Steppin' Out Magazine - Colorado Springs entertainment - lifestyle - dining

Three mountains, 4,100 acres, miles of corduroy and hundreds of inches of fresh powder add up to unlimited fun for snowboarders. Aspen/Snowmass has always been a rider's haven, and improvements for the 1998/99 winter season won't disappoint loyal‑or new‑fans.

Snowmass, the flagship of the three snowboarding mountains, has expanded acreage, new terrain parks and halfpipes, and some of the best natural snowboarding terrain in the world, making it the snowboarding Mecca of the Rocky Mountains. Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk Mountain provide perfect complements. Highlands provides big adventure with its famous steeps and glades, along with long, mellow cruising runs. Buttermilk's rolling terrain provides training ground for boarders at any level seeking a breakthrough to new skills.

Snowmass (Mecca)

On top of its 3,010 acres and 4,406-foot vertical rise, the big mountain will be adding a multitude of new amenities, making it the snowboarding Mecca of the Rockies.

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Air junkies will enjoy the two new halfpipes, kept in top condition by a new Pipe Dragon groomer. Located in the Coney Glade area, one pipe will be 400 feet long and constructed to world-class competition specifications. Right next to it, a second pipe will provide a mellower learning environment. Shallower than the competition pipe and 250 feet long, the teaching pipe will serve as a venue for riders to hone their technique before jumping into the big pipe. Both will be served by a handle-tow lift, enabling riders to get in as much airtime as possible. And a new sound system at the halfpipes will provide music to help get riders' adrenaline flowing.

New this winter, members of the halfpipe and terrain-park crews will serve as "ride guides." These skilled riders will give mountain tours between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. everyday to point out the best snowboarding terrain. The guides will also be at the halfpipes from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day, giving tips on pipe riding. In addition, Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen will offer Friday Halfpipe Clinics, taught by some of the area's best riders.

A new yurt will be located above the park/pipe area, offering a place for hungry riders to grab a snack. A giant tent, the yurt will offer quick "power" food, such as pizza, drinks and energy bars.

The Coney Glade area will also be home to a new terrain park. Open to skiers as well, it will feature tabletops, spine ramps and fun boxes. In addition to the park, a run from the top of Elk Camp to the bottom of Assay Hill will be set up especially for riders. Four miles long and descending 3,000 vertical feet, it will be loaded with terrain-park features.

A new teaching terrain park will be located on Granite, an intermediate trail in the Alpine Springs area. The park will be full of terrain-park features like tabletops, fun boxes and spine ramps, but the features will be smaller, enabling riders to practice their technique and get a feel for being airborne.

Snowmass will host a series of eight halfpipe and boardercross competitions from late December through April. The halfpipe events will be on Saturdays, and the boardercross on Sundays. Most of the series will be held at Snowmass, with Buttermilk hosting some of the halfpipe and boardercross events, and Aspen Highlands hosting some boardercross. In addition, Snowmass will be the site of several USASA (United States Amateur Snowboarding Association) events throughout the winter.

Beyond the manmade parks and pipes, Snowmass has ample "natural" terrain parks. Tom's Trace and Naked Lady are just two of the many runs full of hits and rollers. When the first "official" trail opens on Burnt Mountain this winter, snowboarders will be treated to a quiet backcountry-like experience and acres of glades and powder stashes. Until now, Burnt Mountain has always been a playground for only those skilled in backcountry techniques. However, this winter will see the opening of a new 100-acre intermediate trail in the area. The run, which will be groomed periodically, will wind three miles through the forests of Burnt Mountain, just east of the Elk Camp area. Another 100 acres of gladed terrain above the run will also be opened. Snowboarders will be able to access the area from a catwalk at the top of Elk Camp. Those wishing to "earn" extra turns, backcountry style, can hike from Elk Camp to the top of Burnt Mountain. An additional 70 acres of gladed intermediate terrain is also being added to the Big Burn and Two Creeks areas.

Snowmass is famous for its corduroy, carving and cruising, with runs up to five miles long. Local riders' favorites include Sneaky's, Bull Run, Sheer Bliss, The Edge and Campground. In fact, Denver's Westword newspaper named Sneaky's the best cruising run in Colorado.

Aspen Highlands

Aspen Highlands was one of the first resorts in the state to allow snowboarding, and its boarder-friendly reputation is even stronger today. Highlands is known for its steep and adventurous terrain, but the area also has much to offer intermediate and beginner riders.

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Golden Horn and Thunderbowl are wide-open carving runs, made easily accessible by the new Thunderbowl lift, a triple chair running from the base of the mountain to the top of Golden Horn. Even expert riders will get their heart rate up on these runs—local snowboard and ski racers run gates here. Exhibition, Prospector and Nugget also come highly recommended by local riders for carving.

Highlands opened its terrain park last season to rave reviews. Designed by local riders, it will be located on Gun Barrel this winter. New this season, a boardercross course will be built on Heatherbedlam and will be a venue for competitions throughout the season. For really big air, locals know to grab a spotter and launch over the cornice into Steeplechase on a powder day.

Highlands' reputation for steep and deep riding is deserved, perhaps now more than ever. Through special efforts of the Aspen Highlands patrol, the Y Zones were opened for the first time last winter. Located on the periphery of the infamous Highland Bowl, the Y Zones constitute some of the steepest in-bounds terrain in Colorado. Riders must still earn their turns, though. The area is accessible only by hiking approximately 30 minutes from the top of Loge Peak.

Buttermilk Mountain

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Denver's Westword newspaper named Buttermilk the best terrain in Colorado for beginning snowboarders. Most of the mountain is groomed every night, and 74% of the terrain is rated green or blue. Buttermilk is also the home of the new Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen Adult Snowboard Camps. The two-day weekend camps will combine on-and off-slope teaching in a fun environment, with no more than three students per class. The program includes lift tickets, lessons, equipment, daily breakfast, lunch and apres-sport and a T-shirt, and costs $595.

More advanced riders will also find challenges at Buttermilk. The terrain park on the lower mountain's Spruce trail has long been a favorite with local and visiting snowboarders. New this winter, a halfpipe will go in the middle of the park, and the park features will be designed to complement the pipe. A new sound system will also be added, so riders can get air to their favorite music. Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen will offer Friday Halfpipe Clinics, taught by some of the area's best riders. New snowmaking equipment being added this winter will enable the park and pipe to open earlier than ever. The halfpipe will also serve as one of the competition venues for an eight-event snowboard series based at Snowmass, as will the terrain park for boardercross. A new teaching park will be on Jacob's Ladder run, enabling riders to practice tricks before moving onto the larger terrain features of the Spruce park.

Featured for the first time last year was a citizen's boardercross competition. Racers negotiated a series of banks, rolls, turns and jumps along a mile-long course as they tried to reach the finish line first. The competition will take place again this year and will be open to the public.

For more information on Aspen Skiing Company, please call 800/525-6200 or 970/925-1220, or visit the company's websites at www.skiaspen.com or www.rideaspensnowmass.com

March & April Events

*****March*****

Fridays— Budweiser Freestyle Fridays, freestyle skiing competition, Aspen Highlands, 970/925-1220.

3-7th— U.S. Comedy Arts Festival, 800/778-4633.

11th— Aspen Music Festival presents an evening of Winter Music, featuring pianist Yefim Bronfman, Harris Concert Hall, 970/925-3254.

16th— Aspen Music Festival presents an evening of Winter Music, featuring Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio, Harris Concert Hall, 970/925-3254.

19-20th— Aspen Ballet presents Romeo and Juliet at the Wheeler Opera House, 970/920-5770.

20th— America's Uphill Race, Aspen Mountain, 970/925-2849.

20th— 6th Annual Aspen Highlands Cardboard Derby, Aspen Highlands, 970/925-1220.

26th-4/4/99— Snowmass Banana Season, Snowmass, 970/923-2000.

27th— Aspen Music Festival presents an evening of Winter Music, featuring violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg. Harris Concert Hall, 970/925-3254.

*****April*****

TBA— Snowboard Festival, Snowmass, 970/925-1220.

4th— Easter sunrise services, Aspen Mountain, 970/925-1220.

4th— Closing day, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk Mountain, 970/925-1220.

7-11th— Aspen Filmfest presents the 8th Annual Aspen Shortsfest, a festival of short films, 970/925-6882.

11th— Closing day, Snowmass, 970/925-1220.

18th— Closing day, Aspen Mountain, 970/925-1220.

20th— Aspen Music Festival presents an evening of Winter Music, featuring Emerson String Quartet, Harris Concert Hall, 970/925-3254.

For more information, contact the Aspen Chamber Resort Association at 970/925-1940 or the Snowmass Village Resort Association at 970/923-2000.

For more information on Aspen Skiing Company, please call

800/525-6200 or 970/925-1220.