With Ajax open to skiers and riders since November 22nd and Snowmass following suit on the 27th, the locals are already well into the season. Aspen Snowmass fortunately experienced heavy snowfall in the weeks preceding Opening Day, so much so that Ajax opened five days early! Aspen Times captured the thrill of Opening Day with GoPro footage demonstrating the high levels of stoke that pervaded the atmosphere in a show of dedicated reporting.
Snowfall continues to be frisky up on the peaks, with Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk to open on December 13 as scheduled, however, early season conditions do persist. Out of bounds territory is kept as such for safety reasons – no skier or rider wants to become mired in a glade of exposed logs and branches. Aspen Snowmass ski patrollers work diligently packing down each snowfall on the steeps to make sure locals and visitors alike have ample ground cover on every resort slope they ride or ski. On gentler slopes and wide open blue cruisers, snow making machines and groomers ensure smooth seamless runs.
On each of the four mountains, ambassadors provide free orientation tours each morning in addition to offering information on terrain, on-mountain dining, and local events. Highly visible in their charcoal SkiCo jackets and red (men) or pink (women) pants, ambassadors ski and ride the resorts daily to make sure this information is at your ski tips. Ask an ambassador which runs have the best snow cover, speculate on the next snowfall, or learn more about the history of Aspen Snowmass.
As always, early risers at any point in the season can meet up with the talented pros that comprise the ski and snowboard schools to get first tracks.
We’re skiing again! Come join us for the 2014-15 season!
