Ski in Aspen

Skiing in Aspen

Aspen - Ski Resort in Four Mountains Area, American Rockies (2380m to 3490m)

Few can agree on the world's greatest ski resort, but most would have Aspen in their top five, like St Moritz, just because of its reputation. Apart from being a remarkable resort, dripping with wealth, Aspen has great skiing over four mountains, a world-class lift system and more alternative things to do (underground loco pulled silver mine tours for example ) than anywhere else. Aspen Highlands, the last to comre under the joint aspen ownership, offers one of the biggest verticals in North America (Snowmass has the biggest in the US), and one of the world's newst lift systems. A base village is currently undrer construction here. Both it and Aspen Mountain have plenty of expert terrain. Beginners have their own mountain - Tiehack. Snowmass Village is a semi-autonomous resort, 12 miles from Aspen valley. It has immediate access to the most black and double black diamond skiing in area and offers 95% slopeside lodging.

Aspen

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Aspen Ski Facts

Aspen Ski Facts

		Expert Skiers
		Intermediate Skiers
		Beginners
		Snowboarding
		Snow
		Apres-Ski
	23	Black Pistes
	26	Red Pistes
	27	Blue Pistes
80km		Cross Country Pistes
8		Ski Lifts
1110m		Max Vertical
3490m		Highest Lift
2420m		Resort Altitude
2380m		Lowest Piste

Aspen

The American ski resort of Aspen is part of the Four Mountains Area ski area and has direct access to 200 individual pistes, served by 8 ski lifts. In addition to the skiing in Aspen itself 272pisted ski runs), the appropriate ski Lift Pass will allow you to ski or snowboard in the other Four Mountains Area ski resort of Snowmass.

The ski resort itself is above 1500m, so skiing or boarding back to the resort is usually possible. With pistes above 2500 metres, skiing and snowboarding is assured throughout the season.

Snowmaking :- Aspen is able to augment natural snow, with 490 Snow Cannons.

Ski Lift Capacity :- The 8 Ski Lifts of Aspen are able to uplift 24,000 skiers / snowboarders per hour.

There are two Airports within two hours drive, so ski weekends, snowboard breaks and short ski holidays to Aspen are perfectly feasible. Aspen Airport is just one hours drive away, in good driving conditions, so you can be on the piste quickly.

Skiing in Aspen

Aspen has four mountains, not linked by ski lifts, which together offer a vast range of skiing for all standards. There is a complimentary shuttle service from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. for skiers and snowboarders. Beginners and those looking for quieter, gentler slopes tend to start at Buttermilk, a few miles (5 km) out of town. Those wanting a huge terrain with something for everyone will head for Snowmass 11 miles (18 km) away, whilst those searching out advanced and expert level thrills and excitement go straight for Aspen Mountain, or Aspen Highlands three miles (5 km) distant.

Access to intermediate level terrain on Aspen mountain was improved with the installation of the United State's first high-speed detachable double chair, replacing the original Ruthie's chair, and reducing uphill transit time from 11 minutes to five.

For the more advanced skiers looking for extra excitement, there are guided off-piste tours at Aspen Highlands and Snowmass, and a popular Speed Skiing Course also at Snowmass, where participants often clock up 65mph (105kph). The lift-served Cirque powder skiing above the treeline at Snowmass is also a popular option (open around 60 - 75 days per season, according to snow conditions), as is an Aspen Mountain Powder tour. This all-day tour is not for the faint-of-finance however, coming in at $225, including gourmet lunch.

A huge range of ski and snowboard school classes are available through the thousand-plus teacher strong Ski and Snowboard Schools of Aspen. One of the most novel is the On-Mountain Performance Centre where all levels of skiers can use on and off snow biomechanical analyses of body movement and equipment ...to unlock each skier's true potential.

Snowboarding in Aspen

Aspen was famous for not allowing boarders on to its flagship Ajax mountain (the main slopes above the town itself, although there were permitted at the other three mountain areas) until the turn of the century. It has now gone to the other extreme and built itself a reputation as a boarding mecca with Buttermilk ski area one huge snow park and a venue for the Winter X Games.

Aspen Aprés Ski

As you would expect, there is a wide variety of nightlife on offer at Aspen. Cultural, shopping and dining options are described in the relevant sections of this text. Popular night spots include The Rock, open every night, live music at Hotel Jerome and free country dancing lessons at Shooter's Saloon.

Budget friendly nightlife for over 21s includes the U-Call-It Night, a '70s night at The Tippler and the infamous 'Pitcher-of-beer-and-five-shots' deal available after 11pm at Little Annie's (open until 1am) Ironically enough, given Aspen's reputation, this must be about the cheapest drinks deal available in any western ski resort.

Aspen Snow Reports by e-mail

For a Free 7-Day Snow Forecast for Aspen, including a Snow Report with current skiing conditions, just sign-up to our Ski Chat Forum and set Aspen as a favourite ski resort in your Profile.

Aspen in brief

Aspen Ski Resort is:
Excellent for Expert Skiers.
Excellent for Intermediate Skiers.
Very good for Beginners.
Excellent for Snowboarding.
Opened : December 8, 2012
Closed : April 21, 2013
Opening Subject To Snow Conditions.

Aspen Snow Forecast

Map of Aspen