Before Breckenridge opened its runs last year, Corey Eardley makes use of a road block outside the Breckenridge Recreation Center, Nov. 10, 2008. With A-Basin already open, students have started their annual search for powder. (CU Independent file/William Drumm)
Colorado’s snowy weather and glorious mountains make hitting the slopes a necessary experience for any student before they graduate.
Andy Dryden, a 20-year-old senior English major, said his favorite places to ski are Breckenridge and Copper.
“Breckenridge and Copper are the best ski places because they are large and fun,” Dryden said. “I also like the varied terrain.”
Matt Loughlin, an 18-year-old freshman open-option major, said he likes to ski at Breckenridge as well.
“It’s worth going there for Eric’s Pizza alone,” Loughlin said. “You don’t even have to snowboard.”
He added going to Telluride is well worth the long trip.
“It’s beautiful,” Loughlin said.
Patricia Kazimier, a 19-year-old sophomore ecology and evolutionary biology major who is on the board of directors for Boulder Freeride, said she also likes to ski at Breckenridge but enjoys Keystone as well.
“Most people in [Boulder Freeride] would say Keystone and Breckenridge,” Kazimier said, “but that’s because we have passes there and friends who go there.”
She added Loveland has great backcountry terrain and that Eldora is most convenient to get to from Boulder.
Evan Mapes, an 18-year-old freshman open-option major who is also on the board of directors for Boulder Freeride, said he prefers skiing at Keystone and Winter Park.
“Keystone has the best parks,” Mapes said, “and Winter Park has the best tree and powder skiing.”
He added Steamboat is great and Vail is good and has lots of terrain to explore.
“Utah is also worth the 7-hour trip out,” Mapes said.
Nathan Minatta, a 22-year-old senior film studies major who is the IT officer of Boulder Freeride, said he likes night skiing at Keystone.
“You can get up at 10 a.m. and drive to Breckenridge and get there by noon,” Minatta said. “Then you can go night skiing until 9 p.m. at Keystone.”
The Boulder Freeride member also recommended attending one of their group trips during the various breaks. This year the group has planned trips to Aspen, Colo., Jackson Hole, Wyo. and Innsbuck, Austria.
Natasha Fischer, a 20-year-old senior international affairs major, said she prefers to ski at Copper and Winter Park.
“I like that they have a wide variety of different levels,” Fischer said. “They also are big and have a great facility.”
She said resorts can get crowded, adding that coming and leaving early can help with the crowd.
Cody Burkhart, a 19-year-old sophomore management major, said he also likes to ski at Winter Park and Steamboat.
“[Winter Park] is huge and the backcountry is awesome,” Burkhart said, “and the ski town is my favorite.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Sara Juliet Fruman at Sara.Fruman@colorado.edu.
