What is that ski area heading west on 70 right before the tunnel?
OH - its Loveland Ski Area! This website said it better than I could - so I'm using it... "Near to the hearts and homes of generations of Colorado skiers and riders, Loveland is Colorado’s true winter wonderland. Just 53 miles west of Denver, Loveland boasts 1,800 acres of remarkable terrain, FREE snowcat skiing along the Continental Divide, an innovative lesson program and more snow than any Front Range or Summit County resort. Loveland is home for those that simply want to ski or ride. Welcome home."
Due to the proximity to Denver - there is also a shuttle "SNOWSTANG"! $25 round trip gets you to and from service from Denver's Union Station!
“Welcome home” is what Parker The Snow Dog says to almost everybody in Colorado. He is pictured above getting ready to monitor the plow/grooming crew. He is not only the Loveland Ski Area Mascot, he is the Guanella Pass Brewery Dog. He is also the biggest fan of the Broncos and the Rockies! He is always seen hangin with the athletes at parties and speaking events. He loves to love on Colorado's disabled community, too! Of course he is a Berenice Mountain Dog - how fitting! Hope you spot him when you are hitting the slopes!
Slopes - that is what skiers/snowboarders care about right? With 94 trails, 2,210 Vertical drop, 1800 lift served acres, 100 hike-able acres - there is something for everyone! Actually 13% are for beginners, 41% intermediate and 46% advanced. When I was doing a little research - a question many ask is if Loveland is good for "Beginners". I think there are a few reasons why the answer is YES! "Loveland Valley" is a separate area just for beginners! INTIMIDATION is not welcome here! It offers seperate lifts and gentle terrain. Also, since there is no lodging at Loveland - the masses are not flocking there. Also - because its one of the closest to Denver - a day trip - or a 1/2 day is certainly reasonable. Once you have graduated from "The Valley" - you can head over to "The Basin".
In all my blog posts - I try to find out a "Nickname" or "slogan' - and its pretty easy for some. I couldn't really find one - but I found a cool story about "Chet's Dream!" While the ski area opened in 1936 - Chester "Chet" Upham operated the area for many years until he passed in 2008. His family owns it to this day. In 2018 Loveland Ski area got a new chairlift. They held a contest - and said they would pick a winner from the thousands that entered. The winner was - you guessed it "Chet's Dream"
“I was on Loveland’s Ski Patrol for a few years in the late nineties and had the pleasure of meeting Chet a few times,” said Terry Henningson. “Because he was so passionate and played such a big role in developing Loveland into what it is today, I thought that this would be an appropriate way to honor his legacy.”
WINTER - 1800 acres of chairlift accessed trails.
SPRING - because of its high elevation - it can sometimes be one of the latest mountains to close in the spring - and who doesn't love a good spring ski!
SUMMER - hiking - wildflower peeping!
FALL - because of it's high elevation - it is one of the earliest mountains to open in the fall.
