This is that time of the year when the media reflects on the past 51 or 52 weeks through various presentations top 10 stories of the year, top news makers of the year, the biggest surprises of the year, the biggest disappointments, and so on.
Yet in 2020, there’s little disputing presidential election and social-justice causes not withstanding that the pandemic had the greatest impact on our daily lives than anything else.
People lost jobs. People struggled financially, socially and personally. People got sick. Businesses shuttered and failed. Schools closed. Ski areas closed. Events and festivals were canceled.
But life forged on and people came together.
Snow covers Highland Bowl in the early morning from Aspen Mountain on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk open on Friday. The Aspen Skiing Co. announced Thursday what terrain will be available on opening day. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times)
The recent snowfall will allow Aspen Highlands to make an impressive season debut on Friday, potentially including terrain in Highland Bowl.
The ski area will open with five chairlifts, “much” of the front side terrain as well as trails in Temerity and the Olympic side and possibly in the Bowl, according to Aspen Skiing Co.
“We are optimistic that a few runs in Temerity, and some of our steeper runs on the Olympic side (Deception, Why, Why Not) will be available,” Skico announced on its website Thursday. “We hope to have some of the G Zone runs in the Highland Bowl, however, we will delay if this approaching storm dictates that need for safety.”
Temporary closures in place as Skico preps slopes
Staff report
Three friends skin up Tiehack before opening day of Buttermilk in Aspen on Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. Uphill access will be closed as the mountain prepares to open on Dec. 18. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times)
Aspen Skiing Co. will temporarily close Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk/Tiehack to uphilling on some days this week as it prepares the ski areas for their official opening Friday.
Tiehack is closed Tuesday through Thursday for all uphilling.
“We will be using the winch cat to prep that side of the hill,” Katie Ertl, Skico senior vice president of mountain operations, said in a recent email to people who signed up for a specific newsletter on uphilling issues.