THE Aspen/Snowmass / Greater Roaring Fork Valley 23-24 Thread

[schindlerpiste]

Anyone know why Aspen is not holding a WC event in '24-'25?
Thread: Beautiful looking baby. CONGRATS!

[alpinevibes]

Anyone know why Aspen is not holding a WC event in '24-'25?
Thread: Beautiful looking baby. CONGRATS!

I don't think it's from a lack of desire from SkiCo or the greater community. I would guess it's some amount of politics in the FIS/WC Host realm that says we've had too much lately. Historically FIS hasn't been stoked with the chairlift situation and that doesn't help our bid.

[One (+) Sentence]

Anyone know why Aspen is not holding a WC event in '24-'25?
Thread: Beautiful looking baby. CONGRATS!

There was talk at the WC event this season that next season may not happen due to scheduling conflicts.
https://www.aspendailynews.com/news/...b90df.amp.html

Sun Valley may host instead.

[alpinevibes]

There was talk at the WC event this season that next season may not happen due to scheduling conflicts.
https://www.aspendailynews.com/news/...b90df.amp.html

Sun Valley may host instead.

Right right, good call

[One (+) Sentence]

I still can’t believe they got that Sunday SL race off this season! Scraping 18” of snow off the course before sunrise…

[JaytaeMoney]

Sky Mt opening day, one of my fav days of the entire year. Right on cue the sun is out the tree leaves are popping and the masses don't show up for another 30 days. Enjoy!!!

[Shredhead]

I’m in the islands, but get back late Saturday and don’t pick up the hounds until Sunday.
Probably try to ride a Rim, 7* to Deadline early Sunday morning.

[grskier]

Sky Mt opening day, one of my fav days of the entire year. Right on cue the sun is out the tree leaves are popping and the masses don't show up for another 30 days. Enjoy!!!

Will try to sneak in a lap this afternoon on my way DV.

Mid valley is riding very well. We are headed out for 18 road this weekend to shake out the camping cobwebs.

It was crazy yesterday watching the snow go from bright white to snirt again. Looked so pretty the last few days.

[alpinevibes]

Airline was dead this afternoon and riding great. Good to be back! And the trail condition was awesome: a little moist and probably the least elk hoof texture I can remember for the first week of the season.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[Shredhead]

I got out at 7 and didn’t see a soul.



Trails are in great shape!

[alpinevibes]

I got out at 7 and didn’t see a soul.



Trails are in great shape!

Went back at the same time today and saw 30+ people. Still fun

[Wes Mantooth]

I can’t get enough of the new burning mtn descent. Def check it out if you haven’t yet before it gets hot and dusty

[One (+) Sentence]

I can’t get enough of the new burning mtn descent. Def check it out if you haven’t yet before it gets hot and dusty

Have you ridden the Palisade Plunge? I have heard Burning Mtn has sections that are similar and I have been meaning to check it out.

Personally I think the Plunge is more mentally challenging than it is physically. Just dealing with long stretches of exposure like that…

[Wes Mantooth]

Have you ridden the Palisade Plunge? I have heard Burning Mtn has sections that are similar and I have been meaning to check it out.

Personally I think the Plunge is more mentally challenging than it is physically. Just dealing with long stretches of exposure like that…

Yup, similar feel and features but burning mtn is way more fun and flowy with no meaningful exposure, just a steep hill

[gretch6364]

Went back at the same time today and saw 30+ people. Still fun

Speaking of crowding...I typically ride M, W and F either in the morning after getting the kiddos fed or during lunch. What are everyone's favorite quick rides (1k to 2k of vert)?

I typically cycle through Glassier/Vasten, Prince/Monte, 7*, Viewline/Deadline, Red Hill and Grandstaff. I have never ridden Smuggler...is it worth bringing the bike into town on T/Th when I am upvalley?

[funkendrenchman]

Speaking of crowding...I typically ride M, W and F either in the morning after getting the kiddos fed or during lunch. What are everyone's favorite quick rides (1k to 2k of vert)?

I typically cycle through Glassier/Vasten, Prince/Monte, 7*, Viewline/Deadline, Red Hill and Grandstaff. I have never ridden Smuggler...is it worth bringing the bike into town on T/Th when I am upvalley?

Smuggler/HC is definitely worth it. I ride there over 50% of the time. You can get very creative with the linking of trails and you can always add in Hummingbird and Plunge. It's the least dusty area and dries relatively quickly after rain.

A Govy loop on Buttermilk/Tiehack is my next favorite. 1-2k of vert

[gretch6364]

Smuggler/HC is definitely worth it. I ride there over 50% of the time. You can get very creative with the linking of trails and you can always add in Hummingbird and Plunge. It's the least dusty area and dries relatively quickly after rain.

A Govy loop on Buttermilk/Tiehack is my next favorite. 1-2k of vert

Thanks...I am just getting into riding the last couple years and when I read the MTB Project descriptions for linking trails on Smuggler/HC...it sounds so confusing...lol. Obviously, just need to get over and ride some of the trails.

Once we get to June 28th, the Government loop will certainly drop into the equation...I generally aim to ride for 2 hours or less during the work week, so hopefully I will be closer to summer riding shape by then...lol.

[funkendrenchman]

Thanks...I am just getting into riding the last couple years and when I read the MTB Project descriptions for linking trails on Smuggler/HC...it sounds so confusing...lol. Obviously, just need to get over and ride some of the trails.

Once we get to June 28th, the Government loop will certainly drop into the equation...I generally aim to ride for 2 hours or less during the work week, so hopefully I will be closer to summer riding shape by then...lol.

By loop, I mean ride up the Buttermilk Service Road (from Tiehack) and descend Bandit/Gov't. Halfway up was dry as of yesterday. Riding from the top will take a couple more weeks. You can also drop in at Blue Grouse to cut out 10 minutes of climbing.

[gretch6364]

By loop, I mean ride up the Buttermilk Service Road (from Tiehack) and descend Bandit/Gov't. Halfway up was dry as of yesterday. Riding from the top will take a couple more weeks. You can also drop in at Blue Grouse to cut out 10 minutes of climbing.

I see. I was thinking you meant the bowl loops, which I think are closed for calving until 6/28 this year? I am not sure where on the trail the closure starts.

[alpinevibes]

I see. I was thinking you meant the bowl loops, which I think are closed for calving until 6/28 this year? I am not sure where on the trail the closure starts.

Correct, you can't leave the Buttermilk resort boundary until 6/28, but the Bandit-Government-Tiehack descent isn't impacted by that (2 hours or less). Once the Elk Calving ends and Govy opens there are some fun exploring to do off the top of West out towards the Sugar Bowls for a little longer ride. Nothing is really marked but there's connectable bandit singletrack that you can loop for a 1.5-2.5 hours ride from Tiehack base.

Smuggler/Hunter Creek is totally worth it. Lots of options from a quick 45min ride to 1/2/3hr loops. It doesn't have as modern of trail signage as say Sky Mountain, but it's all decently marked.

[Shredhead]

I agree with Funken on Smuggler.
I really like Sunnyside.

Parking in Snowmass, you’ll see a fraction of traffic on Sky Mountain and hardly any on Rim/7*.
Park at the Divide Lot and hit Campground Connector, Government, Village Bound and Discovery.
Tom Blake, Powerline and Anaerobic Nighmare is another nice POD.

Once it’s dry, I ride Government more than anything. It’s dog friendly, with good water access.
Everything west of Powerline, is open year round.

[Wes Mantooth]

Once the elk closures open up I really enjoy parking at buttermilk main and riding incline, viewline, deadline, Tom Blake, anaerobic, and back down buttermilk via government. Especially nice in the fall. Can also start the loop at the Tom Blake trailhead and finish with deadline

For quicker HC you can try your luck parking at the upper lot and just ride up to plunge either via hummingbird or the road. Upper plunge is one of my favorites. Can extend the loop too by taking van horn/hobbit

[gretch6364]

Sweet....thank you all for the ideas. I am not sure what took me so long to get more into this...likely because it was easier to keep in shape pre-40 so I spent the time fishing instead.

[grskier]

Park anywhere near the mall in Snowmass and Discovery - W Gov't - Ditch and add on Connector and Village Bound if you have time.

[JaytaeMoney]

Speaking of crowding...I typically ride M, W and F either in the morning after getting the kiddos fed or during lunch. What are everyone's favorite quick rides (1k to 2k of vert)?

I typically cycle through Glassier/Vasten, Prince/Monte, 7*, Viewline/Deadline, Red Hill and Grandstaff. I have never ridden Smuggler...is it worth bringing the bike into town on T/Th when I am upvalley?

Quick rides are pretty much all that I do these days.

In addition to what's already been mentioned, you can do an airline loop from the Bmilk parking lot (up new climbing trail, down airline). That's actually worthwhile now with the new Airline config.

Some "off the radar" quickies in Snowmass:

I really like doing pedal laps in the bike park before/after hours. Park at Two Creeks and go up Stark's/Powerline to the Government gate or all the way up to Elk Camp Restaurant then pick a trail from there. I ride Valkyrie/Verde/Valhalla all the time from the Govt gate in under an hour from my house which is similar to starting from Two Creeks. You can also jump on Tom Blake towards the bottom and ride that W -> E from the ski area once it's open to make the ride a little longer. When the seasonal closure is done it can also be fun to go out the government gate, go down anaerobic, then ride the bottom section of Tom Blake DH. Tom Blake adds a ton of flexibility once it's open, for example start at Two Creeks and go up Stark's, jump on TB at the trail intersection, ride the Tom Blake DH, then go hit a quick View/Dead lap, then Highline back to the car at Two Creeks.