Arapahoe Basin and Loveland: OPEN

Loveland Ski Area and A-Basin, both within 10 minutes of my condo, were deemed the first two resorts in North America to open up for the 09-10 season. How sick is that? As much as I'd like to get over there and check out their rail set-ups, I'm held back by the financial aspect. A combination of $50 dollar day lift tickets AND me not being able to get my FREE Colorado Pass (which is to EIGHT mountains btw, no big deal) until I start working at Breck in a couple of weeks isn't allowing me to hop on the lifts. So I decided to dedicate the next couple weeks to hiking some backcountry lines that have decent enough snow coverage to ski. It's been snowing on and off for the past couple weeks so there definitely should be enough snow in a lot of areas to check out. It'll also help me get in shape, which I desperately need; the elevation out here leaves you gasping for air at the top of a set of stairs, definitely not good for a kid who is planning on hiking a lot of backcountry this winter in deep snow. Fifty bucks for like 2 lame slopes at the mountain is a rip off anyway. Plus, it doesn't have that exploration aspect that I crave. Pictures to come! G