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So I am going out to XGames Aspen in 2018 instead of having a Graduation Party like most people around me usually do. I was wondering the best strategy or places to ski during the event. More specifically which mountains.
The event is a buttermilk but buttermilk doesn't look too fun. I don't think I am skilled enough to do any double blacks but I don't know how aggressive they rate their trails relative to other places. I could do about half of the bump runs at winter park for reference, but I was with my uncle who doesn't ski bumps so i didn't really try to push myself too hard. Snowmass looks really good but its kind of far away from the action. Aspen Highlands looks like it is sort of limited for non expert skiers, same with Ajax. The Highland Bowl isn't gonna happen for me, definitely on a different trip in the future when I get better. I am not bringing my park skis, so that further pushes me away from buttermilk.
Obviously I don't want to be spectating every event since snowboarding and anything feminine are a waste of time. I may watch snowboarding if it after the lifts close since they huck some insane stuff. I know that there is a bunch of stuff in the base area but is it worth the time? I don't get to go out west very often and i am getting lift tickets for that Friday and Saturday. That thursday I am doing a college visit at College of Mines since I can use that as my excuse to miss school. Sunday is completely dedicated to travel since the jet lag eats up your day. I don't want to waste the experience but I also don't want to pass up on skiing an epic area like aspen snowmass.
We are staying in Glenwood springs or something like that at Hotel Colorado. It is like 45 min away but way cheaper and closer to Denver than staying in Aspen with all of the crazy traffic. I don't really know where to park at Aspen but I have heard the bus system is very nice. I know I am planning all of this early but I just don't want to get there and miss out on some epic stuff.
At glenwood you are at least 45 mins to 1 hr to any of the aspen snowmass mountains so you should definitely go to snowmass one day and to aspen mountain the other day. From both you are a very short free bus away (5 mins from aspen and 30 mins from snowmass) to buttermilk to watch the action.
Take all the clothing you have to the games.
Traffic around Aspen/Snowmass isn't too bad because there's a free bus. If you're driving it will be fucked at times but the busses do pretty well and are free.
To get from gwood up and back you can take the brt. It's part of the same company rfta but I believe it's $7 each way for that drive. If you're not going to be close by and relying on the bus, i guess it doesn't matter if you were slightly up or all the way up to glenwood.
Buttermilk definitely doesn't have the most epic skiing but if you wont even hit the highland bowl you would probably have fun there. Tiehack side has some nice runs and some alright tree skiing in spots. A lot of the mountain is mellower but not bad.
Snowmass is generally fsr more crowded but also much larger. Snowmass has the best park in the valley as well as everything from green runs to some steep bumps, trees, and bowls.
Highlands is prettt fucking awesome. No park but some awesome runs if the snow is there. The bowl is sick but there are plenty of other awesome steep runs. If the snow is there, that place is dope.
Ajax is legit. A lot of steep terrain as well. It comes right down into aspen so you can take a break and walk a few feet into tiwn for food or beers.
As far as X. Some pretty good events go down in the day. Big air will almost guaranteed be at night as will superpipe.
The lifts weren't to crowded during the day honetly this year but it gets fucking packed at night.
Im not sure why you wouldn't bring your park skis though.
You don't want to go to ajax, or highlands. You dont want to ride park. You dont want to go to buttermilk.
What are you honestly looking for?
As I mentioned snowmass is the biggest and has varried terrain but also the most crowded. I lived in snowmas so I rode there a lot on my off days.
Park is in point although it definitely favors intermdiate/expert park skiers. The pipe is decent but gets hit pretty hard and can be beat up.
You can transfer to or from the brt to go anywhere from the intercept lot. You might be waiting for a while if you try and leave rigt after superpipe or big air though.
I would encourage you to check out highlands though if the snow is decent. The mtns all have their +s and -s.
Regarding snowmass being far from the action. Buttermilk is in the border. If you have a car and take owl creek road it will take you 10 minutes to go from the lot at bmilk to the center of snowmass. Maybe 12 minutes parked to parked. From bmilk it would take 8 minutes or so to get to ajax or highlands. Its joy as if bmilk is right not top of them and snowmass is far away.
Aspen will have the happening nightlife though.
As ai mentioned there are free busses running to all the above. To highlands you need to transfer or take one of the van shuttles (free) from bmilk. For snowmass you need to jump on a local snowmass shuttle at the rodeo lot.
If you do drive, watch where you park as there will be tickets and tow trucks. Also if you drive dont drive drunk.
theabortionatorButtermilk definitely doesn't have the most epic skiing but if you wont even hit the highland bowl you would probably have fun there. Tiehack side has some nice runs and some alright tree skiing in spots. A lot of the mountain is mellower but not bad.
Snowmass is generally fsr more crowded but also much larger. Snowmass has the best park in the valley as well as everything from green runs to some steep bumps, trees, and bowls.
Highlands is prettt fucking awesome. No park but some awesome runs if the snow is there. The bowl is sick but there are plenty of other awesome steep runs. If the snow is there, that place is dope.
Ajax is legit. A lot of steep terrain as well. It comes right down into aspen so you can take a break and walk a few feet into tiwn for food or beers.
Im not sure why you wouldn't bring your park skis though.
You don't want to go to ajax, or highlands. You dont want to ride park. You dont want to go to buttermilk.
What are you honestly looking for?
I am not bringing my park skis because my ski bag only fits 1 pair of skis and I want to bring something that can handle skiing powder or challenging (for me atleast) terrain. I don't want to bring my dull / missing edge 84 waist complete noodle park skis vs my all mountain skis. I will probably just check out Snowmass on the day there where there are no important ski events during the day and check out highlands / buttermilk the day of slopestyle which is never ever at night. If I feel like I am skiing really well I may drop in into the bowl by the main gate but idk. I really don't want to waste my time and energy on that massive hike, especially when I will be skiing alone because my dad doesn't want to ski. Obviously the trail maps don't do justice so I was wondering if any of the mountains were like over rated or aren't as good as they look.
The.FishI am not bringing my park skis because my ski bag only fits 1 pair of skis and I want to bring something that can handle skiing powder or challenging (for me atleast) terrain. I don't want to bring my dull / missing edge 84 waist complete noodle park skis vs my all mountain skis. I will probably just check out Snowmass on the day there where there are no important ski events during the day and check out highlands / buttermilk the day of slopestyle which is never ever at night. If I feel like I am skiing really well I may drop in into the bowl by the main gate but idk. I really don't want to waste my time and energy on that massive hike, especially when I will be skiing alone because my dad doesn't want to ski. Obviously the trail maps don't do justice so I was wondering if any of the mountains were like over rated or aren't as good as they look.
If there's a decent boot pack, which there almost definitely will be it's like a 20/25 min hike even if you skip the cat ride near the start. Also if you dig trees the trees before the gate are pretty sick. Most people skip them to hike to the peak. Ive hit deep powder at times when most of the bowl was skied out in there. It can get crowded sometimes though and is tough to pass people/ ignorant people won't move out of the way. But if you go at the righttimes it's generally not too bad.
Idk. I think the bowl is def worth it. Not a big hike and a great run down. Also plenty of sick runs fown to temerity lift.
I don't really think any of the mtns there are overrated.
X games is the busiest Aspen will get. If your coming from GS it wouldn't hurt to catch the super early buses. Give your self a very generous buffer when it comes to timing things like waiting in the line for pat downs.
Ski any where else then buttermilk. While buttermilk can be fun it's over run by people during the games.
Hit Highlands bowl if conditions are right. Best runs inbounds when good.
I'd say forget parties at bars in Aspen. Under 21 people get caught like crazy at the doors. It was like 200 hundred minors this year. Try and meet people and go to a house party. Better than paying 40 cover to buy alcohol and dance with drunk hipsters.
50KalX games is the busiest Aspen will get. If your coming from GS it wouldn't hurt to catch the super early buses. Give your self a very generous buffer when it comes to timing things like waiting in the line for pat downs.
Ski any where else then buttermilk. While buttermilk can be fun it's over run by people during the games.
Hit Highlands bowl if conditions are right. Best runs inbounds when good.
I'd say forget parties at bars in Aspen. Under 21 people get caught like crazy at the doors. It was like 200 hundred minors this year. Try and meet people and go to a house party. Better than paying 40 cover to buy alcohol and dance with drunk hipsters.
I was planning on getting up really early, especially with being used to the east coast time zone. I have been just looking up videos on youtube for the last couple of days and I think I will do all of my time at Ajax and Highlands. I hope to get into some stuff on the deep temerity lift but I don't know if I am skilled enough for that. Hopefully I progress a ton on this trip since Ohio and anything within 5 hours of me is really flat. Well there is one resort with a 38 degree pitch for like 150-200 vertical but thats about it. It isn't too hard since its pretty wide and it flattens out so you don't even have to worry about speed. The only time I will ski buttermilk is for slopestyle since that is the only ski event during the day most likely. I think I will just skip snowmass and save it for another time if I ever make it back.
so x games is an absolute shit show. aspen/ the valley is chaos etc. however, if u ski highlands or ajax, litterly no one will be skiing. everyone heads to buttermilk to ski with pros or snowmass (fuck snowmass). This year x games weekened was some of the best skiing all season at ajax.
The.FishI was planning on getting up really early, especially with being used to the east coast time zone. I have been just looking up videos on youtube for the last couple of days and I think I will do all of my time at Ajax and Highlands. I hope to get into some stuff on the deep temerity lift but I don't know if I am skilled enough for that. Hopefully I progress a ton on this trip since Ohio and anything within 5 hours of me is really flat. Well there is one resort with a 38 degree pitch for like 150-200 vertical but thats about it. It isn't too hard since its pretty wide and it flattens out so you don't even have to worry about speed. The only time I will ski buttermilk is for slopestyle since that is the only ski event during the day most likely. I think I will just skip snowmass and save it for another time if I ever make it back.
As far as highlands just take it slow.
For buttermilk youre better off not buying a lift ticket and watching slope from the base.
Youll see the end jumps and the whole course on the screen. Can also hike up next to jump to and see feature 3 rails and all 3 jumps.
Also aspen snowmass has probably the most lenient uphill policy. You can skin or boot pack any of those hills anytime.
theabortionatorAs far as highlands just take it slow.
For buttermilk youre better off not buying a lift ticket and watching slope from the base.
Youll see the end jumps and the whole course on the screen. Can also hike up next to jump to and see feature 3 rails and all 3 jumps.
Also aspen snowmass has probably the most lenient uphill policy. You can skin or boot pack any of those hills anytime.
I am defiantly skiing friday and saturday. Slopestyle only take what? 1.5 hours? I still have like 6 other hours to take a bus and ski highlands. I just don’t feel comfortable doing the highland bowl alone. The hike looks intense and a big commitment. I would totally do it if i had a friend with me since i get sendy with people I know. I will defiantly try some of the other expert stuff on the left side of the mountain. As long as there aren’t any giant moguls like at winter park i can probably do it.
The.FishI just don’t feel comfortable doing the highland bowl alone. The hike looks intense and a big commitment.
A good gaugeing run for the bowl is the steepl chaser runs. Similar pitch and position in the sun. Just shorter run. It's the runs to the left as your getting off the top of lodge peak lift.
Also the bowl is a 45min - hour hiking if you take the cat and have never hiked it but it's worth it.
50KalA good gaugeing run for the bowl is the steepl chaser runs. Similar pitch and position in the sun. Just shorter run. It's the runs to the left as your getting off the top of lodge peak lift.
Also the bowl is a 45min - hour hiking if you take the cat and have never hiked it but it's worth it.
Do you think it would be easy to find a group that I can hop in with so I am not alone? If I go to the top then I will probably drop into the G zones since they aren't as steep as the center of the bowl. I run a lot in the fall and I plan on staying in shape in the winter so hopefully I don't take an hour like some newbies do. I have been at 12k feet at winter park and I didn't really notice the altitude. All of my family noticed it just in a nearby town at around 8 thousand feet since they went tubing because they don't ski.
I like Ajax the best, empty during the games too. I think it's worth a little extra money to stay closer since you have so much time to save up for it. Free buses and being able to veg at the room for bit before going to the night events makes it more fun. Otherwise you have to carry your shit around and then drive to Glenwood Springs after. I always went with a group of people and we'd rent a big condo or something, wasn't too bad.
The.FishDo you think it would be easy to find a group that I can hop in with so I am not alone? If I go to the top then I will probably drop into the G zones since they aren't as steep as the center of the bowl. I run a lot in the fall and I plan on staying in shape in the winter so hopefully I don't take an hour like some newbies do. I have been at 12k feet at winter park and I didn't really notice the altitude. All of my family noticed it just in a nearby town at around 8 thousand feet since they went tubing because they don't ski.
Yeah. You should be able to find some people to go with it. If not just slay the inbounds. That mountain is sick, especially if your coming from Ohio.
Go early and plan for a long period time. Take your time so you have the energy to ski down and enjoy it. I always bring a summit beer or two. Especially on nice day.
Only thing Id consider Dustins advice and maybe get a room in Aspen. I know its ludicrous expensive but would be super worth it being in town. I'd recommend like Hotel Aspen , Annabelle inn, or Molly GIbson. All have a good breakfast (save money) and outdoor pools/hot tubs.
If you put the money down now you would have all summer/fall to pay it off. And if your gonna pre throw down on a intown Hotel for Xgames now would be the time. Expect everything in Aspen/Snowmass to be filled for X games by Fall.
What you see when you get up to the top on a clear day.
50KalYeah. You should be able to find some people to go with it. If not just slay the inbounds. That mountain is sick, especially if your coming from Ohio.
Go early and plan for a long period time. Take your time so you have the energy to ski down and enjoy it. I always bring a summit beer or two. Especially on nice day.
Only thing Id consider Dustins advice and maybe get a room in Aspen. I know its ludicrous expensive but would be super worth it being in town. I'd recommend like Hotel Aspen , Annabelle inn, or Molly GIbson. All have a good breakfast (save money) and outdoor pools/hot tubs.
If you put the money down now you would have all summer/fall to pay it off. And if your gonna pre throw down on a intown Hotel for Xgames now would be the time. Expect everything in Aspen/Snowmass to be filled for X games by Fall.
What you see when you get up to the top on a clear day.
We already booked all of our stuff last week. I like glenwood because it is a lot closer to Denver and we have a really early flight on sunday because i have school the next day and there is the time change. I don’t mind waking up super early and I don’t really plan on doing any of the night life stuff. I will probably be exausted already. I have been looking at the 3d maps of the area this app called fatmap. It has the shape and angle of decent color coded for all of the terrain there so I can pick my trails and lines accordingly. Id recommended it. It has tons of mountains, not just aspen.
I'd recommend avoiding Buttermilk if ya can. It's the most mellow, and typically where most of the tourists will be, but Tiehack can be super fun- especially when the sun is on it. Snowmass has the best mix of everything, and Aspen Mountain has some of my favorite terrain. Highlands has the fewest people, steepest stuff, and is the place to be if theres fresh snow. Sunlight is also pretty close to Glenwood, but isn't going to be too great. Definitely hit Breck/Key on your way up or down. Depending on what events you're trying to see, driving is frequently out of the picture. There's free parking at Tiehack, sometimes the hospital, and if you're lucky at the 1A lift in town.
Well the weekend ended and it was incredible, Aspen mountain is so cool. My favorite runs were off of bell mountain. I skied buttermilk for the afternoon, not much to say because it was empty and kind of boring. Today I hit up highlands and hiked the bowl. It was a great experience but I didn’t really enjoy the ride down because my foot was killing me. The snow was perfect though so I understand the rave about it. It was more of a bucketlist item for me rather than trying to earn some good turns. I left at noon after that because highlands groomers aren’t the best. I went over to snowmass for thr afternoon and was shocked by how big it was. I hit up kt gully, very bad idea right now. The trail it funnels into is full of rocks everywhere. I decided to take it easy after that and just ski obnoxiously long cruisers which was nice because it was scenic and empty. Out of everything I did, ajax definitely takes the cake in terms of my favorite mountain, maybe snowmass if the cirque was open and there was more coverage.
**This post was edited on Jan 27th 2018 at 7:02:30pm
