“Since the beginning of May, parts of Colorado have received over three feet of new snow, especially at higher elevations,” says Front Range-based photographer Casey Day. And, he adds, after a winter filled with hit-or-miss storms, skiers are rejoicing across Colorado and fully embracing mid-winter powder conditions in the backcountry this spring.
“Multiday upslope storms rolled in one after the next, providing an endless supply of moisture,” Day says. “We always seem to have great conditions in the spring here in Colorado, but it’s been years since we’ve had this much snow this late in the season.”
Here’s a gallery from Colorado’s deep May, as seen through Casey Day’s lens.
Colorado native Trevor Gagstetter exits a rocky chute in “Little Alaska” off Mt. Flora near Berthoud Pass at the end of a two-day storm that brought 16 inches total and seven overnight. May 11, 2015. [Photo] Casey Day
Scott Wilkins, of Georgetown, Colo. takes flight into Summit County’s “Beaver Chutes” after a 14-inch storm. May 19, 2015. [Photo] Casey Day
“The latest storm cycle this spring brought deeper and deeper conditions above 11,000 feet, but the shallow pack down low provided some interesting conditions at lower elevations,” Day says. “We were consistently skiing knee-deep powder on the high peaks, but once you descended a couple thousand vert you could expect to hit sticky, slushy drainages, full stream crossings and melted snow bridges.” Scott Wilkins. Beaver Chutes, Colo. [Photo] Casey Day
“The west facing leeward slopes above treeline were more loaded than I can ever remember, opening up some truly dreamy lines,” Day says. Casey Whitaker smears a wet powder spine in the trees last week. Beaver Chutes, Colo. [Photo] Casey Day
Rachael Angers, of Denver, Colo. enjoying the fluff late in a day that brought six inches of snow (following eight inches that fell overnight). Beaver Chutes, Colo. [Photo] Casey Day
Colorado native Dana Perry embracing a 22-inch storm on May 10. “The first couple storms in May were super light, dry and wintery,” Day says. Summit County, Colo. [Photo] Casey Day
Casey Whitaker takes flight after a 14-inch storm in mid-May. Beaver Chutes, Summit County, Colo. [Photo] Casey Day
After a 16-inch storm, limited visibility and mixed snow, rain and graupel lifted, Trevor Gagstetter drops off Mt. Flora a few miles above Berthoud Pass and along the Continental Divide Trail. Day calls the run “a great late-season treat.” [Photo] Casey Day
For more of Casey Day’s imagery, visit coloradoskiphotography.com.
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