TOP 10 THINGS ABOUT SNOWMASS

Aspen/Snowmass, CO… Snowmass, the largest of the four mountains found at Aspen/Snowmass, plays host to all types of skiers and riders.  Snowmass is also home to millions of dollars in improvements, with the first phase of base village to be completed this season.    

1.   New this season, The Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center is a one-stop-shop for Ski & Snowboard School check-in and rental/retail.  The center also boasts children's entertainment from a family-friendly climbing gym to teen activities to a host of themed rooms for ages eight weeks and older.  The Treehouse is easily accessible from anywhere in Snowmass with short-term and underground parking, free shuttle buses, ski-in/ski-out access on Fanny Hill and service to the upper slopes, lodges and Snowmass Village Mall via the Sky Cab gondola.

2.   New this season, the Elk Camp Meadows learning area, located at the top of the Elk Camp Gondola, designates new mid-mountain terrain and a new lift to beginning skiers and snowboarders.

3.   The Snowmass Terrain Park, formerly known as Pipeline, will have a bigger and better superpipe, new features and is relocating so users can make continuous laps in the park via the Coney Glade lift.

4.   Snowmass Club - Recently recognized as the seventh Best Place to Ski and Stay by Conde Nast Traveler readers, the Snowmass Club is so much more than a country club.  The Club offers fractional and whole ownership opportunities and features a wold-class spa, a state-of-the-art athletic club, Har-Tru clay tennis courts, access to the Snowmass Cross Country Center, Sage Restaurant and private golf course designed by award-winning architect Jim Engh.

5.   New Gondolas - Last season Snowmass opened the Elk Camp Gondola, which transports guests from the base of Fanny Hill to the alpine scenery of Elk Camp in 7.5 minutes.  The Sky Cab or "Skittles" gondola, opened in 2005-2006, takes passengers from the new base area to the Snowmass Village Mall in just 2 minutes.

6.   Campground on Snowmass – Looking for solitude, beautiful views and the occasional wandering sled dog? Then head for the Campground lift at Snowmass. Campground features long double black runs with variable terrain. Try the fence line of Powderhorn from top to bottom on a powder day.

7.   Lynn Britt Cabin – Perfect for private events, lunch and dinner. Guests are transported from the base of the mountain to the elegant western cabin nestled in a grove of aspen trees on the slopes of Snowmass.

8.   The Cirque on Snowmass – From the 12,510 foot summit of Snowmass, the Cirque drops precipitously through cliffs, rockbands and steep headwalls. Try AMF or Gowdy's or make your way across to the Cirque Headwall and pick a line between the rocks or find a launch pad.

9.   Long Shot on Snowmass – While not as steep as the other runs on this list, Long Shot is where intermediate skiers and snowboarders can get their first taste of the wilder side of the sport. This hike-to intermediate run offers a true backcountry feel, is left ungroomed and is a good first step to the next level.

10.   Snowmass base village – This $2 billon, 80-acre development is well underway with Phase One opening this season.  Phase 1 includes the Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center, restaurant amenities, residential units and retail space. Upcoming projects include a 15,000-square-foot conference space, a community aquatic center and world-class hotels.

Aspen Skiing Company operates four destination mountains – Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk – and is the home of the ESPN Winter X Games through 2010. Aspen/Snowmass also offers unparalleled nightlife and off-slope activities as well as four award-winning Ski & Snowboard Schools. Aspen/Snowmass is accessible by two of the most convenient airports in the mountains – Aspen Sardy Field (3 miles from Aspen) and Eagle County Airport (70 miles from Aspen). For more information on Aspen/Snowmass, please call 800/525-6200 or 970/925-1220, or visit the company's website at www.aspensnowmass.com.

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