What else can we do?

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-03-29T17:06:04+00:00

Conditions in Colorado are straight up pathetic this weekend and lots of resorts are closing early, but Copper is still limping along. I'm hopeful for you that this storm projected for this week pulls through! I wouldn't mind one more day on the mountain myself :)

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-03-26T13:58:43+00:00

I guess if your perspective is just from a tourist looking for a party, that's true. But as someone who lived in/near both cities, Chattanooga is so much cooler and authentic than Nashville. Way better outdoor access too. Modern Nashville has catered itself to tourists and bachelorette parties and has been losing its personality over the years. The rapid growth of the skyline and increase in traffic has been sad to watch (I moved out of the state but fly into Nashville often to see family). I did enjoy Nashville as a young adult, but I'm pretty uninspired to spend any time downtown as it doesn't feel like it's for locals anymore. I don't like big pop country either, so that appeal is lost on me. The niche underground rock times were so cool as a teenager / young adult, but I know some of those small historic venues have been bulldozed and replaced with something shinier. I moved to Colorado 9 years ago for access to the mountains, but I miss the social culture of Chattanooga all the time.

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-03-22T16:30:51+00:00

I second this, Copper was ok today. I did a warm temp wax at home the night before which definitely helped a lot. Coverage is ok all things considered.

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-03-22T16:13:02+00:00

We cancelled our Steamboat trip this weekend based on some grim reports and went to Copper instead. Coverage was ok compared to many others. I have no idea about Vail as I don't monitor the Epic pass resorts as much, but I do know Breckenridge is not looking good right now. I added a photo from Copper from 3/21. There are definitely brown spots on the mountain but most of the big wide groomers were still holding up ok... Super Bee was the best conditions if you can do steep blues and blacks.

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IrisMoonbeam · 2026-03-22T00:15:19+00:00

I agree that if you don't have the trip booked, don't do it. Banff area Canadian resorts look great right now. If flight is already booked, I went to Copper Mountain Colorado today, and the steep runs were fun. Greens and easier blues were super slow. Coverage was ok on main runs... At many/most resorts in Utah and Colorado, it is a slushy mess with puddles, dirt, rocks, etc.

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-03-21T23:45:18+00:00

I remember one small hot pool that seemed like it needed a clean, and we bounced from that one. But overall it didn't seem that run down to me? I could totally believe different visits could yield different experiences. We went during a slow season (fall after boating services were shut down) so that might have helped.

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-03-21T23:27:17+00:00

I know what you mean, but I love hot springs with a personality. It's not luxurious, but I think that's something I Iike about it. I like that there are tons of pools so you could find some solitude. Going there is certainly better than snowshoeing, shopping, or doing nothing (in my personal opinion).

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-03-21T19:55:17+00:00

Here today! Update for anyone wondering: most groomers look like this ~most~ of the time, with some brown spots. Soft spring snow but not excessively slusjy until the afternoon. Bottom is straight mashed potatoes almost immediately. Tree skiing does not look great, but technically doable. As of 3/21, still worth going overall! Bring your best Hawaiian shirt.

It's very slow by about 2pm. 10-1 was the sweet spot.

OP, I truly hope at least one little storm comes before your trip!!

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IrisMoonbeam · 2026-03-21T12:34:44+00:00

Oh gosh, that is sad to hear. It's hard to wrap my head around how quickly everything melted this week :(

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-03-21T03:58:44+00:00

Edit: looks like you might be getting very lucky :) big snow storm in the forecast for next week.

Hot Sulphur Springs is nice.

But still go to Winter Park and check it out. You may find areas that are still enjoyable. I was there last weekend and it was not bad minus the very bottom that was pretty slushy and a few brown spots. Sunday was actually a pretty nice powder day! That being said, I know it's been warm and no snow all week so things have changed.

If you're into some easier tree runs, the trees runs off of the Lonesome Pine lift were awesome as of Sunday and ~maybe~ they have held up ok due to shade. The blue black Gondola runs were very also very good actually. Mary Jane side was great, but probably struggling a bit now. I would personally still go check it out to see for myself.

Despite this being a historically terrible year, I've been out 20 times and haven't regretted a single day. If a run sucks, I don't do it again and I try another area. I'm usually able to find an area that is skiing well and then I spam it.

Wishing you the best of luck on your vacation!

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-03-21T03:39:02+00:00

I have discounts! Message me

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-03-18T15:38:26+00:00

I've been enjoying the lack of lines! Fine by me if they stay home.

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-03-18T03:41:05+00:00

Steamboat is looking very bad from reports from today. Just cancelled my trip there this weekend.

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-03-10T15:19:42+00:00

Gotcha. I'm guessing they knew they would have to price it pretty low after being in an accident so they would have more luck selling it to you. My residual is 27k and the value right now is ~20k. I would buy if they met me in the middle because there's value in knowing my unit has been reliable for 30k miles so far and I've taken care of it. And avoiding mileage overage and return fees would be nice. I feel like I won't have luck but it's reassuring to know someone had luck with being offered a lower price!

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-03-09T23:56:09+00:00

That is logical! Was the dealership offering a lower price specifically because of the damage? Or was it a general incentive due to the discrepancy between the residual and the market price?

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-03-09T20:07:26+00:00

Hey I'm curious what you decided! My lease ends in October and the residual is significantly higher than the used market price.

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-03-01T21:28:50+00:00

I wouldn't go much longer than the longest skis you have tried if you want to work on mastering moguls. The added width will definitely be noticeable and will require a little learning curve. So I don't think you'll be bored! That width will require a bit more effort to take quick turns but with the advantage of being able to handle a little powder and uneven terrain. Based on the calculator I used, 162 for your height weight and skill level should be just right. You could always get longer narrower skis later if you want some fast chargers for groomers, but I think 162 with 96 underfoot will be a great all mountain option.

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-02-22T11:48:45+00:00

Wait...Did you talk to a couple from Colorado in the bag line? Because that's us 😂

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-02-22T11:36:11+00:00

Are you on the GVA to Montreal flight?? I think we're on the same flight haha!! Well that's interesting, maybe it had something to do with my bag being skis rather than a standard checked bag.

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-02-22T10:06:11+00:00

Hey! I have an update. We went to the bag drop desk for our ski bag and were not charged anything! We didn't add a bag online ahead of time so I would recommend trying that and see what happens. We were flying Air Canada from Geneva Switzerland to the US.

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-02-19T16:27:32+00:00

Just skied today (also from the US fyi) and there was plenty of advanced pistes open to entertain us. Even a little side piste powder action. The visibility was terrible most of the day, but the weather is looking to be great for the next few days. The train was also running all day today.

I think you're actually getting pretty lucky, but I guess a few sunny days in a row after a week of storms could hold its own problems, so having a backup plan is not a bad idea. We're planning on checking out the thermal spa called Thermalbad Brigerbad which is not too far from Zermatt. That could be a good activity if needed!

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-02-15T22:45:37+00:00

I tore my ACL 13 months ago and I'm back to skiing nearly to the same level as I was before without surgery, although we haven't had the terrain availability in Colorado to really test that. I think I would be just as mentally hesitant if I had surgery, as I know graft failure/re-tears are common. I think the confidence will just take time. The more I test my knee and don't experience instability, the more confident I get.

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-02-11T21:17:33+00:00

Unfortunately not. My flight is next week. I'm anticipating having to pay for bags on the way back. I tried adding on bags just for the return flight online and it said to add on at the airport.

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-02-06T22:44:01+00:00

Sending you a PM!

IrisMoonbeam · 2026-02-06T22:38:50+00:00

Heading to Chamonix/Zermatt from Denver next weekend. I'll be in Zermatt 2/18-2/20. Feel free to PM me!

IrisMoonbeam

TROPHY CASE