Author Archives: Chris Ratzlaff

Ski the Minturn Mile ski run

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Skiing the Minturn Mile from Vail mountain down to the town of Minturn is one of the classic Apre ski activities in Vail.  Be forewarned, it is for advanced skiers only that are familiar with the back-country, prepared for back-country skiing, can make quick turns in deep powder and are physically fit .  It starts with a hike to Ptarmigan ridge on the West side of Vail’s Sun Down Bowl.  After a break at the top it is time to head through the gate and some powder skiing.  Make sure you have someone that is familiar with the trail and the area to guide you.   Once you get all the way down you have a hike to the Minturn Saloon for some beer and margaritas.  To get back to Vail grab the bus back or better yet, have a friend pick you up.  You won’t be in any condition to drive anyhow…

Hiking Ptarmigan ridge

Hydrating before the run (is that Bob Grossman with us?)

Pay attention

Some soft snow on the way to Minturn

Careful for the tree wells.  That’s Tom Schlader, our head engineer, on the right


View Minturn Mile ski run in a larger map

Crossing the creek

I’m soooo haaaappppy !

Bob Grossman hitting the luge

Cindy angulating the edges

Wanna go?  Ask for Amy, Tom S., Chris Ratz or Rob to make a reservation

 

 

Vail’s Milt’s face in the Back Bowls

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The wind up on Vail mountain blew the snow around this past Saturday and Sunday but there is still good skiing to be had in the Back Bowls.  There is Colorado snow coming in on Tuesday per Opensnow.  Most of the eastern facing slopes had the best snow conditions.  Here was a quick picture from Sunday’s ski time.

Milt’s Face in the distance

Skiing down Milt’s Face

Vail visitors from Vienna Austria

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Stefan and Alice Kafka visited us from Vienna Austria this past week and made a few runs in Vail’s China Bowl.  Another 4 inches of snow came down on Thursday with more predicted throughout this week in Vail Colorado.  If you are looking for a good weather site for the Colorado mountains and the Vail area try the very popular web-site  Opensnow.com  written by Joel Gratz.  It is made by skiers for skiers.

 Vail’s China Bowl

Skiing January 9, Vail Colorado

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8 inches of snow this past Saturday/Sunday.  Monday groomers were great.  Still need snow to catch up but here are some pictures for you…

Top of Chair 2

Top of Born Free

Skiing Mid-Vail

Looking into the Back Bowls, we probably need another 15-20 inches before we can open them (I think)

January 6, 2012 quick Vail ski report

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We are waiting for more snow but we are certainly skiing in Vail everyday!  Some pictures and a video for you below.  I joined a couple of guests from New York City this afternoon.  We mainly stuck to runs in Northwoods and Chair 14 (Sourdough lift).  The western U.S. has been very dry this winter and yet we are open with 1500 acres.  Conditions are hard packed until we receive some more snow, so stick to the groomed runs for now.  You can ski the bumps (and we do) but they are icy between the tops. We are hoping for 2-5 inches by Sunday morning.

Heading down towards mid-Vail

YouTube video

A little video from January 5

Looking over towards Vail’s mountain top

Skiing under Sourdough lift in Vail January 6, 2012

Best runs were off of Chair 14 in Vail

More Vail ski lifts open

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This is just a quick update summary for ya on December 16th………..Vail’s ski lifts will open at 8:30am starting this Saturday, scratch that, (it is BEAVER CREEK that is opening at 8:30am per the Vail Daily newspaper)….giving you a head start for you “early bird” types.  Vail and Beaver Creek received around 6 inches or so the last couple of dates and more terrain has opened.  At Vail they opened Chairs 10 and 14.  That is the Highline Express lift and the Sourdough Lift over on the east end of Vail mountain.  We still need a bit more before we can open Vail’s Back Bowls, so keep your fingers crossed.  Vail is open with 21 of 31 lifts and 1400 acres.Beaver Creek is now open with 24 of 25 lifts and 88 trails and 1058 acres, so they are doing pretty good too!

Vail mountain opens Chair 11 December 3rd

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Vail mountain opened Chair 11 Northwoods today with First Step, South Rim, Northstar, Northwoods, and a few other trail names we can’t remember.  Here is a quick pic of us ready to go into First Step.  Light snow, maybe 1 inch with snow showers throughout the day.  Everyone is curious if Chairs 14 (Sourdough) and Chairs 7 (Gamecreek) are next for opening.