When one thinks of Rocky Mountain ski resorts, Aspen comes to mind as the chicest of them all. But for those in the know, Aspen is more than high-end restaurants and French fashion houses. Aspen Snowmass provides one of the top skiing experiences in the country that stretches over four mountains and two towns.
Celebrating its 75th anniversary, the area consists of the towns of Aspen and Snowmass Village. Aspen is the larger and more upscale of the two, while Snowmass is a ski oasis for families.
Aspen is easy to reach from New Orleans. If possible, fly directly into Aspen Airport (ASE), which features seasonal connections via cities like Dallas, Atlanta, and Houston. From the airport, it's just mere minutes on the free bus shuttle to either town. Otherwise, Eagle County Regional Airport is an hour away, while Denver airport is a four-hour drive.
In the town of Aspen, there are numerous options for accommodations to fit all group sizes, styles, and budgets…ranging from the super-chic five-star St. Regis Aspen Resort Hotel to The Little Nell, which features ski-in/ski-out access.
Snowmass has more ski-in/ski-out locales than anywhere in Colorado, as well as larger vacation homes that are a better fit for families. Some abodes feature private hot tubs to enjoy after a hard day on the slopes.
Airbnb and VRBO are great options for searching for a place to stay, as well going through local companies such as McCartney Property Management. These businesses work with local homeowners to offer privately-owned dwellings throughout the area.
Aspen Snowmass' four mountains for your skiing pleasure are Aspen Mountain (known locally as Ajax), Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass. Each mountain is easily reachable by the free shuttle and features its own unique characteristics.
Ajax is located directly in the town of Aspen. Its Silver Queen Gondola bridges the municipality with the mountain. Ajax is not for beginners, as it does not feature any beginning level (green) slopes nor the ubiquitous "bunny hill." Thus, it is unique in that it is only populated by intermediate to expert skiers.
Snowmass is the largest mountain of the group with nearly 4,000 skiable acres and multiple slopes for all skill levels. The mountain offers bowls as well as kid-friendly tree trails and groomed cruisers like the Long Shot that continues for over five miles.
Buttermilk Mountain is as sweet as its name; it's considered the easiest skiing mountain in the Aspen area, though does not have any housing options. Buttermilk is possibly the best mountain for beginners and families who want to ski together.
Like Ajax, Aspen Highlands Ski Resort is not for beginners. It features the famous Highland Bowl, which many in Colorado consider the crowning glory of Aspen. Aspen Highlands is known for its expert terrain and lack of bunny slopes.
One of the most important aspects of snow skiing Aspen Snowmass is to have the proper equipment. Boots should fit properly and skis should accommodate the level of the skier. In Aspen Snowmass, the spot for rentals and all your equipment needs is Four Mountain Sports, the official retailer of Aspen Snowmass.
Four Mountain Sports has convenient locations at the base of all four mountains; at the end of the day you can drop your equipment to them for free overnight storage. Even better, Four Mountain Sports will transfer your equipment to another mountain the next day so that it will be waiting for you upon your arrival. And if something needs to be adjusted or changed, any of their locations can help.
For an extraordinary equipment experience, consider a personal rental appointment with the resorts new ASPENX. The program offers top tier equipment including boards, helmets and state of the art skis or snowboards. The personalized service even comes with a complimentary beverage and pastry from a local French bakery. www.aspenx.com
Whether you are a beginner seeing your first snow enough for a snowman, or an experienced skier who relishes double black diamonds, it always advised to get lessons. One bad run down the mountain can ruin your day, week, or life, so lessons are a wise investment.
Aspen Snowmass offers a wide variety of ski and snowboard lessons for all ages and levels of experience, and lessons can be found on all four area mountains. Their ski school is one of the best in the country, and some lessons include ski rentals. Students also enjoy flexible meeting times and priority lift access.
Aspen Snowmass is unique in offering lessons for multiple age groups of children. Different programs start for infants and go all the way up to those in their late-teens. Kids can even learn the finer points of racing and jumping on Buttermilk, which is the only mountain to host the Winter X Games for the past 22 years.
Adults should consider a private lesson for the ultimate one-on-one training available. Group lessons are limited to five people, so even that option includes personalized instruction. Aspen Snowmass also offers the unique Women's Edge program that is especially designed for women, as well as exciting snowbiking lessons for those 12 and older.
In addition to its posh accommodations and world class shopping, Aspen offers first class dining options to satisfy any palate. Aspen firstly sets itself apart from other resorts with its on-mountain cuisine.
The star restaurant of the four ski slopes is Sam's, located in Snowmass at the top and Sam's Knob and specializing in Italian fare. Sam's is arguably the best on-mountain restaurant in the entire Rocky Mountains.
Sam's offers refined Italian food and wine including everything from linguini in clam sauce and rigatoni Bolognese to Italian salads and lamb burgers. Many specialties are perfect for sharing, so be sure to come hungry. Skiing after a heavy meal can be challenging, so consider a later lunch reservation.
The Sundeck on Aspen Mountain features tasty cuisine and some of the best views of any on-mountain restaurant in Colorado. Located at the top of the Silver Queen gondola or Ajax Express Chair, the panoramic windows at The Sundeck look out to the Highlands Bowl, and on a sunny day the scenery is breathtaking.
Skiing in freezing temperatures burns lots of calories, so there's no reason to watch what you eat. The Sundeck features hearty cuisine such as pizza, burritos, and even a wok and ramen station. Grab a bowl of their stellar chili and a loaded baked potato to recharge after a morning of tackling the double diamonds.
Fans of Asian cuisine will want to hit the Mongolian grill station at Cliffhouse Restaurant at Buttermilk. Located at the top of Tiehack Express and Summit Express lifts, the Mongolian grill station allows you to build your own version of pho, ramen, or stir-fried noodle dish…complete with your choice of ingredients. Cliffhouse also has delicious hot dogs that we be ordered with any number of toppings.
The Cliffhouse restaurant offers some of the best photo opportunities around, so be sure to give yourself a few minutes after your meal to photograph some memories. Consider grabbing a table outside at the Cliffhouse deck, which provides stunning views of Pyramid Peak. Cowboy caludrons serve as fireplaces to help keep you warm.
In the movie Wall Street, tycoon Gordon Gekko gives the memorable quote "Lunch is for wimps!" For many die-hard skiers who have limited days on the mountain, stopping for a long sit-down meal is a waste: they save their hunger for apres skiing.
The go-to place for apres skiing is Ajax Tavern in The Little Nell. Located at the base of Aspen Mountain, Ajax Tavern is a fantastic spot for people-watching. Grab a seat on the mountainside patio and order one of their fantastic cocktails, as this is where the beautiful people are.
Ajax Tavern offers casual fine dining with options to satisfy everyone. Open at noon through the night, hungry burger connoisseurs should not miss their renowned Ajax wagyu double cheeseburger with a side of truffle fries. Other menu highlights include the fondue, charcuterie board, and raw oysters.
For a spectacular dinner in the town of Aspen, make a reservation at Duemani. Everything in Aspen is walking distance, and Duemani is easy to find. This approachable yet refined restaurant offers spectacular seafood, prime grilled meats, and creative cocktails…all in a beautifully decorated dining room.
Start off your meal with one of the amazing crudos or tartares, such as the scallop crudo with wasabi tobiko or salmon tartare with avocado. From there, you can't go wrong with the grilled fish options including branzino or Chilean sea bass, nor the spectacular meats such as the Japanese Kobe or veal chop Milanese.
Party with the high rollers in one of the chicest restaurants in the country at The Snow Lodge at the St. Regis Hotel. Part nightclub and part restaurant, The Snow Lodge feels like Studio 54 in the mountains. The jewel-toned furnishings, world class modern art, and talented DJs bring Vegas to Aspen.
Start the evening off with a cocktail, as New York City's Dante runs the bar. The menu features Colorado-sourced fare with an Italian flare. Highlights include the wild boar pappardelle, fantastic wild-grown mushrooms, and baked potatoes with huge dollops of caviar.
