In 1879, Leadville, near the modern resort town of Vail, was the second largest city in Colorado. When Leadville prospectors crossed the Continental Divide into the Ute Indians' summer hunting territory, they discovered one of the richest silver lodes the world has ever known. They named their camp Ute City, but by spring the name had been changed… to Aspen
.


By 1891 Aspen's silver production had surpassed Leadville, making it the nation's largest single silver producing mining district. Aspen
Mountain opened in 1947 with the world's longest ski lift. In 1949, a seminal event in Aspen's history occurred when Chicago industrialist Walter Paepcke spearheaded the Goethe Bicentennial Convocation, celebrating the great humanist's 200th birthday with international leaders, artists, and musicians. Aspen's future role as a cultural center was assured by the music, art, dance, theater, and international studies programs that developed from the Convocation. The next year, Aspen became the first ski resort in America to host an international ski racing competition. The stage was now set for this former mining camp to become the most culturally and internationally connected mountain town in America.


Aspen soon added three more mountains to the fold, Buttermilk and Highlands in 1958, and Snowmass in 1968. The area is now the semi-permanent host of the wildly popular ESPN Winter X-Games, as well as dozens of other events throughout the year, including the HBO Comedy Festival, Jazz Aspen, the Aspen Filmfest and the Food & Wine Classic .


The Aspen Snowmass area has always been rich with natural resources, but these days it truly has it all: four ski mountains, year-round recreation, amazing sports, art and entertainment events that would fill an urban socialite's calendar, and world-class lodging and dining - all in the spectacular Roaring Fork Valley.


Now an incredible offer from Stay Aspen Snowmass gives you another reason to visit: Free Sports Express Ski or Snowboard Delivery with the purchase of a package from Stay Aspen Snowmass. Don't forget, March offers up some of the best conditions, events and deals of the entire season