Very interesting, informative displays about mining: discovery of precious minerals, history,…read moreclaims, Colorado lore, to current mine operations. The museum is well laid out and you take it in at your own pace. I expect most people would want to spend 1-2 hours here. I particularly enjoyed reading about the first discovery of gold near Idaho Springs and what lead to the Gold rush. I also enjoyed seeing how mining techniques evolved over a short period to reveal and extract even more and more precious minerals. I learned about florescent rocks. On the top level are the hall of fame members who made significant contributions to mining, like John Wesley Powell, US Army officer, Grand Canyon explorer, professor and of course geologist; and Ed Schieffelin, who discovered silver and founded the town of Tombstone, Az, which at the turn of the last century was the largest town west of the Mississippi River.

Want to see everything about mining? This is the museum. Rooms and floors presenting local…read morehistory mining, the Western states, National mining, world history, specific metals and minerals such as gold, molybdenum, silver, coal etc. Well done dioramas, walk thru mining tunnels, exhibits showing the uses of mining products and reclamation projects. Bonus is the Hall of Fame, the who's who of people who influence American mining.

Ranking ski areas this good eventually becomes a little ridiculous. I have called Aspen Highlands…read moremy favorite of the four Aspen Snowmass mountains, and on pure terrain, especially Highland Bowl and Deep Temerity, I understand why I said it. Still, all four earn five stars from me for different reasons, and forcing them into a rigid hierarchy misses what each one does so well. Ajax makes perhaps the strongest case that technical skiing and an effortless overall experience can coexist. What makes Ajax singular is its position directly above the town of Aspen. You walk from the street onto the Silver Queen Gondola, climb thousands of vertical feet, and spend the day skiing sustained fall lines that deliver you right back where you started. With its remarkable setting, vibrant energy, and almost comical wealth, Aspen remains unlike anywhere else on Earth; I also understand why its excess wears on some people. The Little Nell and the other hotels at the base are second to none, while downtown sits close enough that the transition from ski boots to normal life feels almost absurdly easy. Beneath all that polish, Ajax is a serious skier's mountain. There are no beginner runs, and its steep vertical layout favors strong skiers who enjoy bumps, glades, and terrain that keeps asking for attention. The fast gondola makes full mountain laps remarkably efficient, and the compact trail pattern keeps the day moving. I like technical skiing, so the mountain's directness suits me: ride up, choose a line, and ski hard all the way down. Late in the day, the lower face often drops into shade, firms up, and can get icy enough to demand real concentration. Some visitors step onto the Silver Queen because it is beside their hotel and discover several hours later that convenience does not make the final descent forgiving. Ajax has a funny way of humbling people who came mainly for the town, which may be healthy in a place surrounded by so much luxury. I go in with my eyes wide open and genuinely enjoy the focus that the mountain demands when conditions get firm. Finishing a run on Ajax is part of the magic. After clicking out, you can head to Ajax Tavern, walk downtown for a meal, or stop at a bar. The shops and even a dispensary are right there, so the end of the session can take whatever shape you want. If you rent, Aspen Snowmass can transfer your skis between its mountains, while the excellent bus network makes the entire area remarkably easy to navigate. Summer deserves equal billing in any review of Aspen. The weather is beautiful, the pace is gentler, and outdoor life fills the valley. Crowds thin, prices ease somewhat, and the fresh alpine air remains every bit as restorative. People often say that locals come for the winter and stay for the summer; after experiencing both seasons, I understand exactly why. Ultimately, Ajax is one of the best ski areas in the world, full stop. Its sustained terrain, immediate town access, and slightly intimidating late-day personality give it an identity all its own. Highlands holds a special place for its Bowl and Deep Temerity, and Ajax earns the same five stars through a completely different combination of terrain and place. Every visit feels like a privilege, and I never leave Aspen without feeling lucky that I got to spend time there.

Buy your ticket in downtown Aspen at the foot of the mountain, $40 round trip…read more Even when busy, the wait is short. The trip up gives you an eagle's view of the ski runs, and amenities along the way. The Aspen Ski Deck is a restaurant atop the mountain, with fantastic views, an outside and inside area (lit fireplace when cold outside), a bar and a choice of food at separate food stations. The bartenders are fantastic, super friendly and polite; and can make whatever drink you like. Aperol Spritz appears to be a crowd favorite. The only downside is that the food is self-serve.

This gallery features contemporary western art. The current exhibit, titled The Western…read moreExperience, ran through July 7th. We found the paintings and sculptures to be unfailingly excellent, but our personal favorites were several pieces of sculpture by Michael Wisner. The owner and her dog were gracious hosts.

A handful of interesting historic buildings scattered over a scenic valley with a few good…read moreinterpretive signs telling the story of the thriving town once here. There are limited summer hours with volunteers on site, but open & easy to explore on your own anytime Independence Pass is open.

This is by far the one of the loveliest galleries in Aspen. The staff were fun and kind to work…read morewith and the artists they carry are incredible. We were treated very well. We will definitely be collectors very soon and this will be our first stop when our house is finished.

Parking is included and they have an underground part that does not require tickets/security- I…read moreliked that. The room was very clean and I really liked the decor. The pool and spas seem nice although I don't love that you have to ask to have them uncovered when it's 75 outside. We really enjoyed our stay in our room and appreciate all the free goodies and amenities we were provided. These are full condo-like rooms that you can practically feel at home in with all the cooking and cocktail utensils one could want. I would change the fact it's not pet friendly as that's what this town is all about, also I'd make all the decor a bit more modern... not that it's not nice but many other rooms we walked by looked pretty amazing. =)

The front desk staff are unprofessional and rude. Reservation department never returned my call.read more

Our family recently spent 10 nights at The Gant and paid approximately $16,000 for our stay. Given…read morethe price, we expected a high-quality experience and a level of service that matched the cost. Unfortunately, that was not our experience. After seven nights, we discovered a large bat living underneath the bed in one of the bedrooms. This was obviously disturbing and completely unacceptable for a property of this caliber. We had no choice but to ask to be moved to another unit. The inconvenience didn't end there. We had to pack up all of our belongings, move everything to another room, and then unpack everything again. This took time away from our family vacation and was an unnecessary disruption caused by a problem at the property. What was even more disappointing was the complete lack of meaningful response from management. Despite paying approximately $16,000 for our stay and having to relocate because there was a bat in our bedroom, there was no compensation and no meaningful gesture whatsoever. We were left with the distinct impression that management simply did not care. We understand that unexpected issues can happen at hotels and resorts. What matters is how management handles them. In our case, the response was incredibly disappointing. At this price point, we expected management to take responsibility, acknowledge the seriousness of the situation, and make some effort to compensate us for the disruption. Instead, we received essentially none of that. A bat living under a guest's bed for an extended period is bad enough. Having management show so little concern afterward made the experience considerably worse. For $16,000, we expected far better. The property may be beautiful, but beautiful surroundings do not make up for poor customer service when something goes seriously wrong. Our family vacation should have been memorable for all the right reasons. Unfortunately, discovering a large bat under the bed--and then feeling completely disregarded by management--is what we will remember most.

Ashley at guest service was great. Shuttle services was good. Workout center was ok. Not a lot of…read moreamenities otherwise and it's tough to get past some housekeeping services for $1200 plus a night!

Legendary. This mountain has something for everyone. It's big, lots of runs. This is my second…read morevisit to Snowmass. Both trips were I. March, 2 years ago I got some fresh powder this year it was spring conditions. I was able to hit all 4 resorts in 1 day, Snowmass, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands, and Ajax. Snowmass is amazing. I will be coming back.

We enjoyed our time at snowmass. We came at the end of the season & the weather was pretty good…read more All of the employees that we came in contact with were helpful and nice. Trying to figure out where to go for our lessons was a little confusing but we found it with assistance. Our instructor, Cyndi, was very friendly and helpful in teaching us how to ski. We enjoyed our lunch at the cafeteria. It was packed but we found seats and got our food quickly.