Aspen Mountain to open for skiing and riding Memorial Day Weekend

Break out the Hawaiian shirts and denim shorts: Aspen Mountain will open 120 acres of terrain for skiing and snowboarding over Memorial Day weekend.

Skiing will be off the Ajax Express chair on the upper part of the mountain, with uploading and downloading on the Silver Queen Gondola, Aspen Skiing Co. announced Monday. Skiing will be open from 9 a.m to 2 p.m., with sightseeing open until 4 p.m., and the Sundeck will be open for food and beverage service.

Aspen Snowmass Premier passes are valid for summer operations and skiing. Pass extension days for Flex, Adult Classic, Club Escape and Mountain Collective passholders will be $19. Lift tickets are $39 a day for adults, children, teens and seniors. Sightseeing tickets are $19. For more information, call 970-923-1227 or visit the Aspen Mountain Ticket Office this weekend.

Aspen Mountain has previously reopened for Memorial Day weekend skiing in 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2014. Skico announced last month that it would extend the season for Aspen Highlands for two weekends, April 23, 24 and 30 and May 1. Skico Vice President of Mountain Operations Rich Burkley told The Aspen Times last month that Skico President and CEO Mike Kaplan has a philosophy to open early and close late if snow conditions are good.

AspenWeather.net meteorologist Cory Gates reported that Aspen, Aspen Highlands and Snowmass mountains each received at least 60 inches every month from December through April, with the exception of February. Aspen Mountain recorded 38 inches of snowfall in February, with 26 inches falling in the first two days. The total was 76 percent of average, according to Skico records.

The National Weather Service forecast this weekend calls for a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms Saturday afternoon with a high near 64. Sunday and Monday should be partly sunny with highs near 68 and 69, respectively

For more information, visit http://www.aspen​snowmass.com or call 800-525-6200.