While Buttermilk Mountain is open for business, there are portions of it that are now closed to the public for Winter X Games preparation.

The Buttermilk superpipe has been turned over to the ESPN crew and is closed to the public. Uncle Chuck’s Glades and Jacob’s Ladder remain open, however Spruce, Spruce Face and Government are closed for venue builds. On Sunday, Panda Peak will close for the snowmobile SnoCross course build.

Also on Sunday, uphill access on main Buttermilk will be closed off. Both the Tiehack and West routes remain open and uphillers can still download on Summit Express, but they can’t ascend the center portion of the mountain.

Parking is limited and soon will be extremely limited. Buses roll through the circle every 15 minutes.

As part of this year’s Wintersköl celebration, the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club is sponsoring a USASA Rail Jam competition in downtown Aspen today. This qualifying event for the X Games street course competition takes place from 2-4 p.m. in Wagner Park.

Free for spectators, the Rail Jam costs $30 for competitors who should register through www.usasa.org [1], or www.teamavsc.org [2]. Practice is scheduled from 1-2 p.m. in the park adjacent to the Mill Street pedestrian mall.

The Rail Jam brings the mountain event to a street-level venue, offering viewing opportunities for spectators who may not normally have the chance to check out, first hand, the tricks.

Locals and visitors to Aspen/Snowmass are encouraged to drop by the park and check out the next generation of freeskiers and snowboarders.

This season’s first installment of Powder to the People’s backcountry awareness series takes place today from 6-7:30 p.m. in the GrassRootsTV studio at the Red Brick Center for the Arts.   

Brian McCall of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) will discuss current backcountry conditions, recent avalanche activity, and how the local snowpack is shaping up. There will be an emphasis on the snowpack conditions found on Richmond Ridge.

This will be followed by a special presentation on the public powder stashes of Richmond Ridge. “Public Access 101” will show you the basics to get there and back to play another day.

This event is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted at the door and on Paypal, donate@powdertothepeople.org [3]. For more information, contact Mike Sladdin at 970 ERA-2SKI or info@PowderToThePeople.org [4].

Powder to the People presents the winter backcountry discussion series in conjunction with CAIC as part of its educational efforts to promote avalanche awareness and backcountry safety.

Save the date for the next installment in this series, on Feb. 8, with backcountry ski guide Dean Cummings.

Also, note that the Duck Hollow Beacon Basin at Aspen Highlands is not yet open. Located on the flats at the bottom of Golden Horn and top of Thunder Bowl, its opening has been so far delayed due to lack of snow at the location.