Aspen Mountain - (known to the locals as Ajax), is perhaps the single most famous ski area in the entire world. I skied there last year for my first time since snowboarding was introduced into daily mountain operations and I found the snow quality to be as good as ever. Aspen mountain is especially fun for intermediates and advanced skiers because there are no beginner runs, which can mean fewer obstacles impeding a nice fast run from the top to the bottom. Once a day you are certain to recognize a celebrity and the mountain has many wonderfully steep and well manicured runs so it's no wonder Aspen is so famous- it's a sure bet for fun. Try the face of bell if you feel like displaying your skills on the mountain's best terrain to Aspen's best skiers- who are all sure to be hooting you on from the scenic gondola high above. Joey Smallwood (January 06)

Skiing at Aspen Mountain - Aspen Mountain, which towers over its namesake town, appeals mostly to rich tourists, snow bunnies and the occasional local looking for some virgin snow on a powder day. There are no beginner runs on the mountain, only blues, blacks and double-blacks. Aspen Mountain is the only one of the area's four mountains to offer a gondola; legend has it that some interesting activities have taken place inside the windproof capsules that whisk visitors to the top in 14 minutes. Most of the runs are narrow and steep and lend themselves more to skiing than boarding (which may be one of the reasons why Aspen Skiing Co. didn't allow snowboarders on the mountain until a couple of years ago). Cory (December 05)