Worth the chill: Aspen Mountain skiers ‘push through anything’ amid Monday’s 7-degree freeze
Westley Crouch/The Aspen Times
Aspen is in the grip of a deep freeze, with temperatures plummeting to levels that test even the most devoted winter enthusiasts.
The National Weather Service issued an extreme cold warning from Monday evening through Tuesday morning, cautioning that wind chills in the Elk and Central mountain valleys, including Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley, could reach negative 40 degrees.
“The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 35 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes,” the warning states. “Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must go outside. Keep pets indoors as much as possible. Make sure outdoor animals have a warm, dry shelter, food, and unfrozen water.”
This disconcerting message, however, didn’t stop some skiers from combating the biting cold. It was a price worth paying for pristine slopes and uncrowded trails, according to their assessments.
Aspen locals Ben Fullmer and Nathan Graney embraced the chill with determination, layering up and heading out to enjoy what Aspen Mountain had to offer. At a bone-chilling 7 degrees shortly after noon Monday, they stood toward the base of Silver Queen Gondola with subtle glee.
“What the perks are is a good question because it is cold,” Fullmer said, his tone both practical and optimistic. “Not many people are out on the mountain, and the pow — it’s dry and light, and there’s plenty in the trees.”
The pair started their day with breakfast at Paradise Bakery and a couple of Zyn pouches to keep spirits high before tackling the slopes.
Visitors also made the most of the frigid conditions.
Bridget Weier, from Boston, returned to Aspen for an experience she said is unmatched anywhere else.
“It’s just being here. It’s a different energy in Aspen,” she said. “I’ll push through anything to ski here,” she said.
Bundled in five or six layers, Weier noted the importance of pacing herself on such cold days.
“It’s important to listen to your body and take breaks,” she advised, adding that a warm drink and breakfast at nearby Bonnie’s Restaurant helped her ease into the day.
For Houston resident Kai Stratmann, the cold was manageable as long as the snow was good — and by all accounts, it was.
“I think you just dress appropriately,” Stratmann said, noting that his group relied on long, continuous runs to stay warm. “The snow is great, the bumps are great — they’re soft. I would prefer to be a little warmer, but it’s not bad.”
Reflecting on a previous trip to Big Sky in Montana, where he lasted only 30 minutes in negative 20-degree weather, Stratmann was optimistic about Aspen’s conditions. Planning to hike the Highland Bowl in the morning, he prepared Monday with protein bars, granola, and the promise of a warm drink along the way.
Anthony Long, from Salt Lake City, took the cold in stride, saying he was determined to make the most of his time in Aspen.
“We had basically a free trip to Aspen, so we have to make the best out of it,” he explained while enjoying a beer at the base of Silver Queen.
Dressed in four layers and equipped with hand warmers, Long said the open slopes and well-maintained snow were worth the chill.
“The slopes are more open, and the snow is keeping really nice,” he said. “So, it’s not so bad.”
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