Hotels in Aspen, Colorado

A little about Aspen...

Aspen is the largest city and county seat of Pitkin County, Colorado. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 5,804. Founded as a mining camp in the Colorado Silver Boom and named because of the abundance of aspen trees in the area, the city is now a ski resort and cultural center.

Aspen/Snowmass is an expansive winter resort complex located in Pitkin County in western Colorado in the United States. Owned and operated by the Aspen Skiing Company it comprises four skiing/snowboarding areas on four adjacent mountains in the vicinity of the towns of Aspen and Snowmass Village. The four areas collectively form one of the most famous winter resorts in the world and are annually the destination for visitors from all over the world.

The four ski areas of the complex are:
Aspen Mountain, the oldest of the four areas, located on Bell Mountain and the Aspen Mountain above the town of Aspen.
Aspen Highlands, located on Highland Peak and Loge Peak just north of Aspen.
Buttermilk, a low altitude family-oriented ski area just north of Aspen Highlands.
Snowmass, the largest of the four areas (bigger than the other three combined), located near Snowmass Village.

Aspen Mountain:
Nearest city: Aspen, Colorado
Top elevation: 11212 ft (3417 m)
Base elevation: 7945 ft (2422 m)
Skiable area: 673 acres (2.72 km²)
Runs: 76 total
0% beginner
48% intermediate
26% advanced
26% expert
Longest run: 3 miles (4.83 km)
Lift system: 8 total (1 gondola, 1 high-speed quad chair, 1 high-speed double chair, 1 quad chair, 2 double chairs, 2 secondary lifts)
Snow fall: 300 in/year (7.62 m/year)

Aspen Mountain Ski Area (often called by its former name of Ajax among locals) is a ski area located in Pitkin County, Colorado just outside and above the city of Aspen. It is situated on the north flank of Aspen Mountain (for which it is named) and the higher Bell Mountain, elevation 11,212 ft (3418 m) just to the south of Aspen Mountain. At only 673 acres (2.7 km²), it is somewhat small compared to other ski areas, especially compared to the much larger nearby Snowmass ski area, and retains a unique cultural flavor that hearkens to the earlier days of recreational skiing in the state. The ski area is located within the White River National Forest and is operated under permit from the United States Forest Service.