It’s hard to say when one looks around the landscape of Snowmass Village what is most remarkable; the beautiful mountains, the foliage, the quaint town tucked in the valley or the people who live and visit here. Most of the time this question could be debated long and hard, however last week there is no doubt about the most remarkable sight that popped up all over town. The men and women who have served our country could be seen skiing on the slopes, climbing the mountains, trap-shooting and playing sled hockey in every corner of Snowmass Village. While witnessing this multitude of service men and women is remarkable in everyday circumstances, even more remarkable is the testimony this specific set of service men and women offer concerning pursuit of quality life after traumatic injury, either in the war zone or outside.

Last week marked the 26^th annual National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic. Since March 25^th and until the 30^th, the VA and the Disabled American Veterans sponsored the Grand Junction VA Medical Center of the Rockies and the VA’s Rocky Mountain Network in a clinic offering veterans the opportunity to experience Alpine and Nordic skiing as well as many other winter sports.

Of the 400 veterans in town last week, many had never experienced winter sports before and due to the severity of some of their injuries, many thought these experiences would never be possible. The inspiration and training offered by ski instructors for the disabled, members of the U.S. Disabled Ski Team and physical therapists through the VA and other veteran hospitals nationwide has helped many veterans overcome incredible obstacles.

In a piece in the Snowmass Sun last week, recreational therapist Jose Laguna, of San Antonio, Texas, and escort to veterans to Snowmass Village since 1993, spoke of his strong belief in the benefit offered to veterans, many of whom come year after year to Snowmass Village to meet up with old friends, make new friends, learn new sports and to improve at those they have discovered in years past.

The clinic is much more than a week of fun. It is also another step in the healing process. Many veterans return home from war injured and traumatized, with poor support systems and with family members at a loss of how to cope with the consequences of combat or injury. Rehabilitation through the various VA hospitals throughout the country aim to restore these men and women to the life they left behind, and to help them to make that life even better.  The summer and winter clinics are one aspect of this rehabilitation. In these clinics veterans are asked to push themselves into the unknown of their abilities. Many are learning to walk with prosthetics, function with injured limbs or take risks after traumatic brain injury. For every veteran in every individual circumstance, this leap of faith is invigorating and terrifying at the same time.

Laguna phrases it best in his comments, “We don’t live in a bubble. What we do, in our roll, is take them (the veterans) to the threshold of the bubble.” In Snowmass Village, they hope to cross it independently.

The courage required to cross that threshold reminds one of all the reasons these people put on the uniform in the first place; they are brave, honorable and willing to put everything on the line for the country and fellow countrymen and women. And that is truly the most remarkable national treasure any country or town could hope to host. Snowmass Village is honored to serve these men and women.

Click here to see homes, residences and condos in the Snowmass Village and Aspen areas.

Fridays in Snowmass Village just got better. The Town of Snowmass has expanded the ten-year tradition of celebrating the end of the week by grabbing some time on the mountain, either at Big Air Fridays, enjoying live music at Base Village or at the Bud Light Hi-Fi Free Concerts by incorporating a Torchlight Descent into their Epic Friday celebrations.

Traditionally a holiday event, the Torchlight Descent has for many years taken place just after Christmas. Snowmass Village businesses, on a mission to encourage locals and visitors to extend their time in town and on the mountain by creating a new late winter/early spring tradition, decided to embrace this popular activity and bring it back for even more people to enjoy. The image of the holiday Torchlight Descent is captivating and gorgeous – almost dragon-like, with the colors and gleams of lights winding around Snowmass Mountain as skiers and snowboarders work their way down in a long chain.

The Snowmass Sun reported on the first of this season’s five descents, with about 100 participants. David Dugan, partner at the Base Camp Bar and Grill was quoted in The Snowmass Sun discussing the success of the kick-off event, “The plaza was pumping, there was about 100 people out there dancing. It was great.”

Dugan, one of the brains behind the new wintertime activity, hopes, along with his co-planners, that the Torchlight Descent continues to be successful and builds the vibe in Snowmass Village.

Interested residents and visitors can sign up to be in the Torchlight Descent at the ticket pavilion. Participants begin loading the Village Express at 6p.m to head up the mountain. Children must be older than 8 years old in order to participate. The Torchlight Descent offers an activity to fill the gap in the Friday afternoon/evening schedule between Big Air Fridays and the live music, keeping tourists and residents active and engaged in the community activities.

Big Air Fridays, a ten year Snowmass Village tradition is already well into its third week, allowing locals and tourists a chance to strut their stuff in front of an audience and to see the tricks and accomplishments of other skiers and snowboarders as well.  Little Air Fridays have been added immediately following Big Air events, allowing younger skiers and snowboarders to participate as well. Big Air gets started at 2p.m. at Fanny Hill on Snowmass Mountain and wraps up just in time for skiers to take on last trip down the mountain in the parade.

The Bud Light Hi-Fi series of concerts has scheduled at least two in Snowmass Village for the 2011/2012-ski season. The first took place in conjunction with the first Torchlight Descent on February 19^th. The second will be held March 18^th, the same night as the very last Torchlight Descent and will feature the Wailers at the Snowmass Base Village. The second Bud Light Hi-Fi concert will also be one in a series of concerts held to celebrate Spring Break in the Snowmass Village and Aspen area.

Celebrate your own TGIF in Snowmass Village with locals and visitors alike in the Torchlight Descent, at the concerts or in your favorite restaurant or bar. And then begin round out your weekend with a tour of homes, condos or investment properties in Snowmass Village or Aspen area. Click here to see Greg Rulon’s latest and most exciting listings now!

Snowmass Village is home to incredible beauty year round. Whether in the gorgeous summer months when the mountains are sprinkled with wild flowers and perfect sunny days, or the crystalline winter, where powder snow and icicles adorn the trees and mountain slopes. While the natural beauty of Snowmass Village is acclaimed worldwide, even more significant is the lasting beauty of a community filled with spontaneous joy.

As a case in point, the Snowmass Base Village Pavilion was blanketed in red and filled with shouting and dancing Monday afternoon as the first ever flash mob descended upon the town. At three-thirty in the afternoon, 70 red-coated ski school pros seemingly appeared out of nowhere in the pavilion, and shared the excitement of living in Snowmass Village. Although this event was planned and rehearsed a few days in advance of the actual event, the joy and enthusiasm poured into the event stemmed from genuine sentiment and contagious joy one finds exuding from every corner in town.

The flash mob phenomenon was created in 2003 when Bill Wasik, editor of Harper’s Magazine organized several such congregations as a social experiment to make a social commentary on conformity. However, these events have taken on a mind of their own, encouraging spontaneity, random joy and a spirit of Carpe Diem. They have also spread internationally to London and beyond.

Residents and tourists who witnessed the flash mob were pleasantly surprised by the activity and applauded enthusiastically. As the ski school employees dispersed after their performance, the mood of Snowmass Village was happier, filled with laughter and a feeling of joyful celebration.

The Snowmass Village flash mob event took place as Snowmass Village was packed to the gills with skiers attracted by great recent snowfall and Mardi Gras celebrants. Mardi Gras kicks off with a multitude of events today and will continue until late tonight. Many Mardi Gras visitors will extend their visit through the end of the week to maximize time on the slopes, shopping and just generally enjoying the atmosphere of Snowmass Village.

Snowmass Mountain is currently boasting a fantastic 59-inch base. Snowfall in the last week has added fourteen inches; eleven of those inches have come in the past forty-eight hours. With snow expected through Thursday, the slopes promise joy to skiers, snowboarders, sledders and snow enthusiasts in town all week long.

All this snow will not dampen the Mardi Gras spirit or activities. Snow in Snowmass Village is considered a compliment to any and every event or celebration. The only alteration in plans may be in costume design to incorporate slightly warmer clothing.

Come experience the joy of Snowmass Village. Between the parade, parties and incredible skiing and snowboarding, take some time to look at homes, condos and investment properties tucked within the beautiful scenery and among the joy-filled neighbors today! Click here to learn more about Greg Rulon and Snowmass Village.

It seems as though the Holiday decorations were just taken down and the Christmas tree was just put away, but none-the-less it is still time to think about planning your Spring Break get-away. Fortunately Spring Break is Aspen and Snowmass Village’s specialty.  With seven fresh inches of snow on the ground in the last twenty-four hours and a 30 – 60 inch base on the four mountains, the conditions are perfect for a beautiful, snow-filled Spring Break.

From March 16^th until the 25^th the calendar in Aspen and Snowmass Village is absolutely packed with great events. Beginning with the CORE Party with Railroad Earth, this block party in downtown Aspen will set the tone for a fantastic week. Railroad Earth is socially concerned band, voicing the political, ethical and moral questions of our time in a slightly Woody Guthrie vein. This event is free and open to the public.

On a lighter note, the Fallen Friends Memorial Event will take place on Aspen Highlands the following morning for its fourth year running. In this fun event, costumed skiers and snowboarders help raise money for the AVSC scholarship funds, in a tribute to those skiers and snowboarders who have been injured or killed in the past few years on the mountain. Judges will scrutinize teams in a variety of categories and select the winners. For those who would rather enjoy the show from down below, Merry Go Round will provide food and beer specials during the competition.

Meanwhile, just across town and a littler later in the day, the KickAspen Big Air Invitational will kick off its 13^th year of ski and snowboarding competitions on Aspen Mountain on the evening of the 17^th.  Proclaimed the best regional ski and snowboarding competition, The KickAspen Big Air Invitational will feature not only exciting on-snow excitement, but photography from David Benjamin Sherry and $2 Bud Light in the Bud Light Beer Garden as well.

The fun doesn’t stop there, the Aspen Klug Camp and the Terrain Park Boot Camp will offer spring breakers inexperienced in snowboarding the opportunity to learn with the pros over Spring Break. Aspen Klug Spring Snowboard Camp will take place from the 18^th-20^th on Buttermilk Mountain. For the past 11 years, Klug Camp has helped snowboarders of all ages and abilities the opportunity to get on the snowboard and to improve their skills or even simply learn how to snowboard.  Likewise the Terrain Boot Camp on the 17^th and 18^th as well as on the 24^th and 25^th will take snowboarders to the Terrain Park and teach tricks, sliding skills and tricks.

To mix things up and keep the nightlife fresh, the Wailers will take the stage on the evening of the 18^th with classics from Bob Marley and the Wailers in the Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series in Snowmass Village. Another Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series will take place on the 23^rd, with the artist yet to be announced.

Last but not least, the Helly Hansen Battle in the Bowls will take place on the 25^th of March on Aspen Highlands Mountain.  In this competition, teams of two will race to ski/ride the bowls of Aspen Highlands with the best time. The course, designed by Chris Davenport, promises to tough, but allows competitors to complete the course in any order or route so long as they complete every bowl on the course.

Don’t miss your chance this spring to get on the mountains and in the excitement of Aspen and Snowmass Village! Indulge your case of spring fever; click here to see homes, residences and condos in the area today.

It has been called the greatest winter mountaineering challenge in America; it starts right at the base of Snowmass Mountain and crisscrosses all four of the mountains in Snowmass Village and Aspen. It is The Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race and one glimpse of the course reminds one of the indomitable nature of the Rocky Mountains.

The race will kick off March 3^rd, 2012 at 6 a.m. at the Base Village in Snowmass Village. From here racers will skin up Snowmass Mountain, skin or ski across Snowmass and across the ridge to Buttermilk Mountain, where they will ski down toward the Tiehack parking lot toward Aspen Highlands. Once over the ARC bridge racers will head up Thunderbowl Lane, into Thunder Bowl to the top of Highlands Bowl. From here, racers will follow three trails leading to the Midnight Mine Road on up to the Sundeck on Aspen Mountain. Finally, skiers will head down the mountain with the course behind them and only the finish line before them.

Much easier said than done – only mind-over matter and extensive skiing, skinning and mountaineering experience will get these racers to the bottom of Aspen Mountain with the complete course behind them. Last year’s winners, Brian Smith and Bryan Wickenhauser completed the course in 6 hours, 13 minutes and 7 seconds. However, the Aspen Times reported Smith saying, “This is one of the biggest challenges on skis. I can’t imagine anything tougher than this.”

Even members of the U.S. Mountaineering Team found the Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race to be a challenge last year. Coming in third place, Max Taam and Chris Kroger were just minutes behind the first and second place teams, but just as glad to reach the bottom. By the end of last year’s competition thirty-seven teams failed to finish the race at all.

While competitors are advised to train, and required to have a partner as well as carry their own beacon, shovel, probe, helmet and weather gear, inevitably the mountain sometimes proves to be too much. The Website for the Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race reminds participants that the course is a self-sustained race, with only one aid-station. It does offer racers the option to do half of the course if they are unsure of their abilities.  All racers who plan to go the full course must have reached mid-mountain by 9 a.m.

For those concerned about accidents on the course or on the mountains in general, the Aspen Historical Society will host a talk on mountain rescue on February 25^th.  The discussion will focus on the history of the Aspen Mountain Rescue team, its practices and policies and how it is has transformed throughout its long history. Racers preparing for the Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race may find this discussion helpful in their preparations and informative in their approach to the mountain on race day.

Here in Aspen and Snowmass Village the four mountains call out to challenge the outdoorsman and women throughout the state, the nation and the world. Heed the call; embrace the Power of Four. Find your home today in the shadows of these mountains; click here today to see homes, residences and condos in the Snowmass Village and Aspen area.

Greg Rulon and Greg Didier

The glass is half-full in Snowmass Village, and as Greg Rulon, long-time resident and real estate agent in Snowmass Village, reminded the Aspen Business Journal this week in an exclusive interview, it’s getting fuller by the moment.

Last fall The Westin announced it would take over the Silvertree Hotel, renaming it The Westin Snowmass Resort. This has been a dream a long time in the making, as back in 2004 The Westin had its shoe in the door of the original Base Village voter-approved agreement. However, in a series of unfortunate events that seemed to have surrounded the Base Village, The Westin did not make the final cut. Fortunately, neither Snowmass Village nor The Westin were deterred, as the opportunity for the Silvertree opened up, the Westin jumped right back in the mix.

With its impending arrival, The Westin seems to have brought with it a breath of fresh air, and a sizeable investment in the community. “You can feel the optimism coming back,” Greg commented. The economic downturn, and its ugly side effects have finally become a thing of the past, as new visitors have begun flocking to Snowmass Village for the great snow and a truly family friendly experience.

Rulon reminded the ABJ, “Snowmass mountain is the mountain. If you ski two weeks a year, that’s the mountain for you. It offers something for everyone, every family.” With the influx of new visitors Snowmass Village, Base Village and the Snowmass Mall are all experiencing exciting growth. New restaurants have opened their doors this winter season, and as Greg pointed out, “Business begets business.” Every business in town benefits the others; Snowmass Village has always had to compete with the high society, restaurants and entertainment of Aspen. However, companies like The Westin that carry a certain level of prestige will help Snowmass Village to continue to build its own reputation for elegant and comfortable accommodations. Places like Sneaky’s and Base Camp are packed for après ski, while the Base Village and Village Mall provide excellent shopping and dining.

Rulon, of course sees room for growth in the community for more engaging activities to retain skiers in the Snowmass Village after the lifts close, however he predicts, “Snowmass will succeed. The Silvertree renovation is part of that; Base Village is a part of that. The critical mass and energy is important. It’s got all the bones…”

In recent weeks, investors and homebuyers have been putting some meat on those bones. Rulon has seen a huge increase in the number of showing and offers through his office noting, “I have had more showings in the last few weeks than in the last four months combined.” Part of this increase in activity is the improvement of the national economic outlook. Another contributing factor has been the bottoming out of the market in Snowmass Village. There are great homes and investment properties to be had, at a fraction of their price just a few years ago. The market in Snowmass Village, as it has everywhere else in the United States, has adjusted away from the inhibitive prices of $2,800 a square foot into a more reasonable, but still exclusive price range.

Rulon sees the Snowmass Village as a puzzle, one in which the pieces are truly coming together for a seamless combination of home and community, beautiful nature, fantastic skiing, convenience, good food and fun for everyone. For your own piece of the puzzle in Snowmass Village click here to see the homes, residences and condos in the Snowmass Village and Aspen area.

“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”   ~Abraham Lincoln

This quote resonates with the skiing and winter sports community this week, with particular poignancy in Aspen and Snowmass Village, as the countdown to the 2012 ESPN Winter X-Games finally winds down to zero and athletes prepare to compete for the title of X-Games Champion.  As events kick off tomorrow at the base of Buttermilk Mountain, the focus will not be on ‘who is there,’ but rather on ‘who is not.’ The absence of Sarah Burke, the vivacious freestyle skier, and one of the brightest stars in the sport, will be acutely felt – in every turn, every run and every moment.

Late last week Burke lost her fight against a brain injury, less than a week away from the commencement of Winter X-Games. Her injury was sustained while practicing on the half-pipe in Park City, Utah.

Although only twenty-nine years old, Sarah Burke like Lincoln, lived many years within her short life. A pioneer of super-pipe skiing, Burke redefined the sport of skiing, and the role of women within this sport. She, as a teenager, would sneak onto the snowboard half pipes with her skis after the snowboarders had left the mountain. As she experimented with new skiing techniques she also envisioned a completely new kind of skiing.

So strong was her ambition, she was able to create an entirely new sport, and ultimately played a role in introducing it to the X-Games competition. Sarah pushed beyond her titles of first place in the 2001 US Freeskiing Open in the half-pipe, the first world champion in the FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships, and four freestyle gold medals in the Winter X Games to incorporate women’s half-pipe in the 2014 Winter Olympics. Sarah was passionate about freestyle and half-pipe skiing, willing to compete against any competitor – even men, and tirelessly promoting it through film, discussion on display.

Burke had been a favorite for medals this weekend in Aspen in the freestyle skiing competitions and half-pipe competitions, as well as in the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games. Her memory and her contributions will be remembered in a tribute on Thursday, January 26^th. ESPN will air the memorial early in the evening broadcast. Several athletes are expected to speak about her influence in the sport and about her as a person, friend, wife, athlete and competitor.

In a remembrance posted to their website, ESPN has recorded the thoughts and reflections of fellow skiers, X-Games participants and friends of Sarah Burke. Ashley Battersby, a fellow competitor remembers, “She had a smile for everyone. She had a heart of GOLD. She left the sweetest memories for all of us to hold.”  Burke’s beautiful smile and fantastic smile has long made her one of Aspen’s most beloved personalities. Like Battersby, many

Sarah Burke’s agent created a fund to assist Sarah’s family in covering her medical bills from the accident, totaling over $200,000. To date the fund has reached its goal. All additional money will go toward her memorial service and to establish a foundation in her memory. Stickers reminding skiers to ‘Believe in Sarah,’ and ‘Remember Sarah’ are for sale. Proceeds from these sales will also contribute to the foundation and memorial. Without a doubt, many a helmet and skis will don this simple memorial this week at the X-Games.

Athletes and residents alike on and off the slopes will sorely miss her shining presence, for a long time to come.

Greg Rulon and his team offer their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Sarah Burke. May she rest in peace.

In 2005 Bob Beattie was inducted into the Aspen Hall of Fame with a lifetime’s worth of titles, accomplishments and experiences, from head coach of the United States Ski Team, President of the World Wide Ski Corporation, founder of the World Pro Racing Tour to commentator for ABC’S ‘Wide World of Sports.’ But the title Bob Beattie is most proud of is his title as member of the World Pro Skiing Foundation Board of Directors.  In this role, Beattie has enabled children who would not have otherwise experienced skiing to try the sport, and in some cases to fall in love.

It is this tremendous accomplishment that will draw skiers from every skill level and age to the slopes of Aspen and Snowmass Village this coming March for the World Pro Skiing Foundation Tribute Honoring Bob Beattie. This weekend of events and special gala dinner will honor Bob Beattie’s work within the ski community as a whole, and specifically within the ski community of Aspen and Snowmass Village. Beginning on Thursday, March 29^th, racers and guests, such as ski legend Billy Kidd and Andre Arnold, will gather for a VIP party at Limelight Lodge. In this intimate gathering, Beattie will reconnect with his old friends, colleagues and professional skiers.

Friday morning, March 30^th, Aspen Highlands will host the racers for the first skiing portion of the event, allowing them time to train on the mountain along side Beattie’s new protégés, the Aspen Valley Ski Club Kids.  After lunch at the base of the mountain, and an afternoon of personal time, the gala will get underway at the famous Hotel Jerome. Here cocktails, a delicious dinner and party will celebrate Bob Beattie’s legend. Music from Starwood will take guests back to the ‘70’s.

Saturday will dawn with the head-to-head races on Aspen Highlands in which racers match up in the most unlikely combinations; a former pro, a kid and a member of the public face off for the Reunion Cup Championship. Once the skiers are all down the hill, John Oates will perform at the base of the mountain. The weekend will draw to a close celebrating the 75^th year of Aspen Valley Ski Club. This celebration will be open to the public, professional skiers and special guests.

The Aspen and Snowmass Village communities will raise their glasses to Bob Beattie, the tremendous impact of his work, and all the work achieved by the World Pro Skiing Foundation during these unforgettable 75 years. While there is a history so deeply engrained within the ski community, the outsider might wonder at their ongoing connection through the years and their continued commitment to skiing, youth skiing and ski communities. However the highs and lows, the deep love, astonishing victories and the years of work come to life when one takes the time to glimpse through the photo album listed on the World Pro Skiing Foundation website. Over seven decades of American ski history unfolds through these shots. It is the kind of history that endures, builds legends and legendary skiers.

There is not a professional or serious skier in North America who does not owe some aspect of their career or experience to Mr. Beattie’s lifelong dedication to the sport. Join Aspen and Snowmass Village in thanking him for it all! As a resident of Colorado for more than 30 years, Beattie knows where the skiing is best; the people are the most remarkable and the quality of life unbeatable! Click here to see homes, investment properties and condos in the Aspen and Snowmass Village area today!

The sun dawned this week on over a foot of new snow in Aspen and Snowmass Village to the great joy of skiers, and to the tremendous relief of residents of Pitkin County and the state of Colorado as a whole.

While this year’s snow season started off well with an early storm in October, snow levels had been low up until this week. As January opened with unusually warm weather, people began to actively worry about the repercussions for the tourism industry and drought conditions statewide should the temperate winter continue.

It seems that these worries have been eased as the forecast for the next seven days calls for more snow, with as much as another foot expected on Saturday. Of course the snow could not have chosen a better week to pay a visit. Midway through Gay Ski Week, and just two short weeks before the ESPN Winter X-Games, some wonderful powder and a great base remind everyone why Aspen and Snowmass are considered some of the hottest ski slopes this side of the Atlantic.

Meteorologist, Jim Daniels with the National Weather Service was quoted in The Aspen Times this week explaining the sudden shift in weather pattern over the Rocky Mountains saying, “Things started kind of changing over this past weekend and will continue in a pattern that’s a little more typical of La Nina, at least for the next seven days.” La Nina, the opposite of El Nino, is a weather pattern that originates in low surface pressures over the warm waters of the equatorial Western Pacific Ocean. Typically the La Nina weather pattern translates to high snow levels and wet winters in the Rocky Mountains. Last year’s record snow levels and long ski season were the result of a particularly active La Nina season. However, this year, also a La Nina season has been irregular in that a high-pressure ridge has hovered over the Rockies pushing most of the wet weather to the North or to the South.

While there has been a lot of chatter about the low snow levels this year, in reality most of the snow to fall in the Rocky Mountains typically comes in the spring. March is commonly accepted as the best month to ski in Aspen and Snowmass Village. As Jeff Hanle pointed out in Aspen Business Journal earlier this week, despite low levels of snow levels during the holiday season, most guests had booked their travel plans in advance, meaning the snow had little or no effect on travel bookings or ski lift ticket purchases. As a case in point, December 30^th was the biggest day on the mountain, with December 28^th a close second.

Hanle has also indicated that bookings through February are strong. Promotions targeting consumers for Spring Break debut this month attracting skiers to the mountains during their best month. Aspen/Snowmass is currently offering a special for the months of March and April, in which kids ages 7-12 ski and stay free at the resort with the purchase of adult lodging and comparable lift tickets. Kids receive a free rental with adult ski equipment rentals, plus a free group ski lesson. The Spring Escape Mini-Vacation has also recently become available; offering a buy 2, get one free promotion for lifts, accommodations, lessons and equipment.

Whether El Nino or La Nina, snow or no snow, Aspen and Snowmass Village know how to make your winter unforgettable! Click here to see condos, homes and residences in the heart of the city or set deep within the woods. Enjoy every season and every weather pattern in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.

On February 17^th – 19^th the most extreme skiers in the Colorado will descend upon the cliffs of Snowmass Mountain to show just how much air they can catch and how fat their landings can be off some of the most picturesque cliffs in the world.

Qualifying runs in the Helly Hansen Colorado Freeride Championships will begin Friday at 9:30 a.m. and will continue through 2:30 p.m. that day on the Hanging Valley Headwall.

Those who qualify for the championships will take to the cliffs again on Saturday at 10:30, this time on the Burn Side Cliffs. In the off chance the unpredictable weather of Colorado strikes, Sunday has been set aside as a reserve day. Those who love big air, but love it much more from the spectator’s point of view, Gwyn’s High Alpine will serve as the viewing location for the championship.

For those unfamiliar with this extreme form of adventure, the first few skiers and snowboarders heading down the mountain are literally breathtaking. Athletes choose their own path down the cliffs, selecting their jumps and landings based on their own abilities and willingness to scare themselves. Once their path has been selected, skiers and snowboarders fly down unimaginable heights and cliffs at high speed with mini-avalanches chasing them, rocks and trees springing into their path. These incredible athletes jump and flip, seemingly without effort landing in pillows of snow in truly awe-inspiring performances.

While every year this event draws big name athletes to complete, including Rex Wehrman, two-time U.S. National Freeskiing Champion, Frank Shine, Brandon Clabaugh, Jesse Wright and Jennifer Allen. The really great thing about the Helly Hansen Colorado Freeride Championship competition is its openness. Locals, with the proper experience and technical skill are invited to compete in the competition.  Last year locals Kiffor Berg took on the challenge for the second year running. Likewise, AspenSnowmass recognizes the skill, and dare devil in some younger riders, allowing qualified participants as young as 16 to enter with parental consent.

At 12,510 feet, Snowmass Mountain offers extreme athletes 4,406 vertical feet – the most found anywhere in the country, making Snowmass Mountain the absolute best location to experience the thrills of Freeriding, and perhaps even better the best spot to experience these same thrills vicariously.

Earlier this week eight new inches of powder coated the mountain creating the perfect foundation for this extreme skiing course. Mike Kaplan at AspenSnowmass.com reported the morning after the storm, “Mother Nature’s delivery of new snow overnight and sunshine during the day, we call that a classic ‘brochure day’ in the Roaring Fork Valley.“ Contestants in the Helly Hansen Colorado Freeride Championship, along with locals and visitors to the valley will be hoping for more great powder in the weeks leading up to the contest.

Snowmass Village is once again proving its cutting edge nature hosting this exciting and extreme event on fantastic powder and breathtaking cliffs. For those with the same adventuresome spirit, Snowmass Village and Aspen are calling you! Click here to see homes, residences and condos just one fat jump off the mountain.