Spring arrived with a vengeance in Aspen this week, with temperatures soaring into the 60's. Needless to say, it was a shock coming from ahuge powder day in Utah to full-blown corn skiing. But hey, as long asthe snow is soft!

Late starts and easy livin' were the call of this Tour stop. Aspen isone of those places that can either be a hectic party blitz or alaid-back breather in one of the most picturesque mountain towns inColorado.

We spent much of our time tearing into the intimidating terrain of theHanging Valley Wall at Snowmass, site of the Colorado Freeride Series.Huge cliffs border a hidden valley easily accessed from the High Alpinelift at Snowmass. Banish all of your preconceptions of this mountain asa blue groomer resort for families. It is rich with some of the rowdiestterrain in the state.

Yet another POWDER to the People party rousted the locals and sent awayhappy skiers with bundles of new gear from Boeri, Marmot, Smith, andRotor Sports. Between Aspen's four mountains, the area has pretty mucheverything covered: cliffs, steeps, world-class terrain parks, openbowls and perfect tree skiing, not to mention an incredible town.

Get down to Snowmass this week and check out the Colorado FreerideSeries Championships, starting Thursday, March 28! See ya next time -J.R.

Photos: 1. The POWDER to the People EuroVan sets up for a sunnyafternoon of swag giveaways.

2.The locals are entranced by the POWDER Video Awards presentation.Melissa Rhines, our lovely Aspen Skiing Company hostess, obviously isn'tinterested (just kidding).

3. Gabe Schroder and Julie Brown pose at our Aspen digs.