wilderness, mountains, and entertainment in the rocky mountain valhalla of Aspen, CO

summer

Last Run Ravens

end of day at Highlands, sunlight through clouds, ravens in lone gnarled tree

end of day at Highlands, sunlight through clouds, ravens in lone gnarled tree

This lone, weathered tree really stands out, on “Deception” ski run at Aspen Highlands (double-black in Oly Bowl), and it’s usually a good spot for a breather after the first pitch of pretty steep moguls there. This was my last run on this particular day (happy bday, sis!), and the sun was breaking through the clouds and really lighting up the snow where I was skiing, contrasting the darker areas all around me. This pair of ravens up in the tree squawked when I first came down–and helped draw my attention to the scene–but then they seemed content to let me hang out too, and take it all in… another good day on the hill! (ski day #13 of 52)

Taken 1/19/2008.


Summer Ski Jump

Big kicker built on Sneaky's at Snowmass, still kickin' it in August!

Big kicker built on Sneaky's at Snowmass, still kickin' it in August!

This was from the same hike as yesterday’s post, up Snowmass ski area, near the top of Big Burn on the ridge of Sneaky’s. They built this huge kicker jump toward the end of the season, actually closed Sneaky’s while they were apparently filming some guys doing insane stuff off this monster. You can get an idea how big it was by how much snow is still left in almost mid-August. Would’ve been a cool backdrop too… with Snowmass Creek valley and peaks for a background (behind me in this shot).

Taken 8/10/2008.