Ski Aspen Mountain this weekend

ASPEN ” With an average of 3 feet of snow still covering the upper slopes of Aspen Mountain, the Aspen Skiing Co. will open the top of the mountain to midday skiing this weekend.

Seven runs and some 45 acres of mostly intermediate terrain will be served by the Ajax Express lift, the Skico announced Monday.

The mountain will be open to skiing and riding on Friday through Sunday; the Ajax Express chair will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily. Skiers and riders must upload and download on the Silver Queen Gondola, which will be running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the last ride down at 4:30 p.m.

“It’s your typical early summer conditions,” quipped Rich Burkley, vice president mountain operations, in a press release. “Better than a glacier, but not as good as a powder day. It will certainly be fun and is the perfect excuse for having a beer or two at the Sundeck. If you’ve got it, ski it.”

Those with an Aspen/Snowmass Premier, Silver or 6-and-under passes can ski or ride for free. All other Aspen/Snowmass passholders will be charged a discounted rate ” adult passholders pay $19, youth and senior passholders pay $17 and child season passholders pay $12. Adult single-day tickets will be $29 per day, youth and seniors will pay $26 and children’s tickets will be $18. Tickets will be sold at the Aspen Mountain ticket kiosk on gondola plaza from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, beginning Thursday. Regular summer rates will be in effect for foot passengers.

As the Skico recently changed its ticketing system, all 2007-’08 passes must be reissued before accessing summer lifts. To avoid lines, the company is recommending that passholders acquire their new pass on Thursday.

The Sundeck restaurant atop the restaurant will be open this weekend for a barbecue lunch and beverages.

For more on the Skico’s decision to open the mountain this weekend, see Tuesday’s Aspen Times.