Car Hire Aspen - Mini guide to Aspen

Stunningly located in the magnificent Rocky Mountains, the elite ski resort of Aspen is a playground of the rich and famous, from movie stars and politicians to billionaires. While the resort does its best to cater to the luxurious needs of its best-paying customers, there are still plenty of more reasonably priced facilities either in the town itself or at nearby Glenwood Springs.

Aspen is surrounded by peaks offering superb conditions for winter sports. The four main mountains are Ajax (formerly Aspen Mountain), Buttermilk, Highlands and Snowmass, and all afford magnificent scenery in any month of the year. The most popular activities in the winter months include skiing (downhill and cross-country), snowboarding, tobogganing and dog sledding; while hiking, mountain biking, fishing, white-water rafting, rock climbing, kayaking and horseback riding are all possible during the warmer months.

There are still remnants of Aspen’s days as a successful silver mining town sprinkled around the resort. For an overview of the town’s interesting history, head for the Wheeler/Stallard House Museum. Housed in a magnificent Victorian-era brick house, the museum has extensive exhibits depicting early life among the Ute Indians through to the silver rush, ranching and finally the ski industry.

For a dose of culture, try the enthralling Aspen Art Museum, featuring works by famous contemporary American artists. There are also plenty of exciting festivals such as the Aspen Music Festival during the town’s slower months (June to October). After exhausting yourself on the slopes, sample the endless variety of restaurants and bars catering to all tastes.