The holidays have come and gone, meaning that now it’s time to enjoy the winter sans obligations. We compiled a comprehensive guide to some of the hautest winter destinations, sure to fulfill every snowy-retreat need in Aspen, Lake Tahoe, and Telluride. Whether hitting the slopes or hitting the shops, each of the following locales provides a luxurious reason to brave the cold winter weather and enjoy some of the finest in skiing, dining, shopping, and lodging.

ASPEN, COLORADO
Aspen, Colorado, is synonymous with “The Good Life.” The name almost immediately conjures images of majestic mountains, epic skiing and snowboarding, outdoor adventure, healthy living, divine dining, and exceptional shopping. The Aspen airport, Sardy Field, is a short 10-minute drive from downtown Aspen and offers a full schedule of flights as well as private aviation access throughout the year. Several airlines offer non-stop service from major cities including Denver, which is just a short 30-minute flight over some of Colorado’s most beautiful terrain.

Skiing in Aspen

Aspen Mountain
Located just south of the town of Aspen, Aspen Mountain, known as Ajax by the locals, is one of four ski locations operated collectively as Aspen/Snowmass. Aspen Mountain’s intermediate terrain is on the top knob around the summit and in the gullies between the ridges, while the expert-level terrain dramatically drops from the ridges into the gullies. If you’re looking for the hardest slopes, Aspen Mountain is well known for its black runs being extremely challenging.

The Stats
SEASON DATES: NOVEMBER 26, 2009 TO APRIL 11, 2010
NUMBER OF TRAILS: 76
TYPES OF TRAILS: EASIEST 0%, MORE DIFFICULT 48%,
MOST DIFFICULT 26%, EXPERT 26%
LIFTS: 8
WWW.ASPENSNOWMASS.COM

Snowmass Mountain
Snowmass Mountain ranks among the top 10 resorts in America in size, and it’s the second largest in Colorado only after Vail. Covering more than 3,100 acres, the sheer volume of trails at Snowmass alone demands repeat visits. Snowmass features a vertical drop of 4,406 feet (boasting the most vertical in the U.S.) with a summit elevation of 12,510 feet. The mountain’s longest run goes for an impressive 5.3 miles, and in total there are 147 miles of trails.

The Stats
SEASON DATES: NOVEMBER 26, 2009 TO APRIL 11, 2010
NUMBER OF TRAILS: 91
TYPES OF TRAILS: EASIEST 6%, MORE DIFFICULT 50%,
MOST DIFFICULT 12%, EXPERT 32%
LIFTS: 21
WWW.ASPENSNOWMASS.COM