Snowmass to Fire-up Thier Lifts for the 2011-12 Winter Season
Plentiful snowfall, cold temperatures and the hard work of the Snowmass operations team will allow Snowmass to open this Saturday, November 19 with more than160 acres of terrain including the Big Burn. This opening comes five days before the scheduled opening of the mountain.
“The 2011/12 season has started as a talented overachiever with near perfect snowmaking temperatures and abundant natural snowfall,” said Rich Burkley, vice president Mountain Operations.”
The Village Express and Big Burn lifts will run accessing more than 3,200 vertical feet, 7 trails and 160 acres. The Sky Cab Gondola and the Ski School Magic Carpet will also be in operation. Sneaky’s, Mick’s Gully, Max Park, Lunchline, Upper Scooper, Hals and Fanny Hill all will open as it stands today, with more terrain to be added dependent on weather and snowfall. Lifts will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The mountain will open with two terrain parks, one on Water Plant Flats with several jib and urban features and a double jump line on the Dawdler steeps. The Ullrhof and Up 4 Pizza will be open for dining. The Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center will also be open. Parking is free in Snowmass until Thanksgiving Day.
The Aspen/Snowmass Classic Pass is still on sale daily through November 13 at the REI Flagship Store in Denver and this weekend, November 12-13 at the Four-Mountain Sports Outlet Store in El Jebel. 2010-2011 Classic Passholders can renew their Classic Pass online or by phone through November 13, 2011. For store locations, hours and details visit www.aspensnowmass.com/classicpass. All passholders are encouraged to pick up their passes prior to opening day to avoid lines at Snowmass and Aspen Mountain. All Aspen/Snowmass season passes will be valid and ticket pricing for the early opening will be announced next week.
Aspen Mountain will open to the public as scheduled on Thursday, November 24, with the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club benefit day on the 23rd. World Cup ski racing returns, with the world’s fastest women skiers taking center stage on Aspen Mountain for the Nature Valley Aspen Winternational Audi FIS Alpine World Cup, November 26-27. The first Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert of the season takes place Saturday night, November 26 with Cowboy Mouth taking the stage at the base of Aspen Mountain.
Aspen Skiing Company operates the four mountains in the Aspen/Snowmass area – Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk – as well as the award-winning Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen/Snowmass. The area offers unparalleled nightlife and off-slope activities as well. Aspen/Snowmass is accessible by two of the most convenient airports in the mountains – Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) (3 miles from Aspen) and Eagle County Airport (EGE) (70 miles from Aspen). For more information on Aspen Skiing Company, please call 800-525-6200 or 970-925-1220, or visit the company’s website at www.aspensnowmass.com.
