Thursday, December 29, 2016

Colorado skibike season

by G. Kunkel

 After a very warm and very disappointing November,  December in Colorado shaped up nicely.

The past three weeks saw the ski slopes go from almost bare dirt to spectacular conditions across the state.  New terrain is opening weekly at most resorts.

At Winter Park Resort, most of the mountain is open.  Conditions are more firm in spots than others.  It is still early season after all.  We've had a few wind storms which make it difficult to retain snow at the higher elevations.  That said, ski patrol was blasting The Cirque on Tuesday.

There are still only three ski resorts offering Type II skibike lessons and rentals in Colorado.   Winter Park Resort, Steamboat Ski Resort, and Purgatory.  There are four rental bikes available in Vail.

My teaching schedule is now set for Winter Park Resort.  If you'd like your lesson from the most experienced coach at the resort,  my dates are:
  • January - 2, 3, 5, 14, 15, 26, 27
  • February - 4, 5, 16, 19, 20
  • March - 4, 5, 15, 16
  • April - 5, 6
  • I may be available for private lessons at Winter Park and other Colorado resorts.  Private lessons do not include bike rentals.  These would be arranged through the WP Private Lesson Center.
All Winter Park Resort skibike instructors this season are summer downhill mountain bike coaches with the exception of myself.   Trevor is the new skibike foreman who maintains the bikes and performs staff training.

This season the skibike program is trying to demonstrate that Type II skibiking is for everyone.  Able-bodied, adaptive, the young, and the young at heart.  It really is easier to learn than skiing or snowboarding.  And the bike can be pain-free.

Winter Park Resort is putting more advertising into the program this season and offering incentives to the general public.  If you see someone out on the hill on one of the Lenz Sport skibikes, stop them and see if they have a lesson discount coupon with them.

See you out on the slopes this season.


 © 2016 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Google