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Cockaigne to host ribbon cutting ceremony today

Cockaigne will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony today at 11 a.m. with elected officials to celebrate the reopening of the ski resort. Submitted photo

CHERRY CREEK — Cockaigne officials will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony today at 11 a.m. with elected officials to celebrate the reopening of the ski resort.

Jason Spain, Cockaigne Resort general manager, said the ribbon cutting ceremony will be “low key” because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with only a few dignitaries like Rex Butcher, Cockaigne Resort owner, state Sen. George Borrello, County Executive PJ Wendel, town elected officials and Cockaigne staff participating in the celebration.

“This is to cap off the fact that we are three-quarters of the way through our opening season and it’s been a great season,” Spain said. “The winter Gods have been incredibly good to us. We’ve had a lot of snow.”

Spain said for the celebration, starting Friday and going through Sunday, anyone wearing Cockaigne merchandise — new or old — will receive 10% off all services and products, with the exception of alcohol.

“That includes ski passes, meals, any resort activities, rentals and lessons. If you got that Cockaigne brand gear on, you get 10% off,” he said. “Anything from the old resort someone may of had from before the fire, all the way to our new stuff people have been buying over this season.”

Cockaigne will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony today at 11 a.m. with elected officials to celebrate the reopening of the ski resort. Submitted photo

Cockaigne Resort, located at 1493 Thornton Road, Cherry Creek, is recently reopened for skiing for the first time since a fire destroyed the Austrian pavilion lodge in January 2011.

Spain said the resort reopened for the first time in almost a decade Dec. 27. He said the reception from the skiers has been great.

“The guest have been overwhelmingly positive. From people who learned how to ski here decades ago and they are back again to brand new skiers, it has been a surprising response, especially with COVID,” he said.

Spain said it has been surprising how many state residents have traveled to the resort. He said prior to the fire, Cockaigne received a lot of out-of-state guests from the Cleveland metro area and Erie, Pa.

“Because of travel restrictions, we’ve seen more participation from state residents. We’ve seen growth from the Buffalo and Rochester area,” he said. “It has been very positive. It’s been a very celebratory season. People sharing the experience for the first time with their children and family members. They’re remembering old experiences and creating new ones.”

Spain said the resort also had a very successful snowmobile event earlier this month and will be having another one March 14. He said the event consist of snowmobile drag races on the “Crackerjack” hill.

“It’s been a fantastic year, so far, with fantastic conditions,” he said. “We expect to have an excellent March as well.”

The resort is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 3-10 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For more information, visit cockaigne.com or facebook.com/cockaigneresort.

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