Endless winter
Lane Johnson/Courtesy photo |
There are few places in the world that offer skiable resort terrain in June.
But then again, there are few places in the world like Aspen.
Aspen Mountain reopens today for its second consecutive weekend — and 161st day of the 2015-16 season — Aspen Skiing Co. announced Wednesday.
Approximately 120 acres of terrain will be open for skiing and snowboarding today and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., with sightseeing open until 4 p.m. via the Silver Queen Gondola.
The Sundeck also will open for food and beverage service.
Aspen Whitewater Rafting sales manager Kevin Sommers said he helped clients who skied in the morning and rafted in the afternoon last weekend.
Like many Aspenites, Sommers opted for a morning ski session followed by an afternoon bike ride May 28.
“The dual sport day is pretty cool,” Sommers said.
In some cases, summer skiing may equate with a tri-sport day.
Last weekend, Skico Director of Public Relations Jeff Hanle sandwiched his midday ski break between riding his bike in the morning and paddleboarding later in the afternoon.
“It’s just such a unique opportunity to be able to take advantage of,” he said.
Four Mountain Sports manager Matt Tietz said he rented skis and snowboards out to people both last weekend and Friday in preparation for this weekend.
According to Hanle, Skico also had a few lessons booked over Memorial Day weekend.
Many Aspen locals reported last weekend’s snow conditions as “surprisingly good,” with few bare spots throughout the open terrain.
“Everybody I talked to said they had a blast,” Tietz said.
Despite an early opening, extended closing and bonus day reopenings, Hanle said this weekend is the definite finale of 2015-16 ski season on Aspen Mountain.
“This is the last chance to ski until the next season,” he said.
