Springtime in Aspen

Nothing in the world compares to Springtime in Aspen.

If you arrived here from out-of-town on Monday, your experience could have gone something like this: Negotiating the curve onto Main Street, you cruise slowly (Actually, slowly is all you can do – there’s a 25 MPH speed limit.) along the road, gazing at a profusion of wildflowers and flourishing lawns. Victorian houses in myriad hues, cottonwoods and evergreens line the avenue. Words like, “green,” and phrases such as, “blue skies” suddenly have new meaning for you, as you realize you’ve never seen greener greens or bluer skies. Banners strung across the road announce various festivals and events. Aspen Mountain looms to your right, much more awe-inspiring in real life than you ever would have expected from photographs you’ve seen of it. A crystal blue heaven stretches above you; an occasional white cloud ambles on by. The air is silk on your bare arms. Scents of florals and French pastries come to you, as subtly soft as a first kiss.

The sun is hot. You’re looking forward to a few laps in the pool at your Aspen destination. You dash from your car to pick up a copy of the Aspen Times. A headline announces, Ski Aspen Mountain this weekend.

Huh???

The article (which appeared in the June 9 edition) reads: “With an average of 3 feet of snow still covering the upper slopes of Aspen Mountain, the Aspen Skiing Co. will open the top of the mountain to midday skiing this weekend. Seven runs and some 45 acres of mostly intermediate terrain will be served by the Ajax Express lift, the Skico announced Monday. Those with an Aspen/Snowmass Premier, Silver or 6-and-under passes can ski or ride for free. All other Aspen/Snowmass passholders will be charged a discounted rate — adult passholders pay $19, youth and senior passholders pay $17 and child season passholders pay $12. Adult single-day tickets will be $29 per day, youth and seniors will pay $26 and children’s tickets will be $18. Tickets will be sold at the Aspen Mountain ticket kiosk on gondola plaza from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, beginning Thursday. Regular summer rates will be in effect for foot passengers.”

Warm as the weather has been, we still had snowfall in town as recently as last Wednesday. This weekend, we expect mostly clear skies with temperatures in the 80s.

Of course, you never know. Could rain and thunder, could hail, could snow. Could tornado, for crying out loud. (My husband and I, in Loveland on May 22, had the experience of a lifetime as we watched a tornado tear on through, perhaps only a mile from us.) (But, please rest assured. Odds of a tornado in Aspen are . . . um . . . astronomical.)

There’s a phrase we’re all familiar with in these here parts: “Don’t like the weather? Wait ten minutes.”

Having lived here for more than twenty years, I know this (to some degree) to be true.

Having lived here for more than twenty years, I also know this to be true. . . . Nothing in the world compares to Springtime in Aspen.

This Weekend’s Events
Food & Wine Classic – June 13-15 at Wagner Park
Hudson Reed Ensemble presents a play “Speed-the-Plow’ at the Black Box Theatre. Tickets are $20, available at the Wheeler Opera House and http://www.aspenshowtickets.com/.
Live Music at Belly Up:
The Hollywood Stones - June 14 -Tickets (general admission): $35 VIP Tickets: $150, $250 (SOLD OUT), $750 (SOLD OUT), $1,000, $5000 and $10,000. Doors: 8 p.m. for VIPs; 10 p.m. (general admission) Showtime: 10:30 p.m.Rolling Stones cover band plays a Best of the Stones live concert in a benefit for the Children’s Heath Foundation’s Lunch for Life Initiative and Food & Wine’s Grow for Good campaign. Tickets include dinner prepared by award-winning chef Michel Nischan, fine wines and cocktails.
The Radiators - June 15 - Tickets: $23 in advance, $25 day of show Doors: 8 p.m. Showtime: 10 p.m.The long-standing kings of New Orleans-infused swamp rock and rhythm and blues return to Aspen for a second appearance during their 30th anniversary tour.
Mick Fleetwood Blues Band - June 15 - Mick's Uncorked Tour features a full concert in the intimate setting of Fanny Hill Amphitheater in Snowmass Village plus showcases his Private Cellar Wines. Doors open: 5pm. Showtime: 6:15pm. All tickets GA. VIP: $125; Lawn: $50