Where to Ski: Snowmass Colorado

When someone asks me 'Where to ski?' Snowmass Colorado, one of Aspen's four mountains is right at the top of the list.  This ski resort is epic for a number of reasons; Hotels and Lodging, Restaurants, Epic skiing for every level of skier and awesome apres.

Snowmass is the original ski in ski out ski resort.  Unlike most ski resorts you will go to, Snowmass' accomadations aren't only at the bottom of the hill in a main village area, the hotels and condos extend all the way up the mountain along side much of lower beginner slopes making almost all of them ski in, ski out.  There are two villages at Snowmass both located on Fanny Hill.  Ski from the mall down to base village or take the Sky Cab Gondola from base village up to the mall.  There is fun to be had at both!

If the apres scene is a must at the end of skiing, my favorite place at Snowmass is Basecamp located in base village.  Basecamp is 2 floors with much of it being outside so you can take in the views looking at all the runs you did that day while listening to the band or DJ they have playing.  If you're hungry the Chicken Nachos or the Chicken Wings are a must, they are the best nachos you will ever have.  Wash it all down with your beverage of choice.  Then head back to your hotel or condo before heading out for dinner.

Snowmass offers a variety of different places to eat, accomodating dietery needs shouldn't be an issue.  If you're looking to go out on the town you can drive or take the Free shuttle over to Aspen.  If you're in Aspen and sushi is a must go to Kenichi.  You'll need to order the Blake and Godzilla roll, after you've finished the Blake you'll probably order another one, they are that good! If you're still awake there is plenty to do, walk down the street and check out whatever grabs your eye.  Eric's Bar is a prime spot or check out Belly Up that almost always has a national act playing.  Or maybe it's time to head back because you have to get up early to ski.

The skiing at Snowmass is Epic, everyone in your group can have a great time skiing together regardless of how different everyone's abilites may be.  In the morning head over to whatever is groomed if it's not a powder day.  Elk Camp's wide open Blue cruisers will start to soften up nicely in the early part of the day.  After you have checked out the amazing view off the top of Elk Camp then you can venture over to the Alpine Springs or the Big Burn.  The skiing off of the Big Burn has everything from wide, let me emphasize wide again, wide open Blue cruisers, trees, glades, and of course steeps.  If you want to get your blood going and head down something steep.  Head over to Gowdy's off the Burn lift and check out what a 50 degree pitch feels like.  Gowdy's empties into some really fun glades too, after you make it through that you can meet up with the rest of your group that wanted to cruise the Blues over at the Sheer Bliss lift.  Everyone can dabble into some very different terrain all while lapping the same lift.

This blog about Where to Ski, doesn't even come close to doing Snowmass justice in just how awesome it really is.  It is something you will need to check out.  Aspen Snowmass is incredible, go find out for yourself.