On the hill: Uphillers, be prepared

Get News Feeds

Aspen Times Staff Report
Aspen, CO Colorado
April 15, 2008

Print Email

ASPEN — It ain’t over ’til it’s over, a wise man once said.

Lift-served skiing will continue the next two weekends at Aspen Highlands, but Aspen Skiing Company officials suspect that all the snow will entice skiers and riders to walk up the slopes as well. The educated guess prompted the Skico to issue a word of warning Monday.

“Aspen Skiing Company would like to warn all uphill and backcountry skiers and riders that we are no longer patrolling, controlling or providing any services on our ski areas,” the statement said. “If you choose to hike or access the ski areas in any way, please exercise the same caution you would when entering the backcountry.

“Due to record snowfall and the onset of warm temperatures, the possibility of wet slab movement is considerable. Please exercise extreme caution both on Aspen Skiing Company mountains and in the surrounding terrain,” the statement concluded.

Also be aware of plowed snow and rough terrain. A plow made a first swipe at the road at main Buttermilk on Sunday and snowcat traffic made some of the terrain choppy. It takes careful navigation to avoid such hazards.

At Snowmass, roads will be plowed this week to provide access to the top of Sam’s Knob, where a crew will construct a new restaurant.

Roads will be plowed on Aspen Mountain as well, but the route that mirrors the America’s Uphill course will be minimally affected by the plowing.

Aspen Highlands opens the weekends of April 19-20 and 26-27, so the Skico has the most incentive to keep the surface there in skiing condition.