Aspen Snowmass

Recent storms have made the ski resorts’ low-snow problem less of a problem, and the hotels are filling up in Aspen and Snowmass.

Snowmass Ski Area celebrated its 50th anniversary this weekend. Saturday, Banana Days was resurrected. A town-wide scavenger hunt had visitors searching for 1,967 plastic bananas, each containing a prize.

This week, Basalt's Pan and Fork property is back in the news: The developer is out, the landowner is angry, and the town council is shaking its head. Latino families in the Roaring Fork Valley are discovering public education isn’t their only choice here. Also, Snowmass turns 50 this weekend.

The Aspen Skiing Company is the valley’s largest employer, and the local economy relies on people traveling to Aspen and Snowmass to ski. But, as of now, there is just a 10-inch base on Aspen Mountain, and two resorts aren't even open.

The Aspen Skiing Company is satisfied with the number of skiers and snowboarders who hit the slopes on Thanksgiving.

Aspen Snowmass had it’s busiest September ever. For the second year in a row the resort experienced more visitors in September than it did in June.

Artists from all over the country, and all over the world, come to Snowmass Village for residencies at Anderson Ranch. There’s a wide body of work to take in, from previous residents and current ones.

Now that Mother Nature has awoken from her slumber, let the real skiing begin.

Almost a week after what was to be the official opening day on Aspen Mountain, the Aspen Skiing Co. will have to top-to-bottom skiing and riding starting Wednesday.

  For the first time in nearly a decade, Aspen Mountain will not be open for Thanksgiving Day skiing.

 Aspen Snowmass looks to make a statement and get back on the international skiing map with the 2017 World Cup FInals.

The Aspen Skiing Company hosted its annual gathering with the chamber of commerce yesterday to discuss downhill skiing’s biggest event.

Mountain Collective passholders can now add Telluride and Revelstoke to their ski vacation plans this year. 

The additions now make the Mountain Collective pass valid at 14 different resorts, including Aspen Snowmass, resorts in Wyoming, California, Utah and formerly, Whistler Blackcomb. The Canadian resort was purchased earlier this week by Vail Resorts for more than a billion dollars. 

This week on Audio Canvas we meet with Sue Hostetler, vice chair of the board at Anderson Ranch Arts Center and chair of the featured artists lecture series. Find out all that the ranch has to offer this summer. 

This week on Audio Canvas we  meet with the executive director of Anderson Ranch,  Wilhelms  to understand just how embedded the center is in the Snowmass community and history. Nancy explains what to expect this summer.

About 200 people gathered in Elk Camp on Snowmass Mountain Friday to celebrate Aspen skiing legend Stein Eriksen, who passed away in December.  Aspen Public Radio’s Barbara Platts has more.

 Andy Munoz’s larger-than-life snow sculptures in the Elk Camp Meadows have become synonymous with the family-friend Ullr nights held each Friday in Snowmass Village.

  Welcome to Valley Roundup. I’m Carolyn Sackariason

Joining me this week are Snowmass Sun editor Jill Beathard, Aspen Daily News Editor Curtis Wackerle, Randy Essex, editor of the Glenwood Post Independent and Lorenzo Semple, columnist for the Aspen Daily News.

The Aspen Skiing Co. is earning bragging rights of being one of the first ski resorts in the state to open early.

Ajax to open early

As summer winds to a close, the Aspen Skiing Company is looking ahead to winter. They’re counting on international visitors from typical players like Australia and Brazil, but also new countries. Ski-Co Director of Worldwide Sales Kristi Kavanaugh says international visits make up 30 percent of the company’s annual revenue, and the community benefits. She spoke with Aspen Public Radio's Marci Krivonen.

Kristi Kavanaugh is Managing Director of Worldwide Sales for the Aspen Skiing Company. Last year was the Skiing Company’s best year ever for international visitation.

The Roaring Fork Valley broke records for visitors last summer. So far Aspen and Snowmass Village are on track to be even busier, and more expensive, this summer. Resort tracker DestiMetrics says overnight bookings across the West are up about 8.5% compared to last year. Aspen and Snowmass Village are seeing about the same numbers.

The Aspen Skiing Company closed the last of its resorts Sunday. Thousands of skiers and riders flocked to Aspen Mountain for late season powder. Aspen Public Radio’s Marci Krivonen got a debrief from Ski Co. spokesman Jeff Hanle.

Now that the season’s over, the Aspen Skiing Company's workforce will shrink from 3500 people to 600.

The Aspen Skiing Company closed 30% of the terrain on three of its mountains Wednesday. Aspen Public Radio’s Carolyn Sackariason reports.

There’s been at least four nights where temperatures did not allow for the snow to freeze, causing instability on the steep stuff. Company spokesman Jeff Hanle.