Category: Ski USA

Posted on

Aspen Snowmass to Celebrate 168 days of Skiing and Riding this Season

Aspen Snowmass photo. Aspen Snowmass to Celebrate 168 days of Skiing and Riding this Season.

Aspen Snowmass to Celebrate 168 days of Skiing and Riding this Season

Aspen Mountain will open for another bonus weekend of skiing and riding Jun. 15-16 over Food & Wine Weekend

Aspen Snowmass announced today two additional days of skiing and riding as part of summer operations over the popular Food & Wine Classic this weekend, Jun. 15-16. making this one of the longest skiing and riding seasons in Aspen history. Skiers and riders will enjoy around 100 acres on a 30-inch base depth.

Group of skiers at Aspen Resort, Aspen, Colorado. Aspen Snowmass. Photo: Aspen Snowmass. Aspen Snowmass to Celebrate 168 days of Skiing and Riding this Season.
Group of skiers at Aspen Resort, Aspen, Colorado. Aspen Snowmass. Photo: Aspen Snowmass. Aspen Snowmass to Celebrate 168 days of Skiing and Riding this Season.

“We love that we can celebrate this historic season of snowfall with both skiing and summer activities in Aspen,” says Katie Ertl, senior vice president of mountain operations. “This is the perfect time of year to get outside, and get in two or even three sports in a day, with skiing, biking, hiking, golfing and more.”

The Silver Queen Gondola will be open for sightseeing and the Sundeck, located at the top of Aspen Mountain, will offer food and beverage options as well as a DJ on the deck Saturday. The first Bluegrass Sunday of the summer season will kick off Jun. 16.

Continue reading “Aspen Snowmass to Celebrate 168 days of Skiing and Riding this Season”

Posted on

Aspen Skiing Company Announces New Partnership with Taiga Motors

Taiga - Aspen's route. Photo by Taiga Motors. Aspen Skiing Company Announces New Partnership with Taiga Motors

Aspen Skiing Company Announces New Partnership with Taiga Motors

For the 2019-20 winter season, Aspen Skiing Company (ASC) enters a new partnership with Taiga Motors that will introduce electric snowmobiles to the resort with the goal of efficiently accelerating the transition to more sustainable mountain operations vehicles.

Taiga Motors Eikko specs. Photo: Taiga Motors. Aspen Skiing Company Announces New Partnership with Taiga Motors
Taiga Motors Eikko specs. Photo: Taiga Motors. Aspen Skiing Company Announces New Partnership with Taiga Motors

ASC was selected to participate in the Flagship Partner Program which gives rights to test out a new, Taiga Motors electric snowmobile. The program helps showcase the commitment of ski resort brands leading the charge towards increased winter sports sustainability.

“We are thrilled to be at the forefront of a new wave of sustainability and are looking forward to someday having a full electric fleet of snowmobiles at our resort,” says Greg Hoffman, lift maintenance director, Aspen Skiing Company. “The electric sled is a great fit for a ski area since we are going downhill close to half the time and the batteries charge when going downhill. When the battery charges it slows the sled down which keeps the operator from riding the brakes and causing a potential failure.”

Continue reading “Aspen Skiing Company Announces New Partnership with Taiga Motors”

Posted on

Final Record of Decision Published for Teocalli Drainage Expansion Project

Crested Butte in-bounds Extreme terrain is famous. Photo: Fenlon/CBMR. Final Record of Decision Published for Teocalli Drainage Expansion Project.

Final Record of Decision Published for Teocalli Drainage Expansion Project

The U.S. Forest Service has posted a final record of decision regarding Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s (CBMR) proposal in accordance with the resort’s Teocalli Drainage Expansion Project. The Expansion Project was submitted in July 2015 and has undergone a comprehensive environmental review.

The butte in the background. Photo: Tom Stillo/CBMR. Final Record of Decision Published for Teocalli Drainage Expansion Project.
The butte in the background. Photo: Tom Stillo/CBMR. Final Record of Decision Published for Teocalli Drainage Expansion Project.

The proposed Teocalli Drainage Expansion Project outlines a 500-acre permit boundary expansion, intended to provide additional intermediate and advanced terrain within the existing geography of the mountain. The proposed expansion area is located in the Teocalli drainage on the east face of the mountain. Additionally, the plan features three new chairlifts, including a replacement of the resort’s existing North Face Lift; 32 acres of additional new snowmaking on existing mountain trails; a new Ski Patrol outpost; and approximately 15 miles of new hiking and biking trails added to the existing on-mountain summer trail network.

“Crested Butte Mountain Resort appreciates having received the U.S. Forest Service’s record of decision regarding the proposed Teocalli 2 Expansion,” said Tim Baker, general manager of CBMR. “The Mueller family did a great job of casting a vision for this plan, and we look forward to identifying how we will proceed with it.”

Continue reading “Final Record of Decision Published for Teocalli Drainage Expansion Project”

Posted on

Colorado Ski Country USA Announces Double Digit Increase in Skier Visits in 2018-19 Season

Eldora-Sam Bass. Colorado Ski Country USA. Colorado Ski Country USA Announces Double Digit Increase in Skier Visits in 2018-19 Season.

Colorado Ski Country USA Announces Double Digit Increase in Skier Visits in 2018-19 Season

2018-19 Sees New Statewide Record, Double Digit Increase in 5-Year Average

Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) announced today at its 56th Annual Meeting in Denver skier visits at its now 23-member ski resorts increased 13 percent over last year’s total, which is nearly 12 percent above the five-year average. Using publicly available information, CSCUSA is projecting a new statewide record for skier visits of 13.8 million. Today’s announcement reflects a percentage increase that includes the current makeup of the association and is adjusted for the departure of Crested Butte from the membership in 2018-19.

“The 2018-19 season was one for the history books,” Colorado Ski Country USA President and CEO Melanie Mills said. “Not only did the industry set a new statewide record for skier visits, but there were substantial investments in capital improvements across our member resorts and snowfall was plentiful across the entire state.”

Copper Mountain. Photo: CSCUSA. Colorado Ski Country USA Announces Double Digit Increase in Skier Visits in 2018-19 Season.
Copper Mountain. Photo: CSCUSA. Colorado Ski Country USA Announces Double Digit Increase in Skier Visits in 2018-19 Season.

All regions of Colorado received significant snowfall throughout the season with the northern, central and southern mountains all blanketed in white. The early season was marked by significant resort investment with six new chairlifts whisking skiers and riders up the mountain, five new restaurants across the state, the new Limelight Hotel in Snowmass and other new activities and offerings. January and February saw additional snowfall and increased industry wide advocacy on climate change with the formation of the Outdoor Business Climate Partnership and a joint statement from eight state ski trade associations in support of increased climate action. Late February and March featured record or near record snow totals and set up a strong end to the season with five CSCUSA member ski areas announcing season extensions with Aspen Mountain and Arapahoe Basin still spinning lifts on weekends.

Continue reading “Colorado Ski Country USA Announces Double Digit Increase in Skier Visits in 2018-19 Season”

Posted on

SnoFolio Announces Partnership with U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association

SnoFolio Announces Partnership with U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association. Photo courtesy of SnoFolio.

SnoFolio Announces Partnership with U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association.

Snowsports Performance Technology Company Expands Support of Athletes with Ski Training Management System

SnoFolio announced a partnership with the United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA). The partnership furthers SnoFolio’s mission of supporting and progressing skiers throughout their lifetime by making its Snowsport performance technology available to more athletes.

SnoFolio Announces Partnership with U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association. Photo courtesy of SnoFolio.
SnoFolio Announces Partnership with U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association. Photo courtesy of SnoFolio.

The USCSA is recognized as the sports federation for collegiate team ski racing and snowboarding in America. USCSA scores the top three performances out of teams of five. Teams compete in a variety of disciplines, including women’s and men’s alpine, cross country, snowboarding, freestyle, and jumping. Over 5,000 student athletes compete in USCSA events annually, representing over 170 institutions in 11 Conferences and 6 Regions.

Alec Tandara-Kuhns, Executive Director of the USCSA, said, “The partnership between the USCSA and SnoFolio is a great fit because it offers additional training outlets for our membership from the club level through to the fully funded varsity programs.”  Continue reading “SnoFolio Announces Partnership with U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association”

Posted on

Aspen Snowmass Adds Another Bonus Weekend for Skiing and Riding

Matt Ross skiing at Aspen Resort, Aspen, Colorado. Aspen Snowmass. Aspen Snowmass Adds Another Bonus Weekend for Skiing and Riding.

Aspen Snowmass Adds Another Bonus Weekend for Skiing and Riding

Aspen Mountain Open for Skiing and Riding Jun. 8-9 

Aspen Mountain will once again offer skiing and riding as part of continued summer operations this weekend, Jun. 8-9, with 130 acres of terrain on a 58-inch base depth.

Aspen Snowmass Adds Another Bonus Weekend for Skiing and Riding. Photo: Aspen Skiing Company.
Aspen Snowmass Adds Another Bonus Weekend for Skiing and Riding. Photo: Aspen Skiing Company.

The Silver Queen Gondola will be open for sightseeing and the Sundeck, located at the top of Aspen Mountain, will offer food and beverage options as well as a DJ on the deck Saturday.

The gondola will operate from 9 a.m.—4 p.m. for sightseeing and the Ajax Express chairlift will run from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., as long as conditions permit, for laps on Aspen Mountain’s upper blue runs as well as black runs such as Summit and Blondie’s. Everyone will be required to download on the gondola.

Continue reading “Aspen Snowmass Adds Another Bonus Weekend for Skiing and Riding”

Posted on

Aspen Mountain Announces Bonus Weekend June 1-2, 2019

$75 Airfare Offering into Aspen; Book by Friday, Oct. 8 Photo Aspen Snowmass.

Aspen Mountain Announces Bonus Weekend June 1-2, 2019

ASPEN SNOWMASS, Colo.—May 28, 2019— Aspen Mountain will reopen this weekend, June 1-2, for the continuation of summer operations with skiing and riding on 130 acres of skiable terrain. The gondola will be open for sightseeing and the Sundeck will offer food and beverage options as well as a music on the deck during the day.

Darcy Conover skiing fresh corduroy down a steep snow covered groomed slope in the mountains at Aspen Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado - Aspen Mountain Announces Bonus Weekend June 1-2, 2019. Photo Aspen Snowmass.
Darcy Conover skiing fresh corduroy down a steep snow covered groomed slope in the mountains at Aspen Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado – Aspen Mountain Announces Bonus Weekend June 1-2, 2019. Photo Aspen Snowmass.

The Silver Queen Gondola will operate from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. for sightseeing and the Ajax Express chairlift will run from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., as long as conditions warrant, for laps on Aspen Mountain’s upper blue runs as well as black runs such as Summit and Blondie’s. Everyone will be required to download on the gondola.

Continue reading “Aspen Mountain Announces Bonus Weekend June 1-2, 2019”

Posted on

Aggressive bear bites hiker near Aspen; victim OK

Aggressive bear bites hiker near Aspen; victim OK. Photo: Jeremy Vessey Unsplash.

Aggressive bear bites hiker near Aspen; victim OK

From Aspen Daily News and Steamboat Pilot

As reported on the Aspen Daily News and the Steamboat Pilot an aggressive bear has bitten a woman on the tight while she and her husband were hiking on the Hunter Creek Trail near Lone Pine Road in Aspen at approximately 9.15 AM on Monday morning.

Aggressive bear bites hiker near Aspen; victim OK. Photo: Aspen Daily News.
Aggressive bear bites hiker near Aspen; victim OK. Photo: Aspen Daily News.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife release said that “They saw a bear walking toward them on the trail. The woman says they tried to give the bear space and stepped off the trail. As the bear walked by, she says it suddenly turned, charged and bit her before it ran off and disappeared from view.”

The woman is not in a serious condition thankfully and was taken to Aspen Valley Hospital.

The bear was described as light brown and of around 200 and 300 pounds. It yet has to be located.

Officials are looking for the bear, but they are having to identify between lots of bear tracks in the area.

Continue reading “Aggressive bear bites hiker near Aspen; victim OK”

Posted on

A Rockslide, with a boulder of a size of a house, wiped out a section of the highway in SW Colorado

An aerial image of the road obstruction. Photo: CDOT. A Rockslide, with a boulder of a size of a house, wiped out a section of the highway in SW Colorado

A Rockslide, with a boulder of a size of a house, wiped out a section of the highway in SW Colorado

From The Journal, Denver Post and CDOT

A crew Sunday night blasted one of two boulders that shut down Colorado Highway 145 north of Dolores since Friday, and built a temporary road to allow traffic through.

Trucks hauled way the rubble beginning Sunday, and the bypass road opened Monday afternoon.

The explosion of the boulder - photo CDOT. A Rockslide, with a boulder of a size of a house, wiped out a section of the highway in SW Colorado
The explosion of the boulder – photo CDOT. A Rockslide, with a boulder of a size of a house, wiped out a section of the highway in SW Colorado

The rock slide prompted three days of work to try to reopen the highway, a key route between Dolores and Telluride, and an alternate route to the Iron Horse bicycle race from Durango to Silverton.

On Saturday, officials assessed the ridgeline above the highway for additional threats. CDOT had two priorities: to “patch the damaged road” and to ensure the stability of the rock ridge formation.

Continue reading “A Rockslide, with a boulder of a size of a house, wiped out a section of the highway in SW Colorado”

Posted on

Utah had its best Ski Season Ever in 2018-19

Ski Utah - Paul Bundy photo. Opening Weekend in Timberline. Utah had its best Ski Season Ever in 2018-19

Utah had its best Ski Season Ever in 2018-19

Utah ski resorts saw their best season ever in terms of skier days in 2018-19 with a total of 5,125,441 visits. The state also saw one of its best snow years on record, with every ski resort recording above normal amounts of The Greatest Snow on Earth.

All smiles at Sundance Ski Resort. Photo: Marc Piscotty-UOT. Utah had its best Ski Season Ever in 2018-19
SHOT 3/17/16 2:53:33 PM – Sundance Mountain Resort is a ski resort located 13 miles northeast of Provo, Utah. Spanning over 5,000 acres on the slopes of Mount Timpanogos in Utah’s Wasatch Range, alpine skiing began on the site in 1944. Actor Robert Redford acquired the area in 1968 and established a year-round resort which would later spawn the independent Sundance Film Festival and the non-profit Sundance Institute. Sundance is committed to the balance of art, nature and community. (Photo by Marc Piscotty / © 2016) Utah had its best Ski Season Ever in 2018-19

“It was a great season to ski and ride in Utah, and our visitor numbers reflect that,” said Ski Utah President & CEO Nathan Rafferty. “Snow is a big business driver and snowfall numbers across the state were some of the best we’ve seen in recent years. Our resorts invested in programming and capital improvements to elevate experiences on and off the mountain. We also gained new visitors through expanded season pass options. This record season speaks to the strength of Utah’s ski industry and its role in winter tourism for our state.”

Utah’s skier days for 2018-19 were 12% higher than the state’s previous record of 4.58 million in 2016-17 and up 24% from the 2017-18 season. The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) released preliminary numbers at the end of April putting the 2018-19 season as the fourth best ever on record with over 59 million skier visits nationally. All regions saw an increase in visitation, with the Rocky Mountain region setting a record of 24 million visitors.

Continue reading “Utah had its best Ski Season Ever in 2018-19”