Aspen/Snowmass skier visits up; state figures are down

Skier visits in Aspen/Snowmass through February were up slightly over last year, Aspen Skiing Co. recently reported. The company says it is outperforming other resorts in the state, a statement bolstered by Colorado Ski Country USA's issued press release that said skier visits were down 2 percent through February (as compared to 2008/09).

Skico spokesman Jeff Hanle said the number of local lift tickets sold increased by between 1-2 percent over the same period last year.

Snowmass benefited the second most of the four local areas; Buttermilk notched the largest percentage increase. Increased marketing dollars, more international visits plus a boost in business during President's Week helped to push the numbers up over last season.

CSCUSA's figures don't includes those of the four Vail Resorts areas, which also include Beaver Creek, Keystone and Breckenridge. However, Vail said last week it's visits are down slightly for the year, 1.6 percent, over last season. The state's ski industry did see some increases in February due to better snowfall, however, CSCUSA reported.

Sleep later, ski longer

Certain chairs on all four area mountains are now running until 4 p.m. for the rest of the season in order to take advantage of the time change.

Hours are being extended on the Village Express, Sheer Bliss and Elk Camp Gondola at Snowmass; Silver Queen Gondola and Ajax Express at Aspen Mountain; Exhibition at Aspen Highlands; and Summit Express and Panda Peak at Buttermilk.

The Skico is also celebrating the extra sun with extension pricing for holders of Flex passes and classic passes. Flex pass holders can purchase extension days for $39 per day, and classic passholders can purchase extension days for $59 per day for adults, $35 per day for college-age customers and youth.

The extension days will be offered through April 11. Call (970) 925-1220 for more information.

Aspen boys basketball comes oh-so-close

Eyes fixed on the hardwood and hands clutching his shorts, Andrew Papenfus lingered near the foul line as a group of Aspen players headed for the scorer's table.

Moments later, the guard jogged off the Moby Arena court and into the waiting arms of teammate Walker Moriarty. Papenfus pulled his jersey over his head.

He let the tears flow.

There would be no fairy-tale ending for the No. 2 Skiers in Saturday night's 3A state basketball title game. There would be no leap of Faith.

Aspen hung with top-seeded and favored Faith Christian well into the second half, pulling to within four points after trailing by 12 at half-time. In the end, however, untimely turnovers, errant shots and the Eagles' solid play were too much to overcome. Faith prevailed, 57-47, clinching its third-consecutive golden ball. (By Jon Maletz/The Aspen Times.)

Michael Ward grabs a podium

Teams from all over the United States and Canada came to Steamboat Springs recently to compete at the 2010 Junior Olympics in Nordic Combined and Special Jumping.

Fritz Carpenter, 16, of Aspen qualified onto the strong Rocky Mountain Division (RMD) Team with good results from earlier competitions this winter. Other members of the RMD team were Steamboat J2 skiers Erik Lynch, Alec Gantick, Ben Berend, Nicholas Madden, Jasper Good, Jake Barker, Zeb Tipton, Mary O'Connell and Madison Keefe. Members of the RMD team in the J1 class were Steamboat native Cliff Field, Brush Creek resident Michael Ward, and Madison, Wis. native, Adam Loomis. Ward took second in the J1 class during the first day of competition in special jumping. Later in the week during a fun elimination round of jumping, Ward finished fifth.

Grappling for a win

Area teens Nick de la Torre of Aspen Village , Stacy Albridge of Basalt and Brandon Forbes of Glenwood Springs took top honors in the Naga.com Grappling tournament in Denver on March 13. Grappling is also known as “submission wrestling.”

Under the guidance of local Ernest Mendez, Nick was first in heavyweight teens., second in the super heavy weight division, competing against someone more than 80 lbs. heavier! Stacy took second in beginner's masters and Forbes showed his potential but did not place in the event.

Blitzenbanger is Saturday

On Saturday, March 20, KSPN, celebrates its 40th birthday with KSPN Blitzenbanger celebration at Aspen Highlands.

Festivities begin at 9 a.m. with the on-mountain scavenger hunt that includes 103 prizes to be given away. The beer festival benefiting Challenge Aspen will kick off at 2 p.m. and live music from The Great Divide Band will entertain at the base starting at 3 p.m. at the Northwoods Lodge. There's even a swimsuit contest at 4 p.m. with a prize package giveaway from the Viceroy-Snowmass. For details, go to www.kspnradio.com