Current:Home > ContactWhat heat dome? They're still skiing in Colorado -AssetVision
What heat dome? They're still skiing in Colorado
View
Date:2025-04-24 15:43:06
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! (4)
Related
- Trump's 'stop
- Coal miners lead paleontologists to partial mammoth fossil in North Dakota
- Chileans eschew extremes in quest for new constitution and end up with the old one
- Celine Dion's sister gives update on stiff-person syndrome, saying singer has no control of her muscles
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Sioux Falls to spend $55K to evaluate arsenic-contaminated taxidermy display at state’s largest zoo
- Minnesota's new state flag design is finalized
- Philly’s progressive prosecutor, facing impeachment trial, has authority on transit crimes diverted
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Pope Francis says priests can bless same-sex couples but marriage is between a man and a woman
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Why Sydney Sweeney Wanted a Boob Job in High School
- Lawsuit against former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice dismissed after she turns over records
- With menthol cigarette ban delayed, these Americans will keep seeing the effects, data shows
- Small twin
- Florida house explosion injures 4 and investigators are eyeing gas as the cause, sheriff says
- Frenchy's Chicken owners: Beyoncé's love for Houston eatery stems from Third Ward roots
- Court in Germany convicts a man inspired by the Islamic State group of committing 2 knife attacks
Recommendation
Bodycam footage shows high
Man accused of killing 4 university students in Idaho loses bid to have indictment tossed
Jennifer Love Hewitt hits back at claims she's 'unrecognizable': 'Aging in Hollywood is really hard'
Monsanto ordered to pay $857 million to Washington school students and parent volunteers over toxic PCBs
New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
Monsanto ordered to pay $857 million to Washington school students and parent volunteers over toxic PCBs
With menthol cigarette ban delayed, these Americans will keep seeing the effects, data shows
Backup QBs are on display all around the NFL as injury-depleted teams push toward the postseason