Aspen Skiing Co. President and CEO Mike Kaplan stunned employees Wednesday night with announcement of his retirement one year from now, in April 2023. Kaplan made the announcement at a party celebrating the long service of several employees. “There were a few hands over mouths and sad reflections,” said one Skico employee who was in […]
The Aspen Times
Posted inNews, Outdoors
It has been 20 years since snowboarders were allowed on Aspen Mountain following a “big stink”
By Andrew Travers, The Aspen Times ASPEN — It was billed as a generational battle, as an on-mountain culture clash, a safety hazard and “the end of Ajax.” But when the Aspen Skiing Co. finally opened Aspen Mountain to snowboarders on April 1, 2001 and then for the 2001-02 season, the result was an anti-climactic […]
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The Aspen Police Department wants $300,000 to try out Tesla cop cars
By Jason Auslander, The Aspen Times The Aspen Police Department has an idea that not only harkens back to the agency’s old days of Saab patrol cars, it helps combat climate change. They want the Aspen City Council to spend $311,000 on five new, all-electric Teslas for police administrators with an eye toward replacing the […]
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Aspen Skiing Co. can charge skiers an uphill access fee, Forest Service rules in decision that could have ripple effects
By Scott Condon, The Aspen Times Aspen Skiing Co. acted within its rights as a special use permit holder on national forest to implement a new fee for uphillers, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Roger Poirier, recreation staff officer for the White River National Forest, said ski area operators are required to file an […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Former Aspen mayor Herman Edel dies at 95
Herman Edel, a former mayor of Aspen, died Friday in Ashland, Oregon. He was 95. Edel served two terms as mayor, from 1979 to 1983, in which time he was instrumental in organizing a significant restoration of the Wheeler Opera House and led early efforts in building affordable housing, according to his son, Scott Edel. […]
Posted inColoradans, News
“Miracle dog” survives a month in Maroon Bells wilderness near Aspen after getting lost
By Scott Condon, The Aspen Times ASPEN — A little cockapoo relied on a big heart, wily wits and maybe a little luck to survive four weeks in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area near Aspen. Bella disappeared June 18 while hiking the Capitol Creek Ditch Trail with Betsy and Jim Chaffin and their extended family, […]
Posted inColoradans, News
YouTubers build replica of “Dumb and Dumber” mini-bike, retrace ride from Nebraska to a little place called Aspen
By Andrew Travers, The Aspen Times Like most people who saw “Dumb and Dumber” when they were kids, Zach Courts and Ari Henning have re-watched it countless times and can rattle off quotes and whole scenes of dialogue. Unlike most people, these grown men and professional motorheads now have a YouTube channel and a budget […]
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A “once in a lifetime” bond: Aspen mourns the death of Zoot the avalanche rescue dog
By Kaya Williams, The Aspen Times Aspen lost a beloved mountain figure this week in longtime avalanche rescue dog Zoot, an 11-year-old Airedale terrier. He died Monday after a month-long battle with cancer, according to owner and Aspen Mountain ski patroller Brad Benson. In the days after, countless members of the local mountain community have […]
Posted inColoradans, Environment, News, Outdoors
Colorado wildlife officials use helicopter to transport and study pregnant elk near Aspen
By David Krause, The Aspen Times Elk have been roaming the Roaring Fork Valley for centuries, and the gang that makes its way around Sky Mountain Park has given visitors a taste of mountain life and locals a reason to pause when they go by on their morning or evening commute. The herd between Aspen […]
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Missing Carbondale man found dead in backcountry near Snowmass
A missing Carbondale man was found dead Thursday after a two-day search at Snowmass Resort, according to a Pitkin County officials. Rescue personnel found David Cross, 32, deceased in “very hazardous terrain” in the West Willow area off Snowmass Ski Area, according to a news release. Cross had snowboarded into difficult backcountry terrain that can […]