JenEngel

Finally digging out from the 3 days of heavy snowfall, Aspen Skiing Co. is doing more than just inviting everyone to enjoy the new 18″ of fresh powder. ASC is offering discounts to all season pass holders on tickets and food. Thank you Skico! (more…)

This winter season in Aspen and Snowmass Village began with two amazing hotels opening for business. Viceroy Snowmass and The Little Nell both cater to the Aspen traveler looking for fantastic ski-in/ski-out access and luxurious accomodations. (more…)

The I-Phone offers a slew of applications, including two that will bring Aspen to your hand. These are a must have for the ski season.

Aspen Shines at www.aspenshines.com/iphone
Vacationing in Aspen and want to know what to do off of the slopes? Download the Aspen Shines app on your I-phone and have direct access to the local restaurants, hot spots and events for Aspen.

Alpine Trail Maps by www.appsafari.com
Alpine Trail Maps has  numerous maps of  ski resorts, including all four of the Aspen/Snowmass ski areas.  Never fumble with a large map again! You will always know where you are on Aspen, Snowmass, Buttermilk or Aspen Highlands.

These two applications are very easy to use and a must-have for the ski season.

Aspen is currently experiencing its first big winter storm, with heavy snowfall of up to 16 inches expected through Thursday evening.  According to the National Weather Service, a winter storm warning will be in effect for the mountains surrounding Aspen until 6pm Thursday.

In anticipation of the storm, the Colorado Department of Transportation temporarily closed Highway 82 over Independence Pass on Tuesday at 3 p.m.  CDOT anticipates reopening the pass after the storm if possible, until it closes for the winter season on November 7th.

Skiers and snowboarders, get ready for a great 2009/2010 season!

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.

Mike Kaplan, the CEO of Aspen Skiing Company, met with Snowmass Village Town Council for their biannual meeting. On-mountain plans, skier visits and other updates were on the agenda, but the largest  item of business is the future of Base Village, the partially built one million-square-foot development. (more…)

Aspen Highlands Patrol Dogs

March is historically the snowiest month for Colorado, but 2009 is seeing a lot of white stuff dumping in April.  Starting out with 10″ as of 11am on Apri 1st (no foolin’), Aspen Skiing Company is betting that Aspen and Snowmass will continue to see huge amounts of snow fall.  In response, Aspen Highlands ski area will re-open for the weekends of April 18-19 and 25-26 after the mountain’s final day on Sunday, April 5th.

There is not a better place for spring skiing than Aspen and Snowmass Village, Colorado. The sun is out, the sky is blue and the powder is deep. This year is even better since local lodging companies have discounted rates starting at $89/night! Check out Stay Aspen Snowmass for more details.

Aspen Highlands Bowl

After a warm dry spell, another storm system has moved into Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley.  4-8 inches of snow is expected in the Aspen area on Thursday.  Aspen Highlands Mountain received 13 inches of new snow on Tuesday morning and received 16 inches in total over a two-day period.  Snowmass reported 7 inches of new snow early Tuesday and 11 inches total over two days, while Aspen Mountain received 4 inches on Tuesday and 8 inches total for Monday and Tuesday.

Snow is likely to continue Wednesday and Thursday, with a 30 percent chance for snow on Friday.  Get out there and enjoy the fresh powder during the last couple weeks of ski season!  Aspen & Snowmass Mountains close on Easter Sunday which is April 12th, and Aspen Highlands & Buttermilk Mountains close April 5th.

Wouldn’t it be great if there were no lift lines while skiing? Or at least no waiting in line while someone scans each pass? Aspen Skiing Company agrees, and they have introduced the newest in ski ticket technology to the local ski areas. (more…)