PHOTOS: Despite lack of snow, opening day comes to Aspen Mountain
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
While a lack of snow and warm temperatures in recent weeks made opening day uncertain for a stretch, Aspen Mountain still managed to open for the 2025-26 ski season on Thursday.
Only a limited amount of terrain was available, essentially the groomed trails between the top and the Ajax Express chairlift. Downloading via the Silver Queen Gondola was required for all skiers and riders as the bottom of the mountain is not yet open.
Snowmass Ski Area also opened for the season on Thursday, although only the Meadows beginner terrain, accessed via the Elk Camp Gondola and the Meadows lift, was available for skiing.
Additional terrain being opened at either mountain will depend on the weather. Possible snow and cooler temperatures are in the forecast for the weekend.
Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands are both scheduled to open Dec. 13.
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Skiers and riders reach the top of the Ajax Express chairlift for opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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A snowboarder heads down during opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Skiers make their way down during opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The Silver Queen Gondola takes passengers to the top for opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Skiers reach the top of the Ajax Express chairlift for opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Skiers reach the top of the Ajax Express chairlift for opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Guests head toward the Silver Queen Gondola during opening day on Thursday, Nov .27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Skiers reach the top of the Ajax Express chairlift for opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Skiers make their way down during opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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A woman gets ready to download via the Silver Queen Gondola on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The Sundeck as seen on opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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A family has its picture taken for opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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A view toward Independence Pass as seen from the gondola building on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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A cab returns to the base of the Silver Queen Gondola for opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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A sign warns skiers of the early-season terrain during opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The word “Aspen” is silhouetted onto the floor of a Silver Queen Gondola cab during opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The bottom of Aspen Mountain during opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, from the Silver Queen Gondola. This terrain was not yet open to skiing or riding.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Skiers head down from the Ajax Express chairlift for opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The mid-section of Aspen Mountain as seen on opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, from the Silver Queen Gondola.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Skiers reach the top of the Ajax Express chairlift for opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The city of Aspen as seen from the Silver Queen Gondola for opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Skis and ski poles sit idly during opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The Glades as seen from the Silver Queen Gondola for opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain. This terrain was not yet open to skiing or riding.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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A view of the Highland Bowl at Aspen Highlands on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, as seen from opening day on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The base of Aspen Mountain as seen on opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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A sign warns skiers of closed terrain during opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Skiers reach the top of the Ajax Express chairlift for opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Pieces of vegetation poke through the snow during opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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A view toward Independence Pass as seen from the Silver Queen Gondola on opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The sun reflects off the side of the Silver Queen Gondola during opening day on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, on Aspen Mountain.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
PHOTOS: Despite lack of snow, opening day comes to Aspen Mountain
While a lack of snow and warm temperatures in recent weeks made opening day uncertain for a stretch, Aspen Mountain still managed to open for the ski season on Thursday.
