Aspen
Where is it? Colorado, USA Why go? Fun historic town, quiet extensive slopes
Aspen offers a compelling mix of beautifully restored Wild West town and four mountains, each with its own character. The resort has a ritzy image but don’t be put off. Sure, it attracts the rich and famous, but there are also lots of ordinary holidaymakers, and affordable lodging, bars and restaurants too.
Wild West roots In 1892 Aspen was a booming silver mining town, with 12,000 inhabitants and six newspapers. But its fortunes nosedived when the silver price plummeted in 1893, and by the 1930s the population had shrunk to 700 and the Victorian buildings fallen into disrepair. They’ve been restored to their former glory and the historic centre is pleasant to stroll around.
Affordable hotels and restaurants The Little Nell, Hyatt and St Regis are plush and pricey places to stay. But there are plenty of smaller, cheaper hotels too, such as the Molly Gibson, Aspen Mountain Lodge, St Moritz and Mountain Chalet, many of which provide a free après buffet with wine. You can eat more cheaply
at many of the upmarket restaurants by eating in the bar. It’s the same food but portions are smaller. There are also many cheaper spots, such as Little Annie’s, Asie and New York Pizza.
Four varied areas Aspen’s mountains are all served by free buses, and all have fabulously reliable Colorado snow – an average of 8m a year. Aspen Mountain (aka Ajax) is above the town and a gondola runs from near the centre
to the top of the slopes. It
suits intermediates and experts best – it has no green runs for beginners. Buttermilk, around 3km from town, is ideal for beginners with beautifully groomed, gentle, often deserted runs. Aspen Highlands, also around 3km
from town, has something for all, with steep black runs, groomed blue intermediate cruising and gentle easy greens. The highlight for experts here is Highland Bowl – a vast open bowl beyond the lift system. It’s reached by a free snowcat ride from the summit followed by a hike along the ridge – just drop into the bowl at any of the gates on the way. Snowmass, 14km from town, is the biggest of the
St Anton
Where is it? Tirol, Austria Why go? Serious slopes and serious partying
St Anton is one of the big name resorts – and there’s nowhere like it for those who want to hit the slopes hard, party hard and burn the candle at both ends. A bonus is that the resort is traditional in style and an attractive place to spend time.
The boys’ attempt at powder 8s: disappointing
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Great terrain for experts There are many chances for going off piste, and it’s best to hire a guide to show you the safest way. In the main area of slopes, the off-piste runs in the huge bowl beneath the summit of the Valluga are justifiably world famous and in good snow this
whole area is an off-piste delight for experts. There’s more great off piste in the Stuben sector and on the separate Rendl mountain, accessed from the town centre by a gondola. Piste to Powder (
www.pistetopowder.com) is a local specialist off-piste guiding school run by British guide Graham Austick.
Neighbouring Lech and Zurs covered by the lift pass The linked resorts of Lech and Zurs, which are nearby, are easily reached by regular buses. There’s more good off piste here as well as much more
www.metrosnow.co.uk
mountains and best-known for its fabulous intermediate cruising and easy beginner slopes, but there are excellent steeps for experts here too.
Home to the X Games The 3km terrain park on Buttermilk is said to be the longest in the world. It has over 100 features, a 150m-long superpipe and is home to the X Games each year (26 to 29 January in 2012). For beginner freestylers there’s also the Ski and Snowboard School’s Park and Panda Pipe on Buttermilk. Snowmass has three terrain parks (beginner, intermediate and expert), a superpipe plus a smaller pipe.
But… > Buses needed to get to out-of-town ski areas. > Can be expensive.
More info
www.aspensnowmass.com
Pistes
Watch the video
HOW WE RATE IT Extent Fast lifts Queues Snow Expert Intermediate Beginner Resort charm Convenience Scenery
FAST FACTS Resort
Slopes 2400m-3815m Lifts
2425m 43
5305 acres Snowmaking
10% 45% 45% 12%
Six-day lift pass $552
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