Down below, Aspen's all dolled up with Prada, Gucci and Fendi. Up high, the white gloves come off for knockout skiing and riding on 5,300 acres of pure white Colorado powder. Aspen -- the darling of John Denver, celebs and X Games athletes -- is actually four separate peaks in the Elk Mountains. You'll want to zero in on Aspen Mountain itself, also known as Ajax, which rears up from the swanky boutiques, bars and beds of the eponymous town and has some of the toughest terrain. Save some juice for Aspen Highlands, three miles away, which draws big-mountain skiers to its long bowl runs. (Unless the X Games are in town, you can probably skip Buttermilk along with the kid-friendly Snowmass.) Then stumble back to the Little Nell, a 92-room hotel where the ski concierge will warm your boots, find you fresh tracks and even give you a tube of lip balm. Low on cash? Winter rates at the slopeside Mountain Chalet start at $100.

Must ski: Hike 20 minutes from the top of the Loge Peak chair at Aspen Highlands to hit the steep, open chutes off the 12,392-foot Highland Peak.

Must après-ski: Cozy up to your chairlift mate for an invite to the Caribou Club, the cozy, antler-decorated and members-only lounge redolent of leather, roasted lamb and Opus One. Or simply duck into Jimmy's for the 105 types of tequila and mezcal stocked there.

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Photo #1: Courtesy of Brian Porter   
Photo #2: Courtesy of Hal Williams