Lifts start operating in Aspen on Saturday, but for many in the ski-mountaineering world, the season began as soon as the snow fell.
Aspen Skiing Company held an event Monday to talk about the potential dangers that occur when uphill skiers are hiking the same terrain that snowcats and snowmobiles are driving.
“The biggest takeaway is that we love uphillers and the second biggest take away is that we are a 24-hour operation with all the snowmaking and grooming operations that we have day and night,” said Katie Ertl, the senior vice president of mountain operations.
Reporter Alycin Bektesh speaks with host Zoe Rom about the dangers patrol has already seen as uphillers cross the paths of snowcats on the mountain.
