Calendar of Events

Wolf Creek ski area

Photo: Rosanne Pitcher/Wolf Creek Ski Area

At more than 85 years old, Wolf Creek Ski Area is time-tested. 

Wolf Creek Ski Area is known for having the most snow in Colorado. The unique — yet successful — 2021-2022 ski season had consistent snowfall from October through the end of March with a number of prolific powder days, exceptional conditions and 362 inches of snowfall. 

Wolf Creek is eagerly anticipating a more “normalized” 2021-2022 ski season; however, public health will make recommendations, if any, later this fall and early winter. For more on what to expect during your time on the slopes, visit www.wolfcreekski.com.

Wolf Creek is known for having an exceptional variety of terrain, abundant snowfall and plenty of powder days. Wolf Creek has terrain that ranges from gradual sloping, wide green runs for beginners to excellent expert terrain that will give advanced skiers and boarders an in-bounds backcountry experience. Finding an intermediate groomer to cruise down to start your day isn’t hard to do, and tree skiing is endless.

Wolf Creek is unique in that the location of the ski area is in the beautiful Southern San Juan Mountains, eliminating the frustration of driving on a heavily trafficked corridor to ski. The ski area has the advantage of being located on U.S. 160 near the summit of Wolf Creek Pass, which is a beautiful and well- maintained mountain pass with three and four lanes of highway. 

Photo: Samuel Bricker/Wolf Creek Ski Area

The low-density skiing experience at Wolf Creek Ski Area makes Wolf Creek a destination hot spot for powder hounds, families and new skiers alike. 

Wolf Creek stands out from other ski areas in Colorado not only for being family owned and operated, but for also having affordable lift tickets and lesson options. Adding to Wolf Creek’s uniqueness is the phenomenal homemade food found in all eateries at Wolf Creek and convenient amenities that are complimentary, like paved parking and shuttle services.

For the past several years, Wolf Creek has undertaken construction projects to fine-tune and improve its offerings.

Major lift improvements started in 2013-2014 with the Treasure Stoke, a high-speed detachable quad lift. The previous Ctec Triple Treasure Chair was then transformed the following season to become a refurbished beginner and intermediate lift named Elma, with its purpose of assisting guests in returning to the base area and providing access to an area of the mountain that was previously underutilized. The Lynx, a covered conveyor lift, followed and helped redesign and compliment the novice skiers’ first day at Wolf Creek by transporting guests to the Lynx Adult Learning Center. The introduction of the Charity Jane Express to the Wolf Creek Lift System came in December of 2018, with the high-speed detachable quad benefiting all ability levels and bolstering a previously underutilized 55 acres. 

In the summer of 2019, the ski area added Orion’s Beltway — a trail cut to link both side of the mountain, making it the longest intermediate run at Wolf Creek.

Wolf Creek has always been a leader in maintaining sustainable business practices by purchasing renewable energy, using biodegradable oils in machinery and having water-free restrooms. 

The 2021-2022 ski season will be the 16th season Wolf Creek has used a form of renewable energy year-round, for day and night use. Wolf Creek is also a large supporter of the Penitente Solar Project in the San Luis Valley. 

Wolf Creek furthered environmentally friendly efforts by constructing an onsite electric vehicle charging station.  The charging station offers five connections with one being Level 3 (fast charge) and the remaining four being Level 2 (medium charge).

Additional information can be found on www.WolfCreekSki.com or by calling (970) 264-5639 or 1(800) SKI-WOLF.

Wolf Creek Ski Area Events

Dec. 2 Local’s Day

Dec. 5 College Day

Dec. 6 Local’s Day

Dec. 7 Local’s Day

Dec. 8 Local’s Day

Dec. 9 Local’s Day

Dec. 11 Fun Race

Dec. 24 and 25 Santa Visits Wolf Creek

Jan. 2 New Year’s Day Race

Jan. 9 Fun Race

Jan. 10 Ms. Monday Clinic

Jan. 11 Forever Young Clinic

Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Race

Jan. 18 Tuesday Turns Clinic

Jan. 19 United Way Day

Jan. 22 Camp Robbers

Jan. 23 Fun Race

Jan. 29 Camp Robbers

Jan. 29 Wolf Creek Giant Slalom Race

Jan. 30 College Day

Jan. 31 Ms. Monday Clinic

Feb. 1 Forever Young Clinic

Feb. 2 Local’s Day

Feb. 5 Camp Robbers

Feb. 6 Fun Race

Feb. 8 Tuesday Turns Clinic

Feb. 9 Local’s Day

Feb. 12 Camp Robbers

Feb. 13 Local’s Day

Feb. 13 Valentine’s Day Race

Feb. 20 President’s Day Race

Feb. 27 College Day

Feb. 27 Mardi Gras Race

Feb. 28 Ms. Monday Clinic

March 1 Forever Young Clinic

March 6 Jane and Pitch Tribute

March 6 Local’s Day

March 6 Tribute Race

March 13 Spring Fling Fun Race

March 20 Fun Race

March 27 Fun Race

March 29 Tuesday Turns Clinic

March 30 Local’s Day

April 2 Wolf Creek Super G Race

April 2 College Day

April 3 Local’s Day

April 3 Tentative Closing Day

Retail Therapy

Wolf Creek Ski Area Read More »

Winterfest

Photo: Randi Pierce

WinterFest weekend is the time to visit Pagosa Springs, with all the fun activities going on in addition to the great skiing at Wolf Creek Ski Area. WinterFest 2022 is set for Jan. 21-23, giving the locals a little break from shoveling snow and allowing them some great fun. A number of activities are slated for the weekend where people can participate or enjoy the festivities through spectating.

A magical part of the weekend is the colorful hot air balloons that grace the winter skies — weather permitting. The snowy white mountains and the crystal blue skies make for a stunning backdrop to the multicolored balloons. Bring your camera, dress warmly and capture the splendor as the balloons mass ascend on Jan. 22 and 23. Both mass ascensions will take place from various locations on the west side of town where you may see a balloon take a skip and a hop on the frozen lakes.

On Saturday, the festivities include the Sledz on Rez Race, hosted by the Build Pagosa construction vocational group. Homemade sleds “race” down Reservoir Hill located downtown. Materials such as satellite dishes, wheelbarrows, kayaks or a crate are joined with skis or snowboards for imaginative sled creations. The crowd jeers and cheers as the sledders wield their way down the hill.

Another highlight of WinterFest is the Penguin Plunge, where hardy participants jump into the frigid San Juan River (approximately 32 degrees) as they raise money for their favorite nonprofit organization. The event takes place on Saturday around noon in front of the Visitor Center, where the plungers float down the river a bit and then go over “Davey’s Wave” for a full- body experience. Spectators can view the antics from the Riverwalk.

For the athletically inclined, there are several activities to participate in over the weekend. The Pagosa Nordic Club will host a Learn to Ski XC Ski Clinic Saturday, Jan. 22. The Red Ryder BB Gun Biathlon will be held on Sunday morning, Jan. 23, around 9 a.m. This event offers participants a cross-country course to fit your skill level. There will be 16 km competitive, 4 km citizens-youth and kid courses. Each skier shoots at targets, with BB guns provided, three times between ¼ ski distances.

An exciting addition to the WinterFest schedule is action-packed skijoring. This rapid-paced event will take place at the Archuleta County Fairgrounds/Western Heritage Event Center on Saturday and Sunday. Watch as horses pull skiers through an obstacle course and jumps while at a full-out run. This event will definitely keep your blood pumping.

Be sure to check The Pagosa Springs SUN and www.PagosaSUN.com for up-to-date information closer to event time. As WinterFest activities are subject to Mother Nature, all events are contingent upon weather conditions, including the launching of the balloons.

WinterFest is an interactive festival perfect for the family. You’ll not want to miss the fun.

Retail Therapy

WinterFest Read More »