Current:Home > reviewsWhat heat dome? They're still skiing in Colorado -MacroWatch
What heat dome? They're still skiing in Colorado
View
Date:2025-04-18 16:42:22
As much of America was suffering under a heat dome lately, a Colorado ski resort found it had enough leftover snow to open back up, and is now offering some limited riding for the Fourth of July weekend.
In the mountains about 90 minutes west of Denver, it's been sunny and nearly 70 degrees at the base of Copper Mountain resort, which is a little bit shy of 10,000 feet above sea level.
On a grassy, green slope in the middle of a pine forest there's a big, bright white pile of snow.
"It's kind of just, oh my god, like a dream," said snowboarder Allisa Bricourt. "It's a dream, seriously."
Bricourt, who teaches snowboarding in the wintertime, is into the summer snow scene.
"This is what we love. It brings us all together. We get to meet up with our friends, hang out. You don't even have to text anyone. Everyone's just already here."
"Everyone" on a recent day is about 50 people, who paid $25 each to slide around on a pile of snow roughly the size of a football field. It's been sculpted by big tractors to create shapes for skiers and snowboarders to fly off of and do tricks on.
Jay Scott, who works for the resort, says it's been a while since they've been able to offer this.
"A lot of people who have been here five or so years ago when we used to have it are stoked to have it back," he said.
There's no lift service, riders have to hike back up when they get to the bottom, but nobody's complaining.
"I'm wearing athletic shorts and a t-shirt and we're skiing in July," enthused Nate Sunderhuse, from Denver, who braved some heavy traffic to get here today.
"It's worth it because, man, the mountains are just so beautiful," he said. "And I just really enjoy being up here."
Ski resorts in the U.S. typically close around Easter. When this one opened up what they call the "hike park" last week, snow-hungry locals ate it up.
Ten-year-old Teigan Searcy is up here with is 13-year-old brother George, who's trying to nail a trick on skis called a three swap. They're wearing T-shirts, too, and Teigan says he's not worried about falling in the snow today.
"No, not really," George says. "Cold is fun."
Mark Lynn, who's 34 and grew up competing in snowboard events says the sport is "my life.
"It's been a cool day for me.," Lynn said, "rode my bike this morning. Skateboarded. Now we're snowboarding. Kind of a Colorado trifecta."
veryGood! (8669)
Related
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Chiefs DE Charles Omenihu offers Peacock subscriptions for wild card game vs. Dolphins
- Ancient letter written by Roman emperor leads archaeologists to monumental discovery in Italy
- AI-generated ads using Taylor Swift's likeness dupe fans with fake Le Creuset giveaway
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- Blackhawks' Connor Bedard has surgery on fractured jaw. How does that affect rookie race?
- Biden administration to provide summer grocery money to 21 million kids. Here's who qualifies.
- Alan Ritchson says he went into 'Reacher' mode to stop a car robbery in Canada
- Sam Taylor
- Taliban detains dozens of women in Afghanistan for breaking hijab rules with modeling
Ranking
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says Russia can be stopped but Kyiv badly needs more air defense systems
- 3 adults with gunshot wounds found dead in Kentucky home set ablaze
- Nick Saban is retiring from Alabama: A breakdown of his seven overall national titles
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- 1 killed, 3 injured in avalanche at Palisades Tahoe ski resort, California officials say
- New Mexico Legislature confronts gun violence, braces for future with less oil wealth
- Kentucky is the all-time No. 1 team through 75 storied years of AP Top 25 college basketball polls
Recommendation
'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
Ancient letter written by Roman emperor leads archaeologists to monumental discovery in Italy
Cooper, Medicaid leader push insurance enrollment as North Carolina Medicaid expansion also grows
DC to consider major new public safety bill to stem rising violent crime
Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
Jennifer Lopez is sexy and self-deprecating as a bride in new 'Can’t Get Enough' video
How to make an electronic signature: Sign documents from anywhere with your phone
18-year-old accused of shooting man 15 times, hiding body in air mattress: Court docs