048 | Loveland + Vail + Berthoud Pass

This past week I got three awesome days of skiing in. And so, that's all you get. Pretty sure some other shit happened, but this is what matters most. Take a look at the dates below and a even bigger look at the pictures; might want to rethink when you visit Colorado.





► Song of the week:

Because we were on a mission, I give you "Back on a Mission" by Cirrus which happens to be one of my favorite songs ever. Very appropriate choice here.







► Friday, April 11, 2008 - Loveland:


Nancy starts off the day with an untracked welcoming:




Stem with the nutgrab on the Moment Comi's:




Two more go off J-Rock:






Some 3's were thrown off the cornice:








Drew launches the cornice then tucks off Crack Rock:






More air time was had:










Now I give it a shot:







► Saturday, April 12, 2008 - Vail:


Katie reminds us of why Colorado sucks in April:






Matt gives this powder thing a try:




Chad's "Darth Vader" powder sequence in a secret stash:














And now it's Jeremy's turn:








Because Orient Express was closed, we thought Inner Mongolia might be untouched. I was wrong:




Chad bravely tests the waters:










Jeremy soon follows:









► Sunday, April 13, 2008 - Berthoud Pass:


As much as I was absolutely worked from my first two resort days in over two months, the phone call from Gary late Saturday night proved effective. Could I get a third powder day in as many days in mid-April? You be the judge.


We reached the top of Russell Peak near 12,400 feet around 11 AM after the late-morning start. Original plans were to check out No Name, the peak immediately south of Russell. Unfortunately, a group of 5 had the same aspirations as us:








Because I was the first to summit, I get to choose where to ski:




Telekook Emily comes down second:




Brandon:




Rippin' Doug hits the middle chute with one half a turn:






Gary exiting his lonesome shot:




The group (Brandon, Emily, Hans, Gary, and Doug)




Carnage:




Skintrack stoke:




Gary dropping into XYZ Chutes:










I give it a go:






Destruction:




It was now halftime, and a beer break at Peter Rabbit Hut was much needed. Gary admiring the views:




This is my best attempt at getting artistical:




The blue skies were out in full force this day:




A look towards a rare rowdy line coming off the headwall:




Gary and Cody approaching the top of the saddle near Postage Stamp:




Cody itching for more:




Gary's sequence while getting first tracks down what is now known as Corner Pocket:














Now it's my turn:












More carnage:




The next group of 3 skiers drop soon after:
























Total destruction:






The view atop our fourth hit of the day. It was 4 PM when we dropped. And we found blower snow.




Gary gets ready:




And makes his way through the tight chute easily:




There was a nice wind-loaded shoulder forming on the left side. I took advantage:
















Mission accomplished:




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