Skiers may have been enamored with the conditions found in the mountain areas Monday — provided they were able to get there.
According to the National Weather Service, as much as 30 inches of snow fell in Steamboat Springs, part of a system that dealt a heavy blow to the region.
But while the powder may have been heavenly, road conditions were something else altogether.
The Colorado Department of Transportation said about 4:20 p.m. that westbound Interstate 70 was closed at Georgetown because of the poor conditions.
The highway reopened shortly after 7 p.m.
Kyle Fredin with the National Weather Service said the highest amount of snow seen so far is about 14 to 20 inches in the mountains.
He predicted between 24 to 40 inches of snow by the time it tapered off later Monday or early Tuesday morning.
A strong winter storm continues to deliver a blow to the state, leaving roads slippery and dangerous in the high country and along the Front Range.
High elevations saw over a foot of snow in some areas as the storm blew in late Saturday night. Another band of snow has entered the Western Slope on Monday morning and is making its way across the state, according to the National Weather Service.
A winter storm warning remains in effect until midnight on Monday for the high country, the service says.
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I-70 remains snow-packed and icy in the high country where visibility is low. The Colorado Department of Transportation says blowing snow is also an issue.
“Chains, snow tires or four-wheel drive HIGHLY recommended for ALL vehicles during mountain travel,” the department said on its website.
The department reported heavy westbound delays from Georgetown through Vail Pass.
Loveland Pass has been closed because of adverse conditions.
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Front Range commuters can expect wet roads and some icy spots during their travels, though little to no snow fell in the city.
Douglas, Arapahoe and El Paso counties were all put on accident alert, as were certain Denver police districts, Centennial and Colorado Springs. Accidents were reported all along the Interstate 25 corridor and on roads throughout the metro area.
A 20 percent chance of precipitation — both snow and rain — continues throughout Monday into the night for the Denver area.
A high wind warning has been issued into Tuesday for the Eastern Plains counties surrounding Denver.
Denver is expected to see some snow showers coming off the hills Monday afternoon with a slight chance of showers Monday night, Fredin said.
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Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or twitter.com/JesseAPaul
