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January 30, 2006
Winter X Games to be in Aspen / Snowmass through 2010
Aspen/Snowmass and ESPN have announced that the Winter X Games will be staying in Aspen/Snowmass through 2010. With this new contract, the Winter X Games will be in Aspen/Snowmass for nine consecutive years. Since the winter X Games came to Aspen in 2002, the event has grown immensely. The TV ratings for the event have increased over 23%, while the amount of event attendees has increased over 91%. Aspen / Snowmass has made the Winter X Games what it is today. Here's to three more years of free concerts, snowboarding, skiing, motorcycling and snowmobile-riding! Check out how you can attend the Winter X Games 11 by going to Stay Aspen Snowmass
Posted by at 10:04 AM | Comments (0)
January 26, 2006
United continues to fly into Aspen
United Airlines has found a way to continue flying jets into the Aspen Airport. There was a bit of uncertainty surrounding a plan of action once Air Wisconsin Airline Corp. (the regional jet carrier) ended their previous contract with United. However, United found a solution and has turned their jet needs to SkyWest Inc. who will supply regional "explus" jet service on 66-seat Canadair RJ-700 regional jets that offer economy, economy plus and first-class sections. United Express will continue service into Aspen with jet and turboprop flights. With 80% of Aspen's winter traffic arriving by air, this will alleviate previous concerns.
Video Footage of the RJ-700:
The RJ-700 Flying into Aspen Airport
Posted by at 11:23 AM | Comments (0)
January 25, 2006
Check Out the Peak Experience Package
Stay Aspen Snowmass is now offering the Peak Experience Package - a great way to take advantage of the amazing ski conditions in Aspen/Snowmass.
The Peak Experience Includes:
Free certificate for $50 credit on logo merchandise at Aspen/Snowmass Four-Mountain Sports
Book your package today by going to www.stayaspensnowmass/peak-experience.
Posted by at 09:24 AM | Comments (0)
January 24, 2006
Full Service Ski Vacation
Stay Aspen Snowmass has now added additional products to its inventory! In addition to the already extensive vacation options such as lodging, airfare, lift tickets, & ski/snowboard rentals, Stay Aspen Snowmass now offers advanced sales tickets for ski & snowboard tunes as well as taxi vouchers arranged to fit your vacation needs. For more information on booking your all inclusive vacation package visit Stay Aspen Snowmass.
Posted by at 01:19 PM | Comments (0)
January 23, 2006
An Epic Week of Powder
On Friday, January 20, 2006 the temperature was at 11 degrees Fahrenheit with 12 inches overnight on top of 9 inches the day before which comes to a total of 21 inches.
The tops of the mountains were above the clouds with 3.5% moisture content according to ski patrol.
The conditions equaled a "perfect storm" for Snowmass because of no wind and no avalanche closures!
There were fresh tracks until 1:30 PM - very few other powder hounds this day!
Check out the powder-packed pictures from Snowmass.
Posted by at 02:27 PM | Comments (0)
January 20, 2006
Aspen: 2 O'clock in the afternoon and how was your day in the office?
Aspen / Snowmass Resort has had almost 2 feet of fresh powder...we decided on Thursday to step out and see if any was left to ski.
The resorts of Aspen/Snowmass are notoriously uncrowded by design. Four mountains and over 5,000 acres of terrain. You know you have something good when you do not have to wait in a lift line to ski untracked, light dry Rocky Mountain powder.
A few people from the office found some stashes to carve. Bill, President of Stayaspensnowmass.com get's some work done on Aspen Mountain.
Video Footage of Powder Skiing:
Bill Tomcich skis powder on Aspen Mountain
It is not too late to come for the weekend and ski some of this wonderful powder for yourself...check out our Last-Minute lodging specials online with live availability.
See you on the mountain!
Posted by efullerton at 05:47 PM | Comments (0)
January 17, 2006
Snowfall 30% Above Average
The Aspen / Snowmass area has reported over 16 feet of snow since Thanksgiving, and over 3 feet of snow since New Year's. That being said, this winter has been the best skiing conditions that we have had in years. Local weather experts have said that with those numbers and their reports, the Roaring Fork Valley is several inches above the 30-year average. Yesterday, the mountains reported over a foot of snow and there is a new storm on the way this Thursday, January 19th. It just keeps getting better, and it looks like the above average percentage will also be getting better. Look for great deals promoting the "best conditions in years, " at Stay Aspen Snowmass.
Posted by at 09:19 AM | Comments (0)
January 12, 2006
Aspen's Winterskol Celebration
Join locals for the 55th annual Winterskol celebration, a weekend long celebration made-up of over 40 events in the Aspen / Snowmass area. From free strudel to a downhill swissbob contest, there is an event for everyone to enjoy. Winterskol begins Friday, with the Apple Strudel downhill race at Aspen Highlands, and free strudel for all of the participants. The events continue with a vintage costume contest, a Kidsculpt snow sculpture contest, fireworks, concerts, and much more. You can dress-up your canine for a chance to win an array of prizes or check-out the infamous parade through Aspen starting at 1:00pm on Saturday. This weekend is sure to be packed with lots of fun and celebrating! Check out last-minute lodging specials with Stay Aspen Snowmass, and join in the celebration of Witnerskol.
Posted by at 09:04 AM | Comments (0)
January 10, 2006
Locals Enjoy Weekday Powder
As the holiday season nears an end, the crowds have lessened while snowfall has accumulated. Sunday afternoon, the snow began to fall and up to 10 inches of fresh snow was enjoyed by many locals who began their work week with a few turns in the fresh powder. Base depths have accumulated up to 80 inches of snow, providing amazing coverage. There are still a few powder stashes to be discovered, but with more snow in the forecast there should be enough untracked powder for all to enjoy. Learn more about how you can get out there and enjoy the four mountains of Aspen / Snowmass.
Posted by at 09:41 AM | Comments (0)
January 04, 2006
United Airlines fare sale - cheap flights to Aspen
United Airlines just recently announced a system-wide fare sale that includes some of the lowest fares available into and out of Aspen / Snowmass all year. The most deeply discounted fares apply for travel between noon Monday through noon Thursday, require a 14-day advance purchase, all travel must be completed by March 8, 2006, and tickets must be purchased by January 10. Of course seats at these prices are very limited, and a number of other restrictions apply.
Sample roundtrip fares to and from ASE, in addition to applicable taxes and surcharges, include:
$128 - Denver
$168 - Salt Lake City, Jackson Hole, Albuquerque, Phoenix
$228 - Las Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas/Ft Worth, Houston
$258 - Chicago, Detroit, Nashville, Charlotte, Atlanta
$298 - Ft Lauderdale, Orlando, New York City, Washington D.C.
Northwest Airlines has matched these fares from their competing markets, and reservations can be made by browsing our online booking engine or calling a local vacation expert at 888.649.5982.
Thanks to Bill Tomcich for compiling this data.
Posted by efullerton at 05:39 PM | Comments (0)
The AVSC Nordic Bonfire Dinner - a Unique Aspen Family Event
If you're planning on being in Aspen on January 20th and are looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, come join us for the Annual Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club Nordic Bonfire Dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Aspen Golf Course/Cross-Country Center. Guests can cross-country ski or snowshoe 1.5 k.m. of candelit trails enjoying hors d'oeuvres, soups and deserts from the finest restaurants in Aspen and Snowmass Village. This event has become very popular with Aspenites and is a great fun for all ages. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children 13 and under and $45 for a family of four. Tickets can be purchased at the Wheeler Opera House Box Office, the Aspen Cross-Country Center or at the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club. All of us at AVSC hope you can make it!
Posted by at 04:00 PM | Comments (0)
2005 Aspen / Snowmass Vacation Planner wins prestigious award
Snowmass Village, CO. The Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA), the Town of Snowmass Village (TOSV), and Stay Aspen Snowmass (SAS) are thrilled to announce that the first Official Aspen / Snowmass Vacation Planner received a prestigious Silver at the 2005 Adrian Awards. The 'Adrians' -- the leading creative and media awards in global tourism -- have been presented by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) since 1956 and recognize creative brilliance and best practices in hospitality, travel, and tourism-related marketing.
"We are so honored by this outstanding recognition," says Susan Hamley, Marketing Director for Snowmass Village. "The Aspen / Snowmass Vacation Planner represents a ground-breaking collaborative initiative between Stay Aspen Snowmass, the Aspen Chamber, and the Town of Snowmass Village, and this award only furthers our firm belief that Aspen and Snowmass together equal one superior destination for people of all ages and interests."
The Aspen / Snowmass Vacation Planner, an elegant, 4-color, 48-page collateral piece, was published for the first time last spring to promote spring, summer, and fall in the region, and it was jointly funded by all three organizations and through advertising sales. The planner, which was designed by Miles Media Group, Inc., covered such topics as special events, adventure, arts, shopping, and dining in the region, along with tips on how to make the most of a visit.
"Miles Media welcomed the opportunity to work with Aspen and Snowmass, two truly iconic mountain resorts," says Chris Adams of Miles Media. "This award is really about a joint focus on quality -- which the three organizations emphasized from day one. It's a quality visitor guide that ideally matches the destination and the visitor."
Eighty-thousand copies of the vacation planner were produced this year and the piece was sent out in targeted direct mailings, to Colorado airports and welcome centers, and to interested potential visitors making inquiries. The 2005 piece has contributed to increased sales tax revenue, occupancy rates, and overall growth in directly traceable call volume, unique web visitors, and gross sales through central reservations. The 2006 Official Aspen / Snowmass Vacation Planner will be printed by March and will include a new 4-page pull-out area map, upgraded paper, enhanced editorial and pictures, and many other features that will help familiarize guests with all the activities, events, transportation, and lodging options that are available to them in Aspen and Snowmass Village.
"This piece was our first attempt to synergize our efforts and brands with a distinctive flagship marketing product," says Eric Fullerton, Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Stay Aspen Snowmass. "There were political, equitability and branding issues that had to be overcome so that the divergent strengths of each village at the resort could be seamlessly blended into an expression that would be understood by our core targeted customers. This piece was the first true collaborative Spring/Summer/Fall Aspen and Snowmass Village marketing piece."
The Adrian Awards have evolved over nearly half a century into the world's most prestigious advertising, public relations, and web marketing competition specifically tailored for the hospitality, travel, and tourism industries. Judges are comprised of marketing, advertising, public relations, and Internet professionals, as well as leading members of the travel community. Entries are evaluated in five categories including: Marketing Objectives, Creativity, Quality, Content, and Results. Last year's competition attracted over 1,500 entries from 46 countries, and this year's winners will be showcased on Jan. 30, 2006 at the New York Marriot Marquis during the 16th Annual Adrian Awards Gala.
For more details about the Aspen/Snowmass Vacation Planner, go to www.visitaspensnowmass.com. For general information about Stay Aspen Snowmass, call (888) 649-5982 or visit www.stayaspensnowmass.com. For general information on Aspen, call (970) 925-1941 or (888) 667-5666 or visit www.aspenchamber.org. For general information on Snowmass, call 1-800-SNOWMASS or visit www.snowmassvillage.com.
Posted by at 09:47 AM | Comments (0)
January 03, 2006
Lots of Snow = Lots of Good Skiing
The snow continues to fall and the skiing conditions just keep getting better. New Year's weekend brought powder conditions, and while I enjoyed first tracks on Highlands Bowl, on both Sunday and Monday, others found secret powder stashes on the other three mountains. On Sunday, Highlands bowl opened late afternoon and there were few skiers who found their way to the top of the peak to ski the untracked runs in G8 and G7. On Monday, the clouds parted and the sun was shining, making the powder conditions in the bowl hard to beat. With the new terrain and the new Deep Temerity lift, Highlands Mountain competes with the best ski mountains in North America. Find out how you can experience the unbeatable skiing at Highlands by going to www.stayaspensnowmass.com.
Posted by at 09:22 AM | Comments (0)
