It’s as if the mountain – Aspen’s Snowmass, measuring 3,300 acres of terrain – belongs to us alone. And all this through the UK half-term holidays. Kids – or anybody in any respect – are few and much between throughout the 4 mountains that make up the broader resort.

Whereas associates again house WhatsApp footage of crowded slopes and evaluate notes on variable snow situations, a Fb publish I put up of empty runs, powder glistening within the solar, has one envious pal asking if I’m the one one there. Having had solely a imprecise impression of Aspen as an unique and formidably dear superstar hangout, I’m visiting solo to take a look at the newly-opened Hero’s terrain on Aspen Mountain, which has added 153 acres to the higher, japanese facets.

Idyllic Rocky Mountain scenes are throughout, with views travelling up Independence Cross and right down to the valley ground, the place the Roaring Fork River meanders by way of the snow-blanketed North Star Nature Protect. It’s scenes like this that make me want I used to be sharing them with the household.

Added to this, the resort is an thrilling expertise for everybody from newbie to consultants, boasting greater than 5,600 acres of skiable terrain throughout the gentler Buttermilk and Snowmass, to the extra superior Aspen Mountain and the Highland Bowl, which tops out at 12,392ft atop double black diamond runs and requires a 45-minute hike to achieve it.

The 4 mountains are all inside a simple quick drive of each other and a single carry go covers all of them, which means every morning you may select a brand new scene relying on the skills of these in your celebration – with completely different however equally breath-taking views wherever you go.

Aspen itself, a former mining city that holds its heritage expensive judging by the variety of individuals strolling round in cowboy hats, is most undoubtedly not a finances possibility. Nevertheless, there are family-friendly eating places, free ice rinks, and a wealth of experiences aside from snowboarding that provides to its all-purpose household credentials.

And for many who at any level grow to be petrified of leaving the lodge on account of how a lot it may cost a little them, the Aspen Artwork Museum is completely free.

And whereas the carry passes could also be comparatively dear in contrast with Europe, they arrive – within the week I’m there, a minimum of – with completely no queues at any level. The mountains are large open and, mixed with the US dedication to courtesy or threat of being sued, the entire expertise offers full days of stress-free, uninterrupted snowboarding – on some runs, mine are the primary tracks till lunchtime.

For somebody used to the jostle and queues of the European ski slopes, I really feel like a child in a sweet retailer. Round mid morning, Ange wonders if a fast espresso would possibly see us by way of to a late lunch, however we each agree it’s too wonderful to cease. Happily, the realm places lots of effort into its apres-ski scene.

My first day snowboarding on Snowmass, round a 20-minute drive from the centre of Aspen city, ends sitting within the base village sipping an Espresso Martini, overlooking fields nonetheless bathed in sunshine and watching a Mardi Gras parade go by. Again in Aspen, the city comes alive because the solar units and skiers return.

The Little Nell, on the base of the Silver Queen Gondola, is the resort’s solely 5 star/5 diamond lodge and the realm’s ‘grande dame’, making it a star magnet and a enjoyable place to people-watch in its full of life bars. The lodge additionally presents the realm’s solely ski-in, ski-out spa, which presents a deep restoration therapeutic massage full with purifying oxygen and an infrared blanket that’s simply what the physician ordered after three days of stable snowboarding.

The Little Nell can be the place you discover the city’s most celebrated restaurant, Component 47 – named in honour of the valuable metallic that first put Aspen on the map – which serves “Colorado modern” delicacies similar to locally-raised Wagyu beef and seasonal produce. Earlier than we sit down, we’re given a tour of the lodge’s legendary wine cellar, which not solely incorporates greater than 20,000 bottles of the best wine from around the globe but in addition hosts the odd celebration and intimate dinners on request.

Strolling again after dinner to our lodge, the Limelight (barely decrease key, however luxurious and cozy, and that includes steaming out of doors sizzling tubs), the snow is falling closely, and it doesn’t cease by the point we get up.

The day is ideal for a snowshoe hike up the beautiful and pristine Citadel Creek Valley, beginning on the historic Ashcroft ghost city and shifting by way of serene spruce and fir forests and open meadows.

We strap on our sneakers – made for the thick powder that’s nonetheless falling – and set off on a 45-minute stroll in the direction of lunch.

Amid the right silence that comes with a heavy blizzard, we absorb our majestic environment, attempting to work out which creatures may need left the footprints of various sizes. The legendary Pine Creek Cookhouse is nestled on the base of the Elk Mountains and serves up gourmand alpine meals, that includes wild sport and contemporary fish.

We lunch on Rocky Mountain elk bratwurst, hickory smoked venison and rainbow trout, accompanied by a cocktail menu designed to fend off the chilly. My elderberry, pear and ginger quaint retains me heat for the whole hike again to base.

As soon as once more, I’m desirous about how a lot the children would have cherished today, below an enormous – by now, blue – sky and the adventurous freedom that comes with Colorado’s large open areas.

We’re fortunate to have Europe’s slopes only a two-hour flight away, however the Rockies and their provide of a crowd-free, faculty vacation escape is an expertise that’s greater than well worth the funding.

For extra data go to aspensnowmass.com and aspen.com.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​