Fall in Colorado: October Snow Arrives with My Woolens and Ski Gear

Snowy Bikes in Aspen

Woo hoo! It started snowing here in Colorado Tuesday night and the thrill is on. A big storm rolled in just as it’s supposed to—that’s to say in time for most of the leaves to be off the trees (at least at higher elevations) and about a month away from the opening of most major ski areas. It’s time for that white gold to start piling up here in the Rockies.  And thankfully, it begins accumulating every year right about now. Our Halloweens are typically snowy as well as spooky.

I waited until last Friday to change out my closets since we’ve enjoyed an incredibly warm fall in Colorado this year. What a glorious autumn it has been and in Telluride, it was so drop-dead gorgeous that the decision was made to keep the gondola open through late October in upcoming years. So now I’m knee-deep in wool sweaters, fleeces and ski jackets and couldn’t be happier. (Actually, winter clothes are a part of my wardrobe year-round since even summer nights can be mighty chilly here in the mountains. Yet I still need to make room for even more layers come fall.)

As long as the leaves have dropped from the trees, it might as well snow! That’s what most of us anticipate here in our mountain towns. The excitement has been building ever since this storm was forecasted many days ago. Folks have been hustling about, getting their clothing and gear in order, shopping to stock their pantries for the long winter, completing the last of outdoor chores such as stacking chopped wood and driving in markers for the plows. Yeah, the countdown has begun; opening day, the kickoff event of ski season, happens on Thanksgiving for most major Colorado ski resorts.

I skied Snowmass, a big lumbering mountain marked by long, wide cruisers, my last day last year. It also happened to be closing day for Snowmass, a super snowy one, in fact, since it stormed like it was midwinter. It was my first time skiing at that resort, so you can bet I can’t wait to get back there this year. Apparently they got nearly a foot of snow out of this storm. I guess that’s why it’s called Snowmass, a name that dates back to the late 1880s because of the snowfields that characterized the mountain at that time. (Sadly, that name doesn’t ring true quite as much today due to global warming. But the folks at Aspen Skiing Company and others have lobbied in DC this fall to draw awareness to the future of Colorado’s ski industry.)

Aside from a few more things I have to do to get my gear in order, I need to focus on two areas of my life before the craziness of ski season hits:  catching up on work at my desk and getting into shape. (Be sure to read Getting Ready for Ski Season:  Part One and Part Two.) Ugh, sadly these areas represent ongoing endeavors where I never quite feel like I can get ahead. But isn’t that the way for everybody? Maybe it’s the writer in me that adds just the right amount of procrastination to make these undertakings feel like the Holy Grail, one that represents a never-ending quest to obtain. I blew off last night’s ski conditioning class since I thought the roads might be a little dangerous. O.K., perhaps. I didn’t accomplish much work-wise yesterday either since I ended up frittering away time on facebook and getting settled in after a long weekend away.

Oh well, we all have things that get in our way. But when you live in a ski town, everyone tries to keep their priorities in order. And somehow, skiing and snowboarding seem to win out at most every turn.

I guess I’d better get back to work. Opening day will be here before you know it!

Skiing a Snowmass Groomer: It’ll Be Happening Soon

Read Skiing, Smores and Storytelling at Snowmass to find out more about what I like about Snowmass. You can also find more Aspen/Snowmass stories here.

For lots of great reasons on why you should book a trip to Telluride, check out Why Telluride. Visit my Telluride category for many others, too.

Thinking of some early season skiing? Consider Wonderful Wolf Creek, one of my favorites. They received nearly two feet in this week’s storm and plan to open this weekend. Wolf Creek never disappoints!

Check out my Skiing & Snowboarding category for lots more winter sports stories. Did you know I’m a ski instructor, too? Yes, as a freelance writer, I figured that that was the best way to make sure I get out on the mountain. (It also balances out my nutty writer’s life.) I’m entering my eighth season here at Telluride Ski & Snowboard School and being a part of this unique club allows me to present a fresh perspective on the many snowsports stories I post on this blog.

Thank you to Aspen Skiing Company and Meredith McKee for the images in this post.