Colorado is a paradise for skiers and snowboarders. The majestic Rocky Mountains literally take the state over, dividing it into one glorious mountain town after another. If you’re planning a ski vacation, you’re likely facing the tough choice of just which mountain town to choose. Let’s take a look at two of Colorado’s more popular choices: Breckenridge and Aspen.

An Overview: Breckenridge is one of Summit County’s most popular mountain towns. While the Breckenridge Ski Resort holds a great deal of the town’s draw to both locals and tourists, Victorian-inspired Main Street hosts a great deal of Breck’s bars, restaurants, and shops. Similarly, Aspen is another Colorado favorite that draws the attention of locals and visitors. Nestled in the Elk Mountain region of the Rockies, Aspen is about 90 miles east of Grand Junction in the west-central part of the state. Famous as a Colorado trend-setter, Aspen draws visitors for its skiing just as much as its high-end shopping.

A Closer Look: While both Aspen and Breckenridge continuously receive rave reviews from visitors, there are a few major distinctions that might make a difference in your travel plans.

· Access: From a location standpoint, Breckenridge is the obvious choice. Just 80 miles west of the Denver International Airport, Breckenridge is a straight shot that doesn’t require travel over major mountain passes. Crossing Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70 into Breck can be sketchy from time to time, but the Department of Transportation usually stays on top of this decent into Summit County due to the large number of travelers that frequent these roads. Aspen, on the other hand, is a much tougher destination spot for winter travel. While the 200 miles between Denver and Aspen usually require about 3-1/2 hours of road time in the summer, heavy snow in more western parts of the state will certainly slow you down during winter travel.

· Price: Obviously, because Aspen is a farther destination, it’s going to break into your travel allowance more. Additionally, Aspen is famous for its exclusive and expensive nature, meaning just about everything in Aspen comes with a heavier price tag. From restaurant and bar tabs to lodging accommodations, Aspen is generally more expensive.

· Atmosphere: Without a doubt, both Aspen and Breckenridge are beautiful places to visit. In both towns, snow-filled mountains emulate the picture-perfect image you’ve seen on Colorado postcards. Additionally, both have a quaint downtown in which the ski resort seemingly spills into. The major difference, however, is the vibe. Aspen’s movie-star draw compliments its high-end shopping, which will make you feel like you’re in a snow-covered Hollywood. So, if you’re travelling for glamour, Aspen is probably a good bet. However, if you’re coming to Colorado to experience a laid-back, friendly, mountain town-vibe, Breckenridge is your better choice.

· The Mountain: Every Colorado ski resort will claim that it offers the best skiing and boarding in the state. For an unbiased comparison of Breckenridge and Aspen, let the facts speak for themselves. To begin, Breckenridge opens earlier in the season (twenty days earlier, to be exact), and closes a week later, meaning the obvious: more ski time. Additionally, while lift tickets to both ski resorts might be comparable, the Breckenridge Ski Resort offers a lot more bang for your buck. Breck sports more than three-and-a-half as much terrain (in acres) as Aspen, with 79 more trails, and 12 more lifts. Once again, this translates to not only more ski time, but also to more ski area. Plus, while Aspen offers no beginners’ terrain, Breckenridge devotes 14% of its trails to newbies while still providing plenty of skiing for those in the advanced and expert categories.

When it comes down to it, the choice is really quite clear. Save both your pocketbook and your travel time, and get to Breckenridge for the ride of your life.