Getting better all the time
Day 3 of our Snowwater adventure. Finally got away from the lodge and started to explore the Bonningtons, one of the three mountain ranges Snowwater’s tenure covers. Didn’t take us long to discover that while there was good snow up high, we needed to avoid going too low if we wanted to have our legs last all day. After some good but thigh burning runs we landed in an area called Tropicana. Now I’ve been drinking Tropicana since I was a wee lad, but it never tasted better than it did today. A 2500 foot consistently pitched slope with widely spaced trees allowed for high speed rippers that would warm the cockles of any snowrider. The persistent fog that has been haunting us for days chased us away for awhile but dissipated in the afternoon so we returned to greedily chug the Trop till our belly’s were full. There were nothing but smiles in the heli at days end.


![<a href="http://www.glutenfreesnowboarder.com/2011/04/springtime-in-the-rockies/">Springtime in the Rockies</a> - [/caption]
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When I was up in Alaska, everyone kept telling me that I would now be ruined for skiing anywhere else. But for me the exact opposite seems to be true because as with any true addiction, a good dose just makes... Springtime in the Rockies](http://www.glutenfreesnowboarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/vlcsnap-2011-04-27-16h54m41s167-1024x576.png)
![<a href="http://www.glutenfreesnowboarder.com/2011/04/haines-the-video/">Haines – the video</a> - [/caption]
One thing there was no shortage of on my Haines heli trip was helmet cams. Every one seemed to be sporting one in every shape, size and manufacturer. Because of safety issues, there was no setting up for shots so unless you had a super ... Haines – the video](http://www.glutenfreesnowboarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/UK-Ripper-4-1024x576.png)
![<a href="http://www.glutenfreesnowboarder.com/2011/04/alaska-the-last-frontier/">Alaska – the last frontier</a> - [/caption]
For years I've been hearing epic tales of heliskiing in Alaska and seen numerous film segments of mind boggling terrain. I always assumed that terrain would be off limits to me as while I've spent a lot of time on a snowboard I'm cert... Alaska – the last frontier](http://www.glutenfreesnowboarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/P1040119-1024x768.jpg)
![<a href="http://www.glutenfreesnowboarder.com/2011/03/helmet-cam-fun-berthoud-pass-32311/">Helmet Cam Fun – Berthoud Pass 3/23/11</a> - [/caption]
Got to admit I've been slacking lately on updating this blog. It's been a combination of less than epic conditions and spending time breaking in new gear. I finally broke down and bought a split board (Voile Mojo RX 66) after one too ma... Helmet Cam Fun – Berthoud Pass 3/23/11](http://www.glutenfreesnowboarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/vlcsnap-2011-03-25-17h38m39s98-1024x576.png)
![<a href="http://www.glutenfreesnowboarder.com/2011/02/hail-to-the-wolf-presidents-day-2011/">Hail to the Wolf – President’s Day 2011</a> - [/caption]
It's been a tough season for Wolf Creek. Their ski patrol director died in an avalanche back in November and seemingly in remorse the snow gods have been withholding their usual bounty from the area. Although I did not know him personal... Hail to the Wolf – President’s Day 2011](http://www.glutenfreesnowboarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/P1010982-1024x768.jpg)
![<a href="http://www.glutenfreesnowboarder.com/2011/01/an-east-vail-powder-tale/">An East Vail powder tale – 1/20/11</a> - [/caption]
After the first big snow of the season I saw a blog post about skiing at Berthoud by Joel Bettner that both warmed my heart and made me jealous. Since then I had seen several of his videos that were posted on everyone's favorite forecas... An East Vail powder tale – 1/20/11](http://www.glutenfreesnowboarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/joel-powder-1024x576.png)
![<a href="http://www.glutenfreesnowboarder.com/2010/12/long-live-the-king-monarch-mountain-12212010/">Long live the King – Monarch Mountain 12/21/10</a> - [/caption]
Your mom probably told you this but it's worth repeating - don't believe everything you hear. Take for instance, this last storm that's been making headlines for ski resorts around Colorado. While it's true that several feet of snow has... Long live the King – Monarch Mountain 12/21/10](http://www.glutenfreesnowboarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/vlcsnap-2010-12-22-21h22m07s225-1024x576.png)
![<a href="http://www.glutenfreesnowboarder.com/2010/12/striking-gold-at-copper-mountain-1272010/">Striking gold at Copper Mountain 12/7/10</a> - [/caption]
I knew the day had potential when I heard the sound of someone texting me at 5:40 in the morning. After looking at numerous snow reports calling for 3-6 the night before I had gone to bed thinking Tuesday would be a work day but kept th... Striking gold at Copper Mountain 12/7/10](http://www.glutenfreesnowboarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/IMG_0822-1024x764.jpg)
![<a href="http://www.glutenfreesnowboarder.com/2010/11/a-snovember-to-remember/">A Snovember to Remember</a> - [/caption]
Alright - I'll admit it - I've really been slacking on the blogging thing. After three years where the I didn't get out in November due to poor snow conditions, this year has been a very refreshing change of pace. Steamboat set a snowfa... A Snovember to Remember](http://www.glutenfreesnowboarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/P1010755-1024x768.jpg)
![<a href="http://www.glutenfreesnowboarder.com/2010/11/hells-half-acre-heavens-more-like-it/">Back in the saddle again – Berthoud Pass 11/12/10</a> - [/caption]
As much as I enjoy summer and mountain biking in the beautiful Colorado Rockies, I'd be hard pressed to not trade it all for one good powder day - that's why they call it an addiction. So when I saw shots of knee deep snow from a late O... Back in the saddle again – Berthoud Pass 11/12/10](http://www.glutenfreesnowboarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1030149-1024x768.jpg)
January 14th, 2010 at 7:43 am
I can totally relate to the Tropicana experience. I just knocked off a half gallon of Grovestand with the heavy pulp and am now working some Homestyle. My thighs are burning just thinking about that Tangerine Orange. I guess I’m just a Tropicana rider.