Where to Ski And Snowboard - Aspen opens early and Snowmass base expands

Aspen opens early and Snowmass base expands

19th November 2018, by Abi Butcher

The US ski resorts of Aspen has opened a week early. Image: C2 Photography

The prestigious US ski resort of Aspen in Colorado started its season on Saturday (17 November) a week ahead of schedule.

Aspen Mountain received more than 20 inches of snow during recent storm cycles and cold temperatures have allowed for snowmaking — and the opening of lifts a week earlier than planned. Snowmass mountain will open next week, with openings planned for Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk on 8 December.

Snowmass — twinned with Aspen but a 30-minute drive from the old mining town — is currently on the verge of massive expansion project. The first swathe of the project begins this year with the opening later this month of the new Limelight Hotel Snowmass and ski-in, ski-out condominiums adjacent to Elk Camp Gondola, along with a 409msq Four Mountain Sports Store. Over the next ten years, the base village will undergo a $600-million development, the largest in North America. Plans include a central public events plaza with ice-skating rink and fire bit, a community building and condominium/residential building adjacent to the plaza.

Back over in Aspen, new terrain and a new lift is planned on Aspen Mountain — 153 acres to be exact which will bring the total to 850. The plans are currently under consideration by the Forest Service and Pitkin County.

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk mountain, $60 lift tickets are available between 22 November and 21 December, when guests book packages with Stay Aspen Snowmass.

For more details, visit aspensnowmass.com