Aspen POW Porn.

Everybody knows AspenSpin loves the POW POW.  Not only does it drive traffic to our sick website...but it acts like a booking engine for the entire town of Aspen.  Excuse me, to be politically correct the oligopoly that has become Aspen / Snowmass.

Lifts are scheduled to start spinning in Aspen on Thanksgiving ( Nov 27).  My educated guess is that we will get a few early bonus days again this year.  In my mind it's a done deal...and here's why;

*  It's dumping like a MO FO as I write this...and its supposed to continue through Sunday.  We're looking for 20+ inches.   A very nice kick-start to the season.

*  Aspen Skiing Company cannot resist the positive PR opportunity offered by an early opening.

*  I saw Mike Kaplan ( CEO of ASC) at lunch today.  He was gracious as always, and although no words were spoken between us about an early opening in Aspen, the non verbal cues were obvious (to me).  Kaplan's body language clearly indicated (to me) that the odds are good for an early opening. 

Below are a few photos of our early season storm.  If I were you...I'd book your moderate priced lodge rooms ASAP.   Or...perhaps you deserve to go HUGE and rent the biggest and best place possible.   The big daddy $40 million. (almost) ski in / ski out house with the super posh bowling alley is still available.  100% of the newly developed penthouses are available.   Maybe you're still young and adventurous...if so, crash on your Bro/Brah's couch.

Feast your eyes on the Aspen POW Porn. The first 3 photos are courtesy of Jeremy Swanson / Aspen Ski Co.  and the other ones including the lovely Carmelo (above) are from AspenSpin.

 

Aspen: For the Love of Dumps

A.Party in his element.It's been a fantastic ski season so far in Aspen.  The best in 5 years.  We hit the mid-point of the season with over 15 feet of snow having fallen. Recently we've had some super siiiiiiiick days.  Especially yesterday...and the day before that...and the day before that.  You get the picture.

It's dumping heavily right now...and we love it.

Here's a couple pix.

Henry's...directly under the 1a lift line. My favorite run...especially when no one is riding the lift.Newly opened and marked terrain on Ajax. You have to find it to ski it.We call this the Party Line on the Back of Bell. Maybe not the steepest pitch...but I'm usually first to schralp it.

Happy Holidays from AspenSpin.

First tracks on Perry's Prowl.A.Party schralping. Photo by Jeremy SwansonCarmelo getting some in Wagner Park.

The Way of the Shred.

Aspen is a small town with a BIG heart.  Last weekend's early opening was fantastic.  This Saturday's official kick off to the season was the real deal.  The snow base on Aspen Mountain is equivalent to mid-February last year.  The Aspen Mountain ski patrol got busy and opened plenty of new terrain including Bell Mountain and The Glades.  Bro-brahs were straight-lining the Ridge of Bell without fear.  Coverage was good.  The best part...no one was around.  Apparently the opening at  Snowmass drew big crowds.  But Ajax had the goods...and those goods got got.

Click 4 pix: THE WAY of the SHRED

AspenSpin...known for skiing everyday and partying every night managed to squeeze in a couple social events too.  

Muralist, Kate Howe unveiled her latest mixed media creation at Aspen Highlands.  Her beautiful work entitled Almost Time to Ski now permanently adorns the wall of Aspen Highlands locker room.  She's already working on her next piece at Cloud 9 Restaurant on the mountain at Aspen Highlands.  Kate's art along with her expert ski pro-ing, massage and yoga keeps her plenty busy.  Commission her now.

Aspen's native son and U.S. Ski Team member and Olympic hopeful ski racer, Wiley Maple threw himself a fundraiser at Belly Up. Family, freinds, plenty of silent auction items and a screening of Winter, the newest ski porn from The Ski Channel were on the docket.  Unfortunately, Wiley got a bit of bad news yesterday about his troublesome knee.  The Orthopedic Doc's have shut him down for the season.  Heel up soon Wiley.

So it was a great weekend in Aspen.  A super kick-off to hopefully a POW filled season.  We'll see you out on the mountain.

Click for pix.  THE WAY of the SHRED.

Aspen Vert. Laboratory

Ski season 2013/14 got off to a tasty and early start on Aspen Mountain today.  Ajax was originally slated to open on Thanksgiving, but thanks to Mother Nature we all got to go out and get some almost 2 weeks early.   It's the best early season snow we've had in Aspen in recent memory.  Today was a full 10 fold improvement over opening day last year.  

Click 4 pix:  Aspen Vert. Laboratory

4 inches of sweet,sweet, POW greeted us this morning. The Stoke was high at the Gondola, as the line started forming at about 7.30 a.m. The crowd built into a pack of howling Aspen Powder Hounds. The lifts began spinning early at about 8.45.  Kudo's must be given to the Aspen Skiing Company and the mountain operations staff for getting Aspen Mountain ready for action...and then actually opening it 12 days before the scheduled opening.

AspenSpin is going on record:  "it was the best 4" day of all time".   And guess what?  It's dumping like a MO-FO right now.  So despite some tight hammy's and worked quads...we'll all be back out there tomorrow. Ripping top to bottom laps, getting the ski legs back, flossing the new gear.  3,267 vertical feet......

Click 4 Pix:  ASPEN VERT. LABORATORY