After Jason’s hut trip with Carrie, his wife, he had decided he wasn’t done, and he’d had enough of Colorado’s trademark bluebird skies and cold temperatures. So off we went to Coney’s Ridge, in the midst of what would become Crested Butte’s last big storm of 2007, leaving us with waist deep powder all day, and all to ourselves.

Jason finally got the hang (and the fever) of true Colorado champagne powder skiing, as the two of us enjoyed turns like this all day. The Okie with the lungs of a Sherpa, put in 4 solid laps of this, as I got more out of him then I can get out of most of my friends.

After putting in a solid 3000+’ day and the snow getting harder with strengthening winds, we decided to tuck tail and head for the safety of the bar. Legs tired, lungs cooked, soaked to the bone, but with powder induced perma-grins plasetered on our faces we headed back through the whiteout conditions. As Jason attested to at the car, he said it best for both of us “that was the best day of skiing in my whole life.”

–Jayson Simons-Jones (Guide)

It doesn’t get any better then this….(but warmer may be nice)… 

Jason & Carrie Leonard joined us right after Christmas to work off those extra holiday calories. And, as a gift to Carrie, Jason thought her first backcountry ski trip would be a great way to cap off their Crested Butte holiday vacation. Right he was……

The 3-mile ski to the hut was exhilarating and gave us a great tour below the Snodgrass Glades that we would return to ski on our way out. We arrived at the hut by about noon, under mostly cloudy skies and some light snow. Once there we stoked the fire in the tiny wood stove, pulled out some crackers, cheese, and salami, and put our feet up for a bit. Then, after lunch we took a tour of the mellow slopes below the stunning rock walls that make up the East face of Gothic Mountain. Here, Carrie learned the ropes about skinning, climbing, and made her first powder filled backcountry turns ever!! To her own surprise she did quite well. Then Jason and I proceeded to go for one more set of turns before dark on the opposite side of the valley, and found some excellent snow in some beautiful aspen glades.

Then back to the hut for dinner, drinks, and some relaxing by the wood stove. While Jason cracked open the 2 liters of wine he brought, Carrie & I made a great lemon cream chicken and fettuccine dinner that stuck to our ribs and helped keep us warm throughout the night. Despite the -25 degree temperatures just outside the hut door, we were warmed by the light of the wood stove, plentiful food, good drink, and holiday cheer.

The next morning we awoke to frigid temperatures, but brilliant blue skies and abundant Colorado sunshine. Over hot coffee, and bagels and eggs we admired our tracks out of the hut window from the day before, and made plans for the ski out that day. The snow was like styrofoam on the way out, as the cold, cold temperatures had rung any remaining moisture out of it, and Jason & I were treated to true Colorado champagne powder skiing on the slopes of Snodgrass Mountain.

 After our first 800′ lap, Jason was unstoppable and was heading for the skin track before I could ask him if he wanted to take another lap. For being a flatlander from Oklahoma, this guy’s got a set of lungs on him, and he continued to just truck on uphill motivated by his unquenchable thirst for untracked powder. Our next run was longer, and the snow impossibly better, as it was “cold smoke in the shade” all the way back to down to the road. This 1200′ run, and the disappearance of the sun on such a frigid day, made us both tuck tail and head up the 2 mile ski out to the trailhead, where warm food, and cold beers awaited.

Overall, this first hut trip of the season was a huge success, as the hut is in great shape, and the skiing phenomenal. It was so good, Jason & I are goin’ out again after we catch our breath, and let our extremities thaw out for a day. Looking forward to many more of these this season, and again with Jason & Carrie in the future……..Thanks Guys………Happy Holidays!

–Jayson Simons-Jones (Guide)

… than sharing a great day in the mountains with friends?

With our early Christmas gift of a healthy dose of snow in the Crested Butte Backcountry, myself and fellow Crested Butte Mountain Guide, Kyle Mattingly, were in the spirit of giving. They weren’t gifts in the traditional sense, but introducing an out of town friend to the treasures of the our local backcountry. For out-of-towners and locals alike, our surrounding mountains offer decades worth of exploration and adventure, and last Tuesday was no different.

We decided that a ski tour up and over the Mt. Emmon’s Massif would give our friend Rachel a good visual tour of what Crested Butte has to offer. After a leisurely start of too much coffee and a quick vehicle shuttle, we were skinning by 10am and soon found ourselves feeling the familiar leg-burn and admiring stunning views of the Maroon Bells to the North and anticipating the 4,000 foot descent still to come. A couple hours of uphill travel brought us to the top of the col, here we pulled the skins and began our descent. After about 500 feet of “challenging” snow we finally found our reward; perfect untracked powder and big smiles.

Whether you’re new to backcountry pursuits or a seasoned alpinist, ski touring in Crested Butte offers something for everyone. With miles of terrain ranging from quick after work specials to all day enduro-fests all right here in our backyard, let Crested Butte Mountain Guides show you what makes our home so special.

WOW, winter is here! Crested Butte has gotten a huge dose of winter in the past two weeks. For our first avalanche course of the season we got 30″ in town just in the nick of time, as the day before the course there was nothing but dry ground. Then came last weekend’s storm! 54″ in just 48 hrs!!!! Just in time for our second avalanche course.

Now it is time to ski. Ski Free is still happening at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, and the backcountry has shaped up with a 220cm+ solid, and strong snowpack, that has allowed for some phenomenal backcountry turns! Right now it doesn’t get any better….free skiing at the resort, awesome powder everywhere, and some good and thick ice in the area as well. You all are missing out…….Get Here!!!