Pitkin County is Taking Proposals on Glassier Open Space
Pitkin County is asking for proposals with what to grow on a parcel of open space. The Open Space and Trails Department is considering people interested in leasing land for agricultural use at the Glassier Open Space. That’s near Emma in the Upper Roaring Fork Valley. Open Space and Trails Employees will be doing a site visit in January to show the land to potential farmers.
Winter Wonderland Causes Travel, Backcounty Concerns
A storm continuing to blanket the Upper Roaring Fork Valley with snow has caused major problems at Aspen’s airport. Most flights were canceled yesterday. On Sunday, only one flight was able to land out of 32 that were scheduled. Eighteen flights were diverted to Grand Junction or sent back to Denver while fourteen flights to Aspen on Sunday were flat out cancelled leaving travelers to various ground transportation services.
As of last night, the resort booking company, Stay Aspen Snowmass, reports there were nearly 500 unclaimed bags at the airport. With weather in the forecast last night and today, Stay Aspen Snowmass has been advising travelers on options for ground transportation since rental cars are mostly reserved across the state. If weather clears up as forecasted, flying could get much easier as the week continues.
For those who were able to land in Aspen, or were already here, Monday’s winter wonderland proved exciting or a hassle. Becca Stein explored town while visiting from New York City.
“I’m in Aspen for the week, and I’m not a skier, laughs, so I’m just relaxing, and so basically the snow just makes it even prettier than it already even was. So I’m enjoying it very much.”
As for snow outside city limits, Colorado avalanche experts are hoping not too many people are lured out into the backcountry. There’s an avalanche warning against skiers and snowboarders venturing beyond ski area boundaries. So far it’s scheduled to continue through part of today. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center says avalanche danger has risen dramatically in recent days with high winds also to blame. In many locations there is a heavy, slabby layer of snow that could fracture causing snow to slide downhill.
Blase Reardon is the avalanche forecaster for the Aspen area. He ran some safety tests yesterday on Richmond Ridge behind Aspen Mountain.
“We were able to trigger some slides remotely, on steep slopes, and then saw one natural. This was all below treeline.”
Reardon described very few warning signs like cracking in the snow before it started to move. He and other avalanche experts recommend against being in the backcountry through this afternoon. Travelers who do venture out should avoid being on or under steep slopes as well as gullies below treeline.
