For a couple of years at least, the boys and I have talked about skiing the Spellbound and Phoenix Bowls in Crested Butte. These are remote, "extreme limits", "double black", bowls that provide unmarked, ungroomed skiing, which is what makes them so great. You'll see in the pictures that follow how unspoiled and uncrowded this area is, which is why we love it.

In this picture, Phillip and Paul are standing just below the rock band that guards the entry to Spellbound Bowl. Fortunately, we found a slightly easier way in, even though there were still a few "mandatory rocks" on the first turn or two. We were then able to drop into the bowl without any real calamity.

Paul looks like he's about to toss his breakfast after that entry. However, he also might have been a little tired, as we all were, after the 20 minute hike it took to get into the bowl in the first place. But, he was in top form and aced the rest of the run.