Just Back From ...

Aspen

By Michael Cohen

Aspen: Not only for the Rich and Famous

Just got into Aspen after around 15 hours in the air and 10 hours on the ground at the new and improved security-conscious LA International airport. I missed my connection to Aspen and had to kill 10 hours waiting for the next available flight. For anyone who has spent time at LAX amidst the the sea of American flags and over zealous LAPD you'll know 10 hours there is a lifetime.

All is forgotten though when I drive down the main street and find our hotel without even consulting the map.

Check in, quick shower, then straight into town for the first taste of one of the world's most glamorous ski resorts. As I walk down the main street I decide the first night will be a quiet one - after all I'm here for the snow. So, after passing the 5th fur shop and 50th designer dress store, I find an all-American bar with Bruce Springsteen playing on the jukebox, gridiron on the TV, weak beer and over-friendly bar staff with a huge smile hoping for that big tip. This is supposed to be the home of the rich and famous, so I was sure I'd be rubbing shoulders with some of Hollywood's elite, especially as the Aspen short film festival was in town. And within 10 minutes my first brush with fame! Sitting next to me was Michael J Fox's mum from 'Growing Pains'. Not quite Halle Berry but not a bad start. After a burger with freedom fries and a Budweiser, the altitude and jet lag took it's toll so it's back to the hotel for an early night.

The first morning is perfect - a typical Colorado Spring day. Aspen has four mountains offering some amazing skiing and boarding all accessed by the one lift pass. But it's not just for the experienced. There are endless blue and green runs that would keep even the fist timer happy. Although it hasn't snowed for a week the season has been a good one and the cover is deep. Aspen is typical of the great resorts in Colorado: long, wide-open runs, small lift queues, blue sky and little wind. The main difference from this resort compared to Australia is the base at Aspen is higher than the top of Kosciuszko, so at over 2400 metres the snow is still in great condition despite the lack of new falls. Be warned this altitude has its affect and it can take a couple of days for your body to adjust. It is recommended by all 'in the know' to take it easy for the first couple of days.

Although my hotel is cheap, it is clean and comfortable and walking distance from the lifts. This is the great thing about Aspen, whilst some hotels will set you back over $1000 US a night, there are plenty of good, cheap hotels and B&Bs for as little $50 US a night to choose from.

After a couple of days adjusting and boarding as hard as I can, it's now the weekend and time to discover the nightlife. In Aspen this takes many forms. There are the exclusive "to be seen at" bars and restaurants that are frequented by the A, B and C listers and require a famous face or an Armani suit to get past the velvet rope and then there's local only bars which require a lumberjack shirt and mullet haircut for entry. Fortunately, there are a huge array of cheap restaurants, bars and nightclubs perfect for the humble Aussie tourist. The crowd is a mix of Uni students on spring break, seasonal staff, lifties, ski instructors and tourists from all over the world and, like Whistler, an abundance of Aussie's both working and holidaying. We are still affectionately known as Jaffas (ask a ski instructor what this means if you don't know).

One week in Aspen, with no fresh powder or movie stars, but easily one of the best resorts in North America and one resort I will be going back to. Although February is considered the peak season, there is good snow from November through to April so plenty of time to sample one of America's best. We have some great packages and knowledgeable staff to help you plan your next trip.