March 7, 2017 Snowmass

Our drive to Glenwood Springs from Steamboat was a nightmare. We took highway 131 and although the road is only 120 miles it seemed to go on forever. It was icy, snow-covered, and wind-blown with the 60mph winds blowing fresh snow which often obscured the road. Our pack of 10 cars followed each other at 20mph to the first village when all but 3 cars pulled off. By the time we arrived at Glenwood Springs I/we were exhausted. But after a good night's sleep we were ready to go. It is a 45 minutte drive to the Snowmass parking lot for the free bus to Snowmass, Aspen, Aspen Highland and Buttermilk. We started the Snowmass day on the Village Express lift and when we got to the top at the 10,620' it was very windy. We rode Sam's Knob lift and the runs were windy, as were those in Coney Glade. Big Burn at 11,835' was very windy with no new; Alpine Springs was also very windy on the lift, and all of the trails were hit by the wind. We skied the groomers on this side, but the tourists were going somewhere else. I spoke with a Snowmass Ambassador who would be guiding a group in an hour and his advice was “Elk Camp” which is on the other side. Yes, this is the place – no wind, groomers around the tree islands, and sunshine. And you can see the Maroon Bells from the top of the lift! Beautiful views. Finally, a great day in this area. Sometime we find “the area” and become tourists...