There’s a shift that happens in Aspen come spring. The air softens, the sun lingers longer before ducking behind Shadow Mountain, and Ajax transforms into a different type of playground for those who love skiing with a side of revelry. Locals know this is one of the best times of year for our mountain. Winter’s chalky steeps, soft stashes, panicky powder mornings, and hard-packed moguls give way to slushy, forgiving bumps, the kind that invite you to let loose, spend time in the backseat, and bounce your way down the mountain.
Bell Mountain’s bumps in spring are a rite of passage for Ajax skiers. There are options to descend into downtown Aspen, but the right way down during spring is on the Ridge of Bell. Your ability to lace fall-line zipper lines is rewarded by hoots and hollers from the Bell Chair or Silver Queen Gondola. The changing snow becomes a textured canvas for crafty skiing that pairs well with Hawaiian shirts, short shorts, cold beers, and high fives. It’s all about rhythm, style, and laughter.
Spring in Aspen has always been a time to relax after the long, lap-spinning winter. Perhaps the most legendary tradition of spring on Ajax is the Bell Mountain Buckoff. Every April, as closing day draws near, a motley mix of Aspen’s diehards gather under the Bell Chair to showcase their finest—and often most absurd—approach to bump skiing. It’s not about perfection; it’s about flair, taking it right to edge of control, and sheer audacity. Full-send straight lines, daffies, spread eagles, and the occasional attempt at a backflip off Boyd’s Bump.
The Buckoff isn’t an organized event; it’s a tradition passed down through decades of Ajax skiers who understand that skiing isn’t just a sport—it’s an expression, a celebration, a way of life. It’s a last hurrah before the lifts stop spinning, before the town quiets, mud oozes from the mountain, and before we trade in ski boots for flip flops. And for those who have spent seasons here, there’s no better way to send off another winter.
This spring, we encourage you to lap Bell Mountain and embrace the slush. We’ll see you on the slopes.
