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March 2023 by bobeU1023KQ
Aspen Mountain or “Ajax” as it used to be known is the closest ski area to the city of Aspen, quite literally at the town’s southern edge. It was the first developed area of the resort’s four ski hills and offers a unique winter sports experience.
At a mere 675 acres, this is not a big-mountain ski area, nor an easy one. It is long and narrow in shape, essentially two canyons side by side flanked by two parallel ridges. A series of very difficult black and double black runs descend from the ridges into the canyons. At the bottom, narrow, steep runs snake their way down to the bottom of the resort.
The area’s top third, roughly, above Bell Mountain is comprised of blue and black tree glade runs which vary in difficulty. However, even the blue runs tend to have technical features (ungroomed, hairpin turns, sudden steep drops, etc.) that make this overall a more challenging area than the norm. For this reason, Ajax is recommended for high intermediate to advanced skiers.
I noticed two types of riders in evidence: 1) very good skiers who took on the slopes with aplomb, and 2) ski-fashion models who didn’t seem to ski at all but enjoyed riding the gondola up and hanging at the sundeck bar (or private Aspen-X ‘beach’ club) dressed in gold lamé and Chewbacca fur. Both seemed to be having a great time.
I enjoyed it too, but as a high-intermediate skier myself, I definitely felt challenged: some of the blues here would be blacks anywhere else. I stink at reading trail maps, so the fear of a wrong turn and a double-black death plunge loomed. Also, due to the layout, if you don’t want to ride all the way to the bottom, you end up lapping the same one or two chairs (Ajax Express of the old Gent’s Ridge two-seater).
For lovers of this sort of technical canyon and glade skiing this is a great area. However, most locals tend to treat it as a place to catch a few turns when they don’t have time to head for Highlands or Snowmass. I gave it a morning and then headed for Snowmass myself.
All that aside, the scenery from the gondola is absolutely extraordinary and well worth a download ride to watch the city come into view. Would definitely do it again, but preferably with a local or someone who knew the trails.
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March 2023 by Denisse Irizarry
Nice view, amazing ?
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February 2023 by Sunshine47925200439
We had a great day skiing Ajax. We parked at the rio grande garage and had a very quick shuttle ride to the gondi. The shuttle states that it only runs every 10 minutes and the garage only takes credit cards. There were limited spots in the garage and at 9 am we grabbed the last, very narrow spot. There were lockers right at the base and we even used free cubbies for our boot bags.
There is absolutely no beginner terrain and most of the blues were steep but well groomed. We banked a lot of vert, but the runs were a little repetitive since most of the lifts are more for laps. The ride all the way to the bottom is long and fun, but then the gondi ride back up is also rather long.
My kids did the dumps, which they claimed were a little hard to follow and very aggressive. They were rewarded with some hidden shrines that were pretty cool.
We had lunch at the top (sky deck i believe). The food was good and there’s a nice fireplace.
We grabbed a snack later at Bonnie’s. It was ok, the cookies were very good and the deck was nice and sunny.
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February 2022 by bikingmom
We enjoyed are day here, but it was not our favorite of the 4 mountains. We enjoyed skiing off the gondola, but after a few runs it felt like we had done everything we could do. The lodge at the gondola was very pretty with beautiful views and great service. Our main complaints was the skiing to the base at the end of the day, even on a weekday it was extremely busy and icy, not a fun way to end my day.
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November 2021 by Tony O
We went to Aspen with our 5 yr old daughter. She want to see snow and play in the snow. Luckily it was snowing in Aspen eventhough the near by places are not snowing. Our daughter spent quality time in the snow at Aspen.
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March 2021 by GeauxTravel13
We came in for lunch once we got off the plane & had champagne, truffle fries and burgers! It was the perfect toast to an amazing stay! The menu was very accommodating to all diets! We also had the French onion soup and burrata salad! Yum!! The staff was quick and accommodating to any request. We sat outside where the skiers came off the mountain so it was great people watching. It was also dog friendly which was so nice to see also! We where hoping our flight was going to be canceled so we could attend the dinner and movie night- truffled popcorn was served!!! Can’t wait to return and enjoy more great food & people watching!
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February 2021 by RichardE233
8:45 am at the gondola and the 10 minute ride to the top is where you will meet ski bums and titans of industry. Ajax is a spectacular place to ski and has every amenity you can want. Its steep and deep and can challenge even the pro skiers that are scattered about or the groomers for the rest. No better spot to be at 3-5pm than the base and chair 9
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December 2020 by Alan H
I went here with my 23 year old son and 22 year old daughter. We are good skiers, but not experts. The runs here were nice and steep and long! This mountain is definitely geared towards more advanced skiers. The mountain isn't as big as Snowmass, but it was definitely big enough to spend a whole day here while covering most of the trails. It was really cold the day that we skied, 10 degrees at the bottom and -5 degrees at the summit. We were well layered and it was a fun day.
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November 2020 by NonnieR29
We went up in a gondola and also up in a rented jeep. Either way or both was beautiful! God at work everywhere you looked! Late summer trip and Colorado received their 1st early snow fall a couple of days before we arrived. Leaves were not changing but the weather was perfect. The Sundeck restaurant was perfect for a glass of wine and a slice of pizza. For the jeep ride we packed a small picnic and bottles of water. So much fun!
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December 2019 by Sonya Wong
I have been to your hill less than 10 days in the last two seasons.Today I asked about the carpool parking passes. We arrived for a race, before the lobby opened and way before the parking attendant arrived. So no one saw our foursome. When I asked the ticket counter if they offered a validation of any sort they said no. I decided to ask guest services. Well I must’ve caught him on a bad day. He was rude. “No, sorry” would have been sufficient. Instead, Ben McCarter chose to be snarky and ask me “does vail give you free parking? Can you park for free at Breck?” Maybe he was posturing for the two other guys standing there, who knows. They enjoyed it though. Good job boys, laughing at an older woman - classy.I didn’t answer him with what was in my heart. Instead, I was polite and said “I have no idea. I’m from California.”If he thought he was being funny, he wasn’t. He didn’t sound like he was trying to tell a joke and it went wrong. I think I got it exactly the way he intended it. Snarky and mean.I assume the vail comment meant something like “stop whining about paying for parking d*** rich lady” he doesn’t know my story and never will. Regardless of a person’s socio economic status, they are your guests and they are asking for help at guest services.I heard Aspen was a lot of stuck up rich people - I found none. I did find the town j**** though.
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September 2019 by KAORU
A small and scary airport with a large private jet plane
Private jets line up on weekends.
Is it me? I'm scared of flying around in a small Cessna. I don't really like it.
I hate small airplanes
Flying from Aspen to Buena Vista Resort is way too far.
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September 2018 by Josh Maximovich
This is an amazing place to be and one of the best spots in Colorado. I had a great time and met some wonderful people here.
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September 2017 by Samantha Blaine, CSMP
We've been going to Snowmass dor years with the NDVWSC. Great hosts and such a great event! The Skiing/Snowboarding is phenomenal!
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September 2017 by Eduardo Voloch
Helpful info
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September 2016 by Barron Jones
Great service! Thanks for everything.
