Aspen, Colorado is home to a number of exceptional ski resorts and features some truly spectacular mountain scenery. Attracting a mixture of serious skiers, Hollywood celebrities and tourists, Aspen has become a major tourism destination throughout the year.

Introduction

It boasts all the trappings of a modern, sophisticated American resort, including an attractive pedestrianised shopping mall close to the foot of the slopes and a very efficient transport system (although the compact downtown area, which is about 1¼ mls by ½ ml, is almost entirely flat for walkers). The generally low-rise modern additions blend very well with the carefully preserved buildings and cobbled streets from the days of its first boom period. Glitz and glamour prevail at all times and the town is a popular second home to many established Hollywood movie stars and rock musicians.

Public Transport

An efficient free ski-shuttle service within downtown and between all 4 ski-mountains. Frequent free bus service (year round) throughout Aspen proper; also goes to Snowmass Village, the airport and various points in between for a nominal charge. Taxis, horse-drawn sleighs and limousines. A few properties have their own courtesy buses.

Location

Location: In W-central United States, in the W-central portion of Colorado State. 200 mls SW of Denver; 210 mls SW of Denver's international airport. 3 mls SE of Aspen airport. 11 mls E of Snowmass Village.

Position: In the heart of the White River National Forest, situated at the head of 12-ml-long Roaring Fork Valley, surrounded by the Elk and Sawatch Mountains.

• Dialling Code
  • 970
• Postcode
  • 81611
• Website
  • www.aspensnowmass.com

Serving Airports

• Denver International (DEN)
  • Flight time from the UK: 10 hrs

Market/Suitability

Upmarket clientele in downtown Aspen; families, package-tour visitors and the budget-conscious opt for the condominiums at Snowmass Village.

Skiing

Ski Lift/Ski School: The Silver Queen gondola station, at the base of Aspen Mountain and 100 yds from the small pedestrianised centre, is the main access and ski-school point. Aspen Mountain has 5 primary lifts in addition to the Silver Queen gondola: 1 high-speed quad, 1 high-speed double, 1 quad and 2 doubles; and 2 secondary lifts (1 quad and 1 double). Family-friendly Snowmass (11 mls W of Aspen) has a total of 20 lifts: primary lifts comprise 7 high-speed quads, 5 doubles, 2 triples, 2 platter pulls and 2 "magic carpets"; secondary lifts comprise 1 double and 1 platter pull. Visitors to Snowmass can ski to 4 different chair-lifts from most properties in the village. A bus or car is required to access the gentler Buttermilk (2 mls NW) and the more distant Aspen Highlands lifts (2½ mls SW). Buttermilk has 1 high-speed quad, 5 doubles and 1 drag-lift; Aspen Highlands has 3 high-speed quads and 1 triple. A 4-mountain lift pass is available entitling use of all 39 ski-lifts. A ski-school is located at the base of each ski-area.

Altitude/Snow Quality: Village: 7,937 ft. Highest lifts: 11,835 ft. High altitude and plethora of well-groomed descents on Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands ensure excellent conditions Nov to April; 608 acres of piste covered by snow-making equipment. Aspen Mountain has 76 trails covering 64 mls (36 intermediate runs, 20 advanced and 20 expert). Snowmass has 84 trails covering 137 mls (6 for beginners, 46 intermediate, 15 advanced and 17 expert). Buttermilk has 41 trails covering 21 mls (14 beginners' runs, 16 intermediate and 11 advanced). Aspen Highlands has 131 trails covering 65 mls (26 beginners' runs, 43 intermediate, 22 advanced and 40 expert).

Shopping

Sugar and spice and all things nice – at a price. Diamonds and furs, leather and lace, fine art and sports equipment. 2 supermarkets in Aspen and 1 in Snowmass for self caterers.

Entertainment

Daytime: winter activities include ice rink, extensive cross-country skiing, snow-cat tours, dog sledging, snowmobiling, sleigh rides and snowboarding on all 4 mountains; free swimming pool at Snowmass. In summer: golf, hiking, biking, fishing, horse riding, mountain climbing, white-water rafting, paragliding, helicopter rides and hot-air ballooning; gondola service; light-aircraft trips; wagon rides; skate park for skateboarders and in-line skaters; variety of concerts; food and wine festival.

Nightlife: glamour and glitz at several fine restaurants; cabaret club and some sophisticated nightclubs and discos; Western-style bars; jazz clubs; cinemas, theatre and opera house.

Eating Out

It's possible to eat somewhere different every night for a month. Abundant smart restaurants offer innovative local and international cuisine, including Mexican, Chinese, French and Italian. There's the usual array of steakhouses and a few fast-food restaurants (including McDonald's).

Accommodation

A wide selection, from luxurious hotels and condominiums to family-owned "olde-worlde" B&B lodges, the majority within walking distance of the ski-lifts. Free shuttle buses provide the link with properties on the outskirts. Snowmass Village has its own complement of condominiums.

Local Excursions

Several guided bus and Jeep tours of the region, especially during summer. Tours of nearby ghost towns.

Interested?

For more information on this ski resort, call us today on (028) 3832 3618, arrange a callback or email us.

Alternatively, if you would prefer we are very happy to see you in person at our new Travel Lounge, Lurgan. Visitors are advised to make an appointment with one of our specialist consultants.

• Bookmark this page –
• Print this page