West Aspen offers spacious and private homes in peaceful neighborhoods surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. Red Butte Drive follows the meandering path of the Roaring Fork River towards inviting homes nestled along the tree-covered riverbank. Cemetery Lane crosses the river and features a mix of townhouses, single-family homes, and elegant contemporary estates. The new Five Trees development and Aspen Highlands offer grand ski-in and ski-out residences adjacent to Aspen Highlands’ slopes and the dramatic Highlands Bowl. Located close to the Buttermilk ski mountain, a mix of single-family homes, villas, and townhouses provide easy access to the outstanding amenities of the Maroon Creek Club. Homes along McLain Flats Road and in the elevated gated community of Starwood enjoy awe-inspiring vistas stretching from Independence Pass to Mount Sopris. Other West Aspen homes are located near the Aspen Public Golf Course and enjoy spectacular views of Pyramid Peak and the Maroon Bells.

West Aspen homes are close to some of the best skiing on the Aspen Snowmass. Aspen Highlands is the most venerated of the four Aspen mountains among experienced skiers. Highlands features a variety of bowls and slopes across more than 1,000 skiable acres, including its star attraction—the Highland Bowl. The Deep Temerity lift has cut down on the time it takes to access the Highland Bowl’s Loge Peak drop-in, but reaching the top still takes around 20 minutes. Ask anyone who has experienced the Highland Bowl’s thrilling 4,342 feet vertical descent and they will tell you the effort is more than worth it. Other runs on the upper terrain of Aspen Highlands range from the intermediate Broadway to steep Steeplechase runs of upwards of 45 degrees. The Thunderbowl at the bottom of Aspen Highlands is a steep intermediate run that hosts many skiing competitions. There are also intermediate trails running through dense lodgepole pine forest and a variety of challenging runs for the most experienced skiers. When you’re ready to take a break from skiing for lunch, the Merry-Go-Round restaurant midway up Aspen Highlands serves hearty soups, homestyle specials, creative dishes, and cocktails by the fireside.

Buttermilk Mountain is considered to be the most forgiving of Aspen’s four mountains for novice skiers and one of the best places in North America to learn to ski or snowboard. The Hideout is an innovative facility on Buttermilk with a gentle training slope and interactive learning rooms for children aged two to four. Buttermilk also has a range of parks, pipes, and ski schools to help those of all ages and ability levels improve. The most famous of Buttermilk’s parks is X Park, the famed site of the annual X Games Aspen in January. The X Games have seen legendary performances from some of the world’s best professional snowboarders and skiers. The festival atmosphere of the X Games also brings live music from some of today’s hottest contemporary acts and a vendor village with samples, swag, and product demos from a range of premier brands. Uphill trekkers can ascend the Tiehack on Buttermilk to enjoy exceptional views of Pyramid Peak and the Maroon Creek Valley. Skiers, riders, and uphillers gather at the Cliffhouse restaurant to enjoy Mongolian BBQ and other Asian dishes with glorious views of Pyramid Peak. Bumps at Buttermilk Mountain Lodge serves delicious Mediterranean pasta, salads, grilled meats, soups, and freshly-baked pastries. Its outdoor deck overlooks the impressive action of the SuperPipe, the main focus of X Games competitions.

The iconic Maroon Bells can be viewed from the summit on Aspen Highlands. These 14,000-foot twin peaks are the most photographed peaks in America. The Maroon Bells are reflected on the surface of Maroon Lake and are surrounded by gorgeous White River National Forest scenery, which moves through a cornucopia of color as the seasons change. Hiking trails run through the White River National Forest and provide unforgettable views of these famous peaks, along with wildflower fields and other mesmerizing scenery.

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