An expansion of terrain on Aspen Mountain on terrain formerly known as 'Pandora's' has been rechristened 'Hero's' ahead of the resort's opening day scheduled for Thursday 23 November.
Hero's will increase skiable acreage on Aspen Mountain by more than 20% and will be served by a new high-speed quad chairlift.
The expansion is Aspen Mountain's first significant addition since the opening of the Silver Queen Gondola in 1985.
The new terrain, previously accessed only be freeriders and tourers, offers 1,220 vertical feet and more than 150 acres of chutes, glades and trails that are newly accessed by the lift.
In a press statement, Aspen Snowmass said renaming Pandora's to Hero's was intended, "…to honour all those who have made an impact on Aspen Mountain and helped bring this project to life – most impactfully, Jim Crown, whose vision and leadership helped bring this ambitious expansion to reality."
The additional terrain means Aspen Mountain now has a greater proportion of skiing on the upper portion of the mountain which the resort states, "…acts as a functional hedge against future climate-challenged ski seasons" …with its north-facing, high elevation terrain (all above 10,000 ft.)
"This area is ideal for holding snow in seasons when natural snowfall is less plentiful. The terrain and lift will open this winter when conditions allow.," the resort statement concludes.