Aspen Colorado - Jewel Of The Rockies

Ute Indians hunted the foothills surrounding Aspen during the summer hunting season. Spanish Conquistadors were the first none-indigenous people to travel through the area in the late 1500's. Fur trappers followed by the early 1800's.

It was the discovery of gold in the front range of Colorado's Rocky Mountains that drew miners in significant numbers to the Aspen area in 1879. During mining´s' peak, Aspen had a population that exceed 12,000 people making it the second largest city in Colorado, Denver being the largest.

During World War II, the U.S. Military formed the 10th Mountain Division to train troops capable of fighting in the mountains of the world. The primary training facility was established in Leadville Colorado. Following the war, a number of these soldiers returned to mountains of Colorado to explore the business possibilities. It was a group of such soldiers together with local business people that opened the Aspen Mountain ski area in 1947.

The economic engine of mining that failed in the early 1900's was replaced by the "white gold" of the ski industry that began to flourish in the late 1970's.

The cultural and social underpinnings of Aspen began in 1949 when the Goethe Bicentennial Convocation was organized in Aspen in 1949 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the German philosopher. The gathering attracted nationally known speakers, artists and musicians of the era. Today, the Aspen Institute and other non-profit organizations continue the tradition of social consciousness with a rich schedule of events and symposiums that attract global and national speakers.

Aspen's scenic beauty, intelligent social consciousness and snow skiing have attracted the rich and famous over the years. The streets of Aspen are replete with French and Italian boutiques and some of the finest restaurants in the United States.

The Aspen Mountain ski area has expanded over the years to include three distinct ski mountains -- Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and the Buttermilk ski areas. The area enjoys over 300-inches of snow on average each year. The skiing is challenging enough that the Winter X Games have been held at Buttermilk the past several years and will be through at least 2010.

Aspen is a year-around center of activity. Festivals fill the summer months and well into the fall. In planning your summer vacation, consider the 6th Annual Chili Pepper & Brew Fest, the 2nd Annual Rooftop Comedy Festival, The Snowmass Village Rodeo, The Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Festival, the Food & Wine Magazine Classic in Aspen, Theatre Aspen performances, the Aspen Ideas Festival, the Aspen Music Festival and School performance series, the Aspen Art Museum 4th of July Festival, the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, the Aspen Institute 16th Annual Summer Celebration Gala, tje 42nd Annual Aspen Ruggerfest, the Aspen Filmfest, among others.

Are you looking for something more physical, more "back-to-nature"? Horseback riding, mountain biking, wilderness camping, hiking, kayaking, hot air ballooning, and much more, await you in Aspen after the snow has melted.

The Pitkin County Regional Airport that serves the Aspen area is one of the busiest high-altitude airports in the world. A fleet of private jets can be seen daily arriving and departing with names that we would all recognize. Paris in the morning, Aspen by nightfall is not unusual by Aspen standards.

Rex Manz is a Colorado Realtor that assists homebuyers considering the purchase of an Aspen Colorado ski home or ski condo. Rex and his associates provide personal service in locating the perfect Aspen ski property for you. Rex has put together a Colorado Ski Resorts Map. Live The Rockies!