Featuring deep powder, steep terrain and incredible scenery, the Four Corners area has long been regarded as one of the premier ski and snowboard destinations in the world.
As a result, skiers and snowboarders throughout the area are gearing up for the upcoming season, which is already underway at many local ski areas.
Below is a brief overview two of the area’s most popular non-resort destinations, Wolf Creek Ski Area and Ski Hesperus.
Wolf Creek offers high-quality snow
Home to some of the deepest powder in the world, Wolf Creek Ski Area has grown into one of the state’s top ski areas.
Smaller than many top ski destinations, Wolf Creek features eight lifts, 1,600 skiable acres and an average of 430 inches of snow per year.
“We get really great snow,” said Wolf Creek’s vice president of marketing and sales, Rosanne Pitcher. “Conditions are very good because it’s powdery and dry. It make nice surface to learn to ski on, and powder skiing is what people come here for.”
Headlining the area’s new editions for this season will be the Elma Lift, which will transport skiers and snowboarders 460 vertical feet. The new lift will provide access to an under-utilized portion of the mountain and open alternate routes to the mountain’s base.
Also new to the area is the Stoke Lift, a high-speed quad that replaced an older lift and began operating last year.
“The (Stoke Lift) has been highly successful,” said Pitcher. “People enjoy it because we spaced out the chairs. Even though it’s faster, we’re not putting more people on the mountain.”
Adding to Wolf Creek’s skiing experience is home-cooked food, which, according to Pitcher, is sold at reasonable prices.
“We’re always looking to make excellent quality food,” said Pitcher. “When we’re eating here, we expect it to be something that we really enjoy.”
Due to lackluster early-season snowfall, Wolf Creek is only operating six of its eight lifts, and 70 percent of the mountain is open. The area has received 41 inches of snow this season and currently sports a 23-inch base.
Adult single-day lift tickets can be purchased for $58. Children’s single-day lift tickets are available for $31.
Hesperus’ small-area experience
Unlike many of the area’s skiing meccas, Hesperus Ski Area does not feature modern high-speed lifts and seemingly endless terrain.
The area does offer a few steep runs, some moguls and lots of open slopes however, which are especially conducive to beginner skiers and snowboarders. Night skiing also provides a unique experience.
“We’re a small, family-oriented ski hill,” said owner Lexa Pitcher. “We’re multi-generational. People grew up skiing Hesperus.”
Because Hesperus does not utilize artificial snowmakers, the area has not yet opened this year, but the area will open as soon as possible.
Adult single-day lift tickets are priced at $41 and junior single-day lift tickets (12 and under) are priced at $28. Adult night-skiing passes are available for $31 and junior night-skiing passes are available for $21.