Roaring Fork Valley residents take to Snowmass for preseason skiing

Jason Janckila started alpine touring at Snowmass when he was just 15 years old. 

At 38, Snowmass remains one of his favorite mountains to tour, especially for preseason skiing.

“(Snowmass) really is the easiest, best,” he said of the mountain’s early-season reliability, as he organized his gear last week at the Snowmass Mall in preparation for his ascent to the top of High Alpine lift.

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Snowmass tends to get good, early-season snow because of its high elevation, he said. The mountain’s size also makes it easy for ‘uphillers’ to avoid snow management operations, which can be tricky before the season at Aspen Mountain and Highlands.

“Aspen Mountain has super early condition, so there are (snowcats) and stuff everywhere,” Janckila said. “You try to go to Highlands, they’re doing boot packing over there, so the patrol won’t let you up on the top of the mountain. Buttermilk doesn’t quite get the coverage that Snowmass gets because of elevation.”

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Snowmass General Manager Susan Cross said Snowmass embraces uphilling. 

“Number one in my book is it’s good exercise, so it’s great to see people out there taking advantage of it,” Cross said. “It opens up the mountain in a different way than just downhill skiing, and the mountain is certainly big enough to welcome everybody, whether you’re an uphiller on skis, or you’re snowshoeing going uphill, or a downhill skier.”

She said she saw as many as 50 people skinning Sunday up the west side of the mountain. 

“I’m just shocked by the number of people with brand new equipment every year just getting into the sport, and there’s still plenty of people to join the sport,” Cross said.

Uphilling grew in popularity after the pandemic closed the Aspen mountains, she said. 

Valley athletes also train extensively on Snowmass for ski-mountaineering races like the Grand Traverse, a 37-mile race across the Elk Mountain range from Crested Butte to Aspen, and the Power of Four, a race encompassing all four Aspen mountain peaks, she said. 

“Watching them basically run up the mountain on their skis is amazing,” Cross said.

During the season, individuals can climb Snowmass without dogs from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. while the resort is open. They can do so with dogs if they are on a leash or in voice control from 5:30 a.m. and 8 a.m., and from 4:45 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., Cross said. 

A Snowmass season uphilling pass costs $69. 

Janckila said he splits time between touring and riding the lifts once the mountains officially open.

“Every day I skin up first thing in the morning, get first tracks and then (get) lift served for the rest of the day, for sure,” he said. “I put 120 days on my pass every year.”

Snowmass asks that uphillers follow five designated uphill routes to avoid conflict with snow management operations and downhill skiers. The routes include the Two Creeks, High Alpine Restaurant, Sam’s Knob, Elk Camp, and Campground routes. More information about the routes can be found on the uphilling policy section of the Aspen Snowmass website.

Cross suggested that uphillers wear bright colors and be respectful of staff operating cats and snow guns.

“It’s really beneficial to all to be safe, be seen, respect what the employees are doing to keep the mountain operating, and give them some credit,” Cross said. “Give them a high five.”

Jason Chung, an avid Snowmass splitboarder for the past eight years, said the sport gives skiers and snowboarders an additional opportunity to experience nature. 

“That’s just what we love to do,” Chung said. “It’s why we live here — is to go out and adventure and enjoy the outdoor lifestyles.”

Skyler Stark-Ragsdale can be reached at 970-429-9152 or email him at sstark-ragsdale@aspentimes.com.