Fall Sunday: Yup, It’s On

03 Nov Fall Sunday: Yup, It’s On

This fall, “off-season” is a misnomer in Telluride; it’s on.

Snow from September did not melt away as it usually does. Instead, it still lingers on the surrounding peaks. October storms piled on top of the early layers and cold temperatures have not only preserved most of the snow, but in the shade, have kept it soft and fluffy.

Now, the hardest question on a sunny Saturday is: Should I stay in town and ski, or head to the desert and bike?

A photo of a lone skier plowing through thigh-deep powder under a motionless Lift 9 surfaced the Internet Thursday making the decision a whole lot easier. The rumors were true; there was enough snow to ski.

Skinning up the mountain this weekend, it became clear that the “snow report” was no secret. I wouldn’t say the The Telluride Ski Resort was crowded Sunday morning (there weren’t any lift lines), but I certainly wasn’t the only one skinning up and I definitely wasn’t the first to ski down. A well-traveled skin track meandered up Log Pile, while Joint Point, Mammoth, Kan’t Mak’m and Bushwhacker all had tracks on them —  The Plunge was actually groomed.

Don’t get me wrong, there are still plenty of fresh lines, but you won’t be the first to the party.

Although the snow was better and there was more of it than I expected, one of the best parts of an early season ski (besides the turns) is simply going through the logistical review. Do I have goggles without scratched lenses? (Yes, I’m one of those high-maintenance skiers, unlike most of the hardcore Telluride crowd—or scattered mom crew, who actually changes my goggle lenses. I have friends who can’t understand why it’s always hazy out as soon as they put their goggles on).

Do these ski boots fit in these bindings? Did I ever get another pole after I broke mine last year? Do my skins still stick, or did the dog hair finally get the best of them? Did I ever get a new camelback bladder, or does that old one still leak?

The early season, disorganized, first tour is the dress rehearsal and answers all of these questions before the real show. (If you are me, the first tour reminds you that you do indeed have to take your skins off the bottom of your skis before you ski down). It looks like this year, the show might just begin a whole lot earlier. Is it possible we might……..? Shhh, let’s not jinx anything. I’ll stick to what I know.

There is certainly enough snow in our mountains to ski, and according to NOAA, possibly more coming this week.  NOAA is reporting a chance of snow Monday and Tuesday and as of Sunday afternoon, The Weather Channel issued a Special Weather Statement indicating, “FOR THE MOUNTAIN AREAS… SNOWFALL AMOUNTS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES ARE LIKELY ABOVE 7000 FEET. OVER THE SAN JUAN MOUNTAIN PASSES ON HIGHWAY 550 COULD RECEIVE 8 TO 12 INCHES.

I also know that excitedly checking the weather in early November feels pretty good. Already having a day of skiing feels even better.

Yup, it’s on. At least I hope.