Aspen Snowmass

Steeps, Variety and Friendly Locals

Aspen = Exhaustion (in a good way). Our arrival was dotted with light snowfalls quickly followed in the next 24 hours by a snow storm that lasted 3 days and put about 75 cm of fresh snow down. The snow was deep, the steeps of Highlands were steep and up into Highlands Bowl on the cat left us knackered each day. Bacon sliders (read mini-hamburger with only the essentials - beef, bacon, cheese) and live music made a great way to finish the day. Snowmass is a massive mountain and whilst still having its challenges, a la the Cirque and Headwall, was also a place for cruising and more social skiing. Finally, everybody we came across was really helpful. There are so many people who''ve chosen to get out of the rat-race and live in Aspen, love skiing and the outdoors and they seem happier for it.

Aspen 13 - 27 February 2010

By local standards Aspen snow cover was poor in February 2010.  However by Australian standards it was still excellent.  Steady snowfalls occurred most days which made for excellent conditions each morning in the fresh snow on top of the groomed.  During the time the party of 6 was there Aspen experienced record low temperatures overnight. The weather meant Aspen airport was closed regularly and my air travel into Eagle Vail was delayed by 30 minutes holding between the continuing snow showers.  However that is better than a bus ride from Denver arriving at 3.00 am as happened to two of the group.  The steady snowfalls meant there were almost none of the sunny blue Colorado days that you see in the brochures.  Patronage on the slopes was low, lift lines were virtually non existent and a PR Executive commented that the Resort was being held together this year by the skiers from Australia and Brazil.  As always we had a great time and Aspen remains value for money for Australians.  North of Nell is excellent value, well located and entirely suited for our self catering.  The City Market and The Grog Shop are convenient and stock a wide range of the essentials for Australian on a ski holiday in the US.

Aspen village in March ''10

I stayed at The Gant in Aspen with a friend and enjoyed a wonderful week skiing on all four Aspen mountains. Accommodation was superb in an ideal location with all facilities within easy reach. The lack of a Bar at the Gant was suprising  as it would really enhance the Apres'' ski enjoyment.

Aspen caters for all types with terrific restaurants and a huge night -life---bars,cafe''s and nightclubs.

Now you can fly directly from Chicago and L.A. it makes for a simple, easy holiday .  

Very worthwhile,