Snowmass Village, Colo., (November 1, 2017) – Today, Snowmass Tourism announces the launch of a new after dark adventure: Starlit Treks. Expanding the popularity of the Moonlit Treks, which debuted 2015/16 season, Starlit Treks take place on the Saturday closest to the darkest night of each month, allowing guests a chance to view the stars and constellations while taking part in a self-guided 1.2-mile snowshoe or cross-country ski tour around the Snowmass Golf Course. During the Starlit Treks series, an ACES (Aspen Center for Environmental Studies) astronomer will be on hand to provide constellation facts, with details on popular star patterns, planet alignments, Milky Way facts, and much more.

“We saw so much success with the Moonlit Treks the past two years that we wanted to offer guests another chance to continue the adventure each month,” says Rose Abello, Tourism Director, Snowmass Tourism. “Starlit Treks give guests and locals alike the chance to see Snowmass, and the sky above Snowmass, in a whole new way.”

Both Starlit Treks and Moonlit Treks start with a 1.2-mile journey beginning at the Snowmass Cross Country Center and include stops along the way for cocoa and cookies at Anderson Ranch Arts Center. New to the existing Moonlit Treks series is an optional guided tour with an ACES naturalist, who provides information on flora and fauna of the local region. At the end of the evening, guests are invited to enjoy a pasta dinner and s’mores under the stars at the Black Saddle Bar & Grille.

Moonlit Treks occur on or near the closest Saturday to the full moon each month, while Starlit Treks occur on or near the Saturday closest to each new moon (the darkest night of each month).

• Starlit Trek Dates – Saturdays — December 16, January 13, February 17, March 17, & April 14
• Moonlit Trek Dates – Saturdays — December 30, February 3, March 3 & 31

The Starlit and Moonlit Treks series are provided in partnership by Snowmass Tourism, Black Saddle Bar & Grille, the Snowmass Club, ACES, and Anderson Ranch. Bring your own cross country skis, snowshoes, or hiking boots; limited snowshoe rentals available for $10. Starlit and Moonlit Treks are the only time guests can walk on the Nordic trails in boots or with stabilizers, without the assistance of snowshoes or Nordic skis. Snowshoe rentals available starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Snowmass Cross Country Center; Starlit Treks features an ACES astronomer on hand beginning at 6:00 p.m., while the Moonlit Treks guided ACES tour begins at 6:00 p.m.; Dinner at Black Saddle Bar & Grille from 6:30-9:00 p.m. for $19.67 per person, a pricing nod to Snowmass’ 50^th anniversary season. Reservations are required as dinners typically sell out. For reservations, please leave a message at the Snowmass Club, 970-923-0979. All Treks are snow dependent.

For more information, please visit https://www.gosnowmass.com/activity/moonlit-starlit-treks/.

About Snowmass, Colorado – A renowned winter playground and vibrant mountain community just 9 miles from downtown Aspen, Snowmass consistently ranks as one of the best ski areas in the world and was listed as the #4 resort in the west by SKI Magazine in 2018. In addition to unmatched natural beauty and over 300 sunny days a year, Snowmass Ski Area offers guests 3,332 acres of multi-level terrain and boasts the second largest vertical drop in the United States. 95% ski-in/ski-out lodging, 37 restaurants, numerous shops and boutiques, a bounty of off-piste activities, and a friendly, small town feel beckon visitors year-round. For more information and a complete calendar of events and activities, please visit: www.gosnowmass.com.

Snowmass Tourism Media Contact: Sara Stookey, Public Relations Coordinator, Snowmass Tourism, 970-922-2285 or sstookey@SnowmassTourism.com.

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