Spring Storms Lure Skiers To Closed Aspen Resorts
ASPEN, Colo. (AP) -- Spring storms that have dumped more than 70 inches of snow on Aspen Mountain have officials worried skiers will continue trying to make runs down mountains that have closed for the season.
The Aspen Times reported Thursday that an additional 7 inches fell there in Colorado's most recent storm.
Officials at local ski resorts say they are expecting skiers to start using other means to hike up mountains no longer accessible by chairlifts. Ski patrollers haven't monitored the slopes in a month so officials say skiers should treat the runs like ones in the back country.
Resorts are considering starting up the chairlifts for novelty skiing during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.
The additional snow also has avalanche officials worried about powerful snow slides because the new, wet layers won't handle additional loads well.
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