Aspen, Colorado. The name alone conjures images of majestic mountains, outdoor adventure, healthy living, divine dining, music festivals, and exceptional shopping. To the world, Aspen means, "The Good Life." And yes, our town has everything the good life has to offer. But we have even more. Aspen's got soul.

Opening Day at Aspen Mountain Nov. 26, 2009

Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series Nov. 2009 – March 2010
This free, season-long concert series is free and open to the public, featuring top national music acts ranging from rock to hip-hop, appealing to all age groups. Past acts include Blues Traveler, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Pennywise, Rusted Root and many more!

Aspen Winternational FIS Alpine World Cup Nov. 28 – 29, 2009
World Cup racing returns with the Aspen Winternational FIS Alpine ski races, highlighting women’s giant slalom and slalom races. This festive weekend, free and open to the public, features race-stadium access, fireworks, awards ceremonies and an outdoor nighttime concert in downtown Aspen. For details, call 800.525.6200 x4595.

Winterskol™ Jan. 14 – 17, 2010
Wintersköl, Aspen’s annual “toast to winter,” dates back to a quiet January in 1951 when local Aspenites decided to celebrate Aspen’s unique Nordic lifestyle with an eclectic weekend of festivities. The four-day celebration features on-mountain activities, a parade, a canine fashion show and much more.

ESPN Winter X Games 14 Jan. 28 – 31, 2010
The world’s premier winter action sports event returns to Aspen/ Snowmass for its ninth year in a row. Watch as snowsports’ greatest athletes battle for glory in events like ski and snowboard slopestyle, superpipe, snowmobile freestyle and snocross, big air and many more! For details, visit www.expn.com.

Aspen/Snowmass Ski & Snowboard Open Feb. 11 – 14, 2010
Held on the world-renowned Winter X Games slopestyle course and superpipe, this event is open to all competitors from around the world. With ski and snowboard categories for men and women, the Open gives up-and-comers a chance to compete against a notable field of pros, with everyone vying for part of the total $50,000 prize purse.

Bud Light Spring Jam March 19 – 21 & 26 – 28, 2010
The ultimate spring celebration! The 10th annual Spring Jam features two weekends of events in Aspen and Snowmass, blending music, athletic competition and art. From a live outdoor, nighttime concert, art and booths, this weekend has something for everyone.

1.The city of Aspen has approximately 70 restaurants, 235 shops/boutiques, and 40 lodging properties within 3.66 miles, all at the elevation of 7,908 ft. Many restaurants in Aspen/Snowmass offer bar and prix-fixe menus, often at substantial discounts from their regular menus. Enjoy gourmet food at a portion of the price.

2. Catch the world's only internet-connected taxi, The Ultimate Taxi. Take a guided joy ride through downtown Aspen and send your friends images over the web right from the taxi! www.ultimatetaxi.com.

ASPEN MOUNTAIN – and its famous black-diamond terrain – has kept the town of aspen on the map since 1947, serving up glades, bumps and steeps for anyone who dares step off the lift. more than 60 years later, the only changes guests might notice are a shiny new gondola and great Sundeck cuisine at the summit. Insider tip: Keep your eyes peeled for the famous ‘shrines’ of aspen.

Great Deals
Ask about our latest offers including family packages, ski/snowboard school promotions, multi-day ticket deals and more – call Stay Aspen Snowmass at 800-494-6395 or visit www.aspensnowmass.com. And, don’t miss our Last-Minute Lodging Specials – visit www.aspensnowmass.com/lmls to sign up for weekly updates and to receive the best deals around! on-MoUntaIn DInInG q Ride the gondola and dine at 11,212 feet at the Sundeck, one of the most environmentally responsible on-mountain restaurants in the world. Join the festivities on designated Friday nights, and enjoy live music and a great selection of food. Call 970-429-6974 for more information.

Lessons
Ski & Snowboard Schools of aspen/Snowmass: Private lessons, group lessons and specialized programs. (Sorry, no beginner programs on Aspen Mountain.) Visit www.aspensnowmass.com or call 877-282-7736 for more information.

FYI
Aspen Skiing Company (ASC) will invest nearly $8 million in on-mountain improvements this year and has invested more than $130 million over the previous six seasons, giving guests the most seamless skiing/riding experience in the industry. This includes 11 new lifts with two new gondolas, the industry-leading Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center, three new restaurants, additional terrain plus the new Snowmass base village. In addition, the first phase of the $18 million room renovation at The Little Nell Hotel (Aspen’s only five-star, five-diamond hotel) was completed in the fall.

Biggest Event
Aspen Winternational Audi FIS Alpine World Cup; November 28-29, 2009. In an Olympic year, WorldCup racing returns with the Aspen Winternational Audi FIS Alpine ski races, highlighting women’s giant slalom and slalom races. This festive weekend, free and open to the public, features race-stadium access, fireworks, awards ceremonies and an outdoor nighttime concert in downtown Aspen. For details, call 800.525.6200 x4595.

Apres Spots
Ajax Tavern, The Bar at The Little Nell, La Cantina, 39 Degrees at the Sky Hotel, Mezzaluna and the J-Bar at The Hotel Jerome.

Alternate Day
Try a naturalist-guided snowshoe tour on top of Aspen Mountain, 970-925-5756. Cross-country ski on the largest groomed trail system in North America, 970-925-2849. Relax with the Alpine Rejuvenator at the Aspen Club and Spa, 970-925-8900.

ASPEN HIGHLANDS, celebrating over 50 years as the locals’ favorite, boasts breathtaking vistas of the surrounding maroon bells and an abundance of expert terrain and groomed cruisers. Hike to the 12,392 ft. summit of Highland bowl for colorado’s ultimate in-bounds backcountry rush. With the addition of the Deep temerity lift and over 237 acres over the last three seasons, we’re proud to offer some of the most challenging big-mountain terrain in North America.

Great Deals
Ask about our latest offers including family packages, ski/snowboard school promotions, multi-day ticket deals and more – call Stay Aspen Snowmass at 800-494-6395 or visit www.aspensnowmass.com.

And, don’t miss our Last-Minute Lodging Specials – visit www.aspensnowmass.com/lmls to sign up for weekly updates and to receive the best deals around!

On-Mountain Dining
Eat lunch at your favorite alpine bistro, Cloud Nine. In addition to its quirky décor, the European-style eatery serves up views of the Maroon Bells along with wild game, stews, strudels, pastas and breads. Or dine at Merry-Go-Round, the bustling mid-mountain lunch spot with an exciting menu and the largest outdoor deck in the valley. 800-525-6200.

Lessons/Daycare
Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen/Snowmass for kids: Helmets are required for children ages 12 and under. Children’s ski/snowboard schools is offered at Aspen Highlands for ages 5 to 17, levels 5 and up. Kids who ski or snowboard at a lower level may be transported to Buttermilk in the morning and shuttled back to Aspen Highlands at the end of the day. Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen/Snowmass for adults: Skiing, snowboarding and telemark private and group lessons are offered. Visit www.aspensnowmass.com or call 877-282-7736 for more information.

FYI
Aspen Skiing Company (ASC) will invest nearly $8 million in on-mountain improvements this year and has invested more than $130 million over the previous six seasons, giving guests the most seamless skiing/riding experience in the industry. This includes 11 new lifts with two new gondolas, the industry-leading Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center, three new restaurants, additional terrain, plus the new Snowmass base village. In addition, the first phase of the $18 million room renovation at The Little Nell Hotel (Aspen’s only five-star, five-diamond hotel) was completed in the fall.

Biggest Event
the Inferno endurance race takes place in February and consists of an 800-vertical-foot uphill climb and a 1,500-foot downhill ski or snowboard plunge in the famed Highland Bowl. Racers dub it their worst cardiovascular nightmare. The second annual Helly Hansen Battle in the Bowls (March 29, 2010) is hosted by Aspen/Snowmass athlete Chris Davenport and features teams of two using GPS devices to track how skilled each duo is at skiing the many bowls of Aspen Highlands. Open to any skier or snowboarder who enjoys riding Aspen Highlands. Call 800-525-6200 for more information.

Apres Spots
Check out the base village at Aspen Highlands for exciting après activities. Browse the Aspen Artists Cooperative before relaxing at ZG Grill or the Willow Creek Bistro at the Ritz Carlton Club.

Alternate Day
Take a two-hour snowmobile ride to the base of the world-famous Maroon Bells, or a half-day snowmobile tour to the ghost town of Independence; T-Lazy-7, 970-925-4614, www.tlazy7.com

The Silver Queen Gondola travels 2.5 miles and more than 3,000 vertical feet from the heart of Aspen to the 11,212-ft. summit of Aspen Mountain. At the top, bask in the spectacular panoramic views of Aspen and the Elk Mountain Range and take in the many activities that the high altitude has to offer: dine at the Sundeck, take a free mountain-orientation tour with an ambassador, or step up your technique with Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen/ Snowmass. 800.525.6200 www.aspensnowmass.com.

The Maroon Bells
Among the most-photographed peaks in North America, the Maroon Bells are one of Aspen/Snowmass' grand attractions and can be reached by guided snowmobile tours in the winter.

Independence and Ashcroft
Tour the ghost towns of Independence and Ashcroft. A "resident ghost" leads tours and shares stories about the towns' raucous history. Call Aspen Historical Society for more information, 970.925.3721.

Snowshoeing
Enjoy a two-hour snowshoe adventure led by a naturalist from Aspen Center for Environmental Studies on top of Aspen Mountain, Snowmass and Ashcroft daily. 970.925.5756.

DIRECTIONS BY CAR
220 miles from Denver via I-70 and Highway 82; 130 miles from Grand Junction via I-70 and Highway 82.

DIRECTIONS BY BUS
Free skier shuttles serve all four Aspen/Snowmass areas from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All buses within the towns of Aspen and Snowmass Village are free. Bus service runs between Snowmass Village and Aspen until 2 a.m. [$3], 970.925.8484.

DIRECTIONS BY AIR
Several airlines offer direct flights to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) [3 miles from downtown]. In addition, Eagle County Airport (EGE) [70 miles], Denver
International Airport (DEN) [220 miles] and Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) [125 miles] offer flights to and from numerous destinations.