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features four world-class ski
mountains within a 12-mile radius,
offering more than 3,600 skiable
acres on 288 trails, serviced by 41 ski
lifts. The Aspen Skiing Company
boasts that these mountains have the
most extensive free, groomed, Nordic
trail system in North America.
For many, Aspen Mountain is
Aspen. But if you're headed there,
you better know how to ski. Aspen
Mountain has 75 trails on 625 acres
with 23 miles of runs; none is easy.
In fact, it has long been celebrated
as one of the most challenging ski
mountains anywhere; many of the
world's best skiers have enjoyed its
steep ridges, massive mogul fields
and deep powder chutes.
Buttermilk Mountain is a wonderful
beginner's mountain, with gentle
slopes and an outstanding ski school.
But good skiers in your group won't
get bored; of Buttermilk's 45 trails
over 20 mountains, 39 percent are
considered more difficult, and 26
percent are most difficult.
Aspen Highlands, near Buttermilk,
features outstanding cruising terrain.
Quiet and uncrowded, it is the locals'
favorite place to ski.
Snowmass Mountain, 12 miles
outside the city of Aspen, is known
as a great family resort as well as for
its excellent skiing. It has
72 trails on over 2,100
acres of mountain; 8
percent of Snowmass'
runs are easiest, 52
percent are more difficult,
19 percent are most
difficult, and 21 percent
are expert. This diversity,
seldom found in one
place, provides tremen-
dous skiing opportunities
for family members of all
ages and abilities.
Doreen and David
Hermelin of Bingham
Farms have had a
condominium midway up
Snowmass Mountain for
the last 18 years, not only
because they love to ski,
but so do their children
and grandchildren. "It's an
activity you can all do
says Mrs.
together,
Hermelin. "It's great for
families because it's an
active, together vacation."
Of the four Aspen area
mountains, only Snow-
mass features ski in/ski off
capabilities, meaning you
can leave your front door
with your skis on and
head straight to a lift. "We
just put on our skis and
we're out," says Mrs.
Hermelin.
Snowmass and Butter-
milk feature ski schools for
kids as young as 18
months old. Often, a
couple hours of ski in-
struction is mixed with indoor child
care, crafts and rest time. There are
also excellent day care facilities.
Snowmass is more of a resort than
a city. The majority of visitors rent
condominiums, which is easy to
arrange. After skiing, they relax in a
jacuzzi, have a drink, then eat at a
restaurant or at a catered dinner in
a friend's condo.
During winter holidays and spring
vacations, Aspen acquires quite a
family atmosphere. The rest of the
time, it's an adult playground. Off the
slopes, fabulous, and often fabulously
abound.
shops
expensive,
Restaurants offer every ethnic cuisine.
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