Colorado BS thread

[bofa]

The only issue we've ever had was pushing it too hard in some wet and icy snow, and ended up frying the drive belt, which was a pretty simple replacement. I was surprised how durable that little thing is, considering we beat the hell out of it. We are on our second one in 8 years or so. Not bad.

The only thing I will say is dont wait a week before shoveling and let the snow freeze/thaw and set up, because it is a royal pain in the ass to take care of at that point. early bird gets the worm, or some such wisdom.

Nah, I'll try to hit it during the day if possible and again at night as needed. Apparently the HOAs out here are a real pain in the ass with that stuff... even though they don't plow the roads per the bylaws. I don't really care in the rental, but I hope they do it in the new place, especially considering the road slope in our loop. I'm just glad I'm not at the bottom.

 

[MtnT4R]

Apparently the HOAs out here are a real pain in the ass with that stuff... even though they don't plow the roads per the bylaws

Isnt it fun paying people to tell you what to do? good times.

plow drivers are generally known to be half asses, considering they get paid by volume and not hourly. Finding some way to meet them and bribe them somehow is not a bad idea

 

[bofa]

Isnt it fun paying people to tell you what to do? good times.

plow drivers are generally known to be half asses, considering they get paid by volume and not hourly. Finding some way to meet them and bribe them somehow is not a bad idea

Too bad the 4R can't handle a plow.

 

[fish0281]

That was Beaver Creek. As one of the most ridiculously lucky people I know, my bro landed a job doing an early morning snow report four days a week. Rides up early with ski patrol, and gets to GoPro some freshies before the mountain opens to report on the daily conditions. Not bad right? My boss took mercy on me and let me take an early lunch so I still got a few deep turns in, which might be the only reason I didnt break my phone after he sent me that photo.

haha there will never be enough snow! This storm should set up a real nice base for the follow-on weather, so you arent too late to the party. We've been hitting a lot of rocks this last week.

I've gotten my fair share of days in this year, just no fresh yet. Can't wait!

That sounds like a killer job - I'm currently tied pretty well to bigger cities for my career (medical device engineering), but would love to someday find a way to live up there and do the work I enjoy.

Has Beaver opened up much more from this recent storm? Sounds like there is more coming this weekend, so hopefully everybody starts dropping ropes. :biggrin1:

 

[LandCruiser]

Nah, I'll try to hit it during the day if possible and again at night as needed. Apparently the HOAs out here are a real pain in the ass with that stuff... even though they don't plow the roads per the bylaws. I don't really care in the rental, but I hope they do it in the new place, especially considering the road slope in our loop. I'm just glad I'm not at the bottom.

I have trouble clearing my walkway and driveway when the HOA doesn't bother plowing/salting the roads in the neighborhood. Then it turns icy. Then the people who barrel at 40 mph thru the neighborhood can't stop in their minivan on summer tires.

You'd think Coloradans would be used to driving in snow.

You'd be wrong.

 

[MtnT4R]

Has Beaver opened up much more from this recent storm? Sounds like there is more coming this weekend, so hopefully everybody starts dropping ropes. :biggrin1:

looks like they opened roughly another 200 acres since opening day last week, and most of that happened yesterday. They're saying the mountain is 41% open at 760 acres, and Vail has 803 open(15%) as of this morning. Thats a pretty strong opening pace, apparently we are around 120% of average snowfall up to now :rockon:

You'd think Coloradans would be used to driving in snow.

You'd be wrong.

You'd almost think that we replace about half of our population each season with a fresh batch of idiots who have never seen snow before. :lookout:

 

[CXS]

You'd think Coloradans would be used to driving in snow.

It's all those TX, CA and FL transplants that don't know how to drive in snow!

:reddance:

 

[bofa]

It's all those TX, CA and FL transplants that don't know how to drive in snow!

:reddance:

I'm slightly offended. :caked:

I ordered my snow blower, 12g extension cord (damn those are pricey), and a new reel... best part is it will be here tomorrow.

 

[CXS]

I'm slightly offended. :caked:

I added FL as an afterthought bofa. In self defense I won't share my reaction the first time I saw a gator crossing the road in FL!

hint: Pretty much like this guy - :lookout:

I ordered my snow blower, 12g extension cord (damn those are pricey), and a new reel... best part is it will be here tomorrow.

Bring on the snow!

 

[04rnr]

It's all those TX, CA and FL transplants that don't know how to drive in snow!

:reddance:

X2 totally agree

 

[LandCruiser]

It's all those TX, CA and FL transplants that don't know how to drive in snow!

:reddance:

How to drive in snow:

Get a vehicle with summer tires, preferrably bald ones. Drive as you would on a sunny, dry, 80 degree day... which includes tailgating the car in front of you at less than a car length at 40 mph, making sudden lane changes, applying LOTS OF POWER when turning, and slamming the brakes at every chance you get. When you get stuck on an icy hill, throw it in reverse to surprise oncoming traffic!

 

[Twan]

I'm just going to leave this here:

Also:

I was a transplant of the migration from Southern California of '91. That has nothing to do with the natives that think A/S means ALL Seasons, versus someone with a little mechanical aptitude and common sense. I have driven my RX-7 and Camaro with R compound tires/rode my CBR600RR sport bike through snow storms with zero problems. The problem is 90% driver, 10% equipment.

 

[piccrazy30]

Commercials my make "some" believe they can drive the same car the way it was driven in the commercial. Yesterday someone in an Audi was doing approx 5 over the speed limit which is normally 40 mph. The commercial for Audi with the tow/recovery guy yelling Quatro from that commercial.

 

[MtnT4R]

I was a transplant of the migration from Southern California of '91. That has nothing to do with the natives that think A/S means ALL Seasons, versus someone with a little mechanical aptitude and common sense. I have driven my RX-7 and Camaro with R compound tires/rode my CBR600RR sport bike through snow storms with zero problems. The problem is 90% driver, 10% equipment.

That makes you quite literally one in a thousand, my friend. I'd much rather drive next to you on the road than just about everyone I've dealt with the past 3 days. People for the most part are stupid, especially when it comes to driving. But a stupid driver with 4x4 and proper snow tires is much more appreciated by all, and has a MUCH greater safety margin, than the jackass who wants to squeeze one more season out of some bald ass summer tires. Or try for that hill ONE MORE TIME with rear wheel drive. That goes for both natives and transplants :thumb:

 

[bofa]

Silly question... what do you guys do to keep your fingers warm? I have TNF e-tips and Montana gloves that I layer but usually after about 20 minutes outside my fingers are numb. Am I doing it wrong?

 

[MtnT4R]

Am I doing it wrong?

haha yeah, but dont worry because I'm pretty sure everyone learns this one the hard way.

Layering is the right idea, but only to a point. If your combined glove system is putting more than very light compression on a large area of your hand, it ends up cutting circulation. If you are doing this AND manipulating cold tools, shovels, etc, the effect becomes noticeably worse. If you are doing either of these things while not having enough insulation keeping your core warm, your body will draw blood from your extremities to keep your core at a toasty 98.6F. Even if you don't really feel cold, your body is already shunting blood to maintain that ideal temp.

As far as insulation goes, the goal is to create pockets of dead air that creates a barrier to prevent the heat generated by your body from leaving faster than it is produced. So more loose fitting garments that allow pockets of air to form between the barriers is the key. If everything is too tight fitting, that heat is conducted away from you at a faster rate. All the bros you may see running around in big baggy jackets and pants? Those are some toasty fellers

 

[bofa]

haha yeah, but dont worry because I'm pretty sure everyone learns this one the hard way.

Layering is the right idea, but only to a point. If your combined glove system is putting more than very light compression on a large area of your hand, it ends up cutting circulation. If you are doing this AND manipulating cold tools, shovels, etc, the effect becomes noticeably worse. If you are doing either of these things while not having enough insulation keeping your core warm, your body will draw blood from your extremities to keep your core at a toasty 98.6F. Even if you don't really feel cold, your body is already shunting blood to maintain that ideal temp.

As far as insulation goes, the goal is to create pockets of dead air that creates a barrier to prevent the heat generated by your body from leaving faster than it is produced. So more loose fitting garments that allow pockets of air to form between the barriers is the key. If everything is too tight fitting, that heat is conducted away from you at a faster rate. All the bros you may see running around in big baggy jackets and pants? Those are some toasty fellers

That makes sense. I ordered a Carhartt jacket on sale over the Summer and it ended up being too big, but man that thing is warmer than anything else I've tried. I look like a toasted marshmallow man walking around.

So with gloves... skip the tighter e-tips? And go bigger?

 

[cdrewferd]

Gloves are tricky. I've lived here my whole life, 30 yrs, and have yet to find a pair of gloves that fits well and keeps my hands warm. If you're not doing anything precise, you can go a bit bigger and throw in some hand warmers on really cold days. If you have to work with your hands, then you need tighter fitting gloves. Go to a higher end outdoor store, REI or Dicks, and check out there gloves. You might have to spend a lot more that you thought to get the right gloves for you.

 

[bofa]

Gloves are tricky. I've lived here my whole life, 30 yrs, and have yet to find a pair of gloves that fits well and keeps my hands warm. If you're not doing anything precise, you can go a bit bigger and throw in some hand warmers on really cold days. If you have to work with your hands, then you need tighter fitting gloves. Go to a higher end outdoor store, REI or Dicks, and check out there gloves. You might have to spend a lot more that you thought to get the right gloves for you.

I'll do some research. Supposedly the Montana gloves are top notch but it seems TNF stuff is a bit overrated.

 

[LandCruiser]

Silly question... what do you guys do to keep your fingers warm? I have TNF e-tips and Montana gloves that I layer but usually after about 20 minutes outside my fingers are numb. Am I doing it wrong?

You can't have dexterity and comfort.

For the subzero cold we've been having these past few days (which apparently is the worst in decades), I wear lobster gloves.