« February 2008 | Main | April 2008 »
March 31, 2008
ASPEN/SNOWMASS SCHNEE TAG RESULTS
Aspen/Snowmass, Colo., March 29, 2008 - The Island Islanders soared and splashed their way to first at the inaugural Schnee Tag event in Snowmass, today, Saturday, March 29. Seven teams of four battled for the championship as they rode human-powered crafts down Fanny Hill into, and sometimes across, a huge pond.
Island Islanders took 1st place - Photo by Jeremy Swanson
The teams were judged on a pre-run skit as well as costume theme, creativity, splash and the flight distance of their craft.
Team Island Islanders, featuring Derek Koster, James Logan, Rob Thompson and John Hunt, took first, winning win a trip sponsored by Red Bull to a NASCAR race.
The second place team was Captain Insane-O, featuring Jason DeCarlo, Justin Stardefer and John Skloven-Gill won paragliding flights with the Red Bull Airforce.
Team Captain Insane-O - Photo by Jeremy Swanson
Coming in third, Hamilton Sports featuring Jeff King, Dave Connolly, Dave Klein and Aspen/Snowmass Team Athlete Kiffor Berg, won VIP invites to the Red Bull Soap Box Derby at Red Rocks in Morrison, Colo.
Hamilton Sports Team - Photo by Jeremy Swanson
The event required each craft to be entirely human powered with no external energy sources. The craft had to be less than 10 feet wide and weigh less than 400 pounds, including the pilot. Each team selected one member to fly their craft across the 75x20 foot pond.
Spring Jam continues tomorrow with the Helly Hansen Battle in the Bowls and next weekend, April 4-6, with the inaugural CoverGirl Snow Angels Invitational.
For more information please visit Stay Aspen Snowmass
Posted by Dina at 08:10 AM | Comments (0)
March 28, 2008
History groups to honor Hall of Fame members and new inductee Pat O'Donnell
Thursday, April 3, will be a busy day in Aspen. The public is invited to start the morning at 8 a.m. for a First Tracks event honoring the members of the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame, including Pat O'Donnell, former CEO of Aspen Skiing Company. There will be a light breakfast and short presentation at 9:30 a.m. There is no charge, however, donations to the Hall of Fame will be welcomed.
Pat O'Donnell will also be honored Thursday evening at the International Skiing History Association's annual Skiing Heritage Gala at the Hotel Jerome. He will be recognized for his lifetime contribution to the sport of skiing. Recently retired from Aspen Skiing Company, Pat has been in the resort and hospitality business for more than 30 years.
Pat spent ten years at Keystone in Colorado as Vice President of Operations, prior to building and opening Kirkwood in Lake Tahoe as Vice President and General Manager in the early 70s. He also served as Badger Pass Ski Area General Manager in Yosemite National Park for five years and as President of Whistler in British Colombia in the early 90s. Pat was also President of Patagonia.
For tickets or information call StayAspenSnowmass at 800-675-1298 or visit our website
During his tenure at ASC, Pat was instrumental in moving the company from a profit-driven to a values-driven organization. He empowered employees to look for ways to make the company a better environmental, social and community citizen. During Pat's tenure, ASC became the leading 'green' ski resort in the industry through pioneering use of renewable energy, biodiesel in snowcats, and green development (ASC now has 2 LEED certified buildings). ASC is the only resort in the U.S. with a climate policy, an employee run and funded foundation dedicated to environmental protection and an annual Sustainability Report.
Pat led the charge at ASC on the customer service front and it has resulted in one of the highest customer return rates in the industry, as high as 78 percent. He was often found loading chairs, greeting guests and pitching in to teach snowboard lessons. This was all after beginning most days by hiking up Snowmass, strapping on his snowboard and arriving at his office at 6:30 a.m. to 'start' his day.
The public is encouraged to attend both of Thursday's events. Reservations for First Tracks may be made by calling the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame at 970-476-1876. Lift tickets will be necessary and may be purchased the previous day. Participants should be at the gondola at 8am sharp. Skiing Heritage Week Gala tickets are $150 and are available by calling the Aspen Historical Society at 970-925-3721 (ext 109). The Gala starts at 6:00 p.m. with a reception and silent auction at the Hotel Jerome. Dinner and presentations follow.
Three history organizations, The International Skiing History Association, the Aspen Historical Society and the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame, are working together on these and other events for Skiing Heritage Week, March 30 to April 4.
Posted by Dina at 10:28 AM | Comments (0)
March 20, 2008
Highlands to extend its winter season
In celebration of our record snowfall and as a huge thank you to our community, I'm excited to announce Aspen Highlands will reopen the weekends of April 19-20 and 26-27. Exhibition, Loge and Deep Temerity Chairs will service 100% of the terrain, including the Highland Bowl. Lifts will run from 10:30 to 5:00, so you can still maintain your off season sleep schedule. A huge thank you to Doug Mackenzie and the entire crew at Highlands, we salute you!
All season passes will be honored as they are during the season (A one day a week gets you one day a week). Additionally, we welcome our brothers and sisters at other resorts nationwide with $12 tickets (just show your 2007-08 employee picture pass).
Details regarding ticket pricing, events, parties (there will be many), bands, restaurants, ski splashes and lodging packages will be released in the coming weeks...the important thing is to not put the winter gear away!
For more information on mountain closures and season dates, visit us at www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 11:26 AM | Comments (0)
For any guests inquiring about Easter Sunday for their kids: Easter rises around Snowmass Village
Open to all, Friday's Easter Egg Hunt at Alpine Bank and BJ Adams' begins at 3:45 p.m. for little ones and 4 p.m. for children 5 years and older.
The most important day on the Christian calendar, Easter, will be celebrated this week in Snowmass Village in both religious ceremonies and more casual gatherings.
On Friday, March 21, "oodles" of hidden Easter eggs and candy will be tucked away in the nooks and crannies of the BJ Adams and Company farmhouse and around Alpine Bank. At 3:45, children under 5 years of age will head to Alpine Bank in search of sweet treats and the Easter Bunny. Then at 4 p.m., kids 5 and older will grab their baskets and get ready for happy hunting on the grounds of BJ Adams' yellow farmhouse. This is one of the most beloved Easter activities around.
Saturday in the Village offers an entirely new event - the free underwater Easter Egg Hunt at the Snowmass Recreation Center. It begins at 11 a.m. and is open to all children up to 12 years of age. Eggs will be floating above and below the surface of the water!
The underwater Easter Egg Hunt caters to children of all swimming abilities; it is free of charge to all. Call 922-2240 to register.
For more information about Easter Egg Hunt's, visit us at www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 10:54 AM | Comments (0)
March 12, 2008
THIS WEEK MARKS THE DEBUT OF THE NEW THURSDAY THROWDOWN ON ASPEN MOUNTAIN'S NEW SPRING TERRAIN PARK
Fun Competitions, Live Music, Giveaways, Beer Garden and Food Specials All at the Base of Little Nell
Aspen/Snowmass, CO., March 11, 2008 - This Thursday, March 13, marks the debut of the new Thursday Throwdown on Aspen Mountain's new spring terrain park. Extra daylight means extra fun, as the Little Nell Chair will run each Thursday through April 3 from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. for the event. This week join in the High Ollie & Speed Rail competition and see how fast you can ride the rails - a radar speed gun will measure speeds - and how high you can ollie.
Skiers and riders can participate in competitions and giveaways while spectators can enjoy food specials, a beer garden, live music and entertainment on Gondola Plaza. The beer garden opens at 3:30 with the music and competition starting at 4:00.
Events include the High Ollie & Speed Rail Competition - with a radar gun to track your speed; "Snolar" blade races - a unique rollerblade made for snow; Old School Big Air - where competitors show off their best daffies and backscratchers in vintage 70's ski wear; as well as sumo wrestling relay races and tug-o-wars at the base.
"This event will bring a new buzz to the base of Aspen Mountain and create a perfect springtime venue for apres ski entertainment," said John Rigney, vice president of sales and events, Aspen Skiing Company. "The snow, the features, the athletes and extended daylight will make for a great scene."
Event dates are March 13, 20, 27 and April 3. Beginning March 13, the Little Nell chair will run every day from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and the Bell Mountain chair will run until 5 p.m. on days when the weather allows.
For more information on mountain events, click here
Posted by Dina at 09:23 AM | Comments (0)
March 11, 2008
ASPEN/SNOWMASS BUD LIGHT SPRING JAM EVENTS LINEUP
Aspen/Snowmass, CO., March 10, 2008 - With over 28 feet of snow falling this winter, Aspen/Snowmass is having a historic season. Closing out this record-breaking season is the extension of the eighth-annual Bud Light Spring Jam into a three-weekend celebration. Bud Light Spring Jam is the Rocky Mountains' premier spring festival featuring concerts, ski and snowboard competitions, parties and more.
New this year is Schnee Tag in Snowmass on Saturday, March 29. Teams of four are invited to create a craft that will slide down Fanny Hill and attempt to soar over a huge pond. And if that doesn't get the adrenaline pumping, the new Helly Hansen Battle in the Bowls will. On Sunday, March 30, teams of two will use Flaik GPS devices to compete in the bowls of Aspen Highlands for $3,000 in prize money. And finally, the inaugural Snow Angels Invitational, co-hosted by Gretchen Bleiler and Aspen/Snowmass, will bring the best women snowboarders in the world to perform in Snowmass, April 4-6.
Complete Bud Light Spring Jam Event Schedule:
Bud Light Big Air Friday Series - On-going through April 4
This entertaining eight-week series is entering its fifth year at Snowmass. The best snowboarders and skiers in the state descend upon Fanny Hill each Friday to perform the latest tricks for a chance at a prize purse and series points. This event began on February 15 and will continue every Friday through April 4.
Core Party featuring Super Diamond - March 21 - 8 p.m.
Super Diamond will kick off Spring Jam at the Core Party in downtown Aspen, on March 21. Famous for their sequined outfits and infectious energy, Super Diamond will play for free on the corner of Galena Street and Cooper Avenue.
KickAspen Big Air Invitational at Aspen Mountain - March 22 - 8-9:30 p.m.
KickAspen Big Air showcases the best regional ski and snowboard athletes competing under the lights at the base of Aspen Mountain. Prize giveaways, a beer garden and a DJ will round out the action at the base of the mountain.
Salomon Terrain Park Boot Camp - March 22, 23 - 12-3 p.m.
The Salomon Terrain Park Book Camp is an entry level terrain park that will be set up at Snowmass. Coaches, including Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club coaches and athletes, will teach beginners (13 and up) how to safely slide a rail, hit a box and throw a trick. From teens to parents, this is open to anyone interested in learning the ropes of the terrain park. It will be open from 12-3 p.m. on March 22 and 23.
FREE Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series: March 23 & 28
The popular FREE Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series has featured Blues Traveler, Dinosaur Jr. and the North Mississippi Allstars so far this season. The remaining concerts will be on Sunday, March 23 in Snowmass and Friday, March 28 at the base of Aspen Mountain. The series offers five free, outdoor concerts held during key events and peak weekends throughout the season. Past performers include Ozomatli, JJ Grey and MOFRO, Everclear, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, The Offspring, Unwritten Law, The Vandals, Gin Blossoms, POD and Arrested Development. Stay tuned for announcements on the artists for the last two concerts.
Aspen Klug Camp, March 28-30
The eighth annual Aspen Klug Camp, hosted by Aspen/Snowmass Athlete Chris Klug, will resume Friday, March 28 through Sunday, March 30 at Buttermilk. The camp is designed for all types of snowboarders from softbooters to hardbooters and from carvers to freestylers. The camp features halfpipe, boardercross, giant slalom and salmon instruction from expert instructors including Chris Klug, Tricia Byrnes, Travis McLain, Justin Reiter and Mitch Stout. Interested snowboarders should visit www.chrisklug.com/camp.html for more information.
Crocs Terrain Park Boot Camp - March 29, 30, 12-3 p.m.
The Crocs Terrain Park Book Camp is an entry level terrain park that will be set up at Snowmass. Coaches, including Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club coaches and athletes, will teach beginners (13 and up) how to safely slide a rail, hit a box and throw a trick. From teens to parents, this is open to anyone interested in learning the ropes of the terrain park. It will be open from 12-3 p.m. on March 29-30.
NEW - Schnee Tag - March 29 - 3 p.m.
Hold on tight for the new Schnee Tag event (pronounced Schnee Tog) on Fanny Hill at Snowmass. Teams of four are invited to create a craft that will slide down Fanny Hill and attempt to soar over a 75x20 foot pond. Each team will perform a skit before their run and will be judged on costume theme, creativity and flight distance of their craft. The craft must be entirely human powered with no external energy sources. The craft must be less than 10 feet wide and weigh less than 400 pounds, including the pilot. Each team will pick just one member to fly their craft across the pond. The first place team will win a trip to Red Bull's Flugtag. Second place will win paragliding flights with the Red Bull Airforce. Third place will win VIP invites to the Red Bull Soap Box Derby at Red Rocks in Morrison, Colo. Registration forms will be available Monday, March 10 on the events tab at www.aspensnowmass.com.
NEW - Helly Hansen Battle in the Bowls - March 30 - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
This new event, hosted by Team Aspen/Snowmass Athlete Chris Davenport, features teams of two using Flaik GPS devices to track how skilled each duo is at skiing the many bowls of Aspen Highlands. Awards and $3,000 in prize money will be given to the top three teams to finish the course as well as the teams with the fastest bowl lap, slowest bowl lap, fastest time down the bowl, most vertical, most trails and most lift rides. Interested athletes can register online beginning Wednesday, March 12 at www.aspensnowmass.com.
NEW - Snow Angels Invitational - April 4-6
Aspen/Snowmass and Gretchen Bleiler have teamed up to bring guests the inaugural Snow Angels Invitational, featuring an all-female snowboard superpipe contest in Snowmass. Along with Bleiler, Winter X Games stars Hannah Teter and Kelly Clark will participate, as well as other top female snowboarders. Superpipe practice will be open to the public for viewing on Friday, April 4 from 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. while the finals go down on Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday, April 6 will feature a photo shoot with the athletes at the Snowmass superpipe and quarterpipe from 9:30 a.m. - noon. Also, several participating athletes will be instructing at the Snow Angels Terrain Park Boot Camp on Sunday, April 6 from 12 - 3 p.m. on Fanny Hill.
A special thank you to Aspen/Snowmass Bud Light Spring Jam Sponsors: Bud Light, Helly Hansen, Sprint, W.L. Gore & Associates, Red Bull, Town of Snowmass Village, Crocs, Salomon, American Express, Nature Valley, D&E Ski and Snowboard Shop, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Smith.
For more information on Spring Jam, visit us at www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 01:24 PM | Comments (0)
March 07, 2008
Snowpack still above average
A proof that this winter is amazing...
Four of the last five months have seen well above average precipitation in the upper Colorado River basin, and February continued the trend.
Snowfall was 128 percent of average throughout the entire Colorado River basin in February, according to a report by the Natural Resources Conservation Service Colorado office.
As of March 1, the Roaring Fork River basin's snowpack was 169 percent of average and 154 percent of last year's snowpack - the highest levels within the Colorado River drainage.
Snowpack has been building all winter, according to the data in the report. For example, snowfall was 122 percent of average in January and 105 percent of average in December throughout the Colorado River basin.
The current basinwide snowpack is the highest its been since 1997, and only the second time since then that it's been above average at this time of year. It's also the second highest snowpack for the Roaring Fork watershed since 1968.
Forecasters are calling for an above-average runoff from April to July throughout the Colorado River basin, with the highest runoff - 141 percent of average - expected for the Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs.
As of March 1, precipitation statewide was 130 percent of average.
For more information on the snow pack, visit us at www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 08:32 AM | Comments (0)
March 06, 2008
STARLIGHT EVENINGS AT THE SUNDECK RETURNS TO ASPEN MOUNTAIN
Dinner, Dancing, Music and Drink Specials Will Resume at the Top of Aspen Mountain This Friday, March 7
Aspen/Snowmass, CO., March 5, 2008 - Starlight Evenings at the Sundeck will resume again this Friday, March 7 on Aspen Mountain. Guests can ride the Silver Queen Gondola starting at 5:30 p.m. to the top of Aspen Mountain for dinner, dancing, drink specials and music by Bobby Mason.
Tickets can be bought at any four-mountain ticket office. Tickets are $5 for season pass holders and children ages 4-12 and $10 for non-season pass holders. Children ages three and under can ride attend for free.
The gondola will transport guests up the mountain from 5:30 - 8 p.m. with the last ride down at 9 p.m.
The next Starlight Evening at the Sundeck will be Saturday, April 5. For more information on Starlight Evenings please visit www.stayaspensnowmass.com.
Posted by Dina at 08:29 AM | Comments (0)
Lifts staying open late
Starting March 15 - the first full weekend after Daylight Savings Time starts - two lifts on Aspen Mountain and two lifts on Snowmass will stay open later than the current 4 p.m. closing time.
The Bell chair on Aspen Mountain will run until 5 p.m. daily, weather permitting, said Aspen Skiing Co. spokesman Jeff Hanle. The mountain manager will determine the lift-closure time at noon.
The Little Nell chair will also run daily until 5 p.m., and until 6 p.m. on "Throwdown Thursdays," when there will be a beer garden in the gondola plaza. SkiCo is crafting a terrain park from all of the extra snow on the skiers' left side of the Little Nell run for the occasion.
At Snowmass, both the Village Express sixpack and the Big Burn chairlift will run until 4:30 p.m. daily at the mountain manager's discretion.
For more on-mountain information, please click here.
Posted by Dina at 08:21 AM | Comments (0)
March 03, 2008
RESULTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2008 STIHL COLORADO FREERIDE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Kiffor Berg and Kate Cardamone named top skiers
Riley Gessele and Shannon Yates named top snowboarders
Aspen/Snowmass, CO, March 1, 2008 - Aspen/Snowmass Athlete Kiffor Berg and Kate Cardamone took first in the ski portion of the 2008 STIHL Colorado Freeride Championships while Riley Gessele and Shannon Yates captured the male and female snowboard titles.
This was the seventh year of the Colorado Freeride Championships with over 120 competitors and a prize purse of $7,500. The two-day extreme-terrain event was held Friday, February 29 and Saturday, March 1 in Snowmass.
Competing athletes charged steep faces, cliffs and hanging snowfields of the Hanging Valley Headwall and Burn Side Cliffs on Snowmass. With record snowfall in December and January, Snowmass has seen twenty-six feet of snow this season opening up huge lines for the competitors to attack.
Winning athletes, along with their prize money, are listed below:
Men's Ski:
1-Kiffor Berg - Aspen/Snowmass Team Athlete - $1,900
2-Aaron Estrada - $900
3-Mark Welgos - $500
4-Frank Shine - Aspen, CO - $200
Women's Ski:
1-Kate Cardamone - Aspen, CO - $1,000
2-Jen Allen - Boulder, CO - $400
3-Nadia Samer - $200
Men's Snowboard:
1-Riley Gessele - $1,000
2-Dave Watson - Snowmass, CO - $400
3-Wallace Westfeldt - Aspen, CO - $200
Women's Snowboard:
1-Shannon Yates - Salt Lake City, UT - $500
2-Onna Konicek - $200
3-Natalie Nevins -Aspen, CO - $100
The 2008 STIHL Colorado Freeride Championships will air on the Altitude channel in March, April, October and November. Air times will be announced at a later date.
This event could not take place without the support of Aspen/Snowmass sponsors STIHL, Helly Hansen, Town of Snowmass Village, Bud Light, Nature Valley, Audi, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Freeskier Magazine, Smith, Giro, American Express, Hertz, The Aspen Times and Peak Party Rental.
For more information on all Aspen/Snowmass events go to www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 09:14 AM | Comments (0)
