In partnership with: MTN Athlete
About: We recently launched MTN Athlete, a brand to extend our outdoor community with training plans, connection opportunities, and ways to get outside stronger and more confident. Although our season is off to a slow start, our 8-week Strength Training for Skiing Program is the perfect prep for spring backcountry objectives. If you’re wanting to boost power, improve mobility, and lower your risk of injury - come join the tribe!
👉 Check it out at mtn-athlete.com and for a limited time if you sign up in February the 1st month is FREE (cancel anytime).
❄️ Planning for the Weekend — New Snow Tracker
🌨️ This week’s storm: who got tagged (and who got skunked)
Colorado finally got a little love. Between Wednesday morning → Thursday morning (Feb 11–12, 2026), most mountains picked up 0–9", with the deeper end hitting the central mountains — especially around Crested Butte and Aspen. Snow showers lingered into Thursday morning, and another round is lined up Friday midday → Friday night with ~2–6"+ for many spots.
🏆 Colorado 72-Hour Snow Podium
Short storm. Targeted refresh. Here’s where you strike.
Rank | Resort | 72h Total | Ideal Strike Window | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
🥇 1 | Crested Butte Mountain Resort | 8" | Fri PM – Sat AM | Cold temps + deeper refresh = chalky steeps. Head to North Face zones early. |
🥈 2 | Aspen Snowmass | 6" | Fri midday – Sat early | Best combo of coverage + terrain variety. Highlands Bowl will need patrol love—watch rope drops. |
🥉 3 | Powderhorn Mountain Resort | 6" | Friday | Western Slope sleeper hit. Less wind impact. |
4 | Steamboat Ski Resort | 6" | Sat AM | Tree skiing reset. Storm snow on weak base—manage sluff in steeper glades. |
5 | Silverton Mountain | 5" | Guide’s call = go day | Low density refresh in consequential terrain. Stability > ego. |
🧠 Read Between the Inches
This wasn’t a statewide nuke. It was central mountains favored, moderate refresh elsewhere.
5–8" on a weak layer ≠ hero stability. Expect reactive slabs in wind-loaded alpine.
If winds spike Friday afternoon, your Saturday dawn patrol is money.
🏃♀️🚴⛷Upcoming Races & Events
Here’s what’s live and begging for registration or your attention:
🚴 Leadville Winter MTB Series — Mar 7,21, 2026 — Leadville
The Leadville Winter Mountain Bike Series wraps with two proper high-altitude grinders: Mineral Belt Mayhem on March 7 is a ~22-mile lung-buster ripping the Mineral Belt Trail at 10,200’ with snowpack, studs, and pacing discipline all in play. Then the Fatty Patty 50K on March 21st delivers 31 icy, rolling miles of fat-tire attrition.
🏃 Behind the Rocks Ultra — Mar 21, 2026 — Moab, UT
Behind the Rocks Ultra is a desert trail running event featuring 10-mile, 30K, 50K, and 50-mile distances ripping across Moab’s slickrock, sand, and relentless rollers. It showcases Moab’s Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area and is part of the Mad Moose Events “Run Moab” series
⛷ Epic Backcountry Ski Race — The Grand Traverse — March 29 — Crested Butte
This Crested Butte → Aspen point-to-point is on the calendar for March 29 — ~40 miles with >6,800′ climbing across Elk Mountains; partners and mandatory safety gear required.
(Pro tip: check the full Colorado run calendar and Run Guides for Feb–Mar options)
🚴 🚵 Trail Suggestions & Local Routes
Big picture first: Central mountains got the refresh. Foothills + Western Slope stayed in play. CAIC forecasting “Considerate” for central mountains near and above treeline with lots of wind-loading.
If you’re not chasing storm snow, this weekend is built for:
Long aerobic dirt miles
Sweet-spot road climbing
Technical MTB strength sessions
🚵🚴 Western Slope
🚵Lunch Loops - Grand Junction
Distance: Build-your-own sufferfest (15–25 mi easy)
Difficulty: Advanced (tech + punch)
Why Now: Western Slope stayed mostly dry. Technical rock, ledge moves, and legit power climbs.
Watch-outs: Tire pressure matters. Slickrock edges punish lazy line choice.
🚴Colorado National Monument Loop - Fruita
Distance: 33 miles. Vert: ~2,300 ft
Why Now: Likely dry and 50s. Long sustained climbs at steady grades.
Session idea: Full Rim Rock out-and-back tempo.
Hazard: Crosswinds. Don’t blow yourself up in mile 3 bravado.
🚵🚴 Front Range
🚴Deer Creek Canyon - Denver
Why now: South-facing slopes = dry tarmac.
Session idea: 2–3 x 15–20 min at sweet spot on High Grade. Descend controlled. Repeat.
Hazard: Weekend traffic + early season gravel wash.
🚵Hall/Heil Ranch - Lyons
Distance: 9–15 mi per loop, link them together for 34 mi big day
Why it’s great: Classic Front Range tech. Rock gardens + punchy climbs = strength endurance clinic.
Watch-outs: Ride early. Midday thaw → peanut butter mud in shaded spots
🧠 Pro Tips Before You Go.
Avoid Riding Mud: Forecasted rain Friday statewide can create a deceptive window where trails look dry but are still saturated underneath — if your tires cake up, bail and come back later.
🗞️Colorado Outdoor News: Rescue on Longs Peak
Two climbers were recently rescued after becoming stranded overnight near the summit of Longs Peak, when winter conditions, exposure, and fatigue stacked the deck against them above 14,000 feet. According to reporting from People and local sources, deteriorating weather and the realities of alpine terrain forced an unplanned bivy before rescue teams were able to extract them.
⚡ Quick Take-Away for Athletes
Fitness ≠ margin. VO₂ max won’t save you from wind chill and route-finding errors above treeline.
Winter summit bids require hard turnaround times. No ego extensions.
Carry the boring gear. Puffy, emergency bivy, extra calories, headlamp — even on “fast” missions.
Respect February light windows. Short days + slow snow travel = hazard potential.
What’s on my hitlist for the weekend: Deer Creek Canyon
I’ve somehow never ridden this Front Range classic, so this weekend’s bluebird weather is my excuse to finally check Deer Creek Canyon off the list. Steady 5–7% gradients, clean pavement, and endless hill repeat segments — perfect early-season pacing check before the high country opens up.
Forward this as an offering to the snow gods. Then go earn your turns.
Till next time,
