 In its continuing evolution, SolVista, which not that long ago was known as Silver Creek, is now SolVista Basin. This small change will help differentiate the ski and snowboard area from other aspects of the 5500 acre resort and planned community in the making. With abundant year-round recreational opportunities and a location just 90 minutes from Denver, area management is betting on the resort's continuing growth. Terrain The skiing and riding part of the picture, although modest, is central to the whole plan. Some 60% of the terrain is covered by snowmaking, 80% of it is devoted to intermediates or beginners, and one convenient base complex anchors the two sides of the skiable terrain. This makes it attractive to the active-lifestyle-with-kids-crowd. Novices start with a surface lift in their own little park, and then graduate to Zig and Zag. Once comfortable, several fine trails await on East Mountain, the blue and green half of the area. The greens swing skier's left, while the blues tumble away in front of you and to skier's right. All are groomed. A high-speed quad splits the middle. Facing this complex of trails is West Mountain, slightly higher and tougher. The trails here are for advanced intermediates, and here you'll find the three black diamonds. West Mountain is served by a triple chair. The Nordic trail system runs out through the saddle between East and West Mountains. Its 40 km of trails include snowshoe trails, and can be accessed directly from the base lodge, or with a small fee from the top of the Quick Draw lift. Parking is just steps away from the lodge and the lifts. On-mountain facilities include food service, child care, rentals, and a retail shop. The Silverstar condominium cluster sits a bit below the base area; higher up at the base of East Mountain you'll find the Kicking Horse Lodges and the Summit and Mountainside condos. A fixed-grip quad provides quick access from them to the rest of the area. While most visitors fly into Denver, those with private planes can land at the Granby-Grand County Airport, just five minutes from the resort. It has a hard-surfaced runway, pilot-controlled lights, a new AWOS weather information service, and self-serve fuel pumps. And the resort is only 15 miles up the line from Winter Park, so the train will get you there, too. The nearby town of Granby offers additional lodging and dining options, rental cars, and most other services.
|
Ski Report
Colorado
