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December 28, 2006
United Airlines: Denver Weather Travel Waiver
United is closely monitoring the upcoming snowstorm.
We have issued a travel waiver to enable customers flying in and out of Denver today December 28, 2006 through Saturday December 30, 2006 to change their travel plans.
We continue to monitor this storm and a decision about proactively canceling flights and rebooking customers on new flights will be made this afternoon. We will operate our flights only if it is safe to do so. Proactively canceling flights minimizes the impact to our customers.
United is bringing in additional employees from other airports and working closely with Denver Airport, TSA and vendors to ensure they have enough resources and staffing available to serve customers.
Tips to customers:
We encourage all customers flying in, out or through Denver tomorrow and Friday to consider departing this evening or tomorrow morning.
If you would like to change your travel plans, consider taking advantage of United’s travel waiver that is in place through December 30 by contacting your travel agent, united.com or United reservations.
Before going to the airport, please check the status of your flight on www.united.com . Make use of our Easy Check-in online to rebook or search for other flights.
Find out more information on Aspen Airport Flight Status and Denver Airport Flight Status
Posted by Dina at 10:56 AM | Comments (0)
December 26, 2006
Aspen Snowmass Flight Status
Check out the lastest information on your flight status in and out of the Aspen airport. The chart has scheduled time of departure and arrival as well as actual time of departure and arrival, flight status - whether the flight is cancelled, departed, delayed, or on time.
Posted by jmidthun at 09:56 AM | Comments (0)
December 21, 2006
Stay Aspen Snowmass Holiday Travel Update - Denver Airport Closed until Noon Tomorrow
As most of you are probably aware right now, DIA has stated that the earliest they expect to reopen is 12:00 Noon TOMORROW, meaning all flights in and out of Denver through midday tomorrow have also been cancelled.
Nearly all flights in and out of ASE have resumed from all airports except Denver, including United's flights from Chicago and LAX, Delta’s flights from Salt Lake, and US Airways' flight from Phoenix. I can assure everyone that United is working really, really hard to start moving the backlog of thousands of guests who have already been impacted by cancelled flights, and I hope to be able to share some news later today regarding additional flights they are attempting to create into alternative airports bypassing DEN to get things moving, again.
Meanwhile, I want to thank so many of our lodging partners for being so flexible and willing to allow guests to reschedule their trips when they can get here in most cases. We are all in this travel debacle together, and a storm of this nature hasn't impacted travel to Colorado on this magnitude since 1982. I'm sure you all can imagine that I am fielding a nonstop barrage of inquiries from the media of how our inbound Christmas travelers are being impacted and how they are being treated. It is incredibly reassuring to be able to tell the media that most of our properties are being incredibly flexible, understanding and accommodating given the circumstances.
What we are finding is that the vast majority of our stranded guests are still bound and determined to get here and are willing to do whatever it takes to do so.
I will continue to try to keep everyone updated as we learn more.
- Bill
Posted by efullerton at 01:24 PM | Comments (0)
December 20, 2006
Telemark Divas Take Advantage of Fresh Powder Turns on Aspen Mountain
Early this morning Aspen Mountain reported 5 inches while it was still snowing...we are here to report that it was at least knee deep and still untracked at 11 AM in the trees.
Click here for the most updated snow conditions on all four Aspen/Snowmass mountains
Posted by efullerton at 02:43 PM | Comments (0)
Denver's Blizzard Causes Aspen Ski Resort Flights to be Cancelled
Below is a press release just issued by United Airlines regarding travel waivers now being offered to passengers scheduled to fly to or through Denver either today or tomorrow.
For those who have not been following the news, the entire Denver Metro area is now under a blizzard warning, I-70 is now closed from Denver to the Kansas border, and United Airlines has cancelled all remaining flights into Denver through midnight tonight and along with quite a few into tomorrow, as well... more than 800 inbound and outbound flights total.
Of course this also means that all 13 scheduled DEN-ASE flights have also been cancelled, along with the six flights scheduled to fly between Denver and Eagle. With just 3/4 mile visibility currently at the Aspen Airport, conditions are also below the required 2 miles minimum visibility needed to land here, so remaining flights that are now airborne from Salt Lake City and Chicago are being diverted to Grand Junction.
There is some good news in that there is currently more than 10 miles visibility at the Eagle County Airport, and with the exception of the flights from Denver, all other flights scheduled to arrive there are still operating on-time. The weather is also fine in Grand Junction, and all their flights are also operating on-time. But the reality is there are no more available seats on any flights into either airport at this point until Sunday at the earliest.
So the fact is that there are going to be at least 1,000 guests scheduled to arrive for their holiday today, most of whom have prepaid for their lodging tonight, who are not going to be able to get here as planned, and may not be able to for some time.
We have already learned that like United, some properties here are allowing guests to move their dates subject to availability. I would strongly urge your property to be prepared for a deluge of such inquiries today, along with a lot of no-shows tonight. It goes without saying that we are all going to be dealing with some very frustrated guests these next couple of days. I just wanted to remind everyone that how they get treated by their first point of contact at our resort here either today or when they finally arrive is going to create a very lasting first impression.
If any other noteworthy developments occur, I will be sure to pass them along. Meanwhile the reality is that we are facing a near complete shut-down of the primary transportation link into this resort just prior to our busiest week of the year with no back-up alternatives even physically possible at this point.
-Bill Tomcich
United Airlines Offers Advice to Customers Affected by
Denver Snowstorm
Check flight status before going to the airport; for customers who would like to change travel
plans, United is offering a waiver from December 20-21
CHICAGO, Dec. 19, 2006 - To support and serve customers better, United Airlines is offering
advice for customers who are traveling through Denver during the winter snowstorm.
Check flight status before going to the airport
Winter storms in the Denver area may cause flights to be delayed or canceled. Customers can
minimize possible inconvenience by checking the status of their flights at united.com or calling
1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331) for automated, up-to-the-minute flight arrival and departure
information before leaving for the airport. To receive United's automatic updates via mobile
phone, e-mail or pager, register for United EasyUpdate complimentary service at united.com.
If customers would like to change travel plans, United is offering a waiver
For customers currently traveling to, from, or through Denver who would like to make one
change to their return trip, rules and restrictions regarding standard change fees, advance
purchases, day or time applications, blackouts and minimum or maximum stay requirements
have been waived.
Customers who have not begun travel to, from, or through Denver may make one change to their
travel plans without change fees or advance purchase requirements for the same itinerary. For a
new itinerary, they can make one change without change fees. Rescheduled travel may be
subject to higher fares if it does not meet original rule and booking-code restrictions or is a new itinerary.
This ticket wavier is available for customers traveling to, from, and through Denver: These
revised policies apply to all tickets purchased Dec. 19 or earlier, for travel between Dec. 20 and
Dec. 21, to/from/through Denver on any United, United Express, TedSM or United code-share
flight. Origin and destination cities must remain the same.
Customers with already canceled flights are eligible to apply for a full refund.
All changes must be made by midnight of the customer's original travel date. Customers may
make these changes by calling United reservations at 1-800-UNITED-1 or a travel agency.
United will continue to monitor the situation and adjust ticketing policies as necessary.
About United
United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAUA) operates more than 3,700* flights a day on United, United
Express and Ted to more than 210 U.S. domestic and international destinations from its hubs in
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights
in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest international
carriers based in the United States. United also is a founding member of Star Alliance, which
provides connections for our customers to 841 destinations in 157 countries worldwide. United's
more than 55,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world.
News releases and other information about United can be found at the company's Web site at
united.com.
*Based on the flight schedule between May 1, 2006 and Dec. 31, 2006.
# # #
Posted by efullerton at 01:32 PM | Comments (0)
December 18, 2006
New Women's Ski and Snowboard Store in Aspen
Yesterday D&E Women opened in Aspen, Colorado. Staff from the Stay Aspen Snowmass crew were on site to check out the grand opening.
Some of the fashions available includes Burton's "B", Anon, Volcom, Free The People, and many more. Dina notes "It's amazing to have a new women's only store that is locally owned which features affordable and hip street wear and performance clothing brands."
Featured here among many other local celebrities that were in attendance (such as Olympian Gretchen Bleiler) is Telemarker Dina Bloom, and local columnist Alison "The Princesss" Berkley.
For more information about D & E Ski and Snowboard Shops or any of the Aspen/Snowmass Four Mountain Sports stores.
Posted by Dina at 12:59 PM | Comments (0)
December 14, 2006
Airline service takes off
By Janet Urquhart
The Aspen Times
December 14, 2006
Saturday will be the busiest day of commercial airline traffic at Aspen/Pitkin County Airport since 1998, when two now-defunct airlines were serving the local market along with United Express.
Both United and Delta boost their winter flight schedules today, but the resort's expanding air service really hits home Saturday, when 26 inbound commercial flights are scheduled to arrive - 16 from Denver, four from Salt Lake City, three from Los Angeles, two from Chicago and one from San Francisco.
"It's the busiest day the Aspen airport has seen since Aspen Mountain Air flew here," said Bill Tomcich, president of the reservations agency Stay Aspen Snowmass and the resort's liaison to the airline industry. In 1998, with United, Aspen Mountain Air and Mountain Air Express serving the resort, more than 30 flights came in on busy winter Saturdays.
This winter, both United and Delta have been expanding their schedules in response to demand, Tomcich said....Read the Full Article at the Aspen Times
Posted by jmidthun at 10:21 AM | Comments (0)
December 12, 2006
US Comedy Arts Festival
Laughs Are High! Welcome to the next issue of the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival E-Newsletter. For the next few months, we will provide you with programming information, schedule and talent updates, travel information, special alerts and much more. This year's USCAF will be held from February 28 - March 4, 2007 in Aspen, Colorado.
BUY TICKET PACKAGES NOW!
The USCAF Box Office is open . . . ORDER NOW! Ticket packages for the 2007 USCAF/Aspen are currently on-sale. Purchase your Black Diamond, Gondola, Film or Locals package today to ensure priority in show selections. For more information on Comedy Fest Tickets, click here.
TRAVEL PACKAGES AVAILABLE
Through Stay Aspen Snowmass, we are offering full travel packages that include round-trip airfare, lodging and discounted Festival ticket packages (Black Diamond, Gondola and Film Packages). For more information on travel packages to Aspen / Snowmass Colorado click here.
Posted by jmidthun at 10:36 AM | Comments (0)
December 06, 2006
Snowmass Village holiday festivities light up the month of December
Here is the latest press release from Snowmass Village, Colorado:
(Snowmass, Colorado) Snowmass Village, Colorado, is gearing up for a special holiday season this December. From tree-lighting ceremonies and brilliant traditional decorations on the Snowmass Village Mall to a torchlight parade down the mountain, Snowmass simply sparkles with holiday cheer. Whether visitors come for the early season lodging specials or the divine New Year's Eve festivities, Snowmass will feel like home for the holidays.
For unique holiday gift ideas from Snowmass Village, visit www.snowmasspress.com for an additional holiday press release.
2006 Snowmass Holiday Schedule
December Letters to Santa
Children with last-minute Christmas wishes can make sure the jolly old fellow hears about it by dropping off a note in his personal mailbox located on the Snowmass Village Mall. Selected letters are published in the local newspaper, the Snowmass Village Sun.
Dec. 11 Community Open House and Loving Tree Dedication: This annual Silvertree Hotel celebration is held on the Snowmass Village Mall. Buy an ornament and benefit Hospice of the Roaring Fork Valley. Complementary beverages and light fare will be served. Time: 4:30-6:30pm. Cost: Free
Dec. 14 Holiday Open House at Anderson Ranch Arts Center: Featuring an exhibition of artwork by Ranch residents, a candlelit walk between studios with 300 luminaries and festive goodies, this holiday open house in December is the perfect chance to meet resident artists and purchase original artwork for that special someone. Time: 5:00-7:00pm. Cost: Free
Dec. 15 Chanukah at The Silvertree Hotel: Come celebrate the festival of lights at The Silvertree Hotel! The menorah will be displayed in The Silvertree Hotel Lobby with plenty of dreidels and gelt for everyone to enjoy. Time: Sunset. Cost: Free.
Dec. 16 Grand Opening for new 8-passenger Elk Camp Gondola. Come check out the ribbon cutting and grand opening for this exciting addition to Snowmass' slopes. Contact: 925-1220.
Dec. 17-24 Santa at the Silvertree Hotel. Santa and his elf will be on hand to take complimentary photos of the kids and receive last minute requests. Complimentary hot cocoa & cookies. Time: 4:30–6:30 p.m. Location: The Silvertree Hotel, Elbert Lane, Snowmass Village. Cost: Free. Contact: 923-3520
Dec. 19 Holiday Kids Krafts. Colorful, creative and fun holiday arts & crafts await children looking for something to do off the slopes. During this supervised hour, Kids Krafts will send children home with a special handmade holiday souvenir of their Snowmass vacation. Time: 4-5pm. Location: Meet in the Ticket Pavilion on the Snowmass Village Mall. Cost: Free. Contact: 1-800-SNOWMASS
Dec. 20 Gingerbread Making: Parents can bring their kids to the Silvertreee Hotel and create holiday memories and gingerbread sensations! All treats can go home with you. Time: 5:30-7:00 p.m., Location: El Dorado Room, Silvertree Hotel, Elbert lane, Snowmass Village. Cost: Free! Contact: 925-3520
Dec. 21 Holiday Kids Krafts. Colorful, creative and fun holiday arts & crafts await children looking for something to do off the slopes. During this supervised hour, Kids Krafts will send children home with a special handmade holiday souvenir of their Snowmass vacation. Time: 4-5pm. Location: Meet in the Ticket Pavilion on the Snowmass Village Mall. Cost: Free. Contact: 1-800-SNOWMASS
Dec. 21-24 Santa's Village & Carolers-a-Caroling: The North Pole comes to the Snowmass Village Mall! Photos with Santa are offered daily. Each afternoon the Waldorf Revelers stroll through the Mall singing favorite Christmas carols, while John Sommers and Twirp Anderson serenade guests in The Silvertree Hotel lobby with mountain favorites and seasonal songs. Time: 2:30-4:30pm. Location: The Snowmass Village Mall.
Cost: Free! Contact: 1-800-SNOWMASS
Dec. 22 Storytelling with Jill Sheeley: Join Jill Sheeley, local author of "Frasier the Yellow Dog" for music, stories, and a visit from the real live Frasier! Santa will be on hand right after storytelling to take requests from little ones. Time: 3:45 p.m. Location: The Silvertree Hotel Lobby, Elbert Lane, Snowmass Village. Cost: Free. Contact: 923-3520
Dec. 23 Storytelling with author Johnny Boyd: Join Snowmass local author Johnny Boyd for a reading of his children's book, "First Tracks," about a little girl who travels to a ski resort, meets the locals, and learns to ski. Santa will be on hand right after storytelling to take requests from little ones. Time: 3:45 p.m. Location: The Silvertree Hotel Lobby, Elbert Lane, Snowmass Village. Cost: Free. Contact: 923-3520
Dec. 23 Torchlight Parade: Whether viewer or participant, the annual torchlight parade down Snowmass' slopes looks magnificently luminous! Moms, Dads and Kids ages 8 and older are invited to be part of the trail of light down the mountain. Time: Dusk. Location: Fanny Hill. Cost to participate: Free! Contact: For more information, stop by the Information Desk in the Ticket Pavilion or call 970.923.0560
Dec. 23 Cross Country Silverboom and Kiddieboom Races: Head to the Snowmass Cross Country Center for one to six kilometer cross country races for kids and adults, prize drawings, and refreshments. 10 a.m. for Silverboom races, noon for Kiddieboom.
Location: Snowmass Cross Country Center, 0446 Clubhouse Drive. Contact: 923-5700
Dec. 24 Storytelling at The Silvertree Hotel: T'was the night before Christmas and Santa will be reading holiday tales before a roaring fireplace in The Silvertree Hotel Lobby. Location: The Silvertree Hotel, Elbert Lane, Snowmass Village. Cost: Free. Contact: 923-3520
Dec. 24 Fireworks over Snowmass. On Christmas eve, Snowmass welcomes Santa to town with a brilliant fireworks display that's sure to catch his eye. Check out the bright lights and holiday show from your balcony or restaurant or bundle up for a star-lit walk to the end of the Snowmass Village Mall.
Time: 8 p.m.. Location: Over Fanny Hill. Contact: 1-800-SNOWMASS.
Dec. 24 Snowmass Chapel: The Snowmass Chapel holds two candlelight protestant services with Christmas Handbell and Vocal Choirs. For more details, visit www.snowmasschapel.org
Dec. 29 Storytelling with Jill Sheeley: Join Jill Sheeley, local author of "Frasier the Yellow Dog" for music, stories, and a visit from the real live Frasier! Santa will be on hand right after storytelling to take requests from little ones. Time: 3:45 p.m.
Location: The Silvertree Hotel Lobby, Elbert Lane, Snowmass Village
Cost: Free. Contact: 923-3520
Dec. 30 Storytelling with author Johnny Boyd: Join Snowmass local author Johnny Boyd for a reading of his children's book, First Tracks, about a little girl who travels to a ski resort, meets the locals, and learns to skiSanta will be on hand right after storytelling to take requests from little ones. Time: 3:45 p.m. Location: The Silvertree Hotel Lobby, Elbert Lane, Snowmass Village. Cost: Free. Contact: 923-3520
Dec. 31 Snowmass New Years Eve Celebrations
Snowmass rings in the New Years with celebrations ranging from intimate gourmet prix-fixed dinners in local restaurants such as Sage Bistro (923-0923) and The Artisan (923-2427) to the Silvertree Hotel's 18th annual New Year's Eve gala (923-3520) to parties in local hot spots such as the Mountain Dragon and Zane's Tavern. Cost: Prices vary per event. Contact: individual venues or call 1-800-SNOWMASS for details.
Click here for more winter activities in Snowmass Colorado
Posted by jmidthun at 01:31 PM | Comments (0)
December 05, 2006
Aspen Art Museum: BASSO FREESTYLE WINTER BENEFIT '06
Here is the latest press release from the Aspen Art Museum:
ASPEN ART MUSEUM
DIRECTLY AHEAD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2006
DENNIS BASSO FREESTYLE 2006: presented by BULGARI, sponsored by ASPEN Magazine
Ski down the slopes and enter the glamorous world of DENNIS BASSO fashions and extraordinary BULGARI jewels. On Thursday, December 28, 2006, the Aspen Art Museum rolls out the red carpet for its annual apres-ski evening of elegant holiday fun, fashion, and philanthropy: Dennis Basso Freestyle at the St. Regis Aspen Resort, presented by Bulgari and sponsored by Aspen magazine. This annual holiday party has acquired the reputation for being both the fashion gala of the year and the hottest cold-weather event of the season.
The festivities begin at 4:30 p.m., with Moet Hennessy champagne and cocktails, caviar, and delectable hors d'oeuvres, while guests peruse an elaborate array of silent auction items, fashion accessories, unique trips, and other desirable must-have items. Then, auctioneer Andrea Fiuzcynski, President of Christie's Beverly Hills, takes center-stage to conduct the live auction portion of the evening. For 2006, event Chair Carolyn Powers has secured some truly amazing live auction items, including a $10,000 shopping spree at Bulgari's Aspen store; a photo shoot with acclaimed fashion, portrait and fine art photographer Patrick Demarchelier; a lavish weekend retreat to Palm Springs; and, a trip to the Finale of 2007's American Idol competition. Dennis Basso has also generously donated a dazzling sable coat sure to be the envy of Aspen.
Concluding the evening is the DENNIS BASSO 2006/2007 winter collection: This season, Basso has chosen a palette of chic blacks, velvety browns, and rich ivory, accented with ostrich feathers, bejeweled with Swarovski crystals, lace, ribbon, beads and embroidery. Says Basso: "The collection is extremely feminine and classic. The cuts and embellishments send a message that this is modern-day elegance. It's not about grandma's fur coat."
Don't miss this extraordinary evening of indulgence, elegance, and surprises. For additional details or to make reservations, contact the Aspen Art Museum at 970.925.8050.
Supporting sponsors of this year's winter benefit are: Dennis Basso, Bulgari, Aspen Magazine, Moet Hennessy, Estee Lauder, Christie's, Flight Options, Sentient Jet, and the St. Regis Resort, Aspen.
For more information on the Aspen Art Museum
Posted by jmidthun at 07:45 AM | Comments (0)
December 04, 2006
Powder Shot on Aspen Highlands
Testing out the powder before the mountain opens.
Posted by jmidthun at 01:12 PM | Comments (0)
