Aspen/SES question

[Jack Michaud]

I'm stoked to be headed out for my first SES this year. I've ridden the Aspen area once before, 10 years ago, when Ajax was still on the black list. I have this fantasy that there is some amazing carving to be had on Ajax, that the skiers were previously hoarding. Is there?? I'm hoping there will be a posse who wants to ride Ajax one day. I'll be on snow Thursday through Saturday.

And which mountain has the best steep groomers? I'm craving some armpit dragging on flawless western snow.

Edit: I see now from The Official Schedule (http://www.bomberonline.com/ses/content/schedule.cfm) that Thursday, Friday, Saturday we'll be riding at Highlands, Aspen/Buttermilk, Buttermilk. So looks like I'll get a taste of everything. I might want to stay at Aspen all day on Friday if it's good.

Anyway, the event looks like it's shaping up to be killer! Can't wait! Beer on Dave Morgan, that's awesome!!

I'd still like to hear a description of the terrain though - where are the best steep groomers?

[James Ong]

Ajax kicks ass !! Of all the Aspen mountains this one probably has the highest percentage of steep groomers.

[Vahur]

I'm sure that here are others, who know this area much better, than I, but here is my suggestion:
If you want steeps then Aspen is da place. Best deep runs are probably Ruthie's run and anything below it (right part of mountain, if looking from bottom). If you don't mind walking or have car, then I suggest to take first "Shadow mountain" lift and then Ruthie's lift instead of gondola and you have some free runs in these slopes before others who use gondola, appear there.

[JoelP]

There will be more than enough people floating around all the mtns and giving advice than you can handle.

Ajax (Aspen mtn) will be awesome as usual early in the day and on the weekdays. Head to the top and then work your way toward Ruthies Ridge....Home of the World Cup Downhill course. As the day grows and on the weekends there are more xpert skiers out that really go fast and straight so you need to be aware of that.

Highlands has awesome mid mtn grooming these days...flawless... better grooming than Buttermilk. It's always very little traffic over there but mid mtn is somewhat limited in its lift access so the lines can get to be a couple of minutes but not to bad. Thunderbowl is usually widely groomed, has a great pitch and you can go as fast and wide as you want. meaning dragging your armpits for major extended periods of time if you carry that much speed, which you can, and it has a little used lift...especially on the weekdays.

Buttermilk is the carvers dream hill because NO ONE is there...except during SES.. if Racers Edge is groomed then you can drag and hold on for quite a ride...non stop top to bottom rollers that have some awesome pitches and off camber banks. It's the trail used for the Town Downhill and other major races. Very wide and more than steep enough to give you a major rush going over the rises. There are many other great carving runs there with lots of challenging rolls and pitches that are just plain fun. Then there is Buckskin which isn't overly challenging but super wide open with no speed limit...great for boards 190+.

Snowmass has awesome potential for steeps on the Sams Knob section. hit it early and then get out as your legs will be burning with joy after 4 or 5 runs. Then head to the Burn for long crusing carvers. But going there and getting back to Aspen if you are staying in Aspen can burn some of your precious time.

Don't worry, you will have plenty of company that week.

Joel