Aspen Colorado, situated high in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Aspen boasts some of the most premier skiing in North America. It is even acclaimed worldwide as one of the ultimate ski resorts in the world, with millions of people from different places visiting Aspen to ski during the winter. Aspen is also one of the best vacation spots in the summer.
Famous celebrities flock to Aspen just to the visit the great Aspen Colorado ski areas. So who knows what famous celebrity you might bump into walking down the Aspen streets or skiing down the slopes?
Aspen Colorado as mentioned boasts a number of the best ski slopes of all the Colorado ski areas. A few of them are mentioned below, so read on to get the details.
Snowmass
Snowmass is actually one of the four ski/snowboard mountains of Aspen. Of Aspen's four hills, Snowmass is the largest. This slope contains more than 86 ski trails with 22 lifts on 3,128 acres of skiing pleasure.
Aspen Snowmass is considered as one of the premium Aspen Colorado ski areas as it offers incredible terrain that is perfect for skiing and snowboarding. It is even well-known for its long, cruising runs, as well as for its steep, expert terrain. A 4,406 feet lift served vertical rise, including high-speed quad chairs, double-chairs, and beginner lifts. Snowmass is the highest in Colorado.
Perhaps one thing that is great about this Aspen Colorado ski area is the fact that it is highly accessible by free shuttle from anywhere in the Aspen or Snowmass Village area. Snowmass is considered family friendly and is a snowboarder's paradise. It has a "Super Dragon" half-pipe and miles of terrain park riding. 95 percent of the accommodations in this Aspen Colorado ski area are ski-in and ski-out.
Aspen Mountain
Aspen Mountain is a serious mountain for serious skiers. There are no beginner runs on Aspen Mountain. Most of Aspen Mountain's runs are labeled as difficult, most difficult, and expert class. Aspen Mountain is best known for steep, bumpy runs for the more experienced skiers to enjoy.
Aspen Mountain was previously closed to snowboarders. But now Aspen Mountain accommodates them on the hill as well. Snowboarders remember that this is an expert class mountain, not for the inexperienced.
39 Lifts service Aspen mountains and the longest run is 21,965 ft. The mountain also provides winter adventure with cross-country skiing, cat skiing, and snow tubing with its terrain park area. Sometimes called "Ajax" by the locals, Aspen Mountain has five world class restaurants located on the mountain.
Aspen Highlands
Aspen Highlands is specifically known as the "local’s favorite" choice of the four ski mountains. This Aspen Colorado ski area is located just three miles from the downtown Aspen. Visitors may access Aspen Highlands by a free shuttle.
The Aspen Highlands Mountain is noted for its 970 acres that feature stunning views of the world famous Maroon Bells and a 3,635 feet vertical rise. This presents skiers with some of Colorado’s most challenging terrains.
All levels of skiers and snowboarders can enjoy a day here. The mountain boasts 131 trails for beginners, average and expert skiers. There are three high-speed quad chairs and one triple chair to get the visitor to their skiing pleasures.
With the addition of the New Cloud Nine high-speed quad chairlift, this Aspen Colorado ski area will now have the youngest overall lift system in the United States. There are three top class restaurants situated on the mountain for diners.
Aspen Buttermilk
Buttermilk is the smallest of the four ski hills with only 420 acres. Buttermilk is geared towards easy and beginner runs. The mountain has only 26% of runs being rated most difficult with no expert runs to be found here.
Buttermilk Mountain can be accessed by the free shuttle buses run between all four mountains and the villages. The Aspens hills ski area includes all four ski mountains: Snowmass, Aspen Mountain (Ajax), Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk.
Ashcroft and Castle Creek Road
Although not a downhill skiing area, I should mention the Castle Creek Valley. The Castle Creek Road is one of the world famous drives in the Aspen Colorado ski area. The Castle Creek Road winds 13 miles up the valley, and eleven miles up the road, on your way to the Aspen Colorado ski area, is the historic mining ghost town of Ashcroft.
Aside from the downhill skiing found at the end of the road, a number of other recreation opportunities are accessible from the Castle Creek Road. These include backpacking, hiking and walking, primitive camping, mountain biking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, motorcycle riding, and snowmobiling. All of these activities are available to the visitor of this scenic region.
Located in the White River National Forest, this area was one of the first designated cross-country skiing areas in the United States. The Valley contains approximately 21 miles of trails that are waiting to be explored throughout the year.
The drive through the Castle Creek Valley is particularly scenic in the fall when the harsh contrast between the green pine trees and the brilliant yellow of the aspen trees on the hillsides is most beautiful. At this time of the year, the area becomes a photographer's delight.
