crzyjt wrote: will I be stopping to cross crevasses often enough that it would not seem worth it to bring the skis?
Actually Cotopaxi is featuring crevasses all over its north face (normal route), so I think you'll be stopping very often to cross those crevasses, exposed passes and climbing down the 5500 m big crevasse where you can find an aluminum ladder which it's not being used at the moment. I'd said you'll be skiing no longer than 10 minutes above the glacier line (5,150 m). So it won't be worth it.
A good option would be skiing down the scree slope above the refuge which at the moment (April) it's covered by a good layer of snow. I actually did it a couple months ago. It found the route a bit icy though, but it was fun. Let's see if this snow lasts until the summer months.
I've seen people skiing Chimborazo. There you won't be stopping every now and then to cross crevasses, but as I said before.. let's see if all of this new snow lasts until the summer months. It's too early to know that. Ecuador is a tropical country, and snow can melt down in less than a couple of weeks.
crzyjt wrote: Also, are the busses in Ecuador similar to Mexico in that they have large storage bins under the bus where I can put the skis or will it be a challenge to transport them between towns? Is it easy to find mini-van taxis from the airport in quito?
Buses in Ecuador do have large storage bins. But always keep an eye on your belongings. A good way to do so is by getting a seat at the right side of the bus (window seat). These buses stop very often to pick up passengers so you really need to watch for your items.
If you are acclimatized already, you can head straight to Cotopaxi from Quito. But taking a van or taxi from the airport could be very expensive. Keep in mind that Cotopaxi National Park entrance close its gates at 3 pm, and park rangers don't allow any vehicles getting in after that time.
Hope this little info helped you a bit John.
Boriss...