Aspen Journals

Skiing Aspen

A December 2004 trip to Aspen by KellySenn

Quote: I have been skiing at Aspen for almost 20 years, and I love the flexibility of having four mountains so close together.

Skiing Aspen

Overview

Quote:

The Aspen area is quite unique. With four great mountains, all with a different character and connected by free shuttles, the options are endless. The hardest part of the day may be deciding what to ski. Plus, the apres-ski scene in Aspen is legendary, with everything from casual, classic mountain bars to exclusive, elite clubs. Trendy, glamorous, and fashionable mixes with a bit of laid-back country. It can also be a great place to bring kids. My parents brought me to Aspen every year from the age of 2 till 20, with most of those trips spent in ski school. There are activities, from ski and snowboard school to tubing and ice skating, to keep kids entertained, as well as more casua...Read More

Cheer!
Flag

Top of the Village

Hotel

Quote:

Rental Condos with the amenities of a hotel, Top of the Village is one of the best places to stay at Snowmass. Ski-in/Ski-out right near the base of the main hill, within walking distance of Snowmass Village and the shuttle to Aspen. Condos start at around $200 per night. The grounds include an outdoor pool and hot tub to relax. The condos all come with grills and a washer/dryer, which is super helpful for ski vacations with endless wet socks. They even have an exercise room if the skiing isn't enough for you!A free shuttle into town makes trips to the grocery store, or dinner, even more convenient. There is also a covered parking lot for guest cars.Co...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 16, 2006

Top of the Village
855 Carriage Way Road
Snowmass Village, Colorado 80615
(970) 923-3673

Cheer!
Flag

St Regis Resort Aspen

Hotel | "St. Regis"

Quote:

An Aspen classic, the St. Regis Hotel is synonymous with luxurious Aspen. Located in the center of town, right at the base of Aspen Mountain, the St. Regis is unparalleled in service. Staff even carries your skis to the chairlift. Obviously at a place this luxurious, there are the expected amenities including a wonderful spa, pool, and hot tub area.

The rooms are fabulous, ranging from normal rooms that are well appointed with beautiful views, to luxurious suites.

With a mountain feel, large sofas, and a beautiful bar in the lobby, it is worth coming here for a drink even if you are not a guest.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 16, 2006

St Regis Resort Aspen
315 East Dean St.
Aspen, Colorado 81611
(970) 920-3300

Cheer!
Flag

Aspen Highlands

Attraction

Quote:

Aspen Highlands is known as the locals mountain, with the most extreme terrain of any of the four. The Highlands bowl has a true backcountry feel and must be reached by a combination of snowcat and good old-fashioned hiking. On a day with good snow, there may be nothing that beats it. With a wide-open, steep face often filled with powder, funnelling down to the steep, tight trees below, this is the ultimate.Besides the bowl, there is a good variety of intermediate and advanced terrain here. With trees, steeps, and some moguls, there is a little bit of everything, especially if you are looking to be challenged.Highlands is one of the smaller mountains, but the quality of the terrain is ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 15, 2006

Aspen Highlands
1498 Maroon Creek Road
Aspen, Colorado 81612
+1 970 925 1220; +1

Cheer!
Flag

Aspen Mountain

Attraction

Quote:

Aspen Mountain (also referred to as "Ajax") is the flagship mountain, rising directly out of the town of Aspen. With the most elaborate dining and lodging on mountain and off, this is the most luxurious of the four mountains. Celebrities and the well-off abound, and fashion is equally important as ski form.Aspen mountain, however, is not for the beginner skier. There are no green trails (the easiest rating), and much of the mountain is on narrower trails, often covered with moguls.This can be a good thing, however, if you are a good skier. There is an abundance of challenging terrain, especially if your cup of tea is trees or moguls.The major drawback of Ajax, ho...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 15, 2006

Aspen Mountain
Durant St
Aspen, Colorado 81611
+1 970 925 1220; +1

Cheer!
Flag

Buttermilk Mountain

Attraction

Quote:

Buttermilk Mountain has been known as the snowboarder's and the beginner's mountain. Until very recently (less than 5 years ago), it was the only of the four mountains that allowed snowboarders. This led to the development of world-class terrain parks. The X-Games are held here, a testimony to the quality of these terrain parks. If you're really just interested in working on your tricks in the park, this is the mountain for you. This mountain also caters to those just learning to ski for the first time. It has the most beginner terrain, and no expert terrain, meaning that even if you accidentally wander off into another part of the mountain, you at least won't find yourself tumbling off a clif...Read More

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on March 15, 2006

Buttermilk Mountain
38700 Highway 82
Aspen, Colorado 81612
+1 970 925 1220; +1

Cheer!
Flag

Snowmass Mountain

Attraction

Quote:

Snowmass Mountain is the biggest of the four mountains, and the one deemed the most family-friendly. However, Snowmass has a little bit for everyone. Snowmass has arguably the best ski school of the four mountains, and one of the best ski schools in the country. Children and adults are divided up by both age and ability for all or half-day group lessons, and private lessons are also available.Snowmass has also been adding to its extreme and advanced terrain in recent years. The Cirque is an old standby for open and tree skiing, with some small cliffs if you want them. More tree skiing and an additional cliff band have been opened in recent years. The best part about Snowmass is...Read More