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December 31, 2007
Top 5 Travel Tips from Aspen/Pitkin County Airport
Arrival at the Airport
For travel within the U.S., we recommend arriving 60 minutes before your flight if you are not checking bags and 90 minutes before your flight if you are checking bags. For international travel, we recommend arriving 2 hours before your flight. Expect extended lines for the Security Checkpoint.
On-Line Check-In and Information
Take advantage of www.united.com and www.delta.com for early check-in, updated flight information and any additional travel information.
Rebooked to an Alternate Airport
(For Example: Denver, Eagle, or Grand Junction)
When departing from an alternate airport due to weather cancellations, allow enough travel time to ensure arriving at that airport in time to complete check-in and check baggage. During your travel to the alternate airport, please contact your airline to check flight availability, flight status and have your reservation/ticket changed for a faster check-in at the new airport.
Baggage
You may check two bags free of charge. The maximum size of each checked bag is 62 linear inches (length + width + height). The maximum weight per check bag is 50 lbs. One ski bag, containing one pair of skis and poles plus one boot bag, containing boots and binding only, is allowed to be combined to count as one piece and can be counted in the free allowance limit (combined weight above 50 lbs. is subject to overweight fee). If additional ski equipment is checked, excess fees apply. United's 1K, Premier Executive and Star Alliance Gold members are allowed a total of three pieces of checked baggage (maximum of 70 pounds) free of charge. Refer to united.com and delta.com for additional information.
Each customer is allowed one carry-on and one personal item such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop computer. Carry-on bags cannot exceed more than 9" x 14" x 22" or 45 linear inches.
Flight Information and Status
Flight Information Displays (FIDs) are available for reference in the Aspen Airport as well as on Channel 8 in the Aspen area. Flight times and status are also available on united.com and delta.com. It is our commitment to give our customers the timeliest information possible, however, the Aspen Airport is located at a ski area and weather conditions that create great ski conditions may also adversely impact flights. In variable weather conditions, many times delays and cancellations may not be known or updated until scheduled departure time because almost every departure is dependant upon an arrival that may not be able to land. Be advised that a flight status may change very quickly during these conditions and normal information displays may not reflect these changes until you have already departed for the airport.
For more information on flying to Aspen, a great Airfare, visit us at www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 08:00 AM | Comments (0)
December 28, 2007
Aspen/Snowmass Christmas gift: 32" of snow and more on the way
Snowfall in Aspen is inching towards a December record.
Look no further than the buried cars, grinning skiers and official statistics to see that this December already boasts Aspen's second biggest snowfall total since the city began collecting such data in the 1930s. As of yesterday morning, there were 57.4 inches recorded for December at the city's official weather station at the water plant. Snow continuously dropped from the sky yesterday and more was in the forecast, so by today the 1953 mark of 58.3 inches is expected to be exceeded.
The highest inch count ever recorded was in 1983, when 72 inches, or 6 feet, fell in the city.
"It's been a phenomenal December," said longtime weather watcher Jim Markalunas. "The average total for this month is about 24 inches, so we've more than doubled that. It's one to remember."
Up on the ski slopes, the news gets even better. All four of the mountains Aspen Skiing Co. operates are on the verge of breaking their all-time snowfall records. As of yesterday, 108 inches, or 9 feet, had fallen on Snowmass Ski Area in December - not far off from 1983's record of 117 inches. At Aspen Highlands, 98 inches have been recorded so far this month, compared to the 1983 record of 112 inches. And officials say 91 inches have fallen at Aspen Mountain, which set a 102-inch record in 1983.
For fun, check out an old Aspen Ski Co. ad
For more information on the weather and snow pack in Aspen/snowmass, visit us at www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 09:17 AM | Comments (0)
December 24, 2007
ESPN X Games Announces the First Wave of invited Athletes to Winter X Games 12
Snowboard Superstar Shaun White among Those Invited to Compete in the
World's Premier Action Sports Event Along with Hannah Teter, Tanner Hall, Tyler Walker, Lindsey Jacobellis, Torah Bright, Travis Rice, Sarah Burke and Daron Rahlves
LOS ANGELES - ESPN Winter X Games announces the first wave of athletes who have been invited to compete at Winter X Games 12, to be held for its seventh year at Buttermilk Mountain at Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado January 24-27, 2008. The event will air live on ESPN and ABC.
The 12th annual winter action sports competition will feature more than 250 athletes from across the globe competing for medals and prize money in the following sports: Skiing, Snowboard and Snowmobile. The event includes day and evening competitions and is free to the public.
For the complete, updated list of Winter X Games 12 athletes, log on to www.expn.com. The second wave of invitations is scheduled to be announced in early January.
Among the first wave of invited athletes include:
Shaun White: Six-time snowboard Winter X Games gold medalist and 2006 Winter Olympic gold medalist
Hannah Teter: Three-time snowboard Winter X Games medalist and 2006 Winter Olympic gold medalist
Tanner Hall: Defending Skiing SuperPipe champ and six-time Winter X Games gold medalist
Chris Burandt: Winner of the first-ever Winter X Games Snowmobile Freestyle gold medal in 2007
Tyler Walker: Winner of the first-ever Winter X Games Mono Skier X gold medal in 2007
Lindsey Jacobellis: Three-time snowboard Winter X Games gold medalist and 2006 Winter Olympic silver medalist
Torah Bright: Defending Winter X Games Snowboard SuperPipe gold medalist
Travis Rice: Three-time Winter X Games snowboard medalist
Sarah Burke: Three-time Winter X Games and defending Skiing SuperPipe gold medalist
Daron Rahlves: Widely considered the most accomplished speed skier in American history with 28 World Cup podiums and three World Championship podiums over the course of the last decade
All athletes receiving invitations to compete at Winter X Games 12 are chosen by a sport-specific selection committee. Criteria and timing of invitations varies by sport and discipline as it is based on the state and event schedules of that particular sport. The only exception is each gold medalist from Winter X Games 11 (2007) receives an automatic invitation to compete.
ESPN and ABC will feature 15 hours of live high-definition programming January 24 - January 27. ESPN2 will present daily late-night highlight programs in HD from January 25 - January 28, resulting in 19 total hours of original HD programming for Winter X Games 12. Additionally, the Winter X Games will also be televised on ESPN's International networks to more than 121 countries and territories in Latin America, the Pacific Rim, Middle East, Africa and Israel.
For more information and updates on Winter X Games 12, visit us at www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 08:15 AM | Comments (0)
December 21, 2007
Dear Aspen Community
I am writing to thank everyone who participated in our very special 30th anniversary celebration we held at the Club this past Tuesday. The event which was called ‘Pursuing Possibilities’ as it benefited three extraordinary individuals in our community: Amanda Boxtel, Leah Roland and Kasie Burtard was a tremendous success. Though the kindness and generosity of the over 600 people who attended, Amanda, Leah and Kasie, who each have spinal cord injuries, raised over $100,000 of their $224,000 goal to allow them to travel to India and receive a promising stem cell therapy.
We hear a lot about how Aspen has lost its soul over the years. Those who attended the event on Tuesday know that the heart and soul of Aspen is very much alive and well.
Amanda, Leah and Kasie’s quest is a dramatic metaphor for the journey we are all on. We are a community dedicated to performance and achievement at all levels. Aspen has always had openness to non-traditional healthcare and the amazing height of human possibilities. In the thirty years the Club has been in business, many treatments that were once on the fringe of acceptability have now become mainstream.
This fundraiser was more than helping a few deserving people in our community achieve a better life; it was about creating a better future for all of us, starting with these three early pioneers. Because of this, this event was important to all of us here at the Club and the larger Aspen community.
I never cease to be awed at the caring, the generosity and the love in this community. Thank you all once again for helping us to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Aspen Club and the timeless anniversary of human ingenuity and the boundlessness of the human spirit.
Sincerely,
Michael Fox, CEO
Aspen Club & Spa
Posted by Caseym at 01:39 PM | Comments (0)
December 18, 2007
Aspen Club 30th Anniversary / Fundraiser - Tuesday December 18th, 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
I am writing to invite you to a very special 30th anniversary (it is actually closer to the 31st, but I have always been a little slow on the draw) celebration we are holding here at the Club tomorrow, December 18th from 7:00 - 11:00 pm. The event is called 'Pursuing Possibilities' as it will benefit three extraordinary individuals in our community: Amanda Boxtel, Leah Roland and Kasie Burtard. Amanda, Leah and Kasie each have spinal cord injuries and will be receiving promising stem cell therapy in India.
This cause is very near and dear to my heart, as it was just ten years ago that Challenge Aspen, co-lead then by Amanda Boxtel, was the beneficiary of our grand re-opening party. From the moment I met Amanda, I have always marveled at her energy and optimism. When she first told me about the novel stem cell therapy she was participating in, I was fascinated by the prospect. When she returned from India this past summer having received her first series of treatments, I was astounded by the progress she had made. After fifteen and a half years of being in a wheelchair with no improvements in her condition, her toes were moving, her bladder and bowels were beginning to function again and she has increased muscle power in her legs. The stem cell therapy Amanda received is at the forefront of medical science, and this technology over time will be both life-changing for Amanda, Leah and Kasie, and revolutionary for the future of millions of people.
Amanda, Leah and Kasie's quest is a dramatic metaphor for the journey we are all on. I believe that the Aspen Club should help facilitate their quest, as the Club has always been more than a health club. We are a community dedicated to performance and achievement at all levels. The Aspen Club was founded with an openness to non-traditional healthcare and human possibilities. In the years the Club has been in business, many treatments that were once on the fringe of acceptability have now become mainstream. I believe stem cell therapy will follow this pattern.
This fundraiser is more than helping a few deserving people in our community achieve a better life; it is about creating a better future for all of us, starting with these three early pioneers. Because of this, this event is important to all of us here at the Club and the larger Aspen community.
I look forward to seeing each of you there to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Aspen Club and the timeless anniversary of human ingenuity and the boundlessness of the human spirit.
Sincerely,
Michael Fox, CEO
Aspen Club International
For more information on events in Aspen-Snowmass, please visit us at www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 08:34 AM | Comments (0)
December 17, 2007
Snowmass celebrates its 40th today
Catherine Lutz - Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
Sat 12/15/2007 10:00PM MST
It was a turbulent, tumultuous year - 1967. The Vietnam War was escalating and along with it the volume and tenor of anti-war protests. The Summer of Love spurred the hippie movement into full bloom, while race riots spread across the country. Around the world, Israel defeated its Arab neighbors in the Six-Day War and the Biafran War of independence began to tear apart the fledgling nation of Nigeria.
In Aspen, a season's pass to Aspen Highlands was $75 and the Wienerstube restaurant was celebrating its second anniversary. "The Dirty Dozen" was showing at the Isis, while Wheeler Opera House patrons enjoyed "Shane" on the big screen. Letters to the editor about the Vietnam War peppered the weekly Aspen Times.
On Oct. 23, the Snowmass Villager debuted as a supplement to Aspen's only newspaper at the time. In anticipation of a brand new ski resort that was being built on meadows and sheep pastures in the Brush Creek Valley, the paper reported that two of the new resort's residential areas had sold out and it was expected to turn a profit in its first year - a bold statement from a high-ranking official with the company developing the area.
Indeed, Snowmass-at-Aspen garnered a lot of hype before it opened on Dec. 16, 1967, exactly 40 years ago today. An estimated 5,000 people had skied the pristine, powder-filled slopes of the Big Burn, accessing it via a snowcat operation as early as 1961. The partnership developing the residential and commercial areas - the Janss Investment Corp. and American Cement - had spent several years buying land and planning the resort, and they knew a thing or two about marketing and sales. Plus there was the unbridled enthusiasm that the mostly young crew assembled by developer Bill Janss, a former Olympic skier who also owned Sun Valley in Idaho.
"It was an exciting time and an extraordinary opportunity Bill Janss gave to a bunch of young guys," said John McBride, whom Janss hired to oversee the commercial development of West Village (now generally called the Snowmass Mall). "It's hard to imagine now; everybody's got lawyers and specialists. We weren't specialists, we had to learn what a deed was."
SCRAMBLING
McBride, who with his wife Laurie moved to Aspen in 1966, was charged with finding entrepreneurs willing "to move their businesses to basically a meadow." It wasn't too hard, he said - "those that were adventurous came out," and by opening day nearly 20 shops and restaurants were catering to the public in Snowmass-at-Aspen.
Compared to today's construction timeframes - about two years for Base Village's 236-room Viceroy hotel, for example - Snowmass-at-Aspen was thrown up in a matter of months. While ski trails were cut beginning in 1961 and the first double chair installed in 1965, a photo from April 1967 shows only a few dirt tracks on the gently sloping meadow on the side of what is now Fanny Hill.
Some 750 workers toiled during the summer of 1967, and the pace was so frantic that some of them went on strike, protesting the constant dust-filled air that made for unpleasant working conditions, recalled longtime local Dick Moebius.
"There was a lot of mess going on," said Moebius, a partner and the first general manager of the Silvertree Inn. Moebius, who had been working for IBM in California, was tapped by the Janss Corporation to run a lodge, and arrived in August 1967.
At the time, Brush Creek Road wasn't paved (it would be the following summer) and Snowmelt Road, with its 14-degree grade to be kept dry by heated pipes under the pavement, was an experimental engineering feat that wasn't ready by Thanksgiving.
Moebius said employees were still laying carpet and putting the finishing touches on rooms when the first guests arrived in mid-December. A bonfire of construction scraps had been lit the night before opening day, and "thankfully the snow covered it up," he laughed.
"Everyone was scrambling at the end," said McBride, adding that someone in his group had acquired a drug used to treat epileptics that kept everyone awake and lively - albeit quite glassy-eyed - in order to get through that final push.
Amid the frenzy, the Fritz Benedict-designed Snowmass-at-Aspen opened, on a Saturday, with five lodges and two condo projects, immediately above and below the mall. The Dec. 14, 1967 Aspen Times described it as an "ultra-modern $10 million West Village at Snowmass-at-Aspen."
In terms of the mall, now critiqued as being hopelessly outdated and slated to be razed in the next few years, McBride had this to say about the design: "Fritz was reacting to Vail, which seemed to him like a phony Swiss-ville, an attempt to recreate Europe. He wanted to do something a little more modern. What didn't work was not the architecture but the failure of future owners to recreate what he was trying to do. It was the failure to hang on to a vision."
That vision included a number of small, self-sufficient villages - four, five or seven, depending on who is telling the story - clustered around the base of the mountain, which people could ski between, European style. When Janss sold his interest in Snowmass to concentrate on Sun Valley a few years later, the vision was not carried forward.
OPENING DAY
The small and intimate West Village bordered what was then a huge ski area, spread over 2,000 acres and 50 miles of trails served by five lifts.
The potential of the mountain had first captivated Janss when he landed near the top of 13,162-foot Mount Baldy by helicopter in 1957. The idea of a ski area was reportedly born that day when Janss saw the variety of terrain and imagined a European mountain village nestled below. Active planning began the following year, land was acquired from local ranchers, and in 1961 Janss contracted with the Aspen Skiing Corporation to run the ski area.
By the end of 1967, all was in place on the west side of the mountain, with chairlifts roughly in the same places as today's Skittles gondola, Burlingame, Sam's Knob, Big Burn and Campground lifts. The first three chairs needed to be so close together to carry supplies and trash on and off the mountain, said Jess Caparrella, Snowmass' first lift supervisor who still oversees all the lift equipment and operations at the ski area.
"At that time those were big chairlifts, with big gearboxes and a lot of horsepower, because we were really pushing the elevation," he said.
Caparrella was one of two people working in lift operations in the winter of 1967-68; now there are 20 on the maintenance side, he said.
According to the Snowmass Villager, the Ski Corp. had 50 employees at the new ski area - and seven functioning Snowmass phone numbers — including mountain manager Jim Snobble and assistant manager Hal Hartman. The employees included 18 ski instructors, led by legendary Norwegian Olympic gold medalist Stein Eriksen, who had directed the Highlands ski school. Eriksen's mother in Norway knit all the instructors' sweaters.
Eriksen had moved on to Sugarbush, Vermont for a few years, and had handpicked a group of instructors, mostly from Norway, for that endeavor. He asked the same group to come with him to start the Snowmass ski school - and out of that original crew, seven are still teaching. Including one Austrian and one Swiss — they're affectionately called the "Norwegian Mafia."
Martin Nordhagen, 67, is one of the Norwegians. He had been at Sugarbush for three years when Eriksen asked him to come to Snowmass.
"I actually liked it there except for the climate sometimes, and I was thinking about should I stay or go, but everybody else was going so I did," he said. And when he got to Snowmass, "it was unbelievable. The most incredible was skiing from Sam's Knob down Max Park and then up on the Big Burn ... we were not used to the wide-open trails."
Ski instructor Magne Nostdahl, 73, another original ski instructor still working today, added "We were enthused about Snowmass because it was a new area and the skiing was very good."
Savvy marketers planned opening weekend to be a huge press affair, with television and print journalists from major national media outlets and large cities across the country being treated to a plethora of local activities, including skiing of course. They promised "something dramatic" for the opening program, according to the Dec. 14, 1967 Aspen Times.
Dramatic it was. Eriksen, with his wavy coifed Scandinavian blond hair and colorful handknit Norwegian sweater, skied down from Sam's Knob with his "merry band" of instructors flanking him on either side, in picture perfect, comma-style European turns.
"It was quite a big deal because there were all these cameras around while we were skiing down," recalls Franz Zedlacher, the Austrian member of the Norwegian Mafia. "One camera man told me to ski real close to him, but he didn't know how close we can actually ski without wiping him out."
When he got close to the mall, Eriksen skied off a jump and through a paper-covered hoop that said "Welcome to Snowmass," according to Zedlacher. A newspaper article prior to opening day had promised a ring of fire for Eriksen to jump through, and nobody's sure why that didn't happen, except perhaps that it was snowing too hard to make that work.
A lift-dedication ceremony was held at 9 a.m., presided over by Ski Corp. head D.R.C. Brown, and the first couple to book a room was given the honorary first chair. The Aspen Times spoke of snowcat and helicopter tours being given all weekend. An opening night party was held at the Timbermill (now the Cirque Bar & Grill) and the banquet included local Aspen luminaries, Janss Corporation bigwigs and the governor of Colorado, among others. Later, articles appeared in Time, Newsweek and major newspapers throughout the country, touting the vast terrain and the famous business and political personalities buying up Snowmass real estate (including U.S. Defense Secretary Robert McNamara, one of the primary architects of the Vietnam War).
That first winter, a lift ticket was $6.50 and a season pass was $100, recalled Moebius.
Word of mouth had been spreading for years via the cat trips on the Big Burn, and the anticipation and press coverage resulted in a sold-out opening season. Moebius, who was running the Silvertree and planning the next lodging endeavor, skied only seven days that season.
"I think there was a lot of attention on (Snowmass), especially among skiers," said Caparrella. "The ski industry was really excited. For some of the people coming on our tours from other areas, it was the greatest thing they'd ever seen."
Still, said Moebius, "It was a gamble. One of the reasons it was named Snowmass-at-Aspen was to identify it as being close to Aspen. Aspen was not pleased that they were taking the name, but it had its best year ever the year Snowmass opened."
The excitement tapered off the following year, and more lodges were built, absorbing the demand. Snowmass eventually settled into periods of ups and downs, depending on snowfall, the economy and other factors, just like every other ski resort.
Zedlacher recalls going to ski on Aspen Mountain on his time off with other Snowmass instructors. Sporting different uniforms and with a different ski technique, they were noticed and teased by the more seasoned Aspen instructors.
"They said, "Snowmass, that's not a ski area,'" he remembers. "They thought there was only Aspen Mountain. They didn't know what it would become."
lutz@aspendailynews.com
Posted by Dina at 01:28 PM | Comments (0)
December 14, 2007
Winter Artisans Market at Aspen Highlands
Winter Artisans Market at Aspen Highlands
Weekends starting Dec 14th (Friday, Saturday and Sunday hours 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
All your favorites from the Saturday Market this summer.
You will also find velvet dresses, painted sunglasses, pastels, painting, leatherwork, music, handmade pasta, vinegar's, fleece and so much more...
Stop by for all you holiday gifts and just to say hello to some friends.
For more information on events in Aspen/Snowmass, visit www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 02:10 PM | Comments (0)
December 11, 2007
Join us for the grand opening celebration of the Treehouse
Saturday, December 15, 2007 from 3:30 - 7 p.m.
Treehouse plaza - Snowmass base village
3:30 p.m.
Enjoy hot drinks and kids' activities on The Treehouse plaza:
Bounce House, Jammin' Jim puppet show, jugglers and more.
4 - 4:30 p.m.
Opening ribbon-cutting ceremony with guest speakers
from Aspen Skiing Company and Related WestPac.
4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Explore this amazing 25,000-square-foot facility designed for
kids of all ages, complete with six interactive, nature-themed
rooms. Discover the wonder of The Treehouse with nonstop
action including puppet shows, karaoke, face painting, balloon
artists, storytelling and ACES presentation with live animals.
Kids' fare and drinks will be served. And check out the
NEW Four-Mountain Kids store for the latest in kids' clothing,
souvenirs and more!
6:30 p.m.
Fireworks extravaganza, provided by Related WestPac
For more information on events in Aspen-Snowmass, please visit www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 02:16 PM | Comments (0)
December 10, 2007
56" inches of snow in the past five days
For Aspen-Snowmass, it does get much better than that. For the 2008 US ski team either; although race were canceled on Friday and part of Saturday, the girls got a chance to enjoy the amazing powder.
Tonight, the forecast calls for another snow storm and winter warning. Check www.stayaspensnowmass.com for weather and snow reports.
Posted by Dina at 03:24 PM | Comments (0)
December 07, 2007
Snowy Friday: 14 inches overnight...
And it is still coming down. This new snow storm is supposed to last until Sunday, bringing-up to 4 feet of snow.
See for yourself this morning's picture!
Fighting the sweet elements!
Greg and Brett Crandall giving us the thumbs-up on the snow
Telemark skiers Kate Cardamone and Dina Bloom riding the lift
The Aspen Art Museum bridge covered in snow
The early dog owners club in the Rio Grande Park
For more information on snow conditions and weather in the Aspen/Snowmass area, visit us at www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 11:05 AM | Comments (0)
SNOWMASS' SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS FILL ENTIRE MONTH OF DECEMBER
From Santa to storytelling to the arts, Snowmass sparkles with holiday cheer
(Snowmass Village, CO) -- 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 and Santa's magical presence, Snowmass simply sparkles with holiday cheer. Whether visitors come for the early season lodging specials or the divine New Year's Eve festivities, Snowmass Village, which boasts a spectacular new 25,000-square-foot children's center, new restaurants, and more this season, is sure to feel like home for the holidays.
Holiday Schedule:
Dec. 8: The Snowmass Cross Country Center Opens
Come check out the free groomed trails and spectacular views from the Snowmass Cross Country Center.
Time: Open daily 9:30am to 4:30pm for rentals, lessons, tours, retail sales and cross country ski tuning.
Cost: Trail access is free
Contact: (970) 923-5700
Dec. 11: Roaring Fork Hospice Loving Tree Lighting
This tree lighting celebration is held in the Silvertree lobby. Buy an ornament and benefit Hospice of the Roaring Fork Valley. Complementary beverages and light fare are served.
Time: 4:30-5:30pm:
Cost: Free
Contact: (970) 923-8254 or www.silvertreehotel.com
Dec. 12: 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
Contact: (970) 923-3181 or www.andersonranch.org
Dec. 15: Grand Opening of the Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center
Join the Aspen Skiing Company to celebrate the grand opening of this spectacular new 25,000-square foot facility from 3:30-7pm. Enjoy hot drinks, kids’ activities, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours of the facilities, and fireworks at 6:30pm.
Cost: Free. Free shuttles run from the Rodeo parking lot until 7pm.
Contact: (970) 925-1220
Dec. 18: Silvertree Hotel's 40th Anniversary Celebration & Open House
Join the staff of the Silvertree Hotel for its annual open house in the Silvertree Main Lobby, featuring our giant traditional Christmas tree and help celebrate 40 years in Snowmass! Complimentary beverages and light fare will be served.
Time: 4:30-6:30pm
Cost: Free
Contact: (970) 923-8254 or www.silvertreehotel.com
Dec. 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27: 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: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
Where: Meet in the Treehouse Kids Adventure Center
Cost: FREE!
Contact: 1.800.SNOWMASS
Dec, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, 31 Storytelling and Sing-A-Longs
Stop by the new base village plaza for special apres-ski storytelling & sing-long hours for the whole family. Complimentary hot chocolate & s'mores await!
Time: 4-5pm Mondays (Sing-a-long) and Wednesdays (Storytelling)
Cost: FREE!
Where: The Base Village Plaza at the bottom of Fanny Hill. The Skittles lift runs up to the mall until 5pm.
Contact: 1.800.SNOWMASS
Dec. 20-24: Santa at the Silvertree Hotel
Santa will be nestled in the Silvertree Hotel lobby, ready for visits from little ones who need to get in those last minute requests. His elf will be on hand to take complimentary photos of the kids; if they've been good all year, they'll receive an early surprise from his big red bag! Complimentary hot cocoa & cookies.
Time: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Location: The Silvertree Hotel, Elbert Lane, Snowmass Village
Cost: Free
Contact: (970) 923-8254
Dec. 21-24 Santa's Village & Carolers-a-Caroling
The North Pole comes to the Snowmass Village Mall when Santa's magical village opens to hear the last minute requests of good girls and boys. Photos with Santa are offered daily throughout the week. Each afternoon carolers stroll through the Snowmass Mall singing favorite Christmas carols, while local musicians 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. 21 & 28: Free Kidz Flix presented by Aspen Film
The Silvertree Hotel offers free Weston Woods short holiday movies for children, including The Elves & the Shoemaker, Max's Christmas, Morris' Disappearing Bag, and The Night Before Christmas.
Time: 11-11:30am & 3:30-4:30 pm
Contact: (970) 923-8254
Dec. 21 & 28 Gingerbread Decorating!
Come decorate Gingerbread cookies at the Silvertree Hotel's Eldorado AB Room.
Time: 5:30-7:30pm
Cost: Free
Contact: 923-8254
Dec. 26: 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.
Dates: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Location: The Silvertree Hotel Lobby, Elbert Lane, Snowmass Village
Cost: Free
Contact: (970) 923-8254
Dec. 22: 36th Annual Silverboom, Snowmass Cross Country Center
Six and 12 km freestyle race at 10am at the Snowmass Cross Country Center. A Kiddieboom 1K is at noon for skiers 10 and under. Awards, prize drawings, and refreshments after the race. Contact: Snowmass XC Center (970) 923-5700.
Dec. 22 & 29: 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: 4:30-6:30 pm
Location: The Silvertree Hotel Lobby, Elbert Lane, Snowmass Village
Cost: Free
Contact: (970) 923-8254
Dec. 23: Full Moon Tour, Snowmass Cross Country Center
Snowshoe or cross country ski with a guide under the light of a full moon.
Time: 7pm
Cost: Free, rentals $10
Contact: Snowmass XC Center 923-5700.
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.
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. 24: Storytelling at The Silvertree Hotel
'Tis the night before Christmas and Santa will be reading holiday tales before a roaring fireplace in The Silvertree Hotel Lobby. Come in your Jammies!
Time: 4:30-6:30 pm
Location: The Silvertree Hotel, Elbert Lane, Snowmass Village
Cost: Free
Contact: (970) 923-8254
Dec. 24: Services at the Snowmass Chapel
Christmas eve services at 4 p.m. (Catholic Mass), 7 p.m. & 9 p.m. (Candlelight Service), and 11p.m (Christmas Eve Worship).
Location: The Snowmass Chapel
Contact: (970) 923-6192 or www.snowmasschapel.org
Dec. 31: Snowmass New Years Celebrations
Snowmass rings in the New Years with celebrations ranging from intimate gourmet prix-fixed dinners in local restaurants such as Sage Restaurant and The Artisan to the Silvertree Hotel's 18th annual New Year's Eve gala to parties in local hot spots such as the Mountain Dragon and Zane's Tavern.
Location: Snowmass Village
Cost: Prices vary per event
Contact: 1-800-SNOWMASS or www.snowmassvillage.com
Dec. 31 New Years Eve Gala at the Silvertree Hotel
The Silvertree Hotel's 18th annual New Year's Eve gala parties into the wee hours with a reception with pianist and hors d'oeuvres, dinner buffet, and dancing. This event annually sells out.
Time: 8pm-1am
Location: The Silvertree Hotel Cabaret Room
Cost: $125/ticket
Contact: (970) 923-8220
For more information, please visit www.snowmassvillage.com.
Posted by Dina at 08:05 AM | Comments (0)
December 05, 2007
Lynx to fly tomorrow, but not yet to Aspen
Wed 12/05/2007 12:00AM MST
The new regional air carrier called Lynx Aviation, a subsidiary of Frontier Airlines, will be in the air this Thursday, according to Frontier spokesman Joe Hodas.
"We're on track to be flying by Dec. 6," Hodas said Tuesday. "Once we have the certificate hanging in the office, we can put a plane in the air."
Lynx has been waiting for certification by the Federal Aviation Administration and Hodas now expects final paperwork to be complete by Thursday. The airline plans to use 74-seat turboprop planes made by Bombardier Inc. that will fly under the Frontier name.
The new regional airline has been in discussion with local officials about adding Aspen to its service list, but Hodas said it "remains to be seen" whether that will become a reality.
"No additional service is pending," Hodas said, choosing his words carefully. "There is nothing in the near term right now."
Lynx will begin providing service from Denver to Wichita, Kan.; Rapid City, S.D.; Sioux City, Iowa; Billings, Mont., and Tulsa, Okla. It has already been providing service to some of those towns using different aircraft.
Bill Tomcich, president of Stay Aspen Snowmass, the local central reservations agency, is hopeful that Lynx will someday bring its turboprop airplanes in and out of Aspen from Denver, which is Frontie''s main hub.
"We're standing by and ready to support them as soon as they are able," Tomcich said, adding that he hopes the airline begins service to Aspen "as soon as possible and practical," although he declined to speculate when that might be.
A $100,000 marketing subsidy offered to Lynx and Frontier is still on the table, Tomcich said.
That money was put forward collectively by Stay Aspen Snowmass, Aspen Skiing Co., Aspen Chamber Resort Association, the town of Snowmass Village, and four local lodging properties.
It was hoped that Frontier might begin service this winter, but the delays getting the new regional carrier certified dashed those hopes
While the FAA has apparently cleared Lynx to operate as an airline, additional pilot training would be necessary before the airline could operate its turboprops in and out of Aspen's tricky mountain airport.
"We are a little different than Sioux City, Iowa," Tomcich said.
He said the upside of Lynx service for Aspen would be competitive pricing on flights between Denver and Aspen. That route is now dominated by United.
And Tomcich said Aspen was likely still attractive to Lynx/Frontier because it is one of the few mountain ski markets that could sustain year-round service.
For more information on air traffic above Aspen- Snowmass, visit us at www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by admin at 10:01 AM | Comments (0)
December 04, 2007
Summit for Life Report
Hello Friends & Family,
I'm less than an hour away from attempting the 3,267' climb up Aspen Mountain with at least 200 others in the 2nd annual Summit for Life challenge to help promote education and awareness about organ and tissue donation. This event is the brainchild of my buddy Chris Klug, who I'm sure you all remember as an Olympic Bronze Medalist in the Parallel Snowboard GS in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and the first ever organ transplant survivor to medal in the Olympic games.
Over 97,000 people in this country alone are waiting for the gift of life through organ donation. Even though one deceased donor can save eight lives, 18 people die preventable deaths every day due to the shortage of available organs. While I have already raised the minimum amount of pledges required to participate in tonight’s event, please consider making an additional tax-deductible contribution to fund education and awareness programs throughout Colorado. More information on how to help support this very worthy cause is available at www.summitforlife.org
Why am I just e-mailing you all now with less than an hour to go before this challenge begins? Frankly because until a few minutes ago, I wasn't 100% certain I was going to be able to muster the courage to go through with this. I'm by no means in the same kind of shape as some of these athletes who expect to finish this climb in less than 45 minutes. Truth be told, I'm still not 100% convinced I’m going to be able to make it up in the four hours before ski patrol scoops up the leftovers. We have received 16" of badly needed heavy wet snow since yesterday afternoon, and the snow is supposed to re-intensify after dark with another 4-7" predicted. It's gonna be tough! But I'm prepared to give it my best shot anyway. I'm well rested, fed, totally carb'd up, stretched-out, dressed in layers, and have my snowshoes, ski poles and my new LED headlamp laid-out and ready to go and have already downed two of my four Red Bulls as I attempt to go climb a mountain after dark, in a snowstorm!
- Bill
Bill Tomcich, President of SAS and Shanna Hutchinson, Reservation Agent participated with the support of www.stayaspensnowmass.com. Bill Tomcich with a last minute entry received 103rd for the men with a time of 2:24:23:442. Shanna Hutchinson placed 4th overall women and 20th overall with a time of 1:12:29:329. The race is a 2.5 miles climb up 3200 vertical feet to the top of Aspen Mountain at night time. Racers use any type of non-motorized transportation to reach the top and are lighted only by headlamps. The uphill event racers have to raise a minimum donation of $160 in Support of Organ Transplant.
For more information on events in Aspen/Snowmass, visit us at www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 02:50 PM | Comments (0)
December 03, 2007
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport To Offer Free Wi-Fi
On December 3, the Aspen/Pitkin County airport will begin providing the public with free wireless internet service in the airport terminal building. For the past two years, the airport has had a paid wireless internet system operated under a commercial contract which expired in November. Under that system, users had to pay $9.95 per day for internet access.
"From the results of our recent community survey, as well as direct passenger feedback, we heard loud and clear our customers' desire for free Wi-Fi, and we're pleased to now provide this key customer amenity to our users", observed Assistant Aviation Director David Ulane.
The airport's Wi-Fi service, paid for by the Airport, will be operated and supported by AmeriSpot, which currently operates public Wi-Fi systems at numerous other commercial locations in the Roaring Fork Valley. "We are extremely pleased to partner with the Airport in providing free Wi-Fi to airport customers, especially as the airport gears up for the busy winter season" noted Alan Klein, President of AmeriSpot.
In partnership with AmeriSpot, the airport has installed all new wireless antennas and hardware, ensuring a strong signal throughout the terminal building. Under their contract with the Airport, AmeriSpot will also provide toll-free, 24 hour technical and customer support.
For information on the Aspen/Pitkin Airport and deals on airline tickets to Aspen, visit us at www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 01:27 PM | Comments (0)
Happy, Snowy December!
Saturday night on the Aspen Mall
Aspen/Snowmass was buried under as much as 30 inches of snow this weekend. Snow piled up leaving drifts more than three feet deep. On Snowmass, we saw 30 inches on top and 26 inches at mid mountain. On Aspen Mountain we ended up with 28 inches at both top and mid measuring stations.
Base depths jumped to seasonal norms overnight with 33-46 inches on Snowmass and 32-33 inches on Aspen Mountain. More terrain is opening today and crews are working hard to get additional acreage open daily.
Aspen/Snowmass will host the Audi Aspen Winternational Women's World Cup ski races later this week, Dec 7-9.
Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk will open for the season as scheduled on Dec. 8.
Think snow and visit us at www.stayaspensnowmass.com!
Saturday Blizzard
Sunday Morning on Aspen Mountain
Posted by Dina at 10:57 AM | Comments (0)
