TOP 10 THINGS ABOUT SNOWMASS

Aspen/Snowmass, Colo… Snowmass, the largest of the four mountains found at Aspen/Snowmass, plays host to every type of terrain.  Snowmass is also home to millions of dollars in improvements, with the new base village well underway.  This season will welcome five new restaurants, over ninety condominiums and the Snowmass Conference Center.    

1.      NEW Sheer Bliss – The new $7 million detachable quad Sheer Bliss chair lift serves up 700 acres of some of the best terrain in the Big Burn area accessing challenging black-diamond glades and wide-open blue cruisers.  Carrying 2,000 people per hour, the lift takes riders 2,212 vertical feet, 155 feet more than the old Sheer Bliss chair.

2.      NEW Sam's Smokehouse – The new $9 million Sam's Smokehouse restaurant, with spectacular views of Garret's Peak and Mount Daly, features a barbecue-style smokehouse menu.  At 7,800 sprawling square feet, this new eatery boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and table service for 175, plus outdoor seating – all situated atop the Village Express six-pack lift on Snowmass.  In addition to the main restaurant, Sam's will also have a lounge area where guests can grab a quick coffee, breakfast or lunch.

3.      NEW Sneaky's Tavern – Located adjacent to The Treehouse and mere steps from the Village Express, Sneaky's Tavern will no doubt be a very popular destination for those looking to enjoy each other's company in a relaxing and comfortable setting.  Offering both indoor and outdoor bar/dining seating.  American bistro style cuisine will be served at lunch, après and dinner.

4.      New last season, The Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center is a one-stop-shop for Ski & Snowboard School check-in and rental/retail.  The center also boasts children's entertainment from a family-friendly climbing gym to teen activities to a host of themed rooms for ages eight weeks and older.  The Treehouse is easily accessible from anywhere in Snowmass with short-term parking, free shuttle buses, ski-in/ski-out access on Fanny Hill and service to the upper slopes, lodges and Snowmass Village Mall via the Sky Cab gondola.

5.      Elk Camp Meadows learning area, located at the top of the Elk Camp Gondola and new just last season, Elk Camp Meadows designates mid-mountain terrain, a covered magic carpet and new lift to beginning skiers and snowboarders.  Complete with a warming lounge, this area is for both children and adults

6.      The Snowmass Terrain Park, was revamped before last season and has been host to numerous high level competitions and is featured in many national ski and snowboard movies. The park hosts Gretchen Bleiler and some of the top female snowboarders in the world this spring during the CoverGirl Snow Angels Invitational in April.

7.      Campground on Snowmass – Looking for solitude, beautiful views and the occasional wandering sled dog? Then head for the Campground lift at Snowmass. Campground features long double black runs with variable terrain. Try the fence line of Powderhorn from top to bottom on a powder day.

8.      The Cirque on Snowmass – From the 12,510 foot summit of Snowmass, the Cirque drops precipitously through cliffs, rockbands and steep headwalls. Try AMF or Gowdy's or make your way across to the Cirque Headwall and pick a line between the rocks or find a launch pad.

9.      The Sweet Life, Junk and Liquid Sky – In addition to Sneaky's Tavern, base village will be home to the Sweet Life, Liquid Sky and Junk.  The Sweet Life, a 1950s-style diner with a rotating menu of 250 flavors of ice cream, is a perfect spot for the kids after a day at the Treehouse.  Junk brings organic food to a new tasty level while just upstairs; Liquid Sky will be a hot spot for après with a huge deck over-looking Snowmass.

10.  Snowmass base village – This $2 billon, 80-acre development is well underway with four restaurants, over ninety condominiums and the 15,000-square-foot Snowmass Conference Center opening this season.  The Little Nell Residences at Snowmass and Viceroy Resort and Residences are scheduled to open in 2010.

Aspen Skiing Company operates four destination mountains – Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk – and is the home of the ESPN Winter X Games through 2010. Aspen/Snowmass also offers unparalleled nightlife and off-slope activities as well as four award-winning Ski & Snowboard Schools. Aspen/Snowmass is accessible by two of the most convenient airports in the mountains – Aspen Sardy Field (3 miles from Aspen) and Eagle County Airport (70 miles from Aspen). For more information on Aspen/Snowmass, please call 800/525-6200 or 970/925-1220, or visit the company's website at www.aspensnowmass.com.

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