| Three hundred inches of snow per year, four resorts | | | | live music, special events, and family-friendly offerings |
| to choose from, and enough bumps, trails, and thrills | | | | of all kinds. Twelve blocks of eclectic shops scattered |
| to make each ski run different from the last, Aspen | | | | with trees and bronze statues make up the central |
| is the place to satisfy your need to speed down the | | | | business district, so hopefully you'll have room in your |
| mountainside. You'll be especially well-suited to this | | | | luggage to bring home a western-themed souvenir or |
| vacation destination if you have a taste for luxury, | | | | a purse imported from Italy. From kids wear to |
| because while it's not required to go all out, Aspen | | | | sports equipment, Aspen shops will doubtlessly reveal |
| certainly has a way of inspiring you to live life to the | | | | whatever it is that your heart truly desires. |
| fullest. | | | | While you're in pleasure mode, be sure to take |
| If you have mountains on your mind, Aspen | | | | advantage of the many spa offerings in the area. |
| Mountain, Aspen Highland, Snowmass, and Buttermilk | | | | From pedicures to cutting edge beauty techniques, |
| are all within 12 miles of the town of Aspen and | | | | you'll be sure to return home looking gorgeous and |
| offer some of the finest skiing and snowboarding | | | | feeling relaxed. This might not be everyone's cup of |
| conditions to be found. This region also contains much | | | | tea, so just send the spa-fearful members of your |
| of the White River National Forest and other | | | | traveling party off to the tennis courts or the golf |
| designated wilderness areas, so all you city-folk will | | | | courses while you undergo your well-deserved |
| feel the odd sensation of being immersed in nature | | | | pampering session. |
| while you're here (that's a good thing). As you forget | | | | So as not to neglect your artistic side while in Aspen, |
| what it's like to hear the traffic of the city, you'll find | | | | try to visit one of the festivals that will be going on |
| yourself becoming newly aware of stunning alpine | | | | while you're here. The Food and Wine Magazine |
| profiles, swaying branches, and the blinding brilliance | | | | Classic attracts the very brightest culinary stars to |
| of the sun glinting from the snow. | | | | showcase their talents and advise the attendants on |
| If you're more of a flatlander, then consider | | | | how to cook, pour, and entertain like champions. The |
| cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, or | | | | Aspen Arts Festival brings together the works of |
| snow camping to get your fill of the winter | | | | over 200 painters, sculptors, and jewelry makers in a |
| wonderland. And don't forget that skiers and | | | | gallery setting like none other. If neither of these |
| non-skiers alike will appreciate coming in out of the | | | | strikes a chord, then just wait a few days for the |
| cold, warming frosty fingers by the fire, and sipping a | | | | next big event. Be it music, fireworks, or theatre |
| cup of cocoa to chase away the final nip of the | | | | related, there is something that everyone will be |
| outdoors. Small pleasures like this make up an | | | | interested in. |
| important part of a cold-weather vacation, so don't | | | | From your perch in the mountains of Aspen, you'll |
| overlook the small things. | | | | feel lucky to be alive and motivated to experience |
| Of course, Aspen doesn't become undesirable in the | | | | and appreciate everything that you can. The final |
| summer when the snow has melted, in fact it doesn't | | | | way to ensure a stellar vacation for you and yours is |
| lose much luster at all. The white gives way to | | | | to reserve a vacation rental that will complement all |
| vibrant green, punctuated with a few cheery | | | | that you plan to see and do while in this heavenly |
| wildflowers. Ski trails are gone, and hiking and biking | | | | spot. A condo steps away from a ski lift would be |
| trails take the spotlight. If adrenaline is still what | | | | ideal during the winter, and a quiet little cottage within |
| you're after, then raft or kayak down a raging river | | | | earshot of a babbling brook would make your |
| or search for footholds on a sheer rock face. Take | | | | summer visit postcard-perfect. |
| to the skies in a hot air balloon, or settle down near | | | | The amenities contained within most vacation homes |
| a cool stream for the most picturesque picnic you'll | | | | far outdo standard hotel accommodations, so if you |
| ever have. | | | | really are planning to take the vacation of a lifetime, |
| When you feel the need to venture back to | | | | go online to reserve the Aspen Vacation Rental that |
| civilization, Aspen is filled to the brim with fine cuisine, | | | | will make your trip the best you've ever had. |