ASPEN SNOWMASS, Colo.—Oct. 28, 2015—Last night, Aspen Snowmass officially kicked-off snowmaking operations in preparation for the 2015-16 ski and ride season. With the necessary sustained cool temperatures, the snow guns started blowing snow beginning the highly-anticipated countdown to opening day. Snowmaking operations began on Aspen Mountain with a focus on the Audi FIS Ski World Cup course as well as Deer Park, Spar Gulch and Little Nell trails. Aspen Mountain and Snowmass open Nov. 26 followed by Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk Dec. 12.

“An October start to snowmaking is early for Aspen and our crews are excited to see temperatures in the teens in town. It was beautiful to watch the guns blowing snow as the sun rose this morning,” states Rich Burkley, Vice President of Mountain Operations for Aspen Skiing Company.

 

Ski racing runs deep in Aspen tradition, and the resort is excited to continue the legacy by hosting the 2015 Audi FIS Ski World Cup at the Nature Valley Aspen Winternational during Aspen Snowmass’ opening weekend Nov. 28-29. The greatest female racers in the world gather to compete on Aspen’s world renowned racing venue as spectators near and far are invited to the base of Lift 1A for prime viewing. Giant Slalom racing will take place on Saturday at 10:15 a.m., followed by the finals at 1:15 p.m. On Sunday, the Slalom races will begin at 10 a.m. with the finals starting at 1 p.m.  As always, the races are surrounded by a host of free community events and activities.

 

Also part of opening weekend, Aspen Snowmass will officially kick-off the Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series with a free concert featuring Jamestown Revival, Nov. 28 at the base of Aspen Mountain in the Upper Gondola Plaza. World Cup Giant Slalom awards will take place on the stage following the concert at 8 p.m. A fireworks display will follow at 8:15 p.m.

 

Opening weekend at Snowmass will feature Thanksjibbing, a rail jam that will take place Friday, Nov. 27 at 2 p.m. in the Snowmass Base Village. Guests are welcome to come watch skiers and snowboarders throw down for cash prizing as well as enjoy other post-Thanksgiving action in the Base Village such as kid’s activities, bouncy castle, turkey bowling, a restaurant leftover challenge, live DJ and more.

 

Media Note

Snow making VNR: https://vimeo.com/143878157

For photos of snowmaking and recent snowfall by Harrison Buck and Dan Bayer visit: https://aspensnowmass.imagerelay.com/sb/528df5e3-f6a7-436a-97ae-1a9e8754bf5f

 For Aspen Snowmass’ Panoramic Livecams please click this link: http://aspen.roundshot.com/power-of-four/?_ga=1.209997525.1384159395.1435681091

 

Aspen Skiing Company operates the four mountains in the Aspen Snowmass area - Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk - as well as the award-winning Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen Snowmass. The area offers unparalleled nightlife and off-slope activities as well. Aspen Snowmass is accessible by two of the most convenient airports in the mountains – Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) (5 kilometers from Aspen) and Eagle County Airport (EGE) (112 kilometers from Aspen). For more information on Aspen Skiing Company, please call 800-525-6200 or 970-925-1220, or visit the company’s website at www.aspensnowmass.com.

 

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