Not everything in Aspen is overpriced.
The ski experience at AspenSnowmass is top notch. I am not just saying this because I work there.
I have worked at other resorts where you pay just as much for nowhere near the experience.
Not sure what you mean by Aspen’s reputation being modernized?Perhaps Aspen's reputation needs to be modernized. I've never been there. Of course, I'm retired and frugal, and I think almost all ski wear is overpriced!
Not sure what you mean by Aspen’s reputation being modernized?
I didn't want to bring it up, because I have no idea where I read it. An article about Aspen's history of extremely wealthy people partying, drinking champagne mid-mountain, and all manner of shenanigans. Someone will probably know where it can be found. It was long, and detailed, and sounded like the "outrageous rich" were up to no good.
Between that article and its reputation for $$$$, it seems to be (here in the East) that it's known for those things. I do read, though, that its ski school is the best anywhere.
@newboots : check out the trip report by @alison wong . She's a very frugal traveler. Any destination resort out west on Ikon/Epic can be very expensive and fun for people who like to party harder than than ski. But that doesn't mean a ski nut on a budget can't have a great time. Plus Aspen is not just one mountain. Buttermilk is a great mountain 2-3 days after a powder storm because advanced/expert skiers tend to go hunting powder mostly at Aspen Highlands or Snowmass.
Intermediate TR Sunlight / Aspen 4: March 10 - 16
Country pumpkin was venturing out west again. This time, I was off to Sunlight and Aspen for 1 week during my school spring break in mid March. Before the TR, just want to share with you few thoughts & observations from the trip (for those of you interested about the logistics/transportation)...www.theskidiva.com
Perhaps you are referring to Things I Never Knew About Skiing Until I Was a Private Instructor in Aspen? I wouldn’t take the article seriously. The author specializes in salacious exposés following a generic pattern “I worked behind the scenes somewhere swanky, here’s my gossip about the naughty rich.” It’s a pity Aspen’s reputation was sullied; the author could have visited any upscale resort and written a similar puff piece.I didn't want to bring it up, because I have no idea where I read it. An article about Aspen's history of extremely wealthy people partying, drinking champagne mid-mountain, and all manner of shenanigans. Someone will probably know where it can be found. It was long, and detailed, and sounded like the "outrageous rich" were up to no good.
I’ve taken a few trips and really enjoyed the fabulous slopes and scenery. And yes had a drink at hotel Jerome and another apres at little Nell.Perhaps you are referring to Things I Never Knew About Skiing Until I Was a Private Instructor in Aspen? I wouldn’t take the article seriously. The author specializes in salacious exposés following a generic pattern “I worked behind the scenes somewhere swanky, here’s my gossip about the naughty rich.” It’s a pity Aspen’s reputation was sullied; the author could have visited any upscale resort and written a similar puff piece.
Perhaps you are referring to Things I Never Knew About Skiing Until I Was a Private Instructor in Aspen? I wouldn’t take the article seriously. The author specializes in salacious exposés following a generic pattern “I worked behind the scenes somewhere swanky, here’s my gossip about the naughty rich.” It’s a pity Aspen’s reputation was sullied; the author could have visited any upscale resort and written a similar puff piece.
There are many things in this article that are not true. That said, I have worked at Snowmass for 8 years and have never sprayed champagne at Cloud Nine, although, I know many people that have.
The thing about Snowmass is that employees are paid decent wages, have good benefits and the company has invested significant money in employee housing, employee benefits and climate issues.
There are many wealthy people that come to AspenSnowmass but there are many families who have come for years who don't take private lessons and who, like many of us, choose to spend our hard earned dollars on experiences that we enjoy.
I love working at Snowmass. I am on a first name basis with Mike Kaplan, the CEO. He responds to my emails promptly and genuinely listens to suggestions and feedback. We have access to unlimited training, free group ski lessons, reduced private lessons, great equipment and clothing sells, free or reduced nights at hotels owned by Aspen Skiing Company. Employees are valued and empowered to do whatever we can to help our guests have the experience of a lifetime. There are also many more women instructors and women in management than there were at other resorts where I have worked.
I have the opportunity to ski at 4 fabulous mountains, have a locker 50 feet from the snow and have made wonderful friends.
Did you fly in directly? Or fly into Denver & drive/shuttle or...?I've skied at Snowmass several years in a row with my hardly skiing husband and improving teens in tow. We found less expensive ski in/out condos at the older complex Willows, but have also stayed at Wildwood and Westin, which both are ski in /out. The kids did ski school on alternate days and advanced tremendously. I took them to the Cirque headwall after a friendly female ski patroller on the lift told me we could do it when she heard where else we had been and there were good conditions. In later years they took me where their instructors took them. Most recently, my 19 y.o. son and I went to Aspen Highlands on a Wednesday when the ski patrol does Highland Bowl excursions FOR FREE!! I'm too old to want to do the hike and he was eager and I did not want him to do it "on his own." While he was on his adventure I peaked into Cloud Nine at lunchtime, and it was sedate with sane folks having lunch/fondue inside and a few people having drinks outside. I'm sure the champagne spraying happens but it seems like a lovely place for slightly pricey sit-down lunch if you want to get there ahead of "the festivities." I skied many runs on Scarlett's which has exactly the perfect pitch and bumps for these old bones. And I hung out at the ski patrol hut deck awaiting his return and the view was tremendous So Aspen Highlands and Snowmass get thumbs up from me. Haven't skied Buttermilk or Ajax.
Bottom line . . . the Aspen/Snowmass resorts are a wonderful destination and don't have to be super pricey, wild, or status oriented. The amount and variety of terrain at Snowmass can't be beat. An intermediate can do the alpine Rocky Mountain High trail at the tippy top of Snowmass on a good weather day, if they are willing to ride a poma/disc lift, for an amazing experience. It is a little harder to get to from the east coast but once you are there, you don't need a car and it feels like a real escape. Oh . . . I don't wear Bogner.
Do you ski both Beaver Creek and Vail in 1 trip? If so where do you normally stay? I have looked at Minturn but heard it is not so easy to get to Beaver Creek, I am not planning to get rental car. I may only do quick turnaround trips next season, due to work. I will have Epic Local pass.I flew into Eagle this year and loved it.
Agreed 100%. The drive from Denver to Aspen is quite scenic. I think one should do it at least once.My experience is that the drive from Denver in daylight is glorious
Thank you. Your trip report brought me great joy. I too have wonderful memories of Aspen and reading about your trips made me feel I was there. Next time you are in Aspen on a powder day treat yourself to Aspen Ajax. The top-to-bottom tree-lined runs warming up in the gondola between laps and finishing the day with skiboot-clad après in swanky downtown Aspen is nothing short of magical.I've skied at Snowmass several years in a row with my hardly skiing husband and improving teens in tow. We found less expensive ski in/out condos at the older complex Willows, but have also stayed at Wildwood and Westin, which both are ski in /out. The kids did ski school on alternate days and advanced tremendously. I took them to the Cirque headwall after a friendly female ski patroller on the lift told me we could do it when she heard where else we had been and there were good conditions. In later years they took me where their instructors took them. Most recently, my 19 y.o. son and I went to Aspen Highlands on a Wednesday when the ski patrol does Highland Bowl excursions FOR FREE!! I'm too old to want to do the hike and he was eager and I did not want him to do it "on his own." While he was on his adventure I peaked into Cloud Nine at lunchtime, and it was sedate with sane folks having lunch/fondue inside and a few people having drinks outside. I'm sure the champagne spraying happens but it seems like a lovely place for slightly pricey sit-down lunch if you want to get there ahead of "the festivities." I skied many runs on Scarlett's which has exactly the perfect pitch and bumps for these old bones. And I hung out at the ski patrol hut deck awaiting his return and the view was tremendous So Aspen Highlands and Snowmass get thumbs up from me. Haven't skied Buttermilk or Ajax.
Bottom line . . . the Aspen/Snowmass resorts are a wonderful destination and don't have to be super pricey, wild, or status oriented. The amount and variety of terrain at Snowmass can't be beat. An intermediate can do the alpine Rocky Mountain High trail at the tippy top of Snowmass on a good weather day, if they are willing to ride a poma/disc lift, for an amazing experience. It is a little harder to get to from the east coast but once you are there, you don't need a car and it feels like a real escape. Oh . . . I don't wear Bogner.