Aspen/Snowmass, CO., Dec. 31, 2007 – Aspen/Snowmass has broken the all- time record for the most snowfall in the month of December. With 118 inches (300 centimeters) falling this month at the top of Snowmass – that’s nearly 10 feet of snow – the 1983-1984 record of 117 inches has officially been broken.
With last night’s storm dropping up to half a foot on Aspen/Snowmass slopes, the resort has received nearly triple the monthly average for snowfall.
“This year, we have snow in high quantity and quality. The density of the snowpack is perfect and allowed us to open virtually all 5,000 acres in time for the holidays,” says Mike Kaplan, President and CEO, Aspen Skiing Company. “These are by far the best conditions I have experienced in my 15 years in Aspen/Snowmass.”
This December has been nicknamed DEEPcember due to the extraordinary amount of snow Aspen/Snowmass has received.
The month started with a monster storm on December 1 and 2, followed closely by a repeat performance on Dec. 7 and 8. Those two storms dropped nearly five feet of snow, and it just kept coming. The epic snowfall has allowed for the opening of 100 percent of terrain, 5,285 acres across the four mountains- Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk – served by 46 lifts.
Aspen/Snowmass is gearing up for ESPN Winter X Games 12, January 24-27, 2008. The annual event features athletes from across the globe competing for medals and prize money in the following sports: Skiing, Snowboard and Snowmobile. January 22-23 will serve as practice and elimination days. All Winter X Games competitions will take place at the resort’s Buttermilk mountain. Winter X Games 12 will air live on ESPN and ABC and will feature nighttime events. The event will remain at Aspen/Snowmass through 2010, for a total of nine consecutive years (2002-2010).
Aspen/Snowmass will host a FREE Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series on Thursday, Jan. 24 at the base of Aspen Mountain at 5:30 p.m. featuring rock band Dinosaur Jr.
The King of Quarters, a quarterpipe competition on Aspen Mountain, will take place on Friday, Jan. 25 and Saturday, Jan. 26 from 5 – 7 p.m. This new invitational event will feature some of the world’s best male skiers and snowboarders competing under the lights for $30,000 in cash and prizes. The snowboard competition will serve as the only North American qualifying event for the Oakley Arctic Challenge in Norway with two invitations being issued to both the overall winner and highest air.
With record snowfall and a packed schedule of events, now is the time to book a trip to Aspen/Snowmass. Visit Stay Aspen/Snowmass at www.stayaspensnowmass.com or call 1-888-649-5992 for last minute lodging specials.
