Screw turkey: Tons of deals for skiing and riding on Thanksgiving

c/o Lindsey Vonn myspace

Lindsey Vonn races at Aspen this weekend.

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While most of the Front Range areas have already opened, Thanksgiving week will see several of Colorado's major destination ski resorts start turning their lifts. There are plenty of events and deals available for those looking to get outside the Front Range this week for the holiday.

Traditionally, Thanksgiving isn't a huge ski day, but there's plenty going on this weekend, and road trips are one of the best things about skiing. Who wouldn't rather be out on the slopes on sunny skies than sitting at home dealing with family politics that make Israel/Palestine look sane?


In Aspen, both Aspen Mountain and Snowmass open on Thanksgiving Day. Aspen will open with 100 acres and will be turning two lifts: Ajax Express and Silver Queen Gondola. Snowmass will have 300 acres opening, and will be turning five lifts: Big Burn, Elk Camp Gondola, Meadows, Sky Cab, and Village Express.

On Saturday, November 28, and Sunday, November 29, Aspen will also host the Winternational, an FIS World Cup slalom and giant slalom race. American racers/Olympic hopefuls Julia Mancuso and Lindsey Vonn will be there, so be sure to bring memorabilia for signatures.

Crested Butte is scheduled to open on Wednesday. They'll be turning the Red Lady Express Lift; open runs will be Peanut, Lower Keystone, Warming House Hill, Bubba's Skiway and Houston. There will be a costume contest on opening day, guaranteed to bring out the freakiest in the local freaks, and the winner gets a pair of Rossignol skis. Other prizes include a Rab jacket and Mammut pack. Radio KBUT will be broadcasting all day, and a live band will be on tap at the end of the day. On Friday, they will be opening Lower Ruby Chief terrain and Teocalli lift. Through December 16, there is a "Stay and Ski Free Package," starting at $84 per night.

Telluride is opening on Thanksgiving. They will be turning Lift 4 (Village Express), and hope to have Lift 5 (Polar Queen Express) and Lift 6 (Apex Lift) open, with skiing on See Forever. The Chondola and Gondola will also be turning. Telluride already has a 22 inch natural base.

Steamboat will open on Wednesday with lift tickets going for a measly $20, all revenue from lift ticket sales that day will go to benefit the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Scholarship Fund.  Gino's will be offering $1 cookies, and the Bear River Bar will have $2 Bud/Bud Lights, $5 White Russians to get your drink on, and two-for-one white pizzas to satisfy your carb cravings. Steamboat is also offering a special early season package through December 18 where three nights lodging gets you free skiing.