Thankful for Snow

By Carson Bennett, 11-29-08

It’s Thanksgiving night and I’m sitting with friends and family enjoying mounds of turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing and cranberries. While reaching for another ladle-ful of gravy I turn to look outside and…it’s…it’s…SNOWING!

Big downy flakes stack up on the deck all through dinner and into dessert. By the time I drive home my stomach is bursting and about an inch of snow covers the roads in Black Forest, Colorado. The only thing I can think about—besides not wanting to eat again for a week—is getting up into the mountains. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s happening in my neck of the woods.

Everything in Summit County is now officially open. Vail, A-Basin, Breck, Keystone and Loveland are all reporting an 18-21 inch base with 1-3 inches of brand-spankin’ new powder. A little further north, Steamboat is open with 11 inches. Down South, Wolf Creek has a lot to be thankful for. Thanksgiving day brought a 12-inch fresh powder dump, bringing their total base depth up to 26 inches. It’s going to be another great year for Southern Colorado and the San Juan Mountains.

In New Mexico, Taos opened on time this season with a 26-inch base and 8 fresh inches since turkey day. Sipapu is open with 10 inches and Red River is reveling in its first two feet.

Not to be outdone in Utah, Alta, Snowbird and Solitude all have 20-24 inches ready and waiting for Thanksgiving weekend snow seekers.

I trust you have all recovered from your red wine hangovers and turkey comas. Any Detroit Lions fans have nursed their wounds and adjusted their fantasy football teams. If you’ve been out shopping you have a closet-load of gifts and frazzled nerves. Out-of-town family and friends are preparing to head back home to less mountainous landscapes. Now, it’s time to get out of the house! Wrap up some leftover turkey and stuffing sandwiches, throw your gear in your car, and go play in the snow! See you out there.