Aspen Mountain Re-Opening for Memorial Day Weekend 2011

Since this winter has been especially persistent and has left much of the CO mountains with record breaking snow totals,  Aspen Ski Co has decided to re-open Aspen Mountain for the Memorial Day Weekend May 28-30, 2011. 

So dig out that ski gear and head to Aspen. Aspen has over 71" inches for a base and the snow just keeps coming.  There will 25 runs open all accessible from the Ajax Express Chairlift.

Aspen/Snowmass Premier, Premier Silver and 6-and-under passes can ride for free. All other passholders will be charged — $19 for adults 18-69, $15 for those 70 and older, $13 for youth passholders 13-17 and $10 for those 12 and under. Single-day lift tickets will be $32 for adults, $25 for youths and seniors and $15 for seniors.

Save on lodging at the Inn at Aspen! Rooms start at $129/nt! After your day of late spring skiing head into town for mud-season specials or grab the golf bag and play a round!

The last time Aspen re-opened for Memorial Day was back in 1995 and it might be another fifteen years before it happens again! Don't miss it!

Survival Guide to Aspen’s Food & Wine Classic 2011

It’s almost here! One the most prestigious foodie and wine lovers gatherings: The Aspen Food & Wine Classic. This year’s event comes to life with cooking demonstrations and wine tastings. Seminars led by wine and food superstars such as Mario Batali, José Andrés, Jacques Pépin, Gail Simmons, and Joshua Wesson provide a world-class experience.  This three day weekend is a full treat for the senses.

So how to survive a food & wine festival that will host more food, wine and celebrities than you’ve see before? Here are the tips that will make your Food & Wine experience the best.

1.Do a Little Research.  With over 50 different Speakers, multiple wine presentations every half hour and tons of cooking demos you will need to know what you would like to try otherwise you will be overwhelmed with the choices.  A good resource is the Food & Wine Classic Speakers page – You can sort through all the different Speakers and find their sample itineraries!  Pick someone you love and see what their “can not miss” things are!

2.    Eat First then Drink: If you (for some unforeseen reason) get a dish that you just don’t love, don’t eat it all! Also look for some of the up & coming chefs at the festival! They are there for a reason- they are good!  By eating first you won’t so severely suffer from all the amazing wine you’ll try later.

3.    Don’t taste every wine.  It sounds shocking but really you don’t have to try them all! Ask the distributor what their favorite wine is.  It is great way to see a big wine and get the feel for what the winery is really striving for.

4.    Water! Aspen is high altitude and the sun will be strong and hot.  Make sure you get in some good gulps of water between tastings and you’ll be good to go all day!

Make sure you also get your Food & Wine Lodging for the weekend! The Inn at Aspen still has rooms available. See the current rates and book online now!

Aspenite Chris Klug Inducted into Skier Hall of Fame

Aspenite Chris Klug will be inducted into the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum Hall of Fame in November! Klug will be one of the youngest people inducted and to receive this honor, The Aspen Times reported on April 27, 2011.

“I was blown away,” Klug said. “I’m so proud to join such a great group of riders and skiers who have contributed so much to Colorado.”

The nomination was written by Bill Tomcich, president of Stay Aspen Snowmass, and seconded by Aspen Skiing Co. President Mike Kaplan and David Perry, SkiCo senior vice president.

“Chris is an inspiring ambassador to the sport of snowboarding, our resort community and the state of Colorado, and we believe a most deserving candidate for the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame,” their letter read.

Klug’s snowboarding career included 20 years on the World Cup tour and finishing his professional career by winning the U.S. title for snowboard parallel slalom in 2010.

In the 1990s, Klug contracted a liver disease and underwent transplant surgery in 2000. In the years since, he has devoted his time to his foundation that he started in 2003, which spreads awareness about organ donations.  The Chris Klug foundation hosts the annual Summit for Life race.

Klug will join 30 or so other Aspenites, including Walter Paepcke, Fred Iselin and Klaus Obermeyer, that make up the nearly 200 inductees in the hall of fame.

Congrats Chris Klug!

Get to Aspen and see what we are all about. Stay at the Inn at Aspen for the best lodging deals.

Best Events in Aspen for Week of April 4, 2011

Aspen is always hopping with amazing art, music, sporting events, restaurants and more but here are some of our suggestions for the best happenings in Aspen in this Spring week of April 4th, 2011.

1. Ski Ski Ski! Its the last few weeks you get to ski at Aspen, Highlands and Snowmass (Buttermilk is already closed).  And all the ski resorts are having spring skiing hours! See the spring lift times- you'll get over another 30 min of ski time.
2. Aspen Film's Shortsfest! Recently named by indieWIRE as one of the world’s top-50 leading film festivals, Aspen Shortsfest is widely recognized as a premier North American showcase for short film and video, including documentary, animation, and live action.  Aspen Shortsfest’s centerpiece is the juried International Competition, which may qualify award winners for Oscar eligibility. The lineup includes premieres as well as award-winners from the international festival circuit.  Shows take place in Aspen at the Wheeler Opera House and in Carbondale at the Crystal Theatre.  Don't miss it!
   
   
3. Sunset Skiing and Moonlight Party on Aspen Sundeck. Enjoy a nighttime ride on the Silver Queen Gondola and enjoy superb dining and drink specials...all at 11,212 feet!  The price for the gondola is $10 for non-season pass holders, $5 for picture pass holders and kids ages 4-12, and FREE for children ages 3 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the Aspen Mountain Ticket Office. Upload from 5:30 - 8 p.m. and download until 9:30 p.m. Food is served until 8 p.m.
   
   
4. Scheentag This hilarious event is one not to miss.  The 4th annual Schneetag event (pronounced Sch-knee Tog) invites teams of four to create a craft that they will pilot down a slope in front of Bonnie's and attempt to float across a 75x20 foot pond.  Every team has a theme and will perform a skit before they descend. This event is just as ridiculous and entertaining as it sounds.  Last year prizes included a trip to the ESPN X Summer Games in Los Angeles, tickets to a professional sporting event in Denver and skis and snowboards.

Get to Aspen to play all Spring and get incredible lodging deals at the Inn at Aspen.  All spring get 20% each night you stay.  View the Deal online now!  

Spring Jam in Aspen- Big Events, Big Music Big Fun

Spring has officially sprung in Aspen and don’t miss this weekend of Spring Jam events presented by the Aspen/Snowmass Ski Resort and Bud Light.  This premier event is spread out over two weekends with free Bud Light Hi-Fi concerts, big air competitions, racing extreme events and terrain park boot camp lessons. 

Coming up for this weekend starting Friday March 25, see the unforgettable Big Air contest on Snowmass Mountain.  These local athletes love to fly and you’ll be amazing at how big these riders and skiers go off a 40ft. jump!   After you’ve witnessed these flying stunts, head to the base village for an après drink and some dinner.

At 8pm don’t miss the free concert- Pepper at the base of Aspen Mountain. Pepper is comprised of guitarist/vocalist Kaleo Wassman, bassist/vocalist Bret Bollinger and drummer Yesod Williams, formed in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii in 1997. Having grown up surfing on the island, it’s not a wonder that they would mix their rock “shock and ah” flare, along with their mellow island rhythm roots to create their own truly diverse sound.

Saturday March 26, 2011-
Get up to see the Fallen Friends Memorial event- teams of skiers and riders come to compete in the obstacle course of jumps, rails and park features- all proceeds benefit the fallen friends memorial fund. See full event schedule!
Sunset skiing is also going on Aspen Mountain! Extended gondola hours will let you ski till 6pm!  Then have dinner, drinks and dancing at the Sundeck!

There are so many events – check out the full schedule.  But a new event we have to tell you about is the Red Bull Buttercup on Buttermilk closing day April 3, 2011.  Don’t miss this snowboard jam contest that invites riders of all levels to come show off their most creative skills on a custom butter park. Only trick sequences that feature buttering will count and riders will be judged on style and creativity. Registration is only $20 and will take place on the day of the event.

Get to Aspen where we are celebrating spring! Stay at the Inn at Aspen and have ski-in ski-out accommodations to Buttermilk and be just minutes away from all the other ski resorts and Spring Jam action!  Book now and get free nights!

Sunset Skiing in Aspen-Spring Ahead with Extended Lift Hours, Parties and More!

Our blog post about a month ago highlighted the extended spring skiing hours at all Aspen/Snowmass ski resorts.  But now just to add an extra special something to the Spring Celebrations in Aspen, the ski company has announced Sunset Skiing! For all those extra minutes of beautiful sunshine at the end of the day you can now ski until 6pm on a handful of days throughout March and April!  Enjoy the gorgeous views, sunsets and on-mountain dining option! See other Spring Jam events!

• Thursday, March 17 – Buttermilk – Lifts open until 6 p.m.
  The Summit Express lift and the Buttermilk Terrain Park will be open until 6 p.m.  The theme will be St. Patrick’s Day. The Cliffhouse will be open for food and beverage options until 6 p.m. and then the party moves down to Bumps at Buttermilk Mountain Lodge. 
• Saturday, March 26 – Aspen Mountain – Silver Queen Gondola open until 6 p.m
  Lift served skiing/riding will continue until 6 p.m. and the party continues with the Sundeck Moonlight Dinner, featuring dinner and drink specials and live music starting at 5:30 p.m.  The last download is at 9:30 p.m. 
• Friday, April 1 – Snowmass – Lifts open until 6:30 p.m.
  Village Express, Big Burn, Coney Glade and the Snowmass Terrain Park will be open until 6:30 p.m. The Cirque will run until 6 p.m. conditions permitting. Sam’s Smokehouse will host a party from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. and then the party will head down to Sneaky’s Tavern in Snowmass Base Village. The event theme is April Fool’s Day Luau. 
• Friday, April 8 – Aspen Mountain – Silver Queen Gondola open until 6 p.m.
  Lift served skiing/riding will continue until 6 p.m. and the party continues with the Sundeck Moonlight Dinner, featuring dinner and drink specials and live music starting at 5:30 p.m.  The last download is at 9:30 p.m. 
• Saturday, April 16 – Aspen Highlands – Lifts open until 6:30 p.m.
  Exhibition and Loge lifts will be open until 6:30 p.m. and Highland Bowl will be open until 5 p.m.  The Merry-Go-Round will be open until 6:30 p.m.

Closing Days at the Aspen Ski Resorts

Due to a late Easter this spring, Aspen/Snowmass will have one of its longest seasons to date.  Aspen Highlands will stay open for three more weeks than usual through April 24, providing guests more time to experience spring skiing in Aspen/Snowmass.  Sunny days, spring powder, live music and après parties will keep the 2010-2011 season going longer than ever. 

Stay with us at the Inn at Aspen and have ski-in ski-out lodging till closing day of Buttermilk, then be only minutes away from incredible spring skiing at Aspen, Highlands and Snowmass!

Aspen On the Cheap- Spring Savings and Deals

A trip to Aspen obviously has its luxuries but many of them can be done on the cheap or with added activity benefits.  One of the best times to do this is Spring in Aspen.  While you are enjoying the mild weather, incredible rays of sunshine, spectacular scenery, the food, the nightlife get some stuff for free, find some awesome deals and save some money too-

So What Does Spring in Aspen Have to Offer?

1. Apres Specials and Live Music at Sneaky’s Tavern
   Enjoy daily après drink specials and live music on Fridays and Saturdays. Also, don’t miss $5 Fridays, $5 well drinks, and Sangria Saturdays, $6 red or white sangria. New hours of operation: 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Snowmass Base Village
2. Free Yoga For Skiers at the Sundeck: Daily, 9:30-10:15 a.m. Complimentary yoga at the top of Aspen Mountain at the Sundeck. Must have a valid lift ticket to load the gondola. For more information, call 310-658-0080. Aspen Mountain see more on yoga...
3. Coupons Coupons and Coupons! Pick up an Aspen Times or an Aspen Daily News and get the current deals around town!  
4. More Hours of Skiing: Spring Extended Lift Hours.  The Aspen/Snowmass ski resorts are letting  specific lifts run for 30 minutes more each day! How many more runs can you get in that 30 mins?  Read the full post for lift details...
5. Mardi Gras in Snowmass: Mardi Gras March 8, 2011 in the Snowmass Village Mall is a great way to celebrate this southern tradition for cheap. Nonstop action all day long, including King Cake giveaways (1:00 pm), a bead and prize throw (3pm), crawdad boils, live music, a crazy costumed parade (4pm) and mask-making and face painting for kids (1-3pm).
6. Spring Ski-In Ski-Out Lodging Deals! Get in all the spring skiing, sunshine and apres you can stand and do it for cheap without sacrifice when you stay with us at the Inn at Aspen.  We are Buttermilk Ski Resort's (home of the Winter X Games) only ski in ski out hotel.  Get up in the morning walk out the door and get on the lift. That easy!  And our current Spring lodging deals will make you a happy camper! 

Don't Miss out on the beginning of Spring in Aspen!