By Shannon Lukens.
Avalanche conditions are dangerous right now for the mountainous areas of Colorado. It’s because of the new snow and winds we’ve been getting. Here’s Ethan Greene, director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
“Multiple storms this week have increased the thickness of cohesive slabs of snow, resulting in larger avalanches in more places. As the storms keep rolling in, the avalanches are growing larger with each subsequent storm.”
The most dangerous conditions will be Sunday afternoon. Be aware if you’re going in the backcountry. Travel with safety gear and know the forecast.
Full statement from CAIC Director Ethan Greene
CAIC ISSUES A SPECIAL AVALANCHE ADVISORY FOR THIS WEEKEND
That forecast calls for a Winter Storm Warning for the Elkhead and Park Mountains and the Flat Tops. That includes the Steamboat Springs area, through North Routt and parts of Moffat County north to the Wyoming border, south to McCoy then west to the Meeker area. The National Weather Service says there could be up to two feet of snow, with wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour, and a wind chill as low as 35 below.
Yampa Valley Regional Airport has been busy, with 1,698 passengers arriving Thursday, and 1,673 leaving out of the airport in Hayden. That’s an 89% load factor. With so many passengers, airport staff is asking that you arrive at least two hours early to check bags and get through TSA.
You can continue to track all HDN flights status, at www.flysteamboat.com, a website for Yampa Valley Regional Airport.
Activities recognizing Martin Luther King weekend are happening through Sunday. High schoolers will play Black History Jeopardy at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Off the Beaten Path. On Sunday, there is a panel discussion at 2 p.m. at Hazie’s Restaurant at the top of the gondola about how black skiers and cowboys are breaking barriers, and how important the diversity of the two industries are that define Steamboat.
FRIDAY…
he Race to the Cup Snowboard NorAm finals are today at Howelsen Hill. It’s a head-to-head parallel Giant Slalom with top snowboarders from the region. Snowboard Race to the Cup Schedule
The Steamboat Sailors Alpine Ski Team is competing in Winter Park today.
In wrestling… The Moffat County boys are in Casper, Wyoming for the Trojan Border War. The girls are competing at Green River High School, also in Wyoming.
SOROCO and Hayden boys wrestling teams are at Rangely Saturday. The SOROCO girls wrestle at Severance, which is just east of Fort Collins.
In Basketball…
The Moffat County Bulldogs host Aspen tonight in basketball. Bryant Carlson is a senior for the Bulldogs.
“Aspen… I played with all those kids this summer and a lot of them are my friends so I’m excited to play against them.”
Tipoff is at 7 p.m. for the Varsity team, with the JV and C Teams playing before that.
Moffat County High School and middle school students are invited to ice skating at Loudy-Simpson Ice Rink in Craig. It’s from 9-11 p.m. tonight after the home basketball games. The event is free, brought to you by Partners for Youth. There will also be pizza and hot chocolate.
The Steamboat Sailors basketball teams are away this weekend with games against Delta tonight and then Rifle Saturday afternoon.
SOROCO hosts Vail Christian in basketball. Hayden hosts North Park. Those games are Saturday.
SATURDAY…
The 11th Annual Yampa Valley Anglers Ice Fishing Tournament is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at Stagecoach State Park. Ice anglers can win up to $10,000 in cash and prizes. Register Saturday morning, or pre-register at Stagecoach, Yampa River State Park, or the Colorado Parks and Wildlife office in Steamboat Springs. You will need a valid fishing license. More information is at YampaValleyAnglers.com
For questions and additional information, contact Yampa Valley Anglers at 970-819-4376, or by email at yampavalleyanglers@gmail.com, or Stagecoach State Park at 970-736-2436 or by email at dnr_stagecoach.park@state.co.us
- STAGECOACH STATE PARK
25500 RCR 14, Oak Creek, CO 80467 - YAMPA RIVER STATE PARK
6185 W Hwy 40, Hayden, CO 81639 - CPW STEAMBOAT SPRINGS OFFICE
925 Weiss Dr. Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
The Oak Creek Library in South Routt is hosting a “Fiber Fiesta.” Enjoying knitting, crocheting, spinning, needle felting, and weaving from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at the local library on Main Street in Oak Creek.
The Cowboy Up Balloon Glow is at 5 p.m. at the base of Steamboat Resort this Sunday. Watch the six hot air balloons light up and inflate at the base area. The balloon glow is weather dependent and will not happen if there is heavy snow or wind. But it will still be festive and fun with music and dancing and ice skating.
The 49th Annual Cowboy Downhill from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the base on Monday.
A Pickleball Club at Steamboat Springs High School is starting. Their inaugural event is at 5 p.m. this Sunday. Bring shoes. Paddles will be provided if you need one.
For questions, please contact Caleb Grommeck at 720-965-0400 or 760-709-6887. Or call Barbara Robinson at 970-846-7515 at the Steamboat Tennis and Pickleball Center.
Check out what’s happening in the Yampa Valley on the Community Calendar on our website.
For the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline, call 970-824-1918.