The Aspen Mountain terrain expansion offers more top-notch skiing and riding while paying homage to the hero’s journey and the many legends who made the project possible.
STANDING at the top of the new Hero’s terrain on Aspen Mountain, views of Independence Pass unfold to the east while the Roaring Fork River flows along the valley floor directly below. These vistas, along with more than 150 acres of new chutes, glades and trails, debuted this past season increasing the flagship mountain’s skiable acreage by 20%.
The new area is accessed via a brand-new high-speed quad, also called Hero’s, and includes 1,200 vertical feet of terrain ranging from intermediate to advanced, plus an extension of favourite expert runs such as Walsh’s, Kristi, and Hyrup’s.
The Hero’s area is a not-so-new frontier for many, more a local stash of side country packed with history, ski town intrigue, and secret steep turns. In the 1970s, Aspen Mountain Patroller Tim “El Avalanchero” Howe knew opening access to this area could be like opening Pandora’s Box— driving ski bums near and far on an eternal chase for snow-induced bliss and unleashing the inevitable pandemonium around that ever-present quest for untouched powder. Decades later as this dream becomes a reality, Hero’s “El Avalanchero Glade” pays tribute to Howe.
Aspen Snowmass took this kind of lore into consideration when thoughtfully naming the new trails. The first major addition to Aspen Mountain since the installation of the Silver Queen Gondola in 1985 meant an opportunity to pay homage to the area’s people, patrol, history, mining roots, and exceptional terrain—as well as the late Jim Crown, co-owner and visionary of Aspen Skiing Company for nearly four decades.
A survey was sent out to the local community calling for ideas, and submissions poured in. All the while, staff sifted through pre-existing names used by patrol and operations, the topography’s historic mining claims, and the many personal anecdotes and tales the terrain carries.
Notable names include “Fat City,” a cheeky reference to the infamous late writer and Aspenite Hunter S. Thompson; “Elli’s” after Elli Iselin, the resort’s first female ski instructor; “Hodge Podge” honouring William Hodges, who helped open Aspen Mountain; “Cory-Bob,” saluting fallen patrolman Cory Brettmann; and "Mike Drop,” which tips a hat to Mike Kaplan, the company’s recently-retired longtime CEO and a key player in making the Hero’s project happen. Names utilized by patrol and operations over the years that will remain include “Harris’s Wall,” “Powerline,” and “D’Kine Bowl.”
The Hero’s project planning and execution included a whole systems approach—considering environmental health, community impact, and skiers’ experience. “The Hero’s terrain gives lift-serviced access to the snowiest terrain on Aspen Mountain,” says Vice President of Mountain Planning, Mak Keeling, who was key in the development of the area, which holds snow better than other aspects of the mountain.
“It will double the skiable acres above 10,000-feet in elevation, allowing everyone to spread out while enhancing the experience on Aspen Mountain.”
Not only does the addition diversify Aspen Mountain’s terrain mix and offer more skiing on the upper portion of the mountain, but it also acts as a functional hedge against future climate-challenged ski seasons: with its north-facing, high elevation terrain. This area is ideal for holding snow in seasons when natural snowfall is less plentiful.
“The steep chutes and the long glades are unlike anything else on Aspen Mountain, and the views of Independence Pass are second to none,” says Keeling. Skiers and riders will feel like they’re deep in the backcountry (though only minutes away from town or a meal at the Sundeck) and hopefully, like they’ve become part of this mountain’s layered story—their own hero’s journey.
To experience Hero’s for yourself this winter, let Mogul Ski World’s Snow Travel Experts create your dream Aspen Snowmass snow holiday. Early Bird Specials are on offer now for a limited time, so reach out on reservations@mogulski.com.au to start planning today.
Aspen Snowmass has four unique mountains accessible on one lift ticket with over 1300 metres of vertical. Spend a week, or more, and explore the diversity of Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk.
All mountains have a great variety of trails to suit all levels and are easily accessible via local transport between the areas.
Aspen Skiing Company | Hero's, The Journey from Aspen Snowmass on Vimeo.
