Welcome to Louis (Lou) Dawson's backcountry skiing information & opinion website. Lou's passion for the past 50 years has been alpinism, climbing, mountaineering and skiing -- along with all manner of outdoor recreation. He has authored numerous books and articles about
ski touring and is well known as the first person to ski down all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks, otherwise known as the
Fourteeners! Books and free ski touring news and information here.
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Interesting to hear that yesterday wasn’t a thaw day. I got up super early, noted that the temp at Schofield pass was close to 40 thanks to cloud cover, and went back to sleep rather than skiing.
Nice to see that some parts of the state still have snow. Cinnamon Pass just opened today from Lake City to Silverton in the San Juans. I hear CDOT is also thinking about opening Independence Pass early.
Not sure what happened Frank, perhaps a cold front moved in while you were sleeping. At any rate, it stayed quite cold above timberline, protected by clouds… I was thinking the same thing when we started out, that it was perhaps too warm. Funny how temperature from snowtel is only part of the equation…
Any updates on when Indy Pass will open? Hopefully there is still a little snow left to ski…
Rob B — It looks like CDOT has Indy Pass scheduled to open a week from tomorrow (5/12/12).
Closed for the Season
82
CO 82 Westbound / Eastbound Independence Pass (Milemarker 61-79)
Scheduled to open May 11th, Friday, at 9am. Weather and conditions permitting. Seasonal closure began November 1st, 2011 at 1:03pm.
Thanks Terry. All, we skied Pearl Mountain and Pearl West today, out of Aspen, same environs approx. as Indy Pass. Unless we get a mega melting event in the alpine, I’d think the Pass would yield some good skiing for a few days after it opens. Super thin snowpack, it’ll be like skiing it a month later… but might be fun. Not sure if we’ll do our annual Barbecue on the Pass this year, will do if the skiing is any good. Probably try to do it first weekend after Pass opens. Lou
We went up to Castle yesterday. Looking at the Noth Face couloir, but it was icy and the run out had melted on the looker’s left. The NW saddle had good coverage and was a bit manky. It skied well though and the rest of the faces down to the Pearl Pass road had good coverage and sweet corn! We were able to ski down to the cabin.
I’m betting that Indy’ll be great fun next weekend! Spring is going to be short and sweet.
-Dave Carver
We’re thinking of BBQ on the Pass to be Sunday, will start checking weather.
Hi Lou, sorry to say I’m going to have to miss the annual BBQ on the Pass this year. I hope I can get an excused absence while I enjoy the hospitality, scenery and skiing at the Lyngen Lodge in Norway. All the best and carry on without me.
Cheers, Perl.
Hi Bob, thanks for checking in! As you know the snow around here in Colorado is thin, but the skiing is surprisingly good up high. Probably won’t last long, however. You getting some good human-powered vert in Norway? Find any 90 dollar pizza and 12 dollar beers (grin)?