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| Saturdays | CLOSED |
| Sundays | CLOSED |
| Bank Holidays | CLOSED |
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Aspen Ski Resort Guide
The Town of Aspen
Nestled at the top of the Roaring Fork river valley in Western Colorado, the town of Aspen sits beneath a panorama of mountain-scapes. With the homes of Hollywood stars perched on Red Mountain and the 100 year old silver mining haven of Smuggler Mountain both to the north, and the snow covered Ajax and Shadow mountains to the south, not to mention the backbone of North America; the Continental Divide to the east, Aspen has an air of the ultimate surrounding it.
Founded as a silver mining town in the late 19th century, Aspen blossomed into a hive of culture, diversity and skiing in the late 1930s. Since those early days of skiing on wooden skis the area has developed into one of the foremost skiing destinations in the world, whose cultural phenomenon has inspired many of North America’s top ski resorts.
Aspenites are some of the friendliest folks you’ll ever meet. Bred to be gentle giants in mind, body and spirit, ask any one of them for directions to a cold beer, or tips of how to ski the bumps and they’d more than happily oblige.
Skiing in Aspen
Aspen has more than 5,300 skiable acres over four mountains. The area arguably offers the most varied skiing options of any resort in the US and with no lift lines. Absorb culture and glamour as you race down Aspen Mountain, then ride 10 minutes on the free bus to local’s favourite Highlands and hike 30 minutes to fresh powder in the breathtaking Highlands Bowl (summit 12392ft).
Taking it easy? Buttermilk is perfect to get your ski legs back. Watch huge airs in the terrain park (venue of the Winter X-Games) or head into the Tiehack glades for perfect tree skiing. Finally, the 3,132 acres of Snowmass will keep you busy (20 minute bus) and it’s an amazing option on a powder day. Don’t miss the Cirque Headwall for amazing views above treeline.
Aspen/Snowmass: The Ratings
Full of Brits > 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > Test my languages
Being in the USA most of the staff and visitors to Aspen are English speaking. Many ski instructors are students from South America, but all of them speak excellent English. The only issue one might encounter as a Brit is understanding some of the Americanisms used. However Aspen is extremely accommodating to all foreign languages.
Quiet bars > 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > Beerhalls and clubs
There is a good variety of watering holes in Aspen Snowmass. Some are quieter than others, but the differing happy hours mean if one place is busy, another will be quiet. Aspen town is very busy in the evenings, whereas Snowmass and Highlands village are quieter and tend to attract more locals. Belly Up in Aspen is the prime night spot, but you can get a quiet, excellent beer at the town’s Brewery.
Cheap cheerful food > 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > Haute cuisine
Although you can get a cheapish feed in the resort, you have to hunt for it. Most restaurants are pricey, and often add on a service charge. To push the boat out go for the St Regis hotel restaurant in Aspen or Il Poggio in Snowmass. On the other end of the scale, Zane’s Tavern in both villages has a great happy hour and the BEST chicken wings.
There’s definitely a slant towards the high-end in Aspen Snowmass. Although there are some cheaper options for lodging, most are still fairly pricey. The service however is always second-to-none. You really get what you pay for at somewhere like The Gant or the Jerome, for that five-star feel. More affordable options are mostly self catering in Snowmass, such as the Crestwood. Facilities such as shopping services, spas and outdoor hot tubs keep the hospitality service high and your dollar feels like its going further.
Grown-ups only > 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > Family friendly
Again, the difference is in the towns. Aspen is centred on the adult experience, with hotels, bars, restaurants and boutique stores lining the snow covered sidewalks. Although there are a lot of kids around, most families stay in Snowmass. Saying that, both places offer great amenities for both. Snowmass has its own kids ski school with brand new centre at The Treehouse, although there are facilities at all 4 mountains. Aspen is a residential town with 3 schools so all the amenities associated with family life are present in town.
Wide open pistes > 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > Ski the trees
If you stay in the valley for more than a week you’ll find it tough not to delve into the trees. If you do, you’ll fall in love. It’s what the Rockies are famous for after all. However, Aspen was born as a ski racing mountain and still hosts a women’s world cup event so there are plenty of long wide runs on all four mountains. Ruthie’s on Aspen or anything under the Big Burn lift on Snowmass tick all the boxes.
Easy skiing only > 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > Red and blacks
Although Buttermilk is almost devoted to ski school, there isn’t much easy skiing towards the tops of the other three mountains. Aspen has no green runs at all, and the majority of Highlands is advanced. Snowmass too has more advanced terrain than beginner, but the lower third of the huge ski area is very accessible for novices. These mountains are perfect for any standard of skier looking to progress, not stagnate…which is what it’s all about.
Swanky shopping > 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > Extra adrenaline activities
Having been largely funded by the rich and famous, Aspen offers back the amenities those people desire. Prada, Chanel, Gucci and the like are all on the streets of the town. Mark-ups are often large enough to deter an impulse purchase, but that’s not to say you can’t afford a shopping spree. The ski shops always have sales on, and there are some great affordable boutiques to mingle around. Although there is cat-skiing and guided back country tours, plus a snowmobile tour operation in the valley, you’ll find you’ll never get bored of the skiing to need to try.
Young in body > 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > Young in mind
Aspen is a winter sports enthusiasts' haven. Aside from the obvious ski mountains, there’s also a huge free network of cross country ski trails and snowshoe trails accessible from town. A Bikram Yoga studio and various spas and gyms in town compliment the excellent Aspen Recreation Centre located just before Highlands ski area. Aspenites work hard, play hard, ski hard and party harder
Bargain basement > 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > Push the boat out
Aspen is known for being an exclusive resort, and a melting pot of glitz, glamour and Hollywood names. There are elements of that wherever you look, and that’s part of the appeal, although you quickly learn that there’s much more to it. However, you get what you pay for when you visit Aspen Snowmass, and there’s nothing run-of-the-mill about it. The ski company is proud of their heritage as an inspiration and are constantly pushing the envelope to offer guests the most memorable experiences.
Nearest airport: Aspen/Pitkin County, 10 minutes' drive (Denver International, four hours)
Published 2009
