Sunlight Kicks Off Season With Autmn Picnic Party
The Aspen leaves are turning, the highest peaks in the West have a skiff of snow, and talk of winter is already on the lips of skiers and riders in Rocky Mountains.
With less than two months before chairlifts start spinning, Sunlight Mountain Resort is jumping the gun on with its inaugural Skiers and Riders Picnic on Saturday, Oct. 18. Sitting at nearly 7,900 feet in elevation a half-hour's drive from Glenwood Springs, Sunlight's base area will be the hub for multiple activities entertainment beginning at 10 a.m.
Headlining the mid-day celebration will be Father Jeffrey and His Wayward Children with live music for both young and old -- and in between. Kids can get their faces painted and romp in "bounce house." All can try their hand at carving up a pumpkin for Halloween, or show their aim in the cornhole tournament. Because of lift construction, mountain biking will be uphill only.
As the day goes along and hungry stomachs growl, Chef Sean Evans will lay out a buffet to meet all tastes. Buffet tickets can be bought upon arrival. Plus, Todd's Tavern will open up to sell adult beverages throughout the day. Everyone gets a chance to soak in the Aspens as they debut their fall on the mountain.
Another highlight will be a chance to check out the installation of Sunlight's two new chairlifts that have been going up this summer. Both will have updated seats and foot rests. In addition to viewing the construction, picnic-goers will have a chance to win one of the retired chairs from the lifts.
The fixed-grip double Segundo has been lifting skiers and riders out of the base area since 1973. It will be replaced with a fixed-grip triple running up the original lift line.
The oldest lift on the mountain, the fixed-grip double Primo went up when Sunlight opened in 1966 (along with the West lift and Beginner platter). Rising from mid-mountain to the 9,895-foot summit, the Primo will get a facelift with a new double fixed-grip going it.
Sunlight's opening ski and snowboard date is set for Dec. 12 -- earlier if snow conditions permit.
