Named for an old miner’s claim, Aspen Mountain is not for the timid. This is the American West’s original hard-core ski mountain, with no fewer than 23 of its runs named double diamond—for experts only. One-third of the mountain’s runs are left forever ungroomed—sheer ecstasy for bump runners. There are mountain-long runs for intermediates as well as advanced skiers, but beginners should look to one of the other Aspen/Snowmass mountains.

From the Sundeck restaurant at the mountain’s 11,212-foot summit, numerous intermediate runs extend on either side of Bell Mountain—through Copper Bowl and down Spar Gulch. To the east of the gulch, the knob of Bell offers a mecca for mogul mashers, with bump runs down its ridge and its east and west faces. To the west of the gulch, the face of Ruthie’s is wonderful for intermediate cruisers, while more mogul runs drop off International. Ruthie’s Run extends for over 2 miles down the west ridge of the mountain, with an extension via Magnifico Cut Off and Little Nell to the base, and is accessed by the unique Ruthie’s high-speed double chair.

Aspen Mountain has a 3,267-foot vertical drop, with 76 trails on 675 skiable acres. The resort rates its trails as follows: none easiest, 48 percent more difficult, 26 percent most difficult, and 26 percent expert. Aspen Mountain is usually open from late November to mid-April from 9am to3:30pm.