Profile: Aspen, Colorado

Population: 6,000

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4

Major Airport: Aspen-Pitkin County Airport

Companies with a Major Presence: Aspen Skiing Company

It doesn’t take long to realize why so many residents of Aspen have such a love affair with their little city nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.

Yes, Aspen has a reputation for being a playground for the uber-rich with their multi-million dollar mansions and high-end shopping. This is where Antonio Banderas, Michelle Pfeiffer and Jack Nicholson do the jet-set thing.

But the true romance goes much deeper.

Aspen offers world-class skiing and the four ski areas -- Highlands, Buttermilk, Aspen Mountain and Snowmass -- offer acres of snowy terrain for every level of skier. The rugged western scenery is breathtaking. The city is in on the Roaring Fork River, a tributary of the Colorado River, and is surrounded by mountains and wilderness areas.

Aspen’s also a hotbed for cultural activities, and its 19th century Victorian architecture is as scenic as the mountains.

The school system is excellent, the hospital has a staff of top-notch physicians, and the local airport offers easy, 45-minute flights to Denver International Airport.

Aspen has the charm of a small town with the amenities of a sophisticated, world-class destination. It’s no wonder visitors often decide to make this 19th century silver mining town their permanent home.