Aspen, CO

Photos from the 2017 TPIN Aspen retreat/vacation. The vacation was fun (though I got sick during the second half), but what struck me the most was how little snow was on the ground this year… Far less than I’ve ever seen in December this late in the year.

Snow-capped mountains border a steep valley

Looking southwest from the summit of Aspen Mountain. Highland Bowl is visible on the right side of the frame.

Snow-capped mountains border a steep valley

A panorama looking south (left) to southwest (right) from the summit of Aspen Mountain. Highland Bowl is visible just right of center.

A bowl-shaped area of a snow-covered chain of mountains

Highland Bowl from the summit of Aspen Mountain; normally Highland Bowl is completely filled with snow by this time.

Snow-capped mountains border a steep valley

Looking south from the summit of Aspen Mountain.

A crystal and brass chandelier casts intricate shadows and reflections against a ballroom ceiling

A chandelier in the ballroom under the Hotel Regis in Aspen, taken during the 2017 TPIN Aspen Gala.

A valley formed by a snow-capped mountain range

A volcanic peak (whose name I forget), northwest of Aspen Mountain.

A bowl-shaped area of a snow-covered chain of mountains

Highland Bowl, as seen from Aspen Mountain.

A woman with a bright orange backpack snowshoes towards a distant knot of winter hikers

Megan Fitzgerald returns to the snowshoe tour on top of Aspen Mountain.

A distant, snow-capped mountain range

Looking southeast-ish from the top of Aspen Mountain.

Tall, thin pine trees surround a snow-covered clearing

Looking northwest-ish across the top of Aspen Mountain.

Inside of a dense pine forest during the winter

Looking south-ish through part of the forest on top of Aspen Mountain.

Cold winter clouds above a mountain highway

The view from the road back to Denver from Aspen.

Cold winter clouds above a mountain highway

The view from the road back to Denver from Aspen.

A small peak of red stone next to a mountain highway

The view from the road back to Denver from Aspen.

A mountain highway

The view from the road back to Denver from Aspen.

Cold, snow-covered peaks rise out of a pine forest

The view from the road back to Denver from Aspen.