Snowbirds (Room 517)

Julia Anna Moore
Jan 1
5 min read

How to get to Snowbirds

This run is a black diamond below Lake Chutes on Peak 8. It’s a great trail to lap on 6-Chair or finish your run from Imperial Bowl. It’s usually bumped out, as everything is in this area, and finishes out in Boneyards, which is the connector to 6-Chair. I love boneyard because of all the small trees, but be careful to not wreck your skis or board on the rocks sticking out.

Ski resort trail map showing various ski runs in blue, black, and red lines through mountainous terrain with tree symbols, names, and symbols. — *Map of Breckenridge’s Peak 8*

Cardboard Derby

This spring event was popular among resorts in the 90’s and early 2000’s, one being in Arapahoe Basin, the advanced mountain on Loveland Pass. Cardboard derbies have one rule: all sleds have to be made of only cardboard and tape to get sent down a hill with the creators inside. Some of these designs are absolutely insane and probably took hours of work to only be destroyed in seconds on the snow.

Man in cowboy hat near a cardboard car in snowy mountain setting. Crowd in background. Festive mood with clear sky and ski lift visible. — **Smokey and the Bandit:** Just like the old Burt Reynolds movie, there was the Bandit driving his Trans-Am, Smokey in the police cruiser, and a beer truck somewhere behind the both of them. *Original creator: 2000; A-Basin Ski Area — Knick Knack. A-Basin Ski Area — Knick Knack.*

Red bus float with large wheels and colorful patterns, surrounded by a crowd in winter clothing. Mountains and trees in background. Text: "Monster KBCO 97.3". — **Grateful Sled 5:** The fifth annual Grateful Sled. This time it was a VW Microbus, jacked up with some monster tires. On the way down the hill the tires came off and actually beat the bus down. *Original creator: 2001; A-Basin Ski Area — Knick Knack. A-Basin Ski Area — Knick Knack.*

Crowd gathered on snowy hill watching luge run. People in colorful winter clothes. Focus on sled and track. Energetic winter scene. — **The Empire State Building:** They also performed a skit, where a man dressed as a woman actually climbed to the top and screamed, Also note the plane stuck to the the side of the building. *Original creator: 2000; A-Basin Ski Area — Knick Knack. A-Basin Ski Area — Knick Knack*

Crowded ski resort with skiers in colorful gear. Snowy mountain and pine trees in the background under a clear blue sky. — **A-Basin Scenery:** I doubt you could find a nicer day or a better location for such madness. *Original creator: 2001; A-Basin Ski Area — Knick Knack. A-Basin Ski Area — Knick Knack.*

People gather outdoors on snow, near a large, foil-wrapped item labeled "Chipotle." Casual, festive winter scene with vivid outfits. — **Chipotle Burrito:** Considering the drinking going on that day, I’m sure more than one person wished this was real. *Original creator: 2001; A-Basin Ski Area — Knick Knack. A-Basin Ski Area — Knick Knack.*

A modern touch

At Wedgewood Lodge, we want to give you a distinctive look into the past history of Breckenridge. Each photo in your historical gallery is unique to your stay and took countless hours to curate. There are stories to tell about Breckenridge and Summit County today as well, and the following photos have been shot by Julia Anna Moore.

Winter 2010

From aerial imagery, you can see the vast expanse of the White River National Forest. Can you point out Breckenridge and Copper Mountain?

Aerial black-and-white image of a mountainous landscape with valleys and ridges. Snowy peaks are visible, creating a dramatic contrast. — From aerial imagery, you can see the vast expanse of the White River National Forest. Can you point out Breckenridge and Copper Mountain?

Summer 2020

In the midst of the pandemic, historic wildfires hit the state of Colorado. Most of my photos during my short walk on Boreas Pass had a hazy red undertone, representative of how my lungs felt even just going a short distance. The air quality was terrible, I’m surprised you could even see these mountains at all.

Tall evergreen trees frame a distant mountain range under a hazy sky, creating a tranquil and serene natural landscape. — Duo of the Colorado Rockies framed by Evergreens. You can see the haziness as these photos were taken during the historic 2020 wildfires.

Tall evergreen trees frame a distant mountain under a clear sky. The scene conveys a tranquil, natural atmosphere. No text visible. — Duo of the Colorado Rockies framed by Evergreens. You can see the haziness as these photos were taken during the historic 2020 wildfires.

Distant mountains against a hazy, pinkish sky with dark pine trees in the foreground, creating a calm and serene atmosphere. — More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.

Purple flowers with yellow centers bloom in a garden. Green leaves and more blurred flowers are in the background, creating a serene mood. — More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.

Bird perched on evergreen branch against a cloudy sky. The scene is serene, with muted greens and soft light, creating a peaceful mood. — More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.

Chipmunk perched on a fallen log, nibbling something in a sunlit forest. Background is blurred with green and yellow foliage. — More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.

Hazy mountain view with a forest of tall, slender trees in the foreground under a soft, muted sky, evoking a serene mood. — More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.

Summer 2022

Storms in Summit County roll in like clock work during the summertime, so you better do all your fun outdoor activities before lunch. Sometimes the rain blows over quickly, sometimes it lasts until sunset, creating a beautiful pattern in the sky.

Mountain peak bathed in orange sunset light under dramatic clouds. Dark foreground contrasts with vibrant sky, creating a serene mood. — The sun sets in July after a thunderstorm kissing Bald Mountain with alpenglow.

Orange and gray clouds fill the sky during sunset, creating a dramatic and serene atmosphere. No text visible. — The sun sets in July after a thunderstorm kissing Bald Mountain with alpenglow.

Moon in a twilight sky with dark clouds and hints of pink and blue, creating a calm and serene atmosphere. — The sun sets in July after a thunderstorm kissing Bald Mountain with alpenglow.

The mountains below are some of the same mountains you saw in some of my above photos from the 2020 wildfires. Notice the clarity in the air as the sun sets, lighting the mountains up with alpenglow. 2022 was a very wet year, a large contrast from the year of COVID-19.

Mountain landscape at sunset with snow-dusted peaks and pine trees in the foreground. Dramatic orange and pink clouds fill the sky. — A panoramic view of the White River National Forest.

Autumn 2022

A small snowstorm turned the peaks white in September, and I ran out of my front door to get the clouds leaving the mountains as the sky cleared. The excitement of ski season set in.

Snow-capped mountain under a cloudy sky, surrounded by dense green forests. Yellow foliage in the foreground adds a touch of autumn. — The first snowfall in September, the aspens on Peak 8 already ready to drop their leaves for wintertime.

Snowy mountain peak behind lush, autumn-colored forest with yellow and green trees. Overcast sky adds a serene, tranquil mood. — The first snowfall in September, the aspens on Peak 8 already ready to drop their leaves for wintertime.

Snow-capped mountain under cloudy sky, surrounded by autumn-colored hills with scattered trees. A tranquil, scenic landscape. — The first snowfall in September, the aspens on Peak 8 already ready to drop their leaves for wintertime.

Winter 2022

The picturesque Hoosier Pass in dark greens and grays as snow falls, creating yet another perfect powder day for Summit County.

Snowy cabin surrounded by tall pines, with a parked SUV in front. Overcast skies create a serene, wintry mood. — A hazy snowstorm blows over the mountains, creating the atmosphere of cozying up at home with a cup of tea.

Foggy forest landscape with tall evergreen trees. The background is misty, creating a calm and serene atmosphere. No visible text. — A hazy snowstorm blows over the mountains, creating the atmosphere of cozying up at home with a cup of tea.

Winter 2023

A fluffy snow had fallen all day, and as the sky cleared up in time for sunset. The alpenglow lit up the mountains before the sun sank behind the mountains creating a hazy blanket of darkness over White River National Forest.

Loveland Pass is the perfect place to take in the view, just be sure that you have 4WD if it’s been snowing and park off the road in the parking lot.

Snowy mountain range at sunrise with purple and pink clouds, highlighting the peak. Forested lower slopes add contrast. Serene mood. — A hazy sunset paints over Loveland Pass

Snow-covered mountain with evergreen trees, a ski lift, and a small building at the peak. The sky is clear, creating a serene atmosphere. — Strings of alpenglow touch the Pali Lift at Arapahoe Basin

Snow-covered mountain peak with a forest below, bathed in warm sunset light. Clear blue sky above, creating a tranquil and majestic scene. — Strings of alpenglow touch the Continental Divide

Snowy mountains with a sign reading "White River National Forest" in the foreground. Overcast sky and serene, wintry landscape. — The alpenglow disappears and the blanket of darkness settles.

During the storm you see below in Summit, conditions were windy, rough, and cold. While most people chose to stay in, I ran up the mountain with my camera.

Want to take a piece of Summit County home with you? We will ship any of the prints from Julia’s gallery straight to your house. We offer different sizes and framing options. Reach out here.