Bringing in the New Year the Red Mountain Pass way
(Last Updated On: January 12, 2016)
Admittedly, Frank and I aren’t always the ones to celebrate New Year’s with a bang. Rather than have heads pounding with a headache, we’d rather get up early and head out for a nice ski – when everyone else is still asleep. This year we decided to spend our New Year’s in Silverton, soaking in some new backcountry ski terrain.
The celebration at Grumpy’s was fun. But, what was not fun was the -20 degree temperature we woke up to the next morning. We procrastinated about as much as we possibly could, waiting for the temperatures to warm. But, the best warming happened as we drove toward Red Mountain Pass, rising out of the valley and the inversion below.
It was still cold when we started, but with perfect sun, conditions warmed quickly. Good view of the Sultan while we skinned.
Near the top of our intended line:
With a few inches of fresh falling in the last 24-hours and feet of snow falling over the Christmas storm, conditions were prime. Needless to say, the skiing was great. Frank.
Natalie.
Me.
Down lower. Me.
Natalie.
Frank.
After nearly 2000′-vert we still weren’t done. We loaded up in the car and drove a couple more miles up the pass for another tour.
Always fun to take a look at the views in the San Juans.
Frank dropping in.
Blue bird skies and cold smoke pow…. A great way to bring in 2016! Happy New Year folks!
Brittany Walker Konsella
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Small world….I was at the Grand Imperial ion NYE as well, and skied Red Mountain Pass on the 2nd. Spent New Year’s Day up at Minihaha, just past Silverton Mountain. Steep and deep in the trees!
Looks like a gorgeous day!