Aspen Skiing Company announced today that with the start of summer operations, the top of Aspen Mountain will be open for skiing and riding on Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-27. Heavy spring snowfall has left the top of the mountain covered in snow as the traditional summer operating season begins.  With a base depth of 33 inches up top, the mountain will open with 16 runs and nearly 90 acres of mostly intermediate terrain, served by the Ajax Express chairlift.

Skiing and riding will be from the 11,212-foot summit with uploading and downloading on the Silver Queen Gondola from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The gondola will be running from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. with last ride down at 4:30 p.m. for regular summer operations. The Ajax Express chairlift will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Open runs will include Silver Bell, Pussyfoot, Silver Dip, Blondie’s, Dipsy Doodle, Dipsy Headwall, Summit, Buckhorn, Pumphouse, Tourtelotte Park and North American. The Sundeck restaurant and Ajax Tavern will be open for dining and beverages.

“We’ve received nearly four feet of snow since Aspen Mountain closed,” says Rich Burkley, vice president of mountain operations, Aspen Skiing Company. “In fact, it’s snowing at the top of Aspen Mountain right now. If it won’t quit snowing we shouldn’t quit skiing.”

Aspen/Snowmass Premier, Premier Silver and 6-and-under passholders ride free with their 2012-13 winter passes.  All other Aspen/Snowmass passholders pay a discounted rate for skiing and riding; adult, senior and youth passholders (age 13 and up) will pay $18 and child season passholders (age 4-12) will pay $9. Skiing/riding tickets will be $36 per day for ages 13 and up. Children’s (age 4-12) tickets will be $18. Tickets will be sold at the Aspen Mountain ticket kiosk on Gondola Plaza from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Regular summer rates will be in effect for sightseeing tickets.  Tickets can also be purchased online at www.aspensnowmass.com and over the phone by calling 970-923-1227.

Four-Mountain Sports, located at 520 E Durant Street, will be renting skis and snowboards for $29/day and will be open for rentals from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition, enjoy the spring season by renting skis and a bike on the same day for just $50*.