Sunday, November 1st, 2009
ITINERARY
PHOTOGRAPH BY JACK AFFLECK
King of the Mountain
BREAKFAST BOWLS
While the early crowds are still warming up on the front side, head to the Back Bowls via the Riva Bahn Express 1 and the Northwoods Express Lift 2 . Try Yonder, in the Sun Up Bowl, then ride the Sun Up Lift 3 , and ski a few runs in the Siberia and China bowls, finishing with Sweet N Sour. Follow the Sleepytime Road to the Skyline Express Lift 4 , which will take you to the Blue Sky Basin, the outermost area of the mountain, offering a variety of moguls, glades, tree skiing, cliffs and ridges with a distinct backcountry feel. After a run or two, stop for a scenic photo at Belle’s Camp and warm up inside.
LUNCH ON THE HILL
If you didn’t bring a backpack full of brats to grill out in Blue Sky, and don’t want to brave the larger crowds at Two Elk, head to Wildwood, a classic old-fashioned smokehouse, to try hearty fare like chicken and wild rice soup and BBQ brisket and pork. To get there (and to work up your appetite), take the Tea Cup Express Lift 5 out of Blue Sky, and cruise down Whiskey Jack on the front side to the Northwoods Express Lift 6 . Take Powerline down to the Wildwood Express Lift 7 , which will bring you to the restaurant. Before heading inside, check out the view of the mountains to the south.
FRONT RUNNERS
Hopefully you didn’t get too comfortable; it’s time for some more front side action. From Wildwood, take Kangaroo Cornice and the Meadows to Mid-Vail and catch the Mountaintop Express Lift 8 . From there, take Riva Ridge for a 4-milelong cruiser down to Vail Village. Take a breather at Mountain Plaza (and watch as a few brave souls try their luck on the steep slope of Pepi’s Face), and catch the Vista Bahn Express 9 . Take Spruce Face to Gitalong Road where you’ll arrive at the Avanti Express Lift 10 . Follow Eagle’s Nest Ridge to Born Free for a long run down to Lionshead and ride up the Born Free Express Lift 11 , head west down Pride and Bwana to the Pride Express Lift 12 , finish up with Simba and arrive in Lionshead. Grab a seat at Centre V and enjoy the remaining sunshine with a drink—after a day of skiing, you deserve it.
