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 SKI ASPEN & SNOWMASS |
Aspen/Snowmass, anywhere else this would be four separate vacations. It's not just one mountain. It's Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk. Decide which mountain fits your passion. Four choices and nearly 5,000 acres.
Snowmass, so many runs, so much variety - cruisers, steeps, glades, off-piste, terrain parks, superpipe and the longest lift-served vertical rise in the United States. Rising out of the heart of downtown Aspen and famous for its steeps, bump and incredible views, Aspen Mountain and its double-black and tree runs are fun for skiers and snowboarders alike.
Known as the locals' favorite mountain, Aspen Highlands features extreme terrain, groomed cruisers and breathtaking views of the Maroon Bells. For the ultimate ski/snowboarding experience, hike up and drop into Highland Bowl.
Home of the ESPN Winter X Games through 2010, Buttermilk is also a premier mountain for beginners. While experts frolic in the X Superpipe and terrain park, the rest of the family can cruise on the wide, rolling trails.
Aspen/Snowmass. Experience the Power of Four.
RESORT STATISTICS
ASPEN MOUNTAIN
Looking for style, comfort and double-diamonds? Take the express route to the top of Aspen Mountain - lounge in the Silver Queen Gondola as you're whisked to the Sundeck and then don't stop for a coupla miles as you catch some of the sweetest powder around until you hit Ajax Tavern....
Season: November 27, 2003 - April 11, 2004
Base elevation: 7,945 ft./2,422 m.
Summit elevation: 11,212 ft./3,418 m.
Vertical rise: 3,267 ft./996 m.
Terrain: 673 acres/273 hectares
Number of trails: 76
Miles/km of trails: 64 miles/103 km
Longest run: 3 miles/4.83 km
Trails: easiest - 0%, more difficult - 48%, most difficult - 26%, expert - 26%
Annual snowfall: 300 inches/762 cm
Snowmaking: 210 acres/84 hectares
Lifts: 8 Total: 6 primary - 1 gondola (the Silver Queen Gondola goes from base to summit in 14 minutes), 1 high-speed quad chair, 1 high-speed double chair, 1 quad chair, 2 double chairs; 2 secondary - 1 quad (Little Nell), 1 double (Bell Mountain)
Lift capacity: 10,755 riders/hour
Parks and Pipes: Special Spring Jam terrain park on Little Nell in April!
Uncrowded slopes: On average, 3 people per acre/9 people per hectare
Best known for: Aspen Mountain, the flagship mountain of the Aspen/Snowmass resort, offers excellent intermediate to expert terrain that includes steep and bump runs.
Best-kept secret: Groomed, intermediate cruising runs
What's new? New Ajax Express Quad lift making for a smoother, more comfortable ride. New Sundeck restaurant expansion including re-opening of Benedict's for sit-down, table-service.
Location: Within the White River National Forest, in downtown Aspen
Lodging bed base: 8,000 beds at the base of the mountain; 6,000 additional beds within 12 miles
Restaurants: 5 total (3 on-mountain and 2 at base). The Sundeck, The Aspen Mountain Club, Bonnie's, Montagna Restaurant & Bar, and Ajax Tavern.
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ASPEN HIGHLANDS
If you're really convinced you're hot, go where the locals go: Aspen Highlands. With no more than a thousand visitors in any one day across 790 acres, it's home to one of Colorado's most hardcore experiences. Hey, where else do you think our Olympic medallists hang out?
Season: December 13, 2003 - April 4, 2004
Base elevation: 8,040 ft./2,451 m.
Summit elevation: 11,675 ft./3,559 m.
Vertical rise: 3,635 ft./1,108 m.
Terrain: 790 acres/320 hectares
Number of trails: 131
Miles/km of trails: 65 miles/105 km
Longest run: 3.5 miles/5.6 km
Trails: easiest - 18%, more difficult - 30%, most difficult - 16%, expert - 36%
Annual snowfall: 300 inches/762 cm
Snowmaking: 110 acres/44 hectares
Lifts: 4 total - 3 high-speed quad chairs, 1 triple chair
Lift capacity: 5,400 riders/hour
Uncrowded slopes: On average, 2 people per acre/5 people per hectare
Best known for: Locals' favorite mountain for expert and adventure terrain
Best-kept secret: Terrain options appropriate for any level - although famed for black and double-black-diamond terrain there are actually more green and blue runs
Location: Within the White River National Forest, three miles from downtown Aspen
Lodging bed base: 129 beds at base of mountain; 14,000 beds within 10 miles
Equipment rental: Pro Mountain Sports in Highlands Center at the base of the mountain.
Restaurants: 8 total. On-mountain: Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro, Merry-Go-Round Restaurant, and Soup Bowl at Cloud Nine. At base village: Thunderbowl Market Caf,, Willow Creek at the Ritz-Carlton Club, World Link Caf,, and Iguanas Bar & Grill.
BUTTERMILK
Even though it's home of the 2002, 2003 and 2004 ESPN Winter X Games and the world's longest terrain park, Playstation 2 Crazy T'rain, don't let that fool you. It's still one of the world's best places to learn, improve and just cruise.
Season: December 13, 2003 - April 4, 2004
Base elevation: 7,870 ft./2,399 m.
Summit elevation: 9,900 ft./3,018 m.
Vertical rise: 2,030 ft./619 m.
Terrain: 429 acres/168 hectares
Number of trails: 41
Miles/km of trails: 21 miles/34 km
Longest run: 3 miles/4.8 km
Trails: easiest - 35%, more difficult - 39%, most difficult - 26%, expert - 0%
Annual snowfall:
200 inches/508 cm
Snowmaking: 108 acres/43.2 hectares
Lifts: 7 total - 1 high-speed quad chair, 5 double chairs, 1 handle tow
Lift capacity: 7,500 riders/hour
Parks and Pipes: 1 halfpipe, 2-mile long Crazy T'rain Park. A permanent ESPN Winter X Games Slopestyle course to be integrated into terrain park. New sound system in the superpipe.
Uncrowded slopes: On average, 3.7 people per acre/8 people per hectare
Best known for: Being one of the best learning/teaching mountains in the world
Best-kept secret: Powder stashes on black-diamond runs and gladed trails days after a storm; terrain park and halfpipe for advanced snowboarders plus a smaller teaching park for those just learning.
What's New? New improvements to the Playstation 2 Crazy T'rain Park, the world's longest park and home to the ESPN Winter X Games, including new features, additional terrain park staff and a new Zaugg Pipe Cutter.
Location: Within the White River National Forest, three miles from downtown Aspen
Lodging bed base: 112 beds at base of mountain; 14,000 additional beds within 10 miles
Restaurants: 2 total. Bump's (located at the base) and The Cliffhouse (located at the top).
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