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, 2008 - April 12, 2009
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/272 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/85 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: Venture off the groomed runs and have black/double-black-diamond trails all to yourself!
What's new: The base of Aspen Mountain is in the epicenter of downtown and will have an improved gondola plaza for the 2008-2009 season. A reduced number of steps will make it even easier to load the gondola.
Location: Within the White River National Forest, in downtown Aspen
Lodging bed base:14,303 pillows within a 10-mile radius.
Restaurants: 4: Sundeck, Bonnie's, The Tavern, Montagna Restaurant and Bar in The Little Nell .
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ASPEN HIGHLANDS
With some of the most stunning and challenging big-mountain terrain, Aspen Highlands just keeps getting better. Look for expanded terrain in the Deep Temerity area – that’s a bonus on top of the 220 acres which was already added over the last several seasons. Canopy Cruiser, located to the right of Steeplechase and below Hyde Park, will give 18 additional acres of gladed skiing/riding. Also not to be missed: Take a snowcat ride to the ridge where you can hike up and drop into the Highland Bowl for the ultimate in-bounds backcountry experience.
Season dates: December 13, 2008 - April 5, 2009
Lift hours: All lifts open at 9 a.m. and close at 3:30 p.m.
Base elevation: 8,040 ft./2,451 m.
Summit elevation: 11,675 ft./3,559 m. (top of Highland Bowl 12,392 ft.)
Vertical rise: 3,635 ft./1,108 m.
Terrain: 1,028 acres/416 hectares
Number of trails: 125
Miles/km of trails: 84 miles/135 km
Longest run: 3.5 miles/5.6 km
Steepest run: Go-Go Gully, Highland Bowl (description on Highlands' Extreme Guide) – slope angle of 48 degrees
Types of trails: easiest: 18%, more difficult: 30%, most difficult: 16%, expert: 36%
Annual snowfall: 300 inches/762 cm
Snowmaking: 110 acres/44 hectares
Lifts: 5: 3 high-speed quads, 2 triples
Lift capacity: 6,500 riders/hour
Uncrowded slopes: On average, 2 people per acre/5 people per hectare
Best known for: Steep, big-mountain skiing in Highland Bowl, Olympic Bowl and Steeplechase; Deception, Aces and 8's on the Olympic Side
Best-kept secret: The newly extended Mushroom trail will test even the fittest legs of mogul enthusiasts. For incredible skiing/riding on a powder day, head to Child's Play in the Highland Bowl. Or, check out Log Jam Gully, Bowling Alley and Fran's Love in Deep Temerity.
What's New: In 2008-2009 Aspen Highlands will add up to 18 additional acres of skiing and riding in the Deep Temerity area of the mountain between Hyde Park and Mushroom Chutes called Canopy Cruiser.
Location: Within the White River National Forest, 3 miles from downtown Aspen
Lodging: 14,303 pillows within a 10-mile radius
BUTTERMILK
Even though it's home of the 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, 2008 - April 5, 2009
Lift hours: All lifts open at 9 a.m. and close at 3:30 p.m.
Base elevation: 7,870 ft./2,399 m.
Summit elevation: 9,900 ft./3,018 m.
Vertical rise: 2,030 ft./619 m.
Terrain: 470 acres/190 hectares
Number of trails: 44
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/44 hectares
Lifts: 9 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, 4 people per acre/8 people per hectare
Best known for: ESPN Winter X Games, which will be held at Buttermilk through 2010; beginner terrain makes Buttermilk an excellent learning mountain for new skiers and snowboarders; unsurpassed grooming
Best-kept secret: Long, wide groomers at West Buttermilk and steeper rolling runs at Tiehack.
What's New? Buttermilk is now home to a 22-foot, Olympic-caliber superpipe!
Location: Within the White River National Forest, three miles from downtown Aspen
Lodging bed base: 14,303 pillows within a 10-mile radius.
Restaurants: 2 total. Bump's (located at the base) and The Cliffhouse (located at the top).
SNOWMASS
With a vertical drop of 4,406 feet and 3,132 acres of terrain, the sheer volume of Snowmass demands repeat visits. After experiencing even a slice of all the cruisers, glades, steeps, terrain parks and halfpipes (via 21 lifts and 91 trails), we guarantee guests will be back for more. Families can continue their mountain journey in the NEW Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center.
Season dates: November 27, 2008 - April 12, 2009
Lift hours: The Sky Cab opens at 8 a.m.; the Cirque lift opens at 10 a.m.; the Village Express and Big Burn lifs open at 8:30 a.m.; all other lifts open at 9 a.m.
Base elevation: 8,104 ft./2,473 m
Summit elevation: 12,510 ft./3,813 m
Vertical rise: 4,406 ft./1,343 m
Terrain: 3,132 acres/1,267 hectares |
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Number of trails: 91
Miles/km of trails: 147 miles/237 km
Longest run: 5.3 miles/8.5 km
Steepest runs: Gowdy's and AMF - slope angle of 40 degrees
Types of trails: easiest: 6%, more difficult: 50%, most difficult: 12%, expert: 32%
Annual snowfall: 300 inches/762 cm
Snowmaking: 230 acres/93 hectares
Lifts: 24 Total: 21 primary - 1 eight-passenger gondola, 1 high-speed six passenger chair, 1 six-passenger pulse gondola (enclosed), 6 high-speed quads, 2 quads, 3 doubles, 5 magic carpets, 2 ski/snowboard school lifts; 3 secondary - 1 double (Sheer Bliss), 2 platter pulls (Cirque and Scooper)
Lift capacity: 34,497 riders/hour
Uncrowded slopes: On average 2 people per acre/5 people per hectare
Best known for: Wide-open, groomed cruising and family-friendly activities. Snowmass has long been rated one of the best family ski areas in North America.
Best-kept secret: Dine for lunch at the rustic Lynn Britt Cabin located mid-mountain. The daily "Noon Groom," a freshly groomed run that reopens at noon. Take the short hike to the Long Shot trail where intermediate skiers and snowboarders can get a backcountry experience while in-bounds.
What's new: Already one of North America’s premier resorts, Snowmass continues to undergo a host of on-mountain improvements that will greet skiers and riders for the 2008-2009 season: a new Sheer Bliss lift; Sam’s Smokehouse restaurant and Sneaky’s Tavern; additional commercial, residential and restaurant space in base village; the new Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center; the Elk Camp Meadows learning area accessible by the eight-passenger Elk Camp Gondola. In addition, the Snow Park Technologies-designed Snowmass Park now includes a 22-foot superpipe! Plus, thanks to the latest in radio frequency technology, guests will speed through select gates at access lifts without requiring a scan or check.
Location: Within the White River National Forest, adjacent to Snowmass Village and 9 miles from downtown Aspen
Parks and pipes: 3 terrain parks (new Snowmass Terrain Park, Makaha and Scooper), 1 superpipe and 1 beginner pipe
Lodging: 14,303 pillows within a 10-mile radius.
Restaurants: 8: Cirque Bar & Grill, Café Suzanne, Gwyn's High Alpine, Lynn Britt Cabin (lunches and snowcat dinner rides), Burlingame Cabin (snowcat dinner rides), Two Creeks Mexican Café, Ullrhof, Up 4 Pizza
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