Epic Spring Ski Season in Western Colorado

May/June 2011  |  Colorado

With record-breaking snowfalls in April, continuing well in May, the spring ski season in the San Juans was a memorable one. May surprised us with several long snow storms that brought mid-winter-esque powder days and smiles all around! Here is a collection of my favorite ski photos from May and June.

skiing, San Juans, Colorado, May, , active, 2011
Sean Hart skis a steep couloir on United States Mountain in the Sneffels Range near Ouray - May. Potosi Peak looms in the background...

Sean Hart skis a steep couloir on United States Mountain in the Sneffels Range near Ouray - May. Potosi Peak looms in the background.

Matt Wade enjoys some fresh May powder.

Matt Wade enjoys some fresh May powder.

Skiing with a view of Capitol Peak in the background - May.  Skier: Scott McCurdy.  See more photos from this ski trip here.

Skiing with a view of Capitol Peak in the background - May. Skier: Scott McCurdy. See more photos from this ski trip here.

Skiing deep powder in May.  Skier: Jeff Skoloda.

Skiing deep powder in May.  Skier: Jeff Skoloda.

Jeff Skoloda getting face shots in May!  This would be incredible snow any time of the year... in May!

Jeff Skoloda getting face shots in May! This would be incredible snow any time of the year... in May!

A skin track through fresh powder.

A skin track through fresh powder.

Jeff Skoloda skis a big powdery face in May.

Jeff Skoloda skis a big powdery face in May.

Jeff Skoloda skiing some great powder in May.

Jeff Skoloda skiing some great powder in May.

Chris Jackson skis a fine line near Silverton, May.

Chris Jackson skis a fine line near Silverton, May.

Paul McElrea skis some perfect cream cheese powder - May.

Paul McElrea skis some perfect cream cheese powder - May.

Skiing a large face, smooth as a pool table, in the San Juan Mountains, May.  Skier: Chris Cover.

Skiing a large face, smooth as a pool table, in the San Juan Mountains, May. Skier: Chris Cover.

Ann Driggers skis a big face on the last day of May.

Ann Driggers skis a big face on the last day of May.

Skiing in June, with the San Juans choked with smoke from a huge wildfire in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona.

Skiing in June, with the San Juans choked with smoke from a huge wildfire in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona.

Ryan Cook skis with Mt. Sneffels looming behind - June.

Ryan Cook skis with Mt. Sneffels looming behind - June.

Ann Driggers climbs up the steep north couloir of Potosi Peak - June. Teakettle Mountain is in the background.  See more photos...

Ann Driggers climbs up the steep north couloir of Potosi Peak - June. Teakettle Mountain is in the background. See more photos from our Potosi ski here!

Aimee McAbery skins to the top of a snowy ridge in the San Juans - June.  View it larger here!

Aimee McAbery skins to the top of a snowy ridge in the San Juans - June. View it larger here!

Chad Driggers shreds a tele turn in front of Teakettle Mountain - June.

Chad Driggers shreds a tele turn in front of Teakettle Mountain - June.