Snowmass (ski area)
Snowmass Ski Area | |
---|---|
Location in Colorado | |
Location | Within the White River National Forest, adjacent to Snowmass Village and 9 miles (14 km) from downtown Aspen |
Coordinates | 39°11′44″N 106°57′05″W / 39.1956°N 106.9513°W |
Status | Operating |
Owner | Aspen Skiing Company |
Vertical | 4,406 ft (1,343 m) |
Top elevation | 12,510 ft (3,810 m) |
Base elevation | 8,104 ft (2,470 m) |
Skiable area | 3,362 acres (13.61 km2) |
Trails | 94 total - 6 Beginner - 47 Intermediate - 17 Advanced - 30 Expert |
Longest run | Longshot - 5.3 mi (8.5 km) |
Lift system | 16 total - 2 Gondolas - 7 High-speed quad chairs - 2 high-speed sixes - 2 Quad chair lifts - 1 Double chair lift - 2 Tow lifts |
Terrain parks | Yes, 3 Terrain parks (Snowmass Park and Superpipe, Little Makaha and Lowdown Park), 1 Superpipe and 1 Minipipe |
Website | www |
Snowmass is a ski resort located in the Town of Snowmass Village near Aspen, Colorado. The ski area is owned and operated by the Aspen Skiing Company as part of the Aspen/Snowmass complex. It was opened on December 17, 1967 .[1] Snowmass is the largest of the four Aspen/Snowmass mountains, comprising 3,362 acres (1,361 ha).
Slopes
[edit]The mountain is most notable for its wide cruiser runs, family-friendly atmosphere, and extensive ski-in/ski-out lodging. Despite its family reputation, the resort also contains several terrain parks, extensive extreme skiing terrain, mogul runs, and gladed terrain.
Changes
[edit]Snowmass has undergone massive changes in recent history, including a new gondola cnnecting the base and mall in 2005 and new gondola at the new Base Village in 2006. Snowmass has also constructed a new restaurant near Elk Camp, replacing Cafe Suzanne with a large, brand-new restaurant in 2012. Today, Snowmass continues its extensive improvements to on-mountain infrastructure and lift repairs.
Lifts
[edit]Snowmass has the most vertical feet of skiing of any ski area in the United States, but only when the Cirque poma is running.[2] There are 17 lifts at Snowmass: 7 high-speed quads (Two Creeks, Elk Camp, Alpine Springs, Sheer Bliss, Coney Glade, Sam's Knob, High Alpine), two high-speed six packs (Village Express, Big Burn), two gondolas (the Sky Cab - better known as the "Skittles" and Elk Camp Gondola), two quads (Meadows and Assay Hill), 1 double (Campground) and two pull lifts (Scooper and The Cirque).