Ahead of schedule, Aspen Mountain to open Nov. 16 and 17

The buzz of an early opening on Aspen Mountain is now a reality.

Aspen Skiing Co. announced Sunday that the mountain will open to skiing and snowboarding on Saturday, Nov. 16 and Nov. 17. That’s 12 days earlier than the scheduled opening of Thanksgiving Day.

Both Aspen and Snowmass will open daily for the season starting Saturday, Nov. 23, five days ahead of the scheduled opening days, Skico said.

Skico said “the snow and cold temperatures have allowed crews to work around the clock and get the mountains ready.”

Top-to-bottom skiing on Aspen Mountain will be available with both

the Spar Gulch and Copper Bowl sides of the mountain, Skico said.

More than 200 acres of terrain will be open on Aspen Mountain, with

The Silver Queen Gondola and Ajax Express Chair open, as well as the Sundeck and Ajax Tavern. Skico said it will release details on terrain later this week.

All season passes will be valid, Skico said.