Brush up on your Aspen-speak so you can sound like a local.
1. The ABCThe Airport Business Center, 3 miles from Aspen, across from the Pitkin County Airport and home to offices and employee homes
The locals’ nickname for Aspen Mountain. It comes from one of the area’s larger mining claims.
The code for Aspen/Pitkin County Airport
At dinner, choose sparkling water or what waiters fondly call “Aspen Tap.” It’s free. It’s also the name of Aspen Brewing Company’s affiliate downtown storefront, which sells its beer... on tap.
The Maroon Bells, two 14,000-plus- foot peaks in the nearby Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area.
They are reportedly the most photographed peaks in North America.
Affectionate nickname for Carbondale, downvalley of Aspen. Local denizens are known as “Bonedalians.”
Creating “snow-steps” to go uphill on steep terrain with boots on. In the early season, Aspen Highlands Ski Patrol uses this technique—with a team of volunteer “bootpackers” who can earn season passes—to pack down snow in the Bowl to stabilize it.
Shorthand for Highland Bowl, the 12,392-foot peak on Aspen Highlands that can be accessed by a 782-vertical-foot hike
One of the Silver Queen Gondola cabins
Freshly groomed snow that is perfectly ribbed like corduroy
The Gentleman’s Ridge chairlift because it moves so slowly
An early morning activity initiated in time to see sunrise
Read also: 7 Breathtaking Aspen Hikes For Every Day Of The Week
Even though Aspen is southeast of Glenwood Springs, this refers to all locales “downstream” from Aspen, e.g., Woody Creek, Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs. Snowmass Village is considered sidevalley.
A series of ski runs on Aspen Mountain extending from Bear Paw to Bonnie Bell Ridge, named for the mine tailings that can be seen “dumping” from this hillside in the summer
Any peak over 14,000 feet in Colorado, of which there are 54
A freshly groomed run on Snowmass Ski Area that opens each day at noon. The chosen run changes daily.
Independence Pass, the 12,095-foot- high point on Highway 82 connecting Aspen to Leadville in the summer. During the winter, it’s closed. It’s also on the Continental Divide.
Pronounced “rafta,” and stands for Roaring Fork Transportation Authority, the valley’s bus system
Getting a lot of air or hang time while jumping on skis or a bike. Can also refer to a big night on the town.
Out-of-bounds terrain accessed from exiting the ski area boundary, not advised unless you know what you’re doing
The Village Express chairlift, which carries six people
Going uphill on skis with the help of long strips of synthetic “fur,” which prevent the skis from slipping backward
Stand-up paddleboarding
Photography by: By: Prescott Horn/Unsplash
