Ski List: 5 highlights of Aspen-Snowmass

Snowmass was already the largest by far of Aspen Skiing Company’s four areas, so the gap merely widened for the 2012-13 ski season when 230 acres were added on Burnt Mountain (not to be confused with the Big Burn, a longstanding part of the Snowmass layout).The skiable acreage jumped to 3,332 acres and made Snowmass the second largest ski area in Colorado behind Vail. The expansion consists largely of gladed single black-diamond terrain.Buttermilk is known almost exclusively for two things: terrain for beginners and the venue for the X Games. Another virtue of the area, however, flies under the radar.On a big powder day, a select few locals and insiders park right by the Tiehack Express chairlift to make a few early laps without much competition for the goods. The black-diamond runs off the lift are an exception on the generally gentle mountain. While others wait in line for the Silver Queen Gondola on Aspen Mountain, those in the know are smiling over on the “beginner mountain.”Highland Bowl at Aspen Highlands would also merit serious consideration for a Top-5 list of premier hike-to-terrain at U.S. ski resorts. Opened in 2002, the hike goes from an elevation of 11,675 feet at the lift-served summit to 12,392 feet at the highest point of the bowl’s ridgeline. The pitches of the named lines in the bowl max out at 40-45 degrees.View the list »
The reputation of Aspen-Snowmass for its fine skiing and apres-ski action extends around the world.

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Aspen Skiing Company owns four distinct ski resorts in and near the town of Aspen, Colo. Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass combine for 5,505 total skiable acres.

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The town of Aspen is known for its vibrant nightlife and celebrity sightings. While President Obama played golf in Florida recently, the rest of his family and Vice President Joe Biden vacationed on the slopes in the Aspen-Snowmass area.

Located about 200 miles from Denver, Aspen-Snowmass tends to draw more destination travelers and fewer Colorado Front Range visitors, than resorts closer to Denver such as Breckenridge.

Disclaimer: Travel accommodations were provided during visit to Aspen.

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  • Highland Bowl at Aspen Highlands would also merit serious consideration for a Top-5 list of premier hike-to-terrain at U.S. ski resorts. Opened in 2002, the hike goes from an elevation of 11,675 feet at the lift-served summit to 12,392 feet at the highest point of the bowl’s ridgeline. The pitches of the named lines in the bowl max out at 40-45 degrees.
  • Buttermilk is known almost exclusively for two things: terrain for beginners and the venue for the X Games. Another virtue of the area, however, flies under the radar.On a big powder day, a select few locals and insiders park right by the Tiehack Express chairlift to make a few early laps without much competition for the goods. The black-diamond runs off the lift are an exception on the generally gentle mountain. While others wait in line for the Silver Queen Gondola on Aspen Mountain, those in the know are smiling over on the “beginner mountain.”
  • Snowmass was already the largest by far of Aspen Skiing Company’s four areas, so the gap merely widened for the 2012-13 ski season when 230 acres were added on Burnt Mountain (not to be confused with the Big Burn, a longstanding part of the Snowmass layout).The skiable acreage jumped to 3,332 acres and made Snowmass the second largest ski area in Colorado behind Vail. The expansion consists largely of gladed single black-diamond terrain.
  • The Hotel Jerome and adjacent J-Bar are prime examples of historic Aspen. Reopened in December after an extensive renovation, the hotel dates back to 1889 when silver mining was the town’s lifeblood. The hotel survived “The Quiet Years” in between the 1893 silver bust and the birth of Aspen’s ski industry in the 1940s. The affluent town has no shortage of fine hotels, but the Hotel Jerome and probably The Little Nell carry the most iconic Aspen cachet.
  • The namesake for Bonnie’s restaurant on Aspen Mountain, Bonnie Brucker Rayburn, died in 2005, but her legacy lives on through the food and atmosphere at the restaurant located about 800 vertical feet from the summit. The fresh desserts, especially the apple strudel, draw raves from on-mountain diners.
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, Skiing Examiner

Eric Wagnon is a freelance writer and television producer. His work has aired on NBC, CBS, and ESPN. Despite his current home base in the flat and warm environment of Jupiter, Fla., Eric continues to add to his total of more than 40 ski resorts visited across the country. Eric may be reached at ...

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