Originally I had written a piece about Loveland Ski Area that sounded more like something you would read in one of those airline magazines that fills that void from one airport to another. Sure it might have done the resort some justice but after reading and rereading it numerous times, it just didn’t capture the true majesty of Loveland. Something that only a visit to the ski area could really capture.

What separates Loveland from the others in Summit County? The answer to that question is the rustic charm. When you roll into the parking lot in the morning you’re not greeted by ten story slope side condos, a spanning gondola that only carries you to a base area, and multiple high end shopping centers. What you get is the true meat and potato’s of resorts. It takes you back to a time when running a resort was about just that and not being a real estate entity that turns skiing or snowboarding into a Disney Land like experience.

Is going there for everyone? For certain people probably not but if you’re looking to ride some of the sickest terrain in Summit County, do it. For the last three seasons I’ve been in Colorado, I’ve made it a priority to ride there as much as possible. This season has been no exception.

In the preseason when everyone flocked to A basin to stand in 2 hour lift lines for a few minutes of snow sliding enjoyment, I was over at Loveland with no lines, no crowds, and a run that was three times longer. When peak season hits you can roll over there and find you’re getting a lift ticket for half the price of the bigger guys, more terrain, and a higher average snowfall. Sure the park is lacking in comparison to Breckenridge or Copper, but the mountain is one giant fun zone, drops, chutes, and trees.

So if you find yourself in Colorado heading up to those resorts closest to Denver. Spend a day at Loveland and experience what snowboarding and skiing were once like. Think of it as going to one of those historic old town settlements.

Posted by Avran on Thursday, April 16th, 2009 in Snow.

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