Aspen: The Ultimate Skiers' Haven

"Head over to Cloud Nine around 3:30 p.m.," a local advised. "It really kicks off there."

And they weren’t joking. On a lively March afternoon, the music was blasting on Cloud Nine's deck, as revelers in T-shirts danced, cheered, and sprayed Veuve Clicquot into the crisp mountain air.

"One more!" they shouted at the DJ. Early afternoon and the crowd was demanding last calls. But with skiing or snowboarding to get back to, it was time to wrap up the party.

Originally a ski-patrol hut turned into a restaurant, Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro now sits atop Aspen Highlands, part of the Aspen Snowmass resort in Colorado. It’s become a hotspot for party-goers, attracting celebrity names to its slopeside festivities.

No need to stress – Aspen offers plenty of activities if you’re not keen on (or can't swing) sipping champagne at 11,000 feet.

Aspen's sporting spirit is showcased by its hosting of the 2017 Alpine Skiing World Cup Finals from March 15-19. This marked the first time in two decades that the prestigious event, which concludes a tough racing season, was held outside of Europe.

Rising star Mikaela Shiffrin is on track to become the first American since 2012 to capture the overall women’s World Cup title.

Unique and inviting

With a population of 6,800, Aspen is known for its glitzy reputation as a playground for the wealthy and famous—and rightfully so. But beyond the luxury, Aspen is also a quirky town with a welcoming atmosphere (the Aspen Gay Ski Week celebrated its 40th anniversary in January 2017), eccentric charm, and world-class skiing.

A true testament to Aspen's spirit are the 'shrines' tucked away in the trees off ski runs across all four resorts. These hidden tributes honor past locals like singer John Denver and legendary writer Hunter S. Thompson, along with more unconventional choices such as the Blackhawks hockey team and the beloved cartoon duo, Calvin and Hobbes.

Nestled in the Roaring Fork Valley, Aspen saw its first major boom in the 1870s during the silver rush. It later experienced another boom as the town turned to snow sports and became a world-renowned ski destination.

Walter Paepcke, a Chicago businessman, founded the Aspen Skiing Company in 1946, but his vision didn’t end there. He and his wife, Elizabeth, believed in the power of a balanced life, which led them to create the Aspen Institute (host of the Aspen Ideas Festival) and the Aspen Music Festival.

Of the four resorts, Buttermilk is the smallest, located just a stone's throw from Aspen-Pitkin County Airport. It offers easier access to the area than Denver (a four-hour drive away) and fares better in winter weather than many other mountain airports.

The famous X-Games Aspen, held every January? They take place at Buttermilk, which also features great runs for beginners.

Snowmass, the largest of the four resorts, boasts long, wide intermediate runs, while Aspen Highlands is home to some of the most challenging and steepest terrain.

The Town and the Slopes

But it's Aspen that strikes the perfect balance between thrilling slopes and vibrant town life.

This is the kind of town where you can step off the gondola and find yourself walking into Van Cleef & Arpels. Here, a ski bum might sit side by side with a millionaire at the historic Wheeler Opera House, which opened in 1889 and hosts a variety of events (don’t miss its restaurant, Justice Snow’s, either).

For a top-notch on-slope dining experience, Lynn Britt Cabin at Snowmass is a true gem – an old-world chalet serving meals that are a cut above the usual mountain fare.

Where to Stay

It's true – accommodations during ski season can get pretty expensive.

Don't worry if your budget can't quite stretch to those prices. Just head over to Basalt, a charming mountain town 18 miles from Aspen, where you'll find plenty of affordable Airbnbs.

To avoid the hassle of parking on the mountain, drive to the Brush Creek Road Intercept Lot on Route 82 and catch one of the free buses to your chosen resort.

It's affordable, convenient – now all that's left is to have a great time.