility
and small crowds.
Recent improvements designed to augment the skier
experience and entice guests to enjoy the resort more,
include additional investments in Eldora’s snowmaking
system that improve the consistency of conditions.
The resort’s future development plans feature chairlift
upgrades and terrain additions. The expansion will
significantly increase Eldora’s skiable acreage.
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SKIABLE ACRES
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6,696'
BASE ELEVATION
7,136'
PEAK ELEVATION
SteamboatSprings.net
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Developed in 1914 by famed Norwegian
championship skier Carl Howelsen,
Howelsen Hill is the oldest ski area in
continued use west of the Mississippi. Carl
Howelsen originally came to the United States as a
stonemason, but soon began touring with the Barnum
and Bailey Circus in 1907, performing as a ski sailor.
When he arrived in Steamboat Springs he introduced
recreational skiing, ski jumping, ski training and Winter
Carnival activities. In 1914, Howelsen began to develop
skiing and ski jumping on the mountain that would
become Howelsen Hill when it was named after him
in 1917. It was a significant step in the history of skiing
in Colorado, as skiing ceased to be simply a form of
transportation during the harsh winter, and became a
recreation activity fueled by visitors arriving via train
from Denver.
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Howelsen Hill is owned by the City
of Steamboat Springs, and is home
to Steamboat’s Winter Carnival, the
Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club,
and is the site of numerous national and
world record-breaking ski jumps. The hill is
listed on the State Register of Historic Places.
During the 2012-13 season, the Steamboat Springs
Winter Sports Club will host the 100th Winter Carnival
from February 6 – 10, 2013. This annual celebration
includes a variety of exciting and fun-filled events that
embrace the state’s western heritage and highlight
Colorado’s tradition of winter sports.
Howelsen Hill recently installed a new $1.75 million
Nordic Ski Jump, for both winter and summer jump
training and events. The jump will allow numerous
alpine, snowboard, mogul, aerial, terrain, jumping and
Nordic events for all ages and abilities, ranging from first
time toddlers to elite level racers.
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Loveland Ski Area opened in 1937 under
the name Loveland Ski Tow Company
with a single rope tow powered by a Model
T engine. This pre-World War II opening makes
LIFTS
10,800'
Loveland the second oldest resort in Colorado, after
Howelsen Hill. In 1967, the area began using diesel
compressors from the construction of the Eisenhower
Tunnel and became the first major ski area in Colorado
to possess snowmaking capabilities. The 1998 season
ushered in the installation of Chair 9, which provided long
awaited lift access to The Ridge along the Continental
Divide. Chair 9 climbs to 12,700 feet and was the highest
quad lift in the world when it was installed.
BASE ELEVATION
13,010'
PEAK ELEVATION
SkiLoveland.com
now
The 2012-13 season will celebrate
Loveland Ski Area’s 75th Anniversary
with a litany of events and deals. Also worth
celebrating, for the 22nd year running Loveland will host
its annual Marry Me & Ski Free mass wedding at the
summit of Chair 2 on Valentine’s Day.
Known for its diverse and exciting terrain, Loveland
now provides free snowcat rides on The Ridge, an area of
exceptional terrain that is usually only available to skiers
and riders after a 30 minute hike.
Guests have always enjoyed the amenities in the lodge
at the base, but now the recently remodeled Ptarmigan
Roost Cabin and Rock House Cabin are a special place for
a unique on-mountain picnic experience.
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Monarch Mountain is in the midst of many
exciting resort improvements including
remodeling and expanding the Base Lodge,
enlarging the legendary Sidewinder
Saloon, and remodeling the Gunbarrel
Cafeteria.
To improve the experience for families and ski school
participants, aside from the on-mountain improvements,
Monarch regularly enhances its rental and demo fleet
of skis, snowboards and boots, as well as updates its ski
school employee uniforms. Additionally, ski patrol has
recently added new snowmobiles to assist guests and
open terrain quicker and more efficiently.
SkiMonarch.com
then
Located on Monarch Pass, Monarch
Mountain was built in 1939 by the Works
Progress Administration as part of
President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal.
The resort was initially owned by the City of Salida, but in
1955 was sold into the private sector for $100. Operations
began at the resort in December of 1939, making it the
third ski area in Colorado to open to the public. Monarch’s
signature pass, which historically has included ski days at
other resorts around the state and country, has evolved into
one of the most extensive season passes in the world. The
One Planet, One Pass season pass is now good in resorts
around the country, and abroad in nations such as Spain,
Germany, Austria and Canada.
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800
SKIABLE ACRES
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10,790'
BASE ELEVATION
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PEAK ELEVATION
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8,200'
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Powderhorn.com
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Skiing the Grand Mesa area of Colorado
dates back to the late 1930s. Back then, a
rope tow, powered by an old truck that required a fresh
battery every day, serviced two runs. In the mid 1940s,
skiing moved to the Mesa Creek area, now known as Old
Powderhorn, to accommodate beginner skiers and offer
more difficult terrain for those looking for a challenge.
Powderhorn’s official opening date and dedication was
during the summer of 1966, with the ski area set to open
for skiing in the winter of 1966. A Poma Lift, funded by
the Lions Club and the community, replaced one of the
rope tows. This same lift, known as Lion’s Lift, was later
moved and used at Powderhorn Resort until 2005.
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Said to be the soul of skiing by its devoted
skiers and riders, Powderhorn continues
to enhance its existing world-famous
gladed terrain. And in the coming year, the
resort will offer an additional dining option with the
installation of the High Noon Grille at the top of Lift One.
Not only will guests enjoy the sun on the Sunset Grille
Deck at the base of the mountain, they will be able to take
Lift One up for a new dining experience twice a week. To
complement the thrills on the mountain, Powderhorn
regularly features an exciting winter event schedule
during the season.
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On December 4, 1965, Purgatory Resort opened with one chair
lift. Shortly after, a day lodge and commercial space were added.
The resort saw significant growth during the 1980s with the development of lodging,
additional lifts, more terrain and for the first time, snowmaking. As skier visits
increased, the resort supplemented the original double chairlift on the frontside in
1982 with a triple chairlift which was the longest fixed-grip triple Poma lift in North
America at the time.
Beginning in December 2008, Durango Mountain Resort began a four-year span of
unprecedented growth. Part of a $50 million base area investment, Purgatory Lodge
was unveiled in December of 2008 as the new anchor of the base village offering
luxurious ski-in/ski-out accommodations. In the winter of 2009-2010, Durango
Mountain Resort launched a 140 acre expansion and provided gladed terrain while
increasing the overall expert terrain by more than 30 percent. In 2010-2011, Durango
Mountain Resort brought gladed skiing to the frontside of the mountain cutting 40
acres of new terrain in Ambassadors Glade, named after resort owners, Chuck and Sue
Cobb, who served as US Ambassadors to Iceland and Jamaica respectively.
1,320
SKIABLE ACRES
88
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10
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8,793'
BASE ELEVATION
10,822'
PEAK ELEVATION
DurangoMountainResort.com
now
More improvements are on the horizon as Durango
Mountain Resort heads into future seasons. For the
coming winter, Durango Mountain Resort has partnered with wellknown ski manufacturer, Rossignol, to open a new rental and demo
center called the Rossignol Experience Center. The Experience Center
provides skiers of all levels with equipment that features the newest
rocker technology to help skiers advance more quickly than previously
possible. The Durango Mountain Resort Ski School has been trained
by Rossignol to incorporate the new Experience technology into their
lesson programs, thereby minimizing the learning curve and getting
skiers out enjoying the entire mountain quicker than ever.
Durango Mountain Resort is becoming even more accessible. A new
American Airlines direct flight from Dallas was recently added. Existing
direct flights include Denver to Durango on United and Frontier, and
Phoenix to Durango on US Airways.
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Imagine a place where the average total
inches of annual snowfall exceeds the
number of daily visitors. Silverton Mountain is
a truly unique mountain experience; it remains the only
ski area in the world with 100 percent all advanced and
expert skiing and riding. The mountain offers one double
chairlift accessing 1,819 acres of steep expert-only
backcountry terrain.
Silverton Mountain is the only ski area in the U.S.
with heli-skiing available directly from the top of the
chairlift accessing an additional 20,000 acres. Silverton
Mountain Unguided skiing lift ticket prices have never
increased and remain at the same low $49 price as the
very first day they were offered.
SilvertonMountain.com
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In May of 2000, San Juan County
approved the creation of Silverton
Mountain Ski Area and at 27 years old,
Aaron Brill became the youngest person
at that time to start and operate a ski area.
During the winter of 2000-2001, before the chair lift
was installed, skiing at Silverton was accomplished
with human power tours of the mountain. Skiers hired
Aaron, the lone ski guide, to hike up the mountain and
ski it. Silverton Mountain, located in Silverton, Colorado,
opened for business on January 19th, 2002.The ski area
started with four employees running the entire operation,
including lift operators.
SKIABLE ACRES
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10,400'
BASE ELEVATION
13,487'
PEAK ELEVATION
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SkiCooper.com
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In 1942 the U.S. Army created the Tenth
Mountain Division and selected Camp
Hale & Cooper Hill, located at 11,700 feet,
as the Division’s training site. The Division
was ordered to Italy in 1945 to spearhead the advance
of the U.S. Fifth Army, and served in a series of actions
that played a vital role in the liberation of Italy. By
the time of the German Surrender in May, 1945, 992
ski troopers had been killed in action and 4,000 were
wounded, the highest casualty rate of any U.S. division in
the Mediterranean. Following World War II, Cooper Hill
opened to the public as Ski Cooper in 1945 as a three-dayper week ski area for the enjoyment of local residents.
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Ski Cooper is Colorado’s sixth oldest ski
hill. A full service ski area today, Ski
Cooper has modern lifts and complete
base area facilities.
Ski Cooper offers affordable lift tickets and season passes
for skiers and snowboarders. Guests visit Ski Cooper
because it offers a fun alternative to larger resorts and is
a place where skiers and riders can experience skiing as
it is meant to be.
In addition to other events, this year Ski Cooper will host
the annual reunion for surviving veterans and families of
the Tenth Mountain Division.
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Visitors to Ski Granby Ranch will enjoy
new acres of gladed tree skiing and the
evolving terrain parks. New terrain park
features are added each year, including a variety of all
natural log features and the recent addition of The Tank
that found its way to Granby Ranch.
Ski school participants can partake in one of the many
Ski Granby Ranch children’s programs such as the Pony
program, or a multi week program that teaches children
as young as three years old.
Weddings at Ski Granby Ranch offer a beautiful setting
with the fun option of having newly married couples and
their guests ski or ride down the mountain trails after
tying the knot.
GranbyRanch.com
then
Ski Granby Ranch, located in Granby,
Colorado, began operations in 1982 as
Silver Creek Ski Area with two triple
chairs and a beginner double chair. After 13
years of operation, the resort and surrounding land were
purchased by Marise and Celso Cipriani. During the
1999-2000 ski season, a new high-speed quad lift replaced
one of the triple chairs. In 2001, more improvements
were made, as another new fixed quad lift was installed.
This vital lift allowed ski in/ski out access to slopeside properties located north of the main base area, an
important addition for the resort’s destination guests.
RE S ORT
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406
SKIABLE ACRES
33
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6
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8,202'
BASE ELEVATION
9,202'
PEAK ELEVATION
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SKIABLE ACRES
165
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18
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6,900'
BASE ELEVATION
10,568'
PEAK ELEVATION
Steamboat.com
now
then
In the years leading up to the opening
of Steamboat, local rancher Joe
McElroy coined the term Champagne
Powder® while out skiing on what would
eventually become terrain within the ski
area. No other ski resort has its snow trademarked
and there’s no other place to find Champagne Powder®
snow other than Steamboat.
The resort officially opened on January 12, 1963, with the
day’s worth of cash receipts tallying $13.75. Throughout
its past 50 years, Steamboat has been a pioneer of the
industry, introducing now-standard industry programs
such as the first Kids Ski Free™ program back in 1982,
and hosting the first ever International Winter Special
Olympics in 1977. Steamboat’s renowned moniker, Ski
Town, U.S.A.®, is in part due to its role as the home of
more winter Olympians than any other town in America.
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As Steamboat celebrates its 50th
anniversary, new unique celebratory events
will be hosted and complement a lineup of
some of the most recognizable events in
Colorado. During January 11 – 21, 2013, Steamboat
will have its 50th Anniversary Golden Celebration, and to
commemorate the day it opened, January 12, there will be
a 50th Birthday Party, concert and fireworks. These events
join long-standing Steamboat traditions such as the annual
Bud Light Cowboy Downhill (January 21, 2013), and the
Bud Light Rocks the Boat Free Concert Series, which takes
place during March and April of 2013.
For guests who want to experience Steamboat during its
50th Anniversary extravaganza, the resort partners with
its local airport (Steamboat/Hayden Airport), and has
scheduled new flights that will travel to this busy seasonal
terminal. New nonstop weekend flights from Los Angeles
will join a lineup featuring non-stop flights from Atlanta,
Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Minneapolis and Newark/
NYC. This is in addition to connecting service to and from
more than 230 cities nationwide and worldwide, making a
trip to Steamboat as simple as finding the nearest airport.
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67
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7,885'
BASE ELEVATION
9,895'
PEAK ELEVATION
SunlightMtn.com
then
The Sunlight Ranch Company opened on
December 16, 1966 with a handful of trails
and one chairlift. During its first season Sunlight
saw 15,000 skier days. Over the years Sunlight operated
on a meager budget with part-timers and volunteers
managing the lift.
In 1981, the Sunlight Master Plan was approved by the
U.S. Forest Service and the ski area changed its name to
Ski Sunlight Inc. In 1996, snowmaking was installed on
the lower mountain trails from midway to the base area.
In the 1990s, Ski Sunlight was renamed Sunlight
Mountain Resort to more accurately describe its
evolution to a year round resort, including summer
activities for the whole family, and to reflect a more
diverse population of recreationalists. While the
buildings and trails surrounding Sunlight have changed
and continue to improve, the groundwork that was laid by
Sunlight’s founding fathers in 1966 is still in place today.
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now
Sunlight is a unique winter playground
that is affordable, family oriented and
welcoming to all levels of skiers and
snowboarders. Sunlight’s Out-Of-Bounds Grill
offers a robust menu of healthy dining options and a
welcome retreat when the time comes to take a break
from playing in the powder on the slopes. During the ski
season, there is an abundance of live music performances
by celebrated local and Colorado bands playing at
most ski area events. A well-rounded recreation resort,
Sunlight offers snowmobile tours for those seeking to
enjoy other activities on the snow. Starting in December,
snowmobile tours welcome riders of any ability.
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125
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8,725'
BASE ELEVATION
13,150'
PEAK ELEVATION
TellurideSkiResort.com
now
then
Founded in 1878, Telluride prospered as
a mining town until 1953 when it nearly
became a ghost town for almost 20 years.
Resurrected in the 1970s by Joe Zoline, the Telluride Ski
Area first opened its runs December 22, 1972 with five lifts
and a day lodge. The Coonskin Lift debuted in 1975 as the
first lift on the north side of the mountain, thus connecting
the existing ski area with the town of Telluride.
The 1990s brought the country’s first chondola system
(consisting of both chairs and gondola cars) and soon
thereafter Telluride completed the nation’s only free
gondola transportation system of its kind, linking the
towns of Telluride and Mountain Village.
In 2001, Telluride Ski Resort almost doubled the size
of the resort by opening Prospect Bowl and adding four
new lifts. From the seasons between 2007 and 2010,
the resort added terrain such as Revelation Bowl and
Revelation Lift, along with opening Black Iron Bowl, Gold
Hill Chutes 1-10 and 13,320’ Palmyra Peak terrain.
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The newest addition to Telluride Ski
Resort, Bon Vivant, meaning the good life,
boasts unmatched views from its outdoor
bar and sundeck. Located at the top of the Polar
Queen Express, Bon Vivant has a private dining room
featuring European architecture.
Tomboy Tavern in Mountain Village has recently
undergone tremendous renovations and culinary
improvements. The décor reminds diners of Telluride’s
mining town history and offers the finest mountain
comfort food in town and more than 30 handcrafted
Colorado beers on tap.
With an eye on energy efficiency and unmatched guest
experience, Telluride’s snowmaking department recently
purchased new air water guns that have more efficient
use of power and water and can be moved around the
mountain via snowmobile. This will allow the resort to
use them where they are needed, when they are needed,
and open more terrain earlier in the season.
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SKIABLE ACRES
143
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9,000'
BASE ELEVATION
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PEAK ELEVATION
WinterParkResort.com
now
then
When Winter Park opened on the heels
of the Great Depression, lift tickets were
just one dollar. One of the oldest resorts in Colorado,
Winter Park opened on January 28, 1940, beginning
what would become a storied history. The resort became
an industry leader in 1952, when Steven Bradley
invented and began operating the first snow grooming
machine, the Bradley Packer, and the resort added a
humane feather to its cap when the Children’s Hospital
Handicapped Program moved to Winter Park during
the 1970-71 season. This program is now known as the
National Sports Center for the Disabled and provides
therapeutic sports and recreational programs for people
of all ages and abilities. It remains one of the most
recognizable entities in its adopted home.
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A full service, family focused, destination
resort, Winter Park recently installed a
tubing hill. This family activity will provide guests
additional exciting experiences at the base area. With the
guest experience in mind, the resort continues to improve
on - mountain snow maintenance throughout its skiable
terrain and on Mary Jane’s famed moguls. With the
intention of improving the guest experience during lessons,
skiers and riders can take advantage of Winter Park’s new
line of products in its rental fleet, including new helmets,
boots, skis and snowboards.
39
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Wolf Creek Ski Area’s success can be
attributed to a consistent abundance
of snowfall and reliable natural snow
conditions. Easily accessible via the multi-lane
highway over Wolf Creek Pass, once they arrive at the ski
area, guests can relish the spectacular views that Wolf
Creek Pass offers.
Wolf Creek’s focus on guest service is evident today as
skiers and riders can now enjoy several on-mountain
dining options. The Continental is an espresso bar
located on the top of the Treasure Chairlift serving a
variety of coffees and teas as well as other drink items
and fresh baked pastries. Additionally, skiers can visit
the Raven’s Roost, a full service bar and pizzeria in the
top level of the Raven’s Nest, a beautiful glass restaurant
located at the top of the Raven lift.
WolfCreekSki.com
RE S ORT
info
then
1,600
Since the 1930s, there has been skiing on Wolf
Creek Pass, starting in the early days with
mail delivery and transport. The first ski pioneers
took two to three weeks to cross over Wolf Creek Pass.
The skiing on Wolf Creek Pass has grown organically, with
the adventuresome nature of the local ski enthusiasts.
The Wolf Creek Ski Area, located on top of Wolf Creek Pass,
started during the winter of 1939-40.The ski area was
originally powered by a rope tow and an old Chevy truck.
SKIABLE ACRES
77
TRAILS
7
LIFTS
10,300'
BASE ELEVATION
11,940'
PEAK ELEVATION
40
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41
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GETTING H ER E
World’s Top Ski Destinations Also Most Accessible
Skiers Find Quick Flights Direct to
World-Class Skiing Appealing
Despite Colorado’s reputation for powdery, light consistent
and plentiful snow, it is often the logistical ease of access that
makes Colorado’s central location so attractive to skiers and
riders. Whether driving on the nation’s main interstates, taking
a relaxing Amtrak train ride through the mountains, or flying
directly to the resort town itself, options are easy and affordable
for those traveling to play in the state’s majestic mountains. An
abundance of flights to local mountain town airports, coupled
with transportation-incentivized ski packages, leave visitors from
around the globe just a short trip from the ski trip of a lifetime.
www.icelanticboards.com
Icelantic Boards is currently entering its fourth
season as the official ski manufacturing partner
of Colorado Ski Country USA. This multi-dimensional
ski company conveys a compelling narrative that can be felt via its
annual artistic themes and by the people behind the brand. Icelantic
Boards is a community that represents a lifestyle of art, adventure,
creativity, passion and innovation. Based in Denver, Colorado, the
company employs the finest American craftsmanship, top of the line
materials and cutting edge graphic art to provide customers with the
best high-performance ski for an incredible on-snow experience.
Colorado has 14 commercial service airports, eight of which
directly serve communities with ski resorts. Direct flights can
access these regional airports from cities across the United
States, such as Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los
Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Newark and San Francisco.
Denver International Airport, Colorado’s largest airport, connects
travelers to regional mountain airports multiple times each
day. And since Colorado Ski Country USA’s (CSCUSA) member
resorts boast 29,426 skiable acres that cover almost the entire
north-south span of Colorado, visitors are spoiled for choice when
it comes to choosing their terrain and finding a flight.
Because more than half of Colorado’s ski areas are located within
35 miles of an airport, and Colorado’s eight regional airports offer
more than 8.6 million passenger seats annually, access is a breeze.
Denver International Airport (DIA), the only major airport to be
built in the United States in the past 25 years, has been rated the
best-run airport in North America and consistently ranks as one
of the most efficient airports in the United States.
Airports servicing mountain towns include the Aspen/Pitkin
County Airport, Durango/La Plata, Eagle County, Grand Junction,
Gunnison/Crested Butte, Montrose, Steamboat/Hayden, and
Telluride. Many of these airports allow skiers to hop off the
plane and onto a chairlift in minutes, often with free ground
transportation from the airport to the resort or easy car rental
services with major companies, such as Hertz, which offer rentals
at most airports.
Whether by plane, train, or automobile, Colorado Ski Country’s
central location and unbeatable transportation networks make
access to world-class skiing easier than ever.
This unique company boasts a newly themed line each season,
and this year presents PARR – a concept dedicated to people,
adventures and struggles that each individual experiences in life. It
is Icelantic’s mission and nature to live inspired by passion. Through
the company’s commitment to building lasting and enriching
relationships, Icelantic continues to create a community that believes
in its product and mission as much as those who inspired its creation.
42
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// I C E L A N T I C / I N F O
43
H
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/D
IA
HERTZ
DIA
The Gold Standard for Service
With locations in more than 100 countries,
Hertz Rent-A-Car has cemented itself as one
of the premiere rental car services in the
world. From its impeccable online options, to its wide
variety of selection, Hertz consistently ranks as a top
choice of consumers around the globe.
The Skier’s Airport
simple, clear and concise. The pickup is streamlined so visitors
are on their way in no time. If there is a problem with the
reservation, Hertz will fix it. We know this one from experience.
Hertz believes in quick and efficient problem resolution.
With an easy one-stop drop off that gets guests on their way,
including the option to either have the company fill the tank
or allow consumers to find their own gas to put in the vehicle,
Hertz gives the customer alternatives.
In 2010–2011, Colorado Ski Country USA took a road trip
Additional features, such as the Gold Plus Rewards Program,
around the state, to visit all of its Gems Resorts. These
puts the world at a customer’s fingertips. A quick pick up and
resorts, found off the beaten path, represent some of the best
no restrictions have renters travelling to the slopes in no
and remotest skiing in Colorado. Of course, traversing the
mountains to get to these Gems in the Colorado winter requires time at all. The last thing a skier should be worrying about is
the convenience or reliability of the rental vehicle. Racking
reliability from the vehicle of choice. Colorado Ski Country
up snow totals and planning a powder day is a much higher
chose Hertz, and as usual, Hertz delivered.
priority. And with the exceptional service of Hertz, it remains
The customer service at Hertz has set the bar for rental car
that way.
companies. Ordering, whether online or via the phone, is
The airport thrives by being in a central location, making it
One of the most environmentally friendly
quick and easy to reach, whether flying from Boston or San
airports in the world, Denver International
Diego. Its multitude of connecting services makes trips to
Airport (DIA) embodies the Colorado lifestyle
Colorado’s outer lying ski resorts expedient. A quick commuter
and culture as prolifically as the National
flight lands travelers in Aspen, Grand Junction, Gunnison,
Western Stock Show, the Denver Broncos and of Durango, or Telluride with minimal time, minimal fuss, and
course, the Rocky Mountains. Fresh, efficient, green slope-side arrival in no time at all.
and streamlined, DIA is Colorado’s version of the Statue of
Liberty – a welcome icon, a gateway to the West – or in this
case, to Colorado’s most treasured natural playgrounds.
DIA reigns as one of the busiest and most convenient airports
in the country. The ability to access the state’s renowned ski
resorts from anywhere in the world, including from many
international destinations, has made DIA one of the most
crucial lynchpins when it comes to travelers seeking the thrill
of world-class powder. Seven Colorado Ski Country resorts lie
within two hours drive time of DIA, making it the ultimate onestop airport for out-of-town powder hounds.
DIA boasts three concourses and six runways that help it run
smoothly, giving passengers the efficient experience that is so
desirable when it comes to flying. Complemented by a speedy
train that zips fliers from their concourse to baggage claim, three
different security checkpoints, and airport wide free Wi-Fi, DIA
is fast building a reputation as an elite flier-friendly airport.
So whether it’s a final destination, or a quick stop before flying
into one of the eight regional mountain airports, Colorado’s
only international airport caters to one and all, a proud
and distinctive structure that makes not only a great first
impression for those visiting Colorado, but a lasting one.
FORT
C O L L I NS
STE A MB OAT
SPR I NGS
GR E E L E Y
B O U L DE R
D E N VE R
NE DE R L A ND
E AGL E
GLENWOOD
SPRINGS
SI LV E R THOR N
VA I L
70
F R I SCO
25
AS PE N
SNOWMASS
CRES TE D B U T TE
C O LO R A DO
SPR I NGS
G RA N D
JUNCTION
G UNNISON
SA LI DA
MONTROSE
PU E B LO
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// H E R T Z / D I A
45
CRAIG
HAYDEN
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
WINDSOR
Steamboat
Howelsen
Hill
GREELEY
LOVELAND
ESTES PARK
EVANS
BERTHOUD
BRUSH
LONGMONT
YAMPA
HOT SULPHUR SPRINGS
BOULDER
LAFAYETTE
Eldora
Colorado Ski Country USA
M EM BER R E SORTS
BROOMFIELD
Winter Park
WESTMINSTER
ARVADA
CENTRAL CITY
GOLDEN
GEORGETOWN
MINTURN
PARACHUTE
LITTLETON
Arapahoe Basin
GLENWOOD SPRINGS
BRIGHTON
NORTHGLENN
DENVER
PARKER
CASTLE ROCK
Ski Cooper
LEADVILLE
SNOWMASS VILLAGE
Snowmass
FRUITA
PALISADE
ASPEN
DEER TRAIL
CENTENNIAL
CARBONDALE
COLLBRAN
BENNETT
ENGLEWOOD
GREENWOOD VILLAGE
Copper Mountain
Sunlight Mountain
DIA
THORNTON
AURORA
Loveland Ski Area
EAGLE
AKRON
KEENESBURG
FORT LUPTON
Ski Granby Ranch
KREMMLING
RIFLE
FORT MORGAN
KIOWA
SIMLA
Aspen
Mountain
GRAND JUNCTION
MONUMENT
HUGO
CALHAN
WOODLAND PARK
Powderhorn
Crested Butte
PAONIA
BUENA VISTA
CRESTED BUTTE
MANITOU
SPRINGS
DELTA
COLORADO SPRINGS
CRIPPLE CREEK
CRAWFORD
FOUNTAIN
PITKIN
GUNNISON
MONTROSE
Monarch Mountain
SALIDA
EADS
CANON CITY
PUEBLO
NATURITA
ORDWAY
WESTCLIFFE
OURAY
SAGUACHE
LAKE CITY
SAWPIT
ROCKY FORD
TELLURIDE
Silverton Mountain
LA JUNTA
RYE
CREEDE
SILVERTON
DOVE CREEK
LAS ANIMAS
CRESTONE
Telluride
CENTER
RICO
DEL NORTE
WALSENBURG
MONTE VISTA
Purgatory (Durango)
LA VETA
DOLORES
ALAMOSA
BLANCA
CORTEZ
DURANGO
PAGOSA SPRINGS
Wolf Creek
46
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SEIBERT
FAIRPLAY
Buttermilk
Aspen Highlands
ARRIBA
LIMON
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IGNACIO
KIM
SAN LUIS
TRINIDAD
47
D
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STAY CONN ECTED
T H A N K YOU!
With Colorado Ski Country USA
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