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Ski Resort Preview

A Four Corners' wind-up of what's new and happenin' at the snowy gates

By Kate Siber

CRESTED BUTTE MOUNTAIN RESORT

Crested Butte, CO

skicb.com, 800-544-8448

New owners Tim and Diane Mueller didn't waste any time after their March 1, 2004 purchase of Crested Butte Mountain Resort. The ski area, located in the secluded Elk Mountain Range of southwestern Colorado, got an $80-million makeover this year - as part of a five-year renovation - in an effort to make it more aesthetically pleasing, user-friendly, and family-oriented. Improvements include a new chairlift at the West Wall to replace the old T bar, improved snowmaking, a new on-mountain demo center, more ski and snowboard rental equipment, and a redesign of Kids' World, the children's ski center. A new base village, called Mountaineer Square, right in front of the Grand Lodge, is underway and will open to the public in December, 2006. Crested Butte is never in want of events. This year, the mountains' signature event, the U.S. Extreme Freeskiing Championships, will take place February 21-25, followed by the Salomon Oasis Project, a three-day free-demo opportunity. The resort will open November 19 through April 9. During holidays and high season, adults tickets cost $69, up from $66; passes for kids ages 13-17 cost $52; and children 6-12 cost $35.

SILVERTON MOUNTAIN

Silverton, CO

silvertonmountain.com, 970-387-5706

When it comes to powder and steeps, Silverton Mountain, an 80-skier-per-day guide-only area outside of Silverton, Colo., gives western resorts twice its size a serious run for their money. This year, the one-lift mountain is opening even more hairy terrain: The Wet Spot, a 50-plus-degree treeless area that funnels into several narrow chutes, and Fat Guy, another 50-plus-degree narrow chute. But there's even bigger news: In September, the BLM released its decision to allow Silverton up to 475 unguided skiers, though owners Jenny and Aaron Brill will keep the turns guide-only until at least April. Reservations are required at this expert- and advanced-only resort, and rates range from $99-$129 between December and April. Avalanche beacons, probes, and shovels are required, so bring your own or rent them at the lodge. Don't want to part with the cash? Participate in two of four boot-packing days, held the first two weekends of December, and earn a free ticket for December or April.

ANGEL FIRE RESORT

Angel Fire, NM

angelfireresort.com, 800-633-7463

Though it's tucked away in the northeastern nook of New Mexico, Angel Fire Resort is starting to get the word out about its family-friendly vibe. This year, it's unveiling five acres of brand-new glades and Lowrider Park, a low-key terrain park for perfecting tricks before the half pipe, the state's first. The resort will continue its bargain kids' programs this year: By showing a current report card, 5th graders can ski free, and children under 12 years old can stay, eat and ski for free when accompanied by a paying adult. Adult lift tickets are $48; juniors are $33; seniors 70 or older and children six or younger ski free.

SKI HESPERUS

Hesperus, CO

skihesperus.net, 970-259-3711

Though it looks rather unintimidating in the summer, when the base area is overtaken by cows munching on grass and staring blankly at passing cars, Ski Hesperus claims some surprisingly challenging terrain. Plus, located 15 minutes outside of Durango, Colo., it's got some happening nightlife. Don't think beers and babes, though. This is good old-fashioned outdoor fun. The little-ski-area-that-could has 80% of its terrain lit, 1,000 feet of vertical and two lifts for skiing, snowboarding and tubing in the evening hours. Last season's rates, $28 for a full day and $20 for a night pass good between 4:30 and 9, are subject to change after press time. The area opens at 4:30 pm on weekdays and at 9 am on weekends and holidays; It closes at 9 pm every day.

WOLF CREEK SKI AREA

Pagosa Springs, CO

wolfcreekski.com, 970-264-5639

The secret's out. Wolf Creek is the place to go for early-season snow - and lots of it. The average annual snowfall is 465 inches, but last year it got an outrageous 535 inches. This year, the rental shop is stocking up with over 400 new pairs of skis, including K2s, Salomons, Rossignols, and Dynastars. Though there is no new terrain, summer staff members have done trail maintenance and improvements all summer. With very little development, Wolf Creek is a great local's hill, and it show its thanks with Local Appreciation Days, during which tickets are $23 for adults and $13 for kids. Look online for days scheduled every month between opening day, November 4, and closing day, April 2. Ticket prices are $45 for adults and $25 for tykes.

DURANGO MOUNTAIN RESORT

Durango, CO

durangomountainresort.com, 800-982-6103

Happy Birthday, Purgatory! In 40 years, Purgatory, now known as Durango Mountain Resort, has grown from a one-lift operation to a big-mountain extravaganza, with 11 lifts, 85 trails and three terrain parks. This year, the resort, located about 30 minutes outside of Durango, Colo., made improvements to the beginner Columbine area, including the relocation of the Magic Carpet to the base area near Purgatory Village. The resort underpass leading to the Columbine area will also have a new right-side run option with a shallower grade. Opening day is November 24, and there will be plenty of events all season. The Total Telemark Tour will hit DMR on December 10, with telemark classes, demos, athlete appearances, movie premieres and safety seminars. The Expression Sessions, including the 80s-style Big Hair Big Air jumps competition and other races, start on February 18. And Snowdown festivities at the resort, such as the mountain bike dual slalom, snow sculpture contest, and downhill kayak races, will be held the first weekend in February.

RED RIVER SKI AREA

Red River, NM

redriverskiarea.com, 505-754-2223

A healthy mix of groomed cruisers, steeps, and glades, northern New Mexico's Red River Ski Area is an ideal haven for families. Though it's located only 45 minutes north of the artsy mountain burg of Taos, this mining-hub-turned-ski-town has a distinctly different feel. This year, many of the resort's attractions, like the Moon Star Mining Camp, a replica of a typical 19th-century mining camp, will stay the same. The terrain park, however, has been expanded and improved. The resort plans to open November 23 and close March 22. Adult day passes cost $51, teens cost $45, and seniors and children ages 4-12 cost $36. During the first two weekends of December, tickets are half-price; During Bargain Days, dispersed throughout the season, tickets are $36; and College Days, January 1-16, offer $25 tickets to students with valid college IDs.

TELLURIDE SKI RESORT

Telluride, CO

tellurideskiresort.com, 866-287-5015

Telluride, known as one of the West's ritzier ski towns, may not the first place you'd expect to find fantastic off-piste action. But the hike-to terrain is nothing to scoff at. In January, Telluride opened even more: Mountain Quail. The new guide-only terrain is located at the highest point on Prospect Ridge, accessed by a 30-minute hike from the top of Lift 12. Beacons, shovels and resort guides are required. On the milder side, a new ski school program, GearUp, offers two days of first-timer lessons, lift tickets, rentals and custom-fitted personalized gear. Last, this season, in partnership with Continental Airlines, Telluride is unveiling the Telluride Mountain Miles Program, in which skiers that purchase four-day stays can use a GPS tracker to earn one air mile for every 100 vertical feet skied. Telluride is scheduled to open November 24-April 2. Adult tickets cost $76 between December 17 and April 2 or $58 early season. Tickets for kids 5-12 cost $45 during the high season and $34 during the early season.

TAOS SKI VALLEY

Taos, NM

skitaos.org, 866-968-7386

In its 50 years, Taos has come a long way. It originally consisted of a 100-foot lift that carried 14 people per hour. Now it's got 1,300 acres, 12 lifts and an abundance of famously hair-raising trails. Nevertheless, Taos has retained its authentic feel - and what some people might call its ski snobbery, in not admitting snowboarders. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the resort will offer six-day lesson packages for $50, down from $200. The Taos Winter Wine Festival, including tastings, dinners and other festivities, will be held January 18-29, 2006. The resort will be open November 24 through April 2. During the weeks of November 28-December 16 and March 26-April 2, lift tickets and ski services are half-price. Regular-season full-day adult lift tickets cost $57; teens cost $45; and children ages 7-12 cost $35.

ARIZONA SNOWBOWL

Flagstaff, AZ

arizonasnowbowl.com, 928-779-1951

Last year, the Arizona Snowbowl got an absurd amount of snow - 460 inches - so it might seem odd that they're working so hard to develop snowmaking capabilities. But the Flagstaff resort relies entirely on natural snow, meaning that some years it has only opened a measly four days. In October, local Native American tribes took the Forest Service to court over the Snowbowl's proposed use of reclaimed water for snowmaking on the land, considered sacred. No other projects have developed this year, though if the verdict is favorable to the Snowbowl, snowmaking construction will purportedly start next year. In the meantime, the resort au naturale has 32 trails, four lifts and a great local feel. The best part is that if it's your birthday, you get to ski free. Take that, Vail! Adult passes cost $44 and juniors cost $25.

Kate Siber is a freelance writer based in Durango who is already buying new ski gear in the hope that this year's snow will be legendary.