Morning photo: Southern storm

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Colorado powder

Freshies at Ski Cooper. PHOTO BY CASEY DAY.

SUMMIT COUNTY — The most recent storm to roll through Colorado dropped fresh snow statewide, but the southern part of the state saw the biggest storm totals, with 28 inches at Silverton Mountain, 19 inches at Purgatory, inches at Wolf Creek, 16 inches at Monarch and 14 inches at Telluride.

In the north, 10 inches at Steamboat helped that resort reach the so-called four-wire milestone, when snow reaches up to the fourth strand of the wire fences characterizing the area’s ranching landscape.

So we’re celebrating the late winter powder with a photoblog courtesy Colorado Ski Country USA and some of the best ski photographers in Colorado. Click on the images to visit the photographer web sites. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, daily photoblog, Morning photo, photography, seasons, Ski Resorts, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Telluride: Battle over Bear Creek access heating up

Posted on January 16, 2011 by Bob Berwyn
360° panorama of the southwestern San Juans, p...

360 degree panorama from the Gold Hill ridge. Image via Wikipedia

Backcountry access from the Gold Hill area, on the left side of the trail map, to the Bear Creek drainage (not visible) is at issue in a high-stakes wrangle in Telluride.

Local, state and national groups rally members to preserve backcountry access

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — A battle over the backcountry in Telluride is heating up, as state and national conservation and advocacy groups are urging their members to write letters to elected officials and Forest Service rangers to ensure access from the Telluride ski area to the popular Bear Creek drainage.

The Forest Service suddenly closed the backcountry access points on Gold Hill after private property owners in the area complained about the potential liability associated with what they claim is trespass. The Telluride Mountain Club, a local backcountry advocacy group, took up the fight, claiming that the Forest Service may have violated its own procedures by closing the route without any public involvement — especially since opening the access points involved a full scale environmental analysis. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, recreation | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Bear Creek backcountry access drama in Telluride

Posted on December 30, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

Private property owners and backcountry skiers are wrangling over access near Telluride.

Inholding speculator Tom Chapman up to his same old tricks

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Land-use dramas are nothing new in Telluride, where private property rights have often clashed with community desires for preservation and access. It was just a couple of years ago that the town rallied in a big way to buy a patch of pasture lands near the entrance to town after the owners floated development plans.

The latest chapter revolves around a set of mining claims high in the San Juans, bordering Telluride Ski Area, and features Tom Chapman, a well-known Western villain who has often been portrayed as wearing the black hat. Chapman’s reputation is well-deserved. He specializes in buying parcels of private property surrounded by public lands, then trying to sell them at inflated prices by threatening to develop them.

His latest deal in Telluride follows a similar pattern, as Chapman has publicly declared that the plan for the parcels includes re-opening historic mines and even opening a high-altitude eco-retreat. Of course, it’s all highly speculative and designed to create the perception that the land has development potential. But the short-term impacts are significant, in that Chapman’s involvement spurred the Forest Service to close off access to a favored backcountry area in the Upper Bear Creek drainage, which had a ripple effect on other activities in the area. (more…)

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Morning photo: Powder daze in Colorado

Posted on December 21, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

Double-digit snowfall blankets most Colorado ski areas

 

Big snows and big smiles at Silverton Mountain, Colorado. PHOTO COURTESY SILVERTON MOUNTAIN. Click on any of the images to visit the resorts online.

SUMMIT COUNTY — Today’s photoblog is courtesy of Colorado Ski Country USA, representing nearly all of the state’s ski areas. With a major winter storm blanketing much of the Rockies, the trade group is looking forward to a strong holiday and good momentum going into the rest of the winter.

“Colorado’s ski industry is poised for a busy season,” said Melanie Mills, president and CEO of Colorado Ski Country USA. “We’ll likely see the early season momentum continue with resorts being active over the holidays due in part to the great snow conditions and abundant events.”

Click here for the daily CSCUSA snow report. More pics after the break. (more…)

Filed under: Morning photo, photography, skiing and riding | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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