Mystery Bowl at Vail?

[Granola Dude]

Hey there everyone. I figured this post should go in the misc. pile since it isn't in the northest... anyway - back in February we made the trek out to Vail for some most excellent skiing. Of course the bowls were awesome =). There was one thing that lingered though after the trip, besides my sore legs. (Looking at a Vail trail map) to the left of the Northeast bowl, there is an area that is labeled as out of bounds, and normally it wouldn't mean much more to me... BUT! As we were gliding across the ridge above this area (in bounds of course, as we were on one of the trails atop the back bowls) there was a sign that said something to the effect of: "Please avoid (i think it said Mushroom) Bowl." and then something about wildlife. anyway, what was this bowl like? its interesting to hear of a bowl being closed, because it really looked nice. Nice trees, groovy chutes. Anyway, did any of you guys experience this bowl before it was closed? Was it ever an official bowl? If a train leaves from New York and one Los Angeles both traveling...

anyway, any info on this would be awesome - i'm quite intrigued by the lost bowl.

Thanks! :beer:

 

[bvibert]

Welcome to the forums, I hope you hang around to talk more skiing with us.

For the above question you might have better luck getting an answer at AZ's sister forums on www.coskiing.com

 

[Granola Dude]

Thanks for the warm welcome and the coskiing site! I would have never thought of looking for a specific Colorado Skiing Forum, so thanks for pointing me in the right direction. lol

peace, and thanks again!

 

[bvibert]

Not a problem. :beer:

 

[St. Jerry]

Mushroom bowl is an out-of-bounds bowl that is considered part of the east-Vail chutes (as I recall). It's not bombed for slides, so I wouldn't go there unless you're with someone who knows the area and snowfall history and you have all of the right gear.

Every year, at least one person or more is killed by slides in the Vail back country.

 

[DJAK]

I've skied mushroom bowl a ton of times. Vail actually goes to the bottom of it with a cat and grooms out a trail that takes you back to the highline lift. Or at least they did 7 years ago. I guess less people get stuck out there with a cat track to get back.

If you go far to the skiers left you hit a 60+ cliff band, if you stay right it's steep but clear sailing. The vert likely isnt more than 800-1000 feet though before you hit the cat track.

The Bowl is different than the east vail chutes in that it ends one fold in from the actual Vail Valley - you wont end up in east Vail. From that gate you hike up and to the right to get the chutes, across and to the left for Mushroom Bowl.

But yes, go with someone who is familiar.