Why Aspen is a Special Place According to this Lifelong Local
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Aspen is one of those special places where you can have the best day of your life on the mountain followed by the best night of your life in town. Rooted deep in the Elk mountains this ex-mining mining town has evolved from a silver producing powerhouse into a skier's paradise. The Nearby Maroon Bells showcase the ruggedness of area while the town hosts world-class dining and accommodations; the combination gives Aspen its renowned reputation.
Aspen has four separate ski areas that each have unique characteristics, terrain choices, and tribes of their own. The terrain choice is so expansive between the four mountains that lifetime experts and first-day beginners can have an equally enjoyable experience. The runs range from steep and technical to mellow and smooth. The snow falls light and dry, making powder days nothing short of snow blasting bliss.
Aspen Mountain or "Ajax" is Aspen's original mountain founded by 10th Mountain Division troops after WWII. It is home to the world-famous Silver Queen Gondola which takes skiers up 3300 feet in under 15 minutes. On powder days this top to bottom lift will have your legs burning and your face screaming from laughter. On bluebird days rip a non stop groomer down spar gulch and wait for your ears to pop at the bottom. Aspen Mountain has a large variety of aspects allowing skiers to find good snow no matter what time of year it is. At the end of the day ski right into downtown Aspen and let the après begin.
Aspen Highlands is home to the epic Highlands Bowl that gives accsess to terrain normally found on a backcountry tour in a resort setting with the safety of the expert ski patrol studying the snow day in and day out. A 25-minute jog takes you up to 12,350 feet where wide views of the Elk Mountain range greet you like the gates of heaven. You will see nearby 14,000 foot peaks like the Maroon Bells, Pyramid Peak and Castle Peak. Highlands Bowl offers a wide-open face where skiers can practice for their AK heli skiing debut or ski steep trees where one can find fresh powder days after a storm. For the ultimate on-mountain après experience book a table at Cloud Nine Bistro and party like its 1999.
Buttermilk is home to great beginner terrain, awesome rolling groomers, and the world renown X Games terrain park. Drop your kids off at powder pandas (where yours truly learned to ski) and head over to the half pipe to watch Aspen native Olympians Alex Ferreira and Torin Yater-Wallce boosting 20 feet out of the halfpipe. For a little more action stick around for the X Games in January to watch the best park skiers and snowboarders battle for the coveted X Games gold. When the competition is done you can check out concerts with artists that you would normally find on the main stage of Cochella.
Snowmass has it all. The largest of the four mountains offer a variety of terrain so vast you will never believe you are on one mountain. Rock Island and Hanging Valley Wall were home to the US Freeskiing Championships where expert skiers can hit pillow cliffs and 30-foot airs. For those that like to get some wind in there face the Big Burn lift is home to some of the longest groomers in the state perfectly smooth every morning. It's a great place for family's as everyone can find the type of skiing they are looking for. The food and night life scene also holds its own in the mall and base village of Snowmass.
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Where Aspen truly differs from other ski towns is found in the rich history and character nestled in the Colorado Mountain town. It began as home to the Ute Indians who called the area Ute City hundreds of years ago. The silver rush laid the foundation for what the town of Aspen is today. The money from mining silver spurred the construction of the beautiful Victorian and brick buildings; many of which are still stand today like the Red Onion a favorite watering hole for skiers or the Wheeler Opera house that premier's the latest ski movies every fall.
The world class skiing stemmed from the 10th Mountain Soldiers that returned to Colorado after the war to start building ski lifts and teaching the wonderful sport that helped them travel across high mountain passes in the Alps and Dolomites during the war. In 1947 the 1A chairlift was finished which at the time was the longest seated chair in the world. The second generation still stands today on Aspen Mountain's west side and is home to the World Cup race venue and accesses some of the best bump runs in the world.
Through the 50s and 60s Aspen became world famous for great skiing and free-form lifestyle. That is what lead many ski bums, hippies and writers such as Hunter S Thomson to Aspen through the 70s and 80s. Aspen became a place for free expression on and off the mountain. Only in Aspen might you see Marilyn Monroe hanging out at the Skier's Chalet pool and run into Keith Richards chatting with Hunter S Thompson at the pool hall.
The variety of people and culture is what makes Aspen like no other ski town. The skiing is what brings everyone here and holds the town together like glue, but the rich history from mining, to art, intellectual thought, to outdoor recreation makes Aspen the ultimate mountain town.
