Powder Posse

More local perks.

One of the snow safety tools which the Aspen Highlands Patrol utilizes in its avalanche prevention efforts is ski tracking. In addition to boot packing, ski cutting and bombing, ski tracking plays an integral role.

Part of the problem with closing on April 6 and not reopening until April 19 is that there's no one out there skiing in the interim.

Not as big a deal if there's little or no new snow but . . .

We've had 9 inches in the last 24 hours. And there's more coming. In fact, it's falling right now.

So . . .

The Aspen Times 04/10/2008, Page A02
Aspen Highlands to form powder posse

Aspen Times Staff Report

Feel like making tracks in all that powder collecting on Aspen Highlands?

The Aspen Skiing Co. is organizing a "powder posse to ski track the mountain and break up the layers of accumulating snow on Friday. Though Highlands is currently closed, it will reopen for the final two weekends of April. "When planning to extend the season at Aspen Highlands, one of the risks was getting so much post-season snow that we'd be required to ski track the mountain. Fortunately, that concern has materialized, says a Skico email announcing the plan to round up a posse.

To join in the effort:
You must be an expert skier or rider in good physical shape.
You must be comfortable in deep snow on expert terrain.
Sign a waiver.
Bring lunch and liquids.

Interested participants should show up 9:30 a.m.Friday at Highlands. No ski pass is necessary and the parking will be free. Participants will be directed where to ski and ride. Posse members don't need an avalanche transceiver, shovel or probe, according to the Skico.