aspen mountain .. often called by its former name of ajax among locals .. is a ski area located just outside of aspen .. it's on the north slope of aspen mountain .. it is somewhat small compared to other ski areas, especially compared to the much larger nearby snowmass ski area, and retains a unique cultural flavor that hearkens to the earlier days of recreational skiing in the state .. the ski area is located within the white river national forest that was my playground when i lived there .. ski's not included..