Five Things To Do Before the End of the Season

Vail Mountain will close on April 13 this year and for the first time in a long while, it will not extend the season by the standard one week. That means you’ve got less than 20 days to get in all the skiing (at least on Vail) that you want to do for the season. During the course of Vail’s long and splendid 150 day season it’s quite easy to stick to favorite runs with friends and family, and shy away from new trails and adventures, because, heck, there’s always tomorrow, right? Well, the time is rapidly approaching the time when there is no tomorrow. It’s time to seek out those on-mountain adventures you may have missed during the season, or risk spending the summer months full of regret. May we make some suggestions?

• Have A BBQ in Blue Sky Basin. A crazy on-mountain adventure? Perhaps not, but if you haven’t enjoyed a mid-day refueling session on top of the world, then you’ve missed out. Vail Mountain’s only grills are gas grills only, so you’ll just need to pack a bag with meats (or veggie substitutes) and maybe some condiments. You really can’t beat the views from the Basin. It’s a perfect lunch spot, but if the Blue Sky terrain intimidates you, fear not. Cloud 9 and Big Rock Park offer some nice groomers for those not ready to tackle Heavy Metal, Montane Glade, Champagne Glade and the like.

• Ride Chair 10. If you somehow missed out on Vail’s newest high-speed chair, it’s unforgivable, but somewhat understandable. After all it’s hidden all the way over on the eastern side of the mountain. Make the time for Chair 10. The three trails that run off of Chair 10 are blacks, including two double blacks (Highline, Roger’s Run) and are typically pretty bumped out. But Blue Ox is groomed each Friday night, which makes it a somewhat narrow and steep but smooth run on Saturdays. Trust us. Try Chair 10 once and you’ll return because the runs are great and the new high-speed lift guarantees short lift lines. Plus, a quick chair ride equals more runs.

• Try the Marmot Valley Trees. No, not those ones. Not the ones everyone knows at the base of Teacup Bowl. These trees require a little commitment on the aptly named Sleepytime Road. Ride Sleepytime from Chair 4 or Chair 11 until you pass Morning Thunder and Sun Up Bowl is out of sight. After you round the bend past Sun Up, you notice a gated entrance to the “other” Marmot Valley trees. You’ll know you’re at the right place, because unlike the multitude of pines that adorn the mountain, these trees are light brown, leafless stalks that reach towards the heavens and are closely bunched. Enjoy! One caveat: you must be comfortable skiing in the trees, especially thickly settled trees. If you complete this highly entertaining terrain successfully you should drop in right at Chair 36 and Chair 37.

• The Mongolia Bowls. We tend to avoid these bowls like a plague for one simple reason: the interminably long Silk Road. But you are unlikely to find another portion of the mountain that is as flush with deep, untouched powder. The runs of Inner Mongolia and Outer Mongolia bowl are listed as blacks, but really they are long, mild and powder-heavy runs. If you’re worried about steepness, set those worries aside. You’ll find several areas to drop in where steepness is not a factor. The real test will be Silk Road. Expect to do some polling, and sorry, snowboarders, you will be walking. Nonetheless, Inner and Outer Mongolia are good for at least one run. It’s perfect terrain for powder hounds.

• The Minturn Mile. The legendary Minturn Mile has taken on almost mythic proportions in the descriptions of locals and visitors alike, and it’s true you’re unlikely to find another run on the mountain that offers more bang for its buck. We should say right off the bat that the Minturn Mile is not for the faint of heart or those lacking in backcountry skill. Our best advice is to attempt the Mile with someone who has, at least once before, skied the expressway to the lovely little hamlet of Minturn. If you don’t know anyone who has attempted the Mile before, looks for crowds at the top of Chair 3. You’re sure to find a group heading for the Minturn Mile. To access the Minturn Mile, take the Lost Boy catwalk, and instead of dropping into Lost Boy, continue on the catwalk until you reach a gate. This is your Minturn Mile access point. One more piece of advice, especially for large groups, beware of “The Luge”. The area lovingly referred to “The Luge” is a speedy single-track and large groups (or any groups for that matter) will have to fly down one-by-one. In no time at all, you’ll be enjoying margaritas at the Minturn Saloon. If you’re going to try The Minturn Mile, you better go sooner than later. With spring well into affect, the Mile will only be skiable a short while longer.