SKI ASPEN HIGHLANDS

Season dates: December 10, 2011 - April 22, 2012
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

Aspen Highlands is the locals' favorite. With an abundance of expert terrain, groomed cruisers and breathtaking views of the Maroon Bells, it's no surprise. Then, there's Highland Bowl - Colorado's ultimate off-piste experience - where a 30-minute hike to the summit will reward you with 2,500-vertical-foot descents down pitches as steep as 45 degrees. Stop into the ski shop for a more personal ski breakdown.

How to Ski Aspen Highlands;

• Get up to the highest inbounds skiing in Aspen - Highlands Bowl. The 30-minute hike up the bowl offers the best snow of any mountain. Its height and non-lift service make the snow fluffy and sustainable. The bowl is for moderate to advanced skiers.
  
  
• Take a few runs down Thunderbowl. It is accessible from a catwalk or from the Thunderbowl lift at the base. Rarely would you see another person on the run. That leaves the 150 yard wide groomed run to be ripped on, and only your tracks to look at from the bottom when you’re catching your breath.
  
  
• With all the great skiers headed to the Highlands bowl, the smaller bowl on the opposite side of the mountain is often overlooked. Ole Bowl is 500 yards down from the top on the West side of the mountain. It starts off in the trees, and with all the fresh powder you can already tell that not too many people ski it. Then the trees break and you get steep moguls while looking across Maroon Creek Valley to Buttermilk.
  
  
• Some of Aspen Highlands most fun terrain is near the bottom. Head into the trees off the skied paths if you are looking for some extreme skiing on a smaller scale.

Aspen Snowmass Official Site