Welcome back to Skiing Through Life! With this new set of blog posts, we’re going to change things up a little bit. Normally the categories that I focus on with each ski resort are Difficulty (of the trails), Family-Friendliness, Apres Ski Activities, Weather/Snowfall, and Accessibility. In future posts, the categories are going to change a little bit and we will be focusing on the trails in general (difficulty, tree-skiing, backcountry skiing), the lessons/programs that the mountain offers, apres ski activities, and lodging. Keeping these categories in mind, let’s get back into the swing of things starting with Aspen Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado! Aspen/Snowmass is located in the Rocky Mountains just above the actual town of Aspen, Colorado. The Aspen/Snowmass mountain resort complex includes 4 different mountains but we will mainly be focusing on the smallest one, Aspen. In addition to Aspen Mountain, the other 3 mountains are Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass which is the largest.
Trails
On Aspen Mountain specifically, there are no green (beginner) trails which makes this mountain a bit challenging. The majority of the trails on Aspen Mountain are black diamonds, double black diamonds, and extreme expert skiing terrain. The mountain definitely has some blue trails which is considered intermediate terrain but as a reminder, blue trails out West such as in Colorado, Utah, and California are typically equivalent to black diamond trails at smaller mountains on the East Coast, especially compared to Pennsylvania resort trails. For expert/highly advanced skiers, Aspen does offer a huge amount of challenging terrain with multiple trails marked as extreme terrain meaning that the trails are not groomed, may have difficult obstacles, an extremely steep pitch, and are avalanche prone with heavy snow storms.
Lessons/Programs
At Aspen/Snowmass, every type of lesson imaginable is offered. There are group lessons for every age group (adult, teen, and child), and private lessons for any level of skier is also offered. One of the main attractions at Aspen is the Guided Skiing Experience with one of the Aspen Pros. This program allows you to book a half or full day out on the mountain with a professional skier who works for Aspen. These people will take you out on the mountain, show you where the best snow is for the day, and even their secret skiing spots. If anyone knows where the best skiing on the mountain is, it’s this group of people! Another unique opportunity at Aspen are their specialty programs such as a women’s skiing program, snow bike lessons, and the kids mountain explorers program.
Apres Ski
After a day on the slopes, there are heaps of activities that everyone can enjoy to either relax, have more fun, or eat! Some of the featured activities at Aspen are the alpine coaster, snow tubing, powder tours, snowcat dinners, naturalist tours, and snowshoe tours. As for restaurants, there are more than 100 featured food places in the Aspen/Snowmass area. One of the best places to eat is literally on the top of the mountain at the Sundeck which is operated by Aspen’s 5 star hotel, The Little Nell. Other restaurants include everything from luxurious dining at Element 47 at The Little Nell Hotel, to Bonnie’s, a small brunch cafe. Moving on from restaurants, the shopping at Aspen is unparalleled with the shops it offers including Gucci, Prada, Kemo Sabe, Ralph Lauren, Lululemon, fine art galleries, and most importantly, a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
Lodging
In this last category, we’ll be exploring a few of the best places to stay when skiing at Aspen. The two mountains people will typically stay on/near are Aspen Mountain and Snowmass Mountain. Typical for most ski resorts, the majority of the lodging options at Aspen are condo complexes and also apartment/town house rentals. Within these complexes, you
can choose to either stay right on the mountain in a ski-in ski-out option or you can stay closer to the bottom of the mountain near the actual town of Aspen. The complexes usually include beautiful pools and hot tubs, tennis courts, and sometimes even restaurants within the complexes and you’re sure to have a great view from any room. As for actual hotels and resorts some of the best options are the 5-star Little Nell Hotel, the Hotel Aspen, Hotel Jerome, and the Limelight Hotel Aspen. All of these hotels offer breathtaking views of mountain, are close to shopping and dining, and offer free shuttle rides to and from the mountain.
One thing to keep in mind when considering Aspen Mountain specifically is that the terrain is very difficult so this might not be the mountain to pick if you’re skiing with beginners or young kids. If challenging skiing is up your alley, this mountain is perfect for you and is sure to be more than satisfactory. Another general comment about Aspen/Snowmass altogether is that it is a very expensive resort to ski at. Lodging can be thousands of dollars per night depending on where you’re staying and lift tickets are sure to be pricey too. If you have the money to spend on a luxurious winter escape, this location is absolutely perfect and will not disappoint!