ASPEN/SNOWMASS OPENS FOR SUMMER OPERATIONS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND SATURDAY, MAY 25

NEW THIS SUMMER
• Elk Camp Chairlift joins Elk Camp Gondola Seven Days a Week
• Nighttime Events at Elk Camp
• Snowmass Weekend Operations through September

Aspen/Snowmass, Colo., June 6, 2013 – Aspen Mountain will open the Silver Queen Gondola on May 25 for weekend operations. Aspen Mountain summer activities will go into full swing on Saturday, June 15 and Snowmass will open for daily operations on June 22.

NEW THIS YEAR
The Elk Camp chairlift will be open seven days a week this summer along with the Elk Camp Gondola, delivering bikers and hikers to an extensive and recently expanded network of trails. Previously the Elk Camp chair ran only on weekends.
Snowmass will open for evening activities with Valhalla Nights, an extension of the popular Ullr Nights that debuted this winter at Elk Camp on July 12 and 19 and August 2, 16, 23 and 30. The Elk Camp Gondola will run until 7 p.m. for biking, hiking, dinner and drinks, a bonfire, live music, movies, a Stryder Park and a kid's playground.

For the first time, lift service will continue on weekends through September at Snowmass for great biking and hiking . The Elk Camp Gondola and Elk Camp Chair will run on Saturdays and Sundays, September 7-8, 14-15, 21-22 and 28-29 for lift served mountain biking and hiking.

ASPEN MOUNTAIN
The Silver Queen Gondola resumes daily service on June 15, operating from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Daily activities including the climbing wall, disc golf, obstacle course and other family activities will take place throughout the summer. Classical music on Saturdays and Bluegrass Sundays will begin the weekend of June 15-16 and continue through September 1 at the Sundeck. The Sundeck will be open from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. offering a full lunch menu with grilled items, fresh sandwiches, vegetarian dishes, homemade pizza, salads, desserts and beverages.

SNOWMASS
The Elk Camp Gondola and Elk Camp Chairlift will be open daily June 22 – September 2. The gondola will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the chairlift will run daily from 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. A full system of downhill and cross country mountain bike trails, hiking trails and other activities will be available. In addition, bike rentals and instruction are also available.
Elk Camp Restaurant located at the top of the Elk Camp Gondola will be open daily and food will be served daily from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Information on the Summer 2013 Camp Aspen/Snowmass programming which runs June 3 - August 30 can be found at www.aspensnowmass.com/camps.
SNOWMASS RODEO CELEBRATES 40th ANNIVERSARY
We are excited to announce that the Snowmass Rodeo is celebrating 40 years of continued success this summer. Our authentic Western rodeo takes place every Wednesday evening June 12- August 28 providing guests a night of wholesome family entertainment. Watch Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding, Team Roping, Barrel Racing and more. Children can participate in the popular calf scramble and mutton busting, and adults can play too with team burro racing. Enjoy a BBQ dinner or an iced cold beverage from the full cowboy bar. Vendors offer a variety of shopping and entertainment as well. After the rodeo, a campfire, sing-a-long and marshmallow roast complete a perfect Colorado evening. For more information call 970.923.8898 or go to www.snowmassrodeo.org.

SUMMER EVENTS
For summer events in Aspen/Snowmass go to www.snowmasstourism.com or www.aspenchamber.org.
Master of the Mass, a four-stage, three-day mountain bike race in Snowmass is scheduled to take place, July 12-14, 2013. Registration is now open at www.aspensnowmass.com/master.

The Power of Four Mountain Bike Race will take place Saturday, August 3. This race combines the four ski areas of Aspen/Snowmass – Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk – into one challenging course. The diversity of terrain and a requirement to ride four distinct mountains makes this event the only one of its kind.

PHOTOS – Summer photos are available for editorial use here: www.flickr.com/photos/aspensnowmass/sets/72157633152758724

Stay tuned for more information about on-mountain activities for both Snowmass and Aspen Mountain click here www.aspensnowmass.com/events-and-activities/summer-activities or call 970/925-1220.

Aspen Skiing Company operates the four mountains in the Aspen/Snowmass area - Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk - as well as the award-winning Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen/Snowmass. The area offers unparalleled nightlife and off-slope activities as well. Aspen/Snowmass is accessible by two of the most convenient airports in the mountains – Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) (3 miles from Aspen) and Eagle County Airport (EGE) (70 miles from Aspen). For more information on Aspen Skiing Company, please call 800-525-6200 or 970-925-1220, or visit the company's website at www.aspensnowmass.com.