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| Kids having fun at Snowmass |
This season Aspen/Snowmass is featuring $26 million worth of improvements and packages to lure families to its Colorado slopes. Additionally, a strong snowmaking push has shored up ski conditions on all four mountains.
“We had good snowfall in October and early November, but the last half of November and December were dry, as they were all across the West,” says Jeff Hanle, director of public relations for Aspen/Snowmass. “We were fortunate to have a lot of cold weather; we made a lot of snow, and all four mountains are open.”
Major improvements this season include the new Tiehack Express quad lift on Buttermilk, which cuts ride time from 18 minutes to just under seven minutes. The Merry-Go-Round restaurant has undergone a $6 million remodel to improve energy efficiency. Also new but not yet open this season is the first phase of the Elk Camp Restaurant.
To celebrate these improvements, Aspen has launched two packages. The “Kids Ski & Stay Free” package provides children ages 7-12 free lodging and lift tickets with the purchase of lodging and a comparable adult ticket for four or more days. As an added bonus, kids get free rentals with the purchase of a comparable adult rental of four days or more. The “Perfect Storm” package has a buy-four/get-five deal on lift tickets, equipment rentals and group lessons, as well as a deals card that gives a variety of savings options at the resort.
While on the mountain, families can enjoy a host of kid-friendly activities. The Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center features shopping for children’s outerwear, game/activity rooms for all age groups, and karaoke and movie nights.
The “Winter Wild Things” program teaches kids about the local wildlife of Aspen, as well as how to make a snow cave and other survival skills. Weekly campfire sing-alongs in Snowmass, family movie nights at the Limelight Lodge in Aspen, five ice skating rinks in Aspen and Snowmass, horse-drawn sleigh rides and dogsledding are off-slope options for the entire family.
To book or for more information on these packages agents should call 800-525-6200.
Getting There
Your ski clients can fly into Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE), which just added nonstop American Airlines flights from Los Angeles and Dallas. From there, free shuttle buses are available between all four mountains, within Aspen and to Snowmass Village. Eagle County Airport (EGE) is 70 miles away, and Denver International Airport (DIA) is 220 miles away.