Aspen trip report

[seanm123]

Spoke to the Hotel Manger and he said they were about 1/2 full of mostly Europeans. The restaurants and bars also were not nearly at capacity on the weekend. Lift lines at 9AM and early afternoon were nonexistent, great if you are a skier but bad for the ski industry. Après-ski each afternoon was not very jubilant, seemed reserved and I mentally made note of allot of people ordering the bottom of the menu bugers and fries etc.

Local news was pretty grim with lot of retail store closings.

Worst of all Aspen Fashion week kicked off and there wasn't any models on the slopes and no photo shoots to be seen anywhere.

I also took this pic Monday of a smash and grab robbery in Aspen, the broken window goes well with all of the SALE 30%-80% off signs plastered all over the retail shops.

http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/6360/img0975.jpg

[metalman]

i wasn't anywhere near aspen that day, whenever that was.

[Lukester]

Eh?? :confused: What did he just say?

i wasn't anywhere near aspen that day, whenever that was.

[Jay]

I just want to know how the snow was. Freshies?

[seanm123]

I just want to know how the snow was. Freshies?

Spectacular beautiful skiing in Aspen this week, weather was very warm and sunny made it nearly to 60 degrees so no layers needed and I took my hat off and wore shades instead of goggles as much as possible to get a nice even tan. No lift lines to speak of, so we did allot of runs. No freshies since last snow was a few days before, but there was powder to be found between the trees. My wife who is now pregnant is skiing better than ever to her pleasure and mine since I did not have to wait too much.

No jumping off the cliffs for me anymore, the diamonds there are too challenging for my 40 year old knees, but I did enjoy watching the younger crowd during a crazy FreeRide competion on the Snowmass Hanging Valley Wall.

I also ran into the mythical snow badger in between the trees, all I can say is beware....

[metalman]

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Spectacular beautiful skiing in Aspen this week, weather was very warm and sunny made it nearly to 60 degrees so no layers needed and I took my hat off and wore shades instead of goggles as much as possible to get a nice even tan. No lift lines to speak of, so we did allot of runs. No freshies since last snow was a few days before, but there was powder to be found between the trees. My wife who is now pregnant is skiing better than ever to her pleasure and mine since I did not have to wait too much.

No jumping off the cliffs for me anymore, the diamonds there are too challenging for my 40 year old knees, but I did enjoy watching the younger crowd during a crazy FreeRide competion on the Snowmass Hanging Valley Wall.

I also ran into the mythical snow badger in between the trees, all I can say is beware....



so this is how it's going to be on itulip during the depression. hardship everywhere while itulipers enjoy short lines at the ski slope, high end hotel rooms at half off, used cars for half off, and great restaurant service.

ah, yes. nothing like good old fashioned preparation.

the only mistake any of you made is stocking up on wine. i'll buy domestic for 20 cents on the dollar even after poom and imported wine goes up 5x. who needs to drink that french stuff anyway.

[seanm123]

so this is how it's going to be on itulip during the depression. hardship everywhere while itulipers enjoy short lines at the ski slope, high end hotel rooms at half off, used cars for half off, and great restaurant service.

ah, yes. nothing like good old fashioned preparation.

the only mistake any of you made is stocking up on wine. i'll buy domestic for 20 cents on the dollar even after poom and imported wine goes up 5x. who needs to drink that french stuff anyway.

Metalman - wine in my neck of the woods has increased in price perhaps 20% over the last two years, beer however is cheaper than ever, bigger spread on beer is my guess just check INBEV. I will always choose a nice imported Cab over Stella or Bud any day of the week. Heck I made Beer in my basement with my friends back in the day in High School and you can't easily do that with wine.

I am not wealthy but I am not broke either, cheers to EJ and folks on iTulip for the fact that I am not broke, hense my renewal for two years.

Cheers, and I love fermented grapes so see you on the slopes.

Seanm123

[raja]

Metalman - wine in my neck of the woods has increased in price perhaps 20% over the last two years, beer however is cheaper than ever, bigger spread on beer is my guess just check INBEV. I will always choose a nice imported Cab over Stella or Bud any day of the week. Heck I made Beer in my basement with my friends back in the day in High School and you can't easily do that with wine.

I am not wealthy but I am not broke either, cheers to EJ and folks on iTulip for the fact that I am not broke, hense my renewal for two years.

Cheers, and I love fermented grapes so see you on the slopes.

Seanm123
Remember, EJ said we're all going to be required to "share", and that forced contribution might come about in surprising ways . . . . :eek:

On a lighter note:

I find making either wine and beer to be a simple process, using kits that contain malt (beer) or grape concentrates (wine). Wine is easier in that you aren't required to cook it.

My beer ends up costing about 50 cents/bottle, and wine from $1 to $3/bottle.

I recommend kegging the beer rather than using bottles. You buy a dedicated refrigerator, which holds about 15 gallons in 3 kegs, then run some spigots through the door. Very convenient.

It's fun trying all the different types of beer and wine kits available. We find that the beer usually tastes better than store-bought, and the wine is equal to or better than the $10 -$15 bottle store-bought.