Amie H
Angel Diva
I was supposed to be in Tahoe this weekend but when that trip was cancelled, I pivoted to return to Beaver Creek, which I enjoyed last year. I was able to book the same lodging as last year via Hotwire.
I live 15-20 minutes from O'hare and was able to book a nonstop flight for Sunday morning ORD--> EGE (Vail) for a handful of airline miles. The flight arrived on time at 11am MST, my EPIC Mountain Express van was waiting for me outside bag claim.
I was able to check in to my hotel (Pines Lodge) early, and was on the snow a little after 1PM MST!
I headed right to the new McCoy Park ski area. Last year I snowshoed in this area. You can still snowshoe or Nordic ski there but this bowl has been transformed, with 2 new lifts (McCoy Park Express and Reunion) and a number of wide-open green and blue runs with structural variety such as "beginner" glades, undulating hills, etc. Based on my own experience and in talking to other enthusiastic users on the McCoy Express lift, this area is fantastic for 1) skiing with young children 2) novices looking to gain confidence/practice 3) folks like myself coming off sports injury 4) and, what one dad told me, "This is a fun place to PLAY!"
From McCoy Park, it was easy enough to make my way to the trails leading to the skiway back to my resort.
I skied this area again today, then headed over toward Bachelor Gulch for a beverage and bathroom break. Then more fun back in McCoy Park, trying out a gladed run without busting my bucket! Instead of following the trails to the skiway back at day's end, instead I took the looooooong way around on BC Express-->Larkspur-->and over past Grouse Mountain, the Birds of Prey chair area, etc. Continued over to BC Village, and tried my best to skate back to the skiway but had to hike from the Nordic ski center office uphill and then poling/skating to the hotel. After all that effort (and a personal best in recent years for hours on the snow) I was thrilled to discover that NO ONE was in the hot tub pool area when I returned. I stored my skis and boots, hustled to my room, shimmied into my swimsuit and had the whole pool area to myself. Ahhhhhh!!!
Because I'm a solo traveler AND not keen to dine-in bc of Covid, I brought homemade foods that I froze in plastic vacuum-sealed bags. I have a little "mess kit" I bring everywhere w utensils, folding bowl, etc. I enjoy eating a delicious, hot, and healthful meal in my room (my room here has fridge and microwave) while relaxing in my jammies and watching a movie!
Tomorrow, I may try out Centennial Chair to the Red Buffalo area, but if it's crowded, I'll gladly take Strawberry Park over to McCoy Park, Bachelor Gulch, and Arrowhead areas for the day.
Although no recent snow here, conditions have been terrific bc they are meticulous w grooming. Temps by mid-morning have been in the high 20s to mid-30s.
Here's a snippet of what I was doing after getting off the plane and changing into my gear.
I live 15-20 minutes from O'hare and was able to book a nonstop flight for Sunday morning ORD--> EGE (Vail) for a handful of airline miles. The flight arrived on time at 11am MST, my EPIC Mountain Express van was waiting for me outside bag claim.
I was able to check in to my hotel (Pines Lodge) early, and was on the snow a little after 1PM MST!
I headed right to the new McCoy Park ski area. Last year I snowshoed in this area. You can still snowshoe or Nordic ski there but this bowl has been transformed, with 2 new lifts (McCoy Park Express and Reunion) and a number of wide-open green and blue runs with structural variety such as "beginner" glades, undulating hills, etc. Based on my own experience and in talking to other enthusiastic users on the McCoy Express lift, this area is fantastic for 1) skiing with young children 2) novices looking to gain confidence/practice 3) folks like myself coming off sports injury 4) and, what one dad told me, "This is a fun place to PLAY!"
From McCoy Park, it was easy enough to make my way to the trails leading to the skiway back to my resort.
I skied this area again today, then headed over toward Bachelor Gulch for a beverage and bathroom break. Then more fun back in McCoy Park, trying out a gladed run without busting my bucket! Instead of following the trails to the skiway back at day's end, instead I took the looooooong way around on BC Express-->Larkspur-->and over past Grouse Mountain, the Birds of Prey chair area, etc. Continued over to BC Village, and tried my best to skate back to the skiway but had to hike from the Nordic ski center office uphill and then poling/skating to the hotel. After all that effort (and a personal best in recent years for hours on the snow) I was thrilled to discover that NO ONE was in the hot tub pool area when I returned. I stored my skis and boots, hustled to my room, shimmied into my swimsuit and had the whole pool area to myself. Ahhhhhh!!!
Because I'm a solo traveler AND not keen to dine-in bc of Covid, I brought homemade foods that I froze in plastic vacuum-sealed bags. I have a little "mess kit" I bring everywhere w utensils, folding bowl, etc. I enjoy eating a delicious, hot, and healthful meal in my room (my room here has fridge and microwave) while relaxing in my jammies and watching a movie!
Tomorrow, I may try out Centennial Chair to the Red Buffalo area, but if it's crowded, I'll gladly take Strawberry Park over to McCoy Park, Bachelor Gulch, and Arrowhead areas for the day.
Although no recent snow here, conditions have been terrific bc they are meticulous w grooming. Temps by mid-morning have been in the high 20s to mid-30s.
Here's a snippet of what I was doing after getting off the plane and changing into my gear.
