Loveland Opening Day 10/7/09

As soon as the Loveland Opening Day announcement came yesterday afternoon, I packed my gear and headed down to Summit County to be ready bright and early for shredding.  Last night at a friends place we began to get our gear mounted up and waxed up, the excitement started to grow into this morning when it was time for the season to begin.

We rallied into Loveland around 8:30am with my truck full of friends and more on the way.  Huge thanks to John Sellers at the Ski Area for the discount tickets so we could shred.  When we got our gear ready and walked up to the line, it was barely a typical line for Opening Day and throughout the day you never waited more than a couple minutes.  There were plenty of news stations on site to capture in the first chair moment (which didn’t go as expected) and the best part was hearing from Cort that him and Teddy had hiked from the pass at 5am and got the first turns before the first chairlift.  That’s dedication.

[singlepic id=6467 w=400 h=300 float=]

The morning started with myself, Adrian and Lauren (our second year in a row).  As the day developed we encountered more friends:  Erik, Scott, Berto, Cliff, Jason to make our riding crew a bit bigger.  Plus seeing other friends on the mountain, the Never Summer boys were out representing:  Micah, Gags, Joey, Nick, Sean, Vince throughout the day and ran into Omatic’s Cort and Teddy for a couple laps together.

[singlepic id=6466 w=400 h=300 float=]

I missed breakfast this morning but luckily there were plenty of donuts on hand as you rode through the lift line for your next lap down the white ribbon of death.

[singlepic id=6464 w=400 h=300 float=]

Teddy, Cort and myself on the chairlift

[singlepic id=6469 w=400 h=300 float=]

The shredding was exactly what was to be expected for early season riding and in fact better than I thought.  The first run had some leftover snowmaking “powder” on the side of the run and quickly enjoyed that before hitting the groomers.  The run is just long enough to get some good turns in, Loveland set up two rails in the early season park and the side of the run had jibbing opportunities.  I have a rule that I don’t leave the ground on the first day so I didn’t but I enjoyed just cruising with friends, laughing and having a good time.

[singlepic id=6461 w=400 h=300 float=]

The terrain park shots of the day

Lauren

[singlepic id=6463 w=400 h=300 float=]

Scott

[singlepic id=6462 w=400 h=300 float=]

First day of the season and got to try new gear!  Today I rode the Capita Ultrafear FK and Union Force SL bindings, still breaking in my Vans boots (the warming sensation is back, didn’t miss that) and wore my softgoods, soon I’ll be rocking my 686 gear.  I also got to try the new MFR gloves, they won me and Lauren over today.

[singlepic id=6468 w=400 h=300 float=]

[singlepic id=6470 w=400 h=300 float=]

As the day winded down and plenty of laps on the mountain, the parking lot had hit the peak for the season but there were still no lines and plenty of movement on the mountain.  We ended the day catching up in the parking lot.

[singlepic id=6460 w=400 h=300 float=]

Thanks to my reader, PJ for catching this gem online.  I was stopped in the line by a news station and interviewed about Loveland opening.  I didn’t know they took a picture but now I know who interviewed me.  Since I don’t have cable, if you see me on Fox 31 tonight hopefully it goes well!

[singlepic id=6471w=400 h=394 float=]

The season has begun in Colorado which means I’ll be riding on weekends till my mountain opens later in November.  Looking forward to hitting the slopes and if you come out to ride and see me, say hi and grab some stickers from me!

Here’s the video from today, I didn’t take up my good camera so not filmed with the best quality but it’s fun and shows the conditions.

Loveland Opening Day 10/7/09 from Shayboarder on Vimeo.