Aspen Highlands Closes Early Due to Record Heat

Sun beats down on the base of Aspen Highlands — a stark contrast to the usual snow-covered slopes. Skiers and snowboarders zip down the mountain, making the most of the final day. The Highlands Alehouse is packed, hosting an impromptu closing day party.

Aspen Skiing Company moved Highlands' last day up two weeks — a result of the quickly vanishing snowpack amid record heat. This change came with only a couple of days' notice, leaving the Alehouse to scramble and plan a party on short notice. Buttermilk also closed early, more than a week before its original April 5 closing date.

As of Sunday evening, Snowmass and Aspen Mountain remained open, still on track to meet their original closing dates. Snowmass is set to close on April 12, and Aspen Mountain on April 19. The community made the most of the sudden change, coming together to celebrate the end of the season at Highlands.

The party at the Alehouse was a success, with guests enjoying the sunshine from the patio, and a young woman dancing in front of the stage. A man dressed as a Bud Light beer bottle was among the attendees, adding to the festive atmosphere. The atmosphere was lively, with a swarm of skiers and riders heading down the hill, squeezing in their last runs.

A young Spider-Man was spotted getting in a last lap; a fun moment in an otherwise abrupt end to the season. The photos from the day show a mix of sadness and celebration - a community coming together to mark the occasion. The short notice didn't deter the crowd, and the Alehouse was able to pull off a successful party.

The early closure of Aspen Highlands is a sign of the challenges posed by the record heat and vanishing snowpack. It's a trend that will be worth watching in the coming years. The ski industry faces significant challenges adapting to the changing climate. For now, the community has come together to celebrate the end of the season, in spite of difficult circumstances.

The short version: Aspen Highlands closed two weeks early, but the community still came out to celebrate. The party at the Alehouse was a success, despite the short notice. It's a bittersweet end to the season, a mix of sadness and celebration. Make no mistake, the impact of the changing climate on the ski industry will be significant.

As the crowd disperses, and the slopes empty, it's clear that this season will be remembered for its abrupt end. The community has shown its resilience, coming together to celebrate, even in difficult circumstances. Read that again; the community came together, despite the challenges. The future of the ski industry in the region is uncertain, with the changing climate set to have a profound impact.

The sun dips below the horizon, casting a shadow over the empty slopes. The party is over, and the season has come to a close. The community will have to wait until next year to return to the slopes, but for now, they can take pride in coming together to celebrate, even in difficult circumstances. Worth watching: how the ski industry adapts to the changing climate, and the community's response to these changes.