Aspen is located 256 miles west of Denver, or 52 miles South of Glenwood Springs, CO at Exit 216 on Interstate 70.

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Snowmass offers a sneak peak this weekend only, November 11 & 12th, to open for season Saturday, Nov. 18th Check out these images taken today on the slopes: http://www.aspensnowmass.com/information/home.cfm?area=skier&contentURL=medi a_center.cfm

ASPEN/SNOWMASS VILLAGE, Colo. - Winter weather has taken over and nearly three feet of fresh powder has fallen on Aspen/Snowmass in the past week. More than a foot (14 inches) has fallen in the past 24 hours alone. Aspen Skiing Company (ASC) will open Snowmass to skiers and snowboarders on Saturday, Nov. 11 and Sunday, Nov. 12, a week earlier than originally scheduled. To celebrate the early opening, lift tickets and parking at Snowmass this weekend (Nov. 11 and 12) will be free. Snowmass will close on Monday, Nov 13 and will re-open on Saturday, Nov 18th.

"We are off to a fantastic start on all four Aspen/Snowmass mountains this season, with cold temperatures and plenty of early snow," said Mike Kaplan, vice president of mountain operations. "This great weather has brought us the opportunity to open early and we are going to take advantage of it."

Snowmass is currently reporting an 18-inch base and the Fanny Hill high-speed quad chair and the Coney Glade high-speed quad will be operating for access to three trails. Trails will open and close as conditions permit. To ensure smooth and soft conditions on the open terrain, the lifts will close from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. for grooming.

Skiers and snowboarders can pick up a free ticket before entering the maze at the base of the Fanny Hill lift. All Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen will be operational on Saturday and Sunday offering private and group lessons for all ages. The Cirque Café, at the end of the Snowmass Village Mall, will open for indoor dining, and the picnic deck at Spider Sabich will feature music and will serve grilled items, salads and more.

According to Kaplan, another 18 inches of natural snowfall will allow the opening of additional terrain on Snowmass, possibly the Big Burn and Alpine Springs. The official opening of Ajax and Snowmass is Saturday, November 18. Buttermilk Mountain and Highlands are on track for their scheduled opening on December 16.

As the snow continues to fall and the snowmaking efforts run around the clock, crews at Ajax are one week away from completing snowmaking on the course for the 2000 Chevy Truck Aspen Winternational - Women's Alpine World Cup Ski Races, to be held November 23-25. More than 100 of the world's top ranked female ski racers representing 25 countries will compete including 1998 Olympic super G Gold Medallist American Picabo Street who is making a return to ski racing on the World Cup circuit. The Thanksgiving weekend event includes the races, a winter carnival, opening ceremonies, fireworks, music and après-race party.

Back this season by popular demand, adult lift tickets, valid all season, are $39 per day when purchased by Dec. 1, 2000. This price is based on a six-day ticket and represents 40 percent savings off the 1999/2000 single-day price. Tickets can be purchased at www.aspensnowmass.com.

Springtime vacationers can also receive discounted ticket purchase options at $29 per day on a three-day or longer lift ticket if purchasing by March 15, 2001 and are valid beginning Saturday, March 31. ASC is planning a Spring Jam for the month of April that will include on-mountain events, concerts, special clinics and more. For the first time, Ajax will be open to both skiers and snowboards kicking off Spring Jam on April 2 running through April 22.

For up-to-the minute reports on Aspen/Snowmass snow conditions and opening information, call 800-525-6200 (970/925-1220) or visit www.aspensnowmass.com.