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Heading up to A Basin

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SwitchMisty540
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 629
So now that the season is pretty much over here in NM, I was thinking about heading up to A Basin in the next couple weeks.  I have until May 27th before I start my next job so I was probably going to get a spring pass for $169 and stay for a few weeks.  Couple of questions...I know CO didn't get much snow this year...do you think conditions are going to hold up through May?

Also, anyone know of cheap/free campgrounds in the area?  I found a few places near Lake Dillon but they are expensive and it doesn't look like they open until Memorial Day. 

Or if anyone has a couch or something cheap I could rent for a few weeks let me know. 
Apr 10 2013 1:59PM
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rBMX88
Posts: 20 - Karma: 36
Sadly most ski resorts are closing in early May here in Colorado this year. National Forest closures make them close early every year. The snow is ok right now, but I don't think it is worth getting the pass unless you are coming soon and for at least one week. Haven't been to A Basin in a while but the snow conditions are probably pretty good considering that they are still good at Loveland on the other side.

Good luck
Apr 12 2013 9:56AM
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DUKES
Posts: 5150 - Karma: 691
Its worth a shot. We keep getting snow but its still warm. Any skiing is better than no skiing
Apr 12 2013 12:14PM
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3mania
Posts: 2613 - Karma: 10,361
bullshit, they close because they stop making money.
Apr 12 2013 12:41PM
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SwitchMisty540
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 629
A Basin's site says they are almost 100% open and they are staying open until June 2.  And the pass pays for itself after 3 days.  I'm gonna head up on the 1st and stay until the conditions get too shitty.  I'll prolly be the guy sleeping in his car in the parking lot....unless someone wants to hook a brotha up! 
Apr 12 2013 4:43PM
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cmo
Posts: 2325 - Karma: 1,085
Northern Colorado has been getting great snow lately and it shows no signs of letting up...supposed to snow all week long which will make Abasin the place to be come may
Apr 12 2013 6:53PM
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II_strapped_II
Posts: 527 - Karma: 97
Pppppllleeeeaaassseee be open until June.
Apr 12 2013 11:07PM
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casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,748
Loveland. Do it. Thank me later.
Apr 12 2013 11:10PM
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rememberscott
Posts: 1291 - Karma: 5,201
The conditions have been incredibly good lately, and it looks like winter isn't letting up yet with 6-12 forecasted for sat night. This season started off terrible but it's been great lately and you should enjoy.

And btw^ many resorts do have to close because they are on National land... it's a deadline. but not a bay all they have all of may. And now the crowds come back just like preseason haha
Apr 13 2013 12:00AM
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Barmski
Posts: 4342 - Karma: 811
Did you used to ski at Mountain Creek back in the day? And did I possibly do a misty 5 right behind you and almost kill you like 9 years ago? haha let me know. If you answer is yes.....good things will come to you.
Apr 13 2013 12:56PM
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SwitchMisty540
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 629
haha...i did used to ski at creek from time to time...and it would have been like 9 years ago.  i don't recall you almost killing me but i'm sure it's a possibility.  how in gods name did you come up with this based on my post??
Apr 13 2013 9:58PM
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Barmski
Posts: 4342 - Karma: 811
I live in summit county.
Apr 14 2013 12:29AM
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3mania
Posts: 2613 - Karma: 10,361
Again horseshit, leases don't run only thru winter months. How do you think they run downhill mountain biking all summer. Resorts would like you to believe this, but they stop running the lifts because they don't make money in May.
Apr 14 2013 3:11AM
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SwitchMisty540
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 629
Made it up to CO and figured I'd bump this up.  Yesterday was a pretty solid pow day.  The snow stayed soft all day and it wasn't too crowded.  If anyone is gonna be out riding hit me up. 
May 3 2013 9:54AM
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rBMX88
Posts: 20 - Karma: 36
Thank you. Loveland is the bomb. But lift 8 is getting a little too much sun now with such warm water
May 3 2013 6:19PM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
Dude, i'm so jealous of your pow day yesterday. I wish I could break away from work for a few days and come meet up with ya for a spring sesh!

You find a place to crash? If not, someone hook this man up. Super legit dude.
May 3 2013 7:35PM
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SwitchMisty540
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 629
Haha...thanks bro.  Hey man, def let me know if you can sneak away for a couple of days.  The mountain is super fun and the conditions are tits!
May 4 2013 10:37AM
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rBMX88
Posts: 20 - Karma: 36
best way of describing the conditions

May 4 2013 6:42PM
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skibumb2929
Posts: 1119 - Karma: 1,475
No vail resorts is on forest service land and sign a contract saying they can use the mountain during the winter but abasin is not on forest service land it is owned so they can stay open/open when ever they and ya I would get a pass abasin is fun as shittt
May 5 2013 2:11PM
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3mania
Posts: 2613 - Karma: 10,361
I know how this works, Leases are for years not just fort the winter. A few years ago when we had a. huge winter, people who thought it was the Forest Service, and complained, FS put a letter in the paper to specifically say, we don't determine closing dates, the Ski Corps set that..
May 5 2013 2:32PM
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Barmski
Posts: 4342 - Karma: 811
Why did Breckenridge do snowtubing with lift service two years ago into June...... to make money man! Or how they open the Fun Park and Mtn Bike trails every year WITH lift service in mid June.....to make money!

It has nothing to do with the National Forest Service. Its all about business. The average tourist stops skiing in March. They are too ignorant to realize they can ski well into May and are not in "ski vacation" mode in April or May especially. The people that visit during these times are daily visitors. They are not renting skis for a week, a house, and bringing the whole family. They hang up the skis by March and look forward to summer after that. I work for 4 different hotels in Breck and you should see the lodging numbers plummet. It is quite incredible actually. We always go from 50% on the second to last closing weekend to 20% on closing weekend....then after closing weekend it is practically 0 to 5 % until Memorial Day Weekend with the exceptions of big groups in house occasionally for weddings and shit.

Those who live in Summit County in the mud season, know what I am talking about. There is NO ONE here right now. Even locals that live here year round leave for 3-6 weeks and sometimes longer (dont ask me how they afford to do that) and then return in June. I however love this time of year and enjoy skinning around. We are are actually gonna hike up to park lane and work on a jump soon as well as places in the bc around here. Theres plenty of snow, you just have to work for it, but who wants to do that, right?
May 5 2013 4:02PM
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BK
Posts: 2353 - Karma: 1,122
Loveland closed today but it has been good until now. I drove over Loveland Pass and by A-Basin last weekend and it was good snow. We had a really good April in Colorado, one of the best ever so there is snow right now.
May 5 2013 5:59PM
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SwitchMisty540
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 629
First of all, this man knows what he is talking about.  Mountains close because they stop making money.  There aren't many major holidays where kids have off from school between Spring Break and Memorial Day.  It's families with kids that generate the most revenue for resorts.  The only people who ski late season are locals, and resorts don't make jack off them (season passes, own their equipment, have houses, and brown bag it).  While we would all love for mountains to stay open as long as humanly possible, the reality is that resorts are businesses that are determined to make a profit. 

That being said, A Basin is riding incredibly well right now.  This afternoon was bomb ass spring conditions from top to bottom.  Everything under Pali is EPIC!  If you're not here yet, get your ass off the couch and make moves!  Here are a few pics from the last couple days.

Click for larger image


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Oh and the Cinco de Mayo ragers on the beach were tits!!









May 5 2013 7:16PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,962
I am pretty sure I saw you today in the lower east wall. Did you ski North Pole at all because that was PRIME.

I skied 1st notch twice and lapped Pali a multiple times. And the slush bumps on exhibition were $$$.
May 5 2013 10:33PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,962
I also think I saw you hit that drop from the second picture in the Land o the Giants. Small world.
May 5 2013 10:36PM
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Barmski
Posts: 4342 - Karma: 811
Did anyone just notice the most up to date forecast for Summit? WE ARE GOING TO GET NUKED THIS WEDNESDAY! . HYPE!
May 6 2013 4:08AM
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SwitchMisty540
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 629
I skied 1st notch once and it was awesome.  And yea, the slush bumps under Pali are super sweet.  I'll be riding pretty much everyday until close...if you see me out there definitely say what up.  I'd love to ride with some locals.

On a side note, I've got an epic ski bum story for ya.....

Due to some rapid turn of events, I have gone from sleeping in my car to living in a mansion in Keystone!  I literally have the entire house to myself.  The place is gorgeous and I was told, "to stay as long as I need."  Not even entirely sure how this came about....it was Cinco de Mayo, we were all loaded at the bar, and I just happen to be in the right place at the right time.  Some industry dude overheard me flirting with some girl and then proceeded to introduce himself (he knew the girl I was talking to).  We got to chatting and I guess he was overwhelmed by my passion for the sport.  He said under no circumstances would I be sleeping in my car that night.  Being that I was long overdue for a shower, I decided to take him up on the offer of a place to crash.  I proceed to follow him back to this house, which to my surprise turns out to be an absolutely ridiculous spread.  He then takes off telling me that he'll be staying at his other place!  I was totally blown away!!  I feel like Lloyd Christmas in "Dumb and Dumber."  I came out here absolutely clueless and somehow managed to fall ass-backwards into the lap of luxury!

Oh, and no doubt I got her number.
May 6 2013 11:30AM
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rBMX88
Posts: 20 - Karma: 36
^ You sir are one lucky person. The conditions are definitely good at A Bay right now. Feel like inviting up more ski bums to crash in this mansion? And good luck with skiing until closing because were supposed to get more snow this week!
May 6 2013 5:21PM
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SwitchMisty540
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 629
shit lets rage!  its dumping right now and i heard wednesday and thursday could bring another 10" - 14" possibly. 

bumped into two super cool dudes from AK that came down for the goods...i bet they are on here somewhere.
May 6 2013 5:52PM
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life_is_hood
Posts: 502 - Karma: 1,972
Time for some may powder, my friend. The basin is about to get crazier than it already is.
May 6 2013 8:42PM
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SwitchMisty540
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 629
got about 3" over night and it looks like it will be on and off throughout the day.  with the base they have right now i wouldn't be surprised if they stay open into mid-June.
May 7 2013 11:08AM
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mistaT
Posts: 2336 - Karma: 79
Any sign of the pond forming?!
May 7 2013 11:28AM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,150
nah. there's still plenty of snow that has yet to really start running off yet. Plus it just snowed another 2-4 inches last night. haha
May 7 2013 12:07PM
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SwitchMisty540
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 629
im kinda shocked there aren't more people here being that it is one of the few resorts thats still open and the riding is absolutely prime.
May 7 2013 12:32PM
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rBMX88
Posts: 20 - Karma: 36
Totally. Loveland and A basin are the best. I am raging don't worry. Are you a local? totally would like to ski with you sometime!
May 7 2013 6:37PM
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nellyyy
Posts: 1676 - Karma: 3,269
any predictions on a closing date? I'm trying to make it up for the weekends of May 25th and June 1st
May 7 2013 7:37PM
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bighomieflock
Posts: 2040 - Karma: 2,445
They've said they would close on June 2nd at the earliest, but if things keep going how they've been then mid June is entirely possible.
May 7 2013 8:15PM
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CaptainSlow
Posts: 717 - Karma: 930
with the snow last week and more coming this week, i think 2nd or 3rd week of June is entirely possible
May 7 2013 9:58PM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,150
I don't anticipate there will be as much snow tomorrow night as the models are predicting, but damn it'd be a nice mid may present!

Click for larger image
May 7 2013 10:15PM
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life_is_hood
Posts: 502 - Karma: 1,972
A-Bay is so prime right now, trying to get up there every weekend. Park crew is almost non-existent (or too busy skiing) and theres a dick on ski patrol named Chad (he will try to pull your pass for spraying a sign) but theres really nothing to complain about with the skiing as good as it is.
May 8 2013 1:53AM
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CaptainSlow
Posts: 717 - Karma: 930
This is true. But park doesn't even really matter at this point, east wall is so on point, montezuma is good, pali is god like, and up willy's staircase above the east wall traverse is some of the best conditions i have had all season
May 8 2013 9:40PM
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grapejuice3000+
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 1,985
not really a small world when you click on a thread thats ABOUT a basin, where there cant be more than 3000 people in one day, probably less. pretty good odds that youre gonna find somebody you saw.
May 8 2013 9:50PM
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SwitchMisty540
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 629
Awesome linkin up with all you guys today...the Falcon area was pretty tight and Pali was sick. The cornice was worth the short hike too.
May 9 2013 4:52PM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,150
^yeah for sure. was some damn good skiin' we did man! for anyone contemplating tomorrow, the east wall never opened sooo.........
May 9 2013 5:35PM
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closeyetfar11
Posts: 387 - Karma: 1,079
I'll just leave this here.

It's a good spring to be near the Divide.

Click for larger image
img from skiingmemesFB



May 9 2013 7:26PM
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Brodo_Swaggins
Posts: 136 - Karma: 172
I've been kinda bummed out that I wasn't able to get up there the past few weekends, but hopefully I'll be able to get up there this weekend. Best terrain in Summit County IMO.
May 9 2013 10:50PM
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SwitchMisty540
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 629
awesome ridin with you...you definitely shred and you showed me some ridiculous goods bro!  +k for sure.  got east wall today when it was totally fresh.  all i can say is fucking ridiculous.  also sent about every rock i could find.
May 10 2013 5:12PM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,150
Yeah wish I coulda hit the east wall. I was haulin ass driving up this morning and passed some dudes in a definite no passing area and they followed me into the lot and were threatening to kick my ass n shit. Told me "this is how us surfers deal with assholes". Never in my life since I've been going there since I was 4 have I ever been so disrespected by a bunch of so called "locals". I didn't even make em swerve or anything, just hauled ass past em. I honestly didn't even care about potentially getting in a fight I just didn't want em fucking with my car while I was skiing haha. I know no one probably cares but yeah I woulda ski'd with ya again today man of it weren't for meathead surfer brahs. Hahahaha
May 10 2013 6:04PM
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SwitchMisty540
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 629
dude thats fuckin nuts....sorry you missed out
May 10 2013 6:07PM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,150
Yeah oh well, did the upper wall open? Didn't look like from the cams with all the sloughing on it.

Oh yeah, send me that shot when you got time yo! Hahah
May 10 2013 6:13PM
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SwitchMisty540
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 629
they did open it!  it was fucking insane.  the clip came out good...i'll try to throw it on fb later.
May 10 2013 6:15PM
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