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Resort Guide

One of the world’s most recognisable ski resort names, the town of Aspen has built a reputation as the American equivalent of St Moritz, a winter playground for the wealthy. But whilst on the one hand the resort is famous for its airport having more private jet landings than any other, and for being the location of the world’s most expensive multi-hundred-million dollar holiday homes, it has also carved out a reputation as a pioneering campaigner on the environment, leading the ski industry in its initiatives to fight global warming (on the mountain, if not so much at the airport).

Like St Moritz, Aspen’s history has had its ups and downs. The town boomed in the 1890s when it was a centre for silver mining, catering for a sixteenth of world demand and unearthing the world’s largest silver nugget at 2,200lbs. The population boomed to 12,000 before dropping to about 700 by the 1930s as mining declined. Like St Moritz it was a pioneer of hydro-electricity supply more than a century ago. The resorts history as a ski destination took off in the 1940s and it has never looked back since.

Today there are four mountains to enjoy on the one lift ticket. The most famous peak, Aspen Mountain, or Ajax rises behind the resort in the classic European style and is famous for its steep terrain.

Buttermilk, a few miles from the town, has a twin reputation as a giant terrain park for freestylers and as a learners’ area. Snowmass, nine miles (14.6km) from Aspen, has an identity all of its own and with more than 3,000 acres of skiing, represents more than half of all of the Aspen region’s terrain. It has recently completed construction of a new billion redevelopment of its base area and seen on-mountain improvements too.

Finally, Aspen Highlands, the last of the four areas to come under the control of operators the Aspen Skiing Company in the 1990s, is famous for its steep, big mountain skiing in Highland Bowl.

Aspen itself is a year round community with a large choice of shopping and dozens of other activities on offer, so it is a good destination for groups with non-skiing members. Whilst famed for its luxury, it is also possible to visit Aspen on a budget as there are affordable accommodations to stay in and places to eat.

Beginners

Although all four mountains have beginner areas, Buttermilk is the area that Aspen has concentrated most of its efforts in creating a best- in-the-ski-industry facility for first timers. At Snowmass the new Elk Camp Meadows learning area, located at the top of the Elk Camp Gondola, designates new mid-mountain terrain and a new lift to beginning skiers and snowboarders.

Intermediates

Aspen Mountain and Aspen Highlands both have plenty to keep intermediates happy, but Snowmass has the most of all with 55% of its terrain graded at this level. On Aspen Mountain, top tips include skiing the groomed, uncrowded, cruising runs under Ruthie's and Ajax Express lifts. At Snowmass, the Long Shot trail is where intermediate skiers and snowboarders can get their first taste of the wilder side of the sport. This hike-to intermediate run offers a true backcountry feel, is left ungroomed and is a good first step to the next level.

Free mountain tours with local experts at each mountain twice daily can help you make the most of your time on Aspen’s mountains.

Advanced

Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Snowmass each have more than their fair share of steep terrain and powder opportunities making Aspen one of the world’s must-ski destinations for expert skiers. On Aspen Mountain, Trainor's, Rayborn's and Bingo Glades offer wild, ungroomed terrain with variable conditions (especially good with fresh powder) and natural obstacles. On the piste on Aspen Mountain the run drops off from the International piste and plummets straight down the fall line into Spar Gulch. One of "The Dumps," a series of steep mine tailings on Aspen Mountain, S1 has a steep entry, sometimes requiring a bit of air, followed by a long, narrow run to the bottom. Another good choice is Silver Rush. To reach it, ride the Shadow Mountain chair and look to your left just before you disembark. Silver Rush is the steep chute just below you. It drops skiers and riders to the top of Little Nell near the Compromise Mine. There are many, many more opportunities including snowcat accessed powder fields.

Snowboarding

Aspen Mountain was one of the last US resorts to ban snowboarders from the slopes (three still do), but as this increasingly became an embarrassment rather than a virtue, the resort made a complete about- face in 2001 and has since built up a reputation as one of the worlds leading destinations for boarders. There are terrain parks and half pipes at most of the four mountains but Buttermilk is the main destination for freestyle. Home to the X Games extreme snow sports contest each winter, Buttermilk’s X Games Terrain Park features monster hits and rails that host the world's best jibbers during the contest. The X Games Superpipe, more than 125m (400 feet) long, with walls towering nearly six metres (20 feet) overhead, is also here. But Buttermilk caters for all ability levels from the best in the world to complete novices. Many begin their freestyle careers at the beginner park on West Buttermilk Here you can get started on the small boxes, rails and jumps in this rarely busy area.

Other Activities and Facilities

There is a huge range of things to do at Aspen. Visitors will find more than 300 shops along with theatres, cinemas, health and fitness centres, swimming pools, spas, art galleries and ice rinks.

More unusual opportunities include nature tours and silver mine tours by underground train and a Wildlife Interpretive Centre.

The many activity options include snowmobiling, snow biking, paragliding, hot air balloon trips, dog sledding and snowshoeing.

Après Ski and Dining Out

With more than 100 bars and restaurants to choose from and a seemingly limitless supply of dollars flowing through them, Aspen is one of the world’s leading ski party towns. Top choices include 39 Degrees in The Sky Hotel. Recently named one of the "Top 10 poolside bars in America" by Playboy magazine, 39 Degrees is the most hip and trendy bar in town, its filled with lounging sofas, fluffy pillows and an outdoor pool and hot tub for some après fun. Try a Botox martini which comes garnished with a 'wrinkled' cherry. If you’re after something more refined, the Bar at The Little Nell, a chic watering hole, located in the five star Little Nell Hotel, is the spot to see and be seen. It’s famous for its fresh seafood bar and fondue during après-ski. There are dozens and dozens of alternative options.

Families

Aspens Kids Club, located in the town, accepts children aged from six weeks old and it’s one of several childcare and ski school facilities at the four areas. The Treehouse Kids' Adventure Centre at Snowmass, is a one-stop-shop for ski and snowboard school check-in and rental/retail. The centre also boasts children's entertainment, from a family-friendly climbing gym to teen activities to a host of themed rooms for children ages eight weeks and older. At Buttermilk Fort Frog is a children's adventure centre designed on a western-style fort where ski and snowboard school participants meet to explore kid's tree trails and participate in weekly races with an awards ceremony. Starting on the second day of class, children registered for Ski and Snowboard School can take the purple Max the Moose bus with a ski/snowboard pro from the gondola building in Aspen to Buttermilk, every morning between 8:30 - 8:45am, returning back in Aspen by 3:30pm. A special children’s trail map showing all special runs like Screamin' Eagle and Grouse Grove is available free.

Piste Map for Aspen

Accommodation in Aspen

• Aspen Meadows - 3 star, bed & breakfast
• Chalet Silverado - 3 star, bed & breakfast
• Chalet Silverado - 3 star, catered
• Chalet Silverado - 3 star, catered
• Chalet Silverado - 3 star, catered
• Hotel Jerome - 4 star, catered
• St. Regis - 5 star, catered

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