Aspen Highlands ski resort is located within the White River National Forest, near downtown Aspen, and is surrounded by pristine mountain landscape. One of America’s top ski resorts, Aspen Highlands is more laid-back than its glitzier neighbours and easier on the pocket. Snowboarding is also available on all pistes and views of the Maroon Bells are outstanding.

The resort centre for Aspen Highlands is the town of Aspen itself, with beautifully restored Victorian buildings and an array of shops and boutiques to tempt you along its car-free, tree-lined streets. There is some accommodation available at the base lodge of Aspen Highlands but most visitors stay in the town, with its 14,000 beds in all categories and price ranges.

Known for its amazing bowls and breathtaking views of the Maroon Bells, Aspen Highlands offers snowboarders and skiers 130 slopes across 105kms of varied terrain that is divided into 18 per cent for novices, 30 per cent for intermediates, 16 per cent for advanced sliders, and 36 per cent for experts. The longest run is a respectable 5.6kms, and four lifts provide access.

In addition, other winter activities and facilities at Aspen Highlands include: horse-drawn carriage rides, sleigh rides, ice-skating, snowmobiling, telemarking, skidooing and ballooning. There are also numerous spa facilities, arts festivals, the Aspen Art Museum, and dozens of shops; while après-ski is lively and exciting.

The mid-December to mid-April ski season at Aspen Highlands has its best natural conditions throughout February and cheaper rates for the young and seniors. The most practical travel option for getting to Aspen is to fly to Denver International Airport and transfer by shuttle bus; while flying to either Aspen Pitkin or Eagle County airports is far more convenient.