Lift 1A Closed for Up to 10 Days
The Aspen Skiing Company has closed Lift 1A at the base of Aspen Mountain for repairs. The Aspen Times reports the 43-year-old lift will be shut down for a minimum of eight to ten days while the company deals with a broken part in the lift’s gear box.
The International Ski Federation has asked the Ski-Co to upgrade the chairlift and surrounding base if it wants to continue to host World Cup races. A company spokesman told the paper the latest mechanical problem does not give credence to calls that the lift is antiquated. In June the Federation announced Aspen will hold the World Cup Finals in March of 2017.
Noah Hoffman on the Mend, Looking Forward
Aspen resident and cross-country skier Noah Hoffman says he plans to race in the world championships this year after suffering a broken fibula in November. The 25-year-old distance skier fell at a World Cup race in Finland and he’s been recovering ever since.
Noah Hoffman of Aspen is the U.S. Ski Team’s top distance skier. The World Championships are in Sweden in late February.
Carbondale Business Numbers are Up
Early reports show Carbondale saw a boost in lodging and sales tax revenue in 2014. The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce got the latest statistics at a recent retreat, where Carbondale town staff reported the early numbers. Andrea Stewart is Executive Director of the Chamber.
“The sales tax was up six to seven percent, and town had actually projected a 2% increase on sales tax, and ending the year at 6% or 7% is huge.”
Stewart says that’s especially important considering the disruption caused by months of construction work on Highway 133 through Carbondale. Lodging tax was up 30%. On average, Stewart says 2014 numbers are at pre-recession levels.
