The I-70 Corridor

Over the Continental Divide at Flight Level 350. Colorado, 2014 (The quickest way across Summit County when I-70 is jammed up.)

Oh, if only some genius could figure out how to run a train between the opposing lanes of traffic on this interstate from Denver to Glenwood Springs. Maybe then, I’d ski more often at the big I-70 areas in Summit County.

I get traffic updates on my mobile phone and, over the past couple of days, they have been running something like this…

“Heavy traffic westbound at Eisenhower Tunnel. Expect 30-minute+ delays.”

“Eastbound I-70 at Eisenhower Tunnel closed due to low visibility and multiple spin outs.”

“Traffic stopped at Eisenhower Tunnel, both east and west bound, for avalanche control. Expect long delays.”

“Traffic held at Georgetown, westbound I-70, for accident clean up.”

“Loveland Pass closed due to avalanche danger.”

And so on.

I think I’ll wait for this holiday traffic–and the weather–to clear a bit before daring to try the I-70 Road Warrior thing. (Though bad weather = lots of great snow, so it is somewhat frustrating.)

For now, here is my combination “photographer-skier technique” for the local Boulder area…

I leave early and head off to some place I want to photograph at sunrise, say, Sugarloaf Mountain or something in the vicinity. I do my photo jitterbug, then head off to the ski area (Eldora is just minutes away).

I arrive before most everyone else, park 100 yards from the lift, then warm up and get dressed in the lodge. Once the lifts open, I’ll ski for maybe two hours or so, then head home, leaving well before the afternoon mass flight from the slopes.

Result: Some fun dawn photography and some nice skiing (with luck, first tracks!) without having to deal with those I-70 traffic jams either way, and I am home for a late lunch. (Don’t ever take for granted this living in Boulder!)