Aspen Mountain, CO, Rebrands Pandora Terrain Expansion as ‘Hero’s’ in Tribute to Community Figures Yesterday, Aspen Skiing Co. officials announced that the much-anticipated terrain expansion at Aspen Mountain, CO, will be called “Hero’s” instead of the previously-considered “Pandora.” The renaming is a tribute to individuals who have made significant contributions to Aspen as both a mountain community and a skiing destination. “Hero’s” will span 153-acres and includes a new high-speed quad chairlift. Individual trails […] Industry News SnowBrains | September 13, 2023 0 Comments
Aspen Skiing Co. Asking Public to Name Trails in Pandora Expansion Aspen Skiing Co. (SkiCo) is asking the public to help name the trails at the resort’s new Pandora terrain, set to open 2023-24. An online form asks people to submit their suggestions under five categories: local people, local history, mining history, notable terrain, or greek mythology. Help us decide which trail names will live forever on our mountain when Pandora’s opens for the […] Industry News SnowBrains | October 17, 2022 0 Comments
Aspen Mountain, CO: Expansion Into Pandora Advances to Next Phases On Tuesday, The Pitkin County Planning and Zoning commission voted unanimously to give Skico the opportunity to pursue an amendment to the East of Aspen/Independence Pass Master Plan which could give Skico the go-ahead for the Pandora expansion project. Skico will pursue the amendment, although they will not be allowed to assist in the zoning process which could be lengthy. Skico […] Industry News Dominic Gawel | February 18, 2021 0 Comments
How To Build Your Ultimate Ski Quiver When you first get hooked on skiing, you probably only own one pair of skis or even rent them. As you progress, you eventually buy something more advanced. You quickly notice how completely different one ski can feel from another. Related: You Have A Ski Quiver, Should You Have A Boot Quiver Too? This is why many advanced skiers build […] Brains Brent Glogau | May 1, 2025 7 Comments
Aspen, CO, Named Most Expensive Vacation Spot in the U.S. Spring is now in full swing, and many are starting to plan their summer vacations. There are so many options to choose from. Even if planning a domestic trip, the U.S. has diverse options to appeal to anyone’s preferences. When planning such a trip, cost is a major consideration. Thankfully, the travel experts at Optimus Travel have analyzed the cost […] Industry News Brent Glogau | April 30, 2024 0 Comments
Buying Women’s Skis Can Be Harder Than You Think After skiing the same Völkl Kikus for eight years, it was time for a change. Don’t get me wrong, I loved those skis, and they served me well. They are still my teaching skis for days when I know I’m just lapping the magic carpet. But those skis have taken a massive beating, and it was time to upgrade. It […] Gear Gabrielle Gasser | March 8, 2024 16 Comments
Aspen Snowmass, CO, to Open New Expansion for 2023/24 Ski Season Aspen Snowmass, Colorado, resort-goers will have access to a new section of the mountain this upcoming season. The new expansion is called “Hero’s” and is part of Aspen Mountain’s Master Development Plan. The Hero’s area was previously a side country gem at Aspen but will now be accessible by a new high-speed quad chairlift which is also called Hero’s. Aspen […] Industry News Seth Tuuri | November 16, 2023 0 Comments
[VIDEO] What it Took to Create a New Trail Map for Aspen Mountain, CO Aspen Snowmass discusses what it took to create a new mountain trail map for Aspen Mountain that incorporates the new Hero’s area. Artist Rad Smith put in a lot of detail, care, and commitment to produce the beautiful hand-rendered map, a craftsmanship that is becoming increasingly rare in the industry. The video also discusses the exciting impact the map will […] SnowBrains | October 19, 2023 0 Comments
Everything New at Aspen Snowmass, CO, for Winter 2023-24 | Opening Dates Announced Operating Dates also Announced, with Aspen Mountain and Snowmass Opening November 23, 2023 The winter season in Aspen Snowmass approaches in fewer than 70 days, with Opening Day scheduled for Thursday, November 23. With the unveiling of a major new terrain expansion on Aspen Mountain, and the return of World Cup ski racing to our slopes, Aspen Snowmass anticipates the coming […] Industry News SnowBrains | September 15, 2023 0 Comments
Colorado Ski Country USA Resorts Debut New Terrain, New Lifts, and New Experiences for the 2023-24 Ski Season Riding the “snow-mentum” from a new statewide skier visit record of 14.8 million during the 2022-23 ski season, the member resorts of Colorado Ski Country USA are gearing up for another fantastic season complete with brand-new terrain, new lifts, new restaurants, and new investments in housing and childcare for ski industry workers. “Resorts throughout Colorado Ski Country USA are making […] Industry News SnowBrains | September 14, 2023 0 Comments
The Top 5 Biggest Upcoming Ski Resort Expansion Projects Bigger is better, right? This year, we saw our favorite ski resorts complete expansion projects, finalize plans, or break new ground. Here is an update of the biggest and the boldest so you can plan your trip accordingly in the coming seasons. Deer Valley Resort, UT Alterra Mountain Company recently announced that Deer Valley Resort in Utah’s Wasatch Mountain Range […] Industry News Kenneth Condon | September 9, 2023 0 Comments
The 11 Most Anticipated Upgrades and Expansions Coming to North American Ski Resorts This Season and Beyond Two consecutive seasons of record skier visits signal that the U.S. ski industry is healthy and that the demand for outdoor recreation is strong. To keep up with the demand, many ski areas are improving, upgrading, and expanding their operations. The thought of faster and bigger lifts, new terrain to explore, and an overall enhanced experience only makes snow enthusiasts […] Industry News Brent Glogau | August 28, 2023 0 Comments
[PHOTOS] 1st Powder Day of the Season at Aspen Snowmass, CO, After Storm Dumps 12″ Snow An overnight storm brought significant snowfall across the mountains at Aspen Snowmass, CO, on Tuesday November 29th for the first powder day of the season. Related: Aspen Skiing Co. Asking Public to Name Trails in Pandora Expansion The storm, which comes at the start of the season’s second week, dumped 8 inches on Aspen Mountain and 11 inches at Snowmass. The new snow […] Industry News SnowBrains | November 30, 2022 0 Comments
Indy Pass Adds 4 More Resorts in the Northeast | Now 125 Resorts From $329 New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Maine get new Indy resorts to kick off the 22/23 season The Indy Pass has added Peek’n Peak Resort in Western New York, Tussey Mountain in Pennsylvania, Catamount Outdoor Family Center in Vermont, and Rangeley Lakes Trail Center in Maine. All of these new resorts will offer unrestricted access for Indy Base Pass holders. Related: […] Industry News SnowBrains | November 29, 2022 0 Comments
Indy Pass Adds 2 More Resorts in Colorado | Now 103 Resorts on Skiing’s Best Value Pass Granby Ranch and Echo Mountain are the third and fourth Colorado resorts to join the coalition The Indy Pass has added Colorado resorts Granby Ranch and Echo Mountain to its growing roster for the 22/23 season. They join Colorado’s Sunlight Mountain and Bluebird Backcountry, both added in the past few months. Granby Ranch will blackout the Christmas Holiday, and all […] Industry News SnowBrains | November 15, 2022 0 Comments
Aspen Snowmass, CO, Receives Up To 2-Feet of Snow Aspen Mountain and Snowmass Scheduled to Open Thanksgiving Day, November 24th Winter showed up in late October with a series of cold storms dropping more than two feet of snow at higher elevations over the last several days. In the last 24 hours, Aspen Snowmass has seen up to 13″ on some of its mountains, marking the ramp-up to winter […] SnowBrains | October 27, 2022 1 Comment
Indy Pass Adds Further 12 Resorts, Including 1st in Eastern Canada 133 resorts now offer two free days each or discounted lift tickets to Indy Pass holders The Indy Pass announced today that Calabogie Peaks Resort in Ontario would become the first Eastern Canadian resort to join the coalition of independent mountains. In addition, three other full Alpine partners, four cross-country resorts, and four Allied resorts have been added. “The Indy Pass […] Industry News SnowBrains | October 11, 2022 1 Comment
Indy Pass Adds Midwest and Colorado Resorts | 3 More Resorts Join Snowriver, Michigan – Chestnut Mountain, Illinois – Bluebird Backcountry, Colorado join the coalition for the 22/23 season. The Indy Pass announced today that Illinois’ most popular winter resort – Chestnut Mountain, will join Michigan’s newest named resort – Snowriver, and Colorado’s only non-lift-served resort – Bluebird Backcountry, to offer two days each to passholders this season. Related: Indy Pass Adds […] Industry News SnowBrains | September 6, 2022 0 Comments
Indy Pass Adds 2 Popular Resorts in California | Now Offers 106 Resorts Worldwide The co-owned resorts bring Indy Pass to five mountains in the Golden State and 16 on the West Coast The Indy Pass announced today that two of California’s most popular independent resorts have joined the coalition for the 22/23 season. Mountain High, in SoCal’s San Gabriel Mountains, is now conveniently paired with Snow Valley, while the Bay Area’s Dodge Ridge […] Industry News SnowBrains | August 24, 2022 0 Comments
Mt. Hood Meadows, OR, Joins the Indy Pass The premier Oregon resort becomes Indy’s largest by skier volume The Indy Pass is proud to announce that Mt. Hood Meadows, Oregon is joining its coalition of independent resorts for the 22/23 season. Mt. Hood Meadows is one of the largest independently owned and operated resorts in the US and features 2,150 acres, 11 lifts, 85 named runs, and 430″ […] Industry News SnowBrains | July 26, 2022 1 Comment