Mountain Photography by Jack Brauer

Trip Reports: Epic Spring Ski Season in Western Colorado - May/June 2011

With record-breaking snowfalls in April, continuing well in May, the spring ski season in the San Juans was a memorable one.  May surprised us with several long snow storms that brought mid-winter-esque powder days and smiles all around!

Here is a collection of my favorite ski photos from May and June.

skiing, San Juans, Colorado, May
Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Potosi Peak, United States Mountain, Sneffels Range, Ouray, San Juan Mountains, Colorado, May, skiing

Sean Hart skis a steep couloir on United States Mountain in the Sneffels Range near Ouray - May. Potosi Peak looms in the background.

Photo © by Jack Brauer.
powder, skiing, May, San Juans, Colorado
Matt Wade enjoys some fresh May powder.  Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Skiing, Capitol Peak, Elk Mountains, Colorado, May
Skiing with a view of Capitol Peak in the background - May.  Skier: Scott McCurdy.  See more photos from this ski trip here. Photo © by Jack Brauer.
skiing, powder, May, San Juan Mountains, Colorado
Skiing deep powder in May.  Skier: Jeff Skoloda.  Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Fine Prints available.
Skiing, face shots, San Juans, Colorado, May
Jeff Skoloda getting face shots in May!  This would be incredible snow any time of the year... in May! Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Skin track, powder, San Juan Mountains, Colorado
A skin track through fresh powder.  Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Skiing, powder, San Juan Mountains, May
Jeff Skoloda skis a big powdery face in May.  Photo © by Jack Brauer.
skiing, powder, May, San Juans, Colorado
Jeff Skoloda skiing some great powder in May.  Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Skiing, Silverton, powder, May, San Juans, Colorado
Chris Jackson skis a fine line near Silverton, May.  Photo © by Jack Brauer.
skinning, San Juan Mountains, Colorado
Skinning up into the clouds.  Photo © by Jack Brauer.
skiing, powder, San Juan Mountains, Colorado, May
Paul McElrea skis some perfect cream cheese powder - May. Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Skiing, San Juan Mountains, May, Colorado
Skiing a large face, smooth as a pool table, in the San Juan Mountains, May.  Skier: Chris Cover. Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Skiing, San Juan Mountains, Colorado, May
Ann Driggers skis a big face on the last day of May. Photo © by Jack Brauer.
skiing, june, San Juans, Colorado, smoke, smoky
Skiing in June, with the San Juans choked with smoke from a huge wildfire in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Mt. Sneffels, skiing, June, San Juan Mountains, Colorado
Ryan Cook skis with Mt. Sneffels looming behind - June.  Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Potosi Peak, couloir, Teakettle, San Juan Mountains, Colorado, June
Ann Driggers climbs up the steep north couloir of Potosi Peak - June. Teakettle Mountain is in the background.  See more photos from our Potosi ski here!  Photo © by Jack Brauer.
skiing, San Juan Mountains, Colorado, June
Aimee McAbery skins to the top of a snowy ridge in the San Juans - June.  View it larger here! Photo © by Jack Brauer.
tele, skier, San Juan Mountains, Colorado, skiing, June
Chad Driggers shreds a tele turn in front of Teakettle Mountain - June. Photo © by Jack Brauer.

See more backcountry skiing photos on my blog!