Located in the west of Colorado, Aspen Highlands is one of America’s most desirable ski destinations and the more affordable resort of this exclusive ski domain. Renowned for its hard-driving skiing, the terrain is mostly given over to intermediate and expert skiers, and snowboarders also have use of the pistes.

Originally a silver mining town and surrounded by some remarkable scenery, Victorian Aspen has been restored to its best and is a town of culture and luxury. Its tree-lined, car-free boulevards are awash with stylish ski/sports and fashion boutiques, fine restaurants and art galleries.

Accommodation-wise, there are 29 beds at the base of the mountain and four excellent ski-in/ski-out restaurants and two bars; while a further 14,000 beds in every category and price range are in Aspen town, nearby. Non-ski activities include ice-skating and spa facilities, and there is a fantastic range of restaurants, shops and nightlife in the town.

Aspen Highlands ski resort has 130 runs spread over 105kms of fantastic terrain for all levels, including steep expert descents and a lot of novice runs over a 1,100m vertical. Four lifts, including three high-speed quads and one triple, have an hourly uplift capacity of 5,400 skiers and provide access to all the pistes - the longest of which is 5.6kms.

For alternative skiing and snowboarding, the other three resorts of the Aspen chain are linked by an efficient bus system. Buttermilk suits beginners, while Aspen Mountain, which bans boarders, has some fantastic blacks and tree-lined powder, and Snowmass has the biggest vertical drop in the US.

Aspen Highlands ski season runs from mid-December to mid-April and the most convenient means of getting here is to fly to Aspen Pitkin Airport, via Denver, and transfer by local bus.