Independence Pass, one of Colorado's highest paved roads, opened on May 25. Per tradition, several hundred skiers enjoyed the vast terrain of the pass over the Memorial Day weekend. The parking lot was crowded, but with more than 200 square miles of prime backcountry available, you could still find plenty of solitude, vast terrain, and loads of fun. I was back up there during the last weekend of May, and this year's thin snowpack was going fast. Should be a bit of high altitude glisse for the first week or two of June, then that'll be it (unless we get a cold storm with high altitude snow, which does happen...).

 

Our family tradition is to hold our Memorial Day barbecue atop the pass, weather permitting. This year was a blast. I did a nice tour and ski descent with my wife Lisa and 10-year-old son Louie, then yanked the barbie out of the cavernous Suburban, threw on the dogs and brats, and enjoyed some fellowship with like minded folk. That's Bratdog Sanson on the left, Carlos the powder jackal on the right, with Lisa and Louie to left middle. Fearless Leader James is next to Carl, with CB Chad in the back.

The snow on the descents was in good shape, but definitely below average in thickness. Get it while you can.