OB,
A couple pages back I posted asking advice on where to go with my schedule. As I figured you all suggested either Denver or SLC as flights and ski from there.
We've done keystone and I've done Park City for golf but not skiing so I get the travel for each place. It should be close to the same amount of time...Denver flight is shorter but drive is longer.

One question, a lot of folks said to avoid I-70. Why is that?
traffic?
or just b/c you gotta go thru the pass and if weather is THAT bad it's closed?

Trying to make sure I'm not missing something.

trip98 said:

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OB,
A couple pages back I posted asking advice on where to go with my schedule. As I figured you all suggested either Denver or SLC as flights and ski from there.
We've done keystone and I've done Park City for golf but not skiing so I get the travel for each place. It should be close to the same amount of time...Denver flight is shorter but drive is longer.

One question, a lot of folks said to avoid I-70. Why is that?
traffic?
or just b/c you gotta go thru the pass and if weather is THAT bad it's closed?

Trying to make sure I'm not missing something.

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Yeah traffic & weather impacts. It's a volatile route where you have little control over your travel time, which can be especially tough when your travel dates are rigid due to a specific vacation itinerary (flights, lodging, etc.). I've made it from Denver to a resort in February in a little over an hour and half plenty of times, and it's also taken me over 3 hours to get to a resort in February multiple times on powder days.

also, recommend doing everything possible to avoid I-70 during peak travel times on the weekends

rather be fishing said:

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Has anyone used a Sena Snowtalk2? I'm looking at getting sometime for Bluetooth listening, but if I can pay extra and have a viable comm service for my wife or kid, I might be inclined to go that route instead.

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First impressions since they were delivered today.
Works pretty well… think we got about 400 yards before it started cutting out. So not the best range but probably good enough for us most of the time.
I also just assumed my daughter's helmet, Smith Glide Jr, was audio ready (zipper in the back)… it was not. Wound up cutting at the seam in her ear pads and using velcro to seal it back up. She's about due for a new helmet anyways. They fit easily in my Smith Vantage.

Pairing was pretty easy and once you have them paired with each other, they stay paired the next time.

Audio isn't bad and I may use it as my headphones when skiing alone instead of my AirPods.

Overall I'm impressed and my daughter loves it. I'm sure the audio, quality, and range of the Cardo is better than the Sena… but I'm not sure if it's worth the extra $300 for me.

Lt. Joe Bookman said:

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rather be fishing said:

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Has anyone used a Sena Snowtalk2? I'm looking at getting sometime for Bluetooth listening, but if I can pay extra and have a viable comm service for my wife or kid, I might be inclined to go that route instead.

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First impressions since they were delivered today.
Works pretty well… think we got about 400 yards before it started cutting out. So not the best range but probably good enough for us most of the time.
I also just assumed my daughter's helmet, Smith Glide Jr, was audio ready (zipper in the back)… it was not. Wound up cutting at the seam in her ear pads and using velcro to seal it back up. She's about due for a new helmet anyways. They fit easily in my Smith Vantage.

Pairing was pretty easy and once you have them paired with each other, they stay paired the next time.

Audio isn't bad and I may use it as my headphones when skiing alone instead of my AirPods.

Overall I'm impressed and my daughter loves it. I'm sure the audio, quality, and range of the Cardo is better than the Sena… but I'm not sure if it's worth the extra $300 for me.

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Something I hadn't considered, my daughter's helmet has to have hard ear coverage for reaching, so I don't think the Sena would work for her. The Cardo might be able to attach to the exterior of her helmet though.

rather be fishing said:

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Lt. Joe Bookman said:

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rather be fishing said:

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Has anyone used a Sena Snowtalk2? I'm looking at getting sometime for Bluetooth listening, but if I can pay extra and have a viable comm service for my wife or kid, I might be inclined to go that route instead.

---

First impressions since they were delivered today.
Works pretty well… think we got about 400 yards before it started cutting out. So not the best range but probably good enough for us most of the time.
I also just assumed my daughter's helmet, Smith Glide Jr, was audio ready (zipper in the back)… it was not. Wound up cutting at the seam in her ear pads and using velcro to seal it back up. She's about due for a new helmet anyways. They fit easily in my Smith Vantage.

Pairing was pretty easy and once you have them paired with each other, they stay paired the next time.

Audio isn't bad and I may use it as my headphones when skiing alone instead of my AirPods.

Overall I'm impressed and my daughter loves it. I'm sure the audio, quality, and range of the Cardo is better than the Sena… but I'm not sure if it's worth the extra $300 for me.

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Something I hadn't considered, my daughter's helmet has to have hard ear coverage for reaching, so I don't think the Sena would work for her. The Cardo might be able to attach to the exterior of her helmet though.

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Yeah, not sure how you'd strap the Cardo to a race helmet like that. You'd probably have to do like most of my daughter's friends and have a separate race helmet and rec helmet. We actually all just mostly share some community ones because we're cheap.

I think the cardo still has ear pieces that go inside the helmet so you'd have the same problem with that as well.

Any insight into K2 darkside? 128s, never skied true powder skis but seriously considering pulling the trigger on these.

Any insight into K2 darkside? 128s, never skied true powder skis but seriously considering pulling the trigger on these.

Jock 07 said:

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Any insight into K2 darkside? 128s, never skied true powder skis but seriously considering pulling the trigger on these.

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Looks like a water ski

Sooo those are the 2013 Darksides. Dont even need to look. They have a history. They are a 128 but K2 gooped the pooch and used a lower than what alot of riders would deem comfortable for the rocker profile which makes it one of the harder skis to float even though they're a 128.

2019* not 2013*

The 2024 Blaze 94s in a 179 for $350 would be a fun tree ski of you're looking for a well constructed manuverable tree ski.

They arent the metal you'd find in the mantras etc but for the trees, the blaze are a really fun set and for $350 who cares if they get bitten. PTEX and basegrind as you please since they're used demo rentals jaja.

I have a pair of the Blaze 94s and am a big fan. Super light weight helps them feel less narrow.

Keystone opened yesterday on snowmaking. 2025-2026 in starting up in Colorado IF there is snowmaking.

I have been trying to nudge the wife into taking up skiing with me. She's not an athlete but she loves the outdoors and the mountains. We sort of have a deal we are going to move to the mountains in the Rockies somwhere in the next 2-5 years. Both of us will love it.

I thought to sort of nudge her into trying it again, I would get her new gear to replace her ancient and almost never used boots we bought way back in the early 2000's. Then I went off and got a while beginners kit. Being a cheapskate, I poached sales in 2024 and 2025 clearance gear.

Dalbello Panterra 75's. We'll get them fitted when they come in.
Some budget Atomic poles off an Amazon reseller.
A set of clearance Rossignol Experience 76's with some look bindings. I was looking up women's beginner skis that would work into the intermediate stage and these had good reviews and apparent they had a bunch of new 2025 models out there so I got some. I'm already mentally planning our first trip. I'm trying to learn to ski switch and she'll be trying to re-learn after 20 years off. Well either have an epic fight or lots of fun laughing at eachother falling on the bunny.

MouthBQ98 said:

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Keystone opened yesterday on snowmaking. 2025-2026 in starting up in Colorado IF there is snowmaking.

I have been trying to nudge the wife into taking up skiing with me. She's not an athlete but she loves the outdoors and the mountains. We sort of have a deal we are going to move to the mountains in the Rockies somwhere in the next 2-5 years. Both of us will love it.

I thought to sort of nudge her into trying it again, I would get her new gear to replace her ancient and almost never used boots we bought way back in the early 2000's. Then I went off and got a while beginners kit. Being a cheapskate, I poached sales in 2024 and 2025 clearance gear.

Dalbello Panterra 75's. We'll get them fitted when they come in.
Some budget Atomic poles off an Amazon reseller.
A set of clearance Rossignol Experience 76's with some look bindings. I was looking up women's beginner skis that would work into the intermediate stage and these had good reviews and apparent they had a bunch of new 2025 models out there so I got some. I'm already mentally planning our first trip. I'm trying to learn to ski switch and she'll be trying to re-learn after 20 years off. Well either have an epic fight or lots of fun laughing at eachother falling on the bunny.

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Comfy boots. All I can say. My wife went skiing once and the boots she had sucked. She almost quit. Got her fitted for boots and it completely changed her outlook.

Wax bench is ready

You long time Colorado types, what times does some snow actually show up enough to stick and make enough base to be worth going, typically, Early December? I'm trying to game out an early season trip before my remaining vacation windows this year close up on me.

I might be able to push it back to mid December to maybe back before Christmas window. Maybe another week or two helps the odds.

Early December is pretty dicey if you are paying to travel from out of state, you just never know what you're gonna get. I've got some great memories of dodging bare spots and rocks on the main runs under the lifts at Crested Butte growing up skiing the week or two before Christmas

For some reason Vail usually gets their ass saved right before or over christmas. Not enough to open beck bowls etc but enough to go frontside T2B. Before christmas and you're at risk of having to up/download.

Go to Whistler they will have plenty.

Is that kids ski jacket insulated or just a shell?

ccard257 said:

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Is that kids ski jacket insulated or just a shell?

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It's insulated

Any idea what Wolf Creek is projecting to be like the last weekend of January going into February? Heading up there with some guys I went skiing with last year in Taos. I, personally, found Taos somewhat challenging at times, but then again the snow wasn't that great when we went either. I'd say I'm a solid intermediate and everyone skis on my level or above it.

Thanks!

Wolf creek is situated where it reliably gets a LOT of snow and holds it. By mid season, even in a bad year, it has a good base to ski on. The only question will be if you get there and it's old snow or fresher powder. Last year I showed up and it got 16-18" the day I arrived. I am not the best powder skier and didn't have the best skis for it but it was awesome because you could hit just about anything with almost zero consequences if you took a fall, and the tree/ glade skiing was awesome. The conditions can be pretty variable there so be prepared with layers and goggles that work in dim or sunny conditions.

Also, if would not have made it there in my hatchback if I didn't have a set of snow chains last time.

https://snowbrains.com/eu-commission-raids-headquarters-of-3-major-austrian-ski-brands-in-alleged-price-fixing-probe/

61 high today in Vail. UFFF.

Highs over the next 10 are between the high 40s and Mid 50s. Low temps are in true mid 20s to low 30s. Not great for snow making outside of this Saturday - Monday. Ideally wet bulb is 10-20F and possible is 27.5F and below.

No snow in forecast. Days 11-14 offer a break in the heat. Low 40s w lows in the low 20s. Those will be the best snow make days outside of the 3 Day window this weekend.

Setting Up for alot of man made and alot of ice over the next 2 weeks. Hard to build a base w high temps in the 50s.

Current GFS through 11/21 has Most of the state totally dry. The San Juans pick up a little ~6 inches. Other spots maybe like 4. If that's the case, Wolf Creek may not be open for Thanksgiving barring a big dump. Looks like Arizona up there right now. There's nada on the mountain.

Its equally as bad for UT early season (Thanksgiving). Hopefully the catch a Thanksgiving or early/mid Dec roller. Nothing over the next 2 weeks.

BUT holding true to La Niña - BC getting slammed.




20-30+ inches expected at the higher elevations. Rain at lower elevation but yeah BIG DUMPS above 9000ft. Thanksgiving will be stellar if this hits as expected.

So Jealous

La nina pattern expects less snow early season in mid and lower Colorado, right? Not much impact in upper - like say, steamboat springs? And rest of Colorado resorts should be fine later in the season?

Not exactly. Here are some historical maps.



The main difference in the maps is from the dates. The second is through 2009 which misses some cycles. Those la niñas have been on the dry side for most of CO and UT thus the first map is probably going to be more accurate as it has more data.

If You look at the BC map It's Classic la niña.

I'd expect BC/PNW to be great. Tetons too. I think Steamboat will have an above average year, 70 & Sawatch avg and then the SJs and Sangres to struggle. I wouldn't be betting on NM either. It could be another bad bad year there. UT is so hard to Predict. I would imagine they get something big before Christmas but it doesn't look like a base builder is coming in the next 2 weeks for anywhere in CO or UT.

La niña also tends to bring warmer temperatures for most of UT/CO. They're the years where you may get 10 inches and the next day it's 51 degrees and anything in the sun is off by noon. Other years it snows and snows and snows. The variability between Ranges van de dramatic. There's been years that Routt mb is 115% of median and Arkansas and San Juans are 70%. It just how the wind blows.

You'll have alot better idea come early Jan.

hmmm... well I put off my christmas Steamboat trip this year due to timing constraints and other things going on.. going for spring break instead. Hope it works out.

Steamboat should be good. I'd worry about Purgatory/Telly and lesser WC.

It's my fault. I finally broke down and bought a snowblower this year. Got a good deal on a used one so maybe the damage is limited.

If you bought it used, we still have a chance. If you bought it new, we're goat ass.