Serene piles of snow surround the residences of Snowmass and Aspen in January, making it appear as though life in Pitkin County is a Winter Wonderland.  Appearances are not misleading. Winter rolls out her white blanket, giving residents lots to do on chilly, snowy afternoons.

One way to enjoy Winter Wonderland is by skiing through it. Cross-county skiing offers excellent exercise, and an opportunity to see the pristine, natural beauty of Snowmass and Aspen.

The Snowmass Cross-Country Ski center offers diverse activities from cross-country skiing on a no-fee forty-mile Nordic Trail System to sledding, shopping and snacks. Cross-country ski classes and guided tours of the back country are available. For the more competitive at heart, races are held at the The Snowmass Cross Country Ski Center throughout the winter. Details about trails, activities and a schedule of races and cross-country events can be found at http://www.snowmassvillage.com/play/activities.html.

In Aspen, the Aspen Cross Country Center offers clinics for a multitude of skill levels. The Women’s Nordic Club is an all female winter ski experience.  For all residents who would like to step out of the office and into the snow for lunchtime cross-country workout can do so with Mike Trecker. Details on these opportunities, in addition to specifics concerning the names, lengths and difficulty levels of trails in Snowmass and Aspen can be found at; http://www.stayaspensnowmass.com/activity.winter.nordic.php.

Unlike many cities, whose cross-country trails are remote, the trail systems in Aspen and Snowmass are an integral part of life within these communities. Trails surround some communities and weave others together. Most significant is the fact that this huge trail system, over 60 miles in all, connects Snowmass, Aspen and Basalt. Trails are free and open to the public. They also receive immediate attention following all storms to ensure safe skiing conditions.

To find the perfect Winter Wonderland or other Aspen/Snowmass real estate wound in and among these cross-country trails, click here www.GregRulon.com

Long before the first piece of silver was drawn out of the ground, Aspen has cast its spell over everyone who has had the privilege to live here. The magic of Aspen effects people of every walk of life, but it has a special pull on the soul of the artist.

In the late 1940’s Walter and Elizabeth Paepcke came to Aspen, and fell in love with the majestic views and mountain lifestyle. During their lives they helped to transform Aspen from a struggling mining town, into a cultural epicenter of the West. According to the Aspen Historical Society, the Paepckes were socialites from Chicago who aspired Aspen to be a place, “ Where he (a man) can earn a living, profit by healthy physical recreation, with facilities at hand for his enjoyment of art, music and education.” They spent their lives bringing artists and writers to Aspen in order to encourage the fine arts within their community. Committed to the concept of a complete person, they also played a major role in the introduction of downhill skiing and other recreational sports to the Aspen area.

Modern Aspen still bears the fingerprints of the Paepcke family.  The breathtaking sights and powerful seasons of Aspen continue to call artists of every style and art from every corner of the earth.  These artists flock to Aspen because of its exceptional natural beauty. They call Aspen home because the philosophy of the Paepcke family has become infused into the social fiber of Aspen.

The city of Aspen offers an artistic environment in which artists and art enthusiasts can flourish personally, while allowing artistic opportunities unavailable in any other city in the world. Cultural festivals fill the calendar in Aspen year round, many within walking distance of residential real estate opportunities. These festivals and events offer residents, artists and tourists the opportunities to experience the talent and beauty residing in Aspen, both natural and man-made.

Succumb to the magic of Aspen, find an Aspen real estate opportunity that will complete you.

Snowmass may be the happiest village in the world.  It is certainly home to the happiest grizzlies in the world. The grizzlies in Snowmass are not only happy; they are quite possibly the busiest grizzlies anywhere. Not actual grizzlies, of course, but in Snowmass the children are fondly referred to as ‘grizzlies.’

Snowmass has everything a bear–or child-could desire. The Treehouse Kid’s Adventure Center at Snowmass offers playtime in the snow. It is the one stop ski place for children’s snow gear, ski rentals, and ski school check-in. It also offers indoor activities, game rooms and a special area for the little cubs to nap and play. The ski school at Snowmass is able to accommodate the beginning skier, as well as the more advanced grizzly. Throughout the resort, there are signs indicating which slopes are recommended for grizzlies, making skiing with children a pleasant, stress-free activity.

Need a break from skiing? During January, grizzlies can head down to Lunchline trail to check out the interactive Winter Wild Things exhibit.  Here children can learn first-hand about the animal life that surrounds Snowmass Village. After time among their fellow wild things, nothing is more calming than a nice campfire, s’mores and a story. Grizzlies can relax all winter at the Snowmass Village Mall on Wednesday afternoon with a story and gooey chocolate treat. If the qualifier for grizzly fun is gooey chocolate, they can also join a real cowboy back at the mall for more s’mores, and campfire songs on Monday afternoons.

Everyone knows, a bear loves to swim, and the Snowmass Village Recreation Center is the perfect place to take a dive. Year round grizzlies, and their parents can enjoy a heated outdoor pool, climbing walls and exercise classes.

Join us in grizzly heaven! Simply click here to see properties and real estate opportunities within Snowmass. There is something for everyone here, from the very biggest of bears to the smallest grizzly!

Tucked high in the mountains and blanketed in snow, Aspen and Snowmass Village are the center of extreme winter sports in North America.

For the tenth year in a row, Aspen and Snowmass Village will open their doors, and slopes to the Winter X Games. The games will begin on January 27^th and continue on through the 30^th at the base of Buttermilk Mountain. All events are open to the public, and best of all – they are free! On Saturday night, at the base of Aspen Mountain, in a culmination of extreme activity, cold and fun, there will a free Bud Light Hi-Fi concert. For a schedule of events and details of the games check. http://espn.go.com/action/xgames/winter/2011

Longer than any other Winter X Games host, Aspen and Snowmass have welcomed extreme athletes to show off, compete and challenge each other in extreme snowboarding, skiing and snowmobiling. This invitation is not simply for the weekend of the X-games. Many extreme sportsmen and women call the Aspen and Snowmass area home, due to the excellent winter sports conditions.  Even more winter sports enthusiasts flock to the area to enjoy the atmosphere created by such innovative and exciting athletes, and to try their own hand, skis or snowboard at extreme sports. While great snow and extreme conditions of the Snowmass and Aspen area call to these sportsmen and women, it is the warm, fun loving community that draws them in to stay and call this extreme sports mecca  home.

One glimpse of the tricks and stunts performed by these athletes tells onlookers, Aspen and Snowmass are not ordinary ski towns. To join this cutting edge community and take part in the excitement, click here to find the real estate opportunity that could help to make that X-treme dream – a reality.  Snowmass Village and Aspen Real Estate