Winter Activities

Skiing. In one word you can sum up almost the entirety of the winter season for not only the Roaring Fork Valley, but Colorado. With four world class mountains all within a 20 minute drive from anywhere in the valley, skiing (or snowboarding) is more than an activity out here, it’s a lifestyle. For those who aren’t as danger seeking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing on the local snow covered golf courses. Aspen and Glenwood also have ice skating rinks for a great family outing. Though skiing may be the main attraction, that shouldn’t be the only reason to come to this winter wonderland. Many activities and all of the wonderful amenities go year round here, and only get better when the weather gets colder.

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Aspen Skiing Company

Aspen
www.aspensnowmass.com
This mountain looms out of downtown Aspen. Locals call it Ajax and this is the Aspen areas true performance ski mountain. Don’t bring you’re game here if you are a beginner; there’s nothing for you here. But there are plenty of intermediate trails and challenging black diamonds. The longest run is 3 miles. There is Snowcat skiing on the back side. Little Nell’s is still the place to gather at the base. New gondola arrives this winter.

Aspen Highlands
The locals favor this mountain. The Highlands bowl is one of the great ski experiences if you’re a strong skiier and like a bit of a workout. Great intermediate and beginner terrain as well.

Buttermilk
The most family friendly of the Big 4 ski resorts. They have mostly beginner and intermediate terrain. Superb classes for younger kids and also a popular for snowshoeing and backcountry skiing.

Snowmass
Consistently rated as one of the top ski areas in North America, if not the world. They are undergoing an expansion of the Base Village which should provide even more great services to an already splendid mountain. Snowmass also has one of the most comprehensive ski schools in the country. Great instructors and frees up Mom and Dad to get in a few turns with each other. All four ski areas have an almost daily set of activities for all ages. They also host some of the great winter events in the country. Visit their website for info.

Hut System
0024 Tumbledown Ln
(970)925-6618
One of the great treasures in Colorado. The 10th mountain division huts were originally used as outposts for soldiers training for winter travel and combat during WWII. Now there are over30 huts in the 10th mountain system and over 50 in the entire state. A few of these huts are accessible to the whole family, but most require moderate to rigorous travel to access. Make sure to go through a guide if its your first time out or if you are inexperienced in backcountry travel. www.huts.org Aspen Alpine Guides These guides have been offering classes and trips for over a decade. All instructors are certified in Avalanche Rescue, Wilderness Medicine and Backcountry Winter travel. They offer a number of classes on everything from building a snow shelter to assessing avalanche danger. They also are also provide guided trips into the Hut System.

Aspen & Snowmass X-Country Centers
39551 Hwy 82, Aspen
(970)925-2145
0239 Snowmass Circle
(970)923-5700
The Aspen Center is on the Aspen Golf Course and actually connects to Snowmass Center also on the golf course. Both have excellent mixed terrain with first rate instructors.