Snowmass Village

Snowmass Ice Age Discovery Update

In October of 2010, a bulldozer operator working in Snowmass Village uncovered the bones of a 43,500 year old Columbian mammoth.  This discovery has turned out to be the most significant scientific discovery in Colorado and possibly the country. In just 18 days of excavation, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science crews recovered approximately 600 bones and bone pieces but had to stop the dig due to inclement weather.  

A scientific team of 37 experts from 18 institutions from the United States, Canada, Spain and England returned to the dig site in spring 2011. In just seven weeks, crews unearthed more than 4,500 fossils and identified 20 different vertebrate animals from the site including seven large mammals: American mastodon, the most prevalent large animal at the site; parts of at least 10 giant bison; parts of at least 4 ground sloths; parts of at least three Columbian mammoths; along with deer, a horse and an ancient camel.  The fossils are currently going through a preservation process at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Scientists are now using the findings as an opportunity to learn more about the Ice Age history of the Rocky Mountains.  The museum estimates that between 30 and 50 mastodons have been found making the Snowmass discovery one of the richest Mastodon sites in the world. The Town of Snowmass Village’s Ice Age Discovery Committee, the "Tusk Force" is building a long‐term strategic plan to capitalize on the educational and economic development opportunities this discovery can offer.  A short illustrated article about the fossil find will appear in the February 2012 issue of National Geographic Magazine.  And “Ice Age Death Trap,” a one-hour NOVA-National Geographic program about the fossil find, will premiere on Rocky Mountain PBS on February 1, 2012. 

 

Visit the free Snowmass Discovery Center which opened March 11, 2011, on the Snowmass Mall next to Gene Taylor’s to help learn the Ice Age Discovery story through creative displays, educational panels, a half size wooden mammoth, videos and interactive programming.  Open Daily from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  For more information and updates go to www.snowmassiceage.com or http://www.dmns.org/science/the-snowmastodon-project.

American Announces Nonstop Service from Dallas/Fort Worth & LAX to Aspen/Snowmass
New daily nonstops now link Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado to two key International Gateways to Australia and Japan; making it easier than ever to travel from Texas, Los Angeles and South Florida – along with dozens of other markets.  The service will run from December 15 through April 2, 2012; then resume June 14 through August 20, 2012.  American joins both United and Frontier, which also serve the Aspen/Snowmass market year-round.

United Airlines has added three new flights servicing Aspen/Snowmass including a fourth daily flight from Los Angeles, a second from Houston, and one more from Denver. This is nearly a 20 percent increase over last year and is on par with the 1997-98 season when five airlines operated in Aspen. United Airlines also offers four daily flights from Chicago and two from San Francisco. Combined with American Airlines entering the Aspen air market and Frontier Airlines continued service to Aspen/Snowmass, this winter will bring the most seats available to and from Aspen/Snowmass in over a decade.

Westin Hotel Comes to Snowmass

The Silvertree Hotel and Conference Center, the first conference center in a Colorado mountain resort and a longstanding favorite of meeting planners, ski groups and leisure guests for over 25 years, has been recently purchased by a joint venture between Starwood Capital Group Global, LLC and Wasserman Real Estate Capital.  The purchase also includes the Wildwood Lodge and approximately 20,000 square feet of retail space within the Snowmass Mall.  Although detailed plans are in the preliminary stages of development, the venture will result in very significant renovations to the hotel, including all rooms, meeting space and public areas.  Upon reopening, the hotel will operate under a Westin brand while the Wildwood Lodge will remain under an independent flag but will be managed by Starwood Hotels.  The hotel and Wildwood lodge will receive a total interior redesign and refurbishment and will be the site of a new state-of-the-art spa/exercise facility and a relocated more accessible full service restaurant.  The interior of the Conference Center will also be refreshed. The new owners will bring the signing of both group and transient business year round. Most of the renovations will occur during 2012 with minimal to no disruption to the Conference Center. 

 

Timberline Condos have completed a $2.1 million renovation new slope-side outdoor heated pool and hot tubs, new steam room, fitness center and a men’s and a women’s changing room. Woodrun V owners invested more than $2 million this fall, on exterior and interior remodels. Major ski access improvements and a stunning new exterior renovation of the east side townhomes (Phase III).  The Edge Restaurant & Bar at the Timberline Condominiums debuts on the Snowmass Village dining scene adding its own unique menu. Chef James Mazzio created an exciting menu featuring “global mountain fare” with fresh fish, seafood, pasta, burgers, soups, salads, scrumptious desserts and a children’s menu.  The Edge is open for après ski and dinner daily from 3:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. For more information, please call (970)-923-4000.  

New Elk Camp Mountain Restaurant
Aspen Skiing Company (ASC) began construction this summer on the new Elk Camp Restaurant (replacing Café Suzanne) which will be located adjacent to the top of the Elk Camp Gondola at Snowmass in 2012. The $15 million dollar project will provide a restaurant with seating for up to 300 guests and include summer and evening event space. The project is scheduled to be LEED Certified and to implement advanced heating systems with other green materials to beat local energy codes by an estimated 30 percent. Elk camp will be ASC’s fifth LEED certified building, following closely on the heels of Sam’s Restaurant (Gold).  The restaurant will open 2012-2013.

The Villas at the Snowmass Club and The Stonebridge Inn are both happy to offer an on-site Incline Ski & Board Shop, the leading ski and snowboard rental shop in Aspen/Snowmass.  Rent equipment, get a tune, or try out the latest gear with some of the best brands in the business including K2, Rossignol, Salomon, Volkl, and Atomic skis for adults and juniors. Snowboard rentals include GNU, K2, High Society, Salomon, and Lib Tech, and more.  Equipment may be picked up the evening before skiing or snowboarding in order to avoid the morning rush. 

The Stonebridge Inn also recently redecorated all guest rooms to include flat screen televisions and new bedding.

The Stonebridge Inn pool house features a state-of-the-art workout area with the latest in exercise equipment and locker rooms fully stocked with amenities including steam rooms, sauna and hot tubs.  The Stonebridge Inn is now partners with Full Circle Massage, Esthetics & Yoga; specializing in massage, facials, yoga and more.  

The Gorsuch Family is dedicated to bringing you products that have lasting value, quality and craftsmanship, designs worthy of being cherished for years and generations to come at their new Gorsuch store located on the Snowmass Mall. Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Call 970-923-9673 for more information.

Enjoy gourmet junk food at the new Burger Bar serving amazing burgers, salads, and bar food.  From mac and cheese, homemade Spaghetti O’s, to gourmet beef burgers starting at $8; as well as lamb, chicken, turkey, vegetable, and fish. Offering daily specials, flat-screen TVs, DJ’s and live music.  Indoor and outdoor seating available, open seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to midnight, located in Base Village.

Try out the new Village Tavern located at the Snowmass Center close to the Village Market.  Village Tavern offers a laid-back environment that is fun for the whole family.  Chef Joe serves up unbelievably good-tasting sandwiches at affordable prices.  Happy Hour Specials include appetizer deals and $1 off all drafts from 3:00 pm to 5:00 p.m. Open daily at 11:00 a.m. For more information call 970-923-9553.

The Aspen Candy Company is the new candy store for the 2011-12 Snowmass winter season.   It offers over 500 varieties of candy and sweets from jelly bellies, variety of gummy treats, nostalgic candy, lollipops, handmade chocolate truffles and fudge, ice cream and assorted baked goods.  They also cater to birthday parties, weddings, groups and events of any size. For more information go to www.aspencandycompany.com. Open from Noon to 8:00 p.m. daily located in Base Village.

 

MEDIA CONTACT:  Patsy Popejoy, Public Relations Manager, Snowmass Tourism, 970-922-2285 or ppopejoy@snowmasstourism.com.  Go to www.snowmasstourism.com for more information.