Hello,

Our family will be spending a week in Aspen over Christmas and New Years. We have never been to Aspen.We will be staying in a condo. Children are ages 17 and 4.
We are looking to ski, snowmobile, dogsled etc. We would all be classified as beginners with regard to skiing. We will all take lessons. We have been told we should ski Snowmass. Any advice on outdoor activities, sightseeing, casual dining and spas would be appreciated.

Thanks

For beginners, I would recommend starting at Buttermilk. It's small, not as crowded, and has some nice easy terrain. When/if you get bored there, move to Snowmass. Aspen Mountain has no beginner runs. I'd also suggest that you avoid Aspen Highlands.

We haven't done any actual sightseeing, as we ski every day, but it's fun just to walk around Aspen and poke into some of the shops. The historic Jerome Hotel is worth a look.

What Abram said--you'll want to go somewhere else for skiing. Buttermilk is great for learning. Wonderful area.

Another vote for Buttermilk. You can certainly take beginner lessons at Snowmass, but Buttermilk will be MUCH less crowded and you can concentrate on learning instead of negotiating your way down a crowded run.

New Years eve should present itself with a candle-light parade (actually flares) down the hill in front of the Snowmass village at nightfall (around 5:30) with fireworks to follow. Double check with the concierge though.

Snowmass or Buttermilk will work. Buttermilk would be my recommendation for the prior stated reason and it is mid way between Aspen and Snowmass. Both areas are will served by local, free bus.

you'll want to go somewhere else for skiing

Understand that these areas are very close to the town of Aspen -- Snowmass is about a 20-min. [free] bus ride, and Buttermilk about 10 min. from Aspen.

Personally, I would STAY in Aspen and ski the other areas. But if you plan to ski all day every day (doesn't sound like it), then staying at Snowmass (not sure about Buttermilk) is ok, you can come into Aspen in the evening for dinner and poking around.

The ski "some place else" was rather than Aspen Mountain (Ajax). A pretty demanding ski area.
Staying in Aspen and skiing the others isn't a big deal. What have they done with Aspen Highlands?

Gretchen, I knew that's what you meant, but I didn't want the OP to think they'd have to travel far from Aspen to get to the "ski someplace else" mountain.

Does anyone have suggestions with regard to snowmobiling or dog sledding? Thanks!

When I go to Aspen, dog sledding and snowmobile is not high on my list. I would suggest you goggle Aspen and see what shows up. Also try Snowmass. I am guessing that Snowmass would be a better location for these activities.

When you classify yourselves as beginnimg skier do you mean that you know how to ski at a low level on green slopes or are truly beginners that do not know how to ski and need to start at the beginning?