SNOWMASS SKI RESORT
Who
says a Snowmass ski vacation is just a warm up for skiing Aspen Village, Colorado.
Snowmass Village is a class unto itself.
Snowmass (unlike Aspen) boasts a lift-served vertical rise of 4,406 feet –
the longest in the U.S. However, it's true that intermediate skiers are king
at Snowmass Mountain, with the intermediate trails making up 50 percent of
the total runs. Advanced or expert runs are close behind, making up 32 percent
of the runs with a modest 12 percent classified as “difficult”.
And with Snowmass ski resort just nine miles from Aspen, and free shuttle
to all four mountains, there's plenty of prime terrain to satisfy every level
skier. As for families vacationing, it's kid friendly and there are activities
galore, both on the mountain and off, for every age group.
The 2005-2006 ski schedule
Aspen: 11/24 – 4/16
Snowmass: 11/24 – 4/16
Aspen Highlands: 12/10 – 4/2
Buttermilk: 12/10 – 4/2
Ticket and lift pricing at Snowmass ski resort is competitive. To plan your next ski vacation, here's a glance at this year's projected ski season ticket pricing. Prices may change.
Lift tickets (regular season)
Adults: $74/day
Kids/youth: $45/67/day
Season Pass
Adult: $1,799
Youth: $909
Seniors: $1,499
Snowmass skiers' tips on what to wear
With all that red-hot Colorado sun blazing down, and the snow's unique reflective qualities, wear protective sunglasses, and bring plenty of good sunscreen. And dress in layers. Though the altitude might make you think that you should bundle up, the high country's close proximity to the sun can have you sweating in no time.
Avalanche tips – preparing for the worst
Sure, we all dream of traversing the crested mountain regions to reach the best alpine skiing there is. Just think of those shimmering banks of summit snow glistening in the Colorado sun. Before we know, we're carving tracks into the virgin slope and enjoying the zesty cold wind rushing against our face. We stop to indulge the spectacular view. Then, on to navigate a few back trails and maybe cut a few more. And then it comes. Unexpected, like the onrushing tide crashing over beached rocks and looming disaster on unsuspecting life. Avalanches can take us by the same surprise. But knowing what to look out for, and what to do in the event of an avalanche could save your life.
Avalanches occur on steeper slopes of between 35-40 degrees. Unfortunately, most Snowmass skiers and boarders are drawn to them like magnets to metal. The most common deaths happen on “dry slab” avalanches, which move very quickly and are caused by a sudden break in a weak, underlying layer of snow. Add the weight of the skier to heavy or dense new snowfall and you have prime avalanche conditions.
Prevention
-Check the avalanche and snow reports before
heading out.
-Choose a backcountry with “anchors” such as large rocks or trees
and large rocks.
-Be aware of collapsing, cracking snow, and rapid changes in snowfall.
What to do if caught in an avalanche? If you're not traveling too fast, your best friend could well become a tree. Grab on! Or, attempt to get off the moving slab by heading straight down hill and off to the side.
Snowmass skiers, your best prevention just comes down to good common sense. Ski the backcountry with caution and awareness. For more information on avalanche safety log on to: www.avalanche.org.
Quick facts
Elevation of Snowmass Village: 8,104 feet (2,422 meters)
Average temps: summer (highs between 70-75 degrees, lows 30-40) winter (30 degrees, lows around 0) humidity is low.
Average snowfall: 300 inches (762 meters)
Vertical rise: 4,406 ft./1,343 m.
Base elevation: 8,104 feet/2,473 meters
Summit elevation: 12,510 ft./3,813 m.
Longest run: 5.3 miles (8.5 k)
Snowmaking: 180 acres
Lifts: 21 total, including 17 primary, 7 high speed quad, 5 double, 1 triple, 2 magic carpets, 2 ski/snowboard school pull lifts, 1 triple, 1 double, and 2 platter (the Cirque lift's legendary vertical rise is longest and highest in the U.S.)
Lift capacity: Nearly 28,000 riders an hour
For access to complete information on Snowmass skiing, or for maps, lodging, reports and event listings, log on to www.ski.com
