Aspen is one of the world's best known resorts, boasting four ski areas, three separate resort developments and opulent properties.

The famous ski town was originally a busy 19th-century silver mining district 130 years ago. Today you can stay in the original town of Aspen, or at the ever-expanding Snowmass resort 20km (12 miles) away and currently completing a multi-billiondollar redevelopment, or at a third, smaller resort of Aspen Highlands.

As a ski resort it has several faces. In one it has become synonymous with excess, being home to some of the world's most opulent and expensive properties, as well as a local airport often full of private jets. In another it has a reputation for liberal policies which seems at odds with the first - the resort famously banned fur coats, and currently the Aspen Skiing Company is a leading campaigner against climate change. 

Most visitors have little interest in these issues however and just enjoy the superb skiing, which includes the biggest lift-served vertical in the USA, and buzzing nightlife.

Resort elevation: Aspen: 2,422m (7,946ft); Snowmass: 2,473m (8,113ft); Aspen Highlands: 2,451m (8,041ft); Buttermilk: 2,399m (7,871ft).

Top elevation: Aspen: 3,417m (11,210ft); Snowmass: 3,813m (12,510ft); Aspen Highlands: 3,519m (11,676ft); Buttermilk: 3,018m (9,901ft).

Base elevation: Aspen: 2,442m (7,946ft); Snowmass: 2,473m (8,113ft); Aspen Highlands: 2,451m (8,041ft); Buttermilk: 2,399m (7,871ft).

Number of lifts: Aspen: 8; Snowmass: 21; Aspen Highlands: 5; Buttermilk: 9.

Number of runs: Aspen: 76; Snowmass: 91; Aspen Highlands: 125; Buttermilk: 44.

Average annual snowfall: 7.6m (10ft).

Aspen is located in the western Colorado Rocky Mountains in the USA.

The season runs from late November until early April. Aspen Mountain (Ajax) and Snowmass are open longest, with Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands opening in mid-December until the start of April.

Aspen's four ski areas have distinct characteristics. Aspen Mountain, now officially known as Ajax, looks stunning as it rises above the resort town of Aspen in a style familiar in the Alps but unusual in the USA. For once, looks don't deceive either as the Silver Queen gondola accesses some of the most exciting terrain you will find anywhere, best suited to intermediate and advanced-level skiers and boarders.

Aspen-based beginners, and boarders, are encouraged towards the smallest of the four areas, Buttermilk, a five-minute (5km/3-mile), shuttle bus ride away. Long time host of the Winter X Games, it's both a giant terrain park and a secluded beginners area.

Snowmass has the lion's share of Aspen's skiing and also boasts the wind-powered Cirque lift. The lift serves the Cirque powder bowl, one of several the resort offers along with more than 90 runs for all ability levels covering nearly 240km (150 miles) of piste.

The fourth ski area, Aspen Highlands, is another short shuttle ride from either Aspen or Snowmass, 5km/3 miles away, and now has a small base village of its own too (Although some more mainstream ski slopes have been added in recent years, it has a reputation as the resort's wild child, with some of the most exciting on- and off-piste terrain, and was the last to come under joint corporate ownership in the era when each area was run separately.

There's probably more to do at Aspen off the snow than in any other resort in North America.

The arts feature very highly with about 40 art galleries and even an art museum. The resort has music and dance schools, three theatres, organises several music and film festivals and has its own ballet company. Live music of all kinds is performed at numerous venues around the resort. 

Sports of all kind are equally prominent; the list includes paragliding, ballooning, swimming, curling, ice skating, snowshoeing, dog sledding and biathlon.

Pampering is also popular with a wide choice of spas and beauty parlours to enjoy.

Aspen and Snowmass are both well equipped to cater for families, although Snowmass perhaps has an advantage for younger families, with easier terrain available right next to the resort village.

The ‘Family Zone' on Snowmass mountain is home to adventurous and interactive kids' trails, a children's race arena, picnic area, terrain park and halfpipe. There's even a special kids' trail map with all the details.

The ski school accepts children from three and up for specially tailored classes and there are a large number of babysitting services for younger children.

With about 300 shops to choose from, Aspen is a retail paradise unmatched by any other ski resort. Most of the world's best-known designer brands are here including Chanel.

America's number one ski party town has a huge choice of venues, and unlike in most US resorts, the majority are within walking distance of one another.

Recently expanded, Eric's, 315 East Hyman Avenue, is a very busy non-smoking bar with 14 beers on tap and over 50 malt whiskies to try. If you prefer tequila, opt for Jimmy's, 205 South Mill Street, which stocks 80 varieties. It has live blues/swing music every Friday night, then tango/salsa and other Latin-style dancing on Saturday nights, both starting at 2230.

There are about 100 places to eat in Aspen with cuisine served in almost every way imaginable and from the four corners of the earth. You'll find Chinese, French, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Polish and Savoyard styles to name but a few.

Boogie's Diner, 534 East Cooper Avenue, in Aspen centre is one of the dozens of choices. Inspired by the 1982 movie Diner, it offers traditional 1950s and 1960s American food at affordable prices and is just pure fun.

Free shuttle buses run from 0800 to 1630 between the four mountains. There is also a free transportation service to virtually all condominium complexes and many outlying residential areas within Aspen and Snowmass Village.

If you love powder, take a Powder Tour, riding up in a luxury snowcat to prime untracked stashes on the backside of Aspen Mountain. A gourmet lunch is included.

Luxury

The Little Nell
One of the most prestigious addresses in world skiing, with the best suite costing as much as a small car at Christmas and New Year.

675 East Durant Avenue
Tel: (970) 920 4600.
Website: www.thelittlenell.com

Moderate

Chateau Blanc
Condominium rentals within easy walking distance of the Silver Queen gondola at Aspen Mountain and the centre of the town of Aspen. 

901 East Hyman Avenue
Tel: (970) 925 1441.
Website: www.chateaublanc.com

Budget

Mountain Chalet
Old time lodge, family operated for more than 40 years, in a good location 220m (700ft) from the Silver Queen gondola, serving complimentary full skiers' breakfast. 

333 East Durant Avenue
Tel: (970) 925 7797 or 1 800 321 7813.
Website: www.mountainchaletaspen.com

Nearest airports: Aspen (ASE); Denver (DEN). 

Distances to resort: 6km (4 miles); 354 km (221 miles).

Driving times: 10 minutes; 4 hours.

Snow reliability, Non-skiers, Intermediates, Experts, Après ski, Snowboarders