Think Aspen is all about Lear jets and Dolce & Gabbana?  Think again.  One of the best-kept secrets for hard-core skiers, Aspen Highlands boasts some of the steepest runs on the emptiest slopes in Colorado.  Visited mostly by locals, Highlands is only three miles from downtown Aspen and serviced by the free local Highlands Skier Shuttle.  But with over 3600 vertical feet, 118 trails (36% expert) and 5 lifts (including 3 high speed quads), Highlands is hardly your average local mountain.  300 inches of annual snowfall doesn’t hurt either.

Don’t Miss:

Aspen Highlands’ claim to fame is undoubtedly the legendary Highland Bowl:  a 12,392 summit accessible by lift, snow cat and a short hike.  This is largely considered an experts-only run, and on powder days offers wide-open bowl skiing for any backcountry enthusiast.  Start at the base by taking the Exhibition quad lift to mid-mountain.  Turn around and head skier’s right for100 feet or so and board the Loge Peak lift.  At the top, look for the snow cat which runs every 30 minutes, and drops you at the base of the ridge for a short hike to the summit of Highland Bowl.  Depending on your fitness level (and how accustomed you are to the altitude), this should take about 25-45 minutes.  At the top, pause for a moment to look around and take some deep breaths.  Then dive into some the best in-bounds extreme skiing in North America.

Until a few years ago, your 10 minutes of shear heart-pounding adrenaline-fueled riding used to be followed by a 30-minute hike on a catwalk back to the main lift, but thanks to the newer Deep Temerity lift, you can sit back and relax while you work up the nerve to do it all over again.

Where to Eat Lunch:

$  Located in the mountain village, ZG Grill (970-920-9449) mostly serves burgers and wings, but they are sizeable and delicious.  If you’re in the mood to splurge, try the Kobe Beef burger ($14).

$$$ Cloud 9 Alpine Bistro (reservations: 970-923-8715) sits just below the aptly named Cloud 9 lift, and serves up heavenly dishes custom crafted by chef Andreas Fishbacher.  From the outside, this restaurant looks like a tiny Alpine chalet, and the small interior space is cozy and warm.  The menu changes daily and is always prix fixe style.  Reservations are recommended.

Parking:

Parking is limited and costs $12/day (or $85 for a 10-punch card), but Highlands encourages carpooling by offering to waive the parking fee entirely for high-occupancy vehicles (4 or more passengers).  Parking is also free after noon, but chances of finding a space are far less likely.  Though it may be tempting, do not park on Maroon Creek Road unless you want to bail your vehicle out after a long day on the mountain.

The Stats:

Operating dates:  December 12, 2009 to April 4, 2010 (these dates are sometimes extended through additional weekends, depending on the snowfall)
Lift hours: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Vertical rise: 3635 ft
Annual snowfall: 300 inches
Lift tickets: $96 per day (discounts available for multi-day passes, especially when purchased in conjunction with lodging)

Where to Stay:

Highlands doesn’t have much in the way of lodging in the mountain village, but there are a few condos available right at the base.  If you’re looking for any kind of nightlife, you should stay in downtown Aspen and ride the free shuttle to Highlands.  There are some recommendations below, but your best bet for condos is to head to www.stayaspensnowmass.com.  Keep in mind that prices vary from week to week and are considerably higher in the peak season.  This includes Christmas week and X-games.

$ The best deal in town is the unpretentious Tyrolean Lodge (200 W Main St, 1-888-220-3809, www.tyroleanlodge.com), named after the Tyrol region of Austria in the Alps where some of the first ski resorts began.   Family-run since 1970, the Tyrolean offers clean, comfortable and surprisingly spacious rooms that can sleep up to 5.  Some even have fireplaces.  Even during Christmas week and X-games when the prices are the highest, you can still score a room for under $200/night, which is a bargain in a town like Aspen.

$$ Another great deal in the heart of Aspen is the Mountain Chalet Aspen, (333 East Durant Ave, 1-800-321-7813, www.mountainchaletaspen.com).  A variety of double-occupancy rooms come in equally varied prices, from $105 for an economy room in low season (Nov 25 – Dec 10), to $350 for a deluxe room (think fireplaces, wet bars and balconies) during holiday week and peak season (Dec 19 – Jan 1 and Jan 30 – Mar 19 respectively).  The Mountain Chalet also offers several 2-bedroom apartments with full kitchens for $340 - $620 (for four-person occupancy).  If you’re traveling solo and on a tight budget, consider getting a bunk for the night for a low rate of $70.  Not bad for sleeping 700 feet from the gondola at Ajax and getting a free hot breakfast.

$$$ The Limelight Lodge (355 S Monarch St, 1-800-433-0832, www.limelightlodge.com), is a newer hotel in Aspen, and pet-friendly to boot.  The hotel has been around for years but was recently remodeled and updated, and rates have adjusted accordingly.  With a great downtown location, free breakfast, and lots of amenities, this hotel is a pretty good value if you’re seeking the more upscale Aspen experience without the pretentiousness of the fancier hotels.