Wolf Creek in southeast Colorado, 2024-25

[marzNC]

Wolf Creek Ski Area (WCSA) will be the first to open in Colorado for 2024-25. WCSA benefits from snowstorms that come from more than one direction. The first storm dropped almost two feet in the last few days. They seem intent on making the most of it to celebrate 85 years since the founding of Wolf Creek.

October 20, 2024

Wolf Creek Ski Area set to be the first ski resort to open this season

Starting Tuesday, October 22, the Wolf Creek Ski Area will open for their 85th 7-day-a-week ski season!

www.koaa.com

"
Starting Tuesday, October 22, the Wolf Creek Ski Area will open for a 7-day-a-week ski season!

Skiers and boarders wearing red and gold to celebrate Wolf Creek's 85th anniversary will receive a commemorative 85th anniversary sticker.

On Opening Day, the Bonzanza, Treasure and Nova Lifts will operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., giving visitors access to about 30% of the mountain.
. . ."

Don't know what snow conditions will be like in December, but I'm looking forward to early season turns with friends for the fourth season in a row. In the past three years, WCSA was 100% open by Dec. 11. Hoping to experience that again.

 

[TNtoTaos]

Definitely looking forward to some early December powder turns!

 

[marzNC]

By this weekend, all the lifts will be open at Wolf Creek. The latest storm was a big one! More snow expected for a few days.

 

[marzNC]

WCSA is opening the Alberta side later today, Nov. 7. With the snow over 30 inches at mid-mountain already and more on the way, snow conditions by Thanksgiving are going to be fabulous.

Email update on November 7, 2024:

 

[marzNC]

The Tumbler lift is the new one for short greens on the other side of the Lynx area. It wasn't quite finished last December. Now the progression for an adult never-ever can be from the magic carpet teaching slope to Tumbler before heading up Raven. The greens off Raven can get a bit crowded at times. Especially if the lifts on the Alberta side have a delayed opening due to a deep powder storm.

The Nova chair and magic carpet are used mainly for little kids learning to ski or snowboard. I like to ride it as a way to get over to Treasure after a warm up run off Raven, to avoid having to hike uphill. The fact that Nova is very low to the ground isn't as much of an issue for me. There can be advantages to being petite.

The trail map was updated in 2023 with an inset for the Tumbler area.

 

[skivet]

Really wish Wolf Creek was easier to get to. Looks like such an awesome mountain.

 

[marzNC]

Really wish Wolf Creek was easier to get to. Looks like such an awesome mountain.

Helps to make friends with similar travel interests. The first time I checked out WCSA was part of a Colorado ski safari during the pandemic season. It was clear after the first day that we would return.

WCSA is great for all ability levels. For an early season trip, it beats Epic/Ikon resorts hands down in terms of the snow conditions and amount of open terrain. I've been at several of those resorts Christmas in recent years, including my favorite, which is Alta. Decided it wasn't worth the travel time and money before mid-January.

Like Taos, Wolf Creek is worth the extra travel logistics for me and my ski/travel buddies. One reason we go during early season is that the cost of a big house is reasonable in mid-December. We tried staying in Pagosa Springs where there are more restaurants and the hot springs, but the drive is longer and goes over the Wolf Creek Pass. Staying in South Fork is worth the extra effort of planning and cooking more dinners at the house. Plus since a few of us drive from the southeast, South Fork is just a bit closer.

 

[TNtoTaos]

Really wish Wolf Creek was easier to get to. Looks like such an awesome mountain.

I think that's one of the reasons it's so great -- no crowds
Agree with @marzNC - it's worth the effort!

 

[cosmicplanks]

I will be in Wolf Creek the weekend of November 22nd. Do we have any local divas at WC?

 

[marzNC]

I will be in Wolf Creek the weekend of November 22nd. Do we have any local divas at WC?

There was one who posted in the WCSA 2022-23+ thread, but I don't think she's been checking in very often. I met her DH and young son a few years ago. The retired Diva who used to be local moved away.

Wolf Creek conditions, starting with 2022-23 season

Now that Wolf Creek Ski Area (WCSA) has become my early season destination, I'm tracking the opening date and early snowstorms starting in October. WCSA got enough snow in the last few weeks to decide to open for the weekend Nov. 4-6. The website has been completely redone. WCSA Homepage on...

www.theskidiva.com

 

[marzNC]

The mid-mountain depth is just over 30 inches at WCSA after the recent storm cycle. Looks like the snow will have a chance to settle over the next week or so before there is another storm. Having the mountain almost 100% open already means that the off-piste snow cover will get packed down in some places by skiers/boarders willing to wander around carefully.

 

[Bookworm]

@marzNC
Are you familiar with River Bend Resort? They have very reasonably priced basic cabins.

 

[marzNC]

@marzNC
Are you familiar with River Bend Resort? They have very reasonably priced basic cabins.

Pretty small. The prices for 1-2 people don't seem much less than rooms at the Quality Inn or the LOGE. Feels more like a good place to stay in the summer.

I'm more curious about the Tiny Timbers cabins.

Cabins and Tiny Homes - Tiny Timbers Resort

*Rates fluctuate by season*$40 cleaning fee per stay*2 night minimum

tinytimbersresort.com

 

[Bookworm]

I met some people in Denver who have been going there in the winter for over 20 years so I was curious

 

[Bookworm]

That tiny homes place is intruiging

 

[Jerez]

We usually stay at Fureside cabins just outside Pagosa towards the mountain. In the river. Log cabins. Full kitchens, cosy gas stove. Clean. 1 or 2 bedrooms with quenns each and a futon in living room. They have one studio i think. Reasonable cost.

Fireside Cabins

 

[Bookworm]

We usually stay at Fureside cabins just outside Pagosa towards the mountain. In the river. Log cabins. Full kitchens, cosy gas stove. Clean. 1 or 2 bedrooms with quenns each and a futon in living room. They have one studio i think. Reasonable cost.

Fireside Cabins

those look very cool, too.

 

[marzNC]

We usually stay at Fureside cabins just outside Pagosa towards the mountain. In the river. Log cabins. Full kitchens, cosy gas stove. Clean. 1 or 2 bedrooms with quenns each and a futon in living room. They have one studio i think. Reasonable cost.

Fireside Cabins

My crew stayed in Pagosa the first time we did a trip in December. We've since decided that the shorter drive from South Fork and not having to drive over Wolf Creek Pass was better. So far, we've been lucky and caught a powder storm during the early season trips.

 

[Jerez]

Pagosa is much closer for us.

 

[marzNC]

Pagosa is much closer for us.

Driving from the southeast, South Hills is closer. For my friend who lives in Albuquerque, the drive is about the same either way. He usually gives a ride to 1-2 friends who fly from the east.

What month(s) do you usually ski Wolf Creek?