Aspen, CO – The Maroon Bells are a spectacular set of mountain peaks outside of Aspen, Colo., and are one of the state’s most photographed scenes. Tourists who flock to see them draped in spectacular autumn colors, however, will be disappointed to find the Maroon Creek Road barricaded a half mile below the U.S. Forest Service entry portal, closing off the only vehicular access to the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area.
The current shutdown of the U.S. Federal Government, precipitated by the funding impasse currently underway in Washington D.C., has forced most government functions deemed non-essential to close, including most aspects of the U.S. Forest Service. Why the Forest Service felt it necessary to close a public road as a result of the shutdown is unclear, especially as the road remains open to pedestrians and bicyclists, but many autumn visitors to the Aspen area are bound to be left disappointed by the closure.
Enter Aspen Skiing Company (ASC). The resort company’s Silver Queen Gondola on Aspen Mountain will operate free of charge to offer spectacular views of fall foliage to the public this weekend, the final weekend of summer operations.
“The Bells may be closed but the bucket’s open,” said Rich Burkley, vice president of mountain operations, Aspen Skiing Company. “We know people come to Colorado from all over the world this time of year to see the stunning scenery and with the road closure and the difficulty of access for many people, this gives our guests a chance to view forests blanketed in gold and crimson from the summit of Aspen Mountain. We are hopeful for a quick resolution as we know many in our community and around the country are negatively affected by the shutdown.”
The Silver Queen gondola is a scenic 14-minute ride over an explosion of fall colors to the top of Aspen Mountain. The Sundeck will remain open for food and drinks, and there will be live music on Sunday with the Goodman band. The gondola will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6. Four-Mountain Sports will also be open for bike rentals for those that had their heart set on a trip to the Maroon Bells this weekend.
Southwest of Aspen, Arizona Snowbowl, high in the San Francisco Peaks above Flagstaff, Ariz., has announced that in response to the government shutdown the resort will extend its scenic chairlift rides to seven-day-a-week operation through Sunday, Oct. 13.
“We are pulling together our staff to operate the chairlift everyday, instead of just on the weekends, in response to those who may have looked forward to their trip to places like the Grand Canyon and Lake Powell only to find these attractions closed because of the government shutdown,” said Arizona Snowbowl General Manager J.R. Murray.
With fall colors at their peak right now, Murray says, even though visitors’ plans may have changed, they won’t be disappointed. “We’re experiencing an unbelievably gorgeous window between thunderstorms and the first frost.”
“We are very pleased that the Arizona Snowbowl has opened the Scenic Chairlift Ride, which is an awesome visitor experience at high elevation that visitors of all ages will treasure for a very long time,” said Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Julie Pastrick. “Our volume of visitation is very high and the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce has compiled a list of places to go throughout Northern Arizona that visitors are very happy to receive.”
Arizona Snowbowl’s Scenic Chairlift Ride will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Monday through Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for juniors (ages 8-12) and seniors (ages 65-69). Those under 7 or over 70 ride for free, as do Snowbowl Season Passholders.