Aspen Mountain ski resort, known as Ajax, is located in the heart of central Aspen and is reserved for experienced skiers, with no beginner runs but plenty of intermediate terrain. One of the most expensive resorts in America, Ajax is Aspen’s number one mountain - complete with moguls, powder and steep descents.

The town of Aspen exudes quality and features traffic-free streets that are lined with ski/sports shops and fashionable boutiques. There is also a bank, post office, chapel, pharmacy, the renowned Aspen Art Museum and excellent childcare for ages six weeks and up.

There are 8,000 beds available at the base of Aspen Mountain and 6,000 additional beds nearby; while a wealth of other activities includes ice-fishing and sleigh riding. Aspen Mountain boasts several on-slope restaurants and scores of eating establishments in the town, all serving up cuisine from around the world. The après-ski is vibrant, with numerous bars, taverns and clubs across town.

Aspen Mountain boasts 76 trails with the emphasis on challenging expert terrain, none of which is suitable for novices. Eight high-tech lifts have an hourly uplift capacity of 10,755 skiers and run across a near 1,000m vertical to provide access to the pistes - the longest of which is 4.8kms.

For alternative skiing, try the other Aspen resorts of Snowmass, Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands; Snowmass has plenty of beginner terrain. For some scenic driving, take the road to Carbondale (northwest), which lies tucked between two parcels of the White River National Forest. Turn left at Carbondale for views of the twin summits of Mt Sopris.

The ski season at Aspen Mountain runs from late November to mid-April and the quickest way here is to fly to Aspen Pitkin Airport and transfer by local bus to Aspen, from where a free bus goes to Ajax.