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Area Overview
Activities
Cross-country Skiing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, Snowtubing
City
Aspen
State
Colorado
Country
United States
Season
November to April
Start Price
$56.00
per Person/Package
Pictures
Home of the ESPN Winter X Games through 2007 (for an unprecendented six consecutive years!),
If you're really convinced you're hot, go where the locals go: Aspen Highlands
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Ski Resorts and Snowboarding Areas
Aspen Snowmass
When it comes to winter destinations - from fantastic sking and riding, to cultural activities, great shopping, exciting nightlife and one-of-a-kind restaurants - Aspen/Snowmass offers the complete vacation experience.
It's not just one mountain. It's Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk. Decide which mountain fits your passion. Four choices and nearly 5,000 acres.
Aspen was recently voted best ski resort in America by Skiing Magazine and were inclined to agree.
It started out as a silver mining town and holds the record for the largest silver nugget ever discovered (over 2000 pounds) but in the 1930s snow became the natural resource of choice. Since then Aspen has risen to become one of the most well known and loved ski resorts in the world and now incorporates the four separate areas of Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk.
Aspen is an ideal place for all levels of skier. Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands are probably the best places to learn due to the number or greens and blues but any part of the resort will yield something for beginners. The ski school is internationally renowned and reckoned to be one of the best in the world. Intermediates will find something in each area and experts will positively salivate at all the opportunities for deep powder bowls and off piste challenges.
Snowboarders will find excellent facilities in Snowmass, Highlands and Buttermilk with a special riders guide provided to help boarders find the best runs and parks. Aspen mountain only opened to boarders at the end of the 2000/01 season but offers plenty of challenge and novelty value- it has some way to go, for obvious reasons, until it catches up with its three sibling areas.
Off the slopes there is plenty to do in this busy and glamorous resort. Excellent restaurants are never in short supply and the only thing which may spoil the choice are the high prices charged by some of them. The apres ski scene is lively and friendlier than most European resorts. The only caveat is that only members clubs can stay open after 2am, which will disappoint skiers used to crawling in at 6am for their daily two hours sleep, but the thoughtful people of Aspen have thought of this too- week long memberships are offered by most after hours clubs.
Boardparks and Pipes
Aspen has a world class super pipe. The biggest in Colorado in the 2000-2001 season. It also has boarder cross course and a good boardpark. There are some huge kickers, table tops and long rails.
Trails and Routes
General:
Snowmass: So many runs, so much variety...Snowmass has something for everyone. With 3,100 acres of cruisers, steeps, terrain parks and halfpipes, it's a virtual Mecca for families and skiing/snowboarding enthuisasts, and 95% of the lodging is ski-in/ski-out.
- Base elevation: 8,104 ft./2,473 m.
- Summit elevation: 12,510 ft./3,813 m.
- Vertical rise: 4,406 ft./1,343 m.
- Terrain: 3,100 acres/1,255 hectares
- Number of trails: 87
- Miles/km of trails: 137 miles/220 km
- Longest run: 5.3 miles/8.5 km
- Trails: easiest - 6%, more difficult - 50%, most difficult - 12%, expert 32%
- Annual snowfall: 300 inches/762 cm
- Snowmaking: 180 acres/73 hectares
Aspen Mountain: Rising out of the hear of downtown Aspen, and famous for its steeps, bumps and incredible views, Aspen Mountain and its double-blacks and tree runs are fun for riders and skiers alike. Looking for style, comfort and double-diamonds? Take the express route to the top via the Silver Queen Gondola as you're whisked to the Sundeck restaurant and treat yourself to a well-earned lunch.
- Base elevation: 7,945 ft./2,422 m.
- Summit elevation: 11,212 ft./3,418 m.
- Vertical rise: 3,267 ft./996 m.
- Terrain: 673 acres/273 hectares
- Number of trails: 76
- Miles/km of trails: 64 miles/103 km
- Longest run: 3 miles/4.83 km
- Trails: easiest 0%, more difficult 48%, most difficult 26%, expert 26%
- Annual snowfall: 300 inches/762 cm
- Snowmaking: 210 acres/84 hectares
Best-kept secret: Groomed, intermediate cruising runs under Ruthie's and Ajax Express lifts. If you are determined to see celebrities in Aspen, five stightings are guaranteed. Look for mystic shrines of Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley, John Denver, Marily Monroe and Jerry Garcia.
Aspen Highlands: If you're really convinced you're hot, go where the locals go: Aspen Highlands. Featuring extreme terrain, groomed cruisers and breathtaking views of the Maroon Bells. For the ultimate ski/snowboarding experience, drop into Highland Bowl. It's as much about the hike up as the trip down.
- Base elevation: 8,040 ft./2,451 m.
- Summit elevation: 11,675 ft./3,559 m.
- Vertical rise: 3,635 ft./1,108 m.
- Terrain: 790 acres/320 hectares
- Number of trails: 130
- Miles/km of trails: 65 miles/105 km
- Longest run: 3.5 miles/5.6 km
- Trails: easiest - 18%, more difficult - 30%, most difficult - 16%, expert 36%
- Annual snowfall: 300 inches/762 cm
- Snowmaking: 110 acres/44 hectares
Best known for: Locals' favorite mountain for steep, big-mountain experience in Highland Bowl, Olympic Bowl, Steeplechase and more adventure terrain.
Best-kept secret: Terrain options appropriate for any level although famed for black and double-black-diamond terrain there are actually more green and blue runs.
Buttermilk: Home of the ESPN Winter X Games through 2007 (for an unprecendented six consecutive years!), Buttermilk is also a premier mountain for beginners.While experts frolic in the terrain park (beginner, intermediate, and advanced X park) with over 40 hits and jumps.
- Base elevation: 7,870 ft./2,399 m.
- Summit elevation: 9,900 ft./3,018 m.
- Vertical rise: 2,030 ft./619 m.
- Terrain: 430 acres/174 hectares
- Number of trails: 42
- Miles/km of trails: 21 miles/34 km
- Longest run: 3 miles/4.8 km
- Trails: easiest - 35%, more difficult - 39%, most difficult - 26%, expert - 0%
- Annual snowfall: 200 inches/508 cm
- Snowmaking: 108 acres/43.2 hectares
Best-kept secret: Powder stashes on black-diamond runs and gladed trails days after a storm; terrain park and halfpipe for advanced snowboarders plus a smaller teaching park for those just learning.
Ski Resort Specifications
| Targeted Activities | Cross-country Skiing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, Snowtubing |
| Season Availability: | November to April |
| Numer of Runs: | 335 |
| Difficulty of Runs: | Snowmass has : easiest - 6%, more difficult - 50%, most difficult - 12%, expert 32% |
| Number of Lifts: | 42 |
| Lift Capacity: | 51583 |
| Altitude: | 2399-3813 meters |
| FreeStyle: | Halfpipe & FreeStyle Park |
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