Alpine Skiing
Aspen Mountain, put on the map in 1947, with famous black diamond mine dumps, aspen tree glades and smooth cruising down Copper and Spar Gulch, it has it all! The Silver Queen Gondola only takes 15 minutes to rise 3,267′ vertical, an excellent choice on big powder days. It’s the place to be or be seen. Gondola plaza is the place to start and end the day.
FIS Trail, Aspen Mountain’s FIS Trail was named for the FIS World Championships held here in 1950, marking the first time the event was held outside of Europe. The race included downhill and slalom events, and – for the first time in history – giant slalom. Since then, ski racing has remained an institution in Aspen. Swedish powerhouse Ingemar Stenmark won his final race here in 1989, and Americans Billy Kidd, Tamara McKinney, Phil Mahre, Bill Johnson, and Mikaela Shiffrin have all taken home gold on the historic trail.
Aspen Highlands has Incredible views of the Maroon Bells and Pyramid Peak, an abundance of chalanging expert terrain as well as groomed cruisers, its no wonder it’s the Locals’ favorite Mountain for over 55 years. Hike to the peak of Highland Bowl for some of North Americas ultimate inbounds big-mountain steep terrain. At the base area check out Aspen Expeditions, Cripple Creek Back Country and get a pint and slice at the Ale House. Legendary Spring closing day parties.
Highland Bowl requires hiking the 800 vertical foot boot-pack to the 12,392 foot peak, as a rite of passage. Pyramid Peak and the Maroon Bells dominate the view as prayer flags ripple in the wind. On powder days the 2,500 foot decent into the bowl can be some of the deepest and steepest skiing on the planet.
Buttermilk is perfect for beginners, families or the greatest intermediate cruise on Tiehack. The Winter X-Games left a 2-mile long terrain park and the world’s best super pipe for you to shoulder up to Olympic and X-Games champions. Hiking up the tiehack side is the local’s favorite exercise.
Snowmass is really big, with 3 peaks, its wide open and family friendly, with fantastic cruising on the Big Burn. The Elk Camp Gondola gets beginners high up on the mountain for lessons in good snow. With 4,406 vertical feet, over 3,332 acres to explore, on 94 trails with 24 lifts and the longest run, Long Shot, is more than 5 miles!