Aspen is very much the winter playground of the rich and with its amazing surrounds and exceptional ski slopes, its no wonder. From Aspen village you have the choice of four different ski resorts: the most central being Aspen Mountain, however there are regular and convenient free skiier busses heading to Buttermilk, Snowmass and Aspen Highlands.

If you're in it for the terrain and not afraid of a few vertical drops then do as the locals do and tackle the hike up to the top of the Aspen Highlands backbowl. It takes the average person about an hour to reach the peak and is no easy task, with one third less oxygen than is avaliable at sea level. However, the view from the top is breathtaking and the run is sensational, its not necessarily open all season though. Dont expect it to be open initally in the season, since all ski patrol members spend the first two weeks hiking up and down the massive bowl, stomping the snow to form a secure base. This has been the only condition under which the bowl is opened since an avalanche took the lives of four young skiiers a few years ago. If extreme terrain is not what your necessarily looking for Buttermilk is the mildest resort and a favourite with boarders. Snowmass, which was home to the '2005 X Games' is also worth a visit and is probaly the best place to take any private or group lessons.

There are also a great number of cross country trails which begin in Aspen village and provide a beautiful option for checking out the surrounding scenery and wildlife. With its often mild weather Aspen is an excellent location for cross country skiiers, and snowshoers.

The town itself is definatley a rich man's world. Wandering the beautiful street under the fairy lights you'll pass by names such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Christian Dior, Ralph Lauren, Fendi and Bulgari. Unfortunatley these names set the tone for the town and if your buget does not allow for any of the previously mentioned then you will struggle to find anything to buy. Luckly there is a wider range of restaurants and bars than shops and Aspen can been seen on a slightly smaller budget than most people expect, however there are a lot of people in the town of the opinion that certain things should only be avaliable to the multi-millionaires of the world, and are not in the least welcoming. So if you not rich, or just dont look rich, be prepared for people trying their best to stare you out of town.