12,095′ Independence Pass, CO, Closed For the Season After Snow Buries the Road There’s now only one way for motorists to get in and out of Aspen until late May. The Colorado Department of Transportation announced yesterday it had closed the Independence Pass winter gates on Highway 82 between Aspen and Twin Lakes for the season after a foot of snow blanketed the scenic bypass over the weekend. Related: 12,183′ Trail Ridge Road in […] SnowBrains | October 31, 2023 0 Comments
12,095′ Independence Pass, CO, Will Open for the Summer on Thursday May 27th Hwy-82, Independence Pass, in Colorado, will open for the summer as scheduled at noon on Thursday, May 27th, a Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) spokeswoman said yesterday. Crews have been working hard on the 12,095-foot pass to clear snow, rockfall, and avalanche debris. Independence Pass crosses the Continental Divide at 12,095 feet above sea level and connects Aspen and Twin […] SnowBrains | May 25, 2021 0 Comments
VIDEO: Skier Triggered and Caught in Avalanche Near Independence Pass, CO on November 9, 2020 The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) has had several reports of skier triggered avalanches the past couple of days. Related: Utah Avalanche Center Warn of the Dangers of Early Season Snow The video above is of a skier triggered avalanche in Mountain Boy Basin near Independence Pass on Nov. 9. The skier was caught and carried but was able to […] Avalanche AvyBrains | November 10, 2020 0 Comments
Trip Report: Independence Pass, CO – Couloir Skiing on the Last Day of Summer The fall equinox was today (September 22, 2020), marking the official end of summer. What better way to send off summer than with a great day of couloir shredding in the high country? Two weeks ago, a late summer storm brought the Rocky Mountains up to two feet of snow in some places. The wind-loaded chutes and gullies with up to four […] Trip Report Clay Malott | September 23, 2020 0 Comments
Couple Trapped in Vehicle Overnight After Driving Off Independence Pass, Near Aspen, CO At approximately 11:20 a.m. on Friday, August 21, 2020, the Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center was notified by the Colorado State Patrol of an unknown injury accident in the area of mile marker 61 on Colorado State Highway 82. Mile marker 61 is the summit of Independence Pass and is also roughly the boundary between Pitkin and Lake County. […] SnowBrains | August 24, 2020 0 Comments
David Lesh Fined $500 and 50-Hours Public Service For Snowmobiling on Independence Pass, Aspen, CO Former pro-skier David Lesh, 35 was yesterday fined $500 and ordered to perform 50 hours of public service this summer for illegally riding his snowmobile near the summit of a snowless Independence Pass near Aspen, CO last year. “We’re happy to see the charges were filed and went through.” White River National Forest supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams Three Aspen-area ecologists were astounded […] Industry News SnowBrains | June 17, 2020 2 Comments
UPDATE: Snowmobiler Broke Both His Legs in Independence Pass, CO Avalanche Earlier This Month Two snowmobilers triggered an avalanche near Independence Pass in Colorado on April 7, that caught, carried, and injured one of them. Additional information from the CAIC has just been released, detailing the extent of the snowmobiler’s injuries. The organization said in a Facebook post: On April 7, a snowmobiler triggered and was caught in an avalanche south of Independence Pass. […] Avalanche AvyBrains | April 15, 2020 0 Comments
Snowmobilers Trigger Avalanche Near Independence Pass, CO: 1 Caught, Carried, and Injured The Colorado Avalanche Information Center is reporting that two snowmobilers triggered an avalanche near Independence Pass in Colorado yesterday evening, April 7. One snowmobiler was caught, carried, and injured in the slide. Below is the preliminary report by the CAIC: Two snowmobilers were riding in the Mountain Boy Gulch area near Independence Pass. Riders 1 and 2 rode several times […] Avalanche AvyBrains | April 8, 2020 0 Comments
Snow Closes Independence Pass, CO for the Season | Earliest Closing in 9-Years Recent snowstorms, the latest this weekend, have brought enough snow to close Independence Pass near Aspen, CO for the winter, the earliest closing in 9-years. “It was getting very difficult for our crews to keep up with the amount of snowfall on the Pass,” said Lisa Schwantes, spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Transportation. “Once that happens … it’s safer […] Industry News SnowBrains | October 29, 2019 0 Comments
VIDEO: Recent Avalanche on Independence Pass, CO Colorado avalanche mitigation officials are getting the first reports of avalanches in the high country. A natural avalanche occurred on Independence Pass on Wednesday, October 23rd. Over a foot of snow has fallen since last week in Colorado and more is on the way, making snow conditions increasingly dangerous throughout the state. Avalanche SnowBrains | October 28, 2019 0 Comments
Men Accused of Illegal Snowmobiling on Independence Pass, CO Bragged About it on Social Media Two men caught snowmobiling on the snow-less ground in the Independence Pass area, near Aspen, CO look like they’ll be caught thanks to their bragging of it on social media. Related: VIDEO: Snowmobiler Sends It Off HUGE Cliff and Lands Like a Boss Three Aspen-area ecologists were astounded earlier in July when they came across two snowmobilers running their sleds […] SnowBrains | July 18, 2019 0 Comments
Independence Pass Near Aspen, CO Expected to Open on Friday | Latest Opening in Over 10-Years Independence Pass near Aspen, CO is expected to open Friday evening, a Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman said yesterday, for the latest opening in over 10-years. CDOT generally attempts to have the pass open on the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend, but due to high snowpack and avalanche debris left over from the winter season, crews had more work to do […] SnowBrains | May 30, 2019 0 Comments
Opening of Independence Pass, CO Will Now be Delayed Into June The annual spring opening of Independence Pass is likely to be delayed into the first week of June, which would be more than a week later than normal, reports the Aspen Daily News. “I am guessing we are into the first week of June to get the pass opened,” Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Tracy Trulove said Tuesday. ”Our guys […] Weather WeatherBrains | May 16, 2019 0 Comments
Natural Avalanche that Destroyed Guard Rail May Delay Opening of Independence Pass, Aspen, CO While clearing the 12,095-foot Independence Pass, Colorado Department of Transport (CDOT) crews discovered that a natural avalanche has destroyed a 300-foot stretch of the guardrail, potentially delaying the opening of the pass for the first time in 5-years. Related: CDOT Launched 1,500 Avalanche Ordinances this Winter – 22 Failed to Explode and May Be a Threat to Hikers The pass, closed […] Avalanche AvyBrains | April 26, 2019 1 Comment
Weekend Storm Means Independence Pass, CO at 12,095-Feet Now Closed Until May 2019 There’s now only one way for motorists to get in and out of Aspen until late May. The Colorado Department of Transportation announced yesterday it has closed the Independence Pass winter gates on Highway 82 between Aspen and Twin Lakes for the season after a foot of snow blanketed the scenic bypass over the weekend, reports the Aspen Times. CDOT closed […] Conditions Report SnowBrains | November 6, 2018 0 Comments
Large Avalanches Close Independence Pass & Loveland Pass in Colorado Yesterday afternoon, a large avalanche came down onto Loveland Pass and closed both lanes. Loveland Pass reopened late last night. At least one car was trapped in the snow. Last Thursday, a large avalanche ran onto Highway 82 on the Leadville side of Independence Pass closing the road in both directions for 90 minutes. No vehicles were caught in the slide. You’d think that by the end of May, avalanche closing roads in Colorado would be a thing of the past. Not this year. Above […] Avalanche SnowBrains | June 1, 2015 0 Comments
7 Caught, 3 Injured, 2 Killed at Independence Pass, Colorado Avalanche “Some of the avalanche activity that we’re seeing right now, particularly in the past couple of weeks across the state of Colorado, are as big as they’ve run in decades.” – Brian Lazar, deputy director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center Seven skiers were caught in an avalanche on Star Mountain on the east side of Independence […] Avalanche SnowBrains | February 16, 2014 2 Comments
Indy Pass Acquired By Tech Provider Entabeni But Maintains Independence Indy Pass is being acquired by Entabeni Systems, the long-time trusted partner that runs the technology platform on which Indy Pass has been built. Indy Pass founder Doug Fish will continue to lead Indy Pass as it grows its independent resort roster. Entabeni — “mountain” in Zulu — is the leading tech provider for smaller, independent ski areas. It focuses entirely […] Industry News Julia Schneemann | March 2, 2023 0 Comments
[VIDEO] Indy Pass and Teton Gravity Research Unveil Trailer For ‘In Pursuit of Soul 2: Midwest Independence’ Jackson, Wyo. (October 18, 2022) – Teton Gravity Research (TGR), the global leader in action and adventure lifestyle media, today unveiled the trailer for their newest short film, In Pursuit of Soul 2: Midwest Independence. Inspired by a partnership with Indy Pass, the fastest-growing multi-resort ski pass product in North America, and supported by Atomic Skis, this film tells the story of […] Industry News SnowBrains | October 18, 2022 0 Comments
The Mountain Passes and Roads in the United States That Close Every Winter There are approximately 4,219,172 miles of roads in the United States, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Each winter, some roads are closed due to inclement and hazardous conditions. States like California, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming have seasonal road closures each winter that drivers must be aware of. There are also passes and roads in the East and Northeast […] Brains Gregg Frantz | October 3, 2025 0 Comments
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