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Show Wed/Thurs/Fri, January 10-12, 2018 The Park Record B-7 Ski resorts respond to poor snowfall RICK CARROLL The Aspen Times ASPEN, Colo. – If you are new to skiing or snowboarding, come check out Colorado’s bunny slopes, one of the best things going on this season at the state’s ski areas. That’s one of the messages being touted by ski-area PR and marketing types during a season that so far has been plagued by a dearth of snow. In other words: Promote what you can, not what you can’t. “What we’re doing here is concentrating on the guest experience when they are here,” Aspen Skiing Co. Vice President of Communications Jeff Hanle said late last week. “We’re not going to go out and push some kind of snow message that inaccurately portrays what we have. “But we still have a lot of people here, and what we’re concentrating on is giving the best experience we can.” This season’s conditions on Colorado’s ski mountains have challenged those whose area of expertise focuses on seducing travelers rather than repelling them. You won’t hear them singing the praises of a 20-inch base, but you might hear them laud what else their ski areas or towns have to offer. For Aspen Skiing Co., that means pushing Ullr Nights at Elk Camp in Snowmass, where guests can snowbike, take in a snowshoe tour and eat s’mores by the bonfire. The new Breathtaker alpine coaster also has generated some good buzz for the ski resort, not only from Skico, but also from Colorado Ski Country USA, the marketing arm for most of the state’s ski resorts (minus the Vail prop- ANNA STONEHOUSE/THE ASPEN TIMES Ski and snowboard instructors gather their students for a lesson at Snowmass Mountain at Base Village on Saturday morning. erties). “This year has been a big year for mountain coasters,” CSCUSA spokesman Chris Linsmayer said. “Those are exciting things for folks looking for something to do that maybe isn’t skiing.” Along with Snowmass, Steamboat Resort and Copper Mountain debuted alpine coasters this season. Purgatory also plans to open one later this year, while Vail and Breckenridge offer the thrill-rides, as well. Meanwhile in the Aspen area, on-mountain events still scheduled are the U.S. Grand Prix, which starts Wednesday at Snowmass Ski Area, and the Winter X Games at Buttermilk from Jan. 25 to 28. Bill Jensen, partner and chief executive officer of Telluride Ski and Golf Resort, is in his fifth decade in the ski industry. Having endured the winter doldrums of 1976-77 and 1981-82, Jensen said the winter of 201718 — despite those unsightly rocks and grass peeping out of the snowpack — is considerably better because of snowmaking technology. “The ski areas have respond- ed,” he said. “Most all of the Colorado ski resorts have invested heavily in snowmaking. And one of our challenges is that we’re all so close to the sport and we chose to live in Colorado and live in a ski town, so the local expectations are significantly higher than someone on vacation.” Also a cyclist, Jensen said he makes annual trips to Europe for road trips. “I’ve gone on four-day rides in the rain in Europe,” he said. “Nobody in Colorado in their right mind would do that.” Yet visitors want to seize whatever opportunities they cannot get at home, Jensen said. Skico’s Hanle offered a similar view. “The thing I keep telling people is that if you go on a South Pacific surf vacation and there’s no surf, you’re still on an island on the South Pacific,” he said. “People coming to ski and ride, they’re coming for a break and vacation with family and friends, so you can still do all of those things. “We still think that as a community we are blessed with all of the things we have to offer in addition to skiing. We’re looking to push out that message.” Jensen is scheduled to speak Wednesday at a Telluride hotel in what an event advertisement describes as an open discussion about a “winter (that) has created uncertainty not seen in more than 40 years.” Telluride opened Dec. 7, 2017 — two weeks behind schedule because of the paltry snow conditions. Another mountain operation opening two weeks late was Sunlight Mountain Ski Resort in Glenwood Springs. The laidback ski area opened Dec. 21 with one run, which accounts for 75 of the mountain’s 680 acres. That sole run, as of Saturday, remained the mountain’s only skiable terrain. “Instead of trumpeting powder days, we are really starting to cater our messages to the beginners in the sport right now,” said Sunlight’s Troy Hawks, the resort’s director of marketing and sales. “It’s the perfect time to learn to ski and snowboard.” Colorado Ski Country’s website — featuring such blog headlines as “Little Snow, Big Fun” — also is promoting January, which annually is “Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month.” Those type of marketing messages will get the most attention until the next snowfall. “When we get the snow we like to talk about it,” Linsmayer said, “and that hasn’t changed.” Controlling the message with an upbeat tone, rather than focusing on snow conditions, is an obvious strategy, but one that requires thought. “(The weather) is out of everybody’s control,” Hanle said, “and everybody understands that. It’s the (snowmaking) crews that make this a great experience. I’ve had more people compliment our groomers and our ski patrol.” Some of the petS at NuzzleS & Co. lookiNg for love These animals are available to be seen at the Nuzzles & Co. Adoption Center and Rescue Ranch. Our Adoption Center is open Monday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is located in the Tanger Outlets in Kimball Junction. Our Rescue Ranch is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Sunday. The Rescue Ranch is located at 6466 N. Highview Road in Peoa. Mickey Dee Twinkie Cashew Lola Mickey Dee is a 2-year-old shepherd mix. She loves to play, is very smart, and already knows some basic commands. She’d prefer a home without other dogs, but doesn’t mind cats. She learns quickly and wants to please. Twinkie’s a happy 1-year-old high-energy lab mix. He knows some basic commands and loves fetch. He likes submissive dogs and chases cats if they run. He’s learning to walk nicely on a leash and not jump up to say hi! Cashew is a 1-year-old cattle dog/shepherd mix. He has lots of energy and needs a lot of exercise. He’s learning his manners and commands and is a smart boy! Cashew would do best as an only pet. Lola’s a 9-year-old Chihuahua mix. This cute senior loves to sit on laps and cuddle. She’s good with cats but can be picky with other dogs and guards her food. Lola’s looking for a home where she gets love and attention. Foxtail Squash Jonah Frostbite Foxtail’s a friendly senior tuxedo cat. He’s about 9-years-old and loves to lounge with his human and cat friends. He’s a gentle guy who is looking for a warm and loving forever home to call his own. Squash is a big, beautiful buff tabby boy. He’s 4-years-old and loves to be around people. He is an outgoing and social cat, and he will be a wonderful addition to a loving home in need of an expert snuggler! Jonah’s a handsome, longhaired Siamese mix with a soft coat and beautiful blue eyes. He’s about ten years old, and this senior is looking for a home where he can snooze the day away. He gets along with most other cats. His name is Frostbite but he’s anything but cold! He’d love to snuggle and keep you warm on a chilly night. Frostbit is about two years old and he’s an easygoing cat. He’s curious, friendly, and loves to be near people. WaNted: voluNteerS These Organizations are looking for volunteers. If you would like to include your group in this section, please email information to copyeditor@parkrecord.com. Please limit your entry to no more than 75 words Park City Hospital Park City Hospital is looking for volunteers to welcome patients, and to brighten their day with flowers, art and meals. Volunteers are also asked to perform a variety of other fun tasks. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old and commit to at least one shift of three hours per week. Please email lisa.graham@imail.org for more information. Park City Museum Do you love history and Park City? Are you interested in furthering your involvement in the community? The Park City Museum needs volunteers to help install and take down traveling exhibits, catalog and process collection items, assist in the Research Library, lead both adult tours and school group programs and assist as gallery guides. Please contact Jenette Purdy at the Park City Museum for information: 435-649-7457 or education@parkcityhistory.org. Park City READS Park City READS (Recognizing, Educating and Advocating for Dyslexic Students) promotes elevating literacy through early identification of struggling readers, effective reading interventions and appropriate classroom accommodations. Park City READS helps people navigate through diagnostic testing, school interventions, tutoring and technology resources. Membership is free and open to the public. For information about volunteer opportunities, contact ParkCityREADS@gmail. com or search for PC READS on Facebook. PCSD Good Neighbors Program Park City School District needs volunteers to help adult English-language learners or adults with limited literacy skills and confidence to live and thrive in our community. Tutor conversational English, grammar, reading and/or writing. Morning, afternoon, evening and weekend sessions are available and the time commitment is approximately three to four hours per week. For information, contact Judy Tukuafu at 435-615-0216 or jtukuafu@pcschools.us. Peace House The People’s Health Clinic is looking for volunteers who want to make a difference. We are open Monday through Friday and have volunteer opportunities (ages 17 and older) daily in vital sign intake, phlebotomy and Spanish/English interpretation. Fill out an online inquiry at www.peopleshealthclinic.org or contact our development office at 435-333-1863 Peer Connections Peer Connections, a program of Easter Seals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain, is in need of volunteers to act as peer partners for teens and young adults who find work and social settings challenging. Peers will volunteer at sites where they can help a student learn and practice workplace and social skills. To learn more about how you can help, email peers@esgw.org or apply online at bit.ly/peerpartner. lizy michelle janelle DEER CREEK TITLE & INSURANCE Michelle Huggins Confidence to close! 435.659.4407 dmichellehuggins@hotmail.com |