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Aspen is one of the world’s renowned brands and like all great
brands, it has great stories behind the name. Since 1947, Aspen Mountain has
delighted professional skiers, lifetime shredders, and enthusiasts alike. With
more than 3,000 vertical feet and 76 trails to blaze, Ajax (as it’s known to
locals) is a modern-day playground for the snow-minded. An abundance of face
shots can be found in the hidden stashes of Walsh’s and Kristi trees, or get
knee-deep in the Mine Dumps on the west side of the mountain. Make your thighs
burn in the soft “hero” moguls on Blondie’s and then reward yourself with
famous apple strudel at Bonnie’s restaurant. If powder is not your forte, let
your boards rip on never-ending cruisers such as Ruthie’s, home to the Aspen
Winternational FIS Alpine World Cup. Feel like a pro, and don’t be surprised if
you share a chair with one — ski and snowboard legends (and locals) such as
Gretchen Bleiler, Chris Klug, Chris Davenport, and ski-wear pioneer Klaus
Obermeyer are often spotted on the slopes. After a long day on this expert-only
mountain, be sure to treat yourself to Gruyère fondue and A-plus
people-watching at Ajax Tavern or thin-crust pizzas on Il Mulino’s new patio.
Mountain Info
Base
elevation: 7,945 ft./2,322 m
Summit
elevation: 11,212 ft./3,418 m
Vertical
rise: 3,267 ft./996 m
Terrain:
673 acres
Number
of trails: 76
Types
of trails: easiest, 0%; more difficult, 48%; most
difficult, 26%; expert, 26%
Steepest
run: Elevator Shaft section of the Silver
Queen run—slope angle of 42 degrees.
Lifts: 8: One gondola (14-minute ride), one high-speed quad, one
high-speed double, one quad, two doubles; two secondary – one quad (Little
Nell), one double (Bell Mountain)
Uncrowded
slopes: On average, three people per acre
Parking: Two-hour parking in residential areas, carpool permits available
at the airport parking kiosk for free all-day parking. Paid parking at the Rio
Grande Plaza for all day or on local streets for up to four hours.
Restaurants: The Sundeck at the top of the gondola, Bonnie’s at mid-mountain.
Best-kept
secret: Venture off the beaten path — you’ll
probably run into some of Aspen’s infamous on-mountain “shrines.” Or better
yet, ask a local to show you around.
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This
locals’ favorite mountain has a big rep for steeps and powder. If you’re up for
a workout, bring your CamelBak and make the strenuous 30- to 45-minute hike up
Highland Bowl, which is home to the country’s best off-piste skiing in-bounds.
Not sure about the terrain or the trek? We suggest hiring a ski pro, and
hopping a snowcat which cuts the first 20 minutes off of the hike. With nearly
20 named lines to choose from, Highland Bowl has something for every
powder-junky. Take advantage of the 18 skiable acres added last year, by
carving turns in the Canopy Cruiser trees or in the steeps of Mushroom run.
After exploring Deep Temerity, head over to Scarlett’s Run to challenge
yourself on this famous bump course. Be warned: Merry Go Round’s expansive deck
ensures you’ll have plenty of spectators. Just before your legs say “no more,”
cruise down to Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro where you can rejuvenate with
Austrian-inspired fare and raclette — all very European.
MOUNTAIN
INFO
Base
elevation: 8,040 ft./2,451 m.
Summit
elevation: 11,675 ft./3,559 m. (top of Highland
Bowl 12,392 ft.)
Vertical
rise: 3,635 ft./1,108 m.
Terrain: 1,028 acres
Number
of trails: 125
Types
of trails: easiest: 18%; more difficult, 30%; most
difficult, 16%; expert, 36%
Steepest
run: Go-Go Gully, Highland Bowl—slope angle
of 48 degrees
Lifts: 5: Three high-speed quads, two triples.
Uncrowded
slopes: On average, two people per acre.
Parking: HOV (4 or more people) and hybrids park for free at Aspen
Highlands. Paid parking is enforced from 7:30 a.m. to noon daily. Daily parking
fee is $10 weekdays, $13 on weekends; 10-pass punch card available for $99.
Restaurants: Merry-Go-Round, Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro, Willow Creek Bistro,
Highlands Pizza Co.
Best-kept
secret: The newly extended Mushroom trail will
test even the fittest legs of mogul enthusiasts. For incredible skiing/riding
on a powder day, head to Child’s Play in the Highland Bowl.
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Though the Base Village
has been through countless transformations in recent years, Snowmass remains
the largest and most diverse of Aspen’s four mountains. Intermediate skiers can
cruise on Sneaky’s off of the Big Burn chair, and carve corduroy on Naked Lady
and Coffee Pot off of Alpine Springs. Those looking for world-class skiing will
love The Cirque, which can be reached by its own poma. If the (sometimes moody)
lift is closed, it is just a short five-minute hike from the High Alpine chair
to get to local favorites such as the cliff-littered Hanging Valley Glades,
Roberto’s, and Headwall — some seriously steep skiing at a resort mostly known
for the best intermediate runs. With 91 trails to explore, beginners and
intermediate skiers and riders of all ages will love the variety this mountain offers.
From never-ending, big-mountain runs such as Long Shot, to short and sweet
gladed runs off of High Alpine, it is everyone’s mountain. Aspen Skiing Co.’s
expansive ski and snowboard school in Snowmass helps riders of all abilities
hone their skills on its wide (and forgiving) trails. The fun doesn’t end on
the slopes though, as kids will love horsing around in the Treehouse Kids’
Adventure Center and adults will love the laid-back après-ski scene at watering
holes such as Zane’s Tavern and Mountain Dragon, or at the new Viceroy
Snowmass’ hotspots, Eight K and poolside at Nest.
MOUNTAIN INFO
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: 3,132 acres
Number of trails:
91
Types of trails:
easiest, 6%; more difficult, 50%; most difficult, 12%; expert: 32%
Steepest run: Gowdy’s and
AMF — slope angle of 40 degrees
Lifts: 24: One
eight-passenger gondola, one high-speed six passenger chair, one six-passenger
gondola,
six high-speed quads, two quads, three doubles, six ski and
snowboard school lifts; four secondary lifts (Sheer Bliss double, Cirque and
Scooper platter pulls, and Naked Lady triple)
Uncrowded slopes: On
average two people per acre.
Parking: Free parking at
Town Park Station (formerly Rodeo Lot), with shuttles to the mountain every ten
minutes; timed and permit parking in the numbered mall lots; paid parking at
Two Creeks until noon; HOV (for or more) park free in lot C.
Restaurants: The Office at
the Cirque Bar and Grille, Café Suzanne, Gwyn’s High Alpine, Lynn Britt Cabin
(lunches and snowcat dinner rides), Two Creeks Mexican Café, Ullrhof, Up 4
Pizza, and Burlingame Cabin (snowcat dinner rides), Sam’s Cookhouse, Sneaky’s
Tavern.
Best-kept secret:
Take the short hike to the Long Shot trail where intermediate skiers and
snowboarders can get a backcountry experience while in-bounds.
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Few resorts in the country have a mountain devoted completely to
those new to the sport, but Buttermilk features moderate terrain on which
everyone is a hero. Open, rolling hills without crowds are the perfect place
for tots to try out skiing for their first time, or for adults to practice
their new love for snowboarding. (This is where Michael Jordan learned to ski.)
Though Buttermilk may be one of the best beginner mountains in the country,
that hasn’t stopped this family friendly mountain from being the home to the
ESPN Winter X Games for an unprecedented nine years in a row this January. The
world’s most talented action-sports athletes ascend on Buttermilk, defying
gravity (and common sense) in the Olympic-size superpipe, two-mile-long terrain
park, and the open slopes that host events such as Skier X and Boarder X. After
the hubbub of the X Games dies down, local jibbers enjoy the terrain park’s
rails, jumps, and 22-foot pipe, while adventurous skiers and riders discover
powder in the steeps of Tiehack.
MOUNTAIN INFO
Base elevation: 7,870
ft./2,399 m
Summit elevation:
9,900 ft./3,018 m
Vertical rise: 2,030 ft./619
m
Terrain: 470 acres
Number of trails:
44
Types of trails:
easiest, 35%; more difficult, 39%; most difficult, 26%; expert, 0%
Longest run: 5 miles
Lift total: 9: Two
high-speed quads, three doubles, two handle tows, two ski/snowboard school
lifts.
Uncrowded slopes:
3.7 people per acre.
Parking: The main Buttermilk
lot or the Tiehack or West Buttermilk base area.
Restaurants: Bumps located at the main base area and The Cliffhouse at the top of
the Summit Express lift.
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