ASPEN — Skiers and riders hardy enough to brave frigid temperatures will hit the jackpot today with the official opening of Aspen Mountain.
The Aspen Skiing Co. intends to open about 476 acres, or 70 percent, of the terrain on Aspen Mountain, the company announced Wednesday. There will be no wait for the steeps to open this season — Jackpot, Walsh’s, Kristi and Hyrup’s will open in addition to all of Bell Mountain, Copper Bowl and Slalom Hill.
“It is definitely up there in the top openings in a long, long time,” said Skico spokesman Jeff Hanle. “Sheer acreage, base, everything is up there.”
The Aspen Mountain Ski Patrol has records going back to the mid-1980s, Hanle said. This year’s opening day base is the second best on record. The base for opening day in 1996 was 29 inches. It is 27 inches this season.
Ten inches of snow fell at both Aspen Mountain and Snowmass in the 24 hours prior to midafternoon Wednesday, the Skico reported.
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