As Aspen’s premier ski and snowboard shop, we take a lot of pride in being a big part of the local snowsports community—we contribute by bringing sales and events to town to help you make the most of the season, and by serving as a resource for local snowsports news and information.
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Aspen/Snowmass Events
Looking for something to do while you're in Aspen or Snowmass? We hope this list will give you some ideas of what's going on in the Valley...
March...
IPC 2010 Alpine World Cup Finals- 3/2- 3/5/10
Challenge Aspen welcomes the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team and national adaptive ski teams from 13 countries to Buttermilk Mountain this March for the prestigious International Paralympic Committee 2010 Alpine World Cup finals, presented by U.S. Paralympics. The races will take place March 2-5, 2010, with training beforehand. Athletes will compete in two downhills, one super combined and one super G, all of which will be World Cup events sanctioned by the USSA, FIS and International Paralympic Committee. The three categories of racers include sitting, standing and visually impaired. Brought to you by Challenge Aspen!
Chris Bove Memorial Uphill(Buttermilk)- 3/6/10
Capping off Challenge Aspen's Disability Awareness Week, this year's Chris Bove Memorial Uphill Challenge on Buttermilk Mountain is set for Saturday, March 6, 2010, at 7:30 a.m. The beneficiaries of this family-friendly event will be Challenge Aspen's local scholarship program, for participants from the valley with disabilities, and the Children's Hospital Immunodeficiency Program of Denver (CHIP). The race is once again dedicated to the memory of Chris Bove, a well-loved friend, ski instructor and strong supporter of Challenge Aspen who lost his life on the eve of the 2007 event.
Aspen Fashion Week- 3.14- 3.19.10
Designers will present Winter 2010/2011 collections to create a stylish marketplace for buyers, editors, trendsetters and consumers with Aspen Mountain as the backdrop. With daily après ski events and shows at the Snowstage, nightly runway shows in the tented, seated Chateau, on-mountain parties, in-store presentations and after hours rock shows, AFW 2010 will continue to be the hottest fashion, lifestyle and consumer event to hit the Rockies.
St. Patrick's Day- 3.17.10
What could possibly be a better way to celebrate this great holiday than a day out in Snowmass. The Snowmass Mall and Base Village have a variety of events and festivities for kids and adults alike. From face painting to traditional pipe bands their is a bunch great things to do, but don't forget to get out on the mountain to look for leprechauns and make some turns! Aspen Sports has 3 locations to serve you while finding shamrocks and great deals on rentals!
Mountain Statistics
Aspen Mountain
Uncrowded slopes: On average 2 people per acre/5 people per hectare
Base elevation: 7,945 ft./2,422 m
Summit elevation: 11,212 ft./3,418 m
Vertical rise: 3,267 ft./996 m
Terrain: 673 acres/272 hectares
Number of trails: 76
Miles/km of trails: 64 miles/103 km
Longest run: 3 miles/4.83 km
Types of trails: easiest: 0%, more difficult: 48%, most difficult: 26%, expert: 26%
Lifts: 8: 6 primary – 1 gondola (14-minute ride), 1 high-speed quad, 1 high-speed double, 1 quad, 2 doubles; 2 secondary – 1 quad (Little Nell), 1 double (Bell Mountain)
Snowmass Mountain
Season dates: November 26, 2009 - April 11, 2010
Uncrowded slopes: On average 2 people per acre/5 people per hectare
Base elevation: 8,104 ft./2,473 m
Summit elevation: 12,510 ft./3,813 m
Vertical rise: 4,406 ft./1,343 m
Terrain: 3,132 acres/1,267 hectares
Number of trails: 91
Miles/km of trails: 147 miles/237 km
Longest run: 5.3 miles/8.5 km
Steepest runs: Gowdy's and AMF - slope angle of 40 degrees
Types of trails: easiest: 6%, more difficult: 50%, most difficult: 12%, expert: 32%
Lift capacity: 34,497 riders/hour
Best known for: Wide-open, groomed cruising and family-friendly activities. Snowmass has long been rated one of the best family ski areas in North America.
Highlands Mountain
Season dates: December 12, 2009 - April 4, 2010
Uncrowded slopes: On average, 2 people per acre/5 people per hectare
Base elevation: 8,040 ft./2,451 m.
Summit elevation: 11,675 ft./3,559 m. (top of Highland Bowl 12,392 ft.)
Vertical rise: 3,635 ft./1,108 m.
Terrain: 1,010 acres/409 hectares
Number of trails: 125
Miles/km of trails: 84 miles/135 km
Longest run: 3.5 miles/5.6 km
Steepest run: Go-Go Gully, Highland Bowl (description on Highlands' Extreme Guide) – slope angle of 48 degrees
Types of trails: easiest: 18%, more difficult: 30%, most difficult: 16%, expert: 36%
Lift capacity: 6,500 riders/hour
Best known for: Steep, big-mountain skiing in Highland Bowl, Olympic Bowl and Steeplechase; Deception, Aces and 8's on the Olympic Side
Buttermilk Mountain
Season dates: December 12, 2009 - April 4, 2010
Uncrowded slopes: On average, 4 people per acre/8 people per hectare
Lift hours: All lifts open at 9 a.m. and close at 3:30 p.m.
Base elevation: 7,870 ft./2,399 m
Summit elevation: 9,900 ft./3,018 m
Vertical rise: 2,030 ft./619 m
Terrain: 470 acres/190 hectares
Number of trails: 44
Miles/km of trails: 21 miles/34 km
Longest run: 3 miles/4.83 km
Types of trails: easiest: 35%, more difficult: 39%, most difficult: 26%, expert: 0%
Annual snowfall: 200 inches/508 cm
Snowmaking: 108 acres/44 hectares
Lifts: 9: 2 high-speed quads, 3 doubles, 2 handle tows, 2 ski/snowboard school lifts
Lift capacity: 7,500 riders/hour
Best known for: ESPN Winter X Games, which will be held at Buttermilk through 2010; beginner terrain makes Buttermilk an excellent learning mountain for new skiers and snowboarders; unsurpassed
