THE STEEPS OF WINTER PARK
1st March 2018 | James Cove, Winter Park
Last modified on November 10th, 2021
The Colorado resort is perhaps best known for its wide groomers & intermediate terrain. Not so. PlanetSKI tackles the steeps. NEW
I assumed I had it in me, but as I approached a ridge with concave slope ahead where I couldn’t see over the edge my heartbeat quickened.
There was a sign that said EX – Expert Terrain – and harder than a double black diamond.
Winter Park, Colorado. Image © PlanetSKI
Welcome to the Vasquez Cirque.
I had decided to do it earlier in the day and hoped the break in the weather would remain and an approaching storm stay clear.
Check out a video weather report and look-ahead to what was to come
It did hold off and a few hours later I found myself peering over the abyss.
I though back to my gentler pursuits of yesterday – a ski-doo trip, tubing and a nice hot chocolate by an open fire. 
The Vasquez Cirque is a horseshoe shaped ridge and bowl with a series of steep drops with names to match.
The journey to the slopes is part of the experience.
To access it you need to enter through a special gate under the watchful eye of the piste patrol.
Winter Park, Colorado. Image © PlanetSKI
Then it is a short run through some bleak and windswept terrain.
Winter Park, Colorado. Image © PlanetSKI
A snowcat picks you up – a $20 supplement to the lift pass allows you to take the cat as many times as you want.
Winter Park, Colorado. Image © PlanetSKI
Winter Park, Colorado. Image © PlanetSKI
I was going in with Steve Hurlbert, my guide for the afternoon, and we were wrapped up warm for the experience.
Yours Truly and Steve. Image © PlanetSKI
“Anyone that thinks Winter Park doesn’t have some seriously advanced terrain should come and sit here now, where we are,” he said.
I could only nod in agreement.
And then this:
Winter Park, Colorado. Image © PlanetSKI
It may not be Corbett’s Couloir in Jackson Hole, but it is steep enough for most.
We tackled the West Headwall.
Winter Park, Colorado. Image © PlanetSKI
Conditions were not perfect with no powder and some pretty chopped up snow, but it was cold & grippy, and the slope was a challenge.
And I’m pleased to say I rose to the occasion and made it down in one piece.
It is not long, but it is steep enough.
There then follows a long traverse out and a run through the trees.
Complete with a few elk skulls for company.
Winter Park, Colorado. Image © PlanetSKI
Winter Park is also known for its moguls.
Winter Park, Colorado. Image © PlanetSKI
Most of the black diamond runs on the mountain remain ungroomed and become ferocious moguls fields.
Though some have a slope for those that want to stay out of the bumps.
Winter Park, Colorado. Image © PlanetSKI
“The moguls are our signature runs and we are re-known for them,” said Steve.
“Not everyone likes them but we let them grow in the 80s when mogul skiing was popular and never really changed that policy,” Steve added.
I plucked up courage, tried to bang my knees together and headed for the bumps:
Not the greatest mogul skier in the world I think you will agree, but at least I wasn’t spat out!
And then there are the snowparks.
Winter Park, Colorado. Image © PlanetSKI
I think I’ll leave my Cab-Rodeo-Double-Cork-Switch 1080 till next time.
So, you think Winter Park is only for intermediates?
Think again.
Winter Park, Colorado. Image © PlanetSKI
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