Aspen Half Term holidays
With regards to snow and skiing, this period is usually the best time of the season to go. Add to this the fact that American schools don’t have a February half term, and you have the makings of a great, quiet trip. Aspen’s slopes are usually pretty quiet anyway due to the exclusivity of the resort, but compared to the slopes of the popular resorts in the Alps, you’ll feel pretty much alone on the mountain. Head up to the top of the Aspen Highlands or Buttermilk for the quietest runs, as most people either tend to avoid them or just don’t know how good they are. With the highest snowfall usually between January and March, the likelihood of a big snowfall during your stay is a real possibility; if this does happen, check out some off piste. If you do explore off piste, check out the celebrity shrines on all four of the mountains for legends like Sinatra, Elvis and Hendrix. Dotted around the whole ski area, visiting all of them could be a great challenge to complete during your stay.
With its mountains catering to different levels and styles of skiers, this resort is perfect for a family holiday. If you have young kids or haven’t been skiing before, Buttermilk Mountain is aimed almost wholly at beginners, making it a great environment for people to learn on. Ajax mountain above the town has no beginner runs, so head to Buttermilk or Snowmass until you’re a confident intermediate. The ski school is also world class, as you would expect at a resort of this calibre. You could choose to send your kids for a group lesson to be with children around their own age. If you have teens, group lessons are offered on Snowmass for those between 13 and 17, great for them to escape the clutches of the parents and chill with people their own age, and to give you a break too. Alternatively, if you want to maximise the time spent with them, the ski school offers family private lessons, meaning you can learn technique, secrets of the mountain and gain confidence whilst sticking in a family group. Oh, and did we mention that Aspen have previous allowed children 6 and under to ski for free?
Off the mountain there’s plenty to do. There are a number of kid friendly dining options around the resort, providing you with a variety of choices. Little Annie’s Eating House is named after a daughter of a silver miner from the 1870s, and provides a huge selection of meals, perfect for those with picky members. Poppycock’s Café was opened by 2 English women, and cooks up a fantastic breakfast or lunch for some pre skiing energy. If you don’t fancy spending every day skiing, or want to stay entertained in the evenings, the Aspen Recreation Centre houses a number of different activities. Aimed at parents and kids alike, the younger ones will love the water slide and lazy river in the indoor pool, whilst the spa facilities and gym provide the perfect relaxation for the adults.
February Half Term snow & skiing conditions in Aspen
Half Term Snow History
Top alt:3,813m
Average snow depth
Half Term157cm
Bottom alt:2,399m
Average snow depth
Half Term108cm
Resort alt:3,813m
Half Term ski rating