ASPEN AND GIANTS RIDGE – 2019
Both western trips in 2019 were to Aspen – 45th year! The convenience of having four mountains just a bus ride away is just one reason Aspen is so appealing to the club.
We arrived in Denver on our January trip right on time, eagerly awaiting the bus ride to Aspen. After loading the bus with all the skis and luggage, we were ready to head out, only to find out that the bus they sent was not able to travel in high altitudes. (Now wouldn’t you think the bus company might have checked that out before sending it?) At any rate, we had to make a detour to Golden to change buses. We got to unload our luggage and reload it on another bus, travel back to our route, and made it to Aspen only 4 hours late. Just a bump in the road from the original plan, but we made it safe and sound to the Aspen Mountain Lodge in time for happy hour!
The weather gods were good to us during the week with 5 days of beautiful sunshine. Slopes were in need of a little new snow by the end of the week, but it was still good skiing. And the absolute best part of being in Aspen that last week of January was the fact that we missed the Polar Vortex and the -20 degree weather in Minnesota!
The last night in Aspen we celebrated the 80th birthday of Joanie Bernick with ice cream sundaes. This octogenarian can still ski faster than half of the members in the club. Good for you Joanie!!!!
Sherry W. and Annette W.
In mid-February the club headed north to Giants Ridge. Two days of sun and good snow made the trip a success. Giants Ridge has more than 30 downhill runs, plus more than 60 km of cross-country trails. A number of Yodelers took advantage of those wonderful XC trails – a great alternative for those who enjoy the lower terrain.
For dinner, we tried a new restaurant in Gilbert – Boomtown. Great food and service; a place to try if you are looking for a new eating establishment in the area.
The last week of February, the club went back to Aspen. The area had received approximately 3 feet of snow in the month since we were there, so the runs were great! It was a good week of skiing.
Carol Kraus
