What's New at Aspen/Snowmass for 2008-2009  

Aspen/Snowmass, comprised of Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk, will invest $35 million in capital improvements for the 2008-2009 season.  Significant Aspen Skiing Company improvements include two new restaurants, a new chairlift, 22-foot Olympic-sized halfpipe, Western Colorado's largest solar array and additional terrain.

In its second season, the new Snowmass base village being developed by Related WestPac, will reveal new restaurants, ski-in/ski-out condos and a new conference space.

Aspen Skiing Company specific improvements:

ON-MOUNTAIN – Snowmass

Sheer Bliss – $7 million capital improvement - On-mountain improvements in Snowmass continue for 2008–2009 with a new detachable quad chairlift. The new Sheer Bliss chair serves up 700 acres of some of the best terrain in the Big Burn area accessing challenging black-diamond glades and wide-open blue cruisers. The new lift can carry up to 2,000 people per hour and takes riders 2,212 vertical feet, 155 feet more than the old Sheer Bliss chair.  The ride time is just over nine minutes.

Sam's Smokehouse - $9 million capital improvement - With spectacular views of Garret's Peak, Mount Daly and the surrounding backcountry, the new Sam's restaurant features a barbecue-style smokehouse menu with a variety of culinary delights.  At 7,800 sprawling square feet, this new eatery boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and table service for 175, plus outdoor seating – all situated atop the Village Express six-pack lift on Snowmass.  In addition to the main restaurant, Sam's will also have a lounge area where guests can grab a quick coffee, breakfast or lunch.

BASE VILLAGE – Snowmass

Sneaky's Tavern - $2.9 million capital improvement - Located adjacent to The Treehouse and mere steps from the Village Express, Sneaky's Tavern will no doubt be a very popular destination for those looking to enjoy each other's company in a relaxing and comfortable setting.  Offering both indoor and outdoor bar/ dining seating.  American bistro style cuisine will be served at lunch, après and dinner. Opening winter 2008-2009. 

Aspen Highlands - Known as the local's mountain and home to the challenging Highland Bowl, Aspen Highlands will add up to 18 additional acres of skiing and riding in the Deep Temerity area of the mountain.  The new terrain, between Hyde Park and Mushroom Chutes, will be called Canopy Cruiser.

Buttermilk - Buttermilk, home to the ESPN Winter X Games, will have a new Olympic-size, 22-foot halfpipe.  At more than 500 feet long, with walls towering 18 ft. overhead and measuring 22 ft. from the center of the pipe, the Superpipe at Buttermilk is truly super.  The Zaugg pipe cutter is the same machine that will be used for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games – the inaugural introduction of this size halfpipe.  Buttermilk is officially home to one of only five 22 ft. pipes in America. 

Aspen Mountain - The base of Aspen Mountain is in the epicenter of downtown and will have a new and improved gondola plaza for the 2008-2009 season.  New and a reduced number of steps will make it even easier to load the gondola.

Ajax Tavern - Ajax Tavern, steps from the base of the Silver Queen Gondola, will have more space, a new look and an updated menu this season.  With an expanded bar area inside and bigger deck outside, Ajax Tavern will continue to offer a French Bistro menu with favorites such has Truffle Fries.  The restaurant will continue to be the place to see and be seen at the base of the mountain for lunch and après.  New this year is dinner at Ajax Tavern.

Sustainability - Aspen/Snowmass is considered the ski industry's leader in sustainable practices.  In the summer of 2008, Aspen Skiing Company spent over $1 million on the ski industry's and Western Colorado's largest solar array which produces enough energy annually to power 20 average American homes and keep 400,000 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air each year.

Several additional new projects include increased water storage on-mountain, which saves energy and water during snowmaking and energy monitoring systems, which are being installed in three ASC buildings with a goal to reduce energy use.  Systems will be installed at company headquarters in the Aspen Airport Business Center, Bumps restaurant at the base of Buttermilk and the Two Creeks ticketing office in Snowmass.

The Little Nell (TLN), Aspen's only five-star, five diamond hotel, installed 25 solar panels creating a 5 kW array, to 100 percent power their new "Green Suite," complete with energy monitoring for guests.  In addition, every guest can experience the new Eco-Luxe package by donating $2 per night to the Aspen Valley Land Trust (exceeded with a $3 donation by TLN per night).  The package includes an organic gift from Executive Chef Ryan Hardy's near by farm, pitchers of water rather than bottled water, cruiser bikes to ride around town with reusable water bottles, in-room recycling and bed linen/towel service every three days unless otherwise asked.

Please visit www.aspensnowmass.com/environment and/or contact the PR department for more information regarding sustainability.

Additional News for 2008-2009:

HOT BEDS

There are an additional 476 hot beds coming online this season in Aspen/Snowmass.  This number includes – but is not limited to – Hayden and Capitol Peak Lodges in Snowmass as well as 126 affordable to mid-priced rooms at the family-owned and newly rebuilt Limelight Lodge in downtown Aspen.  Visit www.limelightlodge.com for more information.

50^th Anniversary FOR ASPEN HIGHLANDS & BUTTERMILK

This season marks the 50^th Anniversary for both Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk respectively.  Stay tuned for more details on the festivities at each mountain. 

Important dates…

The lifts will begin running on November 27, 2008 when Snowmass and Aspen Mountain open, with all four open for the season on December 13, 2008.  Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk will close on April 5, 2009 while Snowmass and Aspen Mountain will close on April 12, 2009.

The Aspen Winternational FIS Alpine World Cup takes place on Aspen Mountain, November 28-29, 2008 while ESPN Winter X Games 13 will bring the world's most extreme snowsports athletes to Buttermilk, January 22 – 25, 2009.

Aspen/Snowmass by the numbers:

35 – $35 million invested in capital improvements for 2008-2009

5 – Five new restaurants will open in Snowmass: Sam's Smokehouse (on-mountain), Sneaky's Tavern, The Sweet Life, Junk and Liquid Sky in Snowmass base village

476 – 476 additional hot beds in Aspen/Snowmass this season

80 – Eighty new ski-in/ski-out condos available in Snowmass base village

2,212 – The number of vertical feet the Sheer Bliss lift will carry riders

400,000 – The pounds of carbon dioxide Western Colorado's (and the ski industry's) largest solar array will save from the atmosphere annually

30 – Aspen/Snowmass will host over 30 events this season

8,000 – Amount in square-footage of the new Snowmass conference space

22 – Height in feet of the new walls in the Olympic-size halfpipe at Buttermilk

50 – Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk turn 50!