I'm considering a job transfer to Colorado Springs. Does anyone here officiate in that area or know any contacts there? I've found the website to help me get started there, but would like to discuss a couple of things with someone from the area.

Thanks,

Adam

Send me an email. I am now in Texas but I got my start in Colorado Springs. Get ready for some good officiating. There are guys there who call international ball.

Cant help on the refs, but you wont have to travel far for some great snow skiing!

Hate to burst your bubble. It is still 100 miles to the nearest ski slope. They used to have on in town but not any more.

Thats an hour and a half!
For me to drive from my town would be 19 hours.(done that and it wasnt fun driving)
I take it your not a skier?

Tim, thanks. I emailed Bob.

Maybe I'll learn to ski if we make the move.

Snaqwells,
I'm in Colrado Springs. [email protected]

When I lived there I did ski maybe twice a year. Basketball season did put a damper on when you could go. 100 miles is more like two hours when you consider mountain passes and small towns have to be negociated. It is not all 75 mph driving. Most of it is still 55.

Once you make it threw the pass its not too bad of driving.
Plus its so much more fun to drive 75! Even faster as you go down the mountain. Wo now thats living on the edge...

Tim, what was your favorit to sky?

[Edited by TPS2859 on May 13th, 2004 at 03:14 PM]

Ski Cooper in Leadville. BTW CS did service the school with Varsity official. At 10,000 feet is the highest HS in the Country. Ski cooper has short lift lines, old fashion lifts. 1000 acres, 1000ft virtical, and I ususally was able to do my last run of the day all the way to my car. Even on Christmas day, the longest line I saw was 5 minutes. It is skiing the old fashion way and without the crowd.

Also there is Cacharas Valley. I never skiied it but you can drive 75 down I-25 to the Spanish Peaks.

Did Cooper a few years back on Thanksgiving! It was great.

I also had a good time at Keystone.
I've worn most of Colorado out.

Have youn been to Canada skiing?

Closest I've been to Canada is looking across the boarder at Niagra Falls, NY. I have never skiied New Mexico, Utah or Wyoming. Just Colorado.

Another great ski value is Monarch. Short on lines also, not a bad drive. You don't have to battle the Summit County traffic, which is becoming a nightmare. I've called some games in Leadville before, at 10,000 ft it does wind you. Even doing 3 man.

Rick,
I've got the distinct feeling that even at Colorado Springs' elevation, it'll take me a few games to adjust. Of course, three weeks in Utah (national guard duty) this summer should help.
I might just have to learn to ski, too. I don't even think I've ever touched a snow ski.

Adam,
You can bet it will take a little bit to adjust !!! After a month or so you start catching your breath. They are not joking when teams come into Denver and get winded. Suggest some preseason running. I don't ski as much as I used to, work a lot of games during the winter and the legs could use the rest instead of more abuse.

Rick, good hearing from you. Been a while. I've done Monarch. Great place. I like Leadville just a little better. Monarch is a close second. Can't quite ski to your car there. Runs are a lot shorter too. There is more space to tuck at Monarch and not get too much speed.

About the altitude, when I moved there, it took me a month to adjust. Just do some light jogging 3 to 4 times a week to prepare. Most of the games are between 5000 and 7000 feet. Just games North and West of town can get into higher elevations. Woodland Park at 8500 ft left me pretty winded. If you play pickup ball, be prepared for frequent substitutions. I played some pickup ball where we used hockey substitution rules.

[Edited by Tim Roden on May 14th, 2004 at 02:37 PM]

Tim,
Good hearing from you. So where in Texas are you? Most of the guys who I play pickup ball with around here just rest on defense. One of the best places in CO I've been skiing is Crested Butte. Out of the way,but a cool little town and a great hill.

I'm in Longview, about 60 Mi from Shreveport,La on I-20. I went to Crested Butte once. Didn't ski it. My roomate and I didn't realize how far it was. We showed up at 2:00 in the afternoon. No time to ski. To me it falls in the catagory of Vail and Aspen. Great places to ski but too expensive and too crowded for my blood. We only played those pickup ball rules when we had 14 guys show up to play ball after church. If we had 15 we just had winner take on the next set and a lot of resting on D. If 10 showed up I got to play a lot of defense.

Fav Place to Ski - when not reffing
 

Winter Park