Directive Skiing in The Vasquez Cirque, Winter Park

[ArcticQuestPowder]

now that is what I call powder. light, fluffy, dry

[blazedrifter]

pussies

[SnOwBoArDiNgLegend1]

would this be something that a snowboarder would be able to attempt cuz it looks flat at sometimes and to get that directive guide thing do u have to sign up or something and if u do where do u sign up

[narnianhero]

Very nice camera, it cuts down on the wind noise very well. What kind of skis do you like to use in all that powder?

[BackpackTek]

I snowboard but For sure some fun stuff got to love those double D's lol

[KnuckleheadzGP]

man I ski'd this last year when i was 13 this is my favorite run at winter park ... accept for the loooooonnnnnggggg skate across there always is powder there it seems like

[MaybeiSki]

Is this really hard terrain or could the half way decent skier probably make it down?

[RateSkiAreaTV]

@MaybeiSki The trek out to the Vasquez Cirque is a mile and a half (minimum) which you can either skate or walk, (snowmobile tows are RARE). Once out in the Cirque you have a choice of a number of chutes, cornices and cliffs to choose from. The "easiest" (and that is relative to the surrounding area) is probably Cornice Canyon, an hourglass shaped chute which is the least steep of all the chutes (most are close to 50 degrees or more on pitch).

[RateSkiAreaTV]

@MaybeiSki From Cornice Canyon the "easiest" way down is South Basin which drains down to the Upper Egress which takes you to the Eagle Wind Chairlift. Be careful out there as rescue can take some time if you get in trouble.

[jackalec2]

I WAS THERE!!! IM IN THIS VID!!!!

[RateSkiAreaTV]

Righteous! What's the time stamp?

[jackalec2]

time stamp?

[RateSkiAreaTV]

What time in the video are you at?

[jackalec2]

2:24 i was the one in the orange. or at least im pretty sure that is me

[RateSkiAreaTV]

@jackalec2 That's wild! You should check out our website, RateSkiAreas(dot)Com. You can create your own profile, upload photos and videos and rate your favorite ski areas and win ski gear. Last month we gave away a pair of Armada JJ's and this month we're giving away a pair of Atomic Atlas powder skis.

[jackalec2]

srry, i can already get free skis, im sponsored by Atomic and Fortitude.

[RateSkiAreaTV]

Then you should join up at RateSkiGear(dot)Com and rate your Atomic and Fortitude skis, have you checked out SkiGearTV on YouTube yet?

[lcmp29]

Are you skiing west headwall or north?

[RateSkiAreaTV]

Cornice Canyon between South and West Headwall.

[gzzmanuel]

i know i been asking a lot, but im so excited that i cant think in anything else, is kind of a romance with a girl... lol, anyways i want to ask you guys, how long is the VILLAGE WAY, i mean how much times it takes to go through from the very top to the base?

it looks crazy

[RateSkiAreaTV]

Village Way is 7.4 miles from the top pf Parsenn Bowl all the way to the Winter Park Base. It's all intermediate and easier (Blue or Green) terrain from top to bottom but the weather at the top can often be a factor in how difficult it is to ski. If you take your time it can take the better part of a half hour to ski. I've done it in less than 15 minutes.

[nscaleusa]

The lesson worked out so well, that my son & I were able to go to the top on the panoramic express on our last day. We are returning this mlk weekend & will stay at the Winter Park Mountain Lodge. I hope the snow is as good this time as it was last. I will definately get him another private lesson. I cant wait for him to ski his 1st black! Man, would I like to get up on the Cirque!

[nscaleusa]

Winter Park is my favorite place to ski. I visited Winter Park last MLK weekend right before this was filmed. It was my 4th trip from Atlanta to WP. It was my sons first trip to the Rockies. I invested in a private lesson for him while there, and it was great! I wish I could remember the name of the instructor, but he was great. I will post a video of them skiing, maybe someone will recognize him.

[RateSkiAreaTV]

There are some excellent instructors at Winter Park and there's no better place to learn how to ski the bumps than the Mary Jane. The Cirque is usually open (conditions permitting) by Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend. Winter Park has recently announced that there offering clinics in the Cirque. Please take the time and gives us your feedback on Winter Park (and anywhere else you've skied) by visiting our website RateSkiAreas(dot)com. This month we're giving away accommodations in Winter Park.

[gzzmanuel]

thanks guys, this info was really helpful, we might go up there in january, im pretty sure it´s going to be a blast!

[RateSkiAreaTV]

Your welcome, January is usually a great time for fresh snow and less crowds. Let us know if you have any other questions about your trip (altitude, gear, dining etc.).

[gzzmanuel]

well i know is about 12.000 ft in winter park, so i started to get in shape, i just bought new gear(clothes), so i will be fine on that, and we are staying at the zephyr mt lodge so im pretty sure we will be fine with that, the only thing is we might need guidance with the lift tickets and ski rentals, but im pretty sure there must be a lot of places were we can find a deal.

[RateSkiAreaTV]

Go to passwagon(dot)com and see what they're selling 4-packs for. Or try King Soopers Supermarkets in Denver, they sell discounted lift tickets but you have to get them there, the stores near the mountains aren't allowed to sell the discounted tickets.

[RateSkiAreaTV]

There are ski rental shops at the base of Winter Park but I think you'll pay more there than at some of the shops in town. I rent gear from Alpine Sun in Old Town Winter Park. They're a family run business that goes the extra mile when it comes to service. They offer a 10% discount when you reserve your ski gear on line: SkiAlpineSun(dot)com, (YouTube doesn't allow links in the comments so that's why I have to spell out (dot) instead of just (.)

[gzzmanuel]

there is something i dont understand yet, sorry but what it is Mary Jane and all that stuff in winter park, im going up there this winter, and i have seen alot of Mary Jane, can someone can help me out with this so i can figure it out

[gzzmanuel]

this is one hell of a ride by the way, but im getting scared i have about 5 years that i dont skii, is there any good place where i can get some comfidence and be ready to do this?

[RateSkiAreaTV]

@gzzmanuel Yes, the Winter Park side of the resort has a great variety of beginner and intermediate slopes and trails. Also Winter Park Resort has an excellent ski school with lots of speciality clinics (learn to ski the bumps, Telemarking, etc.) Winter Park is big, over 3,000 acres and 5 different inter-connected areas to ski (Winter Park, The Mary Jane, Vasquez Ridge, Parsenn Bowl and the Vasquez Cirque). Let us know when you're coming to ski and we'll try and hook you up with a guide.

[RateSkiAreaTV]

The Mary Jane is part of Winter Park Resort. The Jane (as we like to call her) has its own base lodge and lifts but is connected to Winter Park. The Jane is world famous for her mogul skiing and trees and her motto is "No Pain, No Jane" meaning if you've got no pain at the end of the day then you probably didn't ski the Jane. The name comes from Mary Jane Peck who once owned land on the mountain, she was a local prostitute who serviced the workers who built the railroad through Winter Park.

[RateSkiAreaTV]

@gzzmanuel Go to our website RateSkiAreas(dot)Com and check out the reviews of Winter Park Resort and The Mary Jane.

[CatieRo11]

Does this area normally open that much into the season?

[RateSkiAreaTV]

@CatieRo11

It all depends on the snow (of course). I don't recall the Vasquez Cirque opening before January 1st and I remember a couple of seasons when it didn't open until February. The Parsenn Backside usually opens much earlier for some really good side-country skiing.

[SkiGearTV]

sorry one and a half MILE walk ;)

[SkiGearTV]

No, I've been out there with ski school kids (good skiers of course) but they can't be whiners. It's a one and a half walk out to the first headwall that you can ski (you can't count on getting a tow out there). Even though it's a flat hike you are at 12,000 feet so it's a good aerobic workout.

[xxADDISONxxB]

is there an age minimum to do this at wp

[RateSkiAreaTV]

No there's no one at the gate, it's ski it if you dare kind of rules. I saw a mountain lion out there once!