The gentlest of the four Aspen Snowmass mountains and the one families and beginners are pointed towards, with a long consistent pitch that never surprises anyone.

It is also the home of the Winter X Games, which have been held here for decades, and the superpipe and slopestyle course built for them are among the best in the world. That combination of the easiest mountain and the most extreme competition in the same place is unusual.

One lift ticket covers all four Aspen mountains with a free bus between them, so Buttermilk works as part of a week rather than on its own. Aspen town is ten minutes away with everything that brings.