So Far, Snow Good

So Far

Snow Good

 Snowmass Ski Area, Elk Mountain Range, Colorado, from McClain Flats Rd by MARTIN COONEY

Even after 11 years of living here in Woody Creek the stunning beauty of the Roaring Fork Valley quite takes my breath away, and when the weather conspires to produce the sort of winter we have enjoyed so far I have to pinch myself that in actual fact I really do call this wonderful place home.

Snowmass Ski Area, Elk Mountain Range, Colorado, from McClain Flats Rd by MARTIN COONEY

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Snowmass Ski Area, Elk Mountain Range, Colorado, from McClain Flats Rd by MARTIN COONEY

Snowmass Ski Area and the Elk Mountain Range, viewed from McClain Flats Road. Thursday, January 8th, 12:07 PM.

A ‘playground for the rich’ it is for sure, but that doesn’t stop the rest of us from getting in on the act by revelling in the sheer beauty of it all, and when the weather has been as obliging as it has this winter it just serves as icing on the cake.

Aspen Mountain, Independence Pass, Elk Mountain Range, Colorado, by MARTIN COONEY

Clouds Over “Ajax”

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Aspen Mountain, Independence Pass, Elk Mountain Range, Colorado, by MARTIN COONEY

Aspen Mountain

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Buttermilk Ski Area, Aspen Highlands, from McClain Flats Rd by MARTIN COONEY

Buttermilk Ski Area, Aspen Highlands, from McClain Flats Rd

This winter however I’ve made the decision to swap downhill skis for for their much skinnier edge-less Nordic counterparts. Its my aim to explore and photograph the 150 kilometers of immaculately maintained and groomed cross-country trails that crisscross the upper valley, connecting not only the community at large but all four of the Aspen and Snowmass ski areas.

North Star Nature Preserve, Aspen CO, by MARTIN COONEY

North Star Nature Preserve

I’ll readily admit that, at the moment, I’m still somewhat wobbly on the skinny little bits of nothing that pass for skis in the cross-country world but, man, am I enjoying the change of scenery!

North Star Nature Preserve, Aspen CO, by MARTIN COONEY

Skiing at such a snail’s pace allows for a much more leisurely appreciation of the frozen winter wonderland.

North Star Nature Preserve, Aspen CO, by MARTIN COONEY

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North Star Nature Preserve, Aspen CO, by MARTIN COONEY

And so yesterday I made my way from Woody Creek along McClain Flats Road, “the back way” into Aspen, and on to the North Star Nature Reserve in order to enjoy the place for the first time on skis.

North Star Nature Preserve, Aspen CO, by MARTIN COONEY

At the end of the season I’ll be releasing the full collection of photographs covering the various trails in my Postcard From martincooney.com series, but for now here’s a taster of what to expect.

North Star Nature Preserve, Aspen CO, by MARTIN COONEY

The “Backside” of Ajax… or “Aspen Mountain” if you prefer.

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North Star Nature Preserve, Aspen CO, by MARTIN COONEY

North Star Nature Preserve.

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The Sculpture Garden, Woody Creek CO by MARTIN COONEY

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning ! Thursday, January 8th 2015. The Sculpture Garden basks in another “Bluebird” Colorado Rocky Mountain winter’s day.

But before you go here’s a slideshow I put together for ‘Curvilinear Campfire’, the 12th and final carving of my recently completed ‘Autumn of 14 Collection of Colorado Yule Marble Sculpture’.

At this time of the year the sun slants through the cabin window at such a low angle it makes my wafer-thin curvilinear sculpture positively glow – perfectly illustrating the translucent nature of marble cut so thinly that light illuminates the sculpture from within.

'Curvilinear Campfire', Colorado Yule Marble Sculpture by MARTIN COONEY

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 'Salt of the Earth' & 'Curvilinear Campfire', Colorado Yule Marble Sculpture by MARTIN COONEY

‘Curvilinear Campfire’ wasn’t the only sculpture basking in the sun’s rays however, ‘Salt of the Earth’ pounced on the opportunity to light up his beguiling ‘Solar Powered Stare’.

'Salt of the Earth', Colorado Yule Marble Sculpture by MARTIN COONEY

You can check out the dramatic ‘Twin Splitting’, whereby ‘Salt of the Earth’ (or “Salty) was surgically separated from his sister, Girl in the Moon, by clicking here, and view pictures of his playful sibling (“Moongirl”) here.

'Industrial Evolution', 1314 Winter Collection by MARTIN COONEY

‘Industrial Evolution’. Self Portrait.

Until next time, thanks for dropping by…

Self-portrait, Martin Cooney

“Cheerio”

Martin