Skiing
THE FOUR MOUNTAINS
Aspen Mountain
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.
Sunlight Mountain Resort
10 miles south of Glenwood Springs
(970) 945-7491
www.sunlightmtn.com
Snowmobile tours at Sunlight Mountain Resort provide
riders with stunning views of Mt. Sopris, the West Elk Mountains,
and the Flattops as they wind through aspen groves, powder-filled
meadows, and evergreen forests. Featuring state-of-the-art snowmobiles
with electric hand warmers, independent front suspension, and hydraulic
disc braking systems, the guided tours include all gear and basic snowmobile
instruction. Reservations are recommended.
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.
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Horseback Riding
T Lazy 7
3129 Maroon Cr
(970) 925-4614
Ranch Great horsepacking and sliegh rides for the whole family. They offer short trips and also dinner trips. The dinner trips are especially fun as you are taken to a hut where you are fed and listen to live music. A throwback to the Old West.
Ice Skating
Lewis Ice Arena at the ARC
0861 Maroon Creek Road
Aspen CO 81611
(970) 544-4100
Aspen Ice Garden & Lewis Ice Arena offer a
variety of skating activities including public
skating, skating lessons, figure skating, youth &
adult hockey, group and private rink rentals,
birthday parties and skating shows.
Snowmobiling
T-Lazy-7 Ranch
3129 Maroon Creek Road
Aspen CO 81611
(970) 925-4614
www.tlazy7.com
Aspen’s premier snowmobiling tour operator.
The T-Lazy-7 Ranch offers frequent two-hour
snowmobile tours to the world-famous Maroon Bells
as well as popular lunch tours to the Klondike Cabin
or up Independence Pass. Hot refreshments are served at the Maroon Bells and lunch tours include naturally raised beef hamburgers. The Klondike Lunch Tour leavestwice a day and takes you to a small, cozy cabin offering stunning views of 14,000-ft. Pyramid Peak.Independence Pass
Lunch Tour is a scenic wonder as you wind up the western side of the Continental Divide. Hot lunch is served at a rustic log cabin. No experience necessary.
Call early for reservations. Closed on Sunday and Monday.
Western Adventures
P.O. Box 900
(970) 923-3337
Offering snowmobile tours from Lenado,
north of Aspen and Snowmass, to Kobey Park,
one of Colorado's most scenic areas. Kolby Park
has panoramic views of all four ski areas, the
Maroon Bells, Pyramid, Capital, Daly and Sopris Peaks. Tours travel on miles of groomed trails and feature performance machines with hand warmers. Daily "go on your own" rentals are also available. Tours have U.S.F.S. approval.
Dogsledding
Kraboolik Dogsledding
4250 Divide Rd., Snowmass
(970) 923-4342
Experience of a lifetime. And great for the whole family. They have a beautiful area to take folks sledding. Trips range in time and book fast, so call ahead.
Sleigh Rides
T Lazy 7
3129 Maroon Cr
(970)925-4614
Ranch Great horsepacking and sliegh rides for the whole family. They offer short trips and also dinner trips. The dinner trips are especially fun as you are taken to a hut where you are fed and listen to live music. A throwback to the Old West.
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