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Welcome, Winter

Season kicks off with film, ski swap

Photo by Courtesy photo

Skier Bryce Phillips looks for a powdery landing during a run through the trees at Crystal Mountain, Wash. The Crystal Mountain powder skiing is included in Warren Miller’s latest ski/snowboard film, which will have showings in Durango on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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The calendar tells the tale.

Resorts are opening (or getting ready).

Ski and snowboard movies are scheduled.

Ski swaps are booked (or getting ready).

The winter season is here.

Wolf Creek Ski Area will open Saturday, an early Halloween treat for riders and skiers. Initially, about 50 percent of the area will be open.

But, if there is more natural snow, additional terrain will open as soon as possible, according to Wolf Creek's managers.

In the meantime, winter sports fans can mark their day-planners with the return of the annual Warren Miller ski/snowboard film to the Durango area.

"Dynasty," the 2009-10 ski film from the Miller company, will be shown in Durango on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Presented as a fundraiser for the Durango Winter Sports Foundation, the ski film will be shown at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Abbey Theatre.

A family showing of the film will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Miller Middle School.

Advanced ticket purchases are encouraged. Last year, the film showings sold out in Durango.

Tickets are $10 and are available at Magpie's Newsstand Café, the Ski Barn, the Abbey Theatre and Hassle Free Sports.

Tickets also are available from the skiers in the Durango Winter Sports Foundation's programs (alpine, freestyle and Nordic).

This year's Miller production will feature more exotic locations and dazzling athletes. Footage will be presented from China, Norway, British Columbia and Colorado.

During the film, attendees will have an opportunity to win door prizes like ski equipment and ski vacations.

"This is the 10th anniversary for our ski teams bringing the film to Durango," said Kirk Rawles, event coordinator.

"It gives the foundation a chance to kick off the new ski season and rally the community for the upcoming ski season," Rawles said.

For more on the ski teams supported by the Durango Winter Sports Foundation, check out purgatoryskiteam.org.

Ski swap Nov. 7 The 46th annual Hesperus Ski Patrol Ski Swap will be held Nov. 7 at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.

New and used equipment for alpine skiing, snowboarding and telemarking will be available.

Clothing and other soft goods also will be available along with other accessory items.

Equipment check-in will be from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 6.

The ski swap will open at 8 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m.

There is a 50-cent admission charge.

All unsold items must be picked up between 8 a.m. and noon on Nov. 8.

For more information and preregistration forms, visit ski-hesperus.com.

Legends' expansion at Purgatory The preseason ski and snowboard buzz around Durango centers on the Legends' expansion at Purgatory.

The resort, snow conditions permitting, will open 125 additional acres of expert train on the far west side of the area.

The expansion, located west of Elliott's run, will feature some 1,200 vertical feet of gladed tree skiing.

The project, according to the Purgatory folks, is the first phase of a series of improvements to the Legends' area. Future improvements will include the replacement of the Legends' lift (Chair 8) with a high-speed quad.

Updates and photos of the expansion project are available at the Durango Mountain Resort Web site at durangomountain resort.com.

Telluride adding terrain Speaking of expansions, Telluride will continue its recent run of additional terrain.

Snow conditions permitting, Telluride will open Gold Hill Chutes 2-5 this season.

Revelation Bowl's steep terrain opened last year to rave reviews along with Gold Hill 1.

Palmyra Peak, Black Iron Bowl and Gold Hill 6-10 opened in 2007-08.

All together, that's more than 400 acres of additional skiing and boarding.

Statistically, that puts Telluride at a total of 4,425 vertical feet (3,845 vertical lift-served).

The opening of Gold Hill Chutes 2-5 opens the full west Gold Hill ridge. The terrain drops 1,600 vertical feet into Prospect Basin.

The new Revelation Lift offers direct access to skiing into Gold Hill 1. A 20-minute hike up a new snowcat road to the top of Gold Hill gives access to chutes 2-10.

Silverton boot packing Silverton Mountain is gearing up for the new season. In fact, they've already made turns in the high terrain at Silverton. That was back on Oct. 6, when the Silverton mountain crew took some shots of early powder turns.

The unique, expert-only ski and snowboard area has upgraded the unguided skiing options with increased shuttle capacity, notably a 50-seat bus and a 45-seater. And these shuttles have seats, unlike the more rustic previous models, according to the Silverton Mountain Web site.

The area with virtually all extreme terrain also announced bootpacking dates for the upcoming season. They are Dec. 5-6 and Dec. 12-13.

Bootpack for a day and earn a day of unguided skiing or riding at Silverton.

Packers will need a beacon, shovel and probe set.

Packers should meet at 8:45 a.m. at the base with pants duct-taped to boots to keep out snow.

dstrode@durangoherald.com