Sensational ski slopes, spectacular shopping and delectable dining — sound like your kind of vacation? Then pack your skis and hit the slopes of Aspen. The poshest of Colorado’s resort towns, Aspen has some of the world’s most expensive real estate, including the main shopping drag of Galena Street, which is lined with top-end boutiques from the likes of Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton.
Of course, the real draw of Aspen is the outdoor activities. Between the Aspen Highlands and Aspen Mountain, you’ll find six quads, two triple chairlifts, four double chairlifts, a gondola, patrols, schools, six restaurants and two bars. Plan to spend a day at either resort; if Aspen isn’t quite your style, head to the rough-and-tumble resort town of Breckenridge, where a more raucous crowd and higher quotient of snowboarders make for a looser experience.
The fun doesn’t end when the snow melts; drive up Independence Pass to 12,095-foot, rocky summit, hiking the last bit. You’ll only be able to reach the area between May and November, but the panoramic vistas make the journey worthwhile.
