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