Snowmass Village, Colorado Blog

Happy President’s Day! It’s another snowy day in Snowmass and Aspen, Colorado. We had 5 inches by early this morning and it has not let up since. My maintenance person is working hard to keep all sidewalks, stairwells etc, clear from snow. That is one department that does not like powder days! I may have to put on my boots and help out soon. At least it gets me away from my desk for a couple of hours.

In resorts, President’s Day does NOT mean a day off – it means a busy day. Guess it would be the same in the retail industry too with all of their holiday sales. Of course schools are closed today. One of my daughters when out boarding with friends and the younger one is keeping me company at work. She doesn’t like the powder as it’s simply too hard to ski in when you are little!

For up to date snow conditions, go to: http://www.aspensnowmass.com

Posted by Mary Harris at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It’s a very windy, cold and snowy day in Snowmass and Aspen. We like the snow but the windy can go away! The winter Olympics continues to bring excitement to our lives. Aspen local Chris Klug just missed making the Olympic team this year. He won the Silver 4 years ago. This week, he took time to talk to the local high school kids and make a difference in their lives. He is a very inspirational speaker. Before winning a medal in the Olympics, Chris had a liver transplant. He is a hero in many ways and an all around nice person. Chris’s mother works for the school system and trying to open up as many opportunities to our local children as possible. Thanks to Kathy Klug for all of her help in our schools! We need more people just like you!

The season is flying by once again this year. Once February 1st hits, the temperatures seem to warm up, even though we seem to get more snow, it melts faster. The days are getting longer and somehow, the time seems to go by faster. I’m looking forward to warm summer days!

We still have some space available at the Snowmass Mountain Chalet so be sure to reserve your space, before its too late!http://www.mountainchalet.com

Posted by Mary Harris at 09:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It’s a beautiful but windy day in Snowmass Village, Colorado. The chairlifts are going and people are happy!

The Olympics brings excitement to winter sports. We’ve been watching them on TV each night. Shaun White, the snowboarder has been a favorite at our house. He was in Snowmass/Aspen during the X-Games at the end of January. My daughters received posters of him, which are proudly displayed on their walls. When he received the gold at the Olympics, we are thrilled for him. He sounds like a very nice person with extreme support from his family. That support so important to kids in the public eye as they will keep him grounded!

The snow conditions continue to be wonderful in our area. I can’t say enough about the joy people are having on the mountain this winter. If you have NOT booked your reservation – do so soon. There is still air and lodging available at certain times so call and book now!

Posted by Mary Harris at 01:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It’s a beautiful blue ski day in Snowmass and Aspen today, a great day to put on the skis or snowboard and head to the slopes. Just wish I could really do that – but unfortunately it’s just a little to busy in the office today. Hopefully I’ll make it out this weekend!

In the news today is an article about Base Village and the problems they are having securing the permits, with the policies they want. It’s hard to believe they are still fighting over the permits. Many locals have heard of the infighting between the staff with Intrawest and the Aspen Skiing Company since the partnership was formed. For the full article go to:http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20060208/NEWS/102080020

Valentines Day is just around the corner. Have you ordered your flowers yet? Bought that box of chocolates? We give our daughters Valentines shirts or sweaters. I bought them a month ago. Living here, you have to think ahead. As for my husband – he’ll get a card and we’ll go to dinner one night (not on Tuesday as it’s a school night). Our daughter’s feel Valentines Day is a “family night” so we’ll celebrate together!

Posted by Mary Harris at 08:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The air is cold and crisp today. The snow is terrific, it’s time to wax those skis and snowboard and head to Snowmass and Aspen for a wonderful trip! For snow details go to: http://www.aspensnowmass.com

Yesterday we hosted our annual Super Bowl. Two of our guests were able to get tickets to the game so flew out yesterday morning and are returning today. We called them at just before the game and they were in the stadium, waiting for the kick-off. What dedicated fans. Unfortunately their team did not win but I’m sure they had a good time!

For our party we put 2 televisions in the Lobby. Many guests commented that we lacked a big screen TV. We have the Chicagoland 50 Group here so they made me promise that next year, if the Chicago Bears made it to the Super Bowl, I would have a big screen TV. I agreed but told them I wasn’t going to go shopping just yet! They also recommended the following site fort a good deal on a big screen TV: http://www.butterflyphoto.com

Posted by Mary Harris at 10:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Snowmass Village is going through a transition. Last fall the Town of Snowmass passed a group sales tax. With the passage of this tax, the Snowmass Village Resort Association agreed to have the Town take over this function. So we are busy setting up the transition. We thought this was going to give us more monies to work with and get the entire Town to participate instead of only part of it. Sounds like a good partnership.

The only problem is now the Town feels we need “new blood” and think instead of letting the lodging people work with the group sales effort, a new advisory committee should be set up with a lot of people, not involved in lodging. New blood can bring in new ideas. Maybe I should suggest this idea to the hospital and could help with a knee replacement. I might be able to bring in “new ideas”. Maybe the lodges can tell the hospital how to run, the restaurant community can run the roads department, the merchants can tell the bus company how to do business. New blood, new ideas!

They also plan to bring in an outside “consultant” to tell us who are clientele is. They are right; we only talk to our guests and groups on a daily basis. How would we know who they are? If the Town is able to come up with this “consultant” and a group of people, not in the lodging industry to make the group sales effort a huge success, they are true geniuses and Hyatt, Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and every lodging company in the world will be calling them.

Does the Town really feel like the local lodging community is so incompetent or does this community have a few people with egos completely out of check?

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