Ski the Chutes! ~ Added Terrain to the Telluride Ski Resort

By maintaining its "Unmatched in North America" standards, Telluride Ski Resort has just recently opened new terrain for all to enjoy! New terrain always brings a smile to the faces of locals, die-hard skiers, and the experienced tourist and with the opening of Gold Hill chutes 6 through 10; this will truly put Telluride into a whole new bracket. This past weekend, after I watched my own NCAA bracket crumble in upsets, I decided to ski away my tournament worries and hike to Gold Hill Chute #9. I don't know why #9, but I had been eyeing it all season, anxiously watching ski patrol prepare and control the area. After months of snow and extensive avalanche control, Gold Hill chutes provide expert terrain where precision plays an important role.

The 45 minute hike takes you through the backcountry gate at the top of Gold Hill with awe-inspiring views of Bear Creek and San Joaquin Bowl (which someday might also be opened to the public). The #9 chute was rock-strewn, narrow and steep, but some of the best turns of the season. At the end of the chute you are dumped into the finest snow on the mountain, Palmyra basin, with hundreds of yards of open turns and knee-deep powder. I was ecstatic to get some new terrain into the last couple weeks of the season and can't wait to see what TelSki has to offer next year!

Gold Hill Chutes