Aspen - Introduction
Aspen has got to be one of the best ski destinations in North America, and is renowned for its excellent skiing across four mountains of uncrowded pistes, it's lively varied nightlife and restaurants and the simple elegance of a town who's tradition is steeped in the old wild west. Aspen itself was a booming silver mining town in the 1890's and incredibly, produced a sixth of all the silver mined in the USA.
Skiing
The ski areas are separate, with only one (Aspen Mountain), accessible from the town via the six-seater Silver Queen gondola. The four mountains can be split according to skiing ability; Aspen Highlands for advanced, Buttermilk for beginners, and Aspen Mountain for strong intermediates. Snowmass, a short drive away, is the biggest of all the mountains and offers meandering blues, perfect for the intermediate. The resort is proud of its showbiz links and has even named one of its trails Rocky Mountain High, after the John Denver hit. Service is superb, with Ski Ambassadors always on the lookout for someone to assist on the slopes. And if you can’t be bothered to lug your skis back to your accommodation, you can have them looked after, and pick them up next day.
Snowboarding
Since the lifting of the ban in 2001, Aspen has taken its place among the best boarding resorts in the USA. The best board park is on Buttermilk, with its huge half-pipe that hosts the ESPN Winter X Games annually, and a terrain park that includes over 40 rails and jumps. Snowmass has also developed 3 terrain parks with the Snowmass Pipeline Park offering a super-pipe and over 30 hits or rails for intermediate and advanced riders, whilst Makaha and Scooper Parks feature a mini-pipe and a series of easier rails for beginners.
Ski Schools
Every conceivable type of technique is taught, from bumps, powder and carving to telemarking and women-only lessons! Children are well catered for too with day-care and babysitting available from the Aspen Chamber Resort Association.
Eating Out
From seafood to pizza, the 100 plus restaurants and bars of Aspen offer every type of cuisine imaginable. On the slopes, the Sundeck restaurant at Aspen Mountain has good self-service food and live music in the afternoons. At Highlands, try Cloud Nine for breathtaking views and Alpine fare from an Austrian chef. At Buttermilk the Cliffhouse has great views up Maroon Creek Valley and a Mongolian barbecue, whilst Snowmass has an even bigger choice. In town the Red Onion bar is currently closed for refurbishment this season, but Bentley’s comes highly recommended. Little Annie does Elk chilli. For those with a sweet tooth, the bakery shop on the corner of Main and South Aspen should not be missed!
Bars and clubs
Après-ski ranges from the sublime – the members-only Caribou – to the ridiculously accessible – the Red Onion. Fill up on cheap appetisers at their Happy Hour, or sup Fat Tyre, the well-respected local brew. Watch out for ski instructors on the prowl at the Sky Hotel’s 39 Degrees bar, where the Altitude Martinis will literally blow you away, but for the wildest time in town try 70s night at Bar Aspen. Star spotters could hang out at Little Nell for a glimpse of Michael Douglas or Kate Moss, but if it’s a real shake down you’re after the early hours dancing at Club Chelsea cannot be beaten.
Off the slopes
Shopaholics will be in seventh heaven with designers like Gucci, Prada and Ralph Lauren. Enough said! Culture vultures will be spoilt for choice with over 50 art galleries to choose from.