Crested Butte Welcomes La Nina with Open Arms

With another La Niña year on-tap for Colorado the 2011-2012 season could be another one for the record books. Crested Butte Mountain Resort received seven inches of snow yesterday, adding a soft cast to the changing leaves and the first layer of many. Crested Butte Mountain Resort opens for the 2011–2012 ski and snowboard season on November 23 with free skiing.

The way the snow is beginning to fall November 23 should be one heck of a great opening day! The twister chair lift is looking lonely and can’t wait either. Start making plans and if you have a winter birthday you are in luck. Ski Free on Crested Butte’s Birthday and Yours’ – In celebration of CBMR’s 50th birthday, the resort is offering a free lift ticket valid on opening day, November 23, 2011. To sweeten the deal, the resort also is offering a free lift ticket for ‘your’ birthday whenever it may fall during the winter season.

Your a Nordic skier? Start your season off right with informative cross-country ski clinics and activities at the Crested Butte Nordic Council’s (CBNC) annual Thanksgiving Training Camp on Nov. 24 – 26. Beginning, intermediate and advanced skate and classic clinics as well as clinics for women only and masters racers are planned. The crew of renowned instructors includes experienced coach and Olympian Ingrid Butts, Olympian Rebecca Dussault, accomplished masters racer Murray Banks, PSIA examiner Ross Matlock, and Crested Butte Nordic Center’s lead instructor Toni Westerholm.  Participants also will have the chance to focus on overall fitness for skiing with Pilates instructor Kenny Marks and learn about waxing techniques with Fast Wax rep and 42k Alley Loop Champion Brian Smith.

Beginner clinics cost $40 each, intermediate and advance clinics $50 each, and Pilates $10. On Saturday night, the CBNC Community Dinner Party and Silent Auction will be held at  Montanya Distillers’ new location in the historic Powerhouse Building with live entertainment by Dr. Robert, a new generation Beatles tribute band. Check out their website www.cbnordic.org.

So stay in touch and see what the mountain is up to by check their forecast here and viewing their live streaming video! Hooray La Nina, welcome back!

~Summit Sojourner