2007 is being far too unkind to Crested Butte

**goldenboy** · 01-26-2007, 10:36 AM

Crested Butte feels cursed right now. Here's what's happened in the new year:

The natural gas line broke and the town was without gas for days. I was glad that my place runs on electric heat. The plumbers must be happy, fixing broken pipes in the homes that had no heat without gas.

A Crested Butte Academy skier died tragically in the park at Copper mountain. It was a freak accident, and very sad.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncosheadlines/ci_5014855

This last weekend, a young snowcat driver died in an accident with his snowcat. The local rumor mill is filled with gory details that I'm not going to get into.
http://crestedbuttenews.com/articles...ews/news02.txt

I didn't know either of these guys, but in a town of 2,000 I know plenty of people who did. Needless to say, 2 deaths in a town this small is hitting the community pretty hard, and you can really feel the somber energy anywhere you go.

Topping it off is the the snow, as in a complete lack of it. I just got back from a month in Canada and the front range and I blew an edge in about 30 seconds of being back. It's as thin as I have ever seen. So Ullr, if you are listening, I think that Crested Butte is in need of a big dump or 10 to get her spirits back up.

**Rontele** · 01-26-2007, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by goldenboy

Crested Butte feels cursed right now. Here's what's happened in the new year:

The natural gas line broke and the town was without gas for days. I was glad that my place runs on electric heat. The plumbers must be happy, fixing broken pipes in the homes that had no heat without gas.

A Crested Butte Academy skier died tragically in the park at Copper mountain. It was a freak accident, and very sad.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncosheadlines/ci_5014855

This last weekend, a young snowcat driver died in an accident with his snowcat. The local rumor mill is filled with gory details that I'm not going to get into.
http://crestedbuttenews.com/articles...ews/news02.txt

I didn't know either of these guys, but in a town of 2,000 I know plenty of people who did. Needless to say, 2 deaths in a town this small is hitting the community pretty hard, and you can really feel the somber energy anywhere you go.

Topping it off is the the snow, as in a complete lack of it. I just got back from a month in Canada and the front range and I blew an edge in about 30 seconds of being back. It's as thin as I have ever seen. So Ullr, if you are listening, I think that Crested Butte is in need of a big dump or 10 to get her spirits back up.

Frank, sorry to hear about all of these local tragedies. Is the snow in the bc as thin as in the resort or is a typical doughnut effect?

**FrankZappa** · 01-26-2007, 11:06 AM

Bummer on all accounts GB. Condolences to those in CB.

Come to the Butte Mr. Ullr and do your thang!

**Raps** · 01-26-2007, 11:21 AM

GB, sorry to hear that man - 3 of my buddies from college are living out there and they keep telling me how great the conditions are (thats because this is their first time living out west and they bought 2 snowmobiles). You might have run into them (Jeff, Axtel, Jesse). Seems like they are working more than skiing though which seems disappointing. I guess they are too new in town so they may not have known about those two deaths. Hope things turn around there. I'm gonna be spending a week out there mid march, i hope you will be around to catch some turns with.

**goldenboy** · 01-26-2007, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by Rontele

Frank, sorry to hear about all of these local tragedies. Is the snow in the bc as thin as in the resort or is a typical doughnut effect?

I just got back a couple of days ago, so I haven't been in the BC in a month around here, but by most accounts even the typically deeper BC is rotten and/or wind affected.

**lemon boy** · 01-26-2007, 11:24 AM

+~+~+~+~ to all there GB.

That place is really tight knit which works for and against you in times like this.

As for the snow:
When the butte is bad, holy shit is it bad.
But...when it's good it's one of the best ski areas in NA.

**smitchell333** · 01-26-2007, 11:25 AM

This stuff really affects me more now that I'm a dad - I hate imagining how the parents feel.

Here's to hoping CB's fates and snowfall takes a turn for the better.

**goldenboy** · 01-26-2007, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by Raps

GB, sorry to hear that man - 3 of my buddies from college are living out there and they keep telling me how great the conditions are (thats because this is their first time living out west and they bought 2 snowmobiles). You might have run into them (Jeff, Axtel, Jesse). Seems like they are working more than skiing though which seems disappointing. I guess they are too new in town so they may not have known about those two deaths. Hope things turn around there. I'm gonna be spending a week out there mid march, i hope you will be around to catch some turns with.

I should be around in March. As for the snow conditions, things are thin, but at least the surface is highly carveable. Lots of billiard table smooth areas with a sprinkling of sugar on top. And the thinness just makes things more technical and interesting, so it is kind of fun in its' own way. People are just down and I got spoiled in Canada

**Raps** · 01-26-2007, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by goldenboy

I should be around in March. As for the snow conditions, things are thin, but at least the surface is highly carveable. Lots of billiard table smooth areas with a sprinkling of sugar on top. And the thinness just makes things more technical and interesting, so it is kind of fun in its' own way. People are just down and I got spoiled in Canada

Yeah the TR from your trips looked amazing - definately spoiled up there. Since these guys are former EC racers, they don't mind a couple weeks of fast groomers once in a while, and they did say they have logged around 15 days in the BC......but yeah let is snow

**shirk** · 01-26-2007, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by goldenboy

I got spoiled in Canada

You did hit the perfect weather window up here. Hope things turn around for the Butte.

**mtnbikerskierchick** · 01-26-2007, 07:10 PM

Those deaths are such a tragedy! I know the parents where I coach freestyle skiing were pretty affected by the Copper death and some choose to take their kids out of the program.

Things tend to happen in 3's and your 3's are done! Time for spirits to be lifted again!

**OldLarry** · 01-26-2007, 07:24 PM

You guys have taken a few hits for sure- but such a great place an crew of people. You will pull through no doubt. Noah W is a buddy of mine from school, and the rally for him was/hopefully still is an incredible thing to witness...

++ vibes to you all++

**goldenboy** · 01-26-2007, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by OldLarry

You guys have taken a few hits for sure- but such a great place an crew of people. You will pull through no doubt. Noah W is a buddy of mine from school, and the rally for him was/hopefully still is an incredible thing to witness...

++ vibes to you all++

Yeah, the thing with Noah was and is still hard. He seems to be doing pretty well, though. He's got some really good support, that's for sure.

**gh444** · 01-27-2007, 12:09 AM

can you elaborate on how Noah is doing?

-aaron

**goldenboy** · 01-27-2007, 12:23 AM

^^^
They did some work on their house so he could get around and I'm not sure how far along they are, but he's got a new house in the works that should really be nice. His RSN studios also got retrofitted so his work is somewhat back to normal. I heard he's doing some sit-skiing, although I haven't seen him out personally. That's about all I know.