YOUR AD HERE »

Relax, it’s Aspen

Erica Robbie
The Aspen Times

Skiers and ski shop owners and managers in town interviewed by The Aspen Times on Thursday said they weren’t sweating over the lack of snow and warmer temperatures.

In fact, many locals said they believe poor preseason conditions equal an overall better season and referenced the 2007-2008 winter season as evidence.

Aspen business owner and skier Tara Spung said she remembers standing in her snow-less Basalt backyard in early to mid-December 2007, wondering what on earth was happening.



The next day, boom.

Snow pummeled the area and “it was nonstop until the end of the season,” she said.




“I know it’s going to come,” said Spung, who’s lived in the Roaring Fork Valley for 12 years.

Jeff Robinson, who owns The Ski Shop at the base of the Silver Queen Gondola, echoed Spung’s confident forecast.

“I heard a lot of seasons that start like this end up being the best seasons – once it does start snowing,” Robinson said. “We’re not concerned. We’ll get snow and it’s always great in Aspen.”

Robinson admitted that business had been slow as of late, but said it is expected with such little snow on the slopes.

“People aren’t pumped and getting their skis tuned and boots dialed-in,” said Robinson. “I’m sure in the next week or two that’ll pick up.”

“Every year is different,” said Will Schrade, the regional manager at Surefoot in Aspen. “Some years we have a ton of snow in October and November and other years it’s like this and we’re biking every day. It always turns around.”

erobbie@aspentimes.com