Photo: Jeremy Swanson courtesy of Aspen Snowmass. (Nov. 22, 2016)
There is much to be thankful for this week as three Colorado Ski Country ski areas are set to openon Thanksgiving Day and seven more are already up and running. By the time Howelsen Hill opens next Tuesday, there will be 11 total resorts open in Ski Country (for a full list of opening dates click here). Here are a few of the Thanksgiving events happening at open Ski Country resorts.
Beginning Thursday, November 24, the Silver Queen Gondola and Elk Camp Gondola open for the season with FREE SIGHTSEEING FOR OPENING DAY on both Aspen Mountain and Snowmass. Both gondolas operate daily from 9am – 3:30pm. Open terrain for skiing and riding will be limited to Elk Camp Meadows at Snowmass until further notice.
Lift ticket pricing for skiing/riding on opening day, Thursday, will be $32 for Adults (18-64), and $21 for Children/Teens (7-17) and Seniors (65+). These prices include a $10 food credit, valid for use at Elk Camp Restaurant.
As of Friday, November 25, regular pricing applies for sightseeing on both Silver Queen and Elk Camp Gondolas: $32 for Adults (18-64), and $21 for Children/Teens (7-17) and Seniors (65+). Skiing/riding lift ticket pricing will continue to match sightseeing pricing until we are able to open more terrain. However, beginning Friday, these tickets will no longer include a $10 food credit.
Aspen Snowmass will also be serving uptraditional Thanksgiving menu items this Thursday at Elk Camp. Chef Bradley Murphy has prepared Whole Rotisserie All Natural Turkeys with Cranberry Orange Sauce and Giblet Gravy. We will also be serving Andouille Cornbread Stuffing along with Haricot Vert with Mushrooms and Toasted Almonds. Elk Camp will also have its full regular offerings of delicious market style fare.
Photo: Tripp Fay courtesy of Copper Mountain. (Opening Day Nov. 18, 2016).
On Friday, November 25th, Santa just cant stay away from a good party, so hes coming to Copper Mountaina little early and hes arriving via Pisten Bully Snowcat! Following his grand entrance, the kids will be able to share their Christmas list with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Well wrap up the evening with Coppers annual tree lighting and fireworks in Center Village.
For more information on available parking during this event, click here.
Photo: Crested Butte (Nov. 22, 2016)
On Thursday, November 24thCrested Butte’s 55th Anniversary and First Chair will be commemorated on Thanksgiving Day with a champagne toast in memory of Dick Eflin and complimentary beignets at 9 AM in the Base Area. Crested Butte Mountain Resort will also honor Dicks family by presenting them with First Chair, and host a lunchtime celebration at Butte 66 with live music by Justin Howard from noon until 2 pm.Come say hello to family and friends of Dick and help us give thanks for all that he accomplished in Crested Butte throughout his life.
Dick Eflins dream of starting his own ski area became a reality on Thanksgiving Day 1961 with a Doppelmeier T-bar and a rope tow borrowed from Western State College. Then in 1962, a Telecar Gondola was installed running 7,800 feet long and rising over 2,000 vertical feet. Crested Butte Mountain Resort would not be on the map as Colorados Last Great Ski Town without the efforts of Dick Eflin. He also played an active role in the local community, helping to revive the mining town. He served for 25 years as the president of the Mt. Crested Butte Water & Sanitation District, was on the Town Council, helped start the first regional museum, owned and operated the Eflin Steak House, and along with Bill Allen, built and operated the Artichoke Restaurant.
Photo: Purgatory Resort (Nov. 21, 2016).
Thanksgiving dinner on November 24th at Purgy’s Slopesideat the base of Purgatory Resort. Enjoy a family-friendly Thanksgiving dinner at Purgys at 4:00pm on Thanksgiving Day after a great day on the slopes. We have a fantastic menu planned for this buffet-style Thanksgiving feast. Reservations required. Buffet Prices: Adults $45 | Children (ages 4-12)$20 | Children Under 3 FREE. Click hereto make your online reservation.
Photo: Carl Frey courtesy of Winter Park. (Nov. 22, 2016)
On November 24th, let Winter Park prepare a delicious traditional Thanksgiving dinner buffet for your and your family. That means you can stuff yourself silly without missing family time, or any football games. Start your evening with a gondola ride on the Zephyr Express, where youll be whisked away to the Lodge at Sunspot, 10,700 feet above sea level! Enjoy views of Winter Park Resort, the Fraser Valley lights twinkling, and the Continental Divide lining the horizon. Find a new holiday tradition that doesnt involve stepping foot in the kitchen, and actually enjoy your family time this year at Winter Park Resort.
Pricing is $59.95 for adults $29.95 for children 10 and under. Prices include gondola ride, buffet and non-alcoholic beverages. Taxes, gratuity and alcohol are additional. The reservation time is when the guests board the Zephyr Express Gondola at the base of the mountain.
Call 970.726.1446 or click hereto make your families reservation today.
Photo: Rosanne H. Pitcher courtesy of the Wolf Creek Ski Area.. (Nov. 22, 2016)
Wolf Creek Ski Area was praying for that Thanksgiving storm that would bring an end to the unseasonable warm weather and startthe 2016 – 2017 seasonin the Southern San Juan Mountains. Prayers were answered with a great high moisture content storm of 16 inches that blanketed the slopes on November 22nd, just in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Starting Thursday, November 24th, fifty percent of the mountain will open with the Raven, Bonanza, Nova, Treasure Stoke and Elma lifts operating from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM; Alberta Lift opens on Saturday along with more challenging terrain.Conditions are powder/packed powder with early season obstacles. The groomed runs are awesome; the hike-to terrain is challenging – bring your rock skis!
Lift tickets will be at the Local Appreciation Rate of $44 for adults, $27 for seniors and $24 for children. The Nova Lift Only is $27 for all ages.
The Ski School will be offered to both adults and children, including the Wolf Pup Program.The ski and snowboard rentals will be available, along with Treasure Sports. The Wolf Creek Lodge will be serving Cornish Game Hen for Thanksgiving along with many other delicious items. On Saturday, Prospector Grill will open along with the Base Camp. Lift ticket prices will be move to regular rates after the holidays.
