Snowmass Village, Colorado Blog

The weekend was a busy one filled with the excitement and craziness of the X-Games, which ends today. My daughters and I went over yesterday to check out the scene. We took the bus from Snowmass, which made it very easy and convenient to get there and back.

Walking into the area, there were many promotional booths, with products and athletes. My daughter’s pick-up a variety of posters and several athletes were even there to sign them. Their bedrooms are now decorated with extreme sports posters! The best booth was Edge Shaving Cream. There you could choose a scene of a snowboarder, motorcycle or 4-wheeler and get your picture taken doing an extreme move. We each had one taken on a different background and have them proudly displayed in our living room. I just hope my daughters never really try these extreme sports!

As for the Mountain Chalet, we had a few people that come in for the X-Games but most of our guests have been coming for many years and will never go over to Buttermilk for the X-Games. Unfortunately those few X-Games guests decided they had to make the nights miserable for other guests staying here. On Friday and Saturday nights, they came back after heavy drinking, and turned our quiet Chalet into a college frat house, screaming, yelling and race up and down the halls. I have no problem with them enjoying themselves or drinking but I do believe they should respect other guests and hotel property. That is my biggest concern with bringing the X-Games back each year as it brings a group of people that really belong on a college campus, not a classy resort. I apologize to all of our regular, wonderful guests for the wild weekend and promise there will be changes in the future to ensure you do not have the same experience next year!

Posted by Mary Harris at 10:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The big snowstorm they called for yesterday didn’t make it to Aspen and Snowmass. The weather forecasters are calling for snow all weekend but right now the skis are sunny and bright blue. The ski conditions are wonderful but we always welcome those little white flakes!

United has announced it new airplane service into Aspen beginning in April. Skywest Airlines will start operating the CRJ-700 into Aspen/Snowmass. It has 66 seats including a first-class cabin and economy plus, this upgraded service will be branded as United ExPlus. These sleek-looking, brand new environmentally sound jet aircraft are considerable faster than the BAE-146’s, burn far less fuel and are more economical to operate.

Attached are the links to Skywest’s fact-sheet on the CRJ-700, along with a link to United’s Explus electronic media kit.

http://www.skywest.com/about/crj700_3class.php

http://unitedpromos.com/explus/docs.htm

Posted by Mary Harris at 09:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It’s a beautiful blue-sky day in Snowmass Village! We are all gearing up for the X-Games this weekend, which start on Friday, January 27, 2006. The event is held at Buttermilk Mountain. Snowmass will provide free shuttles to the events, as there is no parking there, during the games. For a full list of events go to: http://expn.go.com/expn/index

Our guests at the Snowmass Mountain Chalet tell me the skiing is the best in at least 5 years. They are all coming in with big smiles on their faces and head straight to the hot tub to soak their tired bodies. Yes, there is still time to book your reservation! Give Stacy a call at 800-843-1579 or go to:http://www.mountainchalet.com

Posted by Mary Harris at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

No school today in Aspen and Snowmass – it’s a snow day!! Yes, we do get snow days here. It snowed about 6 inches between 10pm and 5am last night and about 6 more inches between 5am and 7am this morning. So, school was called off. At 6:45am our phone rang at home, it was for my 9-year old daughter. Her friend wanted to know if she wanted to go snowboarding. Now, it’s too hard to get to school but I guarantee you that most of the kids in the Aspen School District will find their way to the slopes today!

We have the Potomac Valley Skiers arriving today. Since they are scheduled to arrive at 10AM this morning we brought in staff early to get their rooms ready. With the snow, we’ll see if they make it or have to bus in from Denver. We love the snow, but it sure makes it hard to get here some times!

For full ski report go to:http://aspensnowmass.com

Posted by Mary Harris at 08:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We’ve had just over a foot of snow in the last 24 hours and more snow is on the way tonight. It’s time to wax those skis and snowboard and head to Snowmass and Aspen!

The big news today is the Silvertree Hotel is under contract! The new Snowmass Mall owner, along with the long time locals, Chaffin and Light are buying it. Several people have asked me what that means. My answer is I simply don’t know. I do know they have been looking a many different possibilities and something will be torn down and rebuilt, probably most of it. I think change can be good but it’s going to take several years to get any plans passed through this community.

Snowmass is changing!

Posted by Mary Harris at 10:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Yesterday we woke up to 10 inches of fresh snow on the mountain in Snowmass. Aspen had 16 inches! It was colder too so those luck people that were able to ski yesterday said it was incredible! One guest said he was in powder up to his waist!

I even made it out on the slopes on Saturday. It was a sunny, warm day and the conditions were simply perfect! The lift lines at the bottom of the hill on the Village Express were VERY long but once we got on, the lines were very short on the rest of the mountain. The locals are now calling the new Ski Cab the “Skittles” because of their bright colors. My daughters think they are so cute that they would have preferred to ski Fanny Hill just to ride this lift.

More snow is on the way this afternoon so call to book your reservation soon if you have not done so yet. 800-843-1579 or http://www.mountainchalet.com

Posted by Mary Harris at 09:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It’s a beautiful blue-sky day in Aspen Snowmass, Colorado! Winterskol is underway with a variety of activities in Aspen and Snowmass. On Saturday there is a parade in Aspen at noon. This parade is always very interesting so if you have the time be sure to go. That night there are fireworks. They shoot them off of Aspen Mountain and the reflection on the snow makes them truly magical. On Sunday, the Snowmass Mall will transform to the Land of Oz. Keep your eyes open of Dorothy and Toto. That night, Snowmass will have fireworks. Not sure what time yet as I hear they were just announced. Link here for more details: http://www.aspenchamber.org

The ski conditions continue to be wonderful! Call the Snowmass Mountain Chalet to make your reservation if you have not yet. You won’t want to miss this incredible ski year! 800-843-1579 or http://www.mountainchalet.com

Posted by Mary Harris at 08:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Winterskol official starts tomorrow in Aspen and Snowmass. This is a 51-year tradition started for the locals. Now it feature winter sculptures made of snow in the Aspen Mall area created by artist with Anderson Ranch Arts Center. There’s a parade on Saturday and fireworks that night. Throughout the rest of the week there are events on the mountains in Aspen and Snowmass, concerts and fun. So, if you are in the area, enjoy the week! For a full schedule of events, go to: http://www.aspenchamber.org

It’s a beautiful day in Colorado with sunny blue skies. They are calling for snow, but it doesn’t look real promising this morning. We like to get a foot or two of snow a week! We have 10 inches of snow on Sunday. The base is now at 60 inches.

We still have space at the Snowmass Mountain Chalet so pick up the phone and call 800-843-1579 to book your reservation or go on line at www.mountainchalet.com.

Posted by Mary Harris at 09:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It’s another beautiful day in Snowmass Village, Colorado with bright blue sunny skies! Today is a perfect day to hit the slopes. I may even try to get out and snow shoe a bit.

If you live in the Denver area, check out the Denver Post ads for great deals for skiing in Aspen/Snowmass. In past years, everyone came from Friday to Friday or Saturday to Saturday. That pattern has change in the last 5 years. Many guests come out for 5 – 10 nights, leaving 2-3 night holes for lodges to fill. We are hoping the Front Range can fill in some of those openings. You will want to get a Classic Pass so head to Christy Sports on January 13 & 14 at Flatirons Crossing and Park Meadows malls to pick them up. And we hope to see you in Aspen/Snowmass very soon!

Posted by Mary Harris at 09:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

After 3 inches of new snow on Snowmass Mountain last night, we have bright blue skies! It’s a perfect day to be out skiing and riding.

The returning guests are becoming acquainted with the new lifts in Snowmass Village. We have received a few mixed reviews but overall, they are happy. I still have not made it out on the hill but hope to this weekend. Be sure to pick up a trail map and study the new lift system. It will really help you navigate around the mountain.

Business is looking real strong for the winter. But we have some openings so keep the calls coming! Believe it or not, there are even some great airfares available. Go on line and check out the deals. Call us – 800-843-1579, we are very flexible in any arrival/departure date.

Posted by Mary Harris at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Happy New Year! I can’t believe it is 2006. Where did 2005 go? The hotel is still very busy this week but we most of our rooms have 2 people in them instead of 4. Many of the families have left as the kids have to go back to school. Now we have the empty nesters and seniors. Many of the second homeowners have left as well so traffic is not as bad as it has been this past week. You’ll even be able to get into a restaurant without a reservation!

On January 7th our employee, Doni Nicoll will marry Cholla Eaton. We are thrilled for them. Doni has worked at the front desk for us for 6 winters and adored by our guests. We wish them a lifetime of happiness together!

Posted by Mary Harris at 04:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)