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November 29, 2005
Early Season Powder!
Aspen and Snowmass Mountains are officially open, and the conditions are quite amazing for early season. Not to mention that Aspen / Snowmass are currently under a winter storm warning, calling for more snowfall. This snowfall could mean a fourth day of powder conditions, and the mountain has only been open for less than a full week. Below, you will see a picture of opening day on Aspen Mountain, since that day the mountains have accumulated another foot and a half of snow...and counting.
Posted by at 03:22 PM | Comments (0)
November 18, 2005
Thanksjibbing?!
Thanksjibbing will throw the start of the winter season into high gear, November 25-26. During Thanksjibbing weekend, on Saturday evening, "The Trews" will kick-off the Budweiser Hi-Fi concert series, which begins November 26th and runs through April, and they will provide an outdoor concert to accompany the athletes who will show-off their skills on cutting edge rails, boxes and jib features at the base of Aspen Mountain. This event will introduce the athletes of Team Aspen/Snowmass who are leaders in their respective disciplines.
Continuing on with the Budweiser Hi-Fi concert series are the "Gin Blossoms," who will perform during the Women's World Cup Weekend on December 10th. Thanksjibbing weekend kicks off the event-packed winter season in Aspen / Snowmass. Click here to learn more about what events are in line for this winter.
Posted by at 09:59 AM | Comments (0)
November 16, 2005
Highlands to Open Additional New Acres
With the addition of the new "Deep Temerity" lift, came an additional 100 acres of new terrain. And, as work on the new lift and runs continued, the summer crew found extra time and funds to clear an additional 80 acres of new steeps, chutes and tree runs. The new lift will add up to 1,100 vertical feet in Highland Bowl and double the length of most of the terrain it serves. The new 180 acres will add some of the most difficult ski area terrain in North America, and challenge Bowl enthusiasts to increase how many Bowl runs they can pack into one full ski day. Book your ski vacation today with Stay Aspen Snowmass and ski at Highlands, a nationally renowned mountain.
Check out a map of the new runs at Highlands Mountain below: 
Posted by at 08:49 AM | Comments (0)
November 15, 2005
Get a Jump Start on the Season
So you're coming to town for Thanksgiving and you want to get a head start on the slopes? You want a taste of the fresh snow we just received? Does the thought of first tracks on Aspen Mountain sound good? Come join the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club for our annual Ski and Snowboard Day on Wednesday, November 23rd. Aspen Skiing Company has generously allowed us access to the mountain the day before the official opening day to help the Club raise money.
Tickets can be purchased at the Gondola ticket plaza at the base of Aspen Mountain starting at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $30 for adults and $10 for kids ages 18 and under, but you can also join up and become a member of AVSC for $50 and recieve the following new-member benefits:
AVSC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that reaches over 1,700 children and adolescents and engages them in alpine skiing, nordic skiing, snowboarding and freestyle skiing. We offered over 400 scholarships last season and our goal is to reach every interested child regardless of circumstance. The Wall Street Journal has cited our Latino outreach efforts and the U.S. Forest Service and the National Ski Areas Association is using AVSC as a case study for a publication on best practices in snow-sports diversity.
Come join us for the freshies!
Posted by at 09:38 AM | Comments (0)
Blizzard Blows through Aspen / Snowmass
As opening day on Aspen and Snowmass Mountain approaches, the snow continues to accumulate. Over 16 inches of snow has fallen in the past two days, creating a base of 32 inches and counting. Yesterday, the blizzard was so strong that drivers could not see more than 20 feet ahead of them. With more snow in the forecast, and cold temperatures at night allowing for snow making to occur, locals and visitors cannot wait to get first tracks. Opening day is less than 10 days away, and the Women's World Cup follows shortly after. If you haven't planned your Aspen / Snowmass vacation, check out last-minute deals so you too can enjoy a powder day!
Posted by at 09:12 AM | Comments (0)
November 14, 2005
Facts About Snowmass Village
Snowmass Village Facts:
*Ease and convenience are the buzz words at Snowmass, whether you want to walk to one of Snowmass' 30-plus restaurants or cruise through the numerous shops slopeside.
*The new base village at Snowmass is taking shape with construction that began summer 2005. The future base village will feature a 25,000-square-foot children's center, 64,000 square feet of new shops and restaurants, 15,000-square-foot conference space, a community aquatic center, a 246-unit Westin conference hotel, The Little Nell at Snowmass, and 359 condominiums - all connected to the upper village area by a two-minute gondola ride on the Sky Cab
*Don't miss the Blue Door in Snowmass Village. From karaoke night to DJs and live music, this edgy nightspot, located between The Silvertree Hotel and the Wildwood Lodge, is nightlife in Snowmass Village!
*The Silvertree Hotel took over ownership of the 35,000-square-foot Snowmass Conference Center, thus streamlining the process of bringing groups to Snowmass.
*At Snowmass guests can leave their cars at home or in the parking lot, because even a trip to the grocery store is a breeze on the free property or village shuttle buses.
*Snowmass Village is located six miles from the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport
Experience Snowmass Village today by booking your next vacation with Stay Aspen Snowmass.
Posted by at 01:41 PM | Comments (0)
November 11, 2005
Facts about Aspen Mountain
Aspen facts:
*In the ever-funky Victorian town of Aspen, there are more than 100 bars and restaurants.
*The Aspen Institute was created by Walter Paepcke in 1950 as an ideal gathering place for thinkers, leaders, artists, and musicians from all over the world
*Aspen is located three miles from the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport
*Aspen is mentioned in more Hollywood films and TV shows than any other ski area in the industry - Aspen Extreme, Dumb & Dumber, Vanilla Sky, South Park, Legally Blonde, Little Black Book, are just a few.
*Aspen has six sister cities: Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany; Queenstown, New Zealand; Shimukappu, Japan; Chamonix, France; San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina; and Davos, Switzerland
*Singer John Denver made Aspen his home and was inspired by the town's beauty when he wrote his 1972 world-recognized hit, "Rocky Mountain High."
Posted by at 09:17 AM | Comments (0)
November 09, 2005
The Power of Four: Part Four - Snowmass Mountain
Snowmass Mountain is the second largest ski area in the country, boasting over 3,128 acres of cruisers, steeps, terrain parks, and half-pipes - with over 3,128 acres, 36 Disneylands could fit within the ski-area boundaries. And, with a vertical rise of 4,406 feet, Snowmass has the highest vertical rise of any ski area in the country. That's higher than three Sears Towers or four Eiffel Towers. To improve upon one of North America's premiere resorts, Snowmass is investing in $50 million of on-mountain improvements. In the next five years, Snowmass will have quicker lift rides and easier access. This season, the old Fanny Hill chairlift makes way for the speedy new Village Express - a six-passenger lift that soars from the bottom of Fanny Hill to Sam's Knob in just 9.5 minutes. Also to come this winter season is the new Sky Cab, a six-passenger gondola, which flies you from the new base to the Snowmass Village Mall in just two minutes. Future improvements will include the new Elk Camp Gondola and Elk Camp Meadows activity center. Learn more about the Snowmass Renaissance by visiting www.stayaspensnowmass.com/renaissance.
Below, check out a picture of Snowmass Village:
Posted by at 09:23 AM | Comments (0)
November 08, 2005
The Power of Four: Part Three - Buttermilk
The ESPN X Games will call Buttermilk their home for six consecutive years, from 2002 to 2007 - marking the first time a mountain has hosted an X Games event (summer or winter) for more than two consecutive years. Buttermilk is also an ideal mountain for beginners, with over 435 acres of wide rolling trails. And, while the less experienced riders cruise wide, rolling trails, the experts can show off their skills in the terrain park. Buttermilk's Crazy T'rain Park is nationally known for the superpipe featured during the ESPN Winter X Games. It also has over 40 rails and jumps, including tabletops, hips and spines.
Last season the existing West Buttermilk chair was replaced and now has a midway load station, allowing beginners and young children to do laps on the gentle trails of West Buttermilk.
Below, check out Buttermilk during the ESPN X Games:
Posted by at 10:23 AM | Comments (0)
November 07, 2005
The Power of Four: Part Two - Aspen Highlands
Aspen Highlands Mountain will be the focus of part two, in the Power of Four. Locals call Aspen Highlands their favorite mountain to ski, and their predilection for this 12,500-foot mountain is not unfounded. Aspen Highlands has over 970 acres of extreme terrain, groomed cruisers and breathtaking views of the Maroon Bells. Lift lines at Aspen Highlands tend to be minimal as most skiers are hiking to Highland Bowl - the ultimate off-piste experience. This ski season, the new Deep Temerity lift will only make the skiing experience at Aspen Highlands more amazing than it already is. Deep Temerity features a new triple chair, which rises 1,700 vertical feet in 7.3 minutes and gives access to 180 acres of new advanced, expert and extreme terrain. The lift will allow for new acreage to be added in future years, eventually leading to an additional 270 acres of new terrain. Below is a picture of the bowl and a view looking at the bowl including the spectacular panoramic that you see from the top - a nice reward after a long hike.
Posted by at 09:24 AM | Comments (0)
November 04, 2005
New Online Booking Offered by the Aspen Square!
The Aspen Square now offers an all-inclusive booking engine through Stay Aspen Snowmass. The co-branded booking engine, allows the same convenience as Stay Aspen Snowmass' Central Reservations, allowing for one stop shopping for a room at the Aspen Square, cars, shuttles, lift tickets, plane tickets, ski rentals and more. Book an all inclusive vacation package at the Aspen Square, and stay at a beautiful condominium hotel, located in the heart of downtown Aspen. If you are interested in participating in the co-branded booking engines, allowing for all inclusive packages to be booked online through your properties' website contact a local vacation expert at 1.888.649.5982.
Posted by at 02:27 PM | Comments (0)
The Power of Four: Part One - Aspen Mountain
Ever wonder why we call Aspen / Snowmass the "Power of Four"? Well, as part of a four part series, I will indulge in a description of each of the four mountains that make Aspen and Snowmass the most unique resort in North America. By purchasing one ticket, you can ski four different, and uniquely individual mountains.
Part one of the four part series will focus on Aspen Mountain, or Ajax as referred to by the locals. Aspen Mountain, at the heart of downtown Aspen, rises up over 3,267 feet, threatening skiers and snowboarders alike with its smorgasbord of double-black and tree runs. On January 11, 1947, Lift 1 on Aspen Mountain officially opened and was named the world's longest chairlift. After opening day, Aspen Mountain began to create a name for it self, boasting 673 acres of infamous steeps, bumps and incredible views. While skiing or snowboarding over the challenging terrain, you can find four hidden "shrines" made by locals in homage to John Denver, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia. Ajax is constantly undergoing changes to continue upgrading and improving upon what has already been famous for decades. The next upgrade involves a new Gondola, which will be ready to run by the winter of 2006-2007. View the picture below to see a view of the infamous Aspen Mountain.
Posted by at 10:29 AM | Comments (0)
November 03, 2005
Snowmass Introduces the "Big Air Dare"
Ever wonder what it feels like to be an extreme skier? Well, this winter you could experience between 35 to 100 feet of vertical, without the risk of extreme skiing. Snowmass Mountain is installing a ski jump zip line, called the "G-Force." The zip line system can be used with both skiers and boarders and can be used in the summer with roller blades, mountain bikes or mountainboards. You will strap yourself into a harness attached to a zip line and glide 1,150 feet down the mountain. Along the way, you have the option to hit a ski jump, simulating what it feels like to be an extreme skier. The Snowmass "G-Force" will be the first of its kind to hit the country, accommodating up to 60 rides per hour. Be the first to experience this by learning more about Aspen / Snowmass at www.stayaspensnowmass.com.
Posted by at 09:47 AM | Comments (0)
November 01, 2005
The day after Halloween...
After last night's Halloween festivities, Aspen seems to have slowed down a bit. There were the "Double Mint" twins, a Beetlejuice, and a Where's Waldo among the clever array of costumes. It looked like everyone was having a blast, and I have now witnessed that the nightlife in Aspen really does live up to its reputation. Now it is on to the next event - ski season. Ski season is only 24 days away, and Aspen is already reporting over a foot of snow as the base amount on the mountain. The forecast is calling for more winter weather this week on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For more information on winter activities that you can begin to plan for, go to www.stayaspensnowmass.com.
Posted by at 10:48 AM | Comments (0)
