Founded in 1879, Aspen was famous for its silver reserves and soon rose to become the world's biggest silver producer. The resultant prosperity saw Aspen grow into a large town with grand hotels, palatial homes and even a opera house. When the silver market crashed, many were forced to leave. In 1936, aided by the government, the town built the first ski lift and soon entrepreneurs were moving in to capitalise on this new avenue for income. In 1947, the first chair lift was opened and by 1960s, Aspen had become the playground of the jet set. 

In winter, a visit to the ski slopes is an absolute must-do in Aspen. There are four slopes: Buttermilk for beginners, Aspen Highlands and Snowmass for those who have just mastered the skill of moving on skis (the intermediate skiers) and Aspen Mountain for expert skiers. International competitions are held at Aspen Mountain. In summer, head for the Roaring Fork River or the twin peaks of Maroon Bell, 15 miles southwest.

In winter, there is snow perfect for skiing and it can get quite cold with temperatures dropping to 10º F in the mountains. Summers are warm with temperatures occasionally touching 90 degrees F. Evening temperatures in summer can drop to the 50s. Afternoon showers are quite common.

Aspen has a vibrant and dynamic dining scene. Many restaurants open and close overnight. In the exclusive and expensive, reservations are necessary and the food is gourmet standards. There are many cafes with reasonably priced food and the bars also serve budget meals.

Thanks to the presence of celebrities, people watching can be a hugely entertaining exercise. That apart, Aspen has a lively night-life, with skiers gathering in the bars and pubs to exchange stories and relax their tired limbs after a hard day of skiing. There are many interesting festivals during the course of the year -- the Aspen Music Festival (late June-Late August), the Dance Aspen Festival (July-early August) and the Winterskol (mid January). The pubs and bars often have live music sessions.

From Denver, there are flights to Aspen Airport, 7 miles east of town. Many airlines also fly into Eagle County Airport, 35 miles east of Vail and eighty minutes from Aspen by road. If you are planning to go by road from Denver, one has to take the I-70 to Glenwood Springs and then get on to the Highway 82 for Aspen.

Even if you do not have your own car, getting around in Aspen is not a problem. There is a free skiers shuttle service between the four ski areas and reasonably priced service to and from the town, even to the airport. If you are interested in celebrity spotting and skiing, then winter is the time to head for Aspen. However, if you want to enjoy pursuits such as cycling, rafting and kayaking, then summer is a better time to visit.

Aspen offers a range of exclusive hotels and reasonably priced inns. Renting a condominium is inexpensive and quite a popular option. In summer, there are free wilderness camping sites as well as campgrounds.

In winter, bring adequate warm clothing and enough funds to hire skis, boots and poles. In summer, sports shoes and swim wear. Bring sunglasses and sunscreen in all seasons, as the sun’s rays are very strong.

The nearby town of Silverthorne has an outlet shopping mall with numerous stores.
Contrary to belief this ski resort is quite affordable. Winter is more expensive, though one can always save a little cash by skiing on less expensive slopes.