Wolf Creek Ski Area

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Dec 28, 2000

Want to try something a little different? Why not head south for the winter and the snow. Yes, south - to Wolf Creek Ski Area, just inside the Colorado border, but high atop the Continental Divide.

It's well worth the longer drive.

In a normal winter, the ski area receives 465 inches of snow, the most of any Colorado ski resort. With the season just beginning, Wolf Creek already reports a 60- to 71-inch base and a lot more snow is on the way.

The Pitcher-family-run operation caters mostly to skiers from southern Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma. Its distance from the Front Range and a general lack of trendy apres ski ambience discourage many casual Front Range skiers, but it's a favorite among a hard core of powder buffs, Alpine-bowl enthusiasts, glade cruisers and other serious skiers.

Wolf Creek has a friendly, everybody's-welcome atmosphere and may offer a healthy taste of what other resorts once were.

Location: Along U.S. Highway 160 near the summit of Wolf Creek Pass in southern Colorado, between the towns of South Fork and Pagosa Springs.

From Colorado Springs, go south on Interstate 25 to Walsenburg, turn west (right) onto U.S. 160 and proceed over La Veta Pass and through Alamosa, Monte Vista, Del Norte and South Fork to the ski area. Or take U.S. 24 west from Colorado Springs to Antero Junction, merge with U.S. 285, and proceed south over Poncha Pass to U.S. 160 at Monte Vista. Allow at least four to five hours of driving time, depending on weather and road conditions.

Details: Base, 10,300 feet; summit, 11,904. Wolf Creek has 1,600 skiable acres, 50 trails traversing 30 total miles, six lifts - two double-chair, two triple-chair, a quad, a "magic carpet" (kids slope) - with a capacity of 8,100 skiers per hour. The terrain is rated beginner, 20 percent; intermediate, 35 percent; advanced, 25 percent; expert, 20 percent. Longest trail (Navajo), two miles.

Best deals: The area doesn't offer discounted tickets per se. But with great snow and short lift lines, who cares?

Features: Wolf Creek is a classic all-purpose ski mountain, offering a mix of groomed trails, mogul fields, deep-powder glades and Alpine bowls.

Much of the terrain is maintained for novices and intermediates, but the area also is attractive to accomplished skiers. The Waterfall Area, with mostly ungroomed glades, is an advanced- intermediate playground. The Alberta Peak and Knife Ridge regions are advanced-to- extreme.

The view from the top of the Treasure and D. Boyce lifts is spectacular, overlooking the Continental Divide and the Weminuche and South San Juan designated wilderness areas to the west and south.

The view is available to skiers of varied abilities. Experts can get off either lift and head for the Alberta Face, Prospector Trail, Glory Hole, Boundary, Montezuma bowls, Alberta Peak, the Peak Chutes or the Step Bowl. Advanced beginners and intermediates can come down the Tranquility, Silver Streak and Bonanza runs, among others.

Tips: Wolf Creek opens early, but in a typical year, the best snowfalls are later in the season. College spring break is likely to attract a horde of students from Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico, however.

Meanwhile, back at the lodge, the food, by ski-area food-service standards, is superb. Be sure to try the green chili, homemade soups and fresh pastries.

Overnight accommodations are available in South Fork and Pagosa Springs. By one rule of thumb, if you want wholesome, restful sleep, stay in South Fork; if you want a drink or two in a bar with atmosphere, head over the pass to Pagosa Springs.

Child care: No, but ski instruction for children is available through the Wolf Pups program.

Tickets: Full-day adult, $38; full-day child and senior, $25. half-day adult, $28, child and senior, $18.

Hours: Lifts, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; ticket office, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Phone: (970) 264-5639, information; (800) SKI-WOLF, conditions report; (970) 264-5732, fax.

Web site: www.wolfcreekski.com; e-mail, wolfcreekski@wolfcreekski.com

- Karl Licis; The Gazette