SNOWMASS

With a vertical drop of 4,406 feet and 3,132 acres of terrain, the sheer volume of Snowmass demands repeat visits. After experiencing even a slice of all the cruisers, glades, steeps, terrain parks and halfpipes (via 21 lifts and 91 trails), we guarantee guests will be back for more. Families can continue their mountain journey in the NEW Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center.

Season dates:  November 27, 2008 – April 12, 2009

Base elevation:  8,104 ft./2,473 m

Summit elevation:  12,510 ft./3,813 m

Vertical rise:  4,406 ft./1,343 m

Terrain:  3,132 acres/1,267 hectares

Number of trails:  91

Miles/km of trails:  147 miles/237 km

Longest run:  5.3 miles/8.5 km

Steepest runs:  Gowdy's and AMF – slope angle of 40 degrees

Types of trails:  easiest: 6%, more difficult: 50%, most difficult: 12%, expert: 32%

Annual snowfall:  300 inches/762 cm

Snowmaking:  230 acres/93 hectares

Lifts:  21 total

19 primary

1 eight-passenger gondola: Elk Camp Gondola

1 high-speed six-passenger lift: Village Express

1 six-passenger pulse gondola: Sky Cab

7 high-speed quads: Sam's Knob, Coney Glade, Big Burn, Sheer Bliss, Alpine Springs, Elk Camp and Two Creeks  

2 quads: Meadows and Assay Hill

3 doubles: Burlingame, Campground and High Alpine

4 ski/snowboard school lifts (including magic carpets): Sun Kid #1 & Sun Kid #2 (bottom of Sky Cab gondola, west), Meadows #4 (Elk Camp Meadows, north), Meadows #5 (Elk Camp Meadows, south)

2 secondary

2 platter pulls: Cirque and Scooper

Lift capacity:  33,058 riders/hour

Uncrowded slopes:  On average 2 people per acre/5 people per hectare

Best known for:  Wide-open, groomed cruising and family-friendly activities. Snowmass has long been rated one of the best family ski areas in North America.

Best-kept secret:  Dine for lunch at the rustic Lynn Britt Cabin located mid-mountain. The daily "Noon Groom," a freshly groomed run that reopens at noon. Take the short hike to the Long Shot trail where intermediate skiers and snowboarders can get a backcountry experience while in-bounds.

What's new:  Already one of North America's premier resorts, Snowmass continues to undergo a host of on-mountain improvements that will greet skiers and riders for the 2008-2009 season: a new Sheer Bliss lift; Sam's Smokehouse restaurant and Sneaky's Tavern; additional commercial, residential and restaurant space in base village; the Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center; and the Elk Camp Meadows learning area accessible by the eight-passenger Elk Camp Gondola. Plus, thanks to the latest in radio frequency technology, guests will speed through select gates at access lifts without requiring a scan or check.

Location:  Within the White River National Forest, adjacent to Snowmass Village and 9 miles from downtown Aspen.

Parks and pipes:  3 terrain parks (Snowmass Park, Makaha and Low Down), 1 superpipe and 1 beginner pipe

Lodging:  14,303 pillows within a 10-mile radius. For more information, please call Stay Aspen Snowmass at 970-925-9000 or 888-649-5985 (95% ski-in/ski-out).

Rental & Retail:  Four-Mountain Sports/D&E Ski and Snowboard Shop and Four-Mountain Sports alpine retail shop on the Snowmass Village Mall, Four-Mountain Sports at Two Creeks, Beginner's Magic at base village, Four-Mountain Kids at the Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center

Restaurants:  9 Total – Sneaky's Tavern,  Sam's Smokehouse, Up 4 Pizza, Two Creeks Mexican Café, Lynn Britt Cabin (lunches and snowcat dinner rides), Burlingame Cabin (snowcat dinner rides), Gwyn's High Alpine, Ullrhof and Café Suzanne

ASPEN MOUNTAIN

Aspen Mountain has kept the town of Aspen on the map since 1947, serving up black-diamond glades, bumps and steeps for anyone who dares step off the lift. Now 60 years later, guests are happy that – aside from a new gondola – things haven't changed a bit.

Season dates:  November 27, 2008 – April 12, 2009

Base elevation:  7,945 ft./2,422 m

Summit elevation:  11,212 ft./3,418 m

Vertical rise:  3,267 ft./996 m

Terrain:  673 acres/272 hectares

Number of trails:  76

Miles/km of trails:  64 miles/103 km

Longest run:  3 miles/4.8 km

Steepest run:  Elevator Shaft section of the Silver Queen run – slope angle of 42 degrees

Types of trails:  easiest: 0%, more difficult: 48%, most difficult: 26%, expert: 26%

Annual snowfall:  300 inches/762 cm

Snowmaking:  210 acres/85 hectares

Lifts:  8 Total

6 primary

1 six-passenger gondola: Silver Queen Gondola

1 high-speed quad: Ajax Express

1 high-speed double: Ruthie's

1 quad: Gent's Ridge

2 doubles: Shadow Mountain, FIS

2 secondary

1 quad: Little Nell

1 double: Bell Mountain

Lift capacity:  10,755 riders/hour

Uncrowded slopes:  On average, 3 people per acre/9 people per hectare

Best known for:  Steep, bump runs that drop right into the town of Aspen.

Best-kept secret:  Venture off the groomed runs and have black/double-black-diamond trails all to yourself!

What's new:  For 2008-2009, Aspen's 62nd year as one of the world's premier alpine destinations, guests will be greeted by a redesigned single-level gondola plaza. Combine this with the overhaul of The Tavern and the new restaurant/bar in the Residences at The Little Nell, and the après scene is sure to be happening! 

Location:  Within the White River National Forest, the mountain rises up from downtown Aspen.

Lodging bed base:  14,303 pillows within a 10-mile radius. For more information, please call Stay Aspen Snowmass at 970-925-9000 or 888-649-5985. 

Rental & Retail:  Four-Mountain Sports/D&E Ski and Snowboard Shop/D&E Women across the street from the Silver Queen Gondola

Restaurants:   4 Total – Sundeck, The Tavern, Bonnie's and Montagna Restaurant & Bar at The Little Nell

 ASPEN HIGHLANDS

Aspen Highlands, celebrating 50 years as the locals' favorite, boasts breathtaking vistas of the surrounding Maroon Bells and an abundance of expert terrain and groomed cruisers. Hike to the 12-392-foot summit of Highland Bowl for Colorado's ultimate in-bounds backcountry rush. With the addition of Deep Temerity lift and 220 acres over the last three seasons, we're proud to offer some of the most challenging big-mountain terrain in North America.

Season dates:  December 13, 2008 – April 5, 2009

Base elevation:  8,040 ft./2,451 m.

Summit elevation:  11,675 ft./3,559 m. (top of Highland Bowl 12,392 ft.)

Vertical rise:  3,635 ft./1,108 m.

Terrain:  1,028 acres/416 hectares

Number of trails:  118

Miles/km of trails:  84 miles/135 km

Longest run:  3.5 miles/5.6 km

Steepest run:  Go-Go Gully, Highland Bowl (description on Highlands' Extreme Guide) – slope angle of 48 degrees

Types of trails:  easiest: 18%, more difficult: 30%, most difficult: 16%, expert: 36%

Annual snowfall:  300 inches/762 cm

Snowmaking:  110 acres/44 hectares

Lifts:  5 Total

3 high-speed quads: Exhibition, Loge Peak and Cloud Nine

2 triples: Deep Temerity and Thunderbowl

Lift capacity:                     6,500 riders/hour

Uncrowded slopes:  On average, 2 people per acre/5 people per hectare

Best known for:  Steep, big-mountain skiing in Highland Bowl, Olympic Bowl and Steeplechase; Deception, Aces and 8's on the Olympic Side.

Best-kept secret:  The newly extended Mushroom trail will test even the fittest legs of mogul enthusiasts. For incredible skiing/riding on a powder day, check out Log Jam Gully, Bowling Alley and Fran's Love in Deep Temerity. 

What's New:  With some of the most stunning and challenging big-mountain terrain, Aspen Highlands just keeps getting better. Look for expanded terrain in the Deep Temerity area – that's a bonus on top of the 220 acres which was already added over the last several seasons. Canopy Cruiser, located to the right of Steeplechase and below Hyde Park, will give 18 additional acres of gladed skiing/riding. Also not to be missed: Take a snowcat ride to the ridge where you can hike up and drop into the Highland Bowl for the ultimate in-bounds backcountry experience.

Location:  Within the White River National Forest, 3 miles from downtown Aspen

Lodging:  14,303 pillows within a 10-mile radius. For more information, please call Stay Aspen Snowmass at 970-925-9000 or 888-649-5985.

Rental & Retail:  Four-Mountain Sports at the base of the mountain

Restaurants:  2 Total – Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro and Merry-Go-Round

BUTTERMILK

Famous as the home of the ESPN Winter X Games, Buttermilk built its 50-year legacy on wide-open and gently rolling trails that cater to beginners and families. Keep an eye out for Olympians, Winter X Games champs and other park kids braving the giant features in the legendary terrain park.

Season dates:  December 13, 2008 – April 5, 2009

Base elevation:  7,870 ft./2,399 m

Summit elevation:  9,900 ft./3,018 m

Vertical rise:   2,030 ft./619 m

Terrain:  470 acres/190 hectares

Number of trails:  44

Miles/km of trails:  21 miles/34 km

Longest run:  5 miles/8 km

Types of trails:  easiest: 35%, more difficult: 39%, most difficult: 26%, expert: 0%

Annual snowfall:  200 inches/508 cm

Snowmaking:  108 acres/44 hectares

Lifts:  9 Total

2 high-speed quads: Summit Express and West Buttermilk Express

3 doubles: Lower Tiehack, Upper Tiehack and Panda Peak

2 handle tows: Summit Handle Tow (top of Summit Express) and Mighty Mite (on Panda Peak) 

2 ski/snowboard school lifts: magic carpets at the Panda House and Panda Peak

Lift capacity:  7,500 riders/hour

Uncrowded slopes:  On average, 3.7 people per acre/8 people per hectare

Best known for:  Winter X Games, which will be held at Buttermilk through 2010; Beginner terrain makes Buttermilk an excellent learning mountain for new skiers and snowboarders; Unsurpassed grooming.

Best-kept secret:  Long, wide groomers at West Buttermilk and steeper rolling runs at Tiehack.

What's new:  Buttermilk is now home to a 22-foot, Olympic-caliber superpipe!

Location:  Within the White River National Forest, 3 miles from downtown Aspen, 6 miles from Snowmass

Parks and pipes:  5 terrain parks (Ski & Snowboard Schools, Teaser, Uncle Chuck's, Jacob's Ladder and X Park), 1 superpipe (X Games Superpipe) and 1 beginner pipe (Panda Pipe) – all within Buttermilk Park offering levels from freestyle beginners to experts. Don't be surprised to find yourself riding along side Olympic and X Games medalists on any given day.

Lodging:  14,303 pillows within a 10-mile radius. For more information, please call Stay Aspen Snowmass at 970-925-9000 or 888-649-5985.

Rental & /Retail:  Four-Mountain Sports at the base of the mountain

Restaurants:  2 Total – Bumps and The Cliffhouse