I'm a month late with this post, but I thought I'd share some snapshots from a few spring skiing days in late April/early May here in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. I didn't get out as much as I expected this spring, due in large part to unusually thunderstormy weather in May but also just generally being too busy on the computer (something I'm trying consciously to change in my life). But I did have a few memorable outings!
Sliding into Spring
April/May 2023 | San Juan Mountains, Colorado
Into the mystic.
Spring powder days are the best! The snowpack is usually stable and the fresh powder tends to bond well to the surface, meaning that it can be game-on for big fast lines! This particular day in late April was simply magical, as a snowstorm cleared and the clouds swirled below the snow-smothered peaks.
A rare cloud inversion in the San Juans as a late-April snowstorm clears.
Skiing into the clouds.
Skiers hiking over talus at 13,500'.
In early May I joined Vijay and Dan for a mellow day and long cruiser run down a 13,500' peak.
Dan skis through a rocky gully.
Sunrise light on Sultan Mountain (13,368 ft.)
The next day I joined Vijay and Dan again to go for a bucket-list line I've been wanting to do for years - the steep northeast face of Sultan Mountain, seen above dropping left from the summit (that photo is from 2019).
Hiking over Grand Turk.
Vijay skis down the northeast face of Sultan Mountain. The town of Silverton is visible on the right, over 4,000 vertical feet below.
Smooth carving below Sultan Mountain.
Mission accomplished! Now we just had to get across the river!
Fording Mineral Creek after a big ski day.
As I write this on June 1, my snowboard season is probably a wrap, but with all this snow and rainy weather lately I'm looking forward to a hopefully wildflower-filled summer of backpacking!
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