Tag: Extended ski season

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Red, White and Basin: Ski the 4th of July at Arapahoe Basin!

Solstice Skiing at Arapahoe Basin. Photo: Arapahoe Basin Resort. How can we envision ski resorts opening with social distancing for the 2020-21 ski season?

Red, White and Basin: Ski the 4th of July at Arapahoe Basin!

Arapahoe Basin (A-Basin) will be open for skiing and snowboarding on Thursday, July 4, 2019. July 4 will be the official closing day for A-Basin’s 2018-19 winter season, capping off the longest ski season in Colorado that began October 19, 2018. The last time A-Basin was open on July 4 was 2011. Its longest season was in 1995 when the ski area stayed open until August 10.

Solstice Skiing at Arapahoe Basin. Photo: Arapahoe Basin Resort. Red, White and Basin: Ski the 4th of July at Arapahoe Basin!
Solstice Skiing at Arapahoe Basin. Photo: Arapahoe Basin Resort. Red, White and Basin: Ski the 4th of July at Arapahoe Basin!

A-Basin is able to stay open in large part thanks to higher-than-average snowfall totals and lower-than-average temperatures in the months of March and May, including nearly seven feet of snow falling during March. Even so, it was not a record snowfall year for the ski area. At the start of June, A-Basin was at 106 percent of average snowfall (about 375 inches). Other contributing factors to A-Basin’s late season are its northern-facing frontside slopes and high elevation (10,780’ base; 12,500’ at the top of the highest lifts; 13,050’ peak).

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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.

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PURGATORY Re-Opens for Memorial Day Weekend for the First Time Ever!

PURGATORY Re-Opens for Memorial Day Weekend for the First Time Ever!.Photo: Purgatory Resort.

PURGATORY Re-Opens for Memorial Day Weekend for the First Time Ever!

Purgatory Resort will add its name to a short list of U.S. resorts spinning lifts during Memorial Day weekend when it opens for a bonus weekend of skiing this Saturday and Sunday. May 25 will not only mark the kickoff to summer but also the first time in resort history Purgatory has opened for skiing on the last weekend in May.

Purgatory is waiting for people with lots of snow for this weekend. PURGATORY Re-Opens for Memorial Day Weekend for the First Time Ever! Photo: Purgatory Resort.
Purgatory is waiting for people with lots of snow for this weekend. PURGATORY Re-Opens for Memorial Day Weekend for the First Time Ever! Photo: Purgatory Resort.

After picking up 8” of snow through Monday morning (with up to two feet expected through Thursday according to OpenSnow), Purgatory officials announced today it will open Lift 1, an expected 130 acres and one terrain park (conditions permitting) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday. Winter operations are expected to conclude after Sunday, May 26 and summer activities will continue to be open every day.

Less than a dozen ski areas will be open in the U.S. this weekend – Purgatory is the southern-most resort.

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Aspen Mountain to Open with Skiing and Riding Memorial Day Weekend

Mattpowerphotography.com 2/24/15 SkiCo Aspen Mountain Shoot. Aspen Mountain to Open with Skiing and Riding Memorial Day Weekend.

Aspen Mountain to Open with Skiing and Riding Memorial Day Weekend

Aspen Mountain will open for summer operations Memorial Day Weekend May 25-27 with skiing and riding. In addition to opening 130 acres of skiable terrain, Memorial Day Weekend marks the start of Aspen Mountain’s summer operations with access to sightseeing and food/beverage options at the Sundeck restaurant. There will be a live DJ outside on the deck Saturday and Sunday.

Aspen Mountain to Open with Skiing and Riding Memorial Day Weekend. Photo: Aspen Skiing Company.
Aspen Mountain to Open with Skiing and Riding Memorial Day Weekend. Photo: Aspen Skiing Company.

The Silver Queen Gondola will operate from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. for sightseeing and the Ajax Express chairlift will run from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 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.

“With a pleasant dropping of additional snow in the last couple weeks, we are excited to kick-off Memorial Day weekend and the start of summer operations with skiing/riding on Aspen Mountain,” says Katie Ertl, senior vice president of mountain operations, Aspen Skiing Company. “The weekend will offer classic conditions for a Colorado multi-sport weekend with town green and the mountain painted white.”

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Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood Resorts Announce Extended Ski Season

Northstar Black Diamonds runs- Photo: Elisabeth Biebl. Northstar Resort. Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood Resorts Announce Extended Ski Season.

Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood Resorts Announce Extended Ski Season

  • Heavenly Mountain Resort season extended through April 28, 2019, plus 3-day-weekend May 3-5
  • Northstar California Resort season extended through April 21, 2019
  • Kirkwood Mountain Resort season extended through April 14, 2019, plus 3-day-weekend April 19-21

After record-breaking snowfall throughout the Lake Tahoe region in February, the Best of Tahoe Resorts, including Heavenly Mountain Resort, Northstar California Resort, and Kirkwood Mountain Resort announced plans today to extend the 2018-19 ski and snowboard season. Plans may change based on weather, conditions or US Forest Service approval.

View of Lake Tahoe from the mountain. Photo: Heavenly Ski Resort. Elisabeth Biebl. Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood Resorts Announce Extended Ski Season.
View of Lake Tahoe from the mountain. Photo: Heavenly Ski Resort. Elisabeth Biebl. Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood Resorts Announce Extended Ski Season.

During the month of February alone, Heavenly has received 269” of snow, Northstar has received 286” and Kirkwood has received 271”.

“Record-breaking snow conditions paired with the hard work of our mountain operations teams have made for a truly unforgettable season so far,” said Mike Goar, vice president and chief operating officer of the Best of Tahoe Resorts. “With even more snow on the way, we are thrilled to extend the winter operations at all three of our Lake Tahoe resorts and offer skiers and riders additional opportunities to take advantage of these amazing spring conditions across the region.”

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