7 Feb 2018- Arapahoe Basin will never be the same

A beautiful day with sunshine all morning, there is some great video IF WADE CAN DISCOVER HOW TO DOWNLOAD IT.  What a change, the fresh snow makes all the difference.,mid week ,short lines, runs are not crowed, wish you were here. Wade and Davis skied until 8 last night--a full day.  Check out Toms video       go to youtube.com        search for tecampbell2    scroll to Abasin miners Glade

6 Feb 2018- ALabama Gang Rips it up

                                         Wade and Davis try to determine where to go next!

                                             Break time

 Just outside our condo, steam rising from the heated pool, ski runs in the background, we're on our way to the lifts.

 Early morning walk to the lift finds us over dressed--expected it to be much colder--must remove at least one layer.

                                                   Lift lines  grow, everyone wants to be first on the mountain.

                                                             Toms overdressed!

                                  No need for a gator this morning.

                     The TV announcer was encouraging folks to call in sick this morning and come out and enjoy the fresh powder.

  15 inches of fresh snow in the past 24 hours, and we are trying to learn how to ski in powder, it leads to some surprising results.  We all wanted to try powder, but how we are ready for groomed slopes.  Powder turns are so different and use additional muscles( some that have not been exercised in a loooooong time).  First run of the morning is beautiful, the powder has covered all the imperfections, the trees bowing down with the weight of  overnight snow, moisture in the air looks like cut crystal  as the sun reflects off it, your lungs give you a bit of warning as you breath deeply of the cold morning air and you give thanks to God for his creation and the good health that allows you to enjoy his majesty.  We have been blessed with 24 inches of snow since the arrival of the Alabama Gan, so Keystone should pay us for bringing the snow.
                       Don't forget to go to youtube.com and search for        tecampbell2      to see Tom and Wades videos. 

5 Feb 2018 WOW!!! What a Powder Day!!!!

The weatherman was correct-we had 2 inches overnight and it has snowed all day adding an additional 10 inches on the front side of the mountain.  We went directly to the Outback this morning and there was 6 in already and still snowing, not many folks were out so no lift lines,  I think we have all crashed and burned at least once today and it is work learning to ski in fresh powder.  About lunch time the pushed up snow was 12-18 inches deep and when you would hit a pile it would stop your skis ( sometimes you would keep going, resulting in a yard sale).  Tom and Wade have taken video until their batteries went dead from the cold, check the .....Go to youtube and type in  tecampbell2

                                                            The beauty of God's Creation

                                                           Break time--what a pair

                                             Tom can't talk- working on something.

                                              Wade, just cooling it

                  Snow clouds are all around, sometimes we can see other ski resorts from the top of the mountain, but according to the weather reports Keystone is getting the most snow.

  Hope everyone has a great day

Sunday 4 Feb 2018 (AL Gang 2018 Ski Trip)

Today is our first official day of the trip 4-11 Feb.  More snow last night, forecast shows 2-6 tonight, 1-2 tomorrow and Tues, Wen/Thurs some sun then snow on Friday and Sat.  We can complain about the lack of sunshine but not about the snow,  We are all learning to ski the powder (not deep but still powder) and using a different set of muscles.  Wade arrived yesterday and the ski day was extended until he could curb his desire. Both Tom and Wade have Go Pros so check our videos.

https;//www.youtube.com/watch?v=rskhNmvZ4VI

Sat 3 Feb 2018

What a great day.  Snow is holding up well, short lift lines and another chance to enjoy Gods creation. Tom and Davis are skiing nuts !  We came in about 3:30 yesterday afternoon and the guys checked their EPIC app that tells how many verticle feet we skied, Tom has stopped to help a young lady, missed a turn, and came on home  while Davis and myself did another run.  SOOOOO the app showed Davis and myself skiing 30,000 plus, Tom had only skied 28.900, so back to the mountain so Tom could get another 1100 feet,, the things we do so we can say " I skied xxxxxx vertical feet yesterday"  Well today is another new day, 2 inches of fresh powder with more expected, should be another great day.  Wade arrives this afternoon and the Alabama gang will be whole.

 Go to youtube and type in  tecampbell2  or goggle tecampbell2 for yesterdays ski video.  Tom is still in the LEARNING stage with his camera.

Hope you have a great day, only 7 ski days until our return to Alabama.

Friday 2 Feb 2018

The Alabama gang has arrived ( part of them )  Wade will arrive tomorrow.  Snowed most of yesterday and we had a great time on the slopes.  A minor mishap with Davis ski boots was solved and we are off to the race, thanks to Tom we have video footage of our great form, so sit back and enjoy.  After 22,000 ft vertical the hot tub was great last night. This video is from Tom Campbell's work last year 2017, so you may see a couple of guys that are not here this year.  ENJOY!!

 Https://youtu.be/TFnV69E45Y0

Copy and paste  or go to youtube and type in 2017 Keystone Ski 

Fresh Snow- Cold Weather-Beautiful Sunshine

Fresh Snow and Lots of it!!

 Sat skiing warm and snow started getting soft by mid afternoon with the temps in the high 40s. Threat of snow brought lots of folks out and lift lines were building.  temps started dropping about 4pm but forecast changed from 4-8 inches to 1-4 inches maybe just a light covering.  Light snow started about 10pm but had not covered the ground when I went to bed.  Awoke this morning (Sunday 21st) to several inches, Keystone says 7 inches.

      It has snowed off and on most of the day but very little additional accumulation.  Long lift lines were the norm with poor visibility at times.  I did take a break for church.  Temps have remained in the teens with -8 forecast for tonight with a bit more snow on Monday.

Additional snow in the forecast for Thursday-so Snow  Snow Snow, should be another great ski week.

5th Ski Day

 Abasin today, temp was 18 in the am and 36 in the pm with sunshine most of the day.  Forecast still calling for 4-8 inches of snow this weekend.  The photo above was taken at the top of Lenawee lift in route to Montezuma Bowl.  Last year we had to walk to the lift in the background, but this year there is a rope tow.  Makes for some interesting viewing as rope tows went out many years ago and most skiers have never used one.

 Snow was a bit better at Abasin, a thousand ft altitude helps, not very crowded so had lots of fun.

 Great sign !

Remember the last seen in the movie "Bucket List" where they were burrowing the ashes ?  The ridge line in the background is where that was filmed.  Look out boys we may be in the movies.

Another day of sunshine, not many skiers, no lift lines but the weather is warmer, up to 40 today and suppose to be 45 tomorrow.  Skiing after 3 pm is iffy, really slick, we need snow, lots of snow.

 Know you guys remember the outback ski area, elk run and porcupine are still my favorite runs but snow is sparse.

 Make sure your legs are ready for this.  Going to Abasin tomorrow and check out the snow, hope its better.

This says it all !!

16 Jan 2018 First Post

 Break time.  Yesterday ( MLK Holiday) was pretty good skiing, there was an ice storm in Denver so the slopes were not packed and there were no lift lines,  Snow held up better than I expected and they were making snow all day,

 There seems to be more snow than there really is, because it has been so cold, so they have a good base (in most areas).  1 inch of snow last night and the temp was down to -5, it was still-3 this morning on the first run, but no wind.

 Talk about a small world,  yesterday on the gondola, I met Maegan Watford's brother-in-law from Destin and I think he said Maegans mother was here at Keystone with them.  I did not even have to tell him where Headland was.

 Beautiful sunshine today and no lift lines, 11,000 ft vertical before lunch.  Tom and Wade should be able to get 30,000 per day if they really try.

 Breckenridge slopes in the background.  Weather forecast calling for 4-8 inches of snow Sat-hope the forecast holds up-

 This shot taken about 1030 this am, not many folks out even on a beautiful day,  reported lack of snow keeping all but the faithful at home.

I will try and go over to Dakota Lodge and check for a outside gas grill

2018 New Ski Year

     This ski year has already been eventful.  Family ski trip to Wolf Creek (Southern CO) 13-23 Dec was full of family fun and games. Heather and Everett both had their first ski lessons and did great, Heather loved the snow, Everett not so much but another generation of the Whittington family learning to enjoy God's creation.  Snowed about 7 inches while we were there and the slopes really needed the help.  Wolf Creek usually has 100 inches of snow by this time but only has 53 inches so far.  But as they say " the worse day of skiing is better than the best day of work."  A great family vacation except Travis's family could not make it--missed them.
      I will depart home 11 Jan for a month skiing at Keystone / Abasin, where several guys from church will join me for the last 10 days.  The Alabama gang thing has been going on for a couple of years now and we have great fun and fellowship while enjoying Gods' great outdoors.
     Look for post and pictures starting about  14 Jan.  THINK SNOW!!!