Aspen Ski Review 2010
Aspen was once a booming silver mining town in 1892 but when the price of silver dropped, the residents pretty much moved out until the first ski lift was opened just after the Second World War. Aspen hasn’t looked back since and has grown to become one of the most well known and popular ski resorts in North America. Favoured by many celebrities who tend to keep a low profile and enjoy themselves you will definitely feel at home here in this picturesque old mining town. The town itself is made up of the usual grid section of streets lined with traditional Victorian buildings. There are direct flights to Denver then a small connecting flight drops you off right in Aspen which means no long transfers. Families will also enjoy Aspen as there is plenty to do such as the Tree House Kids Adventure Centre. Ski Aspen Aspen is made up of three main ski areas called Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands. There is also Snowmass which is 19Km away from Aspen and easily reached with the regular bus service. Aspen Mountain has lovely long cruisy blue runs and some challenging steep black runs off the ridges. Buttermilk is the smallest of the 4 areas and is best suited to beginners. Aspen Highlands has a great mixture of easy and intermediate slopes and some very steep black runs at the top. There is also a bowl that is graded double black. Snowmass is a huge area over 3000 acres of piste to play on and something to suit all gradients. Aspen was home to the Winter X games until 2010 so has a different type of terrain park on each of its ski areas. It does boast a park that claims to be the longest in the world at 3Km long. Beginners will be best suited to learning on Buttermilk. Intermediates will find most of the runs on Highlands and Snowmass to be the best. Snowmass certainly has the most variety to suit intermediates. For more advanced skiers and boarders all of the mountains except Buttermilk offer fantastic challenges both on and off piste. It is a good idea to join one of the organised groups if skiing or boarding the area for the first time to take advantage of the best places to ski. Aspen Apres Ski When the lifts start to close there are a few good bars at the foot of the slopes. Iguanas at the Highlands and the Ajax Tavern in Aspen are good. The dinner/bar scene in Aspen is great fun to be part of and you never know who you might bump into in the evening as there are plenty of celebrities who favour Aspen for their ski holidays. For fantastic fresh seafood and great wine try the Pacifica. The Elevation restaurant also comes highly recommended for its great food and bar. If you fancy a pint with the locals then head to Coopers bar as it is well priced and good fun with great burgers as well! There is something for all budgets with plenty to do off the slopes, however, if you plan on a spot of shopping definitely bring your gold credit card as the prices are high. There are various art galleries to meander around and plenty of shops and jewellery stores to spend your dollars in or just to window shop. Aspen Ski and Snowboard Schools Children ages 6yrs and under ski FREE at Aspen and Snowmass The Ski and Snowboard School in Aspen has something for absolutely everyone. They have children’s classes, preschool, adult’s lessons, telemarking, mountain explorers, women only and speciality programs designed for you. Full details can be found on www. aspensnowmass.com/schools Aspen Lift passes 6 day Adult pass (18-64yrs) Low season £211 High season £263 Mid season £242 Value season £183 6 day Youth pass (13-17yrs) / Senior (65-69) Low season £187 High season £211 Mid season £194 Value season £166 6 day Child pass (7-12yrs) Low season £142 High season £176 Mid season £159 Value season £124 Low season departs 11th – 16th Dec, 4th Jan-8th Feb and 25th Mar-3rd Apr High season departs 17th Dec-3rd Jan Mid season departs 9th Feb-24th Mar Value season departs 4th Apr – 18th Apr Review from www.skiamericaonline.co.uk for www.SkiAndBoarding.com Ski America Online dedicates their time to you and booking your perfect ski and snowboarding holidays. Just call 01350 728869 or check out the website for full details.
