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After experiencing the resort’s snowiest winter on record last season — with a total of 421 inches of snow and an unprecedented 100 inch base on closing day — Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) has a few changes on tap for the 2008-09 winter season.

Most importantly, CBMR

has committed a higher level of focus on creating an enhanced guest experience. After months of research and development, Crested Butte has a new brand expressed in the tag line, “inspire your passion.” The new brand promise of “inspiring your

CBMR looks to ‘inspire your passion’

Bruce ‘Barometer’ BartlesonSpecial to the Times

Times Editor Chris Dickey asked me to do a little winter weather prognosticating. Well, I will say this: We will have winter and it might be colder and it might be warmer.

We might get a lot of snow and cold like last year, since there is a precedence for harsh win-ters to come in clusters — as happened in the 1950s and mid-1970s.

But, then again, one of the warmest winters in history, 1982-83, was followed by one of the

coldest and snowiest in 1983-84. A fairly severe winter, 1975-76, with 67.5 inches of snow, was directly followed by the infamous “winter of no snow” (10 inches total) in 1976-77.

Fall weather is about as good an indicator of the upcoming winter as is Cecil the weather beetle (remember the Beverly Hillbillies?), which I keep in a match box. I’ve been checking on him periodically, and sometimes he’s on his back and sometimes on his feet. So he doesn’t know, either.

We will have winterAs far as the weather outlook, it’s anybody’s guess

INSIDE:Nordic Skiing

B11Nordic Schedule

B8Cranor Hill

B9Resort Overviews

B8-B11

PAGE B12 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2008 WWW.GUNNISONTIMES.COM

Ready, set, smile: Ski season is right around the corner. Crested Butte Mountain Resort fires up its lifts next Wednesday, Nov. 26, while Monarch Mountain is hoping for a couple of good snow cycles to lay down enough of the white stuff to open their notoriously powdery trails. Check out previews of all sorts of downhill and Nordic skiing opportunities throughout the region in today’s ‘Winter Preview.’

Photo courtesy of Scott Smith/Monarch Mountain

See Winter on page B8See CBMR on page B10

oButtetstCC oee uds ttt MB tt ds oMteutBC stedd Butte MoeeCrested Butte Mountain ResortCrested Butte Mountain Resort

Average annual snowfall: 250 inchesPrice: Adult full-day $82Skiable acres: 1,167Lifts: 16Terrain Park: YesSeason: Nov. 26-April 5Terrain Breakdown: 23 percent beginner, 57 percent intermediate, 20 percent expertInformation: skicb.com; 1.800.810.7669 New for 2008-09:On-mountain improvements could include expanded terrain off the Headwall Lift into the Teocalli Bowl area into what is known as Teo-2 and Teo-2.5, adding additional expert terrain to the mix. Added new and expanded features in the DC Terrain Park and the addition of a completely new intermediate terrain park. The former location of the Crested Butte Ski and Snowboard Shop will be transformed into Spellbound Pizza. Fresh pizza, beverages and snacks will be available in the lower level of the Treasury Center to eat on the run or to sit and enjoy.

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SummitElevation: 12,162 ft.

Base areaElevation Base: 9,375 ft.

Thursday, November 20, 2008 • WINTER PREVIEW • B11 Gunnison Country Times

Times Staff Report

Yes, even for ski enthusiasts, there is such a thing as too much snow. Such was the case last year for the Gunnison Nordic Club.

The persistent, record-setting accumulation made it a little difficult for the club’s cadre of volunteers to keep the trails groomed.

“The Gunnison Nordic board is hopeful for a good groomable ski year with a little less snow to be challenged with,” the group reported on its Web site (www.gunnisonnordic.net).

The club is completely run by volunteers and raises money for operations through some grants and very affordable memberships ($12 individual, $22 couple and $30 family).

Skiing on any of the Gunnison Nordic groomed trails (see below) is free and open to any-one.

Groomed TrailsWeather permitting, here’s

where Gunnison’s Nordic nation can look forward to going cross country this winter.

•W Mtn Ranch — This trail system begins at the southern boundary of Jorgensen Park. The main artery is the road — W

Mtn. Road — that wraps around the eastern end of the airport runway.

From there, the trail system

extends both to the west (on county-owned ranch property) and to the east (on property owned by Dick Bratton, who has kindly allowed grooming and Nordic skiing for the past few winters). This area is great for a quick lunchtime break, or can be extended with multiple loops for a longer outing.

•Van Tuyl Ranch — This is a super-scenic ski area, located on the western flanks of town, under the towering Palisades rock formation. Main access is behind the Gunnison Community School or off Slaughterhouse Rd.

From there, a network of loops are created on the mead-ows on land owned by the city. The Gunnison Nordic Club will have double the amount of grooming for classic and skate on the property this winter.

•WSC campus — The lower and upper practice fields on campus offer the perfect spot for

Ken MacLennan, grooming the W Mtn. Ranch for the um-teenth time last winter.

Nordic nation going strong, growing

See Nordic on page B9

passion for adventure” and its implica-tions will be seen resort-wide. Beginning with a new marketing and advertising campaign, the brand will also be reflect-ed in other areas of the resort from sig-nage to employee uniforms, even in the architectural design of future real estate development.

“Establishing a new brand message and promise by defining what makes Crested Butte different from other mountain des-tinations is only the beginning,” said Ethan Mueller, Director of Operations. “Providing higher levels of guest ser-vice and standards that match our brand promise is our focus.”

The Treasury Center building in the base area has been redesigned to improve a number of guest services. The Crested Butte Ski and Snowboard Rental Shop is in a new slope-side location in the Treasury Building. The rental shop and a new retail store include top of the line rental skis and snowboards along with an expanded retail selection.

The former location of the Crested Butte Ski and Snowboard Shop has been transformed into Spellbound Pizza. Fresh

pizza, beverages and snacks will be avail-able in the lower level of the Treasury Center to eat on the run or to sit and enjoy. The Outpost Building in the base area has been re-designed and opened as a day lodge for guests. Tables and com-fortable seating will allow guests to have more inside space for a break or just to warm up.

Elevation Hotel & Spa has completed a $25 million remodel which includes all 260 luxury rooms, 11,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, slope side sundeck and fire pit and completely new Atmosphere Restaurant & Bar.

Snow Igloos, Crested Butte’s new addi-tion to the mountain experience will sprout up around the resort for après ski cocktails or even adventure play areas for the kids. The solid snow structures will be at Camp CB and mid mountain out-side the Ice Bar Restaurant.

On-mountain improvements could include expanded terrain off the Headwall Lift into the Teocalli Bowl area — known as Teo-2 and Teo-2.5 adding — addi-tional expert terrain to the mix. CBMR’s commitment to providing world class terrain park and pipe facilities continues with the addition of new and expanded features in the DC Terrain Park and the

addition of a completely new intermedi-ate terrain park.

The Kids’ World ski school is seeing a completely new concept, Camp CB, and significant physical transformation in the facilities. The current building has been taken down to the studs and completely redesigned with the kids in mind.

This year ’s improvements and enhancements build upon Crested Butte

Mountain Resort’s continued invest-ments in base area and on-mountain improvements over the past four years. New snowmaking, grooming and lift sys-tem expansion and improvements along with the completion of the Lodge at Mountaineer Square and Mountaineer Conference Center last season are just part of a $200 million resort-wide capital improvement plan.

SKIMONARCH.COM

atnouhrna auoca tinMhrn oc t aantiouMnarch oMonarch MountainMonarch Mountain

Average annual snowfall: 350 inchesPrice: Adult full-day $54Skiable acres: 800 Lifts: 1 quad, 4 doublesTerrain park: YesSeason: Nov. 26-April 12Terrain breakdown: 14 percent beginner, 28 percent intermediate, 27 percent advanced, 31 percent expertInformation: skimonarch.com; 1.888.996.7669New for 2008-09:This ski season visitors will find a newly remodeled Ski School/Rental Center, a new reservation system, expanded Will Call Center, a new kids terrain park, new and improved signage around the mountain, and an additional 200 acres for you snowcat lovers. Season passes are now available and other areas included on the pass are Loveland, Sunlight, Powderhorn, Silverton, Purgatory, Angel Fire, Pajarito, and Alta.

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Base areaElevation Base: 10,790 ft.

SummitElevation: 11,952 ft.

Skiers hike back up the hill during a rail competition last winter.Times file photo

Gunnison Country TimesB10 • WINTER PREVIEW • Thursday, November 20, 2008

CBMRcontinued from page B12

Wolf Creek Ski Area Wolf Creek Ski Area Average annual snowfall: 465 inchesPrice: Adult full-day$52Skiable acres: 1,600Lifts: 7Terrain Park: NoSeason: Early November to early AprilTerrain Breakdown: 20 percent beginner, 35 percent intermediate, 25 percent advanced, 20 percent expertInformation: wolfcreekski.com

New for 2008-09: For the third consecutive year, Wolf Creek continues to purchase 100 percent of its power usage from a green wind power supplier for both winter and summer operations. Wolf Creek has protected its USFS special use permit by providing the public with an environmen-tally friendly and well maintained mountain offering quality services at affordable prices.

With rising fuel prices and increasing environmental concerns, Wolf Creek is introducing a new and free car pool service online. This is a pilot program designed to match up skiers and boarders coming from Anywhere, USA, to the powdery slopes of Wolf Creek. “Share the ride, Share the fun!”

SummitElevation: 11,904 ft.

BaseElevation: 10,300 ft.

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Thursday, November 20, 2008 • WINTER PREVIEW • B9 Gunnison Country Times

a quick ski workout. •Jorgensen Park — The park

is another spot for a quick cou-ple of laps. It, along with the campus area, offers the perfect spot to introduce kids to the sport; i.e., they’re flat, conve-nient and fun.

• H a r t m a n R o c k s — Gunnison’s creme de la creme of Nordic skiing. Think mountain biking, only on skis. Dozens of kilometers of super scenic trails offer something for everyone.

Main access is offered at the traditional base area, off of Gold Basin Rd. just south of town, or via the McCabe’s Lane entrance west of town.

•Mill Creek — For those looking for a longer, more scenic, mini-backcountry get-away, this popular spot is hard to beat. It’s located about 15 miles north of Gunnison, up the Ohio Creek Road. The trails here aren’t groomed nearly as often as the others in the Nordic club’s line-up. But the

dense aspen and spruce forests, framed by the sheer rock forma-tions of the Mill Creek drain-age, offer inspiring views.

On tap this year•Currently, the Gunnison

Nordic Club board is working on the “Ski Room” at Jorgensen Complex. This will be open to the public for self-serve ski waxing, plus provide a place to change, store your stuff and then go ski in Jorgensen or at the W Mtn Ranch.

•The Gunnison Nordic Club is now taking requests for ski clinics; skate, classic, never-evers. Based on input they’ll schedule clinics.

•50-plus ski clinic, taught by the master, Ken MacLennan. Contac t h im d i rec t ly a t 641.0488 if interested.

•Kenny Mac Ski Fest will be held Saturday, Jan. 24. Racing for all ages and tour from McCabe’s to base area. Goodie bags and bon fire on tap.

•Other possible activities include: Adults in training and weekly ski tours, based on interest.

Nordiccontinued from page B11

Times Staff Report

Sixteen inches. That’s about all it takes — in terms

of snowfall — for Gunnison’s ever-popular Cranor Hill Ski Area to open.

“If we get a good eight inch dump, then we can pack the snow down real good and hope for about eight more,” explained Gunnison Parks and Recreation Director Dan Ampietro.

Last winter was an epic one at Cranor. A string of early-season snow storms had the crew cranking up the trusty rope-tow on Dec. 21 for open-ing day. Cranor remained the place for local youngsters, families and more — there was even a Cranor Cup uphill/downhill marathon — smiling until mid-March.

The price at Cranor is always right. Day passes last year ranged from $4 to $6 for kids, and $6 to $8 for adults. The best deal in town was a family pass, at $60 for the first family mem-ber and $5 for each additional mem-ber.

Cranor Hill is located just northeast of the City of Gunnison, on County Rd. 10.

A foot and change kicks Cranor into action

Laid back lift lines might be an understatement at Cranor.Times file photos

Dura

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nAverage annual snowfall:400 inches Price: $49 (unguided), $99-$129 (guided)Skiable acres: 1,819Lifts: 1Terrain Park: NoSeason: Unguided Nov. 29-Jan. 11 and April 3-April 19. Guided-only skiing Jan. 15-March 29.Terrain Breakdown: 100 percent expertInformation: silver-tonmountian.com, or 1.970.387.5706What you should know: Silverton Mountain is a unique mountain experience. There is one chairlift that takes visitors into a high alpine environment, surrounded by amazing ski lines in every direction. The terrain is entirely for the advanced and expert skier and those who enjoy adventure.

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BaseElevation: 8,793 ft.

SummitElevation: 13,487’Peak of Chair Elevation: 12,300’BaseElevation: 10,400’

SummitElevation: 10,822 ft.

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Durango Mountain ResortDurango Mountain ResortSilverton MountainSilverton Mountain Average annual snowfall: 260 inchesPrice: Adult full-day $60Skiable acres: 1,200Lifts: 9Terrain Park: YesSeason: Nov. 27-April 5Terrain Breakdown: 23 percent beginner, 51 percent intermediate, 26 percent advanced/expert

Information: durango-mountainresort.com, 1.800.525.0892New for 2008-09:Some previously existing buildings are gone, and in their place new buildings are taking shape. It’s part of Durango’s 20-year $100 million Master Plan.

Package valid for the entire month of January 2009. Package must be booked onor before 12/15/08. Subject to availability, package applies to certain unit types.

Buy 2 nights of January lodging at

a participating Durango Mountain Resort property and 2 days of lift

tickets and receive the 3rd day and night FREE.

Buy 2 nights of January lodging at

a participating Durango Mountain Resort property and 2 days of lift

tickets and receive the 3rd day and night FREE.

Call 800-525-0892 or visit www.durangomountainresort.comCall 800-525-0892 or visit www.durangomountainresort.com

Gunnison Country TimesB8 • WINTER PREVIEW • Thursday, November 20, 2008

NOVEMBER22 Opening day28-30 CB Nordic 8th annual Thanksgiving training camp29 Silent auction dinner

DECEMBER4 Learn to skate ski for free6 CB Nordic citizens race: The Mountain Store 10K classic race12 Full moon ski and snowshoe tour — dessert @ yurt13 CB Nordic citizens Race: The Mountain Store 10K skate race 20 CB Nordic citizens race: The Mountain Store 15K skiathalon

JANUARY1 Learn to skate ski for free10 CB Nordic citizens race: The Mountain Store 20K classic10 Full moon ski and snowshoe tour —dessert @ yurt17 CB Nordic citizens race: The

Mountain Store 20K skate 31 23rd annual Alley Loop Nordic marathon

FEBRUARY5 Learn to skate ski for free9 full moon ski and snowshoe tour — dessert @ yurt13 CBNC volunteer appreciation party14 The 50k classic

MARCH5 Learn to skate ski for free7 CB Nordic super tour: Gothic to Washington Gulch10 Full moon ski and snowshoe tour — dessert @ yurt21 CB-Gunnison Junior Nordic team progressive bonfire dinner28 Elk Mountains Grand Traverse

APRIL2 Staff party5 CBNC closing day

Crested Butte Nordic Center 2008-09 Event Calendar

Can’t waitCasey Falter of Crested Butte just can’t wait. Last weekend he was doing some pre-season visioning exercises while waiting for his new boots, which he just purchased from Gene Taylor’s, to mold perfectly to his feet.

Photo by Erich Walter

In some years, it started snowing big early — as in the fall of 1983. But then look at last year, when it stayed warm and dry until Dec. 7. Then all hell broke loose.

I f there ’s one thing I ’ve learned in my 43 years in the Gunnison Valley, it’s that you can’t predict the weather based on past records or what the cur-rent season is doing.

However, if you want to get a “professional” opinion, you might check out the National Weather Service on-line winter forecast site at http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predic-tions/long_range/lead02/off02_temp.gif.

There, they show that west-ern Colorado is supposed to have a “normal” winter. (Alaska and the upper Midwest will be warmer than usual, or so it says).

Keep in mind that last year they were predicting for us a warm and dry winter well into December.

Weathercontinued from page B12