Although it’s the smallest of the four Aspen resorts (the others being Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Snowmass), size is alwaysrelative—with 470 skiable acres and a vertical rise that extends over 2,000 feet, Buttermilk still demands respect as some of the region’s best skiing.

That said, Buttermilk distinguishes itself first and foremost by its low-key terrain, offering a congenial area for new and intermediate skiers and families. Almost 75 percent of the resort is dedicated to beginners and intermediates, an attractive ratio for budding novices and two-season skiers and boarders ready to brave a blue-level piste. A beginner terrain park that opened in the 2005-2006 season rounds out these offerings. Buttermilk also operates some of the best ski and snowboard instruction in the world, while aspiring hucksters can learn to hit the lip at either the beginner’s ski and snowboard school park or the intermediate park.

Experts, however, shouldn’t feel dissuaded by Buttermilk’s apparent favoritism for novices. The resort’s more difficult terrain demands respect, while the X Park—host of the annual ESPN Winter X Games—boasts a massive 22-foot Superpipe.

All four mountains recently saw about $10 million in improvements, including replacing the West Buttermilk lift with a new, high-speed quad chair, cutting the ride time in half. And, in keeping with Buttermilk’s trend to cater to the newbie, the new lift has a midway load station, so that beginners and children can easily access the lower greens. A recently installed sound system near the mountain’s Superpipe will give ‘boarders

Although it’s the smallest of the four Aspen resorts (the others being Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Snowmass), size is alwaysrelative—with 470 skiable acres and a vertical rise that extends over 2,000 feet, Buttermilk still demands respect as some of the region’s best skiing.

That said, Buttermilk distinguishes itself first and foremost by its low-key terrain, offering a congenial area for new and intermediate skiers and families. Almost 75 percent of the resort is dedicated to beginners and intermediates, an attractive ratio for budding novices and two-season skiers and boarders ready to brave a blue-level piste. A beginner terrain park that opened in the 2005-2006 season rounds out these offerings. Buttermilk also operates some of the best ski and snowboard instruction in the world, while aspiring hucksters can learn to hit the lip at either the beginner’s ski and snowboard school park or the intermediate park.

Experts, however, shouldn’t feel dissuaded by Buttermilk’s apparent favoritism for novices. The resort’s more difficult terrain demands respect, while the X Park—host of the annual ESPN Winter X Games—boasts a massive 22-foot Superpipe.

All four mountains recently saw about $10 million in improvements, including replacing the West Buttermilk lift with a new, high-speed quad chair, cutting the ride time in half. And, in keeping with Buttermilk’s trend to cater to the newbie, the new lift has a midway load station, so that beginners and children can easily access the lower greens. A recently installed sound system near the mountain’s Superpipe will give ‘boarders yet another reason to never leave.

One thing that won’t change? Buttermilk’s bragging rights. The resort is slated to host the ESPN Winter X Games through 2014, making for an unprecedented 13 consecutive years—which should offer some seriously inspiring eye candy for all budding snowboarders and trick skiers on the scene. And with your pick of Aspen’s three other nearby mountains and the downtown attractions a mere three miles away, Buttermilk assures that you’ll find your own private version of that oft-quoted, seldom found winter wonderland.