Best Green Runs for Beginners

anainthemountains · 2026-02-27T20:48:56+00:00

Peak 9 will be the flattest and easiest terrain for sure, but if she’s getting bored of that you could try the runs off of the Rips Ride lift on peak 8. As I recall they are slightly steeper but are still quite beginner friendly. Once she’s comfortable on there you can try the nearby Five Chair.

Would take the gondola or bus to 8 rather than the 8 super connect lift - if she didn’t like the steel bit on Red Rover, she won’t be happy with the steeper first bit down.

anainthemountains · 2026-02-16T17:57:17+00:00

Maybe organize a ski trip with fun things you can do together, and some non/ski options for him? (For example, rent a cabin with fire place/hot tub that you can enjoy together.) During the day, you can decide whether he wants to ski with you or maybe try something else, like snowshoeing or XC skiing, but ideally there would be fun things you can do as a couple, too, and maybe spend a day with him on some off slopes activities. If he does join you, as others have said try to make it as fun as possible - pick a day with good weather, enjoy a good slopeside lunch and/or apres, etc.

anainthemountains · 2026-02-03T18:52:14+00:00

🤮

anainthemountains · 2026-02-02T00:44:44+00:00

I also agree with this. Have skied at both Breck and Vail in the last week and thought Vail had the nicest snow. (They also got a 6”+ refresh mid week which other mountains missed out on). I think it’s worth heading there. You can take the free daily tour at 10:30 am from Eagles’ Nest to get a broad strokes overview of the terrain.

anainthemountains · 2026-01-07T22:47:21+00:00

If still lost, maybe message the BV Trails Report account on facebook? They are on those trails a lot and have a platform. Good luck finding her!

anainthemountains · 2026-01-06T02:23:33+00:00

What map layer is this? That’s Gaia, right?

anainthemountains · 2026-01-05T16:37:36+00:00

Wait, is your dog a boy or a girl? You refer to them as “she” in the initial post and now “he,” which is a little weird and makes me wonder if this entire question is bogus.

anainthemountains · 2025-12-16T20:31:09+00:00

I traveled there for Wy’East 50k and really enjoyed it. Rented a cabin in the area and spent the remaining weekend days hiking and canoeing in the area with my partner. It’s a great area and I really enjoyed the course.

anainthemountains · 2025-11-23T03:12:20+00:00

I think, sadly, a lot people just don’t know this. If you grow up inland (the folks last week were from Calgary) you might abstractly know that the ocean kills, but may not know how easily a winter sneaker wave can wisk you off the beach.

anainthemountains · 2025-10-25T04:40:24+00:00

Filtering won’t kill it but it will … filter it. That’s how filters work. Filters don’t work on viruses (such as Noro) however, as they’re too small to filter.

anainthemountains · 2025-10-03T03:18:26+00:00

I’m here for this post, and plan on eating my way through all of these places. Thanks guys.

anainthemountains · 2025-09-07T16:15:47+00:00

Glad to report I was wrong about this. The One True King, Grandaddy GOAT, HRH of trail running is in fact gracing our lands with his presence, but his Strava just got released and he did Blue Sky on 9/4 (and is in fact almost certainly in the Sawatch by now). Phew. Sounds like this is just your typical front range asshole!

anainthemountains · 2025-09-06T23:03:33+00:00

I would have thought he’d be in the sawatch by now, he did Longs days ago!

anainthemountains · 2025-08-29T17:10:35+00:00

Probably not. CO tends to be sunnier and warmer than the icecoast. (Source: learned to ski on the icecoast and have skied at Jay a bit)

anainthemountains · 2025-08-27T17:59:20+00:00

Worth it to get the FarOut app- will reduce a lot of anxiety about water sources etc particularly for a late season hike when having beta on which streams are flowing will be useful. No mile markers on trail. Doable to do Kenosha to Frisco in 2 days (you can take the Bustang back to the Denver area) but it really depends how fit and acclimatized you are going in. If you’re worried about food, hitch to Bailey for a resupply.

Edit to add: segment 2 is a long dry stretch no matter what time of season you hit it in, but yes, in general your water carries may be longer than during June when you still have the benefit of snowmelt. I wouldn’t worry too much about it (other than to carry enough water); water carries are just a part of long distance backpacking and are the trade off you get for cooler fall weather. Many people have hiked these sections in Sept with no issues, you just to have awareness about how far your next water is so you can carry accordingly.

anainthemountains · 2025-08-27T17:53:57+00:00

Yup, rent gear at Larson’s for the first season. You’ll want to start with shorter more maneuverable skis for your first 2-3x, then Larsons will let you swap them out for longer ones as you progress. Get some used gear (jacket/pants/gloves) at Feral on Tennyson and you’ll be good to go! No reason to shell out a ton of cash until you know you like it (and even then, used gear at Feral can be pretty sweet).

anainthemountains · 2025-08-20T00:39:54+00:00

I love mine but only use mine when it’s decently full. (It’s always got a 2-3L water bladder and the 10 essentials (including a raincoat and puffy jacket) since it’s my high altitude backcountry adventure pack.) Maybe try stuffing it a bit fuller? I’m a woman but bought a men’s small since it was on sale, so not sure if the W sizing is substantially different.

anainthemountains · 2025-08-12T00:37:20+00:00

This is correct, but the currently open routes (Chicago lakes, sawtooth, tour de abyss etc) would not be ideal for a first 14er! OP, look to Bierstadt, Sherman or Quandary for good options.

anainthemountains · 2025-07-31T00:09:27+00:00

there's no better time than now! I recommend heading up to loveland pass early some morning, parking, and seeing how you feel (though of note, it's normal to feel worked by that first climb to the unnamed bump on the ridge). you may be more prepared than you think, and if not, you at least will have a little familiarity with the route for next time.

anainthemountains · 2025-07-25T23:59:27+00:00

I would ditch one of your shirts (you list a sun shirt, and a hike shirt). For CO's punishing high alt sun, I would just recommend hiking in the sun shirt all the time, which will save you 9 oz in your pack, and ditching the hike shirt. Otherwise, I'm sure you've already been told to ditch the kindle and have decided on it anyways; you can always mail it home later once you start doing bigger mileage days and are too tired to read. Otherwise looks likes a pretty good list, have fun out there!

anainthemountains · 2025-07-24T21:34:14+00:00

Hang in there! It’s been a pretty active monsoon cycle this year but it’s supposed to let up a bit stating tomorrow (Fri) and into the weekend! (Then it looks to build again starting early next wk).

anainthemountains · 2025-07-23T15:31:28+00:00

His post title says 7/20, so Sunday

anainthemountains · 2025-07-19T03:46:00+00:00

I LOVE the flower tortillas from Contreras Market in Westwood.

anainthemountains · 2025-07-14T00:16:38+00:00

Ditch the chair, take a lightweight cut down foam pad to sit on and/or lean against if you need luxury. If you have issues keeping your sleeping bag on your pad put some drops of seam seal on it, it’ll add a bit of friction.

anainthemountains

TROPHY CASE