Winter Continues — Persistent Slabs as Always

As often happens in Colorado, avalanche forecasts are beginning to sound like a stuck CD, “Moderate, persistent slabs.” “Moderate, persistent slabs.” “Moderate, persistent slabs.” “Moderate, persistent slabs.”

One wonders how to mitigate. Terrain choice is the only solution for 100% safe skiing. Be safe.

As always, when things settle down in the snowpack we’re hoping expert skiers will open up new skin tracks and terrain in some of the lesser used pitches off Marble Quarry Road, but doing so is problematic as that magic combo of relatively safe terrain for the downhill and 100% safe routes for the up is hard to find. For newcomers, remember you can always make a first stop at Windy Corner (see map via menu above) to view most of the ski terrain and assess what’s been used, where tracks are broken, what’s slid and what is hang fire, etcetera.

Community Avalanche Safety Workshop 2015

Always a good bet for refreshing your knowledge and doing some networking. Meet new backcountry skiing friends, chat up the locals SAR folks, be a part of the community. Information at MountainRescueAspen.org

Avalanche Safety Workshop

Avalanche Safety Workshop

Marble Quarry Road — Holiday Closure 2014-2015

According to sources: Colorado Stone Quarries will not plow Quarry Road for about 14 days over the holidays; they do not plan on plowing the road until just before they re-open on Jan. 3rd.

In our experience here at Marbleski, the road may remain drivable for a short while, then become so rutted and deep with snowpack that it’s dangerous and not appropriate to drive. At that time shift to skis or snowmobile. In any case be aware that more than 14 slide paths threaten the road, act accordingly whatever your mode of road travel.

If attempting to drive the unmaintained road before it gets totally snowed in, please use tire chains on a properly equipped 4×4 truck or otherwise high clearance vehicle.

Winter 2014/2015 Now Kicking Along — Christmas

Our biggest storm yet, just before Christmas. Probably lots of avy danger but at least we’re getting the snowpack built up enough to avoid getting tree bark on our boots. Enjoy and be safe.