1. Aspen Ski Resort, Colorado, USA
In English, Aspen has become synonymous with the rich and famous. Like Park City, Aspen also evolved from a 19th-century mining town. Thanks to the well-preserved original appearance of Aspen town — with most of its buildings dating back to the mining era — and the early development of skiing as a resort activity, it gradually became a gathering spot for celebrities and the wealthy. Today’s Aspen is decidedly upscale and out of reach for the average person. Interestingly, the word “luxury” doesn’t quite fit Aspen. It’s a blend of elegance, leisure, history, and nature — hard to define. The Aspen Mountain ski area is located at one end of town (a member of the Kennedy family died here in a skiing accident several years ago), with a vertical drop of 3,600 feet. Its “Silver Bullet” eight-person high-speed gondola takes you straight to the top. But the area spans only just over 700 acres.
Aspen Mountain does not have any green runs, so it’s not suitable for beginners. Within a 15-minute drive, there are three other ski areas, all owned by Aspen Snowmass. Aspen Highlands is similar in size to Aspen Mountain but offers green runs. It used to be a locals-focused ski area. However, two events last year thrust it into the global spotlight. First, the world-renowned Ritz-Carlton opened a hotel residence here. Second, the extremely steep Highland Bowl behind the mountain was officially opened to the public.
Aspen’s third ski area is Snowmass, the largest of them all. It covers 3,000 acres and features a vertical drop of over 4,000 feet. There’s also Buttermilk, a smaller area with a vertical drop of 1,600 feet and many green runs.
