Growing up in Chicago, I spent the majority of my ski career learning on the landfills of Wisconsin, readily thinking I was a mountain chick through and through.
What they don’t tell you when you move west is that it’s not a consistent rating system across the country. Black diamonds in the Midwest are not the same as black diamonds in Colorado. That’s a tough lesson to learn and Colorado was a serious reality check.
I still love skiing for the social aspect of it, but I know I’ll never be amazing at the sport, especially compared to the locals. Ego bruising and skills in check, I’m ok with that. A couple runs, a drink break, a few more runs, lunch, that’s my kind of ski day. And Snowmass is absolutely perfect for that.
No One is Zipping By
One of my biggest pet peeves at some of the other big name Colorado resorts is the pros (both old and young), who feel the need to fly by, whip snow in your face and make you feel inferior all at once. With an average of just 2 people per skiable acre, Snowmass is the perfect place to go at your own pace without having to worry about anyone around you. You can rest as often as you want without being in anyone’s way. And with almost no lift lines, you’re not spending half the day waiting so everything really is on your own schedule.
Almost 50% Blues
With 90+ runs, and almost half of that intermediate level, there’s so much terrain to explore you could literally come back again and again to build up your confidence.
As part of the Aspen family, you’re getting the notoriety of skiing at one of Colorado’s best resorts without the intimidation factor of you know, skiing where they hold the X-Games.
No Stress
95% of the lodging ski-in, ski-out so you’re not wasting energy dragging heavy equipment anywhere, worrying about paying for parking or anything other than doing what you love (and if you stay at the Timberline Condos or the Viceroy, they’ll even drop you off and pick you up when your legs start burning, how great is that?).
Plenty of Places to Apres
At the end of the day, skiing is a social sport. There are plenty of great places in Snowmass to unwind and catch-up over a hot toddy, our go-to being Base Camp Bar and Grill. With a blazing fire pit and killer tunes, all you need is that panoramic mountain backdrop to remind you how great Colorado is.