05 Summit Expression Session - Use this thread for talk

[deepcarver]

Hi all,

You can get the Aspen Classic Pass for 4 or 7 days this year. Only one catch, you must be in person to buy it. They are going on sale in Glenwood Springs Oct. 23-24 and in Denver West at Christy Sports Oct. 30-31. The 4 day pass is $129, and the 7 day pass is $199. For more info. on the Aspen Classic Pass and more dates around CO, call 800.525.6200.

In other news Sue and I are now living in Edwards, CO and may be able to house a few on thier way to SES 05. We plan on attending most, if not all of the event this year. We have 3 extra showers and lots of floor space, just 2 extra beds, sorry!

For those driving to Aspen, we now own Marko's Pizza in Gypsum, CO which is on the way up. Stop by and have some good food and drink before making the long haul to Aspen. Gypsum, CO is two exits before the Glenwood Springs canyon.

Hope all of you are well,

Todd

[JoelP]

FYI on some Glenwood (GWS) info. I live here so I hope this helps someone. GWS is only 10 minutes from Carbondale and if you miss every light it may be 13 minutes. Another 10 minutes to Basalt (not much lodging in Basalt).

From my house to the base of Buttermilk usually takes me 45 minutes and a good day may be as little as 40 minutes. Only once did it take me about 1 hour and 15 minutes in a dumping storm. The roads are usually well taken care of but once in awhile they can't keep up. If it's dumping then just get up early and leave early, eat breakfast at the mtn.

Add 5 minutes if you go to Snowmass, Aspen or Highlands. Also add time for the Snowmass shuttle if you park in the free lot, then it takes about another 10 minutes from the lot to the base.

That covers your travel time, you add in your changing/goofing off time to that above.

GWS is a cool town with more to offer (my opinion) than Carbondale or Basalt. Much cheaper than Aspen/Snowmass. Many great restaurants to choose from and 1/2 the price too.

If you have questions feel free to write me at jparker@sopris.net

Have fun, Joel

[Pat Donnelly]

Further details are also available on line. . .

http://www.aspensnowmass.com/classicpass/

[Michelle]

I just talked to Resort Express and they do charters from Denver to Aspen. If anyone is interested, it would be $82 one way, and we would have to pick a time that works for everyone. We could do a couple of vans, but this rate is based on 10 people/van. Otherwise, you can go online and get a deal for $79 from DIA to Hwy 82 and Brush Creek Rd which is Snowmass. You can then get a taxi or friend to bring you the rest of the way in to town. You can also book a door to door shuttle DIA to Aspen for $104.

If you are interested in this, please email me and I will keep a running list of people. In January I can let everyone know what is going on with the transportation, maybe sooner if this gets a big response.

[yyzcanuck]

Originally posted by JoelP
.... eat breakfast at the mtn.

Just don't tell everyone where THE breakfast spot is in GWS!! There weren't many seats, and I don't want to wait!

[pm_wizard]

Dave,

We'll have to get up pretty early for breakfast if it's a 45 min plus drive to Aspen!!!!

Save me a seat.

John

[D-Sub]

man that sucks about that classic pass thing...gotta be there to buy...

guess its intended to benefit colorado residents. fair enough

wonder if theres a way to work around that one?

[Michelle]

You have to be there because they take your photo - it's just like a season pass but only good for a few days. Sorry

[D-Sub]

yeah...I see how it works...just sucks

too bad you cant mail in a photo

[Pat Donnelly]

But once you get your mug in Skico's system you can renew the following year by telephone.

[Jim Callen]

Also, I may be able to house 2 or 3 people at my place. I just need to ask my roomate about it. I live about 2 minutes from the slopes, and a 5 minute bus ride. Plus theres' a bus stop right next to my condo. If anyone is interested, please e-mail me.

[Michelle]

No plans for ski plane this winter to Aspen from DIA

By Naomi Havlen
October 20, 2004

A flight from Denver to Aspen that in the past has worked for a quick ski trip won't be running again this winter, in part because the airlines have learned to schedule planes to better serve out-of-state visitors.

The Aspen Ski Plane was a hit during the winter of 2001-2002, when it offered a round-trip flight between Denver and Aspen and a lift ticket for $99 plus tax. It was less popular the following season when it was offered only on weekdays.

The reason for the plane's demise this year and last is simply because of a new, more convenient schedule United is offering to Aspen that benefits flights connecting to Aspen from out of state, but leaves no room for a ski plane from Denver. What made the ski plane work for United Express was the fact that it had an empty plane running between Denver and Aspen early every morning.

"The first flight is now timed to make inbound connections from many of our top markets - Dallas, Chicago and Washington, D.C., to name a few," said Bill Tomcich, president of Stay Aspen Snowmass, the town's central reservation agency. "It's no longer an empty repositioning flight."

The ski plane didn't operate last winter - Tomcich said if it had, it would have had a very frustrating schedule.

"We counted maybe eight days in February and seven day sin March when flights were available in both directions to create a day trip up to Aspen," he said. "So instead of frustrating guests with never being available, why launch the program in the first place?"

The good news, however, is that flights are filling up throughout the holidays, and the connections make it easier for out-of-state guests to come quickly from Denver to Aspen after first arriving in Colorado.

"United has a much better schedule," Tomcich said, especially considering that guests from elsewhere in the country and the world spend their money on lodging and dining in Aspen, compared to day-trippers who ski, eat lunch and leave as it's getting dark.

[trailertrash]

Any body coming from the Boston area want to join up and rent a car/room.
Thanks
John

[Jeffrey Day]

...how's it going? Hey John, I don't know if you'll remember me, but I had gone to the Redbones night a few weeks ago! Anyway, I've been tossing around the idea of going out this year. Shoot me an e-mail and we'll see what we can hash out for some pre-liminary ideas, budgets, etc.
Talk to you later!

Happy trails!

[MozzMann]

I've been watching the Web Cams in the US from here in the southern Highlands and since my Tickets and vouchers for accomidation arrived today, I'm starting to dream of what the 2005 SES is going to be like . I guess I'll find out in 3 months 14 Days 15 Minutes if the Plane isn't late See you all soon .

MozzMann aka Maurie

PS The Oz Carve Web site is down due to my domain name agent's balls up .

[fin]

See ya there Mozzmann!

[MozzMann]

Oh Fin Mike said to say G'day to ya .

I think you know of whoi'm I speak ,

He's going to be in or around Aspen some where near the SES Dates and I think he's seriously changing some of his plans to get there.

Cheer's

[GeoffV]

I am thinking about going this year. Never been to the SES. Jeff I just dropped my boards off at Mikes and saw your new 167, looks great. I can get great rates on car rentals through work close to 50% off. Jeff you going with Bob J or is he doing his own thing.

[dantheman0177]

Mozz,
Got my air ticket booked on Friday. $1649AUD MEL - LAX so I am all systems go. I will be staying at the St Moritz when I get around to finalising that booking (spent all my spare cash on the plane tix).
Where are you flying into and when?
If I get up to Sydney before Feb I will drop you a line and try to catch up for a beer.

CAN'T WAIT PEOPLE!!!

Dan

[ARCrider]

how many people are going to Summit county after SES for week two? The extended session Feb20-25. I'm set already with my 4pack of tix for Breck, Keystone and A-Basin.
Haven't arranged accomodation yet. Any suggestions Fin? Bob?
Fireside hostel?
Beaver Creek is also on my list for a day visit.

[MozzMann]

Dan I leave Berridale and fly from Canberra on the 12th and into Devner and on to Aspen by 15:00 local on the 12 Feb and leave Aspen 20:30 on the 19th

[Jeffrey Day]

Hey Geoff,

Thanks for the kind words on my 167! The color of it sure draws the comments! I've been talking with John M. from Lynn, MA...so we have a group of 3 that are potentionally interested in working out some details about going out to The SES!! If we can find one more(or more!), we could look into finding a nice condo close to one of the ski areas!
Geoff & John, I'm not looking to spend alot of money on a condo, but seeing that this is a vacation, I like the idea of a ski in/ ski out condo! We would just have to agree on which mountain to stay at.
Geoff, it sounds like John & I are on the same page as far as wanting to go out on Saturday the 12th and returning on Sunday the 20th. how long are you thinking about going out for? Oh and discounts on car/suv...Excellent!!

That is it for now! Happy trails!

[gmarsden]

If you want ski in/out, I think your best
choice is Snowmass, which is what I
decided to do. You are pretty limited
at the other hills if you want a condo near
the hill.

[GeoffV]

Originally posted by Jeffrey Day
Hey Geoff,

I'm working on Ben Schurman right now. Lodging costs is a huge expense, so I'm still trying to price that out right now. But if I go I'm doing the whole trip 12-20th.

[reweston]

Would anyone be interested in going in on a 4-5 bedroom house for 7 nights during the event? If 5 of us go in on a house, it would be about $600 each MAX, less if there are couples staying in a room. I would be willing to do this with the right peeps.....I'm a 35 yo pharmacist from arizona, going solo. I party it up at night, put away the brew, but don't care to stay in a 'party house' for 5 days. In other words, I wouldn't be into inviting the whole hill over for a hoe-down. Here is an example of a house I am looking at for the week:

http://www.rentalsexpress.com/vacat...use6_rates.html

Also, if anyone else is going from AZ (very unlikely, I know), let me know maybe we can carpool. Thanks! If interested, email me at Robert.Weston@azwebmail.midwestern.edu

Robert

[nekdut]

Hey Fin/Michelle,

Are you guys going to allow us to ship you guys our equipment in advance to avoid airline hassles again this year?

Thanks,

Neil

[MozzMann]

What hassels did you have last year ???

You got me worried now!!

[nekdut]

Well some airlines can be pretty anal about their weight and dimension restrictions, as well as the fact its a snowboard and not skis. Depending on the trip I've found it easier to just ship my equipment ahead to where I'm going if there is a willing recepient

[GeoffV]

I'd like to hear from folks that have taking boards with them on the plane vs shipping. What if we just tell the airlines they are skis??? They wouldn't know the difference, heck I'll call it a mono board. I'm going to research the airlines to figure out what the cut off is before the surcharges kick. My longest board is a 195.

[Michelle]

Shipping Boards to Bomber :

Since this is an out of town event for us as well, please contact your lodging person and inquire about sending boards directly to them. We are going to have a lot of items to carry over, and the vehicles will be very full. If you get in a tight bind, and are desperate, then contact me and I will see what I can do for you.

Accomodations in Summit:

If you are coming early or staying late for an Extended SES, check out the accomodations list here . Prices are from last year, so you will have to contact the individual business for current rates. Fireside Inn in Brek is a B&B that is a bit out of the way (it's in Breck, about 1/2 hour drive from Copper, Keystone, and A-Basin. About 1 hour drive from Vail/Beaver Creek). Check out the SnowShoe Motel in Frisco (more centrally located) for cheaper accomodations with kitchenettes, or share a condo for even more savings with all ammenities. There are a few condos in Wildernest (in Silverthorne, also more centrally located) that are inexpensive, do a Google Search for Wildernest Condos Colorado and you will find plenty. Let me know if you still need help. Michelle

Accomodations in Aspen:

This is a copy of an email I got today. 3 Cheers for Roger, looks like he has come to the rescue!

"I've read some of the postings on your website re: cost of lodging. Well, good news: from now until December 1, the St. Moritz Lodge is offering our value season rates for SES attendees. Hostel beds are $41.00pp, and lodge rooms are $136.00pp. Reservations only for arriving February 12 (can do one or two on 02/13) with a six-night minimum-stay requirement. Must book directly with the lodge. Whining about high cost of Aspen is prohibited. Please post or forward this message where appropriate.


Roger Haneman
manager
St. Moritz Lodge & Condominiums
Aspen, Colorado"


St Moritz