Media Contact: Patsy Popejoy 970-922-2285 or [email protected] SNOWMASS WINTER 2015-2016 SEASON PREVIEW New High Alpine Chair, Additional Glading, Lower Teen Pricing, Free Kids Ski Free Program (and then some) Mix with Natural Splendor and a Small-Town Vibe “That’s the Beauty of Snowmass!” SNOWMASS, Colo. (November 15, 2015) – Snowmass, a renowned winter playground and vibrant mountain community just 9 miles from downtown Aspen, consistently ranks as one of the best ski areas in the world. In addition to unmatched natural beauty and over 300 sunny days a year, Snowmass ski resort offers guests 3,362 acres of multi-level terrain and boasts the second largest vertical drop in the United States. 95% ski-in/ski-out lodging, 30-plus restaurants, numerous shops and boutiques, a bounty of off-piste activities, and a friendly, small town feel beckon visitors year-round. For more information and a complete calendar of events and activities, please visit: www.gosnowmass.com. WHAT’S NEW ON THE MOUNTAIN • NEW HIGH ALPINE CHAIR, ADDITIONAL GLADING, TRAIL WORK AND SNOWMAKING EXPANSION AT SNOWMASS Good news! The new High Alpine Chair debuts this ski season cutting the ride time in half. In summer 2015, Aspen Skiing Company replaced and realigned the High Alpine lift on Snowmass, installing snowmaking equipment on two existing trails, and implemented additional trail and glade construction projects. The realignment of the lift and the additional trail work and glading will vastly improve skiers and riders experience in the High Alpine area on Snowmass. The new alignment will allow guests to ski from Rock Island, AMF and the Cirque without having to drop to the lower mountain to access the High Alpine area. Also, skiers and riders can now easily access the Upper Green Cabin trail without a flat traverse. Cost of the capital improvement is estimated at $8 million and the new high speed quad will decrease the ride time down to 5.6 minutes from the previous 11 minutes. SNOWMASS LOVES FAMILIES! • LOWER TEEN PRICING & NEW KIDS SKI FREE PROGRAM To encourage the next generation of winter enthusiasts, Aspen Snowmass is lowering teen rates to match that of children 12 and under as well as offering a new Kids Ski Free program. Rent children’s ski or snowboard equipment (ages 7 to 12) from Four Mountain Sports, and receive a free lift ticket. There is no limitation on the amount of days children can receive free lift tickets when renting from Four Mountain Sports. Additionally, kids receive 30% off Child Group Lessons with Aspen Snowmass’ world-famous Ski & Snowboard School when purchasing seven or more days. Book by Dec. 1 for arrivals prior to Feb. 28, 2016 and book by Jan.30 for arrivals after Mar. 1, 2016. Valid Nov. 26, 2015 – Apr. 17, 2016. In addition to the new 7-12 Kids Ski Free Program, children six and under will continue to be able to ski free at Aspen Snowmass (no strings attached). • VERY IMPORTANT KIDS (VIK) WINTER CHILDREN’S PROGRAMING Snowmass loves kids and wants to make life easy for parents! Snowmass Mountain, already known as a premier family resort destination is even more family friendly with its popular Very Important Kids (VIK) program. The VIK program is specifically designed to provide activity options for families after the ski-day ends with entertaining daily programming for children. It’s a one-stop shop for parents to find free and discounted activities for their children. Activities include, kids’ crafts, juggling and magic shows, Kids’ Night Out at the Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center, Family Bowling Night at Slopeside Lanes, free VIK Après-ski Party on Saturdays in Base Village and more. The VIK program is based out of the Snowmass Info Lounge offers visitors help with getting around the Village, a charging station as well as free WiFi, popcorn and refreshments. The VIK lanyards can be picked up at the Snowmass Info Lounge, hotel front desks and concierges, the Treehouse, Ski School, the Ice Age Discovery Center, Guest Services and Four Mountain Sports. The VIK Program is offered in Snowmass every afternoon/evening starting December 20, 2015 through April 9, 2016. For more information stop by the Snowmass Info Lounge, call 970-922-2277 or visit www.VIKSnowmass.com. MORE SNOWMASS ADVENTURES • FREE ADMISSION! NEWLY REFURBISHED SNOWMASS ICE AGE DISCOVERY CENTER New this year, the Discovery Center features additional attractions from the Denver Museum’s research and education collections. Visitors can chat with on-site Paleontology Interpreter Tom Temme (formerly of the DMNS) who is happy to share his vast knowledge of this fantastic find. Watch the video from Denver Museum of Nature & Science and learn the story of the Snowmass Ice Age discovery through updated creative displays, educational panels and interactive programming. The Ice Age Discovery Center located on the Snowmass Mall, is built for kids with plenty of things for adults to enjoy too. Open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Admission is FREE. Call 970.922.2277 or visit www.gosnowmass.com for more information. • KRABLOONIK DOGSLEDDING Take a Ride on the Wild Side–Krabloonik Dogsledding is the largest dogsledding operation in the continental U.S. and one of the only on-mountain dogsledding facilities in North America. Teams of Siberian huskies pull sleds through Snowmass wilderness and over the slopes of the Snowmass Ski Area. Rides end with lunch or dinner featuring wild game at the historic, gas-lit cabin restaurant. • ULLR NIGHTS Looking for something different to do in the evening on the mountain? Check out Ullr Nights at Elk Camp where Snowmass is transformed into a nighttime winter wonderland. Light up the night with classic winter activities such as; ice skating, sledding, guided snowshoe tours with ACES, snowbiking, tubing, a visit to Ullr’s ghost ship and of course, S’mores and hot chocolate by the campfire. Live music and an à la carte culinary celebration are sure to please. Offered every Friday evening from December 18, 2015 through April 1, 2016. • SNOWTUBING A crazy-fun way to slide down the slopes, snow tubing may be enjoyed by the whole family. The Meadows at Elk Camp offers several tubing lanes serviced by a magic-carpet lift. In addition to offering daytime rides, tubing lanes are well lit at night during Friday Ullr Nights festivities. Arrangements may also be made for special group events and parties. Tubing at Snowmass kicks off Friday, December 18, 2015 and will be open every day through the winter season as well as during Ullr Nights. • SLOPESIDE BOWLING ALLEY This boutique, 8-lane bowling alley features 300-inch projection TVs and a wood-fired Mugnaini pizza oven from Italy. Bowlers can catch a game or munch hand- tossed pizzas or specialty burgers, while they roll. A full bar features local Woody Creek Distillery vodka and Aspen Brewing Company beers. EAT IT UP! – FOOD & BEVERAGE NEWS • THE SLED FOOD TRUCK The Sled, a mobile food truck, will be available on select weekends at Snowmass Ski Resort starting around the Holidays. Serving up quick and fresh culinary creations, • The Sled is an excellent go-to for refueling mid-mountain on days when plenty of laps are in order. Follow @mtndining on Instagram to find out the daily location of The Sled. • CHEERS! ‘AMF AMBER LAGER debuted in summer was named after the local-favorite, double- black run, AMF, on Snowmass Mountain. An approachable, multi-season, cold-fermented amber lager, AMF is crisp, clean and refreshing and is brewed by the Roaring Fork Beer Company, located in nearby Carbondale. American hops give AMF a smooth, noble hop flavor that’s not too heavy and not too light, and caramel malt adds a little sweetness and rich amber color. AMF is offered on tap at Venga in Snowmass Village, as well as Slice Italian Bistro, Nest at Viceroy Snowmass, Base Camp Bar & Grill and Ricard in Snowmass Base Village. ON THE ARTS & CULTURE SIDE • ANDERSON RANCH ARTS CENTER TO CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY In 2016, Anderson Ranch Arts Center will celebrate an incredible milestone: 50 years at the forefront of contemporary art making. Throughout the year, Anderson Ranch will host exciting events that honor this legacy and the evolution of the Ranch today—and where it will be in the next 50 years. This hidden gem of Snowmass is situated on a breathtaking 5 square acre campus with state-of-the-art artist studios nestled into historic buildings. Artists of all levels come for the opportunity to uncover, develop and stretch their creative spirits. Originally a turn of the century working ranch, Anderson Ranch was converted in 1966 to an informal artists’ collective as the surrounding valley was establishing itself as a resort. An internationally renowned learning community dedicated to creativity and growth through the making of the visual arts. Visitors to Anderson Ranch can enjoy gallery exhibitions, regular artist and critic lectures, workshops, and special events throughout the year. The Ranch Café provides a spectacular dining experience. Programming at Anderson Ranch includes year-round workshops for beginner to advanced skill levels, as well as one of the most renowned artist’s residence programs in the United States. • ART IN UNEXPECTED PLACES The Aspen Art Museum (AAM) and Aspen Skiing Company (ASC) continue their longstanding collaboration called ‘Art in Unexpected Places’ for the 2015–16 ski and ride season with new lift ticket artwork as well as a new site-specific installation at Elk Camp Restaurant in Snowmass. New York–based artist Shinique Smith combines an array of visual sources in her work. Incorporating graffiti, fashion, dance, Abstract Expressionism, and Japanese calligraphy, her practice addresses cultural and social issues around production, consumption, surplus, and waste.