Aspen Mountain, Snowmass open as hundreds rejoice under bluebird skies

With hundreds of excited skiers and snowboarders filling the Aspen Mountain Gondola Plaza, some well before sunrise, the mountain opened Saturday with a fresh layer of powder and a high level of stoke.

The first in line got there at 6 a.m., and nearly three hours later he and his buddies were the first to load to cheers and excitement.

And the vibe was the same at Snowmass on the bluebird Saturday, but it just took a little longer to get there. Only about 10 people were in line when the Village Express loaded just before 8:30 a.m., but by 10 a.m. the limited terrain was filling up with riders.

Before the crowds loaded at Aspen Mountain, JT Welch gave the crowd a few pointers before they hit the 150 acres.

“Early-season conditions exist, so take it easy. It’s gonna be a long season,” Welch, the mountain manager, told the crowd. “Keep an eye on one another. And I think at this point we should probably get to skiing and snowboarding!”

And with that, the hundreds gathered on the plaza started to hoot, holler and whistle their approval. By the time the Silver Queen Gondola opened around 8:45 a.m., the line was down the Gondola Plaza stairs and out to Durant Avenue, curving toward The Little Nell resort.

Welch said later they will open more terrain through the weekend at Aspen Mountain as ski patrol and groomers secure more runs.

Happy opening day!! We are live from Aspen Mountain!!

Posted by The Aspen Times on Saturday, November 23, 2019

The small group at Snowmass on opening day cheered and high-fived the ticket and lift operators waiting for them at the Village Express entrance. By 10 a.m., a larger crowd was turning down the mountain, and by 11 a.m. there was a line for the lift. 

“It was a slower start for the first chair most likely due to the temperature and limited terrain, but there’s a good crowd now,” said Susan Cross, Snowmass mountain manager, around 11 a.m. 

Cross said there will not be any more terrain opened this weekend, but that the goal is to up snowmaking so that officials can open the Burn area this week. 

This is a developing story that will be updated.

via:: The Aspen Times