History: They’re off
Special to the Sun
“It’s like having your own personal cloud,” photographer Chris Cassatt said after he returned to ground during the second invitational Snowmass balloon races held in late August 1977. According to The Aspen Times on Sept. 1, 1977, about 25 balloons from eight states took part in the races during the weekend festivities, although strong winds and snow on the first morning limited the range of events to just the free short lifts up rather than the full races. The hare and hounds race, postponed until Sunday, ended with winner Bud Heberlee, of Garden City, Kan., receiving a silver belt buckle depicting a balloon in the mountains. The 38th annual Snowmass Balloon Festival is Sept. 13 through 15.
Editor’s note: This page is a partnership between the Snowmass Sun and the Aspen Historical Society with two primary goals in mind: to improve the knowledge of Snowmass history in the region and to collect historical photographsof the Snowmass region for the society. If you have pieces of history to donate, please send them to archives@aspenhistory.org or call 970-925-3721.
‘One step at a time’: Snowmass resident surpasses goal of 85 uphills for his 85th birthday
At the start of the 2023-2024 ski season, Mone Anthan set an ambitious goal for himself: uphill 85 times for his 85th birthday. By the time his birthday came on March 15, he had surpassed 85 uphills and was shooting for 100.