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Skiers file through as the rope is lifted on the main gate of Highland Bowl during opening day on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times)
Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times
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Eryn Barker, left, follows the line hiking up to the Highland Bowl gate on opening day at Aspen Highlands on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times)
Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times
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A skier maneuvers around other skiers getting on the life to snag the first chair of opening day at Aspen Highlands on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times)
Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times
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Sun shines on the freshly groomed runs on opening day at Aspen Highlands on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times)
Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times
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Skiers and snowboarders cheer excitedly as the rope is lifted and the hike up Highland Bowl continues during opening day on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times)
Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times
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Eric Fisher, left, and Eryn Barker prepare to drop into a line off of the Highland Bowl hike during opening day at Aspen Highlands on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times)
Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times
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Matt Wiley from Canada straps his skis to his backpack in preparation of hiking Highland Bowl on opening day on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times)
Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times
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People hike along the outer ridge for Highland Bowl during opening day at Aspen Highlands on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times)
Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times
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Skiers come through the turnstile of the Exhibition Lift on opening day at Aspen Highlands on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times)
Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times
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Skiers and snowboarders wait at the main gate to hike the rest of Highland Bowl during opening day at Aspen Highlands on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times)
Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times
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People hike up to the main gate of Highland Bowl during opening day at Aspen Highlands on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times)
Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times
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People hike up the ridge leading to Highland Bowl during opening day at Aspen Highlands on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times)
Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times
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People wait in line for the opening of Aspen Highlands on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times)
Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times
Aspen Highlands opening day came with a surprise Saturday as nearly all of the mountain was open after Thursday night’s storm dropped a few more welcome inches of snow.
The resort, as well as Buttermilk, opened Saturday morning, and Highlands dropped the ropes on 994 acres (of its 1,054) Saturday after picking up 7 inches of snow Thursday.
A large crowd gathered at the top of the Loge Peak lift and waited for the Highland Bowl gate to open, which came just before 10 a.m. A line of skiers and boarders hiked their way along the trail to the 12,392-foot summit of Highland Peak to drop in.
At Buttermilk, the Klaus Obermeyer week-long party continued as Aspen Skiing Co. celebrated Obermeyer’s 100th birthday by renaming a run in his honor — Klaus’ Way — as well as a 100-year-pin. Buttermilk has been Obermeyer’s go-to mountain.
With all four Skico mountains open, there is access to more than 3,200 acres (of its 5,540 acres overall).