pagiven@drutx.UUCP (GivenP) (10/10/84)
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I was going to mail this, but thought it might be of general inter-
est, so here goes:
Take it from an old time single Eastern skier, who got spoiled by
Colorado powder so badly that I had to move here, that without a
doubt, Aspen, Colorado, is the place for you. Stay at the Mountain
Chalet, if you can. Reserve your room NOW (I hope it isn't too
late for you already). Second choice would be the Continental Inn.
Hit Andre's early while there is still room to get in the door.
Drink at the Paragon (you might bump into Doug McClure or Clint
Eastwood as I did a couple of years ago). Dine at the Goldminer's
Daughter for a good, relatively inexpensive meal. Try the Skier's
Chalet for a good steak. Aspen is the only place to go for a first
Western skiing experience, I know because I've been to just about
every destination ski resort in America. It has the right combina-
tion of snow, mountains, and nightlife. People in California ques-
tioned my sanity for going there on one vacation: "You mean you
actually flew PAST Colorado to get here?" Well they were right!
Aspen is a real 24 hour cosmopolitan town more like Chicago, New
York, or LA rather than a sleepy Western town like many other ski
areas I've been to. And the skiing! Aspen Mountain (consisting of
Ajax and Bell), Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk/Tiehack, and Snowmass
are all available on one multi-area lift ticket. Day 1: Buttermilk
to get used to the altitude; lots of easy cruising and great views
from the top of Maroon Bells (bring your camera). Cruise the bumps
on Tiehack. Day 2 and 3: Ski the wide open spaces of Snowmass.
Lots of deep powder on High Alpine and Big Burn when it snows. Do
the bumps on Elk Camp. My favorite run in the whole world is
Powderhorn - upper, then onto lower: easy cruising, double fall
line, bumps, steep, fantastic scenery, lots of vertical and good
snow all on one run! Day 4: Aspen Highlands. Very, very high
altitude, huge vertical. Excellent moguls on Flora Dora. Easy
skiing from top to bottom with lots of variety. Kill yourself on
the Wall, Moment of Truth, and Lower Stein, if you are so inclined.
Day 5 and 6: Aspen Mountain. Ruthie's Run, Buckhorn, Gentleman's
Ridge, Elevator Shaft for the adventurous. Good skiing all over
but if your not careful you tend to find yourself on Copper Gulch
too much (many trails wind up here). The ridge of Bell has some
mighty moguls too! The western snow is so good that intermediate
eastern ice hounds, tend to become overnight experts, so be brave
and go for it! Warning: this stuff is addictive! Stay away from
the really deep powder (stay on the groomed stuff) until you can
get your powder legs: the powder technique is really somewhat dif-
ferent than you are probably used to, so start off in shallow
powder at trail's edge and work your way deeper. I used to work
Ski Patrol at Hunter Mountain in New York, and thought, wow! this
is great stuff. I'll never go back! If I can be of further ser-
vice, let me know.
I am,
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Paul Given {ihnp4, houxe, stcvax!ihnp4}!drutx!pagiven
AT&T Information Systems Laboratories
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