Loveland 5/2/10

It’s hard to believe it’s May outside when there is a couple inches of new snow at your house, along the highway and falling at resorts around Colorado.  Loveland is a true freeriders mountain in Colorado with the open terrain and drops.  It’s off the beaten path for many skiers & snowboarders that drive by it everyday on their way to Vail or Intrawest Resorts.  It’s my favorite mountain in that you can always find untracked lines and the parking lot is a mix of mud/snow and good times without bad vibes.  I started the 2010 season off at Loveland and today was the closing day so it meant closing it out in good fun on the terrain.

From Steamboat it’s a 2 hour drive to Loveland so Philip and I carpooled together. We made it just in time to find a parking spot in the valley (overflow) parking, ran into Sonny & Molly gearing up and we were able to catch a ride from a cougar to bypass the long shuttle line so we could get to the base.

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Despite the parking lots being very full, the mountain was empty except for the base area.  We were able to spread out to the north side, catch a couple chairs and head to the top of the mountain where we met up with Graves, Gags, Donny and his friends for a run.

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The top of Loveland lift access drops you off at 12,700 ft but the best terrain is outside the gates that are hikeable.  I’ve ventured out of the north gates on the continental divide but today we did the south gates.  The hiking isn’t hard but the elevation hits you.

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Philip about to drop in

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The black spot is Molly who just dropped into the run from the ridge

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Graves, Gags and Philip leading the charge down the mountain

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The boys in the trees about to drop in to the next round of trees

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By the time we came down the mountain, the snow was really falling which was perfect for a beer break in the base area.

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The Sims snowboard crew came out full force for closing day festivities with tons of free food, drinks and giveaways.

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Nichole and myself at the base area

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A shayboarder trademark for the last day

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It was definitely a fun day and great to ride with everyone again.  I ended the day a little earlier than expected to talk with some of the Lib Tech crew and end it on a high note.  I’ll be riding later this month when I can at A-Basin, the last remaining mountain open in Colorado.