Looking for an amazing Aspen hike a little off the beaten path? Try the hike to Thomas Lakes. Located at the base of Mount Sopris and accessed easily from Basalt or Carbondale, this trail is absolutely beautiful right now (see photo). Thomas Lakes Trail is 3.6 miles each way and, is a well-maintained, moderate trail in great condition. (more…)
Aspen Winter X-Games 15 Schedule of Events & Finals (practices are not listed). All events take place at Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen. Come check out the incredible professional athletes including skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers, at this fantastic four-day outdoor event in Aspen! (more…)
The Rio Grande Trail is a beautiful trail that runs from Aspen to Glenwood Springs and is available to runners, bikers, skateboarders and those on horseback. Most sections also allow dogs. It is built within the former rail corridor of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Aspen Branch. (more…)
Nearly 1,000 runners from throughout the country will participate in the Vasque Golden Leaf Half Marathon this Saturday, September 25th in Aspen. Selected by Trail Runner Magazine as one of America’s 14 most scenic races, the Golden Leaf traverses from Snowmass Village to the heart of Aspen via the Government Trail, at the peak of Aspen’s fall colors. The route gains 970 feet and peaks at 9,400 feet in elevation. The race begins in Snowmass Village at 8:30am and will finish at Koch Park in Aspen.
Come on out to Koch Park in Aspen and help cheer the runners across the finish line!
Aspen Skiing Company is planning to make the Elk Camp Meadows area the new hub of summer activity at Snowmass Ski Area. Beginning around June 20th, new hiking and biking trails will be open, along with the Cafe Suzanne restaurant. The Elk Camp gondola will run regularly. If you would like to see disc golf and overnight camping allowed in this area, White River National Forest Staff are seeking public comments. (more…)
Aspen Skiing Company announced that they will keep the lifts running on Aspen Mountain for the weekends of April 17th-18th and April 24th-25th. Aspen locals and visitors alike are quite excited!
The regular season closes April 11th for both Aspen and Snowmass Mountain. The final day of the season for Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands is April 4th. (more…)
Every March hails the sun meeting the snow in Aspen and the annual Wine Party at Blondie’s Cabin on Aspen Mountain. This annual party has a wonderful turnout every year, with characters aplenty. (more…)
The annual AVSC Nordic Bonfire Dinner, one of Aspen’s most unique winter outdoor fundraisers, will be held Saturday, January 9 from 6:00-8:00 PM. The event features an evening of cross-country skiing, eating, drinking, and socializing under the moon and stars at the Cross Country Center on the Aspen Golf Course. (more…)
Aspen Skiing Company has posted the season pass prices for 2009-2010 ski season with some surprises. Some of the old favorites are gone, but the cost of the Premier Pass has been reduced by almost $300.
No one in America is completely insulated from the recession, and that includes Aspen Skiing Company and its clients. Aspen Skiing Company is doing its part to make sure that skiers still find their way to the 4 mountains by lowering the price of the Premier Pass $270.
Also, there are 2 new types of passes to choose from–the Flex and Escape Passes. The Flex pass offers one day of skiing/riding each week and additional days can be purchased for $49. The Escape pass offers a pay-as-you-go option for $299 up front and $49 per day. See bel0w for pass pricing valid for purchase before September 18, 2009.
Premier Pass $1,499
Flex Pass $ 819
Escape Pass $ 299*
Classic Pass $ 249
*Escape Pass is only sold until December 18, 2009.
The very popular 2-day a week pass is not available for this season, much to the dismay of locals. David Perry, Senior Vice President of SkiCo, explained that the new pricing was a reflection of last year’s passholder’s ski use. “Literally 95 percent of all our season passholders will either pay less for the same amount of skiing or get more skiing and more flexibility for the same amount,” Perry said to the Aspen Chamber board of directors in a meeting last week.
Aspen’s famous Independence Pass is now open for the summer season. Independence Pass climbs up over 12,000 feet and offers spectacular views, along with snowfields, throughout the summer.
The wildlife and topography offer numerous photo opportunities. Independence Pass is located in the White River National Forest, and there are many day hikes and picnic areas to investigate and a ghost town named Independence is a great rest stop.
Locals enjoy the easy access to Denver and Colorado Springs, typically cutting 1/2 hour off of their drive time by going over the pass. But Independence Pass is not for the novice driver. There are two locations on the Aspen side of the pass where there is no yellow line to separate the two-way traffic.
Independence Pass is only open during the summer. Enjoy it while you can!
