DESTINATION GUIDE
Aspen
Private jet charter and flights to Aspen
A playground for the rich and famous, Aspen is ones of the world’s premier ski resorts and also offers plenty for those visiting during the warmer months. Home to four distinct areas, each with an array of facilities, it has some to offer skiers of every level and every style. Experience it all: request a private jet charter quote from Air Charter Service.
With four distinct ski areas – Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass – Aspen’s wide variety of terrains make it a great resort for all levels of skiing. Beginners should start off at Buttermilk or Aspen Highlands, while Snowmass is ideal for intermediates or families with children and serious skiers favour Aspen Mountain’s double-black gullies and off-piste tree runs. The Silver Queen gondola takes guests up to the mountain’s peak, where they can ski a thrilling vertical drop of over 3,000ft.
Aspen Mountain, or Ajax as it’s known amongst the locals, was the first ski area of the Aspen Snowmass complex to open, back in 1946. Now it is home to some of the most testing runs the area has to offer and appears on many a skiers bucket list. It is smaller than the majority of the areas that make up the complex, so has managed to retain a culture all of its own, which harks back to the early days when people first started coming to area to ski. The mountain is also home to an array of dining options, with the Ajax Tavern being the place to experience the apres ski scene. Another favourite is Bonnie’s for their delicious pancakes, and the sundeck for the outstanding views.
The Aspen Highlands area has a far more family friendly vibe, and offers a more laidback take on the typical ski holiday. Enjoyed by locals and in-the-know visitors, its uncrowded slopes are ideal for beginners looking to take their time and enjoy the views. Dining options reflect the low maintenance vibe of the resort with an alpine bistro and casual grab-and-go dining options replacing the trendier dining venues of some of the other resorts, though Cloud Nine Bistro is still counted amongst the best in Aspen.
Buttermilk is a mountain of two halves, with one offering high octane winter sports in conjunction with the Winter X Games and the Red Bull Double Pipe event, and the other offering family and beginner-friendly slopes with plenty of space to take things slowly. Here you’ll also find The Hideout, a centre for young skiers to learn their craft, and an array of parks, for those looking to hone their skills on table tops, pipes, jibs and a whole host of other features. Dining offers something to suit everyone, with everything from the family friendly restaurant ‘Bumps’ to private dining atop the mountain for those looking for something a touch more romantic.
Snowmass is ideal for beginners, with a great range of slopes as well as facilities targeted at those getting their first taste of powder. That’s not to say that experienced skiers will find themselves at a loose end, Snowmass covers so much area that there’s a great array of slopes to suit all levels, and with new developments currently underway, this will only improve in the future. 2017 is Snowmass’ 50th anniversary, so there are some extra celebrations taking place, including 1967 lift-ticket pricing at $6.50 on Friday, gold signage for the original trails, fireworks, parties and much more. Another family-friendly resort, you’ll find plenty to choose from when it comes to dining, and entertainment, as well as specialised ski schools to cater for every age bracket.
Away from the ski, Aspen also holds some great festivals, with the Aspen Music Festival and Aspen Ideas Festival being two of the most popular. During the summer months there is also the Aspen Saturday Market which only offers locally grown, sourced or created goods for sale. If you’re into hiking, you’ll also find lots of trails across the area, with the ‘Grottoes’ on Independence Pass being one of the most frequently undertaken. You can also head to the nearby Conundrum Hot Springs, though as clothing is optional, it may only be suitable for the bold.
If you’re travelling in the summer months it won’t be quite so Christmassy, but there is still plenty for those who enjoy outdoor pursuits to get up to. Hiking, biking and fishing are all popular pastimes, and the amount of remote cabins makes taking yourself off the grid an easy way to escape from modern stresses.
Aspen is a both a summer and winter destination, and we can help get you there. Simply contact our team and we’ll arrange everything you need to charter a private jet to Aspen.